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Players successfully petition to change ArcheAge's business model
Who says player petitions don't matter? Not Russian fans of ArcheAge, who are fresh off a successful attempt to sway publisher Mail.ru's plans for the sandpark title's regional business model. MMO Culture reported on the brouhaha last week, and most of the outrage was directed at the fact that Mail.ru's initial model gave major in-game advantages to players with fat wallets. "A rich Russian player [could] get his whole guild to level 50 within a day," the site said. After a mass player outcry, the publisher is now offering players a choice of how to move forward. Option one involves refining the current model, option two would use the same free-to-model found in the Korean version of ArcheAge, and option three would use both models simultaneously. Trion is slated to publish ArcheAge in the West, but thus far no business model information has been forthcoming. [Thanks Mikey!]
Japanese player earns $10K playing ArcheAge
There's that dream out there of getting paid to simply play games. You know you have it. We even have it. Well, a married Japanese man who goes by "Moru-chan" grabbed that dream and looted it to its fullest, as he earned over $10,000 (one million yen) in three months for playing the MMORPG ArcheAge. The money's on the up-and-up, in case you were thinking otherwise. Moru-chan was selected by ArcheAge's project management team to live in a one-room apartment and stream the game for 12 hours a day. He'd wake up at noon and start playing in the afternoon until the wee hours of the morning, streaming ArcheAge for all to see. Moru-chan also blogged about his experience and organized large-scale activities using his newfound fame. [Thanks to Dengar for the tip!]
Leaderboard: Which upcoming Korean MMO excites you the most?
There are a lot of interesting Korean MMOs on the horizon. Well, they're interesting to me, at any rate. The problem is, none of them are playable in the West as of yet, even though one of them has a Western publisher and the others publish English-language news semi-regularly. Assuming you are also something of a Korean MMO aficionado, I've put together a poll featuring some of the blockbusters we'll (hopefully) be playing in the near future. Feel free to vote for the one you're most looking forward to, and explain why in the comments. 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!
Lost Continent: On the 'failure' of ArcheAge
This week's rumored XLGAMES restructuring brought with it a predictable cascade of "fail" catcalls from pundits and commenters who never climbed on board the ArcheAge hype train to begin with. Leaving aside the fact that it was a rumor as well as the fact that post-release game teams routinely suffer staffing cuts, I have to wonder at the cocksure I-told-you-so crowing with which some folks declared ArcheAge dead well before it's even arrived on Western shores. While some starving sandbox gamers may have prematurely labeled ArcheAge as the second coming, anyone who has actually played the game or followed larger MMO industry trends could have told you that it's a niche title regardless of how much money XLGAMES gambled on its development.
Rumor: XLGAMES eyes restructuring after disappointing ArcheAge performance
Is XLGAMES in trouble? There's a rumor coming out of Korea that may indicate as much, according to MMO Culture. The website says that XL is preparing for a round of restructuring "after ArcheAge did not meet financial expectations in the Korean market after the massive outlay for its development." The fantasy sandpark title has been in development since 2006 and debuted with a subscription business model before going free-to-play. ArcheAge still has not launched in the West, and publisher Trion remains mum on any sort of release date. [Thanks Dengar!]
Scott Hartsman on leading Trion Worlds out of the woods
It's been a rocky return for Scott Hartsman, who has rejoined the Trion Worlds fold as CEO. With End of Nations going through development hell in its final stretch, studios being shuttered left and right, employees being laid off, and a mess of unknown questions, Trion's been put through the ringer this past year and come out looking bruised. But that's the moment in the movie when the crafty manager inspires his boxer to get back in there and fight for the win -- and there are few devs more inspirational and passionate than Hartsman. The way he sees it, Trion is due for a rally. We spoke to Hartsman as he was in the second week of a two-month period of evaluation, meetings, and decision-making. Instead of sounding tired or stressed, Hartsman came across as upbeat, enthusiastic, and brimming with good things to say about his team and the studio's future. So why did Hartsman return to the Trion fold now, and what does it portend for the studio and its many titles? The full story is more interesting than you might think.
New ArcheAge video showcases new outfits and riding shotgun
What's better than owning a hot rod to show off to your friends? Why, taking those friends for a spin in it, of course -- even if for no other reason than to increase their envy factor! If there was any question about whether folks could bum a ride on the land like they can the sea in ArcheAge, the newest video sets the record straight. And if you are the type who really pushes your rig to its limits, be prepared to spend some time under the hood for repairs. Also highlighted are new outfits, including French maid and butler ensembles as well as leopard-print swimsuits. See them all modeled in the clip after the break. But don't say we didn't warn you about those last few moments.
