BlueHole
Latest
TERA's Chris Hager explains server merges and game health
Like a lot of MMOs released in recent years, TERA launched with a bang and then dwindled, forcing En Masse to first lay off staff back in August and then lay off servers in preparation for yesterday's realm merges. And yet the studio seems determined to keep the game alive in the West, promising content updates and small-group, impromptu flash events run by event staff, the likes of which MMO players rarely see outside of old-school games like Ultima Online. Curious about what all these news bytes portend for the game's future, we sat down with En Masse Entertainment Producer Chris Hager to discuss the reasoning behind the server merges, the effect of the layoffs on the game, and whether TERA might just be the next title to go free-to-play.
TERA's staff planning on more events and more content updates
TERA has consolidated to three servers today, but the latest dispatch from producer Chris Hager doesn't dwell on that. No, this dispatch is all about what the game has in the pipeline, starting with more events for players to enjoy. Hager lays out plans the team has made for the fall, like new small-scale events run by the staff on a more regular basis alongside weekend events targeting larger groups of players. The update doesn't mention dates, but it does give several ideas of event types (random races or scavenger hunts as flash events, increased dungeon rewards for weekend events). Hager also stresses that the game is rolling out further content updates starting with the return of crafting quests and a large-scale Berserker update. There's another large patch due out this fall as well as significant changes to Enchanting, and there are undisclosed further projects being developed jointly by En Masse Entertainment and Bluehole Studios. Players looking for more details can glean a few from the official letter.
TERA on sale again, merge details revealed
Yo dawg, Amazon heard you might like TERA, so it's giving you TERA when you buy TERA so you'll have two copies of TERA. Bizarre though it might sound, it's the truth. Purchase a digital download version of TERA on Amazon right now for $9.99 and you'll receive a second key for the game as well at no additional charge. It's worth noting that this deal is valid for only the downloaded version; the retail version does not have the same price discount or special offer. The deal doesn't technically reward you with an immediate copy, instead providing a $9.99 promotional credit that can be redeemed only on a second copy of TERA. This credit is valid until October 15th, but the promotion ends on September 22nd. If you and a friend have been tempted to give TERA a shot, now is obviously the time to jump in, although you may want to wait for a day as the game is merging down to three servers tomorrow. In fact, En Masse has just officially announced the names of the new servers and revealed additional details about the merges on the TERA website. [Thanks to potatochobit for the tip!]
One Shots: Go directly to jail
You have to love a culture that thinks jail should be a breathtaking experience for the prisoner... literally! Today's One Shots from reader Lovander (Tarnished Coast represent!) shows how Guild Wars 2's Sylvari race mixes glowing sparkles with deadly detention cells. Lovander wrote, I came upon this jail in the Sylvari capital, The Grove. Every cell is a Venus Fly Trap. Loved the design! Follow on for the color screenie plus a few more One Shots beyond the break.
TERA is merging down to three servers
The latest letter from TERA's producer is out, and while it includes some interesting statistics, the most important bit of information is that the game will be trimming down its server list. On September 18th, the game will be shrinking to three servers: an unnamed PvE server, an unnamed PvP server, and the existing RP server called Celestial Hills. The letter is quick to state that this is a net positive for players looking for a larger and more active population within a given server. Customer service has already assembled a set of answers for obvious questions. Any players with more than eight characters in total will be locked out of playing until some of those characters are deleted, so if you've got characters on several PvE or PvP servers, you might want to delete some. Players can also expect banks to be merged (with an overflow tab if you need to withdraw some items) and all vanarch statuses to be reset, with refunds to active candidates. The full producer's letter has some other things for players to look forward to during September and beyond. [Thanks to Marisa for the tip!]
Jukebox Heroes Extra: An interview with Inon Zur
Did you grow up watching Power Rangers? I didn't, but then again, I was slightly over the age demographic there. But it tickles me pink (ranger) that the guy who got his start doing background music for one of the cheesiest shows of all time ended up scoring many of the greatest video games of all time. Israeli-born Inon Zur was hard at work in the film, TV, and video game industry in the '90s, but it wasn't until 2002's Icewind Dale II that his music and fame started to climb to a whole different level. Zur started winning awards left and right for his work on Dragon Age, Fallout 3, Prince of Persia, and Men of Valor, among other titles. MMO players might not know it, Zur's deft hand is all over the place. He's composed several EverQuest and EverQuest II expansions, the now-defunct Exteel, last year's RIFT and most recently, TERA. As a driving force behind MMO music, Inon Zur has a unique perspective on what makes for a great audio experience. Want to hear more? Us too. We have a great interview with Zur as well as a few select pieces of his works after the jump.
TERA digital download clients 60% off through August 28th
If you've been holding out to purchase TERA, you might be happy to know that En Masse has just put the digital download copies up for sale. You can grab the standard version of the game for $14.99, while the digital collector's edition will set you back a measly $19.99 (that's a whopping 60% off if you're counting at home). Both bundles include 30 days of free gameplay, while CE purchases also net you a Frostlion mount and a couple of stat-enhancing necklaces. The sale runs through August 28th. [Thanks to potato for the tip!]
