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Grimoire asks for funding to put FPS wizard multiplayer in your hands
You've played pretty much every first-person shooter that there is, but have you done a multiplayer FPS where there are no soldiers but wizards and no guns but fast-flung magic spells? This unusual bent on the formula is the basis for Grimoire, which has just begun a crowdfunding campaign. According to the Kickstarter description, "Grimoire is a multiplayer mage FPS with MOBA-style abilities that puts the player in control of devastating magic." Players can fight from first- or third-person views and take on the role of one of 10 wizard classes. Grimoire's been in development for a year, is currently being voted for on Steam Greenlight, and even has a combat preview demo that you can download and try right now. The makers said that the game's had "practically no budget" up this point, which is why they're looking to raise $42,000 to improve what's already been made. The soundtrack is being composed by Pirates of the Caribbean Online vet Marcus Zuhr. [Thanks to Dengar for the tip!]
The Daily Grind: Are kids MMOs in danger of dying out?
As a parent of toddlers, I have often wondered what games I will be playing with them when they get old enough to want to dive into MMOs (if they ever want to, that is). Considering that during this past year we've seen several kid-friendly titles shut down, I'm worried that there might not be any left in a few years. Recall that Clone Wars Adventures, Free Realms, Pirates of the Caribbean Online, and Toontown Online have been terminated in the past 12 months and answer me this: Are kids MMOs in danger of dying out? I can take heart that KingsIsle is still going strong and that LEGO Minifigures Online is in development, but I don't see a lot of interest in studios making MMOs for the much younger set. What do you think? Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!
MMO Family: Are kid-friendly MMOs doomed to extinction?
Recently, the family-friendly segment of the MMO industry suffered a bit of a blow with the news of Disney's decision to shut down Pirates of the Caribbean Online and Toontown. These were both titles that had been around for years, and both had loyal fanbases. Toontown in particular has been around for about a decade and won several awards through the years. So when the sunsettings were announced, it raised questions about whether kid-friendly games are as successful as publishers might have hoped. In fact, these aren't the only relatively well-known kids' titles to be shut down over the past year. And while it might be premature to signal the death knell for kid MMOs, it's a good time to do an assessment on what's working and what might be hampering success. In this week's MMO Family, it's time to do a little state of the (kid-friendly) industry.
Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean Online sunsetting in September
It looks as though Disney is going on a good old-fashioned reaping today and culling some of its less-profitable MMO properties. In addition to shuttering Toontown Online, the Mouse House is sunsetting Pirates of the Caribbean Online on September 19th. The official announcement informed players today of the sad news and explained the decision to cancel this title: "The Walt Disney Company is committed to offering high-quality, entertaining play experiences in both online virtual worlds and mobile apps. At this time, we are shifting our development focus towards other online and mobile play experiences, such as Club Penguin and a growing selection of Disney mobile apps." The upshot of this is that the final month will be playable for free to anyone interested, and any players who paid up past August 20th will receive an email with details regarding refunds.
The Perfect Ten: Pirates ahoy!
Fantasy pirates: Love 'em or hate 'em, they're deeply ingrained in geek culture to the point that they're almost impossible to dislodge. This past Monday was International Talk Like a Pirate Day, when everyone's inner pirate was encouraged to "Arr!" heartily, look for treasure in long-forgotten places, and embrace the fashion style of bandanas and eyepatches. It seemed like a perfect week, therefore, to look at piratey life in MMOs. From entire games to mere outfits and from the token pirate union that has a chapter in each game to delusional madmen, this list aims to sate the swagger of keyboard swashbucklers. It's a testament to the pirate phenomenon that most developers can't help but include a buccaneer or two, even if the setting isn't always asking for it -- a phenomenon even the U.S. Navy has accepted. Hit the jump to start, and sail straight on 'til morning!