SOE Live 2013: EverQuest II expounds on Tears of Veeshan
After so much attention has been given to the latest sibling in the EverQuest franchise, some fans have expressed concern about the fate of EverQuest II once EverQuest Next comes out. But anyone who was present at SOE Live had those concerns laid to rest; the passion and commitment of the development team is no less vibrant and palpable now than before the big reveal. Should anyone be worried that EverQuest II will be neglected and just fade away? No -- not if you heard all the upcoming plans for the title, both short and long term. Besides the revelations at the keynote address, EQII fans had myriad panels, events, and even special play-test sessions to attend to learn about the game. There was a focus on the new Tears of Veeshan expansion overall, a dedicated look at just the Channeler class, a panel just for new systems, and more. Players who missed the Q&A session missed out on learning some specific changes that are being added to the list for the future. Luckily, we've hit these all up and have the highlights for you right here.
You'll want to watch the new ArcheAge intro video
Hey ArcheAge fans and the mildly curious, you're going to want to watch the latest XLGAMES trailer! According to Steparu, this is the new login movie for the Korean version of the game. It's also quite a nifty marketing tool and may even sway a few of you fence-sitters since it shows off just about everything that sets ArcheAge apart from other MMORPGs. Whether you're into sieging, player weddings, car races, underwater exploration, hang-gliding, bikinis, sailing ships, or dragons, there's plenty of that and more contained in the clip's three-a-half-minute running time. See for yourself after the cut.
Hands-on with ArcheAge's Japanese open beta
So Japan recently had it's ArcheAge open beta, and the Massively crew was kind enough to allow me to write a bit about my experience. As a close follower of the game and someone who played a little in the closed Korean beta, there is a lot I could write about, but I'm going to try to limit this primarily to Japanese localization and what that may mean for westerners. While the game has gotten a lot of coverage for an imported MMO that only recently started western beta recruitment, I feel like some readers have missed important details about AA that I'd like to address. This may build or break hype, but I've thought long and hard about what I'm about to say, and I think it deserves mentioning: ArcheAge is to sandboxes what World of Warcraft was to themeparks.
ArcheAge gives import progress report
Wondering what's going on with ArcheAge and when-oh-when will we ever see it in North America and Europe? While Trion Worlds is still being cagey with its time frame, CM James Nichols gave a progress report to give us some info as to what the team is doing. Nichols reported that the team is tackling several hurdles, including connecting the game to Trion's billing system, setting up the server architecture, and translating over a million words for those of us that don't speak Korean. He said that players should expect any changes to the Korean version to be "very minimal," so players shouldn't expect huge new features or differences. He urged patience for those looking to beta test ArcheAge: "We're just as excited to get to the point where we can invite external testers, but expect the closed testing period to last at least a few months." [Thanks to Dengar for the tip!]
The Daily Grind: Have you ever played an MMO for its crafting?
Last week's ArcheAge Japanese open beta commercials gave me a chuckle, both because of the music and because they focused so heavily on the game's crafting elements. As I was watching them, I imagined most western MMO players rolling their eyes and wondering where all the combat footage went, not to mention the screaming rock guitars and the scantily clad avatars. But enough of my stereotyping, this is The Daily Grind! And The Daily Grind needs to feature a conversation starter, so here you go. Have you ever played an MMO specifically for its crafting? If so, which one? 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!
Get the scoop on ArcheAge's fishing and factions
Who are we to say that the fellow in the above picture is doing fishing wrong? After all, this is ArcheAge, and a new fishing technique or two is to be expected from this next-gen sandbox. If you're interested in fishing or the player faction system, there are a pair of articles for you to check out today. While fishing in ArcheAge isn't as time-consuming as it is in real life, it definitely requires some preparation and know-how to do it effectively. Players can choose to fish in fresh water or salt water, and they'll need to get the right gear before angling for a good catch. There's also a helpful auto-fishing function to help cut down on some of the grind. A second guide has more information on making player factions. To create a faction, you have to accomplish a series of tasks. This costs you a significant amount of gold (26,000 or so) and requires you to go on a scavenger hunt across the world. Good luck with that! [Thanks to Dengar for the tip!]
