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Snail reveals Black Gold's Gunslinger class
Snail has released another class update for its Black Gold Online steampunk MMORPG. This time the focus falls on the Gunslinger, a ranged DPS and support archetype who combines AoE, single-target attacks, and medium mail armor into one powerful package. Black Gold's Gunslinger special abilities include Ultra-loaded Barrel (heavy single target damage), Free-gun Spirit (a temporary boost to speed, health, and attack), and high explosive bomb (critical damage and slowing effects).
Black Gold's closed alpha starts today
Snail has announced that the closed alpha for its steampunk Black Gold MMO begins today. Eligible players will be able to test through March 30th. If you're wondering how to become one of those eligible players, it's as easy as registering a Snail account, filling out a survey, and hoping for the best. If that doesn't appeal to you, the company says it will be "distributing access keys on a wider scale as Black Gold Online approaches its Closed Beta testing period later this year." [Source: Snail press release]
Black Gold Online unleashes the Beastmaster
Snail Games has announced the new Beastmaster class for its steampunk-flavored MMO Black Gold Online. As you might imagine, the Beastmaster commands beasts and the power of nature. Its main role is that of summoner and crowd control, but with heavy mail armor and two-handed weapons at its disposal, the class can also do a fair bit of tanking. Special moves include Law of the Jungle, a stealth ability that increases critical hit damage; Thunder-crack, a spell that summons a powerful tropical storm; and Spirit Creature, an area-of-effect spell that causes damage to a wide area. Be sure to check out the official class announcement for more info and screenshots of this new class. [Thanks to Novas for the tip!]
Black Gold's Skycaller class designed for crowd control, support
If you're a fan of crowd control classes, chances are good that you'll like Black Gold Online's new Skycaller class. An update on the steampunk MMO's website says that the newly announced archetype is "capable of high-level single-target crowd control abilities plus excellent support." The Skycaller also boasts "long-range area attacks with light damage but crippling effects." Skycallers wear light armor, and they can be played by either the Kosh or Yutonian races. Snail has also provided a description of the class's special moves as well as a bit of lore, all of which you can read via the links below.
Black Gold's alpha starts March 20, keys still available
Snail Games has published a news post hyping its Black Gold alpha test that starts on Thursday, March 20th. The company says that keys are still available, but interested players will need to fill out a survey and then hope for the best, as Snail will select testers from "the pool of applicants based on their responses." Black Gold is a free-to-play steampunk fantasy MMORPG. The survey and account registration info are available via the links below.
Black Gold dungeons to feature 'consequential death,' traps, and more
Snail has updated its Black Gold website with a look at the steampunk title's dungeons and instances. The post highlights groupfinder functionality as well as several gameplay mechanics including "difficult maps with no clear path," consequences in the form of respawning at the dungeon entrance after a death, and "hidden perils" like static and dynamic booby traps. The update also features a few dungeon-centric screenshots, which you can see by clicking the links below.
Bring out your dead with Black Gold Online's necromantic Conjurer class
Black Gold Online's steampunk faction just got a new mage -- one who mixes dark magic with steam technology. Called the Conjurer, this class provides long-ranged DPS and crowd control using necromancy that brings reanimated cadavers to the battle field. These scepter- or staff-wielding magicians can also summon demons and rip the souls out of their foes. Unlike the controversial Occultist class, Conjurers can be any gender; they are, however, limited to only the Buvont and Lokemean races. And although they wear medium armor, they are the quintessential glass cannons that cannot endure sustained solo battles. For a look at the new class, check out the four new images in the gallery below. [Source: Snail Games USA press release]
Black Gold starts alpha 'test drive' next month
Do you have the golden ticket? No, not the one to a whimsical and deadly chocolate factory, but the ticket to get into Black Gold Online's upcoming alpha test. If you do, then you've got a few weeks to prepare: Snail Games will be starting the alpha "test drive" on March 20th. The steampunk fantasy title has distributed keys from various giveaways over the past year. Starting now, those in the test can go ahead and activate their accounts on the official website. The March 20th test will be using an earlier version of the game and will include eight of Black Gold Online's classes.
