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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 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 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!]
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!]
E3 2012: XL COO on ArcheAge, CBT4, and coming to America
This is one of those good news/bad news ArcheAge articles. The good news is that XLGAMES' sandpark title is absolutely coming to the West. The bad news, though, is that we still don't know exactly when. XL didn't have an official presence at this year's E3, but the firm was kind enough to set up a private interview with COO Suk Woo Choi away from the hustle and bustle of convention ground zero. We talked at length about CBT4, game systems, and the challenges inherent in localizing ArcheAge for Europe and America.
New ArcheAge video shows improvements to Rainbow Fields
ArcheAge's CBT4 ended a couple months ago, and XLGAMES has been busy putting the information gathered to use. To showcase changes and improvements made during the break between CBT4 and CBT5, the studio has planned a series of videos. The first video in this series highlights the transformation of one starting area, Rainbow Fields; once described as empty and flat, this region is now populated with more buildings, has a more diverse landscape, and sports improved weather effects. Although there is still no official word on ArcheAge being released to the western market, sandbox hopefuls can check out the latest improvements after the break. [Thanks to Sandboxer for the tip!]
ArcheAge evaluates CBT4 and revs up for CBT5
After 95 days of intense testing, ArcheAge has put an end to the game's fourth closed beta and is evaluating the results in preparation for the next round. XLGAME's Jake Song said to the press that over 2,000 pieces of feedback were gathered from the event and most all of them were directly addressed by the team. ArcheAge's fourth closed beta test expanded the game significantly. Three land regions, four sea zones, siege warfare, pirates, an auction house, the Kraken, and the new Hariharan race were added for players to try out. The team also improved the look of the Ferre race and clarity during character creation. During the event, XLGAMES incorporated a Footprint system into the game that would "mark" a trespasser who attempted to steal another player's resources, such as cutting down trees. One new feature was removed, however. The team had a combustible liquor barrel in the game but yanked it when griefers threw it into the middle of a wedding ceremony and killed everyone. As the devs put a wrap on closed beta four, Jake Song says that they're hard at work preparing for the fifth test. Before that happens, however, the team will attempt to fix many of the bugs that popped up during the last test, improve client downloading speeds, and incorporate instant dungeons and housing improvements.
