Yearly Archives: 2014

Magicka: Wizard Wars Celebrates a Year of Severely Tested Friendships

Magicka

Paradox Interactive and Paradox North today celebrated the one-year anniversary of Magicka: Wizard Wars, the game where bad spelling is finally punishable by death. Released in Early Access one year ago today, Magicka: Wizard Wars now has a community of close to 1 million registered users, all of whom (along with anyone else brave enough to play) will receive the gift of a special Imp skin for their helpful in-game monstrosities. In addition, all players who supported Magicka: Wizard Wars early on with the purchase of a Founder’s Pack will receive color versions of the Imp skin to match their Founder Robes in the near future. There will also be a special gift for all players who participated in the Alpha.

Since the game’s debut in 2013, the community has grown significantly, closing in on 1 million players, and the following milestones have been achieved (measured both by magic and science):

  • 25,000 matches of Magicka: Wizard Wars now played on an average day (average of 17 matches per minute)
  • Over 300 items now available via in-game store (almost one new item per day since the game’s public release)
  • Over 1,400 bugs annihilated thanks to player feedback, not including updates made for game balance

“The Wizard Wars community never ceases to amaze us, and it’s not just because they can shoot fiery death beams on command,” grins David Nisshagen, Game Director. “When we launched last year, we wanted to give the Magicka fans a game as fun and unique as the original, but with balanced PvP and a stronger game engine. Now, after one full year of weekly updates, there’s a new match of Wizard Wars starting every five seconds. Every added feature, robe, map, or Magick since we launched is better than the last, thanks to the constant improvements our players have helped us make. I know you can’t see our faces through those mysterious wizard robes, but believe me when I say we’re all beaming with grateful pride right now.”

Players who log in to Magicka: Wizard Wars between October 15th and 22nd, 2014, will receive a special anniversary Imp skin, available from the in-game store for only one crown.

Magicka: Wizard Wars, which is free to download and play immediately in Early Access, is a spellcasting action player-versus-player (PvP) game where two teams of four wizards each go head-to-head utilizing the celebrated spellcasting system – and the chaotic friendly fire – of Magicka. Warring Wizards combine elements to attack, defend, and generate total confusion in hundreds of ways as they battle it out to become the last Wizard standing.

For more details, and to play Magicka: Wizard Wars for free, visit www.wizardwars.com.

Assault Wave

Assault Wave is a real time World War II themed tactical action game. The game has single player campaigns and battles initially for USA and Germany, and both online and on-same-device multiplayer modes. Multiplayer can be done on the same device in real time. The game has been released on iOS (iPad, iPhone 4S and newer, iPod 5th generation and newer) and Android (3.0 and newer).

Features:

Chess with Machineguns: Assault Wave is a deceptively simple game to learn, as you simply drag & drop your chosen units to the battlefield and issue commands to alter the tactical situation, yet the game offers a multitude of tactical choices during the game play.

Looks and Sounds Great: The unit detail is impressive and the terrain details are realistic. Explosions shake the screen and tanks explode in bursts of satisfying flames. Flamethrowers erupt in streams of glowing fire as they fan their hot lava death over all who stand before them.

Exciting Multiplayer: Fast paced and challenging multiplayer via GameCenter and the unique same-device mode — literally head-to-head play. Compete in 1 on 1 battles with a friend via the same iPad.

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (also known as CS:GO) builds upon the classic, team-based FPS content of Counter-Strike with new maps, characters, weapons, modes, and more.

Features:

More Game Modes: Try the classic competitive and casual modes, or opt for the new Demolition, Deathmatch, and Arms Race modes.

Ranked Matchmaking: Your wins and losses will help calculate where you are ranked and matched in multi-player. PC players may also access private dedicated servers.

Cross-Platform Multiplayer: Available on PC (via Steam), XBox 360, and PlayStation Network, players can find themselves matching up against the competition in new ways.

New Weapons and Redesigned Maps: Facelifts to classic maps, new weapons like the Molotov cocktail, and more await you in this fresh look at Counter-Strike.

Shards of War: Extra Early Look!

