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Black Desert Korean OBT exploits lead to permabans
If you were hoping for an exploit-free experience when Korean sandbox import Black Desert heads west, you may still get it. But you may not, if Steparu's recent experience in the game's K-OBT is any indication. Problems include a buy-back dupe, mob kills that gave abnormal amounts of experience, and "something with the shop." Steparu also reports that developer Pearl Abyss and publisher Daum have permabanned serious offenders and deleted ill-gotten gains from "light abusers."
Here's another awesome Black Desert video
Ready for your daily helping of Black Desert awesome sauce? Good, because this particular video is one of my favorites. YouTuber InporlemQQ has captured 22 minutes of city and country life from the Korean fantasy sandbox. There's little in the way of combat here, but it's an explorer's paradise featuring some of the prettiest MMORPG visuals to date as well as a fun in-game soundtrack. Enjoy after the cut!
There's no level cap in Black Desert
Part three of Steparu's Black Desert beta review-in-progress has been posted. Topics covered include the skill enchanting system, sieges and open PvP, the NPC trading and the market/auction system, and the curious lack of a level cap. Black Desert endgame is kinda sorta 50, as that's when new skill acquisition ceases. But you can continue gaining XP post-50 and even continue training your previously acquired skills via more skill points from quests or mob grinding. "Black Desert is like a grinding machine's dream, perhaps too hardcore for other gamers outside of Asia," Steparu concludes.
Black Desert's open PvP and death penalties explained
Steparu has posted part two of a lengthy Black Desert beta review-in-progress. This installment focuses on the fantasy sandbox's leveling experience, enchanting, the combo system, and open world PvP. Pearl Abyss has raised the minimum PK level to 40 for this particular beta phase, and Steparu says that people "who misbehave and kill random players will increase their karma points and become chaotic." Chaotic status causes random inventory drops upon death, whereas Black Desert's normal PvP death penalty is "a random chance to lose socketed gems and weapon enchants." You can read more at Steparu.com, and don't forget to watch the beta gameplay vids after the break!
Here are a couple of Black Desert beta reviews
Steparu and MMO Culture are both playing Black Desert's second Korean closed beta, and both sites have published recaps of their various adventures. Steparu details the fantasy sandbox's combat and skill system as well as the process of catching a mount with a lasso! MMO Culture focuses on the melee brawler Giant class. Both sites have uploaded gameplay videos, which you can sample after the cut.
New Black Desert trailer boasts formation-based combat
Last month we learned about Black Desert's formation-based combat gameplay. While it sounds slick and -- dare we say it -- innovative, it was greeted with a healthy amount of skepticism by Massively commenters. To recap, Black Desert eschews traditional trinity roles for combat formations. For example, a group that arranges itself in a circle will boast higher defenses while a straight-line formation will boost the DPS of the lead avatar. If you're still not convinced, well, that's probably why Pearl Abyss has released a new party-based gameplay trailer. Give it a look-see after the break!
Black Desert ramping up beta testing
Black Desert's upcoming closed beta test will run for three weeks, according to Korean publisher Daum. The firm seeks five to six times more testers than in the previous closed sessions, 2P reports. There are also some new Black Desert screenshots making the rounds, and Steparu has details on the beta system requirements. [Thanks buttle!]
Black Desert's next beta dated, new teaser site live
Korean fantasy sandbox Black Desert will kick off its second closed beta on April 4th. Pearl Abyss has put together a new teaser website to mark the occasion, and fansite Steparu.com has re-posted a lengthy gameplay video showing off nearly 10 minutes of footage from the title's first test phase. Click past the cut to have a look.
Pearl Abyss gearing up for Black Desert's beta phase two
Steparu reports that Pearl Abyss is giving away 400 Black Desert phase two beta keys on a newly created Facebook page. Unfortunately for you English speakers, both the Facebook destination and the beta are intended for Korean audiences. 2P reports that the beta will run from March 4th through March 16th, and the site is also hosting a pair of gorgeous new Black Desert screenshots.
Black Desert's next closed beta to feature new region
There's a new region coming to Black Desert's second closed beta, according to 2P. The website sources the fantasy sandbox's Korean-language homepage, and more specifically a GM diary that reveals a region called Calpheon. Players will apparently be able to make repair anvils and temporary tents in the region, as well as take advantage of its proximity to the sea to satisy their fishing urges. [Thanks WNxArcticwolf!]
Still more Black Desert beta vids, PvE impressions
Steparu is still playing this week's Black Desert closed beta, and fortunately for all of us on the outside, that means more gameplay videos and commentary. Today's focus is leveling and PvE, the latter of which is apparently lacking due to the pedestrian questing system. Steparu says that there are no dynamic events, though there are main story quests that become available at various points throughout the level range. The article also touches on PvP and what appears to be a button for opting in or out of the game's open-world free-for-all system. Click past the cut for the videos, including some HUD-free Archer and Sorcerer combat, and don't forget to read the full impressions piece behind the links below.
Black Desert's open PvP detailed
Steparu's back with another look at Black Desert's Korean closed beta test. This time the focus is on guild-vs.-guild events and PvP. There's the usual video content as well as an accompanying article which mentions the game's seamless open world and it's open-world PvP. While the systems are subject to change given that this is an early beta test, Steparu says that right now Black Desert's PvP is pretty unforgiving due to its free-for-all nature and the possibility of item and XP loss. Click through the links below for the full article, and don't forget the videos after the cut. [Thanks bdo!]
Black Desert's beta housing system detailed
Hey look, it's more Black Desert beta stuff! Steparu has posted part two of a lengthy impressions piece for the sandbox title, the second portion of which focuses exclusively on player housing. As it stands right now, the system is limited to auctioned houses that are hard -- or at least expensive -- to obtain. There is no player-made housing in Black Desert's Korean closed beta just yet, so expect to spend time jostling with lots of players clustered around the auctioneer NPC if really want a home of your own. Steparu has posted plenty of both interior and exterior housing screenshots as well as a video tour which you can see after the break.
More Black Desert beta vids, this time with parkour
As we reported earlier this week, Korean fantasy sandbox Black Desert has gone into beta. Steparu has published part one of an extensive preview including both a hands-on article and a series of lengthy high definition gameplay videos. The clips show everything from combat and group play to exploration and dungeoneering. There's also an extensive look at the game's climbing and movement system. Steparu says that "it's not exactly Assassin's Creed style, but it does come close to it." See for yourself via the embeds after the break.
Black Desert beta vids show questing, fishing, cinematics, and more
That darn Black Desert! Every time I learn more about it it moves up a spot or two on my must-play list! The sandbox title's Korean beta has started, and according to a post at MMOcast, testers can expect plenty of hands-on with questing, combat, housing, guilds, trading, "NPC relations," and PvP and sieging. The site also has a few gameplay videos that are worth a look. There's footage of the fishing and jumping systems, questing stuff, and the opening cinematic. See for yourself after the cut. [Thanks Dengar!]