New screenshots from Pirates of the Caribbean Online
Disney's free-to-play MMO Pirates of the Caribbean Online isn't a game we hear much from, but it's got a fairly respectable following and is a fun departure from the standard-issue fantasy genre that marks so many free-to-play games. Never let it be said either that they don't know how to party in between all the privateering and swashbuckling and whatnot. Disney has released a handful of screenshots from their recent holiday events, and a great party was had by all. Festive streamers, bows, stockings, and greenery made an appearance in between the palm trees and sand. Characters were given a fun /noisemaker emote, and this year had a fun new addition: sandmen. No, not the kind that arrives to put you to sleep, these are the Caribbean version of snowmen. You see, the Caribbean has a distinct lack of anything resembling snow, and the locals have learned to compensate with cleverly designed pirates made of sand. Enjoy the screenshots provided, and maybe head over and check the game out if you haven't yet!
Massively.com giveaway: Pirates of the Caribbean Online skulls
Arr me hearties! It be time once again for another of Massively.com's giveaways, and this time around we've got a pair of unique sculptures on offer! They're former shipmates of mine, but they'll still do some work ... as paper weights! Harrr Harr Harr! They were made up all good and proper for the first anniversary of Disney Online's Pirates of the Caribbean Online. Each of these skulls is marked with dark magics and is accompanied by a scroll explaining how these mates o' mine met their fate. We estimate their retail value to be about ... arr ... $70 all told.All you'll have to do to enter, my swashbuckling swillhound, is leave a comment on this here post! Why don't you let us know what yer favorite pirate expression is? This blogger is a big, big fan of the traditional YARRR! You'll need to comment before 7:00 AM EST Thursday, November 6th, me bucko. You can only enter once per person, and after the contest closes we'll ship out these shipmates to two randomly-selected skulltenders! Give us at least a week to ship out this massive pile of booty. To win you must be age 18 or up (Shanghai-ing age). Plus ye must be a resident of the US or Canada (excluding Quebec). For full eligibility details, we suggest you read our official rules, ye scallywag! Good luck, and keep your eyes on the treasure!Psst, did you know we're giving away additional treasure all week from Twitter? You can only win if you follow us! Yarr!
News from the Wider MMO World: September 30th, 2008
The MMO genre is more than World of Warcraft, Age of Conan, and Warhammer Online. Here's what's going on in the rest of the world.Ankama Games launches new Dofus Heroic Server; includes permadeathAs of September 23rd, there's a new server dedicated to Ankama Games' Dofus. Called the Heroic Server, its most notable feature is permanent death for all characters. Once dead, the player's opponent is allowed to take the character's items, and the deceased becomes interred in the Cemetery of Heroes, a worldwide ranking that can be consulted via a dedicated website. To offset the permadeath penalty, all skill and professions leveling will be much easier, allowing players to rise in rank much more quickly. To the brave and the bold: the Heroic Server calls!Atlantica Online begins open beta; offers prizesFor their open beta launch, Atlantica Online's NDOORS is offering players of its Free Leagues -- the PvP system -- a variety of prizes, including a Nintendo Wii, an iPod Nano, or $10,000 in cash. Interestingly, these prizes become available only once the player population hits certain landmarks: 5,000; 10,000; 20,000; and 30,000. "NDOORS created something unique in the MMO world when we designed the deep turn-based, strategic world of Atlantica Online. So we decided we needed something just as original for our open beta," said Peter Kang, CEO, NDOORS Interactive. "This is going to be unlike anything anyone has seen before."
