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Exclusive: Mythos Europe reveals details on new content and early beta access
Last month we told you all about the upcoming open beta, level cap raise, and new content for Mythos Europe. Umbral Peaks, the third region to come to the game, sounded great, but there was a small disclaimer: You have to wait until April 12th for open beta. Well, it turns out that's not technically true. You have to wait until April 12th if you aren't a Massively reader. Yes, you're being rewarded for your excellent taste with 24 hours of exclusive early access, beginning today. If you didn't get a closed beta key in one of our previous giveaways, this is your chance to participate anyway! All you have to do is use this link for access. The event begins today at 1:00 p.m. EDT (sorry, the link won't get you in until then) and lasts for 24 hours. When the event ends tomorrow at 1:00, you won't be kicked from the servers; you simply won't be able to log back in once you log out. This setup will allow you to finish whatever you're in the middle of without racing the clock. You've got a few hours before the event begins, but don't worry -- we've got a few things to help you pass the time. You'll of course want to create a Mythos Europe account if you haven't done so, and then follow along below, because we've got all the dirt on Umbral Peaks: screenshots and an overview of the new zone. Check them out, and have fun with your early look at Mythos Europe! %Gallery-10781%
Mythos announces European launch information
The hard part of anticipating a game early in the development process is the question of when you'll finally get a chance to see it released. Mythos has thankfully killed that part of the anticipation with the official announcement that the game will be going live as of April 28th, 2011. But if you can't wait that long to start in on a hack-and-slash bonanza and haven't been fortunate enough to get into the beta testing, how about a nice shiny box copy? Before you get your credit card information out, it should be noted that as this is still the European release; the box copy itself is being sold through Amazon.co.uk and will thus be rather limited for American players. For the European contingent, however, buying the box will allow access to the game on the 26th, two days before general release. Mythos players still have time to enjoy the closed beta for now, and as previously noted, open beta will begin on the 12th, if you're still up in the air.
First Impressions: Mythos
I've played plenty of Diablo-style games, games filled with endless hours of dungeon grinding and loot collecting. I'll be honest: They're not usually my thing. I like a little more variety in my adventure and not such a linear experience. When I was asked to take a look at Mythos, a "new" (read: older title that is receiving a re-do) game that is currently in closed beta, I was pretty skeptical. After all, I've played this style of game before and enjoyed it in Torchlight and others, and the developers are adding on an MMO element to it now. This could mean a few things. First, the game could be a horrible, buggy mess that would turn me off instantly. Or second, it could be something completely charming and different that could work really well as an MMO. Which did I find? Click past the cut and I promise to tell you.
Open beta en route for Mythos Europe
If there's been a single unifying thread for our last several beta giveaways for Mythos Europe, it's been a wail of anguish that the keys have vanished quickly. (Like cheap beer on a college campus, if you'd like an analogy.) But while we can't conjure new keys out of thin air, we can console those unable to get one with the news that the open beta is on its way. On April 12th, the servers open to everyone for testing and enjoyment. For the open testing phase, the level cap is being raised to 50, giving players the opportunity to explore new abilities and new zones. The game's third major area, Umbral Peaks, will be accessible in the last testing phase with the raised cap. Current beta players are also in luck, as servers have been added for several languages, including English, French, and Turkish. Mythos is getting closer and closer to launch, and starting April 12th, everyone gets to take part in putting on the final pre-launch testing polish. [Thanks to Blake Linton Wilfong for the tip!]
Still need a Mythos closed beta key? Get one now!
Welcome to round three of the Mythos Europe closed beta key giveaway! If you missed out on the last two giveaways, we've got another chance for you -- we've managed to get our hands on another 250 keys. The drill is the same as before: grab a key from our giveaway page, create a Mythos Europe account if you haven't done so, then enter your beta key! If the last two giveaways are any indication, these will go fast, so grab one quickly if you want in. Closed beta is going on now, so you can get started right away -- have fun!
More Mythos Europe beta keys for you
With the closed beta underway for Mythos Europe, many players who tried the beta back when Flagship was developing the game are champing at the bit to get in. Of course, those testers aren't the only ones who are excited, if our free closed beta key giveaway the other day was any indication! Our initial batch of keys flew off our code server incredibly quickly, and we received comments, tweets, and emails asking for more keys! Well, being the givers that we are here at Massively, we got in touch with our friends at Frogster and asked for another batch. The studio was only too happy to oblige, and as such, we have 250 more closed beta keys for you! All you have to do to pick one up is to head for our giveaway page and grab your very own Mythos Europe closed beta key. From there, point your browser at the Mythos page to set up your account. After that's all done, simply enter your username and key code and get your download on. A colorful, crazy adventure awaits -- so get moving if you want to grab a key before they're gone!
