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Space strategy title AD2460 jumps into open beta
The stars and beyond are the limit for AD2460, a new science-fiction strategy MMO that just went into open beta this past week. AD2460 places players in charge of a homeworld and space-faring fleets in an effort to research technology, conquer worlds, and form alliances. This so-called "WMMO" ("W" stands for "web-based") is playable in a PC browser as well as on tablets and capable smartphones. While developer Fifth Season welcomes any and all players into the open beta, it urged participants to log bug reports to help the title become more polished. When it goes live, AD2460 will offer a 14-day trial followed by a subscription model of $1 a week. AD2460 is the spiritual successor to Fifth Season's Planetarion, and if you're interested, you can check out the story trailer after the break.
Archlord 2 turns on Archlord system tomorrow
Has Archlord 2 officially launched yet or is it merely riding that nebulous open beta soft launch train? It's hard to tell with this title, but what we do know is that the MMO will be releasing its first major content update tomorrow. This update includes two new world zones, a contested area, the titular Archlord PvP system, four additional dungeons, a flexible dungeon system, and plenty of equipment sets. To go with the update, the team is running a login event from September 16th through October 13th during which players can receive a four-piece avatar set by logging in at least once a week. We've got the official launch trailer for Archlord 2 after the break, which is perfect for those of you with eyes or ears or an acceptable substitute.
ArcheAge begins open beta with 800 MB patch
Why is everyone leaving school and work early today? It's the beginning of ArcheAge's open beta, silly. And coming out ahead of this afternoon's OBT is an 800 megabyte patch full of new features, bug fixes, and preparations for post-launch goodness. The new features with Build 4.7 include a mid-size farm cart, an auto-kick for AFK players, and the auction house. Subscribers get full access to the latter feature, while free players who have never subbed can buy from the auction house but must pay to unlock the ability to post items. There's good news for folks who hoard labor points, as identifying quest rewards no longer requires these. To prep ArcheAge for fast post-launch delivery, the patch also insituted a number of locked features that will be rolled out during later dates. These features include Auroria and Diamond Shores zone functionality, the fishing tournament, arena rankings, submarines, the Red Dragon, and Hasla weapons above tier one.
LEGO Minifigures Online rolls out a mythological update
With a month or so to go before LEGO Minifigures Online fully launches, the game has brought forth its biggest update yet. So what does it contain? Nothing less than the new Mythology World, which also brings an increase in the level cap to 25 along with its new areas and monsters. The area also continues the main story if that's more of your thing. Aside from the new area, the Series 11 minifigures have been added to the game, along with the first batch of cash shop figures that includes the Yeti, the Mountain Climber, and the Pretzel Girl. Players can also find their friends more easily with the addition of a friend code, and the loot system has been overhauled to allow players a chance to build minifigures from loot. Check out the full set of update notes for more detail and get building in the game if it's just what you've been waiting for.
PAX Prime 2014: Trove moves at the speed of lightrail
Probably one of the coolest features that I've seen in an MMO in a long time came during a Trove demo at PAX Prime this weekend. The devs were keen to show off the game's magriders, which are tracks that players can lay down to take others on a pre-planned route around the world. Think of it as a combination of rollercoaster, lightrail, and slip-n-slide, and you might have a notion of how insane these can get. Magriders can obey the laws of physics or not and have several options for speeding up and slowing down passengers depending on the creator's intent. After a dizzying five-minute ride through one of Trove's biomes that ended with a thousand-foot plunge into the heart of a volcano, I was sold on the potential for this new in-game toy. But as neat as magriders are, they're not the only card in the devs' deck as the game nears beta later in September. The team recently introduced Trove's fourth class, the Dracolyte. This is a fireball-wielding mage who fills the need for the pyros out there. The Dracolyte also has a little familiar dragon hovering over its shoulder that can charge up a fiery attack and then unleash it at will. The class to follow the Dracolyte couldn't be more different, however: The Neon Ninja looks to be a cyborg sword-wielder who stepped straight out of Tron. There's so much more to talk about with Trove's development, including the addition of clubs. Clubs are like mini-guilds, only you can join up to five of them, and each one gets its own world to modify and keep. The team is also working on a transmog system to allow players to collect and permanently store skins. From crazy candy biomes to lightning-quick rides, this underdog title might end up surprising us all.
PAX Prime 2014: ArcheAge is a go for launch!