News From the Wider MMO World: September 23, 2008
The MMO genre is more than World of Warcraft, Age of Conan, and Warhammer Online. Here's what's going on in the rest of the world.Secret of the Solstice gets new patch with new contentOutspark's Secret of the Solstice, the free-to-play fantasy MMO, has updated its client with a new patch. Available for both new players and veterans alike is a brand-new zone featuring new quests and a lush jungle landscape. Furthering the overarching storyline is a new initiative to pursue GM Alastor across the Emperonie Plateau and the Aserphel, Cretino, and Turmeit deserts. Finally, players can now view all of an NPC's available quests at the same time and choose which mission to undertake. Download the new patch at the SotS website.New Warlock class available to Grand Chase playersKOG and Ntreev, publisher of Grand Chase, the side-scrolling fantasy brawler, has announced an update to the character class known as Arme. Arme, in addition to her Mage and Combat Alchemist jobs, now has access to a third: Warlock. The abilities of the Warlock job include summoning the spirits of earth, wind, fire, and water, to produce spectacular effects and fight with greater power than ever before. Before deciding if you want to switch jobs to the Warlock class, make sure to check up on the job's requirements on the Grand Chase website.
Pirates of the Caribbean Online announces privateering
Yarr! Privateering has come to Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean Online, so get your eye patches and poofy shirts ready for action! This new feature is sure to shiver your timbers (ok, ok, we'll stop), as it introduces a faction-based way to earn gold and reputation points for players.This new feature will be accessible to both Basic and Unlimited Access players by siding with either the Frenchman Pierre or the Spaniard Garcia. These Pirate Lords will challenge players with quests where you can earn your very own French or Spanish tattoo. Plus, if you would like to learn more about privateering, you can check out their new Lore Journal The Rise of the Privateer on the PotCO website.
Pirates of the Caribbean Online brings boatloads of fun for Father's Day
Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean Online has created a whole raft of new content for fans of high seas adventure, beginning with the addition of special Ghost Ships that haunt Isla Cangrejos and Cutthroat Island. These ships -- Shadow Crow, Cerberus, and Blood Scourge -- are crewed by the terrifying undead, and they're no easy pickings, but the rewards for taking them on will be well worth the risk.Additionally, PotCO is bringing a Father's Day event to its players, asking you to find Captain Teague, reputedly Jack Sparrow's father. Under what circumstances could such a notorious pirate disappear? That's up to you to find out.
Pirates residing in the Caribbean get new stuff
Come April new weapons will be available in Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean Online. Expect to see new types of voodoo dolls, daggers, staffs and pistols which will create more damage, load faster, and have some all new special effects. In addition, recruiting for your piratey guild will get easier with the introduction of multiple (1-100 people) and unlimited use invite codes (instead of having to generate a unique code for each new person). If you're curious about the "Why Pirates are More Lovable Than Ninjas" contest, be sure to check out the latest newsletter for the whole list, but here are a few of the winning reasons: Ninjas are supposed to be silent, not endlessly witty and charming, savvy? What's more lovable than the stench of a Pirate who hasn't bathed in a month?!? Pirates may not be the best friends you have, but at least they're honest about being dishonest.
The top 5 free MMOs
It's been said that the best things in life are free. Whoever said it probably didn't have MMOs in mind, but it's certainly true that there are many quality games out there that are completely free to download and play. Here's a list of the top 5 free massively multiplayer online games.Now, to pre-empt the equally massive glut of angry emails and comments I'm sure to receive for leaving someone's favorite title off of this list, I'm going to state right up front that these choices are based completely on the number of times I've heard them mentioned with favor by a variety of different sources. I make no guarantees of having played any of these MMOs, so they're not necessarily my personal picks. But if I keep hearing people mention them in different contexts, there must be something to them. In short, these games are popular for a reason, and if you haven't played them, you might find that they're worth your download. We begin after the jump!
