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RIFT, ArcheAge, Defiance, and Trove acquire new community managers
Three weeks after the departure of Trion Worlds Director of Global Communications Elizabeth Tobey comes the news that Trion has appointed two new community managers to helm its core MMOs RIFT, Defiance, Trove, and ArcheAge. Evan "Scapes" Berman, whom gamers might recall from his days on the TERA community team, will take over the Defiance and ArcheAge communities, while Eric "Ocho" Cleaver of City of Heroes fame will defend Trove and RIFT players from waves of angry trolls. May the planar gods have mercy on their souls.
ArcheAge Russia struggles with overloaded queues
ArcheAge's recent launch in Russia has not gone completely smoothly, as overloaded and somewhat unstable servers have struggled to accommodate those interested in trying out the fantasy sandbox. A post on the official Russian website says that XLGAMES is working hard to bring new servers online in order to reduce the queue. The team is also looking at ways for players to transfer characters from full servers to the new ones, but this may take time and further testing. "Developers continue to work to improve the function of the client and working on priority entrance to the server for premium account holders," the team posted. It informed players that those trying to stay logged in while AFK will be "forcibly disconnected" going forward. The free-to-play game is rumored to have brought in $10 million so far from its Russian launch.
ArcheAge launches in Russia tomorrow
At a press conference in Moscow, Russia, earlier today, XLGAMES announced that ArcheAge will officially launch in that country tomorrow, February 22nd. During the conference, founder Jake Song expressed deep gratitude to the Russian fans for their support during the most recent Russian closed beta testing; so many wanted to participate that ArcheAge Russia publisher Mail.ru had to increase servers to accommodate. Song continued, "I already knew that Russian gamers are very enthusiastic about ArcheAge from what they showed at ArcheAge Korea CBT. To keep up with their expectations we plan to add exclusive contents just for Russian gamers." [Source: XLGAMES press release]
Latest EverQuest patch implements controvertial changes to AAs, skills
Change is rarely easy, but EverQuest's most recent patch comes with controversial changes that some community members are less than thrilled about while others herald as long overdue. After receiving feedback on the proposed changes to Alternate Advancement points and abilities (namely that Gold members would be granted a huge portion of AAs and classes would no longer be able to fight 100+ mobs at a single time with specific skills), SOE made some adjustments. Specifically, Gold level members must now opt-in to receive the AA grant that will give everything up to the most recent four expansions (with the exception of Spell Casting Subtlety and Tradeskill Mastery AAs, which must be earned as normal). Other AA changes include the conversion of Leadership AAs to standard abilities. On top of that, a number of spells and abilities now have limits to prevent players from fighting mass swarms of mobs, and Heroic Adventures will no longer lock, allowing players to be added to them at any time. The patch, which goes live today, also included a change that only affects the Firiona Vie server. The XP potions that players farmed and sold will no longer be a source of income; although all current potions already in game will remain tradable for now, all future ones will be non-tradable.
ArcheAge fansite compiles the game's current problems
It's hard out there for an ArcheAge fan in the USA; the game still isn't out here, seems to be getting no closer to release, and is getting an official release in what seems like every other possible country. So one of the biggest ArcheAge fansites is trying to make the localization job for Trion Worlds just a little bit easier by explaining exactly what the game's major issues are, with a specific eye toward its most recent patch. Essentially, the complaints in the thread focus around the idea that the game continues to reduce the effectiveness of open PvP while adding in far more standard themepark elements, including a heavy reliance on daily quests near the level cap. If you've played the game's Korean version, you can feel free to jump in on the thread and add your own views. No word on how much this will be heard by the localization team, but it's a good snapshot of what the community likes about the game and what could be improved. [Thanks to Dengar for the tip!]
Trion's Elizabeth Tobey departs
Trion Worlds Director of Global Communications Elizabeth Tobey announced today that she's leaving the studio to work for Smule. She also firmly squashed any speculation that her departure signaled that Trion is conducting layoffs: "Firmly no to downsizing; in fact, I've been working with our amazing team for quite a while to get some great people on deck for you." Tobey chronicled her history with RIFT and Defiance on her personal blog. "Trion's taught me a ton," she wrote. "I learned what it meant to run an MMO community (which, in comparison, makes anything I'd ever done before look like child's play). I also not only launched RIFT's first expansion but also helped it transition into (in my completely unbiased opinion) the best free-to-play MMO on the market." She also testified to the addictiveness of ArcheAge: "ArcheAge, you are going to blow people's minds. I could write an entire swan song on the awesomeness of raising livestock, charting the open seas, and hijacking my fellow coworkers as they try to complete trade routes, but I want everyone to experience that for themselves. Trust me, it's better than any blog post." [Thanks to Sanguinesun for the tip!]