Black Gold shows off the Geomancer
Do you like healing people? Do you like drawing strength from the land? Do you hate pants? Then Black Gold's Geomancer might just be for you. (You might have access to pants in the game, though.) The Geomancer is meant purely as a support class, focused on healing and supporting team members. While the class is weak in one-on-one combat, it excels at supporting a group and healing injuries. Many Geomancer abilities pull double-duty as they both harm nearby enemies and heal and buff nearby allies. In lore terms, the class was originally unknown to the Kosh despite their knowledge of magic, as working with Earth was problematic and required a great deal of practice. Only the great mage Damerhyn was successful, leading to the order of Geomancers that will be available to Yutonian and Kosh players in the game. For more details, take a look at the official preview page.
Test drive Black Gold Online's alpha with fan Avril Lavigne
If you want to check out Black Gold Online, you just might get your chance next month. Currently in beta testing in China, the steampunk game will be inviting top players in North America to test drive an earlier alpha version sometime during the end of March. The event is aimed at gathering player feedback and suggestions to help the game to grow and improve. If you get into this test drive, you might even be playing alongside Avril Lavigne; the studio revealed that Lavigne is not only a fan of Black Gold Online, but one of its top players. The songstress shares her support of the game via video. [Source: Snail Games press release]
Black Gold Online introduces female-only Occultist class
If you prefer to play female avatars in game, Black Gold Online has a new class just for you. Snail Games unveiled the new Occultist class, a female-only support healer and ranged DPS that sports leather armor. With a low resistance to damage, Occultists rely on sapping and stunning their enemies while replenishing the stamina of her group and providing heals. The Occultist joins Black Gold's line up alongside the recently revealed Spellsword class, the Pyromancer, the Assassin, and more. For a chance to check out this class when beta starts, sign up on the official site. [Source: Snail Games press release]
Black Gold Online reveals new Spellsword class
Black Gold Online is about to become a little more magical as Snail Games has announced the new Spellsword class. As one might guess, the Spellsword uses both sorcery and swordplay to dominate its opponents on the battlefield. The Melee DPS/Agility Tank role is a versatile addition to the Kosh and Yutonian Humans. You can read more about the Spellsword class, including background lore and strategies, in the game's newest announcement.
It's a battle of the titans in this new Black Gold Online trailer
Snail Games has just unveiled a brand-new trailer for Black Gold Online, teasing a fight between an enormous goliath and equally large behemoth and showing off behind-the-scenes clips of how the goliath was designed. According to the video description, the goliath is a creation of the engineers of Steam, built specifically to counter the Erlandir-summoned behemoth. And by "counter" we mean "punch." Check out the teaser after the break. Snail describes Black Gold's universe as a "world where innovative Victorian steampunk clashes with traditional high fantasy." The game is set for launch sometime in 2014 with a closed alpha aimed at February.
