Aika-Online
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One Shots: Oops, left my dark armor at home
We have to admit, the combination in this screenshot was pretty amusing to us. First, there are all the muscular men in their black and silver armor, all ready to go. Then you have the waifish girl in her bright pastels. Thankfully, at least it's not a metal bikini. This image is from the recent closed beta of Aika, and comes to us from Jacob J. who writes in to explain the scene to us: "It's always exciting when a band of adventurers joins forces for the first time at an entrance to a new dungeon. What thrilling mysteries and legendary treasures lay ahead? I'll never know -- my pickup group wiped on the first pull and then my game crashed on run #2." Oh, the fun of beta. Are you taking part in a beta that you'd like to show off? So long as the NDA is down on the game you're playing, we'd be glad to post your screenshots. Just email those over to us here at oneshots AT massively DOT com along with your name, the name of the game, and a brief description. We'll post it and give you the credit. %Gallery-85937%
GDC10: gPotato talks PvP and open beta for Aika
Aika, the upcoming free-to-play game from gPotato, is one that's been attracting quite a bit of attention lately at Massively. The free-to-play MMO arena is rapidly losing the stigma of shallow, uninteresting games, and Aika is shaping up to be a perfect example of that. Innovative features such as the Pran -- the fairy familiar that is proving to be one of the most popular parts of the game -- and an intricate PvP system have given Aika a solid seat in the "one to watch" category. We recently took a look at Aika in First Impressions, and enjoyed a talk with Community Manager Christina Kelly during Aika's second round of closed beta testing. Now the game is on the verge of open beta (which will bring some fun new features to the game), and the Aika team was very busy at GDC this week, but Christina found some time to sit down and chat with us again. Follow along after the jump as we delve into the PvP and politics of Aika, as well as what we have to look forward to in open beta and launch.
Aika open beta starts March 16
Gala-Net has announced that their upcoming free-to-play MMORPG Aika Online will enter Open Beta on March 16. The PVP-centric title will feature six classes, a leveling curve initially topping out at 50, and a player-run political system consisting of a forever war fought among five factions. Post-launch plans include regular PVP events similar to those introduced in the closed beta testing. Weekly castle sieges, 1000 vs. 1000 relic theft battles, and traditional battlegrounds are all on the docket. Additionally, class-specific mounts including the War Hamster and the Dual Gunner's Hoverbike will be available upon reaching level 40. PVE fans won't be left out in the cold either, as we recently noted in our first impressions. Aika's lore, expansive world, and a large assortment of quests look to offer something for everyone.
First Impressions: Aika Online
As someone who has played scores and scores (if not a hundred) free-to-play games, I know how hard it is to convince someone that all of them are not click-to-move grinders, with horrible cutesy graphics and over-the-top 8-bit music playing in the background. There are so many high-quality games out there now, games like Wizard 101, Runescape, Free Realms, DDO, Mabinogi... the list goes on and on. But one has to admit that the stereotypes exist for a reason, and it is only until recent years that FTP games have begun to take on a level of quality that usually had to be paid for. Upon first glance, Aika Online from publisher gPotato seems to be of the usual suspects, a grindy game filled with slightly dated graphics and music that demands turning the volume down immediately. But if there's one thing I have learned over the years, it's to give a game some time to grow on you like a new album or new movie. Often times I appreciate a game more as I get over the initial knee-jerk hump, and as I explore the game and it's systems more.
Massively's interview with Aika for closed beta test 2
Round two of closed beta testing for Aika begins today, and judging from the response to our second closed beta key giveaway, players are anxious to give it a try. The game has some unique features, such as the small familiar known as a Pran on the PvE side, and the promise of 1000 vs. 1000 battles without crippling lag on the PvP side. The features aren't limited to those two things, however. We had a chance to chat about the game with Christina Kelly, Aika's Community Manager. Follow along after the jump to see what she had to say.
Massively's second closed beta key giveaway for Aika
After a successful first closed beta earlier this month, the folks at Aika are excited to get started on the second one next week. Beginning February 24th at 11am PST and running until March 2nd, this second stage of closed beta brings all available in-game zones, new player vs. player scenarios, and character levels 1 through 50. To grab your own key, head on over to our giveaway page and follow the simple instructions there. Please remember that the beta won't start until February 24th, 2010, so you won't be able to log in until then. Also, if you were able to grab a key from our first closed beta giveaway for Aika, you don't need a new key for this one.
One Shots: In over your head
If you've been around Massively for any length of time, you'll know we love to hook our readers up with beta keys. Aside from the glow of knowing we've netted people some free fun, we occasionally get readers who send in their screenshots to One Shots, so we all get to check out some different views of the world. Today's screenshot from Aika, gPotato's PvP-centric free-to-play game, is just one such example. It comes to us from Massively reader Cainineteeth, who writes in: I love you guys for getting the beta keys. For not reading the quest log and running through a massive void with monsters way over my level, I was rewarded with this. Hopefully you didn't land an enormous repair bill and a quick trip to the nearest respawn point too!We love to see what players are enjoying, but we can't do that unless you send your screenshots in to us. It's easy to do! Just email them to us here at oneshots AT massively DOT com along with your name, the name of the game, and a quick description. We'll post it out here and give you the nod for sending it in. %Gallery-85937%%Gallery-9798%
Aika dates second stage of closed beta testing
There's been some buzz surrounding the upcoming free-to-play title Aika, a large-scale PvP game with some interesting features (which turn normally mature bloggers into immature children due to pronunciation, but that's not the point.) The game's first closed beta went fairly well, and as a result a second phase is planned, running from February 24th through March 2nd. It's not a long test phase, but it's going to bring several elements into the game that weren't available during the first phase. Full-scale castle sieges are one of the major additions to this part of testing, allowing players to take control of the heart of the game's five nations. Similar to the setup of Lineage II's sieges, the leader of the victorious guild will attain the title of Lord Marshal and be responsible for coordinating further attacks for dominance. The PvP isn't all that's being stirred up, however -- more solo areas and content will be added throughout the world, ranging from the crags of Mt. Hessian to the snake-filled Tabazra desert to the city of Cirrugor nestled high among the clouds. The game certainly seems on-track for its projected "official" launch in the spring. Aika fans will want to keep a close eye on the game as it prepares for the full opening, and definitely should get ready to register for their entry into the second closed beta test.
