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New Wakfu screenshots display more UI palettes
We're looking forward to Wakfu, the new 'tactical' MMORPG from Ankama, the makers of Dofus. Exactly how Wakfu will differ from Dofus in gameplay isn't entirely clear just yet, but visually, it's got a gorgeous look, much higher-res than its predecessor. Video of gameplay shows small but noticeable improvements, like grasses swaying in the wind, and water levels advancing and receding.The latest batch of screenshots on gamershell.com show more user interface elements, including the customary inventory screen, armor and weapons window (with player character included, something new), and others. If you can read (and understand) French, maybe you can puzzle out what's going on in the others. Still no release date for the beta, so let these beautiful shots appease your hunger for now.
Aeria devolves with Stone Age 2
Aeria Games, providers of popular free-to-play MMOs Dream of Mirror Online, Last Chaos, Shaiya, and Twelve Sky, among others, continues its wild growth with a new game set in a fictional prehistoric time: Stone Age 2. A 2D, isometric view, similar to Dofus, is the milieu for this title, which will be released in North America at an unspecified date. There are a couple of intriguing game mechanics for this new MMO, including a deeper Pet system than exists in most games, allowing players the ability to train their pets (which is the heart of gameplay), and receive updates on pet status via email sent directly to their cellphones. There is even mention of being able to access video of in-game events by way of fixed cameras, while you're unable to drop into the game itself. Could this type of game-to-real world interaction be the precursor to a new wave of always-on content? Get screenshots of this new title at its website.[Via WorthPlaying]
DOFUS Arena's Cedric Gerard takes his turn at an interview
DOFUS Arena poses a problem to us here at Massively because of it's name. On one hand we're completely into a massively game in the vein of turn-based strategy RPGs like Disgaea or Final Fantasy Tactics. While on the other hand, the name of this game makes us want to burn our eyeballs and then bury them. So when we saw this interview with Ankama Game's Cédric Gérard, it was a difficult call to make; burn and bury our eyes or write about the interview?
The Daily Grind: What would you pay for?
At this year's Game Developer's Conference, a lot of hay was made over the concept of microtransactions and the free-to-play model. Attendees seemed split right down the middle, some for, some against. It wouldn't be a stretch to characterize the Massively readership as similarly split. But for those of you who love your free-to-play MMOs, is there anything that would get you to pay a monthly fee?Many titles have the option to both play free and pay a monthly; Dofus, for example, and Second Life too, to polarize the offerings. Are there any such models that have shot themselves in the foot by making the paid content not appealing enough to energize users to pay? If not, what will it take?
Wakfu is NOT Dofus
As mentioned in a previous post, there is an animated series in production called Wakfu the TV Series, but while it features characters types from the MMO Dofus, Wakfu itself is an in-beta MMO that's based on the world and characters from Dofus.So, what's the difference between the two? According to their website, Wakfu will be more of what you love about Dofus -- improved graphics, new class spells, more character customization -- but with an added dimension to interacting with the environment and the community, including electing players to governorship, and preservation of the forests. If the graphical simplicity of Dofus turns you off, perhaps Wakfu will be more to your liking. Check out the shiny goodness in their trailer.[Thanks, Note!]
Dofus' Wakfu - the TV series
As stated, Dofus is an MMO with an outstanding and appealing aesthetic; one that I've often wished were available to just watch, like a cartoon. Well, apparently Ankama Games and I were on the same wavelength, because sure enough, there's an animated show being produced as we speak!Wakfu - the TV series follows the adventures of Yugo, a young boy with a strong sense of justice, and his four adventurous friends, each one of them a different warrior type from the world of Dofus. Take a gander at the trailer -- it's a fantastic mix of European and Asian animation styles and perfectly captures the sometimes alien, sometimes whimsical World of Twelve. No release date has been offered, but I'm keeping all channels open for the announcement!
Dofus opens test servers in America and Canada
As of yesterday, and continuing for the next month, Ankama Games' Dofus MMO will offer 5x the earned experience for all players playing on the new American test server. You can download the client software at the community site right away.Dofus is an MMO I signed up for a long time ago and immediately fell in love with its art style. It's completely 2D, but the adorable design and animations are well worth the download -- and it's free! You can check out previous Massively entries on Dofus to help you decide if you want in or not, but don't wait too long ... 5x experience won't be around forever!
Space for a new style of MMO?
As you may know if you've read my earlier posts, I'm basically a Second Lifer, but in the interests of research and writing for Massively, I've tried Runescape, Dofus, Oberin, Vendetta Online and World of Warcraft. You may also have noticed a number of first impressions posts but relatively little follow up.This isn't entirely an accident. All of the games have failed to attract and keep my attention. Second Life has not. Come the end of my free month, I'm not 99% certain I won't be subscribing to World of Warcraft because it's doing the same things as the other games.
