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Luminary introduces new wedding system
Fans of NDOORS Interactive's Luminary: Rise of GoonZu may be happy to hear that today the free-to-play MMO has introduced a new wedding system to the game. This system will allow a happy couple to get hitched in-game complete with ceremony, proper wedding attire and an announcement throughout the game.Since Luminary is more of a political MMO, players can either marry for love or for political alliances. Married couples can earn Affection Points, which can reap additional benefits to status effects in game. Plus, on your wedding anniversary (12 days game-time), the new lovebirds will receive a special gift. Check out the complete press release after the jump.
Atlantica Online releases mid-year patch
NDOORS Interactive announced today that the mid-year update for their free-to-play, turn-based MMO Atlantica Online has been released and includes several new features that will "enhance the user experience and improve gameplay", according to a press release. This patch will add the following new or improved features: Jackpot System: A new challenge system which allows players to select an item they have found in battle and gamble for a chance to obtain a large quantity of that item, with odds determined by the item's value New Dungeon: The 'Mysterious Inn' has been added to the Central Asia region and is available to players level 120 or higher Improved Arena Betting: Now players can bet on arena battles remotely Chatting Emoticon Function has been added Ring Craft: Will now be called 'Accessories Craft' and will have the ability to craft rings and necklaces Sound interesting? You can also check out more information on Atlantica Online, as well as interviews and an early dev tour of the game at our category page.
Massively interview: A Q&A with the developers of WonderKing
When we last heard about WonderKing, we found out about some of the features in the game that are aimed at bringing depth to its 2D perspective -- things like Castle Battles with siege warfare certainly sound quite grand for this setting. We were lucky enough to have a chance to talk to some of the people behind the game to find out a bit more about these features, as well as the challenges involved with bringing WonderKing over from the Asian market, and some other questions our readers will probably have had on their minds. Yes, that includes the big one: is this more than just a "MapleStory 2"?Before we get to the interview, we have some good news regarding the upcoming WonderKing beta: we're going to have some beta keys to give away later this month, so if what you read in the interview has you interested, you know where to look for some early access. We spoke with Hyuk Min Kwon, lead developer of WonderKing from Ryu & Soft, and Alex Kim, the game's product manager from NDOORS Interactive. Hit the jump to have a read!
NDOORS list the key features of new MMO WonderKing
NDOORS Interactive, the folks behind Atlantica Online and Luminary: Rise of the GoonZu, have chimed in with some details on their next free-to-play MMO WonderKing. They obtained the rights to bring the game to North America last year, and since we're hearing from them now, things must be on track for the intended release window of the second half of 2009. Here's a brief rundown of what WonderKing entails, from Peter Kang, CEO of NDOORS: "WonderKing is a 2D, side-scrolling MMORPG that takes players on an adventurous journey with story-by-story quests, much like a fantasy novel. Along the way, players will travel from beautiful beaches to murky marshlands and frigid snowfields as they battle to save the world." Kang also made mention of some specific game features, to highlight the fact that 2D does not necessarily mean a lack of gameplay depth. These features include a class-change system, "Castle Battles" that involve siege warfare PvP, mounts and vehicles, pets, private housing, and crafting. NDOORS confirmed that a beta is scheduled for this summer.
Atlantica Online selected for Game and Game World Championship 2009
Atlantica Online, the free-to-play turn-based MMO from NDOORS Interactive has been selected as an official title of the 2009 Game & Game World Championship (GNGWC). For those unfamiliar with this event, what is GNGWC? It's an annual Korean game festival and tournament that's held in major cities around the world representing different regions -- Los Angeles, Leipzig, Singapore, São Paulo, Tokyo, and Yongin (South Korea). Regional tournament champions are ultimately invited to the Grand Finals held in Korea. GNGWC is run by the Korea IT Industry Promotion Agency (KIPA) which aims to promote Korean games to players globally.The announcement mentions Atlantica Online being played in GNGWC 2009: "Selected as a GNGWC title for the second year in a row, Atlantica Online features a revolutionary turn-based battle system that utilizes free PvP leagues and a new 100v100 tactical battle system for PvP combat. Atlantica has proven to be an ideal title for e-sports competitions with its unique PvP combat." Top-ranking competitors can earn prizes, including cash prizes in the Grand Finals. Beyond the NDOORS Interactive title being a prominent aspect of GNGWC, the release also mentions that Atlantica Online will be expanding to new territories in Asia: Taiwan and Vietnam.
