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Rise and Shiny recap: Golden Age
I tend to think of myself as a connoisseur of MMORTS games. If you are not familiar with the genre, imagine an MMO that plays like a city-building sim combined with open warfare and sometimes trade. There are a lot of these titles out there, maybe a lot more than in other genres, and the popularity of the MMORTS seems to be growing. Every week I read about a new one or try a new one out. They are usually browser-based, so it's very possible that this low barrier to production allows for such mass production. Usually I play one and my love affair with it hardly gets off the ground. Generally I find much of the same design and gameplay I have found in dozens of titles. Sure, there are some subtle differences, but overall the gems in this category are few and far between. This week I tasked myself with playing Golden Age, the new MMORTS published by Aeria Games. Was it the same as every other one I've played before? Click past the cut and find out.
You put the Lime Odyssey in the screenshot gallery and drink them both up
We simply cannot be the only ones who see the title of Aeria Games' upcoming MMO and instantly start singing, "You put the lime in the coconut and drink them both up." Please tell us we're not. We may go mad otherwise. In any case, Lime Odyssey has released 10 new screenshots today showing off many of the lush vistas of its game world. Included in the batch are views of the Human stomping grounds of the Blue Coral Forest, the desert plains of West Tumbara, and the Muris starting zone of Haze Island. Lime Odyssey will launch with four classes, three races, and four gathering and crafting professions. You can get an eyeful of limey goodness in the gallery below, and if it piques your interest, head on over to the official site to sign up for the beta! %Gallery-127103% [Source: Aeria Games press release]
Aeria reveals new Lime Odyssey website, trailer
Aeria Games' new Lime Odyssey MMO has been in the works for a while now. We first caught wind of the free-to-play fantasy game in late 2010, and since then news pickings have been rather slim. Now, though, Aeria has ponied up a press release that adds a few more details into the mix (including a new website as well as a trailer comprised of the game's opening cinematic). Lime Odyssey: The Chronicles of Orta will feature three races -- Humans, Turga, and Muris -- as well as three adventuring and three crafting classes. Players may choose from traditional Thief, Mage, or Warrior archetypes for the former and Tailor, Chef, and Blacksmith disciplines for the latter. Gameplay revolves around the collection of a sacred substance known as lime, and players will "traverse mountains, deserts, and oceans on [a] quest for peace and harmony (while killing lots of mobs, of course). Hit the jump for the cinematic. [Source: Aeria press release]
Eden Eternal update introduces Templar, player housing
Aeria Games has been teasing Eden Eternal's latest update since late last month, and now it's finally live. Eden Eternal players get a smattering of new goodies with the new patch, from the Templar class to player housing. In addition, the level cap has been raised to level 60, and new maps and dungeons have been introduced to keep players entertained on the way to the top. To get in on the free-to-play action, head on over to Eden Eternal's official site. [Source: Aeria Games press release]
Aeria teases Eden Eternal's Templar class
Eden Eternal is adding features at a rapid clip. The free-to-play fantasy title from Aeria Games recently announced its player housing implementation and is now following that up with some info about the new Templar class. Actually, scratch that. Today's press release -- and the accompanying video -- doesn't feature much info at all beyond a tease for what Aeria calls "a very important class [for] those who wish to fight their way through all the new dungeons in the new upcoming content." In any event, the Templar is currently scheduled to go live in "early October," and you can watch the teaser clip after the break. [Source: Aeria Games press release]
Aeria releases Eden Eternal player housing video
Eden Eternal's feature list just got a bit longer, as Aeria Games has released a new trailer showing off the game's player housing implementation. The new content is scheduled to go live sometime in early October, according to the latest Aeria press release. The video shows a good amount of customization, and player characters can be seen placing a variety of objects inside a spacious interior as well as rotating said objects. Everything from beds to bookshelves to wall hangings will be obtainable via the game's item shop and from various in-game quests. Finally, Aeria is allowing other players to visit your personal house, and doing so will reward both parties with "various status boosts." Check out the housing video after the break, and head to the official Eden Eternal website to learn more about the game. [Source: Aeria Games press release]
Massively Exclusive: Eden Eternal teases the Templar
Earlier this week, Aeria Games announced that a new update would be coming to Eden Eternal sometime early in October. One of the features planned for said update is a new class, the Templar. To tease Eden Eternal fans, Aeria has given us a short trailer showcasing a Templar and his magic-wielding friend going toe-to-toe with a number of monsters. For the full trailer, head on past the cut, and then click over to Eden Eternal's website to play for yourself.