TERA launches The Argon Queen patch, complete with events
Are you ready to face new challenges in TERA? Challenges like the new battlegrounds, new raids, and new max-level dungeons? Then you'll be happy to know that the game's latest patch, titled The Argon Queen, has brought all of these to the table. Players can now queue for instanced PvP at the level cap, square off against dangerous foes in raid groups, and test their mettle against three new top-tier instances. This coincides nicely with the addition of new tanking skills and mechanics for Warriors and Lancers. Of course, players will need to be in full fighting trim to face off against the eponymous Argon Queen, and that means everyone needs to be up to the level cap. To facilitate this, all characters will be receiving special buff items via item claim to increase experience earned and damage dealt for an hour. These rewards will go out once per day until the Argon Queen arrives on the scene. Instance drop rates are also improved for random group matchups, encouraging players to get out and gear up... you know, if the trailer for the update just past the cut didn't get you in that mood anyway.
One Shots: Counting blessings
Massively reader Ralph "The Wonder Llama" (don't look at me!) delivered this spectacular TERA image to headline this week's One Shots. He wrote in: This is my Amani Berzerker, Sequoia. She's seen here showing off her brand-new crafted level 40 plate armor (proving once again that you don't have to show a lot of skin to look totally hot!). We took some time out from our busy schedule of monster slaying in TERA to admire the scenery in Blessing Basin, a beautiful forested zone full of strange and exotic creatures, most of whom want to kill you. This particular shot was taken at the Fountain of Shara, where Mystel, the goddess of fate, determines whether intrepid adventurers are are worthy of her assistance. I'm pleased to report that Sequoia passed the test with flying colors! Ralph's screenshots and a few others worthy of highlighting are tucked beyond the break.
TERA Argon Queen date and PvP details revealed
It's almost time to come face-to-face with the argon queen herself. On August 22nd, the Argon Queen update will hit TERA, bringing in new dungeons, skills, and PvP battlegrounds, as well as a 20-person raid. The new battlegrounds will allow teams of 15 to face off from across servers in a vicious fight for dominance. There are three bases to control, and in the midst of killing off other players and staking a claim, players will also have to keep an eye out for BAMs and normal mobs that have been thrown into the mix of things. Weekly rankings and sweet, sweet loot await the brave warriors who dare step into the battlegrounds. Seeing is believing, or something, so skip below the cut to check out a new and action-packed video. [Source: En Masse Entertainment press release]
TERA lawsuit settled, En Masse maintains innocence [Updated]
According to a statement issued to Massively by En Masse Entertainment last night, TERA publisher En Masse and NCsoft have finally resolved their long-standing feud and settled their lawsuit. The lawsuit centered around claims that TERA's Korean developer, Bluehole Studio, stole assets from the in-production Lineage III to create TERA. While Korean courts found some ex-NCsoft employees at Bluehole guilty in the original criminal trial, En Masse stood by its claim of innocence through the culmination of this civil lawsuit. Recent layoffs at the studio nevertheless worry players. We've posted En Masse's statement in its entirety behind the break.
TERA publisher En Masse hit with layoffs [Updated]
En Masse Entertainment community manager Evan "Scapes" Berman has tweeted that layoffs are underway at the publisher responsible for bringing TERA to the western market. "Layoffs have occurred at En Masse. I was hit," Berman wrote. TERA launched on May 1st in North America and May 3rd in Europe after an extensive "westernization" development cycle that tweaked the native Korean client. Massively has contacted En Masse for an official statement and we'll keep you posted as this story develops. [Update: En Masse has responded to our comment request with a statement from publishing vice president Chris Lee. We've placed the statement behind the break.]
TERA shows off new skills for Lancers and Warriors
Are you a Lancer in TERA who's tired of standing in place while Warriors gracefully dance about? Are you a Warrior in TERA who's tired of dodging everything when some attacks are just easier to block through? Are you just a person who likes to watch videos of new class abilities? All three groups will be happy with the newest TERA video, which shows off the two new Lancer abilities and three new Warrior abilities debuting in the game's next major patch. Lancers gain Backstep, which does more or less exactly what it sounds like, and Wallop, which hits the ground hard and knocks over your enemy. Warriors gain Cross Parry, which functions as a block; Smoke Flanker, which teleports the Warrior behind the enemy and hits back; and Reaping Slash, a spiraling attack that knocks down your target. Click on past the break to see all of the skills in action in this short video.
The Daily Grind: Have you ever bought a sparkle pony?
