Monthly Archives: January 2015

The Quest For Wizardry Online Revival

By Cord DeBlois, Guest Writer

 

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The MMO version of the classic Wizardry series by Sir-Tech, Wizardry Online. The game that was barely given a chance. The game that was ripped away before it’s time on July 31st, 2014 from the North American and European servers provided by Sony Online Entertainment, while flourishing in Japan. While it may have had its flaws during its brief, but infamous time it was available, it is certainly not a game to be swept under the rug. The community contradicted and answered common questions found on various MMO forums and reviews. Below are a few examples are such complaints coincided with veteran players’ responses.

 

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“Unfortunately, most of the time it’s a lumbering beast of a game with interesting ideas cloaked behind layers of frustration that only dedicated players will surpass.”

Wizardry the franchise, even during its days as a solo RPG experience, has always been a grindy game with much depth, so it stands to reason that the developers would carry this legacy into the online edition.

 

While this game may be tedious and grindy at times, the payoff is very rewarding and encourages a strong sense of community. Your first experience in Wizardry Online might seem daunting, but once you get further into the experience, you begin to understand the developer’s innovation, making you work hard for achievements and rewarding you along the way, creating a thirst for what lies around the next corner.

 

 

Unfortunately said online edition came with the typical pitfalls most devs new to the territory suffer, namely a rough buggy launch. However, such issues did not define those games and should not have defined Wizardry Online either. Though its short lived lifespan in the west blocked us from ever seeing the shining polished version it could have become.

 

 

The game lived on in Gamepot’s Japanese version, teasing us with what could have been, including some major features designed to address some of the primary frustrations players had. Two key examples were a “Story Mode” to make progression more engaging, as well as a PvE oriented server known as the “Liberal” server.

 

 

 

“First, the interface is somewhat unintuitive, combining odd movement, tiny and indistinct inventory icons, and controls that do different things depending on if your weapon is drawn or not.”

Coments like this were in the forefront of player and press criticism coinciding Wizardry Online’s launch. ‘Outdated’ in graphics and game controls, players uninstalled without second though. Those that stuck around recognized the developers’ goal of capturing a classic feel of gameplay, rather than cinematic styles commonly seen today. It is part of the Wizardry series, and is a wonderful representative of the classic RPG players get nostalgic over today. Legacy Wizardry employed turn-based combat with linear actions. Many of today’s players are used to controls that sometimes require extremely dexterous movements and combinations that defy logic. Wizardry Online developers stayed away from this trend and modernized the turn-based play that Wizardry was known for, resulting in gameplay that forced you to remain mentally sharp while emphasizing perfectly timed one button blocks and dodges rather than rapid MOBA level button mashing.

 

 

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Wizardry Online is not an open world game, which also sets it apart from its rivals in the PVP niche.”

The fact that it is not an open world game, but a dungeon crawler, makes no negative changes to the player vs player aspect. The close quarters make exciting and intense PvP experiences, with a one of a kind combat style that is different than what is seen in open world MMO’s today. It is understood that dungeon crawlers are not for everyone, and that’s alright! Each has their own style and preference in their personal gaming experience.

 

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“It’s nothing like the old Wizardry series.”

It goes without saying, Wizardry Online had to make several changes going from a single player RPG to a multiplayer MMO. However, it did keep a lot of the original aspects. There were a total of five races and eight classes available in Wizardry Online (Lord, Ninja, Samurai and Bishop were released in late 2013), the same exact set of races and skills as Sir-Tech’s Wizardry 1-5. In Japan they also are planning to release the Bard and Alchemist classes. They also kept many similar story lines, such as from Wizardry Labyrinth Of Lost Souls, adding new, entertaining twists to keep you on the edge of your seat, while making it fit to a multiplayer/MMO style of gameplay.

 

 

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“The lack of polish also stands out right at the start of the game.”

This could mean a variety of things, seeing how everyone has a different opinion on what they like in a game. However, once you put some time into the game, you really feel like you’re delving into an ancient world of lore and magic. The simple, yet intricate graphics and detail add to the effect, making it feel like you are truly in a medieval, dark world where adventure and horrors are waiting to meet you around every corner. Sometimes even in town!

 

 

“Third, it is seriously overrun with gold spammers and other repugnant creatures.”

Yes, we will not deny that in the very beginning, there were several gold spammers, along with the majority of MMO’s that have been released in the last decade. Luckily, with the PvP player looting system in Wizardry Online, gold spammers ceased to exist due to players killing them, and looting their things. Without the ability to make money, the gold bots quickly dissipated. Wizardry Online has all the capabilities of the community governing itself, and that is what it did.

 

 

 

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“It’s an okay MMO, but the hardcore PvP and perma death isn’t there. “

Ah yes, the old perma-death paranoia. We will admit it has been talked up, and was made into something it really wasn’t. At death, a player will resurrect at a goddess shrine, and be presented with a scale. As a young player your scale is normally 100% resurrection rate, as you progress into the game, your scales lower. There was only the potential of losing your character. Wizardry’s former publisher had over-exaggerated the aspect which leads potential players astray as a marketing gimmick gone wrong.

