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TERA's first level 50 player interviewed
How long does it take enterprising players to reach the mythical endgame of Bluehole Studio's new TERA MMORPG? If you're a Popori Berserker named Dog, the answer to that question is not very long. The Korean version of TERA officially launched on January 25th, and Dog has already scaled the level grind summit to become the world's first max-level TERA toon. In an interview at TERAfans, Dog speaks to the leveling curve, the PvP, and the ease of the overall experience. He also admits to putting in "42 hours or so at the beginning before I have to sleep or before my guild forces me to sleep." So how about that endgame? The interview states that he hasn't seen much of it as of yet and offers no insight into TERA's super secret political system. Dog does indicate that he ran every dungeon in the game at least once during his whirlwind leveling journey and is "a little worried about how easy they are." We'll add the usual this-is-the-Korean-client qualifier here, and we'll also direct you to TERAfans for the full interview.
En Masse issues official clarification regarding TERA's action combat
Rumors have been flying about TERA this week, mainly due to a pair of ThisIsGame.com interviews with Bluehole Studio higher-ups that were translated from the original Korean by TERAfans. Today, En Masse Entertainment (TERA's North American publisher) has issued an official statement clarifying the second piece, and more specifically, shooting down any notion that TERA's long-touted action MMO combat has changed. "TERA's combat system hasn't changed and action remains a crucial element to the game. There was a mistranslation in the article where the phrase 'lock-on system' was used instead of 'lock-on skill,' which was the original context of that statement. We are committed to making adjustments to TERA based on player feedback, but the game will still offer all the depth of an MMO with the intense action combat system. This will not change," said Matt Atwood, director of public relations for En Masse.
TERA Korean loading screens give story clues
While the Korean version of TERA may or may not be analogous to the one we end up getting in the States or Europe, it's nonetheless a lot of fun to peruse the translations, videos, and screenshots that are starting to roll out of the Far East with more regularity. Courtesy of TERAfans, we now have a hefty gallery (approximately 40 images) featuring the artwork from the Korean client's loading screens. The images paint a picture of TERA's narrative and serve to whet our collective appetite for the lush world that En Masse and Bluehole Studio are bringing to life. Check out the images below, and hit up TERAfans for more information on the source. %Gallery-108422%
TERA G-Star information compiled
Looking for a compilation of last week's TERA news from G-Star? TERAfans has you covered in the form of an updated thread that brings together all of the convention news nuggets. From the new trailer (and a helpful primer on the Korean dialogue and associated plot points), to the myriad screenshots, class-based gameplay footage, and numerous translations of Q&A sessions with Bluehole developers, the thread is a must-read for fans of the upcoming action MMORPG. You'll also find helpful links to various discussion threads chewing the fat with regard to the new info (as well as a bit of head-scratching on features that still haven't seen the light of the day). Sound good? What are you waiting for then, head to TERAfans and get your fix.
G-Star 2010: TERA G-Star reveals outlined
Curious about the TERA-centric G-Star revelations the week has in store? We are too, and even though we've got Editor-in-Chief Shawn Schuster as our man in Korea, we're still combing the intarwebs for the very latest about the fantasy title from Bluehole Studio and En Masse Entertainment. En Masse has provided a helpful scorecard for the G-Star event in the form of a forum post that outlines what fans can expect to learn over the course of the convention. Bluehole representatives will be revealing information about the game's skill system, equipment system, PvP mechanics, guild systems, and the mysterious political system. Check out all the details at the official TERA website, and also have a look at the various translations available via TERAfans.
G-Star 2010: Bluehole devs talk TERA payment model, launch date
If you're a TERA fan, chances are you're anxiously awaiting the smorgasbord of news sure to come out of this week's G-Star convention in Korea. Bluehole Studio has a large presence there of course, and thanks to the TERAfans website, we have an interesting translation of an interview with Bluehole CEO Kang-Suk Kim and developer Hyung-Kyu Park. The duo discusses everything from TERA's pending stress test (happening soon after G-Star) and upcoming open beta, to the decision to steer clear of the free-to-play payment model. "We can't say that TERA was made specifically for a subscription-based model, but we thought a lot about what the game was worth to players. We came to the conclusion that a monthly subscription would allow players to enjoy the game most easily. We are not interested in cash shops or partially making the game a pay model like some MMORPGs out there," Kim said. The interview also sheds a tiny bit of light on the game's political system, a feature that has been hinted at over the past several months but has, so far, lacked any definitive explanation. "The political system will be added in the [open beta test]. The political system is actually end game content so it won't really be active until the game's launch," Park said. Check out the full interview at TERAfans, and also bear in mind that this is a fan-made translation.
