Yearly Archives: 2015

Block N Load Goes Free to Play Today

Block N Load Goes Free to Play Today news header

Jagex Games Studio is proud to announce that with today’s significant update for Block N Load, the game is now free to play. The transition takes the existing core game, mechanics, and modes, and enhances them with substantive improvements to the shooter’s combat and matchmaking, as well as launching a whole raft of additional content such as new heroes, daily challenges, perks and player progression.

Block N Load now includes a daily challenge system that gives players objectives that have to be fulfilled within a single match or 24 hours. Challenges can come in the form of multiple conditions, including gaining a certain number of kills or completing specific actions, and allow players to generate a flow of gold bars that can be used to purchase new Heroes or Perks.

The introduction of a Perks System in Block N Load allows players to further customise their Heroes, so they can play how they want to. Unlocked with gold bars, there are more than 55 Perks to choose from, including some that improve offensive and defensive capabilities on the battlefield. The update also sees the arrival of three recently announced heroes: master of electricity, Vander Graaf; J-Pop, kitty-launching, Kira-chan; and the always frosty, Yury the Yeti.

 

Block N Load: Free-to-play features

  • Challenge system: Daily challenges to overcome for great rewards
  • Upgradable Perks: Allow players to customise their play style for maximum effectiveness
  • New rewards system: Get gold to choose new Heroes and Perks
  • Hero rotation: Get familiar with all of the Block N Load Hero roster
  • Enhanced mechanics: Improved matchmaking, combat, and player progression

“We know from working together with our amazing player community, that the vast majority of our players wanted Block N Load to be a free-to-play game, so that’s what we’ve done! We took the time to develop and implement a fully-rounded free-to-play experience, and added a ton of new content and improvements on top,” said David Solari, vice president, Block N Load. “We are really proud to have made a game that is truly unique in the shooter space and look forward to working with our players again to build on it.”

Vainglory Update 1.9 Launches

Vainglory Update 1.9 Launches news header

Super Evil Megacorp, the developers behind the hit MOBA Vainglory, will begin its inaugural Autumn Season with update 1.9 launching today along with countless new features.

The launch of Seasons introduces Teams and Guilds, meaning players of any level can socialize within Vainglory and compete for fun or for real prizes, totaling more than $125,000. Update 1.9 also includes a new hero, Phinn, several new seasonally-themed skins and a limited time only map. Throughout the month of October, iOS players will have free access to hero Celeste, while hero Taka is available for free for Android players.

Over the next week, North American and European players will see the Preseason VGL Qualifiers finish. Then, beginning with the Autumn season, teams will earn points for each qualifier, and the eight teams with the most points will take part in the Live Finals in early December.

For more information on Vainglory Seasons and update 1.9, check out the Super Evil blog, and for the full rundown of the eSports broadcast and tournament schedule, check out the Seasons calendar.

SMITE Reveals Sol as Next Norse Goddess

Hirez Studios has revealed on their livestream patch notes new itemization changes, Halloween events, and even a new Norse Mage Goddess, Sol!
SMITE Sol Stream

Before getting to the hot foot of the hour, some key itemization changes have arrived to balance some unforeseen evils in recent play. Mail of Renewal has been toned down to keep Guan Cena at bay, reducing its health and mana regen from 20% of max to 15%. Shoes of Focus also get a nifty buff of 250 mana, meaning you’ll actually be able to spam abilities with that bonus cooldown now. Bluestone Pendent sees a very minor reduction in power, ticking twice for 13 damage over 2 seconds now instead of the total of 30 damage before.

This patch also introduces a new Halloween themed Arena map, where minions have been replaced with zombies including a special Jack O’Lantern siege minion. The battlefield will slowly become a graveyard over time as god deaths get marked with tombstones!

SMITE Reveals Sol as Next Norse Goddess

Finally we have Sol, the Norse Goddess of Fire! Let’s take a look at her kit.

 

Unstable Manifestation (Passive)

Sol gains Heat as she uses abilities and hits with basic attacks. She gains +1% Magical Power and +1% Attack Speed for every 3% Heat. At 100% Heat, Sol’s basic attacks gain +50% Damage. Heat decreases over time.

Radiance

Sol burns bright, gaining a large amount of Heat and healing her form slowly over time and igniting the ground around her. Enemies that walk onto the fire take damage every second.
Stellar Burst
Sol’s next basic attack explodes, creating a shockwave that travels out dealing damage. At full size the wave reacts, dealing damage again and slowing enemies.

Disapparate

Sol burns down her manifestation, gaining movement speed and ignoring all movement penalties, while leaving a trail of fire behind her that damages enemies.

After 3s Sol loses coporeal form for a short time and her trail explodes stunning enemies for 1.5s. Sol may leave her incorporeal form early.

Ultimate – Supernova
Sol unleashes all her flame and fury from the sky, striking 8 times along a moveable ground target location. Enemies hit are knocked back on the first strike, and take only 20% damage on successive hits.

Sol’s full reveal can be seen on the microsite here.