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Rise and Shiny: Knight Age
Knight Age is an adorable new Anime MMO brought to us by Joymax. I want to emphasize the word adorable because the game is perfectly designed to illicit a reaction that is something along the lines of "Awww, look how cute that is! My head is explo.." and it really does have that effect. In fact I love the graphics of Knight Age so much that I would give anything to see an MMO developed that looks like Knight Age yet has the hardcore ruleset of, say, a Wurm Online or Darkfall. Yes, I am entirely serious. Strange how many players tend to think that "serious" or "hardcore" titles need serious or machine-taxing graphics. That's simply not true; just ask a World of Warcraft raider. The point is that the graphics of Knight Age are one of my favorite things in the entire universe. The characters are chunky and solid, the animations are smooth, and the game runs like butter. Does this mean I do not like more realistic graphics? No, it means that I like all sorts of graphics and all sorts of gameplay. It's possible for a writer to enjoy different things. I know, crazy huh? But what does Knight Age offer other than amazingly awww-rific graphics? Some interesting gameplay, that's what, and a soft grind. Allow me to explain.
Rise and Shiny revisit: Order and Chaos Online
It's been over a year since I last officially looked at Order and Chaos Online. The funny thing is that when I reread my older article, I immediately notice how my experience has not really altered since then. I pretty much had the exact play experience. What has changed is my appreciation for much of what the game does. I am still impressed by certain parts and quite bored by others, but overall the presentation is where the mobile title shines. There have been a few developments over the last year but not many. One of the biggest was the addition of mounts. I checked them out and basically spent my time between the two servers: one for Android players and another for iOS. I even struggled with streaming the game from my iPad!
Knight Age open beta launches today
The long-awaited event is upon us! People have been looking forward to this day for so long, and all that waiting will now pay off: Knight Age enters open beta testing today! Players entering the OBT will be able to keep their characters, levels, items, and all that jazz for launch, so your efforts won't be wasted. Unlock mounts -- including a new special duck mount -- and strike fear into the hearts of your foes as you charge into battle. Raise pets from tiny pupae into lean, mean, fighting machines. Experiment by fusing two pupae to create a new pet that combines the strengths of both parents. Engage in large-scale PvP battles to fight for the glory of wielding Excalibur, or fight in mounted battles against other guilds. Seize the day. Visit Knight Age's official site to sign up and hit up the game's Facebook page to get in the know. [Source: Joymax press release]
Joymax announces Knight Age, opens beta for one week
The studio that brought us Silkroad Online has announced its newest venture in the MMORPG market: Knight Age. Based on a vast world of knights battling against a malicious god, the game will feature pets that will fight alongside players, guild sieges, and giant PvP battles of 50v50 and even 1v100 in the ultimate fight for Excalibur. And what's a knight without his or her horse? Knight Age will feature mounted combat in which players will be able to perform elaborate attack skills while mounted and on the move. The first English closed beta is open to everyone on July 10th and will last one full week until the 17th. Players can participate in this beta via the official site. [Source: Joymax press release]
Silkroad-R R-elaunches
Don't let the fancy title fool you: Silkroad-R (the R is for "rebirth") isn't a completely new game but an updated version of Joymax's previous Silkroad. Brought into the shop for some body work and a new paint job, Silkroad-R is back and better than ever. Silkroad-R will exist on its own servers, seperate from its Silkroad ancestor. Joymax is particularly proud of a "buffed-up" cash shop, as CEO Nam-chul Kim explains: "There's many aspects of Silkroad-R that we changed or improved based on user feedback, and we took a long time investigating the cash shop and evaluating each item." To celebrate the relaunch, Joymax is sponsoring a string of giveaways through February 7th. Players who reach specific levels have a chance at Amazon gift cards and in-game boosts and items. Other launch events include a special XP-boosting NPC and a player-submitted wallpaper/greeting card contest. You can check out the official trailer for Silkroad-R after the jump! [Source: Joymax press release]
Silkroad-R adding new server, gearing up for re-launch
When we heard about Silkroad-R, our first thought was buhwhat? Is Joymax getting into race cars or something? As it turns out, the "R" stands for rebirth, and the free-to-play fantasy MMO is being groomed for a new launch in 2012 (sans some of the problems that plagued it in its original run). A new Joymax press release describes the leaner, meaner Silkroad as "the all-new, light and easy- to-play massively multiplayer online role-playing game that picks up where the original left off." The company is also touting a "bot-free and lag-free experience" that includes a new server to cope with the expected new-user demand. Open beta testing is going on now through January 17th, 2012, and you can learn more about the reboot at the official Silkroad website. [Source: Joymax press release]
Rise and Shiny Recap: Evony
Yes, you read the title correctly. This week I revisited Evony. But don't worry -- I tend to write about a game's gameplay and how it made me feel, not the politics surrounding it, especially during a time when people are talking more about an instance of poor taste in lieu of a discussion about how fun the game is. In other words, I will only speak about the infamous Evony ads at the end of this column. if you want more opinionated stuff, check out our Soapbox column! I knew going in that the game had changed since I last played it. I also knew that it would not blow me away as far as gameplay is concerned, simply because I have played scores of MMORTS games over the last year. But what did I find? What was good and bad about the game? And what about those ads? Click past the cut and we'll chat about it.