Eden Eternal update bringing new class, player housing, and more
Aeria Games announced in a press release today that Eden Eternal will be on the receiving end of a rather large content update sometime in early October. What gives this update such heft? Well, for starters there's the new Templar class, plus a level cap raise, and oh yeah, player housing. If five new levels, a new class, and houses aren't enough for you, get this: You can throw parties! In your house! House parties! Anyway, also included in the update are a variety of high-level areas, alpaca coins (which can be found in high-level zones and redeemed for various prizes), and a new pirate invasion event! Shiver me timbers and all that, matey. To get in on the swashbuckling, house-partying fun, just head on over to Eden Eternal's official site and sign up. [Source: Aeria Games press release]
Aeria Games acquires Punch Entertainment, brags about growth
Even if you've never heard of Aeria Games, chances are you've heard of one of the company's free-to-play MMO titles. A new press release touts the California-based firm's recent growth and boasts of its desire to cater to "hardcore and medium-core players who play as much as four hours per day." Aeria's latest acquisition includes the internal development team at Punch Entertainment as well as an unnamed iOS and Android game that will soon be added to a stable of titles that numbers over 30 strong, including Shaiya and Eden Eternal. "As we move forward, we will continue to form strategic partnerships and grow our development teams while building and acquiring more engaging content to reward our dedicated power gamers," said Aeria CEO Lan Hoang. [Source: Aeria press release]
Massively Exclusive: New Eden Eternal trailer teases new race, racial crafting
To commemorate free-to-play MMO Eden Eternal's latest content update, Aeria Games has released a short trailer showing off some of the new features available to players. For starters, there's a new race: the amphibious Anurans. Racial crafting has been introduced alongside the new race, allowing each race to ply its specific trade. For the full trailer, hop on past the cut, then head on over to the official site to download the client and register to play.
Eden Eternal announces new race, crafting system
If you're looking for something new to do in Eden Eternal aside from killing monsters and stockpiling phat lewt, look no further than the mid-September content update. Aeria Games has just put out a press release detailing the patch, and the highlights include the new Anuran race along with a brand-new crafting system. Racial special abilities will also be making an appearance in the new patch, and they're tied into the new tradeskill mechanics. Characters at level 30 and above can participate in Gemcrafting (for Humans), Engineering (for Zumi), and Alchemy (for Anurans) to create a multitude of useful items including gear, potions, and dyes. The tradeskill goodness doesn't stop there, though, as players at level 20 and above are free to set up their own personal shops in the town of Aven. Finally, two new NPCs are being added to Eden Eternal, and Professor Koss gives timed XP boosts while Assistant Teren gifts players with different fortune bags throughout the day. Learn more about Eden Eternal, and grab the client, at the game's official website. [Source: Aeria Games press release]
One Shots: All that's missing is a drink with a little umbrella in it
Eden Eternal got a huge content update earlier this month, and fans have been enjoying the increased level cap, new dungeons, new zones, and more. Massively reader Benjamin took a minute to get a snapshot of one of the new zones for One Shots: This is a screenshot I took of the new zone Delphi Forest in Eden Eternal. I find the graphics themselves aren't technically impressive, but the developers have managed to create a unique and colourful atmosphere with what they have. There are also nice touches like butterflies and glowing spores flying around. Those things, combined with an impressive day/night cycle, give this game's environments a really magical feel. We're looking at the best MMO environments all this week. Do you have a favorite landscape, particularly eye-catching weather effect, or hidden jewel in an out-of-the-way location? Snap a screenshot of your favorite MMO area, tell us a bit about what and where it is, and send it to oneshots@massively.com. Next week we'll be revisiting another old favorite of One Shots: bug week. Whether it's unwanted guests in cutscenes, funny graphic glitches, or a prank you played on a buddy, we want to see. Send your screenshots in and we'll feature them in next week's One Shots! %Gallery-112285%
Free for All: The best-looking games in free-to-play
Of all of the wacky arguments I have heard over the last few years, the "are video games art?" one has got to take the prize for most ridiculous. Sure, you can argue either side of anything, but to ask whether or not games are art just seems to be an attempt to assuage some boredom. We can also ask whether this life is really real, just in case we hadn't already been put to sleep. Art is what the artist says it is, period. Art is also in the eye of the beholder. Our games are spread across a wide spectrum of styles, and many of us have very strong feelings about what we like and will not tolerate. I have seen people turn down great games simply because of the way a screenshot looked. Heck, I've done it myself. With as many games as I look at every week, occasionally it is smart (and fun) to organize them into lists. This week I am taking stock of my game list and figuring out the games that I feel look the best. Of course, you might not think so. I decided to leave off games that are in testing or not available for the public yet. Click past the cut and see if you agree with me!