Two years ago, a marketing firm produced a study showing that 75% of gamers partake of microtransactions in their online games. Not long after that study was published, World of Warcraft enraged opponents of "double-dipping" by kicking off the sale of a $25 luxury mount that gamers pseudo-affectionately dubbed the sparkle pony. And then EverQuest II released a mount for a similar fee. And then TERA. And then RIFT. For all the hatred these high-end cash-shop mounts provoke, people are buying them -- enough people to make it a model worth copying. Some of these subscription games will sell sparkle anything. I'll fess up first: I bought myself a sparkle pony when Blizzard put the mount on sale for 10 bucks a while back, and I love it (it reminds me of celestial gear and creatures in Guild Wars, so I was weak!). But I still feel a little guilty. What about you? Have you ever bought an overpriced mount for cash in an MMO? Why did you do it, and do you feel the pang of guilt I do about supporting a double-dipping subscription game? 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!
En Masse suiting up for TERA summer event
Is your High Elf looking a little pale? Want to show off those washboard abs on your Baraka? You're in luck because En Masse is gearing up for a TERA summer event sure to put a smile on the face of beach lovers and bikini collectors of any race. The fun starts August 3rd and runs through August 13th. You'll need to defeat monsters in TERA's coastal zones to collect special event boxes. Inside you'll find fireworks, rare crystals, consumables, and 30-day swimsuits (yes, they are temporary). There are also a few new achievements on tap, so head to the official TERA website for further details.
SWTOR dominates GDC Online Awards nominations
The nominations for the Third Annual GDC Online Awards are up, and Star Wars: The Old Republic is represented across the board. BioWare's sci-fi MMO netted six nominations, including one for Online Innovation. That's not to say that SWTOR is the only MMO in the running; quite the contrary. Glitch is up for Best Online Game Design, World of Warcraft has a shot at Best Community Relations, RIFT is a strong contender for Best Live Game, and TERA might snag Best Online Visual Arts -- and that's just the tip of the iceberg. There's also a broader Audience Award that encompasses an even wider field. 2012's Game Developers Conference Online is taking place from October 9th through 11th and will be keynoted by John Smedley.
Subscribe to TERA's newsletter, get free stuff for the game
The people at En Masse Entertainment want you to read the TERA newsletter. But they're not going to spend a whole lot of time boring you with its virtues. No, they're just going to straight-up bribe you with the promise of free character goodies. All subscribers to the newsletter with an active TERA subscription will receive a code for a free Black Bandit Mask as long as they've signed up to receive the newsletter by 2:59 a.m. EDT on July 26th. If you aren't currently signed up to receive the letter and have a burning need to cover your face, you can sign up under Account Management on the official site. The codes for the masks will be distributed along with the next newsletter, which will include instructions on how to redeem them. It's a neat little promotion to ensure that players are kept in the loop about the game's development with just a little extra bribery.
One Shots: A big white blur
Conventional wisdom holds that snow zones in games and movies make for a featureless, monochrome eyesore that bores onlookers, and yet both Star Wars Galaxies and Star Wars: The Old Republic couldn't resist the allure of Hoth. Today's One Shots from reader Brooks reveals his character resting above an imposing crevasse on the notorious ice planet as depicted in SWTOR: Surrounded by the harsh beauty of ice and stone, Jedi Knight Omiko Kell takes a meditative moment to reflect on the weight of her responsibility to the native people and Republic forces struggling for freedom and survival on the desolate and unforgiving planet of Hoth. Does she sway from her primary mission set forth by her Order and help others, or will she let them stand alone in their fight against the Empire, pirates, and mercenaries while she focuses on her Masters' directive? Whichever one gives you the most legacy points, of course. Brooks' full screenshot and a few others are beyond the cut!
Choose My Adventure: At the end of TERA
All good things must come to an end, including my run of Choose My Adventure. There have been high points and low points, good parts and bad, but there's only so much time to cover the game. And so I leave TERA, confident that while I may have missed points, at least I have a broad sense of the game. That's certainly less... straightforward than previous installments of this column have been for me. My impressions of TERA have really been all over the map. There are things I absolutely love about the game, but a lot of them are minor touches. There's one part that I think is absolutely brilliant, and a lot that's absolutely juvenile. The game has a lot of systems that are essentially filling space without adding anything. And as a result, it's really hard to classify the whole game as being good or bad or neutral.
TERA chronoscrolls to be made available via Amazon
Game developers are always looking for new and exciting ways for you to give them your money. To that end, En Masse has partnered up with Amazon.com to sell TERA chronoscrolls, which are redeemable for a month of game time or for cold, hard gold from in-game brokers. Chronoscroll purchases through Amazon don't come with a clunky ol' code that has to be entered in anywhere. Instead, sweetening the deal, chronoscrolls will appear automagically in your in-game Item Claim window. Need more convincing? Customers who integrate their En Masse and Amazon accounts in the next 30 days will get free stuff! The federation field kit, full of in-game goodies, will be available for free from Amazon. Check out the official news post for full details and the TERA + Amazon support page if this sounds like your kind of thing.
