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Civilization Online closed beta trailer features building, battles, and drumming
There's something about a good Civilization trailer that always makes me feel downright nostalgic, and I think that factor is the world music being sung. We've got another trailer in this grand tradition for you to watch today, this one from G-Star covering the upcoming Civilization Online. Civilization Online is currently in Korean closed beta, but from the looks of this video, it's coming along nicely. The trailer shows players working together to construct a bridge over a chasm, build cities, assemble armies, and engage on that most sacred of pre-fight rituals, happy drumming. Check it out after the break!
Bless Online reveals a new trailer for its second beta
The second beta test for Bless Online is coming next month, and the game is currently looking for more testers. Before you throw your hat into the ring, however, keep in mind that testers need to have both a Korean PMANG account and the ability to confirm their signup with a Korean cell phone. The goal here, if you haven't grasped it yet, is to have people from Korea testing the game. But you don't have to be in Korea to see the game's latest trailer. The trailer follows the format the game's prior trailers have established, looking gorgeous without saying a great deal beyond "two groups of people are fighting and some of them die in the process." It is very pretty, though. Jump on past the break if you'd like to see for yourself.
SkySaga bringing a colorful sandvox to you next summer
Happy Monday! We even got you a gift: the reveal of a new procedurally generated sandbox called SkySaga. You don't have to feel as if you need to get us anything in return, however. Radiant Worlds announced last week that it has started work on an "evolving" online world called SkySaga. The team promises that the story and land of SkySaga will be shaped by the heroes during their journeys. It will contain a lot of the sandbox staples, including voxel terrain, harvesting, and crafting. The game will also include PvP battle arenas. Currently, the plan for SkySaga is to begin closed alpha testing in the UK "very soon" and release sometime next summer. We've got an early gameplay video for you to check out after the break. [Source: Radiant Worlds press release]
Check out Red Stone 2, the Korean anime MMO
Before you pack it in for the weekend, we have another new MMO from across the Pacific to share with you. Meet Red Stone 2, sequel to the you've-never-heard-of-it-before Red Stone that has a decidedly anime twist. Red Stone 2 is being developed by L&K Logic Korea and has a large roster of playable classes including Freelancer, Warrior, Martial Artist, Priest, Bowman, Bard, Thief, Berserker, Magician, and (of course) Werewolf. Not enough MMOs let you play werewolves, so it's about time we see that change. The title is going into closed beta in Korea on November 28th, and there are a few trailers after the break that will give you an idea of what Red Stone 2 is all about.
Elvenar brings city building to a fantasy world
Pristine worlds and virgin landscapes are an affront to sentient sensibilities, which is why the call is going out to colonize the world of Elvenar. Today, InnoGames announced that it is working on a new city building game, this one to be set in a fantasy world. Players in Elvenar will get to choose between Elves and Humans, after which they will get cracking on building a city to honor that race. Like other InnoGames titles, Elvenar will have not only a building component, but trade and battle ones as well. Elvenar is planning on a January 2015 closed beta test for the PC. Mobile editions of the game are also planned, although they will be coming later. Players can pre-register on the official site right now. [Source: InnoGames press release]
Das Tal gets the Greenlight, sells supporter packs
The indie sandbox Das Tal is feeling a little more vindicated today, as the title announced that the community voted to Greenlight it on Steam following a three-month campaign. The studio said that it will now be figuring out "how best to use Steam's platform" as the alpha MMO moves forward. Riding high off of the announcement, the Das Tal team announced that it will not be looking for further funding through a Kickstarter but will be selling development supporter packages instead. These packs go from $30 to $200 and include trial keys, alpha access, name reservations, and concept art.
Korean MMO Echo of Soul immigrates to North America and Europe next year
Love Korean MMOs? Well, there's about to be a new one for western audiences in 2015: Echo of Soul. Aeria Games announced today that plans are in the works to take this free-to-play fantasy MMO and bring it to North America and Europe early next year. The hook for Echo of Soul is a "unique soul-collecting system" that results in a rich layer of skill customization for players. The MMO has a solid heritage behind it, as it was created by "key members" of Lineage II's dev team. Beta sign-ups are now live on the official site, and you can watch Echo of Soul's teaser trailer after the jump. [Source: Aeria Games press release]
Watch the sped-up creation of Das Tal concept art
It's always great to get two things for the price of one, isn't it? Well, that's what you're going to get when you watch today's developer video from Das Tal, as it not only contains an interview with the game's art director but shows the sped-up creation process of one of Das Tal's pieces of concept art. Art Director Michail Mamaschew discusses his priorities for each day's work, what programs he uses, where he gets his inspiration, and all of the aspects of art that he has to consider as he creates pieces for the team. You can watch the formation of concept art and listen to his interview after the jump!