TERA talks public transportation, releases new screens
Did you ever think you'd see a bus or a subway train in the fantasy world of TERA? Apparently some community members have, as a recent discussion translated from the game's Korean website makes clear. Aside from the pegasus flightpath system that takes players from cities to quest hubs in the current beta client, no information on mounts in En Masse Entertainment's upcoming action MMO has been released. That said, TERAfans has managed to dig up a posting by Korean community manager Tree in which he solicits community feedback on the types of mounts desired. In other news, En Masse has released its latest Screenshots of the Week featurette, this time taking us to the cities of Velika and Castanica. Check them out in our gallery below or on the official website. %Gallery-96720%
TERA's Brian Knox dismisses console plans
There's been no shortage of TERA news since the game turned a lot of heads at this year's E3, and the latest comes to us courtesy of Caelixian and the TERAcast podcast. Episode number ten features discussion of En Masse Entertainment's showing at last month's trade event, and concludes with an interview with TERA senior producer Brian Knox. Knox talks about everything from the challenges inherent in Westernization, to international communication, to the possibility of TERA appearing on consoles. "[We have] a singular focus that allows us to be concentrated on one product, one release. A lot of people ask "it's such an action game, have you thought about the console"... for us we want to have that single focus, we want to make an action MMO on the PC and we don't want to stray too many different ways because that's when you get caught up and everything gets half done instead of one thing being done really well," Knox says. Download the tenth episode of TERAcast to hear the full interview.
TERA possibly subsidized by Korean government
It's not every day that your MMORPG gets underwritten by the government, and industry insiders are sure to take notice of the fact that Bluehole Studio's upcoming action MMORPG TERA is on the short list of possible recipients for a 500 million won ($415,000 USD) subsidy by the Korean government. TERAfans brings word of the subsidy, but stops short of calling it a done deal. "As this news has been translated from Korean to English, it is unclear whether TERA has officially been granted the funding yet or whether they're part of a list of nominees who could potentially earn the funding," the fan site says. If successful in its bid, it won't be the first time TERA has received a sizable cash infusion from investors outside of Bluehole Studio and En Masse Entertainment. Earlier this year, companies including KNet Investment and Stonebridge Capital signed on to the tune of almost $15.6 million USD. [Update: En Masse's Evan "Scapes" Berman has confirmed TERA's inclusion in this year's Global Plan in a post on the official TERA website..]
TERA male Castanic renders unveiled
There's been a fair amount of oohing, ahhing, and eye-rolling when it comes to the armor designs in En Masse Entertainment and Bluehole Studio's forthcoming TERA action MMORPG. Much of it has to do with the fact that some fans feel the skimpy female armor is unrealistic and/or sexist. Happily though, that hasn't stopped TERAfans' Radacci from churning out the attractive renders, and today he delivers the male counterpart to yesterday's female Castanic set. As always, the "armors are from a pre-Beta version of TERA and they represent unfinished artwork that is subject to change at any time," according to the teaser post. Visit the gallery below for a few of our favorites, or head to TERAfans for the full set of renders. %Gallery-97020%
TERA castanic armor renders revealed
TERAfans has unveiled yet another set of gorgeous armor renders for En Masse Entertainment and Bluehole Studio's highly anticipated TERA action MMORPG. This time around, the renders focus on the cloth, leather, and plate armor choices available for female Castanic characters. The renders, in which in-game avatars are shown against a recurring background image, were created by TERAfans community member Radacci, and incorporate pre-beta TERA assets that may change during the course of game development. Visit the gallery below for a few of our favorites, or head to TERAfans for the full set of renders. %Gallery-96854%
TERAs Brian Knox interviewed at E3
Amira over at TERAfans managed to corner En Masse Entertainment Senior Producer Brian Knox at last week's E3 convention in Los Angeles. The highly visible TERA producer was quizzed on a variety of game-related topics submitted by TERAfans forum-goers including bits on the character talent system, battlegrounds, and a few hints on the game's political system. "We're not talking a lot about it [the political system], but, there'll be different ways to be elected, be it through PvP, wealth, as well as voting. We're just trying to find the right balance so that different players can participate in different ways and have a choice about how they want to be a part of it all. Once you're elected to office, there'll be some cool features available as well," Knox said. You can view the full transcript over at TERAfans.
TERAfans shows off Amani cloth and leather sets
En Masse Entertainment's upcoming TERA action fantasy MMORPG continues to show off its unique armor and clothing options, this time courtesy of the TERAfans.com website. The latest installment of fan renders, where in-game avatars are displayed against a set backdrop, feature leather and cloth armors specific to the Amani race. "These armors are very impressive with their vibrant colors and uniquely Amani flare. The male armor characterizes the race as strong and vicious while the females seem just as ready to protect their honor," writes TERAfans administrator Amira on the site's forums. The post also teases an upcoming look at both male and female High Elf armors in the coming weeks. Massively readers may also be happy to note that this installment features fully-clothed models, in a bit of a departure from previous TERA armor renders