By Jordan Hall (ApocaRUFF)

 

 

Shards of War is an up-and-coming “Next Generation MOBA” brought to us by BIGPOINT, currently in alpha. Instead of the usual fantasy-theme of most MOBAs, Shards of War will be going with a sci-fi theme. You will take control of a Sentinel, a warrior sent to Empire City from an alternate reality, to do battle. The game makes use of WASD controls, twitch-action combat, and relatively short match times compared to other games in the genre. The end goal of Shards of War is to redefine the MOBA, so let’s see if they’re on the right track.

 

 

 

The Sentinels

So far, there have been ten revealed Sentinels. Like most MOBAs, Shards of War has a theme or back-story surrounding their “heroes.” Here, the Sentinels are warriors from alternate realities taken from their own realities and placed in Empire City to do battle. The archetypes are the same for the most part – you still have attackers, tanks, and supports. Sure, there are some things that make the archetypes stand apart from other games, but for the most part if you’re familiar with playing tanks from a game like League of Legends, you’ll get used to them in Shards of War fairly quick.

Shards of War Preview Sentinels

 

 

What’s Different?

If you’re like me, you probably groaned when you learned about yet another MOBA project. After that, you probably asked, “Why should I care about yet another MOBA?” So, what makes this different from all the other games in this genre? Well, first would be the sci-fi dystopian future setting of the game – quite different than the fantasy theme that most go with. Next would be the way loadouts work, as it’s a bit different than the usual. The shorter matches are another difference. Most MOBAs go with thirty-to-forty minute matches, sometimes longer. However, Shards of War is aiming for an average of twenty minutes in game length.

Shards of War Preview Missions

There are some other differences, too. Such as missions that can be completed to receive currency or special chests that can be opened for stuff like crafting materials. Speaking of which, there appears to be the ability to craft items. Already they have the frameworks for this available for play. There’s also a tab for events, so I’m assuming that they’ll have special events that happen from time to time. This is a nice improvement to the usual “First Win of the Day” bonus that most MOBAs go with.

Shards of War Preview Crafting

As I mentioned, there are craft items in the game. This is because you’ll need to craft gear before you can use it in a match. After crafting a piece of gear or an item, you can then apply it to your loadout. As your team progresses in levels, you can purchase these gears based on their gear level. For example, a Team Level D item becomes available when your team reaches level 10. Which brings up something else different – you don’t level up individually, your team levels up as a whole.

 

 

Controls

So far, the controls in Shards of War have proven to be quite intuitive. Except on rare occasions, the controls have been some of the most responsive and smooth I’ve ever experience in MOBA. And this was much to my surprise, as I was expecting something much more choppy and clunky from a game at this stage in development. If things continue like this, I can’t wait to see how well the controls are working at launch. The controls remind me a great deal of AirMech.

Shards of War Preview Controls

Personally, I much prefer the WASD movement – WASD movement is part of the reason that Smite is my favorite MOBA to date. I’ve never been a fan of the point-and-click movement that a majority of MOBAs make use of. In my opinion, it just doesn’t seem to mesh well with the action-oriented combat that most of these games feature. Once the small problems (mainly concerning the camera) are resolved as development continues, I know that this will be a top contender for my “favorite” MOBA, simply because of the controls.

 

 

The Match

For the most part, matches in Shards of War are very similar to traditional “conquest”-style matches in other MOBAs. I can’t comment on any other gamemodes that will be made available in the future, though. The main gamemode, however, has most of the same elements that other primary gamemodes in other MOBAs do. For example, you still have three lanes, jungle camps, towers, minions, and stealth locations in the jungle. Of course, it’s all given the signature dystopian theme that Shards of War will be known for. Things will more than likely change drastically as development continues, though, just as I’ve seen in other MOBAs (anyone remember the side-lanes in early versions of Smite?).

 

Shards of War Preview Map

I look forward to seeing how the map continues to evolve as the game matures.

 

There are jungle mobs, still. In this case, jungle robots. They fulfil a similar function in Shards of War as they do in other MOBAs. However, some are a bit different such as the massive red “Dragon” tank. This is a four-legged tank-robot that can be fought. If you manage to destroy it, it will then spawn as a minion for your team and help you roll through your enemies’ forces. This is reminiscent of the “tank” from one of Smite’s 4v4 Game modes and Strife’s signature gorilla boss, in a way. However, this featured isn’t limited to just the tank, as all jungle robots seem to act in this way – defeating them brings them in to help your team and certain robots are proficient at achieving certain goals.

