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Spirit Tales threatens cuteness overload as closed beta begins
Free-to-play MMO developer/publisher KoramGame Ltd. has announced that its nauseatingly adorable title Spirit Tales is making the jump into closed beta. The chibi-anime-style game boasts extensive character customization with "over 40 million unique fashion combinations for your character," while further customization is possible with the game's pet system. Almost any creature in the game can be captured and tamed as a pet, after which point players can either summon their pets as battle companions or merge with them in order to enhance their characters' abilities. Yann Wang, General Manager of KoramGame, is enthusiastic about the game's beta test, stating that the game's "unique character customization and pet system" and "explosive PvP battles and intense instanced dungeons are sure to win [players] over." Of course, there's only way to test the veracity of his statement, and that's to head on over to the game's official site and get in on the test yourself. But be sure to act quickly; testing slots for this phase are limited. [Source: KoramGame Ltd. press release]
ArcheAge explores the possibilities of an open world in a new video
Who would have thought that something as mundane as tractors could get us so excited? And yet ArcheAge does exactly that, as a new video from the closed beta shows off the latest model of drivable tractors, useful in both field irrigation and cargo hauling. Players are shown spraying down fields with a forward-facing nozzle, resulting in the quick growth of plants. In addition to the zen and art of tractor pulling, this video briefly highlights several other aspects of this gorgeous game. It illuminates the creation and use of a trebuchet in castle sieges, underwater exploration, housing decorations, and painstakingly animated dragon-lion mounts. While the video may not be in English, it's still a drop of cool water in the mouths of fans thirsty for this upcoming MMO. You can check out all of the lush goodness after the break. [Thanks to Dengar for the tip!]
Next TERA CBT weekend brings level cap increase, new dungeon, and PvP
Here we are at the beginning of another week which TERA fans are certain to be anxiously waiting to end because this weekend marks the game's second North American closed beta weekend. During the last test, players got to experience the game's PvE content all the way up to level 22, including the Bastion of Lok instance. Well, this time around En Masse Entertainment is going to be opening up the gates to five additional levels of content, allowing players to progress to level 27. Testers will also gain access to a new dungeon known as Sinestral Manor, and each player will get two character slots per server rather than just one. Oh, and speaking of servers, we hear there's going to be a new one. Players will be able to test their skills against one another on Valley of Trials, the new PvP server. To top it off, En Masse has also revealed a bit of new information on how PvP combat will work. Open-world combat will be initiated when a player uses an ability known as Outlaw Declaration, which does what it says on the tin: It declares the caster an outlaw, allowing him to attack (and presumably, be attacked by) other players for 60 seconds or until combat is over. But single combat isn't the only way to get your PvP fix. Guilds can also declare war on other guilds by using the item Bahaar's Spark of War Declaration, which can be purchased in capital cities. After war has been declared, members of opposing guilds will be able to attack one another on sight. So there you have it, folks. That's what we've got to look forward to this next beta weekend. We hope to see you all on the battlefield.
TERA reflects on lessons learned from first CBT weekend
It's been a week since the first TERA North American beta weekend, and European players are getting their first swing at the game as we speak. But before En Masse Entertainment opens the floodgates to NA players once more next weekend, the studio is taking the opportunity to recap the events of the first closed beta test. Overall, the studio seems quite pleased with the results of the test but notes that "the weekend was not without some hiccups." One such hiccup that beta players will certainly be well acquainted with is the chaos that ensued as dozens of players simultaneously tried to kill the quest mob Vekus, which led some players to actually form organized queues to ensure that everyone got a chance at him. But the studio assures us that we need not worry, as "the En Masse team learned a great deal from CBT1 and will put those lessons to good use as we ramp up for CBT2." The studio also brings us a couple of interesting statistics from the first beta test. For instance, the most popular race-gender-class combination was the Castanic female Warrior (which we're sure has absolutely nothing to do with the Castanics' apparent aversion to modesty). And of course, beta participants will be very familiar with the basilisk BAMs in Oblivion Woods, which apparently accounted for almost two-thirds of all player deaths over the course of the weekend. Gotta watch out for those bodyslams, guys. They'll getcha. Ultimately, the studio concludes that "this weekend was a big success both in terms of players getting hands-on time with TERA and for showing the team what they need to refine before the game's May 1 release." To sign up for the game's future beta tests, just head on over to the game's official site, linked below. [Source: En Masse Entertainment press release]
