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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 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.
TERA highlights air demons in new screenshots
Hey guess what? En Masse has released some more TERA screenshots! Shocking, we know, but it is that time of the week. The latest installment of the venerable Screenshots of the Week featurette takes us to the Celestial Hills, a place of power, divine energy, and -- apparently -- air demons known as kumas. The kumas are drawn to the raw power of the region, and their ultimate goal is to harvest as much of it as their ample bodies can sustain. While we've yet to uncover any lore or further details about the demons, you can bet we'll be carving our way through hordes of them when TERA releases. Until then, feast your eyes on the screenshots in our gallery below or on the official website. %Gallery-96720%
TERA enchantment crystals explained
While we've seen plenty of screenshots, videos, and armor renders for En Masse Entertainment's upcoming TERA MMORPG, in-depth information on game mechanics has been a bit scarce. Today, the game's official website has been updated with a lengthy article on the basics of enchantment crystals, giving TERA fans a better idea of the game's equipment customization and playstyle flexibility. In a nutshell, crystals are consumable items that players place on their weapons and armor. Unequipping them and/or dying may destroy said crystals, and this mechanic is presumably based -- at least in part -- on random number generation. Basic crystals grant increases to HP or MP, while rarer crystals only activate under certain conditions (but provide a much larger bonus). The article also mentions the three tiers of TERA bosses and how crystals affect them, as well as a few example crystals and their effects. Read all about it on the official website.
TERA polling community for development ideas
En Masse Entertainment's Evan "Scapes" Berman has checked in on the official TERA forums with a brief note that details a new community outreach program for the fantasy MMORPG. Velika's Voice will attempt to glean the collective community feeling for a particular in-game subject via a poll question and the resulting forum back-and-forth. "We will use the results and subsequent discussion harvested from these polls [...] to assist in the development of the game," Berman writes. While the skeptic in us feels like this might simply be a pro marketing move designed to keep TERA in the public eye, it will nonetheless be interesting to see some of the community responses and note whether the feedback does in fact influence the final product. Be sure to read the announcement and take part in the initial poll offering.
