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New TERA trailer boasts battlegrounds, bosses, and more [updated]
Fans of En Masse Entertainment's upcoming TERA action MMORPG are anxiously awaiting news of a North American beta and release date. In the meantime, Bluehole Studio and Hangame are gearing up for the title's Korean open beta, which is scheduled to begin on January 11th, according to a recently released trailer. The four-minute clip is crammed full of new footage, and in addition to the usual suspects of combat and harvesting, you can check out new bosses, destructible terrain, and what appears to be a type of capture-the-flag battleground scenario. Have a look at all the mayhem after the cut, and head to the official TERA forums for further discussion. [Update: We've replaced the Korean version of the trailer with the newly released English-language version. Enjoy!]
TERA fly-through videos showcase the Valley of Titans and Pirate Grotto
What's better than a new TERA fly-through video? Two new TERA fly-through videos, of course! We've got a look at two new zones for you, courtesy of En Masse Entertainment and Bluehole Studio. First up is the Pirate Grotto, a smuggler's haven tucked away in the jungles of TERA's Jagged Coast. Brigands of all shapes and sizes call the area home, as do many stashes of treasure, relics, and various hordes of wealth ripe for the plunder. Next up is the Valley of Titans, and as the name suggests, it's big. Giant monuments of an earlier age dot the landscape, proving that size does matter and that TERA's designers know how to create stunning scenery. The valley also plays host to a secretive cult bent on destroying both the beautiful landscapes and the ranchers who call it home. You can view both trailers after the cut.
En Masse sheds light on TERA's Mystic
The Mystic is sort of an unknown when it comes to TERA classes (at least in terms of available information). While there's no shortage of articles floating around the web about Berserkers, Sorcerers, and Warriors, Mystics have been shrouded in a bit of mystery unless you're one of the lucky few currently experiencing the Korean beta. Thanks largely to information translated from said beta, the TERA fan community has labeled the Mystic a hybrid class, and TERAfans sheds a bit more light on the archetype via a new interview with En Masse Entertainment production associate Scott James Magner. So, is the Mystic a true hybrid? Magner says it depends on the player. "We can't stress enough the importance of player skill and player choices when playing TERA. All mystics will have access to the same skills and glyphs -- it's how you use them that will distinguish your mystic from other players. There's no one right way to play the game other than yours," he writes.
Happy Holiday screenshots from TERA
Here I thought Santa was a jolly elf. Apparently, he is a dwarf with wicked muscles, or at least that's how TERA depicts him. Our friends at En Masse Entertainment have not been shy about showing off their exquisitely detailed MMO, especially shots of the scary vampires. Well, today we have some winter holiday-related screenshots including a few featuring the said dwarf/Santa Claus hybrid. TERA has consistently amazed fans with elaborate pictures of in-game footage. It seems hard to believe this is actually an action-MMO -- there's no slowed-down animation here. Spellcasters throw bolts of energy when you wave a wand; those swings of the sword are happening at the click of a button. And yes, that bee stings in real-time. There is no pause for animated sequences in this gameplay! On top of all this action, there is deep lore and story. You may wish to stop by the official website to learn more or maybe check out our other TERA-related image galleries. Happy Holidays! %Gallery-111746%
TERA auction house video shows off UI, functionality
While En Masse Entertainment and Bluehole Studio are marketing TERA as a combat-heavy action MMORPG, the new fantasy title isn't quite a one-trick pony. We recently got a look at some crafting and gathering videos and just yesterday stumbled across this new auction house video on YouTube. How exciting is an auction house video? Granted it doesn't get the heart racing like some of the game's combat footage, nor does it boast the visual pizazz of the thousands of screenshots released thus far. That said, the interface and the functionality look quite clean and streamlined (do keep in mind that this is Korean beta footage, however). Turn the page to see the auction house in action as well as some helpful translation text from the video's author.
Massively's exclusive TERA lore: Slaughter is the Best Medicine
Pay attention TERA fans, as Massively's got another lore exclusive to whet your appetite for the forthcoming fantasy MMORPG from En Masse and Bluehole Studio. While we'd love to tell you about American or European beta dates, not to mention a launch window, this tasty morsel from En Masse writer R.K. MacPherson will have to do for the moment. Join us after the cut for the story of Traius, a young Castanic soldier (and a member of the recently revealed Mystic class) who grows tired of waiting on the call to arms. Be sure to check out the new screens throughout the text, and have a look back at our previous lore exclusives for more of TERA's backstory.