The packed ballroom at Trion's PAX Prime party erupted into giddy cheers last night when the team announced that ArcheAge's launch is merely a couple of weeks away. This gorgeous fantasy sandbox blew up the alpha test population and is poised to be a huge coup for Trion as the studio adds another title to its growing portfolio. While the official launch date is September 16th, there will be an open beta from September 4th through the 8th, followed by a headstart launch on the 12th for founders. The team expressed confidence in the alpha testing and the back-and-forth communication with developer XLGAMES. If XLGAMES is the proud mom and dad of ArcheAge, I was told, then Trion is the proud auntie and uncle. A lot of work has gone into straightening out regional differences for the western audience as well. For example, in Korea it's quite common to play an MMO with the intent of selling your character for actual money, which places a different value and emphasis on what you accumulate and do. Since such sales aren't often legal here, adjustments had to be made for the localized version. There was also a special cape item that Korean players could use to identify botters, which was used responsibly in that country but has apparently been wielded as a griefing tool in the west. ArcheAge won't be budging on its commitment to an open PvP world; it's simply how the game is constructed. Players who want to avoid getting ganked will need to keep an eye on war zones that move throughout the world and accept the inherent risk that comes with attempting trade in those regions. The team hopes that there will be enough space on the servers for all subscribers to grab an open world housing plot if desired. Coming some time after launch will be castles, which are larger structures that guilds can build, maintain, and defend together. Trion said that server transfers won't be in for release but are being worked on for the future.
Deep Down-time for Capcom's RPG, public beta delayed to 2015
Japanese PS4 owners won't try out online RPG Deep Down until next year, after Capcom pushed back its open beta into 2015. As Siliconera reports, director and producer Kazunori Sugiura said Capcom needs more time to test things out before launching a public beta. Remember, this beta was originally due around the time of Japan's PS4 launch in February. Capcom released new footage of the free-to-play online RPG, showcasing teams of two and four players taking on all manner of enemies including one huge monstrosity that looks a bit like a cross between a turkey and a crab - a crurkey, perhaps. Give it a crurk in the video below the break.
Wakfu relaunch moves into open beta
Wakfu's continuing with its "relaunch" strategy by fine-tuning its free-to-play offerings and now announcing the start of its open beta program. As of today, anyone can jump into the game to see how the MMO's improved with its new format. Ankama Managing Director and COO Olivier Comte makes the pitch that Wakfu is definitely worth checking out: "As we open the updated world of Wakfu to an even broader set of fans, we will continue to focus on the core and essence of our gameplay –- the players. In addition to a broad range of classes to suit varying tastes, colorful environments and our well-known sense of humor, Wakfu gives players a chance to impact the entire game world through their strategic and even political decisions." [Source: Ankama press release]
Archlord 2 increases level cap and adds 600 quests
While still in open beta, Archlord 2 is nevertheless prepping its first major update to expand both the game's level cap and overall content offering. With the upcoming patch, the level cap in Archlord 2 will rise to 46. This will not only add more statistical power, but new weapon masteries and a higher tier of gear. But wait -- that's not all! With the acquisition of this fabulous patch package, you'll also get a pair of additional zones, 600 quests, a PvP contested area, and four new dungeons! Download soon, operators are standing by!
Nosgoth free this weekend, enters open beta in winter
Publisher Square Enix has announced that its Legacy of Kain spin-off MMO Nosgoth will enter open beta testing at some point this winter. Nosgoth, a free-to-play multiplayer game that pits humans against vampires in a player-versus-player battle for control of the gothic online world has been in closed beta since February. Square Enix has yet to reveal a release date for the game, but the publisher is currently hosting a free beta weekend for anyone with a PC and a valid Steam account. According to the publisher, anyone who takes part in this free weekend will earn double experience points and an exclusive in-game badge. Full details can be found on the Free Weekend FAQ, though keep in mind that this gratis gameplay periods ends at 3 a.m. ET on Tuesday, August 11. [Image: Square Enix]
Nosgoth announces all-access double XP weekend
If you've been eyeing Nosgoth from the sidelines and waiting for the day that you could play the game, good news! That day is this week. Specifically, August 7th. The game is kicking off an all-access weekend for potential players starting on Thursday and running through August 10th, allowing anyone who wants in a chance to jump into the game for free and smash some humans or vampires, depending on your preference. Veteran players still get something extra out of the weekend, with double XP activated the whole time so that everyone can advance that much faster. So whether you've never played the game before or just haven't leveled a particular set of classes yet, you can get a boost through Sunday. You'll also get an exclusive in-game badge for participation. The game's open beta is scheduled to begin this winter, so this will be the first chance in a while for players to get in and see whether they like the game. [Source: Square-Enix press release]
Royal Quest begins early access... for a price
Royal Quest, an MMO "full of magic, technology, and alchemy," opened the doors to its early access test yesterday. While the game promotes itself as being free-to-play, this only applies starting the second week in August. Before then, anyone interested in checking it out needs to purchase one of the DLC packs. Players who hop into the game will be assigned a regional server (out of three available) based on their location. To access the website's comments and forum, players have to level up a character to 5. Royal Quest is being developed by Katauri Interactive (King's Bounty) and is only being offered through Steam for English users. Among other options in the game, players can own pets, eventually move into their own castle, and engage in special PvPvE zones in the game. [Thanks to Dystopiq for the tip!]
