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Dev shop-talk on Hellgate: London's factions and classes
Say it with me: "It's not another Diablo clone. It's not another Diablo clone." Okay, on the outside maybe it is a little, and I see why people think that since a few of the same developers who whipped up this hellacious game set in a futuristic London backdrop did a little something-something called Diablo 2. Yea, it's easy drawing comparisons between the two because both games have different settings, different classes with different skill trees -- oh freakin' hell, that's Diablo 2 slapped right-on-top of Hellgate: London! I laugh giddily at those who think it's the same game without even trying it first. You should decide if the game is fun as hell to play and the best way to do that is opening the gates and checking out the Hellgate: London demo. If a download is out of the question, but you are still interested in the different classes; a developer-diary posted on Pro-G keeps the gates to hell open by discussing Hellgate: London's character classes, the factions, weapons, and the hellish cycle classes went through to get to where they are today.
Flagship responds to the Hell Gate: London EULA-Adware debacle
Many Hellgate: London players are crying, "don't adware me bro" after finding out that real-world deodorant ads for zombie slayers flicker on posters and signs during their gaming experience. Various adverts are implemented into the game by Massive Incorporated -- a company that specializes in accessible in-gaming ad distribution. Upon deeper inspection it was found Hellgate: London's EULA isn't all about rainbows and puppies and there is some cause for a revolt, I mean concern. If you aren't aware of what an EULA is, they "shrink-wrapped" contracts written in fancy legal word-play that most players click-off before diving into the game. Basically, the bedlam is over a clause in Hellgate: London's EULA that grants EA and its affiliates carte blanche with a player's sensitive data. 3. Consent to Use of Data. You agree that EA, its affiliates, and each Related Party may collect, use, store and transmit technical and related information that identifies your computer, including without limitation your Internet Protocol address, operating system, application software and peripheral hardware, that may be gathered periodically to facilitate the provision of software updates, dynamically served content, product support and other services to you, including online play. EA and/or the Related Parties may also use this information in the aggregate and, in a form which does not personally identify you, to improve our products and services and we may share that aggregate data with our third party service providers.Before those clenching their fists break a finger and swear to never purchase Hellgate: London because you think they are evil data moochers let me explain, hell, at least read Flagship's explanation first. This type of clause is standard in most MMOG EULA's -- go take a look at any MMOG EULA or check out ancient news about players discovering World of Warcraft's anti-cheating solution dubbed The Warden. Of course, most players are still ill-informed about EULA's, online security and what sometimes results is a nasty backlash over paranoia and fear. I definitely understand the negative reactions over the ads, but the EULA is there for several good reasons, one is to not only protect the developers but to also preserve the gaming experience. Flagship's well thought out response recapped after the jump:
Flagship's other MMO - Mythos nearing release
With all the buzz about Flagship Studios' upcoming game, Hellgate: London, it hasn't been difficult to forget their subsidiary studio Flagship Seattle, who are currently beta-testing their own new MMO, Mythos. Mythos, due to ship later this year, is a free-to-download, free-to-play, casual MMO which will be distributed by another Flagship subsidiary Ping0 LLC (in North America and Europe) and HanbitSoft (in Asia).
Optional Hellgate: London subcriptions set at $9.95 per month
Games for Windows Magazine (via Hellgate Guru) reports that the optional MMO mode in Hellgate: London will cost players $9.95 per month. The subscription service, provided in addition to a single-player campaign and basic online functionality, will benefit from a continuous stream of content from developer, Flagship Studios, as well as several other features. Compared to the once-off package, these include round-the-clock support services, a lack of server queues, four times the amount of characters allotted to each player, increased item storage, guild functionality and other typical MMO offerings. In essence, the monthly fee acts as a gateway to a different business model, netting you an "elite" version of the post-apocalyptic RPG. The absurdly lucrative business model that powers an MMO like World of Warcraft must be the ultimate temptation and source of envy to those publishing games in the more traditional vein. Whereas most transactions end once the game is purchased, consistent online universes have the player not only buy the game, but continue sending money month after month. Much like slipping on a patch of oil deposited on the driveway by your neighbor's recently discovered geyser, it's not a financial prospect you can easily ignore.
Hellgate London 'might' be subscription-based [update 1]
Flagship Studios' Hellgate: London will share many similarities with the typical MMO, including a subscription fee. Make no mistake, Hellgate's online component won't be a string of PvP deathmatch servers, no, included in the multiplayer experience will be an expansive social system that includes guilds and raid-type gameplay.Online, Hellgate will feature all of the single-player missions, plus additional modes, primarily focusing on group PvE instances -- limited PvP gameplay will be available at launch. Additional content will be continually provided by a dedicated team of developers. Sure sounds like an MMO, no?Update: Co-publisher EA has stated that the online pricing model has not been officially decided (more here).
Hellgate: London source code lifted?
Gamers With Jobs Press Pass passed along their scoop that the source code for Flagship Studios upcoming spiritual Diablo sequel, Hellgate: London, has been hacked right out of their network, like meat from the bone. Ex-Blizzard developer, and co-founder of Flagship Studios, Bill Roper stated "that while they have heard the same rumors they cannot confirm or deny that any code has been lifted from their servers." Can't he check? We'll wait ...... anyways, according to Press Pass' sources -- sources we can only imagine exist in the shadowy, illicit corners of the internet that our library filters won't let us anywhere near -- "the virtual break-in was conducted by a Chinese individual who is currently attempting to sell the code from a personal website." See, shadowy contraband getting pushed on the black markets of the internet ... it reads like a hackneyed beach thriller, but nerdier and not mass-marketable.Let's hope the team at Flagship doesn't follow the historical antecedent that Valve set when the source code for Half Life 2 was stolen in 2003: the already delayed title suffered another year of delays before being released in the fall of 2004. Then again, that delay ended with the release of a fantastic game, so we'll take that back. Half Life 2 is fine company to be in, delay or not. [Thanks, Shawn]
