kingsisle
Latest
KingsIsle launches new Wizard101 Zafaria content
It's update time in the world of Wizard101, and KingsIsle has released a mammoth set of patch notes to go along with its new Zafaria content. What's Zafaria? It's a whole new slice of the game world comprised of six unique areas that can be accessed with a Wizard101 membership or via individual purchases. The game's level cap has also been raised (to 70), and the requisite new gear is present as well. New spells can also be found in the update, as can new henchmen and improved character stats. There's a bunch more for you to read about (including info on a new music player!), so head to the official Wizard101 website for all the details.
Wizard101 heading to Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau
KingsIsle Entertainment announced today that its popular free-to-play MMO, Wizard101, is expanding to the exotic east. Thanks to an agreement with Taiwan Taomee Technology, the game will be launching in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau in 2012. This announcement comes shortly after the company's deal with Taomee Holdings Limited to launch the game in China next year. To get in on the Wizard101 fun yourself, head on over to the game's official site.
Wizard101 introduces Zafaria and Grub Guardian minigame
KingsIsle Entertainment has announced the latest content update coming to its popular MMO title, Wizard101. The new patch, which is coming later this month, introduces the African-themed world of Zafaria, which features many major themes related to the return of the Umbra Queen, Morganthe. The update will increase the level cap from 60 to 70 and will introduce new gear, pets, mounts, and spells. In addition, players will have new areas to explore, such as the open grasslands of the Savannah and the ruins of the Drum Jungle. A new minigame feature known as Grub Guardian will be launching in tandem with the new update. Grub Guardian is a tower-defense-style game which, will be available for web browsers and eventually, Android and iOS mobile devices. The game will allow players to link to their Wizard101 accounts, which will enable them to play the game using their in-game pets. As players progress in Grub Guardian, their pets will reap rewards of experience and increased attributes. KingsIsle hopes this will allow players to make progress within the game even if they are away from their computers or simply short on time. For more information about the coming updates, and to join the fun for yourself, head on over to Wizard101's official site. [Source: KingsIsle Entertainment press release]
Wizard101 offers reimbursement for Sunday downtime
Wizard101 players may have noticed some unplanned downtime in their gameplay Sunday afternoon. J. Todd Coleman, aka Headmaster Ambrose, stopped by the forums today to clarify the issue. The technical problem that caused the downtime has since been fixed, but Coleman has said that some players may have experienced a loss of items acquired just prior to the downtime. But don't fret, Wizard101 players. The team keeps detailed logs of all acquired items, and any items acquired (or crowns spent) prior to the downtime will be reimbursed, even if the item was not actually lost. The team understands that erring on the side of caution such as this will result in some players receiving double the loot, but Coleman states that this outcome is "far preferable to running the risk of some players not recovering lost items. All items should be successfully reimbursed within the next 24 to 48 hours. For the full details on the problem and subsequent recovery, head on over to the game's official forums.
KingsIsle teasing new Wizard101 content
Our friends at KingsIsle Entertainment have tipped us off to an exciting bit of news regarding Wizard101. Unfortunately we don't know quite what that news is just yet. Why the posting then? Well, that's where you lot come in. Take a look at the image above and put on your thinking caps. KingsIsle let slip the fact that this picture is the first in a series of three to be released over the next week or so, and there's some sort of message hidden in each image. As we understand it, all three will be needed to decipher the full message, which ultimately has something to do with some "mysterious upcoming new content." [Source: KingsIsle press release]
GDC Online 2011: KingsIsle's Sara Jensen Schubert talks RPG math
I'm sure many of us have wondered how game developers decide upon item stats, experience amounts, damage per second, and all of the other numbers that we come across in our favorite games. Actually, it might sound more like, "Why the heck is my uber sword of uberness only doing X amount of damage?!" At GDC Online this week, Sara Jensen Schubert gave a rare glimpse into the math behind MMORPGs. She has worked on games like Shadowbane and DC Universe Online and is now a lead designer at KingsIsle Entertainment. Her background and focus is a traditional RPG viewpoint, and she builds from there to go through the process of designing and building stats, character attributes, experience rewards, the leveling curve, and itemization. While her talk is aimed at those in the industry, it offers a unique perspective into what goes into those stats behind our gear and why it takes us so long to level up. Read on for highlights from the presentation.