Silkroad Online rolls out premium server tomorrow
Wanna feel like a VIP? Silkroad Online's got you covered. Tomorrow Joymax will take the wraps off of its new premium server, Genesis, which will cater to the high-rollers and high society among MMO gamers. The members-only server will reward loyal customers by offering huge XP, SP and drop rates, GM events, and discounts on cash shop purchases for a limited time. Joymax isn't limiting the fun to just subscribers, either; all players on all servers are invited to partake in Silkroad's Carnival. The Carnival will deliver a smaller but still significant XP boost than what Genesis is offering, and any players who head over to an attendance event will rack up SP and skill/stat reset scrolls. This event goes until December 13th, so there's plenty of time to shake your booty and rack up the rewards! [Source: Joymax press release]
Digimon Masters launches worldwide
Enough with the waiting -- there are battles to be won, and today's the day in which to win them! Joymax's Digimon Masters emerged from its beta cocoon, spread its wings, and flew into release today. It's much cooler if you think of it as a monstrous mechanized butterfly with atomic ray eyes, of course. Unlike previous Digimon games, Digimon Masters will eschew turn-based combat to take place in real-time. Players assume the roles of Tamers who train combat-worthy creatures to battle each other. Digimon Masters has been released worldwide and is currently only available in English. You can jump into the game through the Joymax portal. %Gallery-134643%
Digimon Masters launching October 25th
Digimon fans, your wait is almost over. Joymax has just announced that the Digimon Masters Online MMO is scheduled to release on October 25th (which is next week, if you're keeping score at home). The game features "a deeper RPG experience, enhanced graphics, and adrenaline-pumping real-time combat," according to the latest Joymax press blurb. DMO will purportedly satisfy fans of the original Digimon television series too, as it features more than 1000 characters who appeared on the show during the first five seasons. Joymax says that Digimon Masters is faithful to both the original art design and the series' storyline, and you can learn more about the pet-centric RPG title at its official website. [Source: Joymax press release]
Digimon Masters open beta starts today
Di-Di-Di-Digimon, digital monsters, Digimon are the champions! Err... Ahem. Sorry. Joymax announced today that Digimon Masters, its newest MMO based on the popular monster-collecting franchise, has entered open beta. Players will be able to capture hundreds of Digimon from the first five anime series, and then pit them against one another in ruthless fights to the digi-death. The press release claims that players can expect "a deeper RPG experience, enhanced graphics, and adrenaline-pumping real-time combat." It's up to players to use their digital pets to save both the digital world and the real one from certain destruction. To get in on the action, head on over to the game's official site and register for an account. [Source: Joymax press release]
Digimon Masters preps for open beta
Prepare to unleash your digital monster because Digimon Masters is on the verge of open beta! Joymax's online adaptation of the hit franchise will unlock open beta testing on Tuesday, September 27th to anyone interested. Potential testers need only head on over to Joymax's portal and apply. Digimon Masters is the story of various youths who decide on an alternative career path to business school or online games journalism. Players can select from Marcus (big damage), Thomas (dodge and counter-attacks), and Yoshino (multiple special attacks) depending on their playstyles. The game features hundreds of Digimon from the anime series and promises to be loyal to the series' art design and story. Make sure to wash your eyeballs first and then you can check out these fantastic new screens of Digimon Masters below! %Gallery-134643%
Silkroad Online's eighth expansion launches today