Aika launches PvP Domination tournament in closed beta
If you were one of the people lucky enough to get into one of our two Aika beta key giveaways, you've probably been enjoying the chance to see what the most recently announced title from gPotato has to offer. The promise of large-scale PvP always gets people excited, after all, and it doesn't hurt that the game has a very polished and stylish look to it. But the real question is how the PvP will play out... which is why it should come as no surprise that the developers are taking the opportunity during the closed beta to host a domination tournament for the players. Four guilds from each nation will be set against their fellows in a winner-take all elimination match. The process is simple -- players should send a private message to the GM Lingo with their guild name and the number of members. The four largest guilds will be notified and set to begin the tournament on Monday, February 8th at 5:00 PM PST (8:00 PM EST). Each guild will pick out six of its finest members to be sent out as champions, and the tournament will last through both Monday and Tuesday evening. If you're in Aika's closed beta, there's still time to enter, so get your guild together and get ready for the event!
Massively's Aika closed beta key giveaway: Round two
With the speed at which our beta keys vanished in last week's giveaway, the good people at Aika Online were happy to give us 5,000 more keys for the Massively readers to get their hands on. As we mentioned last week, Aika is a large-scale PvP-centric MMO where nations fight against each other with castle sieges and customized battlegrounds. All of this while supporting 2,000 players in the same battle. If you didn't get your chance to grab a key last week, head on over to our giveaway page for a shiny new code. From there, you can register at aika.gpotato.com and download the client straight from the website. At the rate this game is gaining popularity, you can bet we'll be checking this one out ourselves, with our first impressions coming soon.
One Shots: One of these things is not like the others
Just when we thought we'd seen it all, it would appear that Aika has added an interesting animal into their beta mix. But these aren't your slide-on-their-belly Happy Feet kind of penguins. No, it would seem that this penguin has a lust for battle and glory. At least, one might certainly think that when looking at the stout fellow in the screenshot above! Today's Aika beta screenshot was sent in to us by Jacob J, who writes in: [Here's a] fun vanity shot. I like the dramatic lighting -- and the graphics really aren't all that bad for a F2P. I have no idea if they can actually manage PvP on the massive scale they're boasting (1000 players plus), but I'd like to see them try. Yes, that's an adorable little penguin-man with a skull on his head. Have you spotted something in your favorite MMO that made you stop and stare? Well, why not grab a screenshot of it and send it our way! Our One Shots mailbox can be reached at oneshots AT massively DOT com -- be sure to include your name, the name of the game, and a description too. We'll get it set up and post it out here for everyone to enjoy, thanks to you. %Gallery-9798%
Massively's Aika Online closed beta key giveaway
Today we're happy to present a brand new closed beta key giveaway for the upcoming fantasy MMO Aika Online. Developed by the makers of Neo Steam and published by Gala-Net, Inc., Aika Online is described as a PvP-centric, large-scale MMO where nations fight against each other with castle sieges and customized battlegrounds. The game engine has been developed to support 2,000 simultaneous players (1,000 vs. 1,000) in a single, real-time battlefield, which Gala-Net describes as a remarkable technical achievement. If Aika Online sounds like something you'd like to check out, head on over to our giveaway page to grab yourself one of our 5,000 closed beta keys we have available. From there, you can register at aika.gpotato.com and download the client later today from the website. Keep in mind that this North American closed beta doesn't begin until February 3rd, when you'll be able to enjoy five nations, all six classes and levels 1 through 30.
Aika announces closed beta
If you're looking for some more RvR action outside of Warhammer Online, then you might want to take a look at Gala-Net's newest addition to their MMO lineup, Aika.Aika is a new free-to-play MMO with the same type of nation versus nation bent that Warhammer and World of Warcraft provide to their players. Players get to defend territory during castle sieges, can steal artifacts from the enemy side, a la Dark Age of Camelot, and participate in the standard PvP battlegrounds.The game has just gone into a closed beta testing phase for America, but getting in couldn't be simpler. Simply go visit the Aika website, fill out a survey and you'll be entered for a chance to participate in the closed beta.
Aika to be first free-to-play fantasy RvR MMORPG
Move over Dark Age of Camelot. Step aside Warhammer Online. There's a new realm vs. realm MMORPG on the block, and it's free-to-play! Gala-Net, Inc., a leading free-to-play online game publisher, recently announced their partnership with HanbitSoft to publish Aika Online in the North American market.Having watched some videos and read some reviews, the game appears to share several similarities with both of Mythic's aforementioned RvR innovators. Aika will feature quests, item crafting, gender-locked classes, and yes, large scale RvR including keep sieges. The publishers claim they can handle battles up to 1000 vs. 1000. That will be quite a feat considering the detailed graphics and animations.That's about where the similarities seem to end though. Aika is an MMO of South Korean descent and definitely has the look and sound effects. The MMO will also be free to play (just how free, we don't know yet), boast sophisticated voice-overs, and come packaged in a tiny 300MB download. And then there's the interesting (some might say creepy) "Pran system." Prans are kind of like pets from traditional MMOs, except that they are young girls. According to one review, you can interact with your Pran, dress it up, give it dolls, help it grow, and boost its intimacy/relationship rank.
