Yearly Archives: 2021

Zenith is On the Way to PlayStation VR

By Jason Fogerty (JFogerty)

Have you been following updates on the virtual reality cyberpunk MMORPG Zenith that is under development by Ramen VR? If so, you might recall how rapidly this game received overwhelming funding and support through Kickstarter. While it has been a while since we have had updates on this title, we have an exciting one for you today. The developer just announced that Zenith is on the way to PlayStation VR.

Zenith MMORPG Coming to Playstation VR

Project Creator Andy Tsen Announced That Zenith is On the Way to PlayStation VR

The news about Zenith coming to PlayStation VR turned up in the latest Kickstarter update of project creator Andy Tsen. In the same post, Tsen announced that the game will make its way to Oculus Quest. Additionally, he stated that we can expect 7 days of reveals beginning March 4th. Among them will be pre-order dates, the release date for the alpha, in-game content, and tiering. That is a lot to look forward to for those who are excited about this forthcoming game.

Alpha-Beta Timeline for Zenith

Alpha-Beta Timeline for Zenith

Not familiar with Zenith yet? The official Kickstarter description says, “Zenith is a VR MMO inspired by our favorite animes and JRPGs, where millions of people can play, socialize, and create their own unique experience together. Fight, craft, explore, and live in the first cross platform VR MMO.”

Andy Tsen also wrote a post for the PlayStation blog about the news. In that post, he provides details about the world the game takes place in. He also talks about combat, class customization, and freedom of movement.

Those who have been searching for a community-minded MMO where players forge strong relationships may also be interested in Zenith. Tsen, who married his in-game Final Fantasy 14 wife IRL later down the line, explains, “The social experience is especially important to us as developers because we believe that online games can empower people, and build relationships as strong as real life!”

This is welcome news in a world where many MMORPGs have become increasingly disconnected and impersonal. It sounds like Zenith is pushing the envelope by offering a futuristic experience, but also bringing MMO gaming back to its more socially-oriented roots.

It is well worth reading the entire post at the PlayStation blog in detail so you can find out what will make the Zenith experience unique. From the sound of things, this is a very ambitious project. We can’t wait to hear the rest of the announcements Tsen promised over the days ahead.

How Can You Follow Updates on the Zenith MMORPG?

Excited to play Zenith using PS VR or another VR system? You will definitely want to follow the news that is coming out about the game over the next week. You can keep up with what is going on with Zenith by following the updates over on the Kickstarter page for the project. Also, you can visit the official website of the game, which is brand new. If you want to keep up with content drops, you can join the official Discord server. On that server, you can meet others who have pledged support to Zenith and who you will eventually have the chance to play with when the game launches. Here at OnRPG, we also will keep you posted about what is new with Zenith and other forthcoming MMORPGs.

As of right now, the developer has yet to announce an official release date for Zenith, although pre-orders are now available. But the timeframe is supposed to be during 2021, and available platforms will include PlayStation VR, SteamVR, and Oculus. Given the stresses of the past year and the longing many gamers have for an escape, this fresh VR universe can’t arrive soon enough.

Dread Templar Game Announcement Trailer

Dread Templar is a fast-paced retro FPS coming in Steam Early Access this Fall!

Dread Templar is a fast-paced retro FPS that combines 90s classic shooter elements with modern skill-based FPS controls. You are a Dread Templar who entered Hell seeking revenge. But in order to get it, you have to fight your way through the dark realm!

Unruly Heroes Mobile Official Trailer

“Unruly Heroes” is a 2D action-adventure mobile game developed by the French indie team at Magic Design Studios and published by Perfect World. The story is inspired by China’s first mythological novel “Journey to the West” and strives to bring players an innovative experience through a fantastical art style and hilarious plot.

The Hand of Merlin Teaser Trailer

The Hand of Merlin is a turn-based rogue-lite RPG in which Arthurian legend clashes with sci-fi horror. Recruit a company of up to four mortal heroes and guide them in spirit on a desperate journey from Albion to Jerusalem. Explore a richly-imagined medieval setting on the brink of apocalypse. Trade with merchants, improve your heroes and unearth ancient relics. Search for the lost fragments of your soul, scattered across the multiverse – and save as many worlds as you can.

WoW “The Fresh Crusade” Community Server Launches on March 5th

By Jason Fogerty (JFogerty)

Whether you have been playing World of Warcraft for years or you plunged in during the pandemic for the first time, you may have grown fatigued of dealing with bots and high-level players around ever corner. And don’t even get us started on economic inflation. Trying to level up in an environment like that can be a real challenge. It also can be hard to find a sense of community. Now, you have a chance to enjoy World of Warcraft Classic “fresh” through a community project called “The Fresh Crusade.”

What is The Fresh Crusade Community Server?