Atlantica Online running bonus XP weekend with 'thank you' gifts
The popular free-to-play MMO Atlantica Online from NDOORS Interactive ran into difficulties with their extended server downtime earlier this past week. However, any player outcries over this haven't fallen on deaf ears. NDOORS states, "Even through the delays, you stuck through it with us, and for that we want to thank you the only way we know how - through bonus experience time!"All players are currently receiving a 150% experience bonus which will last all weekend, ending on Sunday April 26th at 11:59pm PDT. NDOORS Interactive adds, "As an additional 'thank you', we'll be sending all logged-in players an Artisan's Cube at 1pm PDT on Saturday, April 25th, and Sunday, April 26th. This box will give you the choice of some Skill Decrease Books, Waters of Life, Growth Vials, Secret Vials of Potential, or several scrolls." If you haven't given this particular game a shot in the past, the 150% XP bonus weekend sounds to us like an ideal time to see what Atlantica Online is like.
Atlantica Online opens first cross-server PvP battle area: Titan Server
Massively has noted that the quality of some of the free-to-play MMOs on the market is improving, with a few standout titles poised to break the stigma of low-quality associated with F2P titles. Atlantica Online from NDOORS Interactive is one of the free-to-play titles Massively has taken a look at in recent months. They've just announced that Atlantica Online's first cross-server PvP battle area, the Titan Server, is now open. The official release states: "The independent game server will enable interaction between all players from all Atlantica servers, creating the first true test of who is the best of the best. Players can now board a designated Titan ship and journey to and from the Titan Server to access new content, chat with other players, and compete against each other in massive PvP tournaments."
Atlantica developer journal explains dungeon options
Kim Tae Gon has written another developer journal for MMORPG.com about his game, Atlantica Online. This bi-weekly journal delves into Atlantica's many dungeon types and how they reach over and affect the social state of gameplay in groups.Where most games have only instances and raids, Atlantica offers many different types of dungeons. Some of their dungeons, the individual dungeons, are targeted towards one player where other dungeons, such as the nation dungeons, are targeted towards 500 players at once (50 players from 10 guilds). This makes Atlantica into a very expansive game that caters to almost all tastes and playstyles, and has the bonus side effect of bolstering the community to formulate plans with one another.Kim's full developer journal can be found at MMORPG.com, where he gets into the specifics of his goals in creating all of these types of dungeons and how to access them.
Atlantica Online's lead producer sits down with GameSource.it
Our friends across the pond at GameSource.it recently had the chance to sit down and chat with Kim Tae Gon, the lead producer on Atlantica Online, and ask him some questions about what made Atlantica so special in the MMO market.Kim gladly laid out his enthusiasm for the game's main selling point, the turn-based strategic combat system. Atlantica uses a turn-based system, rather than the standard real-time systems found in almost all MMOs, to let combat progress with the player making decisions with his character and other units, rather than simply their own character. The system's history is complex, being originally derived from Luminary: The Rise of the GoonZu, Tae Gon's previous title, and ideas presented in the Korean game Gersang. Out of both of these titles, and with a renewed emphasis on combat rather than strategic control of territories, came Atlantica's combat system.For the full interview, check out GameSource's website as they ask Tae Gon on his favorite mercenary in Atlantica, how the economic crisis has hit their company, and how Tae Gon and his team work to overcome the western market's stigma of free-to-play titles.