The Game Archaeologist answers Asheron's Call 2: The fansite managers
Back when I covered Asheron's Call for The Game Archaeologist, I got an impassioned email from a former fansite operator who made me promise that I'd drop her a line when the time came to talk about Asheron's Call 2, as she was not only a huge fan of the title but still in contact with many former players who carry a torch for Turbine's long-departed MMO. One thing led to another, and I ended up talking to both her and a fellow AC2 fansite manager about the ups and downs of covering the second coming of Dereth... The Game Archaeologist: Please introduce yourself, your current job position, and how you got involved with Asheron's Call 2 back in the day? Kiersten Samwell: I'm Kiersten Samwell, Community Relations and Social Media Manager for KingsIsle Entertainment, the creator of Wizard101. I used to be the Site Manager for Warcry's Crossroads of Dereth/Asheron's Call site as Ellen Ripley, so it was natural to work with the site manager of their Asheron's Call 2 fansite as well. His name is Roberto, and he was just an incredible site manager. Of course, being an avid AC1 player, I enjoyed AC2 for both its similarities to and its differences from AC1. Robert Hackett: Hi, I'm Robert Hackett, the Managing MMO Editor of GamersInfo.net. I actually got invited to one of the betas along with a friend of mine. The lag was so bad (the day I logged in may have been a stress test; I can't remember) that I told my friend that there was no way my rig could handle that. Fast forward to the month after release and Ophelea from the old AC Crossroads site begged me to come over to AC2 and be an editor for the database she was trying to build. Logged in and the game was a million percent better. I stayed to work on the database and eventually fell in love with it beyond "work!"
Wizard101 celebrates another anniversary of taking over the world
Ah, Wizard101. My, how you have grown. So much has happened over the last three years that we thought it would be a good idea to take a look at some of the milestones that happened during that time. Instead of going all the way back to the beginning, we'll be covering the major happenings over the last year. If we wrote up all of the patches and major updates to the game from the beginning, we would be here all night. Feel free to retell some of your favorite memories in the comments section, and join us in wishing a happy birthday to KingsIsle and its baby, Wizard101! Click past the cut!
The Game Archaeologist uncovers Shadowbane: Talking with Josef Hall and Todd Coleman, part 2
Don't miss the first part of this interview with the makers of Shadowbane, which we posted last week! And now for the thrilling conclusion... The Game Archaeologist: What was the reason behind the free-to-play switch in 2006? Did this help the game's population any? Josef Hall: Todd and I left Wolfpack shortly after it was acquired by Ubisoft, so we don't really have insight into the decision-making process behind the switch. Todd Coleman: From what I have heard, it had a very positive impact on the size of the player population -- but yeah, I have no idea what it meant to the game monetarily.
Wysteria ho! Wizard101 launches August update
According to Wizard101's history, Wysteria was an insignificant town until one day a magical accident caused a vine to go haywire and overgrow the place. Since then it's become a hotbed of mystery, and with the game's August update, players are invited to explore this new land to see what it holds. Wysteria is a mid-level zone that consists of a city, another magical school (Pigswick Academy), and two adventure zones. During their adventures, players can enter into a magical tournament, fight new creatures, and brave a level-60 gauntlet known as the Tower of the Helephant. Players can either subscribe to the game or purchase the zones individually to see the glories of Wysteria. Also included in the update are house teleporters (which allow you to quickly zip between your estates) and a number of minor gameplay tweaks. Recently KingsIsle announced that Wizard101 would be heading to China in 2012.
Wizard101 voyaging to China
Never underestimate the power of magic or kids accessing their parents' wallets. That's what we've learned from KingsIsle over the past few years, as its Wizard101 has grown into a powerhouse slugger that knocks down barriers of all types: age, social groups, and most importantly for the accounting department, world regions. Today we've learned that KingsIsle has struck a deal with Taomee Holdings Limited to bring Wizard101 to China, and in so doing greatly expand the game's market. Taomee specializes in online gaming that's angled for children, so this seems like a perfect match. Chinese players should see a localized version of Wizard101 sometime next year. KingsIsle also says that Wizard101's website netted over 13 million unique visitors during the month of July, a strong indication of just how big this game has grown.