Hands-on tour of Pirates of the Caribbean Online
Recently, I sat down with Disney Online to get a tour of their MMO Pirates of the Caribbean Online. To be honest, I didn't go in with high expectations. I mean, the movies were fun and all, but with only Toontown Online to DO's credit, I wasn't expecting something that appealed to me as an adult gamer. Boy, was I wrong.An adventure set around helping Jack Sparrow retrieve the Black Pearl is just as perilous as it sounds. You wake up in the same jail as the rogue pirate. Together you take advantage of cannon fire assaulting the Caribbean town of your incarceration to escape and begin your exploits. Those include meeting Wil Turner, the voodoo priestess Tia Dalma and a new villain, Jolly Roger among others. Not to mention facing down the Imperial Navy, hungry crocodiles, rampaging zombies, pirate-eating giant plants and cut-throat card players.There are no classes, servers or banks. This game isn't about inventory management, but is action-based about being a pirate. No tradeskills, either. The scourge of the High Seas don't craft, they take. The number of weapons available is small, but the skill ups for them are numerous. If you are looking for less strategy and more action in your pirate MMO, read on for a tour of the first few levels of the game.Character customization, sea battles, voodoo magic and cameos galore, plus two videos after the jump.%Gallery-14957%
Mickey goes online as Disney invests in Virtual Worlds
The Virtual World News site took the time to pick through an earnings call from the house of Mouse, and found that Disney had a ton to talk about when it came to Virtual Worlds. From comments made during the call by company President Robert Iger, their purchase of Club Penguin last summer and the launch of Pirates of the Caribbean Online was just Disney clearing its throat. In addition to an online world based on the film "Cars", the company plans to spend some $100 million on virtual worlds in the coming years.Iger clarified that there were a few reasons for Disney's shift to the virtual. First, the company's franchises are being re-examined for new opportunities. VWs fit in nicely alongside plush dolls, action figures, and kiddie clothing in a marketing agenda. Second, it's much easier to develop and staff a virtual world than it is to design and build a new theme park attraction. That's historically been the only place fans could really get 'inside' their favorite Disney products, and Virtual Worlds are a nice alternative. Finally, he notes that for a younger audience online worlds are just plain more important than they are for older generations. Yet more evidence of the growing cachet of online gaming.
PotCO brings the bling with avatar customization update
So ye fancy yourself a right good pirate eh me matey? We'll Pirates of the Caribbean Online will soon let players express themselves a whole better as part of the Avatar Customization update coming later this month. Finally! I really enjoy this game. It's easy to get into, fun to play, and hearkens back to my youth riding through the PotC ride at Disneyland. But character customization options are very limited. Thankfully, the devs have headed off the mutiny with what looks like the first of many upgrades.Included in this update will be PotCO's first round of emotes: dance, laugh, clap, and celebrate. Pirates will soon be able to get inked up at the tattoo parlor, purchase some sweet new bling at the jewelry store, and grab some slick new threads at the tailor shoppe. Additionally, new coats inspired by the Pirate Lords of the Brethren Court will be added (see above picture).To help ease the frustration of remembering which NPC to visit in order to complete a Quest, enhancements have been made to the tracking system. Which is good for an old fart like me who would forget my head if it wasn't attached. When you're in the "return to townsperson" stage of the Quest a ray of light will shine down from the heavens on to the NPC you need to find (they had this, but it didn't work so well). Plus, a yellow arrow at the player's feet will help guide the way.All in all, a hearty batch of goodies to warm the pirate blood! To see the new emotes, the shops, and the new threads, check out the Current News page on the PotCO website.
Reminder: Last chance to win a year of PotC from Disney and Massively
Just in case you missed it earlier this week, let this be your reminder: today is your last chance to leave a comment on our contest post (not this post-- all this post will get you is keelhauled on the mizzenmast) and enter to win not only one of two minature Pirates of the Caribbean Online ships, but also a year ingame with a special account direct from Disney themselves. And if you're not sure you want it or not, our own Robin Torres wrote up a First Impressions a long, long time ago (even before our site went live) about her experiences during the beta. Sure, there were a few drawbacks, but there's poker! Texas Hold 'em!So yes, don't forget-- before this afternoon, go back to our contest post and leave a comment (just one per person, thanks), and then make sure to check your email this evening to see if you've won. If you do, you'll get an official PotC ship packed in a PotC shipping (get it?) crate, as well as a key to a free year in the game. Good luck!
