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Soul Master entering closed beta tomorrow
Looking to mix up your MMO gaming, maybe with a dash of real-time strategy? Soul Master might be the game for you, and the free-to-play MMORTS hybrid from GamesCampus is entering closed beta on July 22nd. The beta period will last through August 4th, and you can grab a key at the official website. Soul Master features player-created structures, command units, and progression through various technology trees, all in service of a traditional persistent MMO character as well as team and FFA PvP. The game also features a robust itemization system that allows for skill and statistical bonuses to everything from the player's avatar, to their buildings, production capabilities, and RTS units. "The fast-paced combat in Soul Master combines the high-speed action of a character vs. character brawler with the tactical elements of squad-based RTS," says GamesCampus Marketing and Business Development VP David Chang.
GamesCampus aims for cute and hardcore with new title Legend of Edda
If you visit the official site for Legends of Edda, the newest MMO from GamesCampus, you'll find it populated with adorable, big-eyed characters. Don't be fooled, say the developers -- the game is both cute and hardcore. Legends of Edda is based on Greek mythology and offers players the opportunity to play as a god of Olympus or as a Titan. These warring factions make PvP the cornerstone of the game, and there are personal battles, larger-scale PvP, RvR, and PK in which opposing factions can attack one another at any time. There is also a "deep class system" that gives a choice of six classes to begin with, and a series of subclasses as players advance. Legends of Edda is free-to-play and accepting signups for closed beta now, so check out the site to learn more.
GamesCampus releases new Soul Master screenshots
The developers of upcoming free-to-play MMORTS Soul Master announced earlier this year that they were planning for a closed beta test "this summer." They've now narrowed that window down to July, so if F2P MMORTS is your preferred brand of gaming, you don't have much longer to wait. GamesCampus has given us a taste of what's to come in that first beta test with a new round of screenshots. The screenshots illustrate the tier 1-4 units of the three classes that will be available in the first closed beta test: BearCat, Knight, and Priest. Check out the gallery for a first look at these classes, and if you're not signed up for the beta, visit the Soul Master site to do so. %Gallery-93740%
Mapping the way to the Soul Master closed beta
With tons of MMO options available, players are looking for fun and interesting mechanics that might well scratch their gaming itch. That's why the folks at Gamescampus are hoping that their shiny new action MMORTS, Soul Master, will catch players' eyes by offering lots of interesting new maps and challenges to differentiate it from your everyday hack-and-slash game. As the closed beta is set to start "this summer" we're guessing that players won't have too much longer to wait before we start to hear more about this upcoming title. With most of the mechanics sounding very similar to regular RTS games (creating your own defensive and offensive units, resource gathering, producing upgrades, etc.) and talk of MMO-style raiding thrown in, it's still a bit early to say just precisely where this will land on the MMO spectrum. Nonetheless, we do have a handful of shiny new images featuring different maps and monsters in the gallery below for you to check out. Alternatively, if you'd prefer a taste of the action up-front, there's also a video embedded behind the break for your viewing pleasure. In either case, if you're an RTS-fiend who wants to see just how far down the MMO rabbit-hole this particular game goes, you can head over to the Soul Master site and sign up for the closed beta. %Gallery-93740%
Soul Master MMORTS announced
The free-to-play MMO market just got a bit more crowded as GamesCampus has announced its forthcoming MMORTS called Soul Master. The game looks to innovate by marrying traditional Hero units from the real-time strategy genre with the level of individual style and character control commonly found in MMORPGs. "Soul Master is unlike anything else currently out there and definitely what players have been waiting for," said GameCampus' David Chang. The game, scheduled to enter closed beta testing in June, will feature resource-driven RTS combat and progression in addition to persistent individual character development. GamesCampus promises fast-paced combat, likening the experience to "the high-speed action of a character versus character brawler and the tactical elements of a squad-based RTS." Additionally, the game is set to feature robust PvP content as well as boss raids, co-op missions, and various scenario modes for PvE players. Stay with Massively for further Soul Master coverage as we get closer to the beta test, and don't forget to check out the teaser trailer after the cut.
Shaking the stigma of "Free-to-Play"
David Chang from Gamescampus has written a piece for Gamasutra which tackles the stigma that is "free to play" or F2P. Chang's "Opinion: Why We Need To Rebrand Free To Play" addresses the cynicism and perceptions of questionable quality that tends to surface in discussions about free-to-play games. Chang's piece points out similarities between the F2P business model and Google, although he admits it's not a perfect comparison. Google's service itself is free, but ultimately fuels its revenue streams through monetized services offered. The large userbase who simply wants to use the service for free is vital to the company's business model, and thus there are some parallels to an MMO operating without subscriptions. "In both situations, people receive a valuable service -- free search or a free game experience," says Chang.
News from the Wider MMO World: August 12, 2008
The MMO genre is more than World of Warcraft, Age of Conan, and Warhammer Online. Here's what's going on in the rest of the world.Trickster Online celebrates the Olympics with new themed itemsEven MMOs get into the spirit of real world competition, and Trickster Online has some themed items for your enjoyment. These masks, hats, and capes will have a particular country's flag on them; collect all five of each and receive a special item of each type. Check them out before the Olympics ends!Outspark Games offer Olympic-style competition within their titlesFrom now until August 24th, San Francisco MMO publisher Outspark will be hosting the Outspark Games, a series of Olympic-styled competitions within their online offerings. Titles Fiesta, Secret of the Solstice, and Project Powder will feature special events in-game. Expect medals to be granted to the top three winners, and increased experience points offered to all participants.More news after the jump!
Square Enix wraps up Concerto Gate's US closed beta
Concerto Gate is being developed by Ponsibic and Square Enix. The Concerto Gate trailer debuted last month which showed no in-game footage and was somewhat unusual. The game will be a sequel and is a successor to Crossgate, which has had a run of seven years in various regions in East Asia but unfortunately shutdown in Japan late 2007. The embedded video above displays actual combat gameplay from the beta. The battle system is similar to other JRPG attack time battle systems that feature random battles. An even more interesting concept in Concerto Gate is the 'terra-generating' system. Depending on certain player actions the world landscape will morph and deform. This includes the ramifications from activities like mining and deforestation. If the world is non-instanced and persistent such dynamisms would bring a world uniqueness not experienced in many other MMOs. OnNet USA will be publishing the title in the States, and the beta wraps up tomorrow. Concerto Gate will be free-to-play title and sustain development costs off an alternative business model. The open beta date still has not been announced yet.
Square/Enix's Concerto Gate moves into closed beta
The folks at Gamescampus sent along word that Concerto Gate, the latest MMO from Square/Enix, is now moving into a Beta test period. It's going to be a short one, running just from today through the 14th of the month. We've previously discussed the game on the site, checking out an extensive preview and the game's first (CG) trailer. The announcement touts the game's "terra generating" system, which will morph and deform the worldscape based on player actvities. If you're interested in participating in the Beta test, head in the direction of FileFront, which will be playing host to the client.
Asda Story on its way to the US
Asda Story, a popular anime-style 3D MMORPG with a large following in Korea and Japan, is coming to the US following a deal struck between MaxOn Soft Corporation and Gamescampus.com. Asda Story is especially popular with female gamers, who make up more than 20% of the population. This success has been credited to two unique game systems, one of which allows two players to become 'soul mates' and unlocks associated costumes and skills, and the other being a highly customizable costume and appearance system.Another in the ever-expanding range of free-to-play MMORPGs with a bright and colorful theme, Asda Story is set to launch later this fall. European gamers should note: there is no connection between Asda Story and the chain of Asda supermarkets familiar to British readers.
