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Excalibur's sidescrolling action now available on iOS
Last month, Android users got to taunt Apple owners with a nyeener nyeener when the sidescrolling action-brawler Excalibur's beta became available for Android devices only. But as of today, Apple users are no longer out of the loop; the iOS version is available for download free from the App Store. So now, no matter your device, you can adventure together in the realm of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table while on the go. To celebrate, R2Games and 337.com are planning some contests to give players a chance to earn some in-game goodies. With the beta release on both mobile platforms out of the way, devs can start to turn their focus on future game content, including the fourth playable class: the Archer. [Source: R2Games press release]
Excalibur takes Arthurian action to mobile devices
Claiming to be the world's first mobile sidescrolling MMO, Excalibur is obviously hoping that Guinness Book of World Records will be calling soon, although it might have to wait until the title actually releases. R2Games is preparing to unleash the title on both Android and iOS mobile platforms. Excalibur puts players in the role of a Knight, Wizard, Archer, or Assassin and tasks them to kill all the things. While it looks like a standard button-masher on the surface, R2Games claims that it's got many of the deeper MMO features that players have come to expect. These include a gear enhancement system, a buff system based on the zodiac, a guild system, co-op play, and other customization options. We've got the trailer for Excalibur after the jump, so give it a look and see if the knight life is right for you.
RvR Unchained: Mark Jacobs returns to Camelot
It was no coincidence that Mark Jacobs was open to talking about his Warhammer Online experiences with us recently. If you deduced that it was the prelude to his MMO comeback attempt, you were right. Jacobs' City State Entertainment announced today that it's working on a new MMO under the working title of Camelot Unchained. And yes, it will be RvR-focused with three realms duking it out: Arthurian, Tuatha Dé Danann, and Viking. Camelot Unchained will tie RvR conflict into player housing and a dynamic economy as well. Because this tightly focused concept may prove to be too difficult to draw publisher support, the 13-person studio is turning to a future Kickstarter campaign for support. Obviously, we have no shortages of questions about this project, but we contained ourselves to the 10 most burning queries that we presented to Jacobs. Read about the future of Camelot after the jump!
Hear ye, hear ye! Castlot has entered open beta!
ClapAlong's MMO venture into Arthurian myths and legends has transitioned out of closed and into open beta. Castlot is now available to try for any and all curious knights, and ClapAlong is not shy with the efforts to woo them to this round table. In addition to featuring several improvements from the closed beta, including a newcomer's guide and ransack function, the open beta will feature daily login bonuses. ClapAlong is also promising to roll over 150% of any in-game currency you purchase to the live edition, even if you spend the currency in the closed beta. Finally, there are prizes to be had to the first player who spots and reports a bug, and to anyone who is willing to do a little Facebook promotion for the game. This browser-based title gives players a choice between joining the "light" side of King Arthur or the "dark" side of Lord Blackmore. There's a variety of gameplay elements at work, including both turn-based and real-time combat depending on your particular venue. You can sign up for the open beta over on the Castlot official site.
Neocore Games working on Paradox-published King Arthur 2
Paradox Interactive has announced that it's going to publish King Arthur 2, a sequel to the role-playing strategy game from a few years back. The title will be developed by Neocore Games, the team behind the original, and this time around introduces a dark fantasy setting for the Arthurian battles -- along with the various demons and dragons that comes with. This time around, King Arthur is known as the "Maimed King" and will face bigger battles and boss fights, while the game takes advantage of an improved camera, new animations and "an extensive tutorial." There's no release date yet, but it sounds like development is just getting underway.
The Game Archaeologist and the Quest for Camelot: The history
After a two-week hiatus to recover from rattlesnake bites and a bear to the face, the Game Archeologist returns to travel to England, but not the England we know today. No, this is the England-That-Could-Have-Been, the England of King Arthur, Excalibur and pointy-hatted Vikings. This is the England of fairy tales and legends and blocky 2001-era polygon models. It is the England of three realms constantly jockeying for supremacy and power. It is Dark Age of Camelot. It's a pretty awesome place to live, even though the property values are way, way down after the last 18 marauding hordes trampled through the neighborhood. This month, the Game Archaeologist is trading in his copyright-infringement fedora and whip for a sturdy suit of armor and a fiery sword as he slashes his way into Dark Age of Camelot. It doesn't matter if it's only a model -- it still inspires him to break out into song anyway.
Travel to Europe in Wonderland Online's new expansion
Would you love to plan a trip to Paris or London this summer but your budget is too tight and you're on the no-fly list? Wonderland Online has the next best thing: a new expansion featuring scenic European locales and historic characters. The upcoming Clash of Champions expansion-slash-content update is unveiling new maps for Paris and London, where players can team up with Joan of Arc, King Arthur and Lancelot for mind-bending new adventures. If that doesn't have you humming "Knights of the Round Table" from Monty Python and the Holy Grail, I don't know what will. Clash of Champions' namesake comes from the expansion's PvP focus across all the servers. They're even launching a new PvP-specific server for those who want to focus on player killing above all else. The update will also introduce two new characters to play for those bored of the current options. The isometric free-to-play title recently celebrated its second anniversary, and is home to a surprisingly large population. If you want to get in on the action in preparation for Wonderland Online's next expansion, head over to the official site and try out the game for free!
Second Life's Cory = Apple, Inc.'s Woz
Cory (Ondrejka) Linden's leaving Linden Lab is the most grid-altering event this past year, and arguably of the past 2 years as well. And if I were to play the Nostradamus game, and I'm going to right now, then I'd say that Cory's headed for a life where he will eventually end up forming his own Segway polo pony league.Cory Ondrejka is Second Life's Steve Wozniak. He's the technology guru/wizard who helped write the code that made the grid what it is today. Many think of Cory and Philip as integral entities of Linden Lab, the same way people used to think of Woz and Steve Jobs for Apple, Inc. Cory is the tech guy with the answers, Philip is the front man with the charisma. And if we follow this line of reasoning, we can envision a future where, without Cory's support, LL will eventually run aground, bogged down by poorly-differentiated versions of its flagship product, causing Philip to leave the company in favor of putting his boyish good looks behind a virtual world competitor, only to return years later to save the beleaguered company like the prophesied King Arthur to Britain.Cory will be just fine, and will probably be less stressed out, gain a few more pounds, and continue to see his popularity among geeks grow to near-legendary status. Maybe he'll get a tiny avenue named after him someday, or even, if Philip would have its cultural influence, get to star in an exhibit in animatronic form. Cory, good luck with whatever you put your hand to, and we'll miss you.
The Soloist: Why I do it
After this post, I had it in mind to think through why I prefer to solo, and whether the reasons why are valid ones, given that I'm playing in a genre meant to provide a social experience. I'm going to try to list as many reasons as I can think of in favor of grouping and playing with buddies, and provide a counter-argument if I can. Bear in mind, this is not me telling you that you should go solo; this is just me trying to 1) explain why I do it, and 2) understand for myself whether my reasons hold water.Enough said; excelsior!
Amazon offers up to 43% off select Blu-ray titles
More good news for high-def fans. The discounts on Blu-ray titles just keep on coming. Amazon announced plans to offer up to 43% on select Blu-ray and HD-DVD titles, starting today. After discount, titles like The Terminator, Species and King Arthur: (Director's Cut) can be had for as little as $16.99. New entries to Blu-ray format are apparently also being sliced with deep discounts. Payback: Straight Up - The Director's Cut and Deja Vu were released on Blu-ray less than two months ago and are at $17.99 and $21.49 respectively, after discount. With savings like these, it'll be easier on the wallet to start rebuilding that high-def Blu-ray library.
