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ArcheAge underwater treasure hunting guide released
ArcheAge may be a distant dream to those of us here in the West, but a few of the folks who have been playing the game's extensive Korean beta tests are at least keeping us informed about the sandbox title's niftiest features. Case in point is a new underwater treasure hunting guide on the ArcheAge Source forums. The info has been translated from a Russian fan site, and it's accompanied by plenty of screens and video (including a map, since this is a proper treasure hunt). The process is pretty involved, and requires a ship, scuba gear, and plenty of air bags to lift chests to the ocean surface. The guide posits that treasure hunting is more profitable than traditional gathering based on preliminary beta testing, but it also cautions that resource prices may vary quite a bit. Head past the cut for a couple of underwater exploration videos, then head to ArcheAge Source to check out the guide. [Thanks to Dengar for the tip!]
ArcheAge's pet system turns cute baby wolves into fearsome battle wargs
Did you know that ArcheAge features a battle pet system? As of the recently completed CBT5, XLGAMES added a wolf pet that's different from the title's normal mount critters. While all ArcheAge mounts may be used in combat, battle pets are significantly stronger. Both pet types have their own character screens and equipment, but battle pets feature more active skills. You'll also need to be level 25 to obtain the battle pet quest (as opposed to level 5 for basic mounts). Also like mounts, battle pets have their own levels which are advanced through hunting mobs (gathering, crafting, and quest turn-in XP does not affect either pet type). Finally, battle pets can die and will lose XP when they do. Head to ArcheAge Source for a lengthy system breakdown, and check out the baby wolf video after the cut. [Thanks to Dengar for the tip!]
ArcheAge Korean open beta slated for December
XLGAMES has pushed back the open beta period for the Korean version of ArcheAge. According to a rough translation on the ArcheAge Source forums, the company originally intended to kick off the testing in November after G-star 2012. The open beta has since been "postponed to December because of internal affairs." A post on Gamtoon.com cites an XL insider as its source, but offers no details on the causes for the delay. ArcheAge recently completed its fifth closed beta phase. ArcheAge Source reports that the testing drew 130,000 users and was well-received by gamers around the world. [Thanks to Dengar for the tip!]
The Daily Grind: Is farming ruined forever?
One of my favorite things to do in games is farm. No, not the kind of farming that involves killing zillions of mobs for mats and money -- real (virtual) farming. Like when you buy seeds and plant them in the ground and wait for them to grow and then collect the literal fruits of your labor. Think I'm talking about FarmVille? Nope. Lord of the Rings Online, actually. And Ultima Online and Glitch and hopefully, someday, ArcheAge. MMOs actually implement farming so much better than the social game that seems to have redefined it. In UO, I can grow decorative plants and buff petals; in LotRO, I can mass-produce crops that are used by cooks to make food; and in Glitch, I grow flowers and herbs used by tincturers. I suppose even in Star Wars Galaxies, I was farming up corn and tubers in my oversized industrial extractors. But I have to wonder whether the FarmVille-induced stigma attached to farming as a gameplay concept has ruined it for MMO fans forever. Even when we discuss ArcheAge's amazing farming system, we can't help but crack jokes about tractors, jokes we wouldn't make about big, burly, angry Orcs practicing their fine tailoring skills in World of Warcraft. What do you think -- is farming in MMOs ruined forever? 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!
ArcheAge flagging system, piracy options explained
So you wanna be a pirate in ArcheAge? It's doable according to a translated post on the ArcheAge Source fan forum. The game's PvP implementation features a familiar "red" flagging system for outlaw players. Killing (or stealing from) your fellow players will result in bad karma. When your meter gets to 3,000, you're a red, and you can do things like form a pirate expedition force (we have no idea either, but it sounds cool). Pirate factions can only be joined by other pirate players, and you won't be able to interact with NPCs on the game's starter continents (you'll also aggro the guards). Fear not, though, as pirate players do have access to their own island filled with friendly NPCs and quests. Click past the cut to see some booty-plundering gameplay courtesy of a twelve-minute video. [Thanks to Dengar for the tip!]
XLGAMES releases ArcheAge CBT5 highlight trailer
Yesterday we got a glimpse of ArcheAge's character creation process in the recently completed fifth closed beta test. XLGAMES has also released a highlight video showing off many aspects of the sandbox title's gameplay. The voiceover and in-game text are Korean, but there's nonetheless a lot to take in (and get excited about) if you're a fan of huge feature sets. The five-minute clip features siege PvP, underwater environments, ship combat, PvE boss combat, weather effects, gardening, and what looks like an in-game legal system. See for yourself after the cut.