Exclusive: Mythos displays Lamento armor sets
Hanibitsoft and European publisher Frogster gave Massively the skinny on three armor sets revealed in the new fantasy MMO Mythos. Merchants on Heaven Island offer special armor sets to players with enough points from Lamento battles. Players form teams to face off against other groups in these contests of glory and special prizes. The Lamento sets of armor are specially designed to visually complement each other when worn as a complete suit. In addition to the stat increases given by individual pieces, the armor grants characters extra bonuses when the player equips more than one piece at a time. The bonus stats increase at 2, 5, 8, 11, and 13 collected pieces. The weapons and shields will vary, and each armor set contains two different sets of attributes for each of the three classes. Gadgeteers don the Pure White Soul armor set; Bloodletters strap on the Dark Plains or Snow Field armor; Pyromancers ignite the world in their Firestorm robes. In the gallery below, we've uploaded your first look at these enchanting suits. If you are interested in finding out more about the myth behind Mythos, march over to the official site and sign up for the closed beta going on right now. %Gallery-10781%
Take a first look at Mythos with our closed beta key giveaway!
A multi-race alliance, broken by betrayal, and an old wrong to be avenged. There's more to the story, but this is the foundation of what Mythos is all about. Mythos Europe is in closed beta, which means that a relatively small group will be participating, but don't worry -- we've got you covered. Here at Massively we've gotten our hands on 150 closed beta keys, and as always, we're in a sharing mood. Check out our giveaway page to grab your key, then visit the Mythos page to create your account. Once you've done that, enter your username and key code, then download the client. Got all that? Perfect -- enjoy the game, courtesy of Mythos Europe and Massively!
Bill Roper reflects on Hellgate
How exactly does a well-funded studio composed of Blizzard veterans end up creating one of the more spectacular failures in recent gaming history? That's a question that Gamasutra attempts to answer in a new interview with former Flagship (and Cryptic) CEO Bill Roper. The debacle that was Hellgate: London stemmed mainly from over-ambition, Roper says, coupled with the lack of capital necessary to support the don't-release-til-it's-ready mentality that much of the staff experienced at Blizzard. "There was always the support there [at Blizzard] to say, 'You know what? If that's what you need to make this game great, then that's what we'll get for you. We'll figure it out.' It's obviously very different when you are an independent company, right, and not owned by somebody." The interview also touches on Flagship's involvement with Mythos as well as Roper's experiences dealing with the Hellgate fallout and extensive (and often personal) fan backlash. "It went from 'I didn't like your game' or 'I don't think your company makes good games' to the personal assault level," he says.
Mythos closed beta date announced
Add another title to the standing-room only MMO beta crowd crammed into the first few months of 2011. HanbitSoft has just announced that its free-to-play hack and slash Mythos title will slice and dice its way into closed beta on February 8th. Beta signups are currently ongoing at the game's official website, and the devs have also let slip that a special sneak peek event will take place for registered beta participants between January 27th and 31st. During testing, Mythos players will be able to explore the Greenreach and Bloodbristle Desert regions as well as level their characters to 27. Mythos was originally developed by the now-defunct Flagship Studios before being picked up by and completed by HanbitSoft. Frogster is handling publisher duties for the game's European launch.
Mythos quest system detailed
The developers behind Mythos are billing it as "the first worldwide hack 'n' slash MMO" and to that end, the upcoming free-to-play fantasy title is crammed full of randomly generated dungeons, items, and upgrade potential. Mythos is also crammed full of quests according to a new press release dated earlier this morning, and HanbitSoft's game will lead players on a journey across the world of Uld that is heavy on the traditional types of MMORPG tasks with which we're all familiar. Mythos also boasts several unique factions, and raising your character's reputation will grant access to special merchants and a selection of powerful equipment. Mythos was originally developed by Flagship Studios prior to HanbitSoft taking the reins in 2009. The Korean F2P company, in concert with publishing giant Frogster, expects to bring Mythos online in early 2011. Learn more at the official website, and check out our screenshot gallery below. %Gallery-10781%
Mythos starts closed beta just in time for the new year
It's almost time to grab those Gadgeteers, prep the Pyromancers, and brace the Bloodletters as the carnage in Mythos' closed beta will soon begin! The word from Frogster is that the game is entering an early stress test and that gamers who sign up for the beta between now and December 26th will get a chance to land in the first round of testing. That said, that first intrepid group will face many bugs, hardships, and yes, probably even the server crashing. As such, if you're more interested in getting a taste of the game before launch, we'd suggest you hold off until open beta. However, for those who really want to get their Mythos beta bug-reporting test on and think that getting the server to scream like a little girl is fun, then this stage of beta (affectionately titled "hack-n-crash" by Frogster) is for you! Those who get in will start up on December 28th at 10:00 a.m. GMT until things fall over and crash enough times for useful data collection or Frogster shuts the servers down: whichever comes first!
Mythos begins 'Hack and Crash' beta stress test Dec. 28
We would be hard-pressed to think of two things on this planet we love more than Mythos (the Flagship Studios-developed MMO which was acquired by Frogster and HanbitSoft last year) and pure, unrestrained candor. That's why we're psyched by the announcement for Mythos' upcoming "Hack and Crash" beta stress test event, which will fling open its doors to new waves of testers, in order to (according to a Frogster press release), "test the capacity of the servers, which may well crash as a result." So up-front! So honest! So forthright! You can still sign up for the beta if you want to be part of the server apocalypse -- or, you know, if you want to see how the game has changed under its new ownership. So long as there's still hacking and/or slashing, we think we'll be okay with the other adjustments.