Seven Souls Online gets competitive with its closed beta
Last week, we gave you folks the opportunity to grab a beta key for NEOWIZ GAMES' upcoming F2P title Seven Souls Online. Well, the time has come to put those keys to good use. The game's developers announced in a press release today that Seven Souls Online has entered closed beta testing, but this isn't an ordinary beta test. No, this is a beta contest. You see, NEOWIZ GAMES wants to make sure that players report all the bugs they come across, so the studio is offering some extra incentives. Throughout the course of the beta test, players can take part in The Great Bug Hunt, in which players are asked to submit bugs with screenshots and directions for replication. The seven players who submit the most useful bug reports will be rewarded with an iPad 2. If you're not up for all that bug-reporting work, though, don't worry. The studio is also asking beta testers to submit their most iconic screenshots that they think "represents Seven Souls Online." Players will vote on the forums for the best entry, and the top five contestants will receive an "ultra-rare" mount known as the Burning Ghost Mount, which sounds pretty awesome if a bit surreal. To get in on the beta testing action, just click on over to the game's official site. [Source: NEOWIZ GAMES press release]
Going toe-to-toe with TERA's first beta weekend
Over the past months, many fans of En Masse Entertainment's upcoming "real action combat" title TERA have been wondering whether the game will ever see the light of day. Between sparse development details and word of legal troubles, TERA's future seemed to be in constant jeopardy as cries of "vaporware!" grew steadily louder. Well, those voices can finally have a bit of a reprieve because over the course of this past weekend, players were able to jump into the world of Arborea and experience TERA's action combat firsthand. I was among those players, and after a joy-filled romp through TERA's gorgeous landscapes (thanks in no small part to my fabulous guild -- hi Territ!), I'm ready to conjure up some thoughts that will hopefully somewhat resemble my impressions of the closed beta weekend. So if you want to know whether the game's real action combat hits the mark or it's a swing and a miss, follow me past the cut and let's take a look.
Anime-style MMO Spirit Tales begins closed beta sign-ups
KoramGame Ltd., publisher of the upcoming anime-style F2P MMO Spirit Tales, has announced that players can now sign up for the title's closed beta test. Spirit Tales is described as taking place in "an earth-like fantasy world [that] is divided into two hemispheres: the dark and the light." Players can join one of three tribes as one of six classes (Archer, Sorcerer, Fighter, Warrior, Shaman, and Assassin) and capture and train pets, take part in 5v5 PvP battles, and of course, kill lots of critters for their shiny loot. To sign up for the game's closed beta, just click through the link below.
Taking a look at the world bosses of ArcheAge
The upcoming sandbox game ArcheAge has turned quite a few heads with its design principles, graphics, and game mechanics. But mechanics alone don't make a game fun to play -- you need to have some content to make use of them, after all. Content like, say, a large number of bosses wandering the world for players to take up arms against. The folks over at Steparu have gone out and shown off precisely those bosses with a new series of videos, showing the latest beta build in action by demonstrating pitched fights against these enemies. As the preview indicates, defeating bosses rewards you with enchantments, equipment, and reputation, with the last being quite useful to gain access to new prizes through the game. The first of several videos is embedded past the cut, but if you want to see the full spectrum of enemies you can fight like a boss, you'll need to check out the full array of videos yourself and possibly join the legions of hopeful fans wondering when the game will get a stateside release. [Thanks to ArcheAge Fan for the tip!]
ArcheAge CBT4 vids offer a closer look at hang-gliding
MMO Culture has been, ahem, hanging out in ArcheAge's fourth Korean closed beta test, and the fansite has posted a handful of new videos that show off various aspects of XLGAMES' forthcoming sandpark opus. First up are a couple of clips that feature the game's unique hang-gliding mechanics, and if you're anything like us, you'll marvel not only at the slick flight model but also at some of the locations the player soars over, around, and through. A third video shows off ArcheAge's gorgeous water and swimming effects, and you can find all three clips embedded after the break.
