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Aion 4.0 launches today, includes Asmodian incentives [Updated]
Today's the day! After months of waiting, Daevas will finally be able to spread their wings in Aion's latest expansion, Dark Betrayal, when servers open. And 4.0 comes with a dizzying array of changes, not the least of which includes the new Gunslinger and Songweaver classes to try, the new lands to explore, new fortresses to siege, and new levels and new skills to gain. To entice players into more balanced populations, NCsoft is also implementing an incentive program to encourage folks to play as Asmodians on certain servers; Asmodians on Tiamat, Siel, and Israphel will be rewarded with weapons, armor, and other supplies upon reaching certain levels. These rewards, however, are not retroactive and will only be granted on levels moving forward. While those additions alone sound like enough to keep many a Daeva busy, there's plenty more. Other tidbits introduced in 4.0 are an extension of the Fast Track server to include Inggison and Gelkmaros and the removal of arrows when using bows. For even more details and impressions on Dark Betrayal, watch for Wings Over Atreia this weekend. And check out the new classes tonight in a two-hour show (with a special guest) on Massively TV starting at 7:00 p.m. EDT. [Source: NCsoft press release] [Update: Expect a bit more downtime than anticipated. According to a post on the official forums, Aion "client files have gone missing from our 3rd party CDN" and the techs could need as many as six hours to fix the problem and bring the game online.]
Dev videos hail the arrival of RuneScape's player-owned ports
Last year, Jagex announced a new feature that would allow RuneScape players to own ports from which to sail out and explore new, unmapped areas of the world. Starting today, higher-level players can claim their port and restore it by upgrading the dilapidated buildings. Gamers can then commission ships to take them to previously undiscovered lands with new lore, monsters, and races. For more details on the new port feature (or to watch dancing devs in pirate costumes sing a jolly tune), check out the two videos after the break. [Source: Jagex press release]
The Repopulation's May report highlights new crafting and combat goodies
Another month has come and gone, which means it's time for another end-of-the-month status report for The Repopulation, the upcoming sci-fi sandbox game that plans to start a round of alpha testing this month. To get ready for this next step, Above and Beyond Technologies has been hard at work adding new elements to the game and tweaking many existing ones. Amid the UI tweaks and bug fixes, this update includes world, skill, crafting, and combat changes. Two new areas (Oasis Valley and Wreckage Site 94) have opened, while other areas have been revamped. Over fifty new decoration items have been added, including benches and chairs where players can sit. Stealth has been reworked so that players can now detect others using their own skill check. Crafting has a new system in place that will require players to respond to occasional events and the responses will affect the result of the craft. Combat sees new immunity timers for daze and stun effects that will prevent players from becoming stun-locked in PvP. And that's just the tip of the update iceberg; full details can be found in the patch notes.
Wings Over Atreia: Ode to 3.0
*cue pitch pipe* Twinkle, twinkle, little patch, How I wonder where you're at? In the East they play with ease, In the West you're just a tease! Twinkle, twinkle, three point oh, Hurry please I want you so! I've tried to be patient. I really have. I even avoided any wayward glances at Aion's Korean patch notes (translated, of course) for 3.0. That way, I could contain my excitement a little better. I mean, we already know I am dying for housing, and I also know mounts are involved. But there is always so much more, and I was trying to make the wait more bearable. I stood firm in my resolve. Then I broke down. I peeked. And oh how the many-tendriled beast of anticipation took hold of me once again! Of course there is always the requisite "fixed this bug" and "changed that appearance" filler, but when mining deeper, you also find some definite valuable nuggets. Aion's next patch has some "how cool," some "oh wow, that's really unexpected," and some "about time!" thrown in as well. From new zones to new instances to new features, there is plenty coming our way. Don't want to tax your scroll wheel and sift through the entire patch notes yourself? Wings Over Atreia delves in to uncover some of the most tantalizing treasures for you.
Rumor: Funcom readying new Age of Conan lands
Speculation and excitement are the order of the day on both the European and American forums for Age of Conan. What's all the hubbub about? Two new lands are purportedly in the works, and this jibes with a cryptic comment by Funcom game director Craig "Silirrion" Morrison in last month's development update. "This is where we get to the stuff we can't quite talk about just yet... yes, a little teasing I know, but trust us, it is far more frustrating not being able to talk about what is coming just yet. These will be important updates, with two new and important elements incoming," Morrison wrote. Fans are speculating that the two new and important elements are in fact two Hyborian provinces filled with a multitude of new zones, specifically Turan and Ardashir. Massively has confirmed that bringing up the in-game player search tab and filtering by region shows two new headings labeled Turan and Ardashir alongside the pre-existing countries of Aquilonia, Cimmeria, Stygia, and Khitai. There is also a bit of conjecture on the official boards regarding Funcom's annual report, which says in part that 2011 will bring "significant content and story tie-ins with the [new Conan] movie." We'll keep you updated as this story develops and as we get official word from the devs. [Thanks to Nyan for the tip!]