The Daily Grind: Do you play MMOs that haven't released in your region?
So, Black Desert is coming to Russia. ArcheAge is already in Russia, and China, and Japan, and pretty much everywhere else except the West. Blade & Soul? Eh, it doesn't appear to be coming to Europe or America any time soon, either. I bring all this up because it's irritating and I'm impatient, but I'm also curious as to how many of you Korean MMO fans go the extra mile to play these games despite all the roadblocks. It's not just the language barrier, see. Sure, it can be challenging to download the client and get it installed and configured correctly, but then you've got to deal with IP region-locking, poor performance, and in the case of ArcheAge, a requirement to own a Korean cell phone before you can even sign up for a legal account! How about it, MMO fans? Do you play MMOs that haven't released in your region? 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!
Leaderboard: ArcheAge vs. Blade & Soul
I'm feeling a bit ornery today, so you'll have to excuse this Leaderboard's angry-gamer outlook when it comes to Korean imports and the W-word. See, I like Korean MMOs a whole lot, but I don't particularly like Westernization because a) one of the main reasons to play a culturally divergent MMO is to experience said divergent culture and b) Westernization takes for-frickin'-ever. How long have we been waiting on ArcheAge now? And what about Blade & Soul? And yeah, I know Trion is purportedly in friends-and-family alpha now. That's better than Blade & Soul, at least, about which NCsoft has said absolutely nothing in regards to the Western market. So for today's poll, let's assume that you have to choose between ArcheAge and Blade & Soul. The Westernization gods will only allow of one of them to make it out of Korea in our lifetime, and it's up to you to decide which it'll be! Would you rather play XL's ginormous fantasy sandpark or do you prefer NCsoft's martial arts fantasy title? Vote after the cut! Ever wish that you could put to rest a long-standing MMO debate once and for all? Then welcome to the battle royal of Massively's Leaderboard, where two sides enter the pit o' judgment -- and only one leaves. Vote to make your opinion known, and see whether your choice tops the Leaderboard!
ArcheAge's English version in Friends & Family testing
No matter how dedicated you might be to the idea of ArcheAge, you could be forgiven for thinking that it was never coming out in the US. But there is something worth looking forward to on the horizon after all. The game's English client is apparently now in Friends & Family testing over at Trion Worlds, which means progress is being made. The game still does not have any sort of official date for wider-scale testing, much less release. Trion states that the UI is about 80% translated, with most of the base quest text having received a first pass. So it's not perfect news, but it at least means that the localization process hasn't completely stalled out.
New ArcheAge video previews Korean 1.0 update
Western (and non-Russian) ArcheAge players are still waiting on pins and needles to find out when they'll get their first taste of the much-hyped sandbox title. But meanwhile, those with access to the Korean version of the game have a good deal to look forward to in the upcoming update, which will officially bring the game to version 1.0. The devs have released a nifty teaser video to give players a look at some of this upcoming content, which includes a boost of the level cap from 50 to 55, a nifty 1v1 PvP arena, and the new Library dungeon. Whether you're a Korean player looking for a preview of the new update or a Western fan hoping to get your ArcheAge fix while you wait on a release date, you can click on past the cut to check out the whole video for yourself.
Perfect Ten: New MMOs to watch in 2014
Out with the old desk calendars that you didn't use past February 2013 and in with the new, I always say! It's a brand-new year, and while we don't know all of the twists and turns that we'll travel in MMO news in 2014, I dare say it promises to be a fascinating ride. Last January I gave my list of 10 new MMOs to watch for that year, and I'm a sucker for traditions. With 2014 a mostly blank slate right now, I want to lay out the up-and-coming class of games that at least have a shot at releasing by December. There are the big names, of course, but several other titles that could be sleeper hits if all goes right. Which will succeed, which will flop, and which won't even get out of the door? I don't claim to know all, but I know all, so here are my prognostications for 2014!
In Soviet Russia, ArcheAge betas you!
Russian players will become the latest in the worldwide community to get their hands on ArcheAge, as the closed beta begins for them tomorrow, December 19th. The Russian website said that the beta test will take place over several phases, eventually growing to include those who get a key with the newsletter, interested guilds who write a letter to the community manager, and those who register on the site. Pre-loading for the beta client will commence at some point today. [Thanks to Mehighlow for the tip!]
ArcheAge Korea trailer confirms library dungeon
Only teased before, XLGAMES has now confirmed that the library dungeon will be part of ArcheAge Korea's 1.0 update coming in January. Filled with unique new mobs, this dungeon contains four themed areas, each with its own levels. The update also introduces a new NPC antagonist, an Elf wizard. Additionally, 1.0 brings changes to how players earn Labor points, adding the ability for free-to-play players to earn the points while online. Quietly peek through the library in the trailer below, then check out more images of the different levels and new mobs at MMO Culture.