Atlantica Online opens sixth server to meet growing demand
Atlantica Online has grown into such a behemoth of a game that they've recently announced the opening of their sixth server to meet growing consumer demand. This server, named Delphi, will open to the public on March 6th during a special two-week event celebrating the game's success. Fortnight of the Oracle will follow the opening of the new server and allow players to receive a 120% experience boost, which will be increased to 150% on weekends. In addition, you'll also be able to enjoy: Level-up Race –More than 100 players will receive 1,000 Gcoins for reaching a designated level the fastest. Screenshot Contest – Players who submit the best screenshots will receive Gcoin prizes. Quiz Bowl – Players who correctly answer questions from GMs will receive in-game item prizes. Monster Hunts – Unique enemies will be spawned at various sites for new players to battle and earn rewards. Treasure Hunts and Item Giveaways – New players will have more opportunities to find crystals and scroll boxes and receive other free in-game items.
Atlantica Online: Now you can take Pocahontas to The Rock
No, our headline is not a typo. If you've ever wondered what it would be like to have Pocahontas in your adventuring party or what it would be like to turn Alcatraz Prison into a dungeon, wonder no more! Atlantica Online's latest update has added both! Now you too can show the "Colors of the Wind" (aka elemental spells shot at your face) to the backwards prisoners of Alcatraz!Pocahontas and Alcatraz aren't the only significant additions in their latest update either. Atlantica also has two new player classes to try out -- the musician and the maniac. The musician is a guitar wielding spellcaster available to all players, able to hit two enemies in a row with a blast of their music. The second class, the Maniac, is more of a crazed, power saw wielding class that's only available to players who already have on class at level 100 or above. Creating a maniac will set you back down at level 1, but his power saw can attack all enemies in a single row on the battlefield, making this guy pretty powerful.This is just a small taste of the patch notes for this release. For all of the crazy details, head on over to Atlantica's site to check them out.[via IGN]
Massively's exclusive tour of Atlantica Online
There is no doubt that 2009 will be remembered as the advent of quality free-to-play MMOs. No longer will there be a stigma that F2P equals unplayable quality, as games like Runes of Magic and Atlantica Online will grab the attention of the normal triple-A gamer. Will it last? Will it change the face of MMO gameplay and business models forever? While there's certainly an inevitable evolution involved in every form of media and entertainment, we believe Atlantica Online will make a lasting impression in the genre.Officially launched on October 30th, 2008, Atlantica Online has already garnered the title "Best F2P MMO" from many gaming sites. It is supported through microtransactions that don't affect the game play itself, and sports a turn-based combat system that focuses on strategy, rather than how fast you can click your mouse. Massively got a chance to sit down with Ian Keller of Atlantica Online for an exclusive interview regarding the game's best, and little-known game features. Follow along after the cut below for a look at our time with Atlantica Online.
NDOORS CEO on Atlantica Online succeeding in the West
Massively multiplayer online games operating on the free-to-play business model are definitely a mixed bag in terms of quality. As such, they get a mixed reception in the West. Those who like more variety in their gameplay choices than the standard subscription model offers them tend to be more open to alternative business models. Staunch supporters of the AAA subscription model typical of the industry in Western markets have some serious misgivings about what the new crop of free-to-play titles could mean for the industry climate. NDOORS Interactive hopes to change some of these perceptions with Atlantica Online, their strategic turn-based MMORPG. Danny "Ralsu" Gourley from Ten Ton Hammer interviewed NDOORS Interactive CEO Peter Kang about Atlantica Online and how it fits into the industry climate in the West.
Learning the lore of Atlantica Online
Whether you're playing Atlantica Online now, or you're just curious about the game, learning the lore could prove beneficial. Over at MMORPG.com, the Atlantica Online devs have been creating some insightful jounrals and articles to keep up our interest in the F2P fantasy MMO. This week, they present an in-depth lore article describing the history of Atlantica Online.As a descendant of Atlantis, you discover that it is up to you to save the rest of the Earth from the evil Atlantis descendants. You struggle with your dark history and vow to ascend above the power that pulls you towards the evil side of Atlatis. This journey will take you all across the world, including an upcoming region in the Grand Canyon. Check out this entire lore article for more information on your character's history and the game.