Ignited Games' Rosh Online opens closed beta sign-ups
Ignited Games, creator of the side-scrolling MMORPG WindSlayer 2, has announced that its newest title Rosh Online: The Return of Karos will soon be entering closed beta. Rosh Online puts players in the role of a hero (surprise!) who must attempt to break the curse of darkness that is slowly overtaking the land of Asmara. In order to do so, players must seek to become the mythical Karos warrior. For more information on the game, and to sign up for the imminent closed beta test, head on over to the game's official site. [Source: Ignited Games press release]
Jagged Alliance Online and UFO Online entering closed beta testing
Double your turn-based strategy and double your fun with gamigo's upcoming UFO Online and Jagged Alliance Online. Both browser-based titles are gearing up to enter closed beta very soon. UFO Online, which focuses on defending territory from opposing factions and aliens (the extraterrestrial kind), begins its open beta today, while Jagged Alliance Online -- a squad-building, mercenary-themed title -- will follow in the next few days. To sign up to be a part of the testing, head on over to the games' official sites. [Source: gamigo press release]
Dear Aunt TUAW: Help me find a cognitive behavioral therapy app
Dear Aunt TUAW, I'm the dad of a high-needs child. We're doing cognitive behavioral therapy with him. Is there an app you can recommend that will help me track day-to-day progress on specific goals, and help my boy work towards rewards? I'm looking for an app that can show progress over time and that can work with multiple goals. One that's geared towards CBT would be ideal. Thanks in advance! Your loving nephew, Dave P. Dear Dave, We reviewed CBT Referee ($4.99) a couple of years ago here on TUAW. It's not exactly the kind of progress app that you're talking about, more about evaluating one's thought process, so we kept on looking further. Auntie and the TUAW crew searched the App Store but failed to find any other app we could strongly recommend. We took a brief look at "Gold Stars" ($0.99) but found it too flaky to use. It seems to have a lot of the right ideas, but kept crashing as we tested it out. It probably hasn't been updated recently. So Auntie decided to turn over the search to her TUAW braintrust of nieces and nephews. Do you have any apps to recommend for Dave? One that helps do daily progress tracking, with user-defined goals? Hugs and thanks, Auntie T.
Be a part of Black Prophecy's closed beta test with our key giveaway!
Black Prophecy entered North American closed beta testing Wednesday, and we hinted that we just might have some closed beta keys to share with our readers. As it happens, we were telling the truth! We do have a few closed beta keys -- in fact, we have several thousand. Visit our giveaway page to pick yours up, then go to the Black Prophecy site to register. Follow the registration instructions, verify your email, then check your email again for a download link. Once your account is active in Gamigo's account system, visit the Pilot Licensing Terminal (aka. beta page) to enter your beta key. The final step is the easiest: Enjoy the Black Prophecy closed beta!
Iris Online enters second closed beta
Testing for Iris Online is something that isn't going to float everyone's boat... but one glance at the game's screenshots should make it clear that it will be deeply satisfying to certain people. There's no other game in which you can ride a purple cat with a jester's cap, for instance. If that tickles your fancy, you'll be happy to know that the game's second closed beta test has started, complete with bonuses to both former participants and those who didn't get a chance to test the game the first time around. Beta testers from the previous phase will be happy to find that their prior characters have not been wiped, allowing them to continue playing from where they had left off. Players who weren't in the previous test, on the other hand, will be able to take part in this testing phase, as a beta key is not required for this phase of testing. The client download link is available with the official announcement, so Iris Online hopefuls should take a look now and get to work on earning their purple cat.
Grab a key for Iris Online here and be prepared for its October 15th closed beta
Do you need more cute in your life, or do you have a deep appreciation for tarot cards? If you said yes to either of those statements, then we here at Massively may just have the title for you. It's gPotato's newest free-to-play entry: Iris Online. Information about the game is just starting to surface, but let me give you a brief rundown. You're a gypsy-fantasy-themed hero who's out to save the world by utilizing tarot cards. The cards can be used to enhance your weapons and armor, and you can have your hero's fortune told to lay on the buffs and other types of special boosts. The game also features 22 dungeons, each one tied into a specific major arcana card. Plus it's cute, and you really can't argue with cute. Unless you want to be a cute hater, in which case I ask you to argue against this. (Conclusion: Don't be a cute hater.) But if all of this seems like it's up your alley, then I encourage you to jump after the break, where you can claim a key for the game! We've got 5,000 keys to give away, so there's plenty for everyone! %Gallery-104882%
Run with the foxes: Grab a beta key for Kitsu Saga here
Tomorrow's the beginning of the closed beta phase for Aeria Games' Kitsu Saga, the MMO in which cute, cavity-inducing foxes roam free. You may recall that we here at Massively have run two exclusive behind-the-scenes peeks into the game, but now's your time to check out Kitsu Saga instead of just hearing us talk about it. Aeria has been kind enough to send 2,500 keys our way, so why delay giving them away any longer? Skip past the break to learn how to grab and redeem a key for yourself before they're all taken!
