archeage-russia
Latest
ArcheAge Russia IP blocks only apply to new accounts, Mail.Ru 'negotiating' with XL
The saga of ArcheAge Russia continues today as publisher Mail.Ru has updated the game's website with the status of its "negotiations" with developer XLGAMES. As we reported yesterday, XL requested IP blocks for the Russian release of its popular sandpark title, presumably due to an influx of both Korean and Western enthusiasts. Today's update, courtesy of Google translate, says that the IP blocks only apply to newly registered accounts, which would explain why many Western ArcheAge users were able to continue playing even after yesterday's announcement. Some ArcheAge fans are speculating that the popularity of the Russian release stems from huge post-launch changes made by XL to the Korean version of the game. Said changes were intended to make ArcheAge more accessible for a wide audience, but fans who have followed the title for years were reportedly turned off by the removal of sandbox elements and subsequently decided to play the pre-patch Russian version. [Thanks everyone who tipped us!]
ArcheAge Russia struggles with overloaded queues
ArcheAge's recent launch in Russia has not gone completely smoothly, as overloaded and somewhat unstable servers have struggled to accommodate those interested in trying out the fantasy sandbox. A post on the official Russian website says that XLGAMES is working hard to bring new servers online in order to reduce the queue. The team is also looking at ways for players to transfer characters from full servers to the new ones, but this may take time and further testing. "Developers continue to work to improve the function of the client and working on priority entrance to the server for premium account holders," the team posted. It informed players that those trying to stay logged in while AFK will be "forcibly disconnected" going forward. The free-to-play game is rumored to have brought in $10 million so far from its Russian launch.
ArcheAge launches in Russia tomorrow
At a press conference in Moscow, Russia, earlier today, XLGAMES announced that ArcheAge will officially launch in that country tomorrow, February 22nd. During the conference, founder Jake Song expressed deep gratitude to the Russian fans for their support during the most recent Russian closed beta testing; so many wanted to participate that ArcheAge Russia publisher Mail.ru had to increase servers to accommodate. Song continued, "I already knew that Russian gamers are very enthusiastic about ArcheAge from what they showed at ArcheAge Korea CBT. To keep up with their expectations we plan to add exclusive contents just for Russian gamers." [Source: XLGAMES press release]
Players successfully petition to change ArcheAge's business model
Who says player petitions don't matter? Not Russian fans of ArcheAge, who are fresh off a successful attempt to sway publisher Mail.ru's plans for the sandpark title's regional business model. MMO Culture reported on the brouhaha last week, and most of the outrage was directed at the fact that Mail.ru's initial model gave major in-game advantages to players with fat wallets. "A rich Russian player [could] get his whole guild to level 50 within a day," the site said. After a mass player outcry, the publisher is now offering players a choice of how to move forward. Option one involves refining the current model, option two would use the same free-to-model found in the Korean version of ArcheAge, and option three would use both models simultaneously. Trion is slated to publish ArcheAge in the West, but thus far no business model information has been forthcoming. [Thanks Mikey!]