ArcheAge CBT5 videos detail character creation
ArcheAge's fifth Korean closed beta test recently concluded, but you can still get a peek inside XL's upcoming sandbox title courtesy of a new video series at Steparu.com. The site took a long look at character creation and captured it all on camera courtesy of eight clips that show off a particular race/gender combination. Each video is well over seven minutes in length, so grab a cup of your favorite beverage and get ready for a high-def glimpse of ArcheAge's beautiful avatars.
ArcheAge's fifth closed beta to feature XP loss, trial system, and more
ArcheAge's fifth, yes fifth, closed beta test kicks off this week. XLGAMES recently released the latest patch notes, which have been helpfully translated from the original Korean via Google. ArcheAge Source has the full list, and perusing them brings a few interesting points to the fore. For one, there seems to be a form of XP loss on death (though not for avatars below level 10). CBT5 also marks the introduction of the game's trial system, so all you naughty-by-nature folks will likely find out what sort of crime and punishment await you in XL's fantasy sandbox. Finally, there are bits about crop growth and how climate affects it as well as some verbiage about certain regional tradeskill specialties. Massively's got a couple of folks patching up CBT5 as we speak, so look for some up-to-the-minute ArcheAge impressions in the coming weeks. [Thanks to Dengar for the tip!]
ArcheAge trailer shows off new houses and more
ArcheAge is a little more than a week away from its fifth closed beta test, and the new features up for testing are being highlighted one by one. The newest trailer introduces the Mirage Island, a location where players will be able to window shop and preview different sorts of items. The video shows players testing out mounts, looking at fancy clothes, and inspecting houses. The island allows players to try out items and see what suits their fancy, with everything from adorable pets (which can grow up to be big, strong mounts!) to miniaturized towers lined up side-by-side for comparison. Jump below the cut to see for yourself.
ArcheAge CBT5 emphasizes use of the sea with new features
From Kraken hunts to deck-side skirmishes, previously released videos have shown that combat on (and under) the high seas is a given in the upcoming sandbox ArcheAge. At this year's Chinajoy convention, XLGAMES revealed that the seas will play an even bigger role than just a pirate's playground; resources acquired from the sea will be an important part of the game. Players will be exposed to PvE and PvP battles organically while trying to gain control of these resources and battleships will become more vital. And players who prefer a life at sea can forgo living on the mainland as aqua farms and houses at sea can be built in a designated area. XLGAMES announced the addition of specific Chinese content as well, including Chinese-style castles and medium-sized homes. The studio also announced a new reinforcement feature for siege warfare but didn't release details. Players will be able to try the system out for themselves during the fifth Korean closed beta next week. As always, we will keep you updated with more details as they surface!
Some Assembly Required: Four sandboxes we need right now
Hello folks, and welcome back to Some Assembly Required. I've been thinking about sandboxes quite a lot lately, and while this is nothing new, a couple of those I've been thinking about are flying pretty far under the radar. As much as I've been enjoying The Secret World in recent weeks, it can't quite scratch that open world, free-roaming, full-blown economy experience that I've been missing since the days of Star Wars Galaxies and Ultima Online. There are a couple of titles in the pipeline that may recapture those experiences, though. Join me after the break and see whether you agree.
New ArcheAge video shows new styles for next closed beta
XLGAMES has been showing off more and more of ArcheAge's goodies in preparation for the games' upcoming fifth closed beta test. After a story teaser trailer and a video introduction to new areas last week, it's time to see some of the shiny in store for your characters! This newest video highlights some of the new armors and weapons available in CBT5. Each gorgeous armor piece and weapon is shown in fine detail, presumably to make people not in the closed beta even more jealous than they already were. Check out the video after the cut for some very snazzy outfits accompanied by a brief interlude in a room with a sleeping woman and half-naked man.
ArcheAge CBT5 video shows off new areas
With ArcheAge's fifth Korean Closed Beta Test getting closer, XLGAMES released a video highlighting the new areas that will be introduced to testers. And those lands are beautiful! Realistic water flowing over falls, lush greenery, and fluffy white clouds apparently ambling across the sky are just a few of the visual features to feast your eyes upon. The video tour takes viewers through multiple areas, including swamps, a river and falls, weathered ruins, beaches complete with frolickers, a quiet mountain valley, and a waterfront community on stilts in crystal blue waters. Each area shows off the high-level of detail in the game. Keep those fingers crossed for a North American release sooner rather than later and immerse yourself in the vibrant world of ArcheAge in the video after the break. [Thanks to Chris for the tip!]