En Masse unveils third TERA race and class series entry
It's been a while since we've been treated to an update of En Masse Entertainment's TERA Race and Class series. Happily, today marks the third installment, and it's all about Humans, Mystics, and Sorcerers. If you're in the mood for early Christmas presents, we've got them in the form of a new TERA screenshot gallery, a gameplay video of Sorcerers blowing stuff up, and a few blurbs about races, classes, and quests. TERA is currently gearing up for its Korean open beta, with a European and North American launch expected in 2011. Join us for all the juicy details after the cut. %Gallery-105090%
TERA crafting and gathering videos sighted
En Masse Entertainment and Bluehole Studio have made action combat the focus of TERA's marketing campaign, and for the most part, that's all we've heard about over the past several months (well, that and how much some people are turned off by bikini armor). At long last, a bit of information about TERA's crafting and gathering mechanics (yes it has them!) has surfaced. The news takes the form of a player-written guide over at TERAfans, and it features a run-down on resources, professions, and raw materials. As it turns out, players can opt to pursue alchemy, armor and weaponsmithing, carpentry, or tailoring and leatherworking professions. The article also features two in-game videos showing the mechanics in action. Jump the cut for some footage of a player gathering ore and crystal as well as the crafting of a low-level staff. Keep in mind that this info hails from the Korean beta client and so is subject to change.
TERA Korean loading screens give story clues
While the Korean version of TERA may or may not be analogous to the one we end up getting in the States or Europe, it's nonetheless a lot of fun to peruse the translations, videos, and screenshots that are starting to roll out of the Far East with more regularity. Courtesy of TERAfans, we now have a hefty gallery (approximately 40 images) featuring the artwork from the Korean client's loading screens. The images paint a picture of TERA's narrative and serve to whet our collective appetite for the lush world that En Masse and Bluehole Studio are bringing to life. Check out the images below, and hit up TERAfans for more information on the source. %Gallery-108422%
TERA G-Star information compiled
Looking for a compilation of last week's TERA news from G-Star? TERAfans has you covered in the form of an updated thread that brings together all of the convention news nuggets. From the new trailer (and a helpful primer on the Korean dialogue and associated plot points), to the myriad screenshots, class-based gameplay footage, and numerous translations of Q&A sessions with Bluehole developers, the thread is a must-read for fans of the upcoming action MMORPG. You'll also find helpful links to various discussion threads chewing the fat with regard to the new info (as well as a bit of head-scratching on features that still haven't seen the light of the day). Sound good? What are you waiting for then, head to TERAfans and get your fix.
G-Star 2010: TERA G-Star reveals outlined
Curious about the TERA-centric G-Star revelations the week has in store? We are too, and even though we've got Editor-in-Chief Shawn Schuster as our man in Korea, we're still combing the intarwebs for the very latest about the fantasy title from Bluehole Studio and En Masse Entertainment. En Masse has provided a helpful scorecard for the G-Star event in the form of a forum post that outlines what fans can expect to learn over the course of the convention. Bluehole representatives will be revealing information about the game's skill system, equipment system, PvP mechanics, guild systems, and the mysterious political system. Check out all the details at the official TERA website, and also have a look at the various translations available via TERAfans.
G-Star 2010: Bluehole shows off new TERA trailer
Lock up your kids, kids, as it's time for a new TERA trailer! Actually, you can let them out for this one, as it's less likely to offend the skimpy armor police than most of TERA's previously released footage. That's right, nearly everyone is fully clothed for the duration of the clip's two minutes and 37 seconds, though if you look hard enough there are a couple of cleavage shots, so don't say we didn't warn you. In other news, the trailer itself looks to be a mixture of gameplay and CGI, and it shows one heart-pounding action scene after another, along with some idyllic shots of gorgeous scenery, players and NPCs milling about, and even a touchscreen device (nope, we're not kidding). Check out the goods after the break, and stay tuned to Massively all week for the latest TERA and G-Star 2010 coverage.
G-Star 2010: Bluehole devs talk TERA payment model, launch date
If you're a TERA fan, chances are you're anxiously awaiting the smorgasbord of news sure to come out of this week's G-Star convention in Korea. Bluehole Studio has a large presence there of course, and thanks to the TERAfans website, we have an interesting translation of an interview with Bluehole CEO Kang-Suk Kim and developer Hyung-Kyu Park. The duo discusses everything from TERA's pending stress test (happening soon after G-Star) and upcoming open beta, to the decision to steer clear of the free-to-play payment model. "We can't say that TERA was made specifically for a subscription-based model, but we thought a lot about what the game was worth to players. We came to the conclusion that a monthly subscription would allow players to enjoy the game most easily. We are not interested in cash shops or partially making the game a pay model like some MMORPGs out there," Kim said. The interview also sheds a tiny bit of light on the game's political system, a feature that has been hinted at over the past several months but has, so far, lacked any definitive explanation. "The political system will be added in the [open beta test]. The political system is actually end game content so it won't really be active until the game's launch," Park said. Check out the full interview at TERAfans, and also bear in mind that this is a fan-made translation.