Live like royalty with a Wizard101 Massive Fantasy Palace from Massively!
Wizard101 has been a big fan favorite in the MMO world thanks in large part to the wide range of player accessories, including housing. The Massive Fantasy Palace is the biggest house in Wizard101, available only as part of the Toys R Us Epic Bundle Card... until now. The team at KingsIsle Entertainment has given us 15 Massively Fantasy Palace codes to share with you, our readers. Simply leave a comment below and tell us your favorite thing about housing in Wizard101 by noon EDT on Wednesday, August 17th. Once the deadline arrives, we'll draw 15 winners at random and email codes to the winners. Ready to enter? Just check out our contest rules and leave your comment before the deadline. Best of luck!
Wizard101 to hit 20 million user mark this week
It's a magical occasion for KingsIsle Entertainment, as it announces that its popular MMORPG Wizard101 will reach 20 million registered users this week. The press release is careful to note that the 20 million does not include the European editions of the game. Wizard101, for the uninitiated, is a family-focused MMORPG that puts players in the robes and hats of elemental wizards. Players then engage in tactical combat using decks of magic spells while working together to find loot, complete quests, and learn more magic. If you wanna see what all of the fuss is about, head on over to Wizard101's official site.
Wizard101 goes anti-disco in the June producer's letter
The community at Wizard101 is still riding high on the recent Wintertusk world expansion, and according to the June producer's letter, KingsIsle wants to keep the good times rolling. Apart from relaying a few testimonials about the recent expansion, the producer's letter is all about the Benjam-- er, Crowns. Leah Ruben spotlights a couple of promotional sales from the company, including a Dragon's Hoard booster pack that has the potential to deliver rare goodies, and a GameStop card that unleashes a genie (among other things) in your Wizard101 world. Ruben says that a recent graphical issue known as "discoing" on older machines is now fixed. "While sometimes it's fun to dance the disco with flashing colors and lights," she jokes, "it's a bit distracting when you're trying to adventure through the new worlds." Finally, Ruben says that the UK version of the game has added a German language version for those who perfer to play in their native tongue. Assuming that you're German and not Swedish. Or Kenyan. Or... well, you get the point. You can read the full producer's letter over at Wizard101.
KingsIsle brings Wizard101 goodies to Canada
KingsIsle Entertainment, maker of the very popular card-based freemium title Wizard101, announced today that it will be releasing a brand-new mega-bundle pre-paid card to stores across the country. Here's how the cards work: Players pay a set amount and receive a card with a code that, once redeemed in-game, can add all sorts of gold, goodies, and other options. The new card features a new flying carpet mount, a massive sultan's palace complete with a mirage, 5000 crowns to be used in the cash shop, and several other fun items. It's no wonder the cards have become one of the best-selling cards at Gamestop -- they offer an all-in-one package that is easy to pick up. Canadians worried about getting their hands on these cards can rest easy -- KingsIsle is pushing the cards into major Canadian retailers this fall. Concerned players who have been "surprisingly vocal" about the lack of card access will also get the chance to own exclusive pets available only in their area. This move will bring Wizard101's combined retail presence to over 50,000 stores. Not bad -- not bad at all. So, what's next for the freemium giant? Well, KingsIsle just partnered with Gameforge to bring the game overseas. Interesting things happen when you have to port a fully voice-acted game like Wizard101 to a place like Germany. The UI and map has to be tweaked to allow room for the longer written language, and everything needs to be localized. There are also cultural differences to consider, and the cash shop can be received differently than here in the U.S. The new game cards will be offered for $39, but the items included are valued at over $100.
Win a new Wizard101 pet and accessories from Massively!