HMH Fuse: California tests a full year Algebra course on an iPad app
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, a major textbook company, has launched a year long pilot project with the HMH Fuse: Holt McDougal Algebra 1 full year algebra course on an iPad. The course mirrors all the content of the Holt McDougal Larson Algebra 1 2011 textbook currently being used in many schools. The pilot project includes 400 eighth grade students in the San Francisco, Long Beach, Riverside, and Fresno, California school districts. One group is using the HMH Fuse app, and a control group is using the standard text. As far as we know, this is the first time a full year subject matter course has been rolled out as an app. The study will be conducted by Empirical Educations Inc. an independent testing group, and it will measure differences and similarities in areas of achievement and attitudes about learning. They also want to learn about how and if the students use the app the way it was intended. Each teacher in the pilot project will teach one random class section using the app and another using the book, which may help account for differences in teaching style and his or her influence over the class. According to the testing agency, the study will eventually roll-out to 1200 students, with test reports due in the Fall of 2011. The hope is that it will be available to all California school districts in January, 2011. %Gallery-102158%
Get your MMORTS on because we have Ministry of War beta keys!
Look, we know that all of you have plans for world domination. That's nothing to be ashamed of. But what good are those plans when you don't have the chance to put them into action, right? Well, that's where Ministry of War comes in. Ministry of War is a browser-based MMORTS that lets you step into the shoes of one of history's great nations: Egypt, Persia, Rome, or China. From there, you'll build your empire humbly at first. You'll build structures, study war techniques, and prepare your army. Then, when your enemies on the game's huge world map least expect it, you can launch a strike into their lands! Here's where the game becomes less like Civilization and more like Age of Empires, as you'll find yourself commanding your units on an RTS battlefield. That's right, no more having battles decided for you -- you control the fight. The good folks over at Snail Games USA have allotted us 100 beta keys to give away to you fine folks. However, there is a catch: The keys will be distributed at random, much like one of our contests. Interested and want to know more? Charge after the break for all of the details and where to sign up for a beta key! %Gallery-99802%
Who wants to be in a seekret beta test? [Updated, closed]
Normally on Massively we love offering you giveaways and beta keys and all sorts of goodies for reading our site. And, normally, we tell you where all of these fantastic prizes and keys are coming from. Companies love that we, essentially, promote their games, and you guys love having the chance to check out new games. It's a win/win. Today's beta opportunity is a bit different. Very different, in fact! Today's post is regarding a super seekret beta test that we're not allowed to name in public. Shhhhh. What we can tell you, though, is that the game is from a prominent game developer, and the company is looking for 100 volunteers to provide feedback on the game during a focused testing phase this weekend. Currently, gamers from the United Kingdom, United States, and Germany are eligible to volunteer. If you're interested in playing a mysterious game this weekend, send an email to sera@massively.com with the subject "Beta Test Volunteer." If you're one of the first 100 people to mail me, I'll respond back to you with a key to the test and instructions on how to download and play the game. Remember though: This is a serious test! The devs at this company are looking for feedback on their game, and they're hoping you're willing to give it to them! So if you're up for it, mail away! [Update: Bolded the e-mail address and the subject line, because apparently many of you did not see the requested subject line. I love you all, even when you send me e-mails with crazy subjects. ~Sera] [Update 2: Holy heck guys! I hit over 500 e-mails in 20 minutes. Looks like I have my 100 participants! Thank you for your interest!]
We've got your key for The Lord of the Rings Online F2P beta test!
Step right up here friends, I said step right up! How would you, yes you, like to try out the title that has been 'causin a ruckus among us? That's right, friend, I'm talking about the one, the only, the hobbittastic Lord of the Rings Online™! But I'm not talkin' about the one that's already out there, friend! I'm talkin' about the one that's coming -- the free to play version! Are you gamer enough to take it on? All right, circus barker speech aside, our friends over at Turbine have supplied us with a special code for those of you who want to get in on the Lord of the Rings Online beta! However, there is a catch to this code -- it can only be used for 500 Massively readers who will be invited to the beta when the next wave of invites goes out. Want more information, as well as the code you'll need to enter when you sign up for the beta? Not a problem, just skip past the break for all of the information you'll need!