 

 

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“With the ‘Free to Play’ title, it’s most likely to be Pay to Win.”

In this age of the MMO market, the majority of games available fell into the “Pay to Play” category, or the relentless “Free to Play” but is “Pay to Win”. The argument is the publisher has to raise money for server costs by adding an in-game cash shop filled with buffs, armor, avatar costumes, and more. Though there are few select things in the Wizardry Online cash shop that would give extremely minimal boost, such as health potions and forge guards, it was mostly avatar costumes and other personalization items. The creators of the game made it obvious you are on your own in your gameplay.

 

 

In essence, we all strongly believe if given the chance, Wizardry Online will make a strong and reliable gaming experience for the lost gamers, who are craving adventure, friendships, and a healthy challenge.

 

Best regards and hope to see you soon,

The Wizardry Online Community

Dying Light: 2 mini assets available for download and viewing

Dying Light

With the release of Dying Light just 2 weeks away, Techland has released 2 mini assets that will bring players all the bit closer to the devastated world they will soon be thrown into.

Harran-city.com, the official website of the Dying Light city has been hacked form the inside. Survivors are trapped inside and the powers at play are making it difficult to escape, so the only chance is to try reach out to the rest of the world and let them know what is happening.

Players can explore the site and see how the city once was watch as the viral horror slowly unfolds through the eyes of the mysterious hacker. Players can also begin to piece together the viral outbreak story and other in-game elements that have yet to be revealed as they explore the site.

The 2nd asset lets fans bring a piece of the plague home with them. Dying Light is letting fans download an official 3D printable figurine of one of the many zombies that plague the ill-fated city of Harran. Decorate your shelf with a piece of Harran’s hordes and download the free file from the link below:
Download the Dying Light 3D figurine here.

If you are looking for inspiration how to paint your freshly-printed zombie figurine, take a look at our Paint the Zombie video where a Dying Light concept artist gives life and color to his own flesh-craving statue.
Watch the Paint the Zombie video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Darp-Xls5C0

Dying Light is coming to PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and the PC, and is scheduled for release in 2015 on January 27th in the Americas, January 28th in Asia, Australia and New Zealand, and January 30th in Europe.

Wildstar: New details revealed for 2015

Product Directo Mike Donatelli of Carbine Studios has just revealed new details for their Sci-Fi MMORPG, Wildstar. These details include new solo and group content, improvements to customization and more.

“Moving forward, the team has a clear and fixed focus:

  1. We will encourage and listen carefully to your – the player’s – feedback and focus development on making WildStar a more fun, less grindy, game.
  2. We will make these updates with both present and future players in mind, to support a multitude of play styles, durations, group sizes and levels.
  3. We will invest in, enhance, and grow this game.

With these three themes in mind, here is a quick list of exciting things happening in WildStar in the first half of 2015:

  • We will be adding lots of solo and group content to the game, including new shiphands, adventures and dungeons.
  • We are focusing on revamping our customization systems and adding new ways for players to add personality to their characters.
  • We are improving the Elder game experience, offering players lots of opportunities to find new and exciting loot!”

For more info, visit http://wildstar-online.com/en/news/2015-01-15-wildstars-big-plans-for-2015/

Combat Arms Celebrates Six Years of Shooter Mayhem

Combat Arms

Nexon Europe is pleased to announce that the hugely successful multiplayer shooter Combat Arms will be celebrating its sixth anniversary during the month of January.

The last six years has seen over 7.6 million players take part in the online shoot-fest, with thousands logging on every day – which equates to more than 2.5 billion precision headshots and 15.6 million monthly nutshots made in Europe.

To commemorate the anniversary, a number of in-game events will be taking place throughout the month, in which players will have the opportunity to get their hands on a number of exciting items and exclusive prizes.

The full anniversary calendar is as follows:

Daily Roll Call Event (7th – 28th January)
Throughout the month of January, players can earn themselves a full set of anniversary gear by logging into the game on a daily basis, thereby participating in the Roll Call Event.

The prizes for logging in every day of the event are as follows:

14.01.2015 – 20.01.2015: 6th Anniversary Backpack (permanent)
21.01.2015 – 28.01.2015: 6th Anniversary Bandana (permanent)

Players who participate for the first three days will earn themselves an S1 Suppressor and bonus EXP Passes, while players who log in for ten or more consecutive days will permanently receive both prizes plus an additional 6th Anniversary item.

6th Anniversary EXP / GP Event
All players will receive a substantial EXP boost when playing on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday throughout the month. Playing from 11:00 to 14:00 CET will give a 200% EXP and a 100% GP bonus. While, playing from 17:00 to 20:00 CET will give a 300% EXP and 150% GP bonus.

Enhanced Free Rotation
Moreover, players will find eight great weapons entirely free: giving a greater variety of firepower to all combatants on the battlefield.

For more info, visit http://www.nexoneu.com/en