What's better than a new in-game pet for Wizard101? A new in-game pet that comes complete with a bundle of goodies to help your new friend grow up big and strong much more quickly than normal! The folks at KingsIsle Entertainment have given us 25 codes to share with our readers. Each code contains one pet and a Mega Snack Pack -- a bundle of consumables that's "full of healthy snacks that will help your pet by greatly increasing their Agility, Strength, Intellect, Will and Power, and even their Experience!" You might be wondering what pet you'll get with this code -- and we're wondering too! Each code contains one of 20 random pets: everything from frogs to unicorns to dragons to snowmen and more. All you have to do to enter is leave a comment here telling us what you love about Wizard101 by noon EDT tomorrow, June 5th. We'll send codes out to 25 lucky winners shortly after the deadline. Check out our contest rules, and good luck!
One shots: My home is my castle
Wizard101 players have been turning out in droves for this week's One Shots theme, with good reason. Player housing in the game is extensive, diverse, and most of all fun. Today's extra-grandiose submission comes to us from Virginia: Here is a screenshot of Jenna Dawnheart's Wizard101 house, taken from the remote island that is part of the house. In the front is a carousel crafted by Jenna -- it took many, many hours to gather all the components. We've got one more day for you to show off your character's home, so send us a screenshot at oneshots@massively.com along with your name and the name of the game. Tell us anything you like about the decor, memorabilia, trophies, and so on, and we'll show it off here on One Shots so everyone can admire your digs! We'll be featuring awesome mounts next week, so it's time to grab a screenshot of your finest ride, be it hooved, feathered, wheeled, or otherwise. Do you think you've got the best-looking or most unusual mount around? Prove it by sending it in! If you'd like a head start on the following week, we'll be focusing on weird foes. Do you have a great shot of a dancing Abaddon in Guild Wars or a nose-picking foe from Gates of Andaron? Send those in too and we'll feature them on One Shots! %Gallery-112285%
One Shots: Beach house
We've got another Wizard101 house for you today, one that both demonstrates the versatility of player housing in the game and makes us long for a beach vacation. Contributor Anthony says: I am from Wizard101, and my name is Anthony Firesword. This screenshot is of my Island Getaway house. This island house reminded me a lot of an island resort, so I decided to create a beach theme. After winning and buying some items and crafting a few, I managed to make this look like a nice beach. I hope you like it. Ready to show off your character's home sweet home? Send us a screenshot at oneshots@massively.com along with your name and the name of the game. Tell us anything you like about the decor, memorabilia, trophies, and so on, and we'll show it off here on One Shots so everyone can admire your digs! %Gallery-112285%
One Shots: Seeing stars
Today's One Shots takes us to a bright and cheery place in player housing, thanks to Paige MoonShade: I am known as Paige MoonShade, and I play the game Wizard101. The screenshot I picked is from my crafted Celestial observatory. This room is called the Starfish Café. This whole room came to me from winning the jellyfish lamp in middle of room, which was my main decorating starting point. From there it was history from crafting small coconut drinks and the shell house for all my prized starfish. I hope you enjoy this room as much as I do. Ready to show off your character's home sweet home? Send us a screenshot at oneshots@massively.com along with your name and the name of the game. Tell us anything you like about the decor, memorabilia, trophies, and so on, and we'll show it off here on One Shots so everyone can admire your digs! %Gallery-112285%
Nick Jonas is Wizard101's mystery composer
The cat is out of the bag and the teenage girls are out of their minds: Wizard101 has announced that Nick Jonas of the Jonas Brothers is the "mystery composer" whom we've been trying to guess for the past couple of weeks. Jonas both wrote and produced the soundtrack for Wizard101's latest world of Wintertusk, which includes seven pieces of music. Apparently, the songwriter was psyched to be a part of a video game for the first time: "This was a first for me. I never produced or wrote music for a game or in this case, a whole world before. So I jumped at the chance to work with KingsIsle. It was very cool to be part of a project that allowed me to help create the mood for Wintertusk and interact with an audience in an entirely new way." Players can even meet Nick Jonas -- well, his virtual equivalent -- in the game and watch as his character conducts an orchestra. The world of Wintertusk with all of its "cool" music is currently open for all to experience.