Massively's exclusive TERA lore: Brothers
Massively is proud to bring you another TERA exclusive this week, in the form of a new lore snippet penned by En Masse Entertainment scribe Bridget McKenna. The piece fleshes out more of TERA's extensive backstory by offering a glimpse into the lives of two Amani soldiers preparing for the endless war against the argon. Turn the page for another intriguing master and apprentice yarn, this time focusing on the stoic Nariiz and his tough-as-nails lance instructor Furad. Don't forget to gawk at our exclusive screenshots sprinkled throughout the text, and check out our previous lore exclusives that you might have missed.
TERA reveals second race and class series installment, achievement info
En Masse Entertainment is back with another carefully rationed dose of TERA information that manages to stave off our withdrawal pangs -- even if it isn't the large-scale expose we'd like. This time around, TERA's North American publisher presents a brief look at the game's achievement system as well as the latest installment in the ongoing race and class series. Join us after the cut for a bit about the Amani race as well as the Lancer class. Don't forget to check out the gallery of new screens below and the Lancer-focused video after the break. Finally, look for Massively's exclusive TERA lore reveal later this week. %Gallery-105090%
New TERA screens feature Kaiator defenders
En Masse Entertainment is back with another installment of its long-lived TERA Screenshots of the Week featurette. Today's images take us inside Kaiator, the Iron Bastion of the North, home city of the stoic amani race and an impenetrable fortress that has withstood 30 years of sustained argon attacks without a single breach. The shots show off a pair of amani warriors, male and female, the latter of which sports decidedly conservative armor (by TERA standards). Have a look at the Kaiator defenders in our updated gallery below, and don't forget to head to the game's official website for more information. %Gallery-96720%
TERA shows off spooky Eldritch Academy screens
We're back with another round of new screenshots from En Masse Entertainment's TERA. Actually, since we somehow missed last week's set, we've got twice the awesome for you this week in the form of four new shots for our ever-growing TERA gallery. Keeping with the Halloween theme, today's Screenshot of the Week featurette highlights Eldritch Academy, home of eerie toys, blood-sucking vampirs (nope, not a typo), and of course the ever-controversial attractive female avatars. Last week's shots come to us from the Freeholds, which are former farmlands recently occupied by federation soldiers waiting to take up arms against the Free Brotherhood. Check out both sets of images in our gallery below, or on TERA's official website. %Gallery-96720%
Bluehole Studio details new TERA itemization tweaks
It's been awhile since we've heard any newsworthy tidbits from TERA's Korean testing phase, and TERAfans has come to the rescue with a new article translation detailing itemization and fusion enchantment tweaks. Mr. Blue, community manager for Bluehole Studio details a plethora of loot item additions, as well as a new equipment rank system (normal, rare, or legendary). In addition to providing players with a quick way to gauge the worth of a loot drop, the new system also adds extra stats to the more desirable pieces (one, two, and three extra stats for each successive rank). The article also touches on fusion enchantment, crafting tweaks, and visual equipment variation. Check out all the details, including renders and screen captures from the Korean client, at TERAfans.
En Masse revamps TERA website, adds dev blog and class skill videos
TERA's visual style is a big part of the forthcoming title's identity. From the high poly-count graphics to the controversial outfits and animations, En Masse Entertainment's Asian import is covered in a shiny, shimmering gloss. Earlier this week, the publisher revamped TERA's official website to match, doing away with the older Flash design for a sleeker, slicker content-focused look. The site boasts an array of new features, including a new developer blog section and a media area with several new class videos viewable among the entries. In addition to the game's trailers, check out the skill-based videos for the various classes, including Lancer, Berserker, Priest, Slayer, Archer, Mystic, Warrior, and Sorcerer (the last of which you can also view after the cut).
Bluehole Studio's TERA westernization team interviewed
Inevitably, one of two things happens when we post a story about TERA's westernization. First, folks compare it to Aion (and the general consensus is usually that it will be similarly grindy). Second, people bring up Brian Knox, currently an En Masse producer who formerly worked as an NCsoft producer responsible for bringing Aion to western audiences. Happily, TERAfans has brought us information rather than speculation about TERA's journey overseas, in the form of a lengthy interview translation with members of Bluehole Studio's Korean localization team. The article, translated from the Korean original, touches on the challenges inherent in bringing a game to the North American market that values story presentation a bit more than the game's native Asian audience. "The English version really takes priority for the game's story. NA players consider a game's story a portion of the game's content. With that in mind we are currently working on how we can best convey TERA's story. For example, the story cannot just be told through simple text, but with many background stories for the NPCs and zones," says Young-Kwang Kim. The piece also makes clear that the job of westernization is much more than simply translating quest text into the appropriate language. Whether you're talking about the German, Japanese, or American markets, Bluehole's team is especially mindful of what it terms "culturalization" as opposed to localization. "It is true that we are careful about cultural differences more than anything. TERA's localization is more than a simple translation, word for word. We want to make it easier for players around the world to understand the game without hitting cultural walls," says Hee-Soo Lee. Head over to TERAfans for the full interview.