XLGAMES reveals first ArcheAge story teaser trailer
Fans of the upcoming Korean fantasy sandbox MMORPG ArcheAge already know about a number of the features that will entice them into playing the game if/when it comes to their region, but what about the story behind the world? To draw players into the story, XLGAMES has released a poster and short story teaser video about Orichidna, one of the key characters to change the world of ArcheAge. In this clip, Orchidna asks an unseen arrival, "Why so late?". Perhaps the arrival will be revealed in the next installment as XLGAMES will be releasing the story trailer movie in a series. Check out the video and the poster after the break.
ArcheAge's fifth Korean closed beta coming in August
ArcheAge fans have something to look forward to next month: Thirteen thousand testers will be invited to take part in ArcheAge's fifth Korean closed beta test scheduled from August 16th through the 31st. XLGAMES also announced that the engine merge has completed and CBT5 will be presented on CryEngine3. XLGAMES is calling CBT5 a "grand rehearsal for the open beta"; the open beta is currently planned for the end of the year. The company is looking forward to hearing testers' feedback on housing, marine content, and updated quests in this beta session. [Source: XLGAMES press release]
ArcheAge sends invites for next closed beta, earns Mature rating in Korea
As if to test out the official site after a maintenance, XLGAMES doled out a double dose of ArcheAge news. First, players were informed that the first wave of invites for Closed Beta Test Five have gone out to players who met two requirements: CBT4 stress test participation on February 17th and hitting level 25 in CBT4. Others who have applied to test will still have a chance to get in to CBT5 during more invitation rounds based on a lottery selection method. The second news posting explains that XLGAMES received and accepted a new rating of Mature in Korea for sexual content, blood and gore, and drug abuse. The company indicated that new and future sandbox features in the game would probably have disqualified the game from a Teen rating eventually. [Thanks to Dengar for the tip!]
Some Assembly Required: Six essential ArcheAge videos
Now that we know ArcheAge is in fact heading West at some point, I no longer feel bad about discussing the game at every opportunity. Prior to E3, any mention of XL's sandbox and its ginormous feature list felt a little like twisting the knife, you know? Happily, though, that's no longer the case, and I've spent the last couple of days gorging myself on some of the best ArcheAge footage the web has to offer. Some of these clips you may have seen already; some may be new to you. All are worth a(nother) look, though, if only to see just how much gameplay is coming your way courtesy of the genre's most exciting new sandbox.
ArcheAge seeks info on Western demographics with survey
For sandbox fans in the Western part of the globe, watching the development of ArcheAge is a bittersweet experience: sweet that a game with so many coveted features is being developed, but bitter that the game is only launching in the East for now. But XL Games has indicated that a Western launch is not so much an "if" as a "when." With that in mind, the fan site ArcheAge Source is seeking fan opinion and information on North American and European demographics through an unofficial survey posted on Facebook. (No Facebook account is needed to take the survey.) The information garnered from responses may be used to shape decisions concerning ArcheAge in the NA and EU markets, but it is mostly for the fan site "to have some statistics to show at Gamescom 2012 and whenever else we have need for them." [Thanks to Halldorr for the tip!]
The Daily Grind: Should localization delay a great game?
At E3 this year, we were thrilled to learn that mega-sandbox ArcheAge is headed Stateside at some point in the future. We were less thrilled to realize that's probably a very distant future. As the devs told us, critical game systems like crafting aren't yet finalized let alone implemented, never mind the long and grueling process of localizing the Korean game for Western audiences, a process that involves a whole lot more than mere translation. But do you actually want an MMO to be tooled to your nationality's supposed preferences if that means long delays? Sure, garbled language and typos drive me insane (ask the writers!), but we suffer them in Western-made games already. And I'm not convinced that Western and Asian audiences are so different that any game requires a multi-year conversion. Some days, I just want the game, localization be damned. What about you? Do you think proper localization is enough of a justification to delay an otherwise-amazing MMO? 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!
ArcheAge to feature extensive maritime gameplay, housing
Fan site ArcheAge Source has unearthed a new interview with ArcheAge creator Jake Song. The translation from the original Korean is a little rough, but there are still plenty of fascinating nuggets awaiting the patient reader. The forthcoming beta phase will see the existing game world "complemented by huge expanses of ocean." This isn't just for show, as Song says that eventually "oceans will allow players to find new employment, for example extraction, preparation, and delivery of seafood." Sea battles are also mentioned, as are "player-built maritime residences." How this relates to the previously announced underwater gameplay isn't clear, nor is it a given that we'll see all of this in CBT5, but ArcheAge's sprawling open world certainly looks to be putting the "massively" back into massively multiplayer. There's more to the interview, including bits on action combat and a clarification on Song's previous remarks regarding console games. Hit the link below for the full translation. [Thanks to Dengar for the tip!]