Shards of War Preview Dragon

One of the major differences, at least in my opinion, is the way that items and loadouts work. As I mentioned, you need to craft gear before you can use it in your loadout. Then, before you get into a match, you create a loadout that is split into different tiers represented by levels. Each tier can have a maximum of three items in it. Then, once you are in the match, these items are made available to you as your team levels up and you are able to choose from the items in that tier level. There’s also a recommended loadout for each Sentinel that can be used if you have yet to customize your own.

Shards of War Preview Loadout

Combat is a bit different than most MOBAs mostly because of the difference in controls, but also because the game has a sci-fi theme. Because of this, almost all of the current Sentinels carry ranged weapons. Some can make use of close-range attacks, but so far Cobra is the only one that I’ve seen that specializes in melee attacks. Combat reminds me an isometric or top-view Run n’ Gun game. Fights are filled with bullet fire and explosions, and movement is key.

Shards of War Preview Combat

Close-quarters combat can turn into a sort of dance, with opponents circling around each other. This gives the game a feeling of intense action that most MOBAs can’t pull off for me. It almost feels more like a shooter than MOBA, actually. Just with the additional strategy and tactics that comes with map control and awareness unique to the genre. Overall, I found the combat to be refreshing and fun.

 

 

Graphics

Right away I fell in love with the looks of the game. That may be due to the fact that I’ve always enjoyed post-apocalyptic urban scenes. But, in general, the graphics look good so far. I imagine things will continue to be refined, which is something I think the game will really need. It looks as if the characters are low-definition when looking at them closely, which may or may not turn you away from the game. Personally, I had no issue with that and even felt it fit the game.

Shards of War Preview Graphics

I found myself purposefully spending more time in the jungle than I probably should have during my first games. The beautifully crafted city-scape was interesting to explore. I’ve come to a point where all the new MOBAs coming out are nothing special, as they all have a fantasy theme. However, the sci-fi theme of this game has allowed for some new stuff past the usual things you find in the jungles. It was nice to experience a concrete jungle.

 

 

Conclusion

I’d like to end by stressing that Shards of War is in beta. Things will be changing often as the game continues to grow and mature. That being said, it’s already proven itself to be different from the usual MOBA formula. I had a blast playing the game, which is something that is exceedingly rare for me within the MOBA genre. It’s hard not to be jaded when every other game being released this year is another MOBA. In the end, the game still has a long way to go but is definitely worth keeping an eye on. I encourage you to hop into the game as soon as you get a chance!

Orcs Must Die! Unchained Closed Beta Update 1.6 Adds Hero & Much More

OMDU Ancestor Art

Several exciting new updates are now available for the ORCS MUST DIE! UNCHAINED closed beta, including the brand new hero, Ancestor, just in time for Halloween! Somewhere between dead and undead and the most unconventional of New Order mages, Ancestor is able to channel the powers of the Rifts in ways no truly living member can manage. Ancestor damages enemies by stealing their health, which he then turns into more health for himself and his team members. As the game progresses, his power only increases.

Big gameplay and visual changes have also been made to the new three-lane Highlands map.  Players will be able to square off with extra minions and more traps in a fight to defend the enemies from their rift. Three new hero skins will also bring more options for players to show off with Lumbering Jack Hogarth, Tutu D’Loo Blackpaw, and Flower Friend Ivy available. In addition, the Frightfully Delightful Sorceress and Scared-Crow War Mage will be able for FREE for a limited time to players looking for a spooky skin.
OMDU Final Push
To go along with the Halloween theme, players in the ORCS MUST DIE! UNCHAINED closed beta can also look forward to setting traps and battling others in a special spooky version of the popular two-lane map, Cliffside Clash. For a limited time, players can experience the darkness of night with tons of scary decorations.

For complete update notes and details on new features, improvements and updates to the ORCS MUST DIE! UNCHAINED closed beta, please head here.