As you are likely aware, World of Warcraft Classic Burning Crusade Classic is coming. As Blizzard explains, “Burning Crusade Classic is a faithful recreation of the original release of World of Warcraft®.” You can watch the announcement trailer for Burning Crusade Classic here. While players are excited about Burning Crusade Classic, Blizzard failed to consider creating fresh servers.

That was why player Caszhar decided to create The Fresh Crusade. As Caszhar is quoted here as explaining, “Blizzard announced Burning Crusade Classic with no fresh servers and no mention of what will happen to the existing low population / dead servers, except hinting there could be the possible creation of new servers post-Burning Crusade Classic launch.”

WoW “The Fresh Crusade” Community Server Launching on March 5th

Without fresh servers, players struggle to deal with bots, inflation, and high-level players. Making money in-game in such a setting can be borderline impossible, because there is just no way to keep up with the competition. You might think if you just head to a server with a low population, you won’t encounter this problem as much. While you would be right about the inflation, you’ll still find plenty of bots.

The Fresh Crusade will launch on March 5th. Players who join it will have the opportunity to avoid problems with bots and inflation. Caszhar said, “With all of us starting together, the economy will be more of an even playing ground compared to the higher/mid-size population servers.”

There is a Discord community for those interested in taking part in The Fresh Crusade. By launch, an estimated 1,000-2,000 players should hopefully be participating. The timing aligns with the Burning Crusade pre-patch period that will add the Draenei and Blood Elves. A lot of gamers are going to want to start over as those races. The emphasis on community should also make it easier for players to team up to level up together.

How Can You Reduce Lag While Enjoying World of Warcraft?

One other challenge that can really hamper your World of Warcraft Classic experience is high ping. If you are struggling with lag, the entire grind of leveling can be a righteous pain. And when it comes to PvP, you will have a hard time beating opponents who are at or above your level. In fact, sometimes you may even lose to players you would easily outmatch on a stable connection.

You don’t have to live with a bad connection though. One easy way you can reduce your lag while playing WoW Classic is with a VPN. But what is a VPN, anyway? VPN is short for “virtual private network.” Connecting to World of Warcraft using a VPN allows you to avoid bandwidth throttling, boosting speed and stability. That means you should have less lag, and will not need to worry about other players taking advantage of your bad connection to best you. Your entire game experience should be more pleasant and less frustrating, whether you are fighting, grinding or exploring.

Another nice thing about using a VPN is that it gives you broader access to the web. Geographic restrictions will no longer stand in your way. You also can rest easy knowing that there are safeguards on your privacy while you game, browse, stream, and do other activities online.

The action over at The Fresh Crusade is about to begin, so head on over to the community Discord to get involved. Have fun, and look forward to leveling up as part of a balanced community with a level playing field!

Stronghold: Warlords Launch Trailer

Fans of building, besieging and ‘wuselfaktor’ rejoice! The latest entry in our almost 20 year old ‘castle sim’ series, Stronghold: Warlords is now available on Steam, GOG, Humble and other online retailers. Today we celebrate the game’s long awaited release with a final launch trailer featuring fresh gameplay, the full campaign map and a story preview narrated by the talented Rae Lim.

Including a 31 mission campaign with conflicts and sieges ranging from 300 BC China to 16th century Japan, Stronghold: Warlords both covers a wide historical period and (more importantly) introduces gunpowder to the series for the first time! Introducing legendary figures like Genghis Khan and lesser known rulers such as Thuc Phan, Warlords is designed to build on everything players know and love about Stronghold in an all new setting. Warlords has something for all Stronghold fans, whether you enjoy a single player campaign, unlimited castle building freedom in Free Build mode, offline skirmish or online multiplayer with friends and AI. The game comes complete with everything you expect from a mainline entry in the series, in addition to brand new gunpowder fuelled units, siege weapons and returning favourites like Siege Towers and Horse Archers.

With Stronghold: Warlords release we also have the introduction of the titular Warlords system, a new gameplay mechanic allowing players to conquer, upgrade and command AI ‘warlords’ across the battlefield. A flagging economy can be saved with an Ox or Pig Warlord, who can boost a players’ industry and food reserves with their unique ‘Edict’ commands and passive perk abilities. Players looking to rain down fire and fury on their opponents can instead opt for a Dragon or Tiger Warlord, able to supply the player with special units and launch attacks in a pincer movement against their enemies! Whether players decide to forge these alliances through diplomatic buildings like the Consulate or simply by marching in an army and forcing warlords to bend the knee, these bonds can make or break their overall strategy.

Stronghold: Warlords is now available on Steam, with a Special Edition that includes Stronghold HD, ‘The Art of Stronghold: Warlords’ digital art book, a new soundtrack created by series composer Robert L. Euvino and a special ‘Making Of’ feature-length documentary.