The world of Silkroad Online just got a lot bigger, as Joymax has launched the free-to-play fantasy title's eighth expansion. The Mysterious Temple of Jupiter boasts a ton of new content including a level cap increase, new quests, and new community events. The level cap has been bumped from 110 to 120, and each Silkroad class features brand new skill sets inspired by various Chinese and European arts. The expansion has also added upwards of 60 new quests to the game's ancient Chinese setting, and new hunting grounds for 111th level characters have also arrived. New dungeons are available for low- and mid-level characters, as are over 100 new monsters and new mob AI that a Joymax press release says will "provide a more active, tactical experience." Finally, events including the Forty Thieves collection contest and the Famous event (wherein players are gifted items based on individual stat and ability increases) will be happening all through the month of August.
Silkroad Online's Mysterious Temple of Jupiter update to go live August 2nd
If a temple didn't have mystery, would adventurers flock to it? We think not. Therefore, it's a good thing that Silkroad Online still has a few secrets up its sleeves as the dev team prepares to release the game's eighth major update on August 2nd. Titled Mysterious Temple of Jupiter, this update will offer a slew of new ways for characters to grow and gain in power -- not to mention go all Scooby-Doo on Old Man Jupiter's stomping grounds. Once August 2nd hits, Silkroad players can punch up through ten more levels for a total of 120, tackle 60 additional quests, and learn various new skills from the Chinese and European arts. The aforementioned temple will be available for conquest and plunder, although players will need to be level 111 and up to enter. Joymax CEO Nam-chul Kim says that this update is a direct result of community feedback: "For the latest expansion to Silkroad Online, we have listened closely to our community of players and are excited to offer new challenges and improvements." Mysterious Temple of Jupiter follows the last update, Rise of the Thief-Hunter, which came out four months ago.
Digimon Masters Online closed beta registrations open
If you're excited about Joymax's upcoming Digimon Masters Online MMO, you'll be happy to know that the free-to-play gamemaker has just issued a press release heralding an impending closed beta test. Interested players can register via Joymax's main website and set about watching their emails for confirmation. Joymax is also hosting a Digimon contest on the game's Facebook page, and winners will be chosen each day between now and August 2nd. What's in it for you? How does a $20 Facebook gift card grab you? Digimon Masters Online is the MMORPG continuation of the popular Digimon franchise. Players will take on the role of a tamer and experience "adrenaline pumping real-time combat" according to Joymax's news blurb.
Joymax launches Silkroad Online expansion and new events
There's a ton of new functionality on display in Joymax's free-to-play Silkroad Online MMORPG. The historical fantasy title, set along the renowned China to Constantinople trading route in the 7th century AD, has recently released its Rise of the Thief-Hunter expansion. Additionally, Joymax has added 24-hour GM support to the game and is hosting a series of events designed to draw awareness to the new services as well as solicit fan feedback (and offer prizes). Festivities include a share-your-knowledge event, a Fortress War video competition, and a Legendary Player tribute event. The expansion features a new emphasis on jobs, and players will be able to specialize in new skill sets dependent on their characters' jobs and levels. Job titles will also change as various advancement tasks are completed, and reputation gain is now tied in with rank bonuses (which in turn raises attributes). Rise of the Thief-Hunter also brings a newly designed crafting system granting players the ability to fabricate everything from siege items to alchemy staples. A new trade system allows for players to explore their smugglery sides and offers quests that reward unique job items. Players may also choose to protect trade caravans or raid them. Check out the official Silkroad Online website for more information on the expansion and associated events.