Smite enters beta arena on Xbox One early next year
Hi-Rez Studios plans to kick off its closed beta for Smite on Xbox One in early 2015. The developer revealed plans for its console beta at PAX Australia, as discussed by co-founder and COO Todd Harris in a recap video found after the break. The studio intends on launching the Xbox One beta in the first half of next year. The MOBA first arrived on PC in March, and has since reached over five million registered players. Smite was among a lengthy list of independent games confirmed for Xbox One during Microsoft's Gamescom press event in August. It will be the first console game from the developer, whose other PC efforts include Tribes: Ascend and Global Agenda. [Image: Hi-Rez Studios]
Watch two hours of Civilization Online unfold
Unless you're in Korea, you don't have much of a chance of getting into the Civilization Online beta test, but at least you can enjoy it vicariously! A beta tester posted over two hours of in-game footage of this MMO strategy hybrid. The video covers a wide gamut from the introductory tutorial to horseback riding to building to sieges. There are also plenty of exciting menus and map screens for you to brush up on your Korean as well! Even without knowing the language, one can get a pretty good handle on how Civ Online looks and plays. The advance peek starts after the break.
The Crew's PS4 and Xbox One beta starts next week
When Ubisoft pushed back the launch of its upcoming racing game The Crew to December, it revealed plans to hold an additional beta phase around the time the game was previously expected to launch. Today, the publisher announced the PS4 and Xbox One closed beta for The Crew will start next Thursday, November 6 and last through Monday, November 10. The Crew's PS4 and Xbox One beta will allow players to cruise across the country, completing challenges in two of the game's five regions, the Midwest and the East Coast. It will also feature the game's PvP lobby in the dirt and street classes. The closed beta is open to all players, though Ubisoft said some features will require an Xbox Live Gold or PlayStation Plus subscription. Those interested in participating in the beta can register on Ubisoft's official site for the game, and those that pre-order The Crew will be guaranteed access to the beta program. The Crew will launch on December 2 for PS4, Xbox One, Xbox 360 and PC. [Image: Ubisoft]
The Crew preps second console beta test for November
Gentlemen and ladies, start your virtual engines! The Crew is preparing to roll out its second closed beta test, starting on November 6th and ending on the 10th. PC players will have to wait in the wings, as this beta test is for Xbox One and PlayStation 4 players only. The test will cover two regions of the game, the Midwest and East Coast, and include PvP competitions and both Street and Dirt car specs. The Crew is currently aiming at a December 2nd launch date. [Source: Ubisoft press release]
The Otherland MMO has returned from the dead
It appears that the Tad Williams-inspired cyberpunk Otherland MMO has a new lease on life. The first version of Otherland was still in production back in March 2013, when developer RealU laid off most of its staff and work on the title ground to a halt. Now it seems Drago-Entertainment, a Polish outfit, has taken over the project and its assets, having launched a new website and Facebook page earlier in October with the declaration, "Otherland the MMO is back!" Drago-Entertainment was last in MMO news in April 2013 when it, perhaps not coincidentally, canceled its Kickstarter for a Grimlands MMO in favor of working with other investors. Both games were set to be published by Gamigo at the time. According to posts on the forums, Otherland's closed beta has not yet begun, though a registration link is prominently displayed on the website. [Many thanks to tipster Joe.]
Asker Online beta review says Korean game 'missing something'
Curious about the new Korean action-MMO Asker Online? One tester says that you really shouldn't be. Steparu spent time in the first closed beta and reports that the game is treading over familiar territory. He noted that while he's disappointed with Asker's choice of gender-locked classes (with only three classes in total so far), he found the boss fights challenging and enjoyable and the graphics pleasing to behold. "After spending a couple of days testing the game, Asker Online felt like it was missing something," Steparu writes. "I couldn't really get into the game as much as I thought I would have. Mainly because it didn't have anything new to present. The breakable environment and combat is a lot similar to Vindictus. The size of the maps are extremely small which reminded me of Dragon Nest or Continent of the Ninth. Asker just didn't have much of a flare or impact on me."