Eden Eternal update features Territory Wars, new content
'Tis the season for free-to-play content updates, and Eden Eternal is next on our list. The fantasy title from Aeria Games just added a new class, a level cap increase, and a new PvP territorial war system to its feature list as of this morning. The new class takes the form of the Warlock, a practitioner of the dark arts who specializes in spawning parasites on his targets and manipulating said targets with an array of spells. The content update also brings the Delphi Forest and Blackflame Peak adventuring regions to Eden Eternal players, and the game's southwestern continent now features the Sunset Desert and Skyreach Jungle areas for high-level characters. New quests and dungeons are also in the offing, as is a loyalty shop that rewards players with Aeria Points for completing standard gameplay tasks. Finally, the Territory Wars system takes a bow, and guilds can go for the jugular in free-for-all brawls that Aeria's press release says will "push the limits of teamwork." More info is available in the patch notes located on the official Eden Eternal website.
M-O-U-S-Eeeeeden Eternal releases new Zumi trailer
A while back we covered Aeria Games' announcement that some devilishly cute little rodent-people known known as Zumi would soon be making their way to the land of Eden Eternal. Now, we've got a new trailer that shows off the mice in action. Don't be fooled by their precious ears and buckteeth, though; The Zumi are masters of the scientific, and they create all variety of gadgets and gizmos to help make the world a better place. Well, either that, or to make a quick buck. To see the Zumi in all of their animated glory, head on past the cut for the new trailer.
Kitsu Saga closing down
It's never a fun day when an MMO gives up the ghost, and unfortunately today marks just such an occasion for Kitsu Saga. Aeria Games is shutting down the game for good, and a somber announcement on the official website marks the beginning of the end. "This was a very difficult decision for us and has only been made after much deliberation. We'd like to thank those who played Kitsu Saga and especially those who stuck with it through the more difficult times," the news blurb states. Aeria also offers up a bit of info regarding AP Spender compensation, and the long and short of it is that refunds may take a while to process due to the large number pending (Aeria estimates seven to 10 business days after July 14th). Head to the official Kitsu Saga website for the details.
Eden Eternal update bringing raids, dungeons, and adorable mouse-people
Today, Aeria Games announced the first content update to its free-to-play MMO Eden Eternal. We've already taken a look at one of the new additions coming with the update, the adorably ingenious Zumi race, but now we have more information on what else will be coming to the charming little MMO. The update will add eight-player raids to the mix alongside Heroic Dungeons. The first of many planned Heroic Dungeons will be Angor Quarry, which players will recognize as the first dungeon they encounter on their journey, and it will provide Eden Eternal players with "new challenges, new items and new crafting recipes." And for those of you with a competitive streak, the game will be introducing ranking-based rewards, which will track the top players and guilds on each server and reward the top percentage with rare and unique rewards. To jump into the game yourself, head on over to the official Eden Eternal website.
Massively Exclusive: New Eden Eternal Zumi race screenshots
Last week we put the spotlight on Eden Eternal and its upcoming Zumi race. The adorable little anthropomorphized rodents seem to fill the game's "mad scientist inventor" niche, and we have some new pictures to show them off. First off we have some renders of the precious wittle Zumi in a variety of class-specific outfits. Alongside the dress-up rats, we have some concept art of their dwellings, which are delightfully steampunk with all the brass gears and pistons. So scamper on to the gallery for all of the new art, and keep an eye on Massively for new information as it comes. %Gallery-127779%
Aeria Games announces new Lime Odyssey details
Aeria Games announced recently that there's a new addition incoming to its rather large stable of free-to-play MMORPGs. The nascent title is the bizarrely named Lime Odyssey, which sees players jumping into the world of Nysis in search of a mystical substance known as LIME. Players must collect this sacred substance in order to "restore peace to the fractured continent." A press release today gave us a few new details on the game. Being touted is being touted as the spiritual successor to Ragnarok Online, the game includes three different classes (Thief, Mage, and Warrior) and three professions (Tailor, Chef, and Blacksmith). If this piques your interest, head on over to the game's official site, and head on past the cut for the game's announcement trailer. %Gallery-127103%
Eden Eternal rides into open beta today
It's been mere days since Eden Eternal kicked off its closed beta, but they say that rolling stones gather no digital moss, so Aeria Games is shifting the game into open beta status starting today. The servers should be open later today at 10:00 p.m. EDT, although eager-beaver players can go ahead and patch up the game now. The open beta will be accompanied by a new patch, although the devs won't have open beta rewards added to the game until next week. To help get the word out about the beta, Aeria Games is sponsoring an Eden Eternal Signature Invasion that could net you some nifty in-game items if you participate. So far, this colorful MMO has proven popular in the beta circuit, so if you're curious what we thought about it, make sure to check out our first impressions from last week! %Gallery-120523%