DOFUS's Livitinems
If you're having trouble reading that word, I'll admit that I do too. It's pronounced 'LIH-vih-TIH-nem'. But when my eyes glide over it, I just keep wanting to say 'living items', which must be the point, 'cause that's what they are!Livitinems are benign critters in the world of DOFUS that live in your clothing items, whose only purpose in life is to change the appearance of your wardrobe. They don't confer bonuses or extra protection, they just sit there on top of you and occasionally comment on your adventures. An interesting thing about Livitinems is that they eat items; capes eat capes, amulets eat amulets, etc. When they've been fed enough, they evolve into a new appearance; Ankama says they can evolve up to 20 unique appearances. How do you get a Livitinem? Either by subscribing to DOFUS, buying them, or exchanging them with other owners. There are those who may think the idea of a living hat that eats other hats is a little creepy, but just think of it like it's the Minish Cap -- cute! Wait ... they might be trying to say 'live it in 'em' instead. I'll find out and let you know!
New MMO: Luminary: Rise of the GoonZu
Now, before you say anything, just bear in mind that sometimes a name just doesn't translate well outside of its country of origin. Obviously, this is one of those names, and it's unfortunate, because Luminary: Rise of the GoonZu sounds like an admirable attempt at something completely new.Check it out: an MMO in which you play in such a way as to rise through the ranks of society, gathering supporters and momentum to attempt to attain the highest rank. From the press release: "Simulating a real world society, players in Luminary: Rise of the GoonZu can become an artisan and create their own items. Sell these items in the market and build your wealth. Purchase town stocks, lease buildings and even employ your own workforce. Have you earned the respect of your fellow players? Run for office in the residential election and become the GoonZu and control the server's future."That sounds totally amazing, and a breath of fresh air, frankly. No mention of combat, monsters, level grinding, etc. Looking at the game's website brings all of that stuff in force, but I'm still very interested. However, I can see its name working against it; do you want to become the GoonZu? Though what do I know? Tons of people play Dofus all the time.[Thanks, Robin!]
Wall o' thumbs: new galleries this week
Submitted for your approval: here's a collation of all our new eye candy this week. Galleries Dofus Gallery Exteel Gallery First Impressions: Flyff EverQuest: Secrets of Faydwer EverQuest II: Rise of Kunark EverQuest II: Sarnak starter guide Gallery
More thoughts on Dofus
I wrote up my initial thoughts on Dofus over here. Here I am back with more pictures and a final report on why it didn't gel for me. Whilst I would love to write a totally unbiased review of Dofus, I don't think I can. I will try to highlight my experiences of how it works, and how it can be used so you can make an informed decision as to whether it is your kind of thing. Keep in mind that my opinions will be coloured by the fact it didn't grab me hard enough to make me carry on. The first thing to say is that you can almost certainly get a good experience from playing Dofus as a free-to-play user. Pay-to-play (about US$6.90/month) gives benefits: better drops; no limits on professions; certain drops only accessible to pay-to-play; certain areas only accessible to pay-to-play. This lets you try before you buy. %Gallery-10531%
Dofus embraces permadeath with new hardcore servers
Richard Bartle once said, "Do you want permadeath or pedophilia? Both seem equally attractive to most players." In other words, permanent death in MMORPGs is pretty much unheard of, and most people who hear the idea are horrified that it should even be suggested. A few MUDs have it, but in the graphical world, there's almost no such thing. The original Lord of the Rings MMO that was developed by Sierra and eventually canceled was going to have it. That's the closest we've gotten to mainstream MMO permadeath.The developers of Dofus, then, are either completely insane or just very daring. They've announced plans to open up "hardcore" servers in December. On hardcore servers, player characters will receive significantly more experience and gain new items and abilities much faster than on normal servers. But when they die, that's it. They've passed on. They are no more. They have ceased to be. Bereft of life, they rest in peace. They've joined the bleeding choir invisible. They are, in their entireties, ex-Dofus toons.At various stages in an age-old debate, proponents have suggested that if executed in the right way in a certain kind of game, permadeath could enrich the online gaming experience. Battles would be more intense and PvP would be more meaningful, for example. Will you play on Dofus' hardcore servers, or is permadeath an affront to everything you believe in?
First impressions: Dofus
Dofus is a flash-based, browser fantasy game. It says it works on all platforms, and will even play over a dial-up modem, and there's no reason it shouldn't as long as you've got flash installed. It worked without a hitch (once I'd set Flash permissions to run the download) on my Mac. It offers an extensive free-to-play area, although some skills are limited unless you pay - the UK servers charge £6.70/month, (about €10 or US$14), and there are a couple of pay-to-play character classes too.Creating characters is fairly easy, but the support from the main site is poor, although the Dofus wiki can help if you choose a popular class. There is a "total beginner" area where you get shown the basics of combat, then a newbie's area you can explore - although there are some really tough fights there if you're not careful. I expected to have a quick look, and move on. I'm not sure I'm hooked, but I stayed long enough to handle the final dungeon and get my stylish hat (it makes you do +1 damage, sounds good to me!).