Black Gold Online video shows off action combat system
Whether you prefer the steampunk or the fantasy faction, if you are a fan of dodging and constant movement to try and out-maneuver your opponents, combat in Black Gold Online should be right up your alley. In the latest feature unveiling, developers delve into the ins and outs of combat in the upcoming game, eschewing the traditional stand-still-and-button-mash version of combat in favor of some action. Most skills in the upcoming game are collision, or hit-box-based, and melee fighters will move in the direction they are facing with every swing. Ranged works a bit differently: Although most ranged skills will remain locked on their target, some will require players to anticipate enemy movements and target accordingly. And don't forget these battles also involve vehicles! While mounted, players will be in FPS mode. Get a preview of Black Gold Online's combat in action in the trailer below. [Source: Snail Games press release]
Black Gold Online unveils The Chambers of Greed instances
A new feature is coming to Black Gold Online in addition to the main quest-line and normal dungeons that players already enjoy: The Chambers of Greed. These instances chambers, or greed pockets, bring variety to the game by offering challenging side activities that blend PvE and PvP and give another avenue for acquiring new gear by slaying higher level monsters and completing assorted other tasks. Unlike the openness of the over-world, The Greed Chambers have a darker, mysterious ambiance aimed at making players watch their every step. These chambers, which are more challenging that quests of the same level, will have hidden entrances to get inside. Players will need to discover these entrances themselves by getting in close, slaying a gatekeeper, or tripping some other trigger. Peek inside these new instances in the video below. [Source: Snail Games press release]
Scope out Black Gold Online's vehicular combat in new trailer
By air or by land, Black Gold Online offers players a variety of transportation options that do more than just get you to the battle, but also take part in it! Muscled mounts face off against mechanized ones as The Erlandir Union (the fantasy faction) and The Kingdom of Isenhorst (steampunk faction) duke it out to get control of a mysterious energy substance. An essential part of Black Gold Online's PvP system, these mechanical mechs, war hounds, flying machines, and dragons can all be summoned in battlegrounds for PvP objectives as well as the open world. Players obtain these Raid, Aerial, Anti-Air, Penetration, and Assault vehicles through both questing and battleground achievements, and each mount has its own achievement path and customization options. Get a look at the vehicles in tactical battle formations in the trailer below. [Source: Snail Games press release]
The Art of Wushu: Thoughts on the winter expansion
We looked at a lot of the details of Age of Wushu's Ultimate Scrolls expansion last time, but we should also reflect a bit on the implications of the new changes. The Mt. Hua expansion was mostly positive, and I was very excited to see the new mentoring program and token systems. I'm not as hyped for Ultimate Scrolls. Whereas Mt. Hua added accessibility, a new battleground, and more fun things to do for everyone, Ultimate Scrolls is primarily an expansion for top players. There is very little to do in this expansion if you don't have leveled meridians and a maxed second or third internal skill. Even though I'm in the one percent, I don't think it's very fair to the majority of players who are not.
The Art of Wushu: Lifting the veil on the winter expansion
Some of you may have heard about new content coming to Age of Wushu in the winter in the form of the Ultimate Scrolls expansion. Although it contains some new content including the much-anticipated marriage system, Snail Games has released scant few details about new features. We went behind the scenes and asked the studio what we can expect in the winter expansion and what we can look forward to in the future. The developers were pretty open about what was coming soon, which -- like Mt. Hua -- is chock-full of new features.
Black Gold could possibly start beta in early 2014
Dying to get your hands on the scrumptious-looking Black Gold? If you've already registered for a beta key and need a little hope, here it is: Snail Games said the game could possibly start its closed beta in the first quarter of 2014. "The first closed beta is planned to launch at the earliest Q1 2014," the studio posted in a recent Ask the Devs segment. "We are ensuring quality when it's ready to meet the public eye. All players who have registered prior will have a high chance of receiving first round of beta codes via their email." Black Gold's beta and release is initially aimed at North America, although Snail Games said it is "not ruling out" the possibility of future releases elsewhere. There will also be no region block for the title. [Thanks to Dengar for the tip!]
Black Gold unveils the Kosh race
The races of Black Gold are getting plenty of attention from Snail Games recently, with three of the races already unveiled. Today marks the fourth race reveal with a video and an article dedicated to the felinoid Kosh, direct descendents of the Sun God (according to their own propaganda, anyway). These former conquerors have joined the Erlandir Union to help defend the eponymous Black Gold, which they consider holy and unsuitable for use in technology. Kosh characters can be Demon Hunters, Elementalists, or Alchemists, all aligned with the race's rather mystical and contemplative nature. As a whole they're known to be serious and aloof, filling the game's need for something of an elven race without ever actually hitting the "elf" stereotype. But you don't have to take our word for it; you can take a look at the reveal trailer past the break, or read the full lore article for a bit more history.