Swordsman launches July 29th
Are you excited for Swordsman but not willing to jump into an open beta test without a launch date? Then all we can tell you is that it's time to get jumping because Swordsman will fully launch on July 29th. The launch will bring along the Demon Pit event, pitting players against demons underground in exchange for the most powerful equipment in the game. Launch will also apparently bring "streamlining" to the player experience, although we don't know the details just yet. If you're not even sure what Swordsman is, the short version is that it's a wuxia action MMO based on the novels of Louis Cha. The long version can be found in the producer's trailer just past the break or in our recent stream of the game. The even longer version... well, the game is in open beta, so you can always just download it and try it out for yourself. That would work. [Source: Perfect World Entertainment press release]
Archlord 2 invites players to name soundtrack pieces
Archlord 2's soundtrack is not only out and available as a free download, but Webzen is asking players to title the 20 nameless pieces in time for the game's release. The soundtrack by composer Cris Velasco is on SoundCloud and is available for a listen or a download. Players can check out the tracks and then, if inspired, they can submit one or more titles to go along with them. Webzen promised that when all 20 tracks get proper names, it will flip on the switch for a 20% bonus gold weekend in the game.
Archlord 2 kicks off open beta
"Are you Archlording it up today?" "Oh you know it, brah!" Well, while those might not be words that you'll hear in your average game store, it doesn't stop the fact that Archlord 2 is picking up steam as it chugs toward release. Today the title has entered open beta, which means that you and all of your brahs can check it out to see if this is the MMO for you. The open beta test comes with a new patch that increases the level cap to 41, adds the Aquila Arena skirmish, and toggles on battlegrounds on every day of the week except Sunday. Because battlegrounds are forbidden on the sabbath? We're not sure. Former closed beta testers will also get a unique cape for their efforts.
Aura Kingdom lands on Steam
Aura Kingdom has been playable for some time now, but if you're one of those digital platform snobs who refuses to play anything that's not offered, you've previously been out of luck. This has all changed this week, as Aura Kingdom passed the Steam Greenlight process and has become available through the platform. Aeria Games CEO Pascal Zuta hopes that this will give the anime MMO a good boost: "Having a game launch on Steam is a sign of trust in the quality of the game and the service we provide. We are very excited to now be able to offer Aura Kingdom to a wider audience through the Steam platform." [Source: Aeria Games press release]
Swordsman enters open beta today
Perfect World Entertainment's newest installment in the MMO battleground is entering open beta today. Swordsman focuses on large-scale PvP in a martial arts environment; the wuxia feel to the game is inspired by the novels of Louis Cha, who has sold over 100 millions books worldwide. Swordsman's open beta will allow cross-server functionality and open the in-game store. Those who participated in the closed beta will get their rewards starting today, as well. You can find out more about Swordsman at the game's official site. [Source: PWE press release]
Transformers Universe launches open beta for the 4th of July
The Transformers Universe MOBA, whose first beta event kicked off last March, will formally enter open beta this weekend because nothing says Independence Day like battle robots, am I right? The open beta weekend will be marked by a double experience event, a 24-hour livestream starting at 11 a.m. EDT on July 5th, and "$75,000 in prizes to be won." In a press release issued today, Jagex CEO/CTO Mark Gerhard said the game had seen almost two million battle victories during the span of the closed beta. [Source: Jagex press release]
Nexon opens beta for mobile MMO Legion of Heroes
Nexon M, the mobile branch of Nexon Co. Ltd, has announced the release of its mobile MMO Legion of Heroes into beta testing. The beta test is currently available for Android users and will open for iOS mobile devices in the future. Already released in Korea, the fantasy mobile MMO focuses on community, allowing teams of players to unify against an ancient evil. This stage of beta ends at 1 p.m. EDT on June 30th, so be sure to head over to the official site to sign up soon if you're looking for a new mobile MMO. [Source: Nexon press release]
Swordsman slashes its way into open beta on July 3rd
Perfect World Entertainment has just announced that its martial arts-flavored Swordsman MMO will enter open beta on July 3rd, bringing to an end the closed beta that began on June 17th. Special $60 hero packs were announced yesterday. To coincide with the announcement, Swordsman Product Manager Gabrielle Heiland has narrated a new dev walkthrough video highlighting the game's story, guilds, PvP, and combat mechanics and visuals. Enjoy the vid below!
