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One Shots: Over the moon and back
Welcome back to One Shots! I've missed you! I've missed you so much! It's been so long -- how long has it been, really? A week? That's far too long. Let's catch up: What have you been up to? Me? Well, I've been collecting the very best player-submitted screenshots for all to enjoy. But I guess binging on Breaking Bad is a valid use for your time too. Reader Derrick sent in our first picture of the day from Mabinogi, and this might well be one of my favorites. Just looking at it makes me want to live a better life so that one day I might be invited to sit up there with them. "Here I am sitting in my personal homestead on Ladeca, one of the two moons of Erinn," Derrick explains. It only gets more whimsical from here, folks! Join us as we swing on a star and see what our fellow gamers are up to in MMOs.
Some Assembly Required: Virtual world roundup for 2014 and beyond
Just over two years ago there was a great disturbance, as if millions (or so) of voices suddenly cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced. Yes, something terrible had happened: a beloved virtual world was destroyed. And that left a number of sandbox refugees looking for a new place to call home. At that time, Some Assembly Required offered a roundup of the then available virtual worlds that could possibly offer accommodation, depending on what qualities players most desired in their games. But as things are wont to, they changed; a lot can happen in the MMOverse in 24 months, from additional features in existing games to new games to the loss of more worlds. So it's time to update this list of virtual worlds to reflect 2014 and beyond. Take a look and see what titles or titles-to-be have the sandbox features that best make a game a home for you.
Mabinogi II: Arena stops development
Hope that Mabinogi II: Arena wasn't on your "most wanted in 2014" list, because Nsquare has announced that it's ceased development on the MMO. The love child of Nexon and NCsoft, Mabinogi II was to be an action MMO arena with spectators watching teams crawl through countless dungeons. The Nsquare team said that the market didn't look ripe for Mabinogi II, although it did say that it would take another look at the project in the future. For now, Nsquare is moving on to work on MapleStory 2 and other titles.
Here's a MapleStory 2 teaser
Curious about MapleStory 2? Here, have a teaser trailer, then. There's not a lot of gameplay info to be gleaned from it, but Kotaku reports that the sequel will be in full 3-D and will feature an "all-new world and all-new monsters." The Nexon title is scheduled to launch in Korea next year.
Dragon Nest getting new dungeons, quests, and more
Dragon Nest is getting two new dungeons, new accessories and crests, and "new and unique game types within the Dragon Expedition." This is according to Nexon's latest press release, which says that level 50 players will have access to Apocrypha 2 Chapter dungeons and be able to "fight in the war against Jasmine." New daily and side quests are coming, too. Level 60 players can look forward to the Garden of Eternity as well as new missions, titles, costumes, and cooking recipes. Nexon says the Dragon Expedition requires teamwork and coordination in order to complete its two-player co-op content. [Source: Nexon press release]
Vindictus heralds upcoming Episode 3
Episode 3 will be coming to Vindictus next week featuring a new area full of challenging monsters. In it, Vindictus players will be able to progress to the Misty Summit, which is a little bit of a misnomer due to the fact that it's made of four peaks. In any case, the cliff-themed region will keep players on their toes, especially if adventurers find a treasure map that's full of disappearing monsters. The update will happen on November 27th, but you can get an advance look by watching the trailer after the break! [Source: Nexon press release]
Massive Mabinogi update introduces Merlin's magic
The magic of Merlin joined the world of Mabinogi yesterday in a large update that also included new character cards, a Hero Support System, a dressing room update, and in-game events. With the new Merlin content, players can now wield that magical power by utilizing the new Druid talent and accessing new advanced skills. The Hero Support System allows players to make progress on multiple characters simultaneously. The in-game beauty shop experienced some remodeling, adding a new UI and the ability to track and preview gear across all characters on the account. In conjunction with the dressing room update, Mabinogi is having a Fashion Bingonogi event, where players can spin the roulette wheel in hopes of snagging some new gear, including the Snowflake and Ranger outfits. Additionally, players who log in anytime during November 16th will automatically receive a non-tradable Shyllien Mana Knuckles magic weapon courtesy of the Magic Weapon Giveaway event. [Source: Nexon press release]
Nexon puts millions into Rumble Games
Rumble Games, founded by former BioWare/Pandemic CEO Greg Richardson, has just received a nice cash boost from Nexon and its investment partners. Rumble announced today that Nexon, Google Ventures, and TriplePoint Capital have invested $17.5 million in the studio, which intends to use the funds to expand its markets and further support its stable of free-to-play and mobile titles. Nexon, the Tokyo-based producer of online games like Mabinogi, Combat Arms, and MapleStory, apparently sees something it likes in Rumble's games, which include KingsRoad, Ballistic, and Nightmare Guardians.