China gets late Christmas present of new ArcheAge beta
If you wrote to Santa asking for an ArcheAge beta, you might have wanted to specify that you meant in the west. As it is, China is the one getting the beta present the day after Christmas. The announcement of this next beta phase, called the "Divine" test, came at the Tencent Games Carnival 2013, China's largest gaming convention. Along with the beta news, the publisher unveiled the official Chinese ArcheAge trailer, showcased a live-action introduction to the game, and debuted the official theme for this version. The Chinese fans may have to wait until December 26th to get back into the game, but everyone can experience all three videos for themselves now. And that's better than a lump of coal!
See this ArcheAge vid for all your MMO dolphin-riding needs
Say what you will about the glacial pace of ArcheAge's western localization, but one thing you can't say is that XLGAMES' sandpark title is lacking in the interesting features department. Dolphins have their own skills and abilities, and players are able to ride them both on the surface of the ocean and under it. XLGAMES has previously shown off ArcheAge's extensive underwater environments and gameplay.
Hartsman: ArcheAge getting substantial progression and economic tweaks
Well, there's good news and bad news with regard to ArcheAge's western release. And I know you, you want the bad news first, right? Well, here it is: the game's still quite a ways off. Trion hasn't said as much, but if you read between the lines of CEO Scott Hartsman's latest interview, it's hard to come away with any other impression. Hartsman spoke with fansite ArcheAge Source, and he said that "XL can only work on so many things at a time while they strive to constantly improve their live Korean service." This means that ArcheAge's partnered launches outside of Korea are worked on "serially," and the western release is a couple of spots down in the pecking order. The one piece of good news there is that the western release will benefit from all of the stuff XL has learned from launching the game in other markets. Hartsman also mentions substantial progression and economy improvements that will find their way into the sandpark game before it reaches western shores. "The economic game of ArcheAge is a big part of what attracted a lot of us to this game," he said. "XL will be implementing improved balance between crafting, farming, and trade, [with] the goal being to promote a more vibrant economic game that produces more valuable and more frequently used items than what the original version launched with." [Thanks to all our tipsters!]
ArcheAge to start Russian closed beta in December
Good news for Russian ArcheAge fans eagerly waiting to dive in and experience the upcoming fantasy sandpark: closed beta begins next month. Mail.ru has announced that the closed beta testing for the game is scheduled for the end of December; exact dates, however, will come later, along with more information about the beta. Other news that the publisher did include in the announcement was the implementation of a new payment model. Players will be happy to know that after the successful petition to nix Mail.ru's initial plans and the subsequent player voting, ArcheAge in Russia will be launched with the very same economic model that is used on the Korean servers. [Thanks to James for the tip!]
ArcheAge wins big at Korea Game Awards
If you don't know about the Korea Game Awards, you're... well, probably not from Korea. Which is kind of understandable seeing as how this site is published in English and focuses mostly on the western side of the pond. But as you can imagine from the name, these awards are a pretty big deal for a Korean game like ArcheAge... and to its credit, it managed to clean up at the most recent award ceremony. Not only did Jake Song's sandpark take home awards in two categories through the show (planning and scenario, graphics), it also took home the big prize of the night as the best game in show. It's good news to see for fans, especially in light of some rumbling that the game hasn't been doing as well in Korea as initially expected. Congratulations to XLGAMES, and here's hoping that the award-winning game comes over to these shores sooner rather than later. [Thanks to Dengar for the tip!]
ArcheAge video features people in bear suits and flying sloths
ArcheAge Korea recently got updated with a new patch, and the folks at XLGAMES have released a new video to show it off. Though to be completely honest, we're not entirely sure what to make of it. There are people dancing in bear costumes and sloths being worn as backpacks and/or used as hang-gliders. That's really all there is to say. If that's the sort of thing you're into, you can check out the full video after the cut.
Some Assembly Required: Is Black Desert the new ArcheAge?
I hate to admit it, but I'm getting over ArcheAge. This sucks because XLGAMES' fantasy sandpark is undoubtedly the most feature-rich MMO since Star Wars Galaxies. But Massively first covered ArcheAge in 2010. I first played it in 2011. And we're rapidly approaching 2014 with absolutely no sign of an English-language client on the horizon! Yeah, Trion famously signed on to distribute the game to western audiences last January, but since then we've heard a whole lot of nothing about how the translation is progressing. Hell, we don't even know if it is a translation as opposed to some ill-conceived "westernization" waste of time. And maybe the MMO gods will strike me down for jumping off the bandwagon. Maybe Trion will make me look a fool by announcing a beta date of some sort later this very afternoon. If so, that's OK because Black Desert is looking just as good, if not better.