GDC 2011: Joymax weighs Karma
Imagine a world where World War II -- also known as "That War With All Them Movies" -- never ended. Imagine that while the conflict raged, weapons development continued to advance well into the 1950s. Now imagine that this war-ravaged landscape is your new virtual playground. Joymax, the studio behind Silkroad Online, revealed at GDC that its next MMO will take place in such a world. Code-named Karma Online, this massively multiplayer online first-person shooter will attempt to provide the ultimate PvP battleground for players sick of bows and arrows and futuristic plasma rifles. Karma Online seeks to meld the best of both RPGs and FPSs by introducing a skill tree system that allows soldiers to specialize in preferred weapons and tactics. Although we're not quite sure what Joymax means by this, the studio promises more immersion by requiring the use of both hands for combat instead of just the mouse. The game will also come with the popular Call of Duty-style zombie mode if you want to switch up player-killing for undead slaughter. The shooter is scheduled to go into closed beta this May. Hit the jump to see Karma Online in action and get the skinny on Joymax and WeMade Entertainment's other projects-in-progress! %Gallery-118470%
Joymax merges with WeMade Entertainment
Free-to-play MMO gamers are probably familiar with Joymax, or more specifically, the company's flagship Silkroad Online MMORPG. In a press release earlier today, the Korean gaming firm announced that it has joined forces with WeMade Entertainment (a dev house responsible for The Legend of Mir 2 and 3, the latter of which boasts 350,000 concurrent users). The new entity will retain the Joymax name, and CEO Kwan Ho Park says the merger is a shot in the arm for the Joymax brand. "Together with WeMade's development team and the recent partnership with Dragonfly, the co-developer of QuakeWars Online, we now have all the components to create the best and most compelling games for players across North America, Europe and Asia." Silkroad Online, launched in 2004, is just the beginning for Joymax. The company has also announced that it plans to leverage WeMade's development expertise to launch a new global gaming portal in the spring.
Walk the Silkroad and take a crack at making your own weapon
Good news, massively loyal Massively readers! Well, good news for those among you with a creative streak in you. We've teamed up with the guys behind Silkroad Online, Joymax, for a pretty cool contest that we're quite excited about. How would you guys like to make a weapon for Silkroad Online? All you have to do is pull out your artistic skills and craft the best weapon you can make. Keep in mind that Silkroad's theme is Eastern fantasy, so try to use the theme to your advantage. You can draw, paint, or even sculpt your fantasy weapon for this contest! Best of all, it's not the developers who will be judging this contest. Nope! It's your good friends here at Massively picking the winners! Prizes include a special Silkroad Online in-game weapon enchanted with Seal of Sun, earrings enchanted with Seal of Sun, and 5,000 skill points for your Silkroad characters! But be quick, this contest ends on March 31st! For the full rules of the contest, skip along after the break!
Silkroad Online travels to Egypt in Heroes of Alexandria
For the players who have traveled the silk road a very long time, Joymax has good news for you! Their upcoming patch for Silkroad Online, titled Legend V: Heroes of Alexandria is coming out, offering a chance to experience life in a highly stylized version of Egypt that is open to level 100 players. Among the many treasures unearthed in the strange lands of Alexandria are never-before-seen weapons and armor, the Desert of Storms and Cloud, the Valley of the Kings, and two new dungeons called Tomb of the Pharaoh and the Temple. Of course, you can't just expect a simple tank and spank to await you in an exotic place like Alexandria. That's why Joymax has added some interesting difficulty mechanics to the new dungeons. In the Tomb of the Pharaoh, players will be able to choose from three different difficulty levels and can return up to two times per day to hunt for new Egyptian goodies. The Temple is for players at level 105 and will involve not only fighting nasty monsters, but also other competing players! Mmm, PvP raiding. For those who take up the challenge, there are also new set items which will give players a bonus when worn together -- you know, as opposed to just looking nice. In all, it sounds like a great update for players who have long traveled the dusty roads of Silkroad Online. Hopefully we'll get some One Shots of people fighting Egyptian boss mobs like you can see in the trailer we've included behind the break! (hint hint) They're pretty cool-looking in our book.