Extraction, formerly Dirty Bomb, starts closed beta in October
Splash Damage's Extraction, which you may know better as Dirty Bomb, is set to launch a closed beta on October 1, publisher Nexon America has announced. All interested parties looking to get in on the free-to-play PC shooter's closed sampler session can sign up over on the official site right now. Extraction was first announced as Dirty Bomb, an Unreal Engine-based competitive shooter set in a London shaken by attack. Extraction has been in development since 2010 at Splash Damage, best known for creating Brink and Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory.
Free for All: Recapping the vastness of Mabinogi's Saga Iria
My summer has been filled with a massive, 10-part adventure called The Saga Iria. It's an event that happened inside the world of Mabinogi, one of my favorite free-to-play sandbox MMOs. Once a week Nexon released a new chapter, and each time I streamed my first few steps into it, often resulting in my immediate and embarrassing death. Actually, make that deaths. I died a lot. My companion for this wild ride was Mabinogi Community Manager Sabina. Sabina is a "fashionogi" (as they call it in-game), someone who enjoys customizing her characters more than sending them into battle. Mabinogi allows for almost any style of play, from combat mastery to roleplay to fashion obsession. The community showed up during my livestreams to give me plenty of advice during my hard times in combat because the game is known for its challenge level. It's time to recap some of my favorite moments of those times and discuss what I liked... and didn't like.
Wargaming partners with Nexon for prepaid card options
Wargaming has announced a new partnership with Nexon America for the use of Karma Koins as a prepaid card solution for all in-game purchases across Wargaming titles, including World of Tanks, World of Warplanes, and the upcoming World of Warships. Not only is Karma Koin available at 75,000 stores in North America and Oceania, but one percent of all sales go directly to charity. "We're committed to providing our players with as many flexible and safe payment options as possible," said Mike Turner, Vice President of Business Development at Wargaming. "Our new partnership with Nexon America and Karma Koin will address that desire, and we're excited to give our players a new and philanthropic payment option to enhance their in-game experience."
The Stream Team: Labor Day edition, September 2 - 8, 2013
To the youngsters, Labor Day has always always seemed misnomer since folks actually get to take time off from school and work. So a more appropriate moniker would be Play Day, amirite? But the older crowd knows that the day was meant to honor the hard work and contributions of workers. So in the spirit of honoring hard work, we pay homage to those who tireless toil to entertain us -- The Stream Team! Hats of to you, and a three-BBQ-rib salute to boot! Want to join us in this week-long celebration for our streamers? Then tune in to Massively TV and watch a live show or two and catch a few reruns as well. We've got all you need to know right here. (For the snacks, however, you're on your own.)
Free for All: Recapping Mabinogi Iria Saga chapters four to six
It's time for another recap of the last three Mabinogi Saga Iria chapters. If you'd like a full recap of what exactly the Saga Iria is, check in on our previous coverage, but the short verions is that it's a grand, sweeping saga that is spread out over 12 episodes. In it, the player is cast into not only the role of the hero but the role of the villain. It's a complicated story, so you could also get caught up via the livestreams embedded past the cut (and the previous ones as well). Of course, the very best way to enjoy the chapters is to play through them yourself. But Mabinogi Community Manager Sabina won't be joining you as she joined me in the livestreams, will she? So, watch on for her take on the game! I found some familiar challenges in these chapters, challenges that pushed my abilities as a player. I wouldn't have been able to survive these chapters without the help of the community and the advice of fantastic players. Thanks to them, I have learned things about the game and its systems that I would have never experienced on my time budget. So let's get to the recap! (Just be very aware: This article contains many spoilers!)
One Shots: Slice 'n' dice
No matter what the universe throws at us, no matter what problem roars in our face, no matter how desperate the situation appears, all can be conquered with a bit of derring-do. And a big, honking, lava-infused, laser-focused, mega-powered battle sword with +3 to every stat and a proc ability that will end the world on a d20 roll. Frank has such a sword. Frank is set for life. "Here's a shot from the ongoing Relics of the Gree event in Star Wars: The Old Republic," he sent in. I think Frank has it covered. Maybe you don't have such a sword on you. It's OK; we've got plenty of awesome screenshots after the jump that you can take and use their sharp corners to slice through the opposition. Rock it!