Mythos inches closer to closed beta
It's been a few months since we've heard a peep about Mythos, and even longer since we've heard any type of news about a potential beta or release date. Many of us who played it during Flagship's original beta have been patiently waiting for some kind of sign as to when we could get back to all the dungeon-running goodness we'd enjoyed. Well, word is out that beta signups are now live for the EU version of the game, and players can expect things to get rolling soon. For those who have never seen the game before, or perhaps would like a refresher, we've tucked a short teaser trailer behind the break for you to check out. With the ability to switch between ground-level and isometric views, Mythos was a game with great potential that was gone too soon. So if you ever liked Diablo or other isometric fantasy hack-and-slashers, be sure to head over to the Mythos site and get signed up for closed beta!
Newest class revealed for Mythos encourages others to give blood
Mythos, the upcoming Diablo-style action MMO, has not shown its first three classes to be subtle creatures. The first two revealed, the pyromancer and the gadgeteer, both showed their aptitudes for wide-scale destruction. However, the newest class reveal is even more direct -- the bloodletter. It's both a class name and description of what the class specializes in doing. This class is a master of blood and causing grievous bodily harm to everything within range, and it seems quite well-suited to doing just that. As with other classes, the bloodletter has three different specializations available. The crimsonate gouges opponents and derives sustenance from their injuries, the red hand uses a necromantic control of blood to summon minions and turn corpses into weapons, and the martialist discards pseudo-mystical abilities in favor of brutal expertise with weaponry. Take a look at the full class page for preview screenshots as well as short movies demonstrating the class capabilities, all fine demonstrations of what to expect from what may be the most direct class in Mythos.
Frogster unveils Mythos' gadgeteer class
The second class revealed for Mythos is a pretty far cry from last week's pyromancer. Rather than relying on magic to sling spells and raise minions, the gadgeteer uses his proficiency with firearms and contraptions (with a little magical boost thrown in sometimes) to take out his foes. Like the pyromancer, the gadgeteer will have three specialties to choose from. Marksmen, grenadiers, and tinkers each have specialties ranging from trapping to long-range grenades. The Mythos site gives players an in-depth look at the gadgeteer. Check out the newest class page for all sorts of details, including images, a description of each specialty, and three brand-new videos!
First playable class revealed for Mythos
Frogster's newest announcement regarding Mythos comes in the form of the very first class reveal. The Pyromancer looks to be a versatile class depending on which of the three skill trees a player chooses -- and formidable no matter what. The Cinderblade and Flamecaster specialize in short and long range combat, respectively, while the Coalsmasher acts as a summoner class. Coalsmashers bring infernal minions from the fiery depths to do their dirty work, making for a potentially devastating style of play. Frogster has released a video and short description of each of the three skill trees which are now available on the Mythos site.
Frogster announces gamescom activities
Gamescom is just a few days away, and Frogster has big plans for the event. Whether you're interested in TERA, Runes of Magic, or Mythos, Frogster will have something for you to enjoy. Frogster will have 30 terminals set up to play all three games, but there's much more to the schedule. There will be planned RoM raids, a costume contest, a live performance from VanCanto, and more. The events will take over two exhibition stands, and if you can't attend don't feel too bad. The events will be streaming live from the booth beginning on the 19th to keep even those at home up on the latest news. Check out the full schedule of events, and have fun!
Gameforge buys majority stake in Frogster
MMO business news isn't normally as sexy as the latest press release from BioWare or as divisive as the newest F2P conversion announcement. That said, occasionally an industry-related story comes along that indicates something equally big is in the water. Today's announcement of Gameforge's bid to take control of noted free-to-play publisher Frogster seems destined to turn a few industry heads, including ours. Gameforge, which heretofore has specialized in smallish F2P games like Cabal, has just acquired a 60 percent majority holding in Frogster, the German publisher known primarily for distributing Runes of Magic. The purchase deal went through at $33 US a share, which places Frogster's overall value in the neighborhood of $85 million US. Frogster, and now Gameforge, is looking to grow its portfolio not only with Runes of Magic but also by publishing the forthcoming Mythos dungeon crawler as well as by securing the European publishing rights to the highly anticipated TERA action MMO from Bluehole Studio. The Gameforge folks have been busy little bees this summer, as they earlier announced an agreement with CBS to publish several browser-based games centered around the Star Trek intellectual property.
Frogster releases Mythos cinematic
Looking to get your Mythos fix prior to the game's 2011 release? Look no further than the just-released trailer courtesy of Frogster. The video, which runs a little over a minute and a half, serves as both a teaser and the upcoming free-to-play MMO's opening cinematic. Mythos, a throw-back dungeon crawler, has somewhat of a checkered history, given that it was originally developed by now-defunct Flagship Studios before being shuttered and subsequently kick-started by HanbitSoft. The game is now being published by Redbana in North America and Frogster in Europe, and it features solo and group PvP, three distinct classes, and a unique visual style inspired by comic books. Check out our interview with the Mythos dev team and don't forget to sample the trailer after the cut.