Enter to win one of two ships from Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean Online
Yarrr, maties! Turn yer eyes up above, off starboard! Aye, there be a miniature pirate ship herself, complete with three masts and all the sails and rigging on a custom stand, packed in an official Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean Online wooden crate. Ye want her, matey? Then she's yours... if ye win!Yes, Massively is giving away not one but two of these miniature pirate ships (they stand a little over a foot tall, and a little longer across), and with them, a yearlong subscription to Disney's online Pirates of the Caribbean game, estimated retail value of a hefty $145 each. To enter, all you have to do is leave a comment on this post with your best pirate impression-- that can include some insults, a shanty of some sort, or just a good old fashioned "Yaarrrr!". Put a comment (and only one) on this post before Thursday afternoon, January 31st, at 3pm EST, and after that we'll choose not one but two winners to receive the miniature ships and a year of free PotC gameplay.There are caveats in the pirate code-- you must be 18 years of age or older, and you must be living within the United States (that's right-- due to legal regulations, pirates of the Caribbean are not actually allowed to win). Also make sure to use an email that you regularly check to enter the comment, as that's where we'll be contacting the winner. Full official rules are here.Good luck, landlubbers! And stay out of Davey Jones' locker!
Yo ho yo ho a Pirate's (of the Caribbean) life for me
Disney's free to download and play Pirates of the Caribbean Online launched with little to no fanfare; odd given the media-centric world we live in. Apparently, the lack of an advertising blitz was intentional. In an interview with Ten Ton Hammer, Disney Online VP Mike Goslin said they wanted it that way in order to be certain the game was in working order when the masses started pouring in. With the recent release to DVD of Disney's third PotC movie, and the Christmas season now in full swing, expect to see an explosion of ads enticing folks to come live the pirate life.Mike explained that Disney is devoted to making PotC Online a long term success for all ages, giving parents the peace of mind that their kids won't be exposed to malevolent oddities (the game is rated E10+) while not limiting things for older players. They appear to have succeeded since the game world is always rife with players. For parents, one controversial aspect might be the voodoo abilities. Goslin boils it down by saying that every pirate has access to them once players get hold of a voodoo doll or staff. Players must dart in and tag an enemy, then run out of melee range to use it by poking the doll, setting it on fire, etc. Having used voodoo myself, these powers play no differently than magic in WoW, and add a great deal of fun to the game.While hardcore gamers might shun this peglegged casual MMO - don't. I've been sailing the High Seas since beta, and PotC Online is a fantastically fun, easy to learn game that allows players to romp through the one of a kind world that Walt Disney created in 1967. If you were a child of that era like I was (I'm dating myself), long before the advent of digital, lifelike MMOs, amusement park rides such as Pirates of the Caribbean at Disneyland in Southern California was as close to "virtual reality" as we'd ever seen. The recent trilogy of movies expanded on that wonderful childhood experience, and the new online games serves to continue the same wide-eyed tradition. There appears to be a firm commitment to make this a solid, long running game. With a considerable amount of new content already planned for the year, and since free is free... right now is the perfect time to hop aboard. Arrr, matey!
Disney's Mike Goslin stresses importance of low system requirements
Disney Online's Mike Goslin (of Toontown Online and Pirates of the Caribbean Online fame) said in an interview with Worlds in Motion that it's important for MMO projects to "support as low a minimum spec PC as possible." PC gaming is often criticized for being too expensive. You can buy an XBox 360 for $350 or a PlayStation 3 for $400, but a desktop PC equipped with the hardware necessary to smoothly run the very latest games usually costs $1,000 or more. That's a barrier to entry for many would-be PC gamers. Supporting low-end hardware isn't just important for children's and family games. A while back SOE CEO John Smedley told WarCry that "the biggest thing that hurts [Vanguard] is the high system specs." If the MMO genre is carrying PC gaming on its back, shouldn't MMO developers do everything they can to make their games accessible to a large audience?