Vindictus' grim Pantheum the Executioner offers toughest challenge yet
With a name like "Pantheum the Executioner," you have to figure that this poor guy didn't have a lot of career prospects after graduating video game high school. Perhaps he did pest control a bit, but these days he's "a creature of unimaginable evil" tearing it up in Vindictus. Pantheum is the latest raid boss to come to Vindictus -- and he is no pushover. Nexon claims that Pantheum is one of the toughest bosses in the game and requires no fewer than eight players to take him down. Players can encounter him in the Shadow of Death raid, but they'll need to be on their toes to survive the boss' three phases. If players beat him three times, they'll earn enough currency to purchase a Grim Reaper box with super-rare contents. You can check out Pantheum in action after the jump!
Free for All: Recapping the first three Mabinogi: Iria Saga chapters
If you want some epic scale in your MMO, you really should be playing along with the Mabinogi Saga Iria content. It's a twelve-parter (currently on chapter four) and I've been enjoying it alongside Mabinogi Community Manager Sabina, live every Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. EDT on our livestream page. Unfortunately, most of the content is instanced and story-driven so Sabina cannot jump in with me to kill mobs and gain glory, but it's been fun to have her there to take questions from the chat room and to answer many of my own questions. But, what is the Saga Iria? Well, it's complicated. I have to admit that I do not have all the answers, and I hope to remain in the dark for a while. Stories are more fun when you don't know the ending. Still, I'm going to recap what I know so far, and share my live videos with you in case you missed them before! Also, be sure to tune in to our exclusive trailer releases! We will show you the next chapter trailer before anyone else! Spoiler alert: There are videos and short walkthroughs past the cut, so if you do not want to know what happens or have not played through some of these older chapters, don't read on. Please note that my hour-long livestreams are usually not long enough to fit in an entire chapter, as well, so you might miss some of the action on the tail-end.
Hurk released to Mabinogi Heroes test server
Last month we were introduced to Hurk, the newest hero to join Korea's Mabinogi Heroes lineup. And now we can get to know him a little bit better: Steparu.com reports that Hurk has landed on the test server and offers various videos to show the character and his skills off. While there's no word yet on Hurk for the North American version (known as Vindictus), it's a pretty good bet that he'll join the team here, too. Get a glimpse of Hurk's gameplay in the video after the break, and visit Steparu.com for more videos on character customization and testing counter timing.
Take a tour of Dragon Nest's Resurrection update
Dragon Nest (not to, y'know, be confused with any other game sporting the dragon moniker) is prepping for an exciting update to this action MMO. Called Resurrection, the patch will bump up the level cap to 60, add five new dungeons to the game, and offer players the chance to earn some truly outrageous gear. We've got a video tour of the Resurrection patch after the jump to help give you a good feel for what it's offering. It's bold, it's zesty, it's everything that you want in a salad dressing but are getting in an online roleplaying game!
New MapleStory character returns from the dark side
If you fell for the line, "Come to the dark side -- we have cookies," it's your own fault. But such was not the case for MapleStory EU's newest hero, Xenon. Captured, his body altered, and his mind erased, this once normal boy became a pawn to be used by the evil scientist Gelimer of the Black Wings. But redemption arrived in the form of a lab raid by the Resistance, and Xenon's memories of his past started to break through the corruption and restart him on the path with the Resistance. Armed with both his lightsaber Energy Sword and a mastery of the Energy Control System, Xenon -- the first character to utilize a hybrid fighting style -- set out to fully rediscover his past. Players will participate in special stories that will help Xenon regain his memory and possibly unveil more mysteries along the way. [Source: NEXON Europe press release]
Vindictus shows off new character Hurk the Berzerker
Nexon has released a teaser trailer for Mabinogi Heroes' newest character, Hurk the Berserker. Mabinogi Heroes is the Korean (and original) version of North America's Vindictus, so this may mean Hurk will be landing on western shores in the not-too-distant future. The short video shows Hurk wielding a giant greatsword against an equally giant boss, and is labeled as the first teaser of hopefully several more. You can check out the full video after the jump.