RuneScape announces Hearthstone-like card game
Hearthstone's success is hard to ignore in the industry, and it doesn't take much effort to connect the dots between that title's growth and Jagex's decision to develop an in-game card battler for RuneScape. The UK-based studio announced that it's making Chronicle: RuneScape Legends to be played inside of its popular MMO. Chronicle takes place inside a "magical book" that challenges players to use deck-building to create quests that can be completed through PvE and PvP card battles. "Your opponent will be creating quests in parallel with you, but watch out as they might try to steal your weapons or gold," the website states. "At the end of your quests you do battle, with the last person standing the victor!" According to Eurogamer, Jagex has been working on Chronicle since the beginning of the year to be released sometime in 2015 for the PC, Mac, and mobile devices. Chronicle is currently accepting beta sign-ups.
Korean RvR MMO Azera enters beta
A new realm vs. realm challenger is on the scene, and it's looking to move into the next phase of testing overseas by the end of this month. Azera, an RvR MMO developed by SmileGate, will feature factional warfare with a political system that allows players to assume positions of power if they're on the winning side. It is utilizing the Havok Vision Engine and contains five classes and three player factions. The new title is preparing to go into its second round of beta in Korea on October 29th.
The Crew's console closed beta launches tomorrow
Console closed beta arrives tomorrow for racing MMO The Crew, a tweet from Ubisoft has announced. PS4 and Xbox One players can sign up on the official site to secure a spot in the test. Sorry, Wii U and PS3 stalwarts; the game won't be ported for you. The game's second beta began on PC back in August. It's slated to launch on November 11th.
The Crew closed beta drifts to consoles next week
The Crew will enter its closed beta phase on consoles next Tuesday, September 30. The game took multiple pre-release spins through PC tracks in July and August, but those hoping to be picked to play the game early on PS4 and Xbox One will need to register on Ubisoft's official website for the game. The Crew presents an open-world-style recreation of the United States, or at least as it appears through the window of a car driving at least 80 miles per hour. Following a delay nearly one year ago, The Crew will launch November 11 for PC, Xbox One and PS4. Ubisoft is aiming to reach 60 frames per second on PC, but the game will be locked to 30 fps on consoles. For a lengthy look at The Crew, take a joyride with us in our hour-long archived Joystiq Stream of the PC beta from July, or check out our video preview from April. [Image: Ubisoft]
Global Agenda 2's closed beta expected 'before the end of the year if all goes well'
When last we heard about Global Agenda 2, we learned the promised sequel to 2010's Global Agenda was in line behind profitable MOBA SMITE for attention, and that announcement was made while its developers were admitting Tribes: Ascend was unlikely to ever get more love. But Hi-Rez Studios CEO Erez Goren broke radio silence on GA2 with a slew of spoilers on Reddit yesterday (apparently before he was shadowbanned for "vote manipulation" by angry Tribes players). The highlights? It is in fact a "spiritual" successor to GA. It'll have objective-based, 5v5 PvP with stats leveling during matches. E-sports will be supported, as will spectator mode. Viewpoint is first- and third-person. "Shooting is from first person mostly." There are "no strict classes." There is "no dedicated healer class." You just "select the way you want to play and join the queue." A "dome city area" might serve as a gathering point for players. He rattles off a whole list of weapons and off-hand items. Clever Redditors surmise that the game might actually be named Global Assault. Closed beta is expected "before the end of the year if all goes well." [With many thanks to Sorenthaz for the great tip!]
Elite: Dangerous beta 2 coming September 30
Those cockpits weren't meant to look fresh off the factory floor forever; it's time to take Elite: Dangerous' ships out for another tour of duty. Frontier announced that beta 2 for Elite: Dangerous will begin on September 30th. This round of testing is being promoted as a great improvement on the last, with combat ratings, reputations, 500 new star systems, and the Lakon Asp Explorer ship added to the mix. The team is still on track for a late 2014 release for the space sim, but in the meanwhile Frontier is giving away free copies of the original Elite as part of the franchise's 30th anniversary celebration. [Source: Frontier press release]