Grimwell takes a look at Atlantica Online
Atlantica Online is one of those MMOs that people always seem to talk about, but never really get fully in-depth with. Insight into the game recently came from an unexpected source: Craig "Grimwell" Dalrymple, a noted MMO blogger and senior community relations manager for Sony Online Entertainment. Craig just recently spoke up about the turn-based MMO, relating his experiences and gripes with the game on his blog.For him, the strong points of Atlantica are the turn-based combat (as it allows PvP to be a bit more tactical rather than a fast paced gankfest,) the mercenary system (which is different from the NPC system of Guild Wars, as you actually build up your mercenaries like second or third characters,) and the crafting system (which features both the ability to craft any item in the game and learn crafting skills from other players rather than NPCs.) The game's swift advancement seems to also be in Grimwell's liking, as he's hit 61 out of the 120 levels since he's begun playing in October. For the rest of his experiences with Atlantica, including his two gripes with the game, check out his blog post on the matter.
Atlantica Online's Mercenaries are historically significant
Atlantica Online sure is making news lately with the ways they're incorporating so many different features in their game to make it truly unique. We know about the turn-based combat from a previous developer diary, but in this latest article, we're treated to an explanation of the Mercenary system.Originally, Mercenaries were going to simply be like items that a character can collect, but the devs at NDOORS found themselves discovering new ways to use the Mercenaries. They created backgrounds for them and actually developed a sense of affection for them, so their importance is much greater now. Each Mercenary can eventually evolve into personages of historical significance. For instance, the archer would become Robin Hood, the inventor would become Leonardo da Vinci, and so on. Not only will this add some concrete understanding of these high-level Mercs, but it will hopefully force players to research these names if they were sleeping in History class again.
Atlantica Online releases Western Hemisphere content expansion
NDOORS Interactive's Atlantica Online has just released its first major content patch entitled Next Frontier where players will have the opportunity to play in the American Old West and Aztec lands. Previously, the game was only playable in the Eastern Hemisphere, but Next Frontier brings players some Western Hemisphere content such as a bar room brawl in Dallas or a new guild dungeon on Alcatraz Island.This expansion also raises the level cap from 100 to 120 and introduces two new B Class Mercenaries: the Spartan and the Sailor. A Christmas event has also been added with this free patch, where players can quest in Santa's Villa and battle some nasty holiday creatures. Be sure to check out Atlantica Online's website for more info on this expansion and the game itself as it continues to grow across all hemispheres.
Korean MMO dev offers to buy back high-level characters
When your MMO isn't called World of Warcraft, you typically have an uphill battle to grab attention. Korean-based developer NDOORS has enacted a rather interesting marketing ploy for its free-to-play game, Atlantica Online. If you started playing after October 11 and reach level 50 (without going over) before November 30, you can turn in your character and receive $20 via PayPal. Sounds like a good deal until you figure that likely averages out to less than $1 per hour.We're not sure what's going to stop players who like the game from redeeming $20 and creating a new login ID. If anything, with Wrath of the Lich King less than three weeks away, we anticipate a few WoW junkies making a temporary shift to help pay for their next fix.[Via Ars Technica]
First Impressions: Atlantica Online
Welcome to our First Impressions of NDOORS' Atlantica Online. Although it's in its third round of its closed beta, it's functional enough to talk about, and deservedly so. It's not the only MMOTBS -- massively multiplayer online turn-based strategy -- currently on the market, but it's got a high level of polish and a lot of potential. Let's dig in.%Gallery-30621%
News from the Wider MMO World: August 12, 2008
The MMO genre is more than World of Warcraft, Age of Conan, and Warhammer Online. Here's what's going on in the rest of the world.Trickster Online celebrates the Olympics with new themed itemsEven MMOs get into the spirit of real world competition, and Trickster Online has some themed items for your enjoyment. These masks, hats, and capes will have a particular country's flag on them; collect all five of each and receive a special item of each type. Check them out before the Olympics ends!Outspark Games offer Olympic-style competition within their titlesFrom now until August 24th, San Francisco MMO publisher Outspark will be hosting the Outspark Games, a series of Olympic-styled competitions within their online offerings. Titles Fiesta, Secret of the Solstice, and Project Powder will feature special events in-game. Expect medals to be granted to the top three winners, and increased experience points offered to all participants.More news after the jump!