Lose your life and your wallet with ArcheAge's new dragon and cash shop
If you thought you were safe from giant bosses in ArcheAge if you avoided sailing, think again. XLGAMES' latest update introduced a massive red dragon to harass the landlubbers like the kraken does the seafarers. Massive, scaly, and with breath that can incinerate adventurers, this dragon might just drop in on your party whether invited or not. Also included in this latest update is the new cash shop. In a unique twist, players wishing to browse through and buy the wares visit an actual in-game shopping mall in the Market District. There are no generic icons to pour over, but full-scale items on display instead. Shoppers can peruse different departments filled with clothing, animals, gliders, even cars. Want a glimpse of the dragon before it lands on your head? Or need a tour of the mall before you lose yourself -- and your funds -- in it? Then take a look at the two videos below courtesy of Steparu.com, and head to the site for more in-game footage of a dragon fight.
Watch these ArcheAge Japanese launch commercials
ArcheAge launched in Japan last week, and MMO Culture got its hands on the two launch trailers that aired on Japanese television. Both focus on the game's non-combat activities, from crafting to farming to life on the open sea. They're not completely violence-free, though, as we get to see the kraken make mincemeat out of a player-built ship. The website also reports that ArcheAge launched with a subscription business model in Japan despite the game's recent free-to-play conversion in its native Korea. Check out the trailers after the cut! [Thanks Dengar!]
Lost Continent: Should we worry about ArcheAge's crafting?
It finally happened. XLGAMES did something to ArcheAge that I really don't like, and while I'll stop short of labeling it a deal-breaker, it's definitely made me think about the game in a different light. To be fair to the company, this particular gameplay tweak was made to the Korean version several months ago, so it's a) not a certainty for the American version and b) not exactly breaking news. It was breaking news to me when I read a recent high-level review of the title, though, because I'd been purposely steering clear of the Korean release in order to more fully enjoy myself when the game finally lands on U.S. soil.
ArcheAge F2P today, adds houses and dungeon
Last month we learned that ArcheAge was switching payment models in Korea and ditching subscriptions. And now that change has come to pass. If a subscription was all that was holding you back from playing the new sandbox, today's update heralding the transition to free-to-play marks your chance to dive in. If, however, you're stuck in the western world where the game hasn't been released yet, your wait continues. This update didn't stop at just the move to F2P; Steparu.com reports that XLGAMES also introduced a new 10-man dungeon called Island of Eternity as well as new houses with underwater farms. Additionally, a new coin system has been implemented that will allow players to purchase potions to replenish labor points -- used in the game's non-combat activities -- up to three times a day. This last bit of news could be highly beneficial for the free players, since labor points will not naturally replenish unless an account is paid.
Player review offers in-depth look at ArcheAge
What's the next best thing to getting your hands on ArcheAge and checking everything out for yourself? Getting ahold of someone who is in playing the game and picking his or her brains about the experience! Well thanks to the efforts of a current player and community member who compiled a fairly hefty review, you can do just that. Although a self-professed non-expert, KeksX's review covers the gamut of systems, from ships and vehicles to housing to PvP to the economy to the UI... and the list goes on. KeksX also offers plenty of screenshots to demonstrate the visuals of the world, including the one seen above, as well as videos. In another post, the same reviewer offers a translation of the comparisons between the Japanese and the Korean versions of ArcheAge, noting that the Japanese version made quite a few modifications. If you've got a hankering for more details about this upcoming sandbox and a good chunk of time, settle in and check these posts out. [Thanks to Dengar for the tips!]
ArcheAge player guide shows how to compose your own music
A couple months ago, someone quietly posted a video of folks actually playing music in ArcheAge. As much excitement as that generated for music lovers, not much information was given in that short clip other than a Guitar Hero-style guitar was utilized to create what was heard in the sandbox game. But now, a new player-created video guide walks you through how to create and play compositions in game. What great melodious masterpieces will be arranged using this system? Only time will tell. Until then, check out the guide after the break to see how it's done. Oh, and if you missed that first clip, we've added it as well! [Thanks to Dengar for the tip!]
Lost Continent: ArcheAge needs a business model, too
Massively's Eliot Lefebvre recently speculated on what WildStar's business model might look like, and even if you're not a huge fan of the upcoming sci-fantasy opus, it's worth a read. It's also a column topic worth stealing, and I'm going to do just that this week and apply it to ArcheAge. Like WildStar, ArcheAge is largely an enigma when it comes to its western business model. Unlike Carbine, though, Trion Worlds -- AA's western publisher -- has plenty of experience with all three of the major MMO models currently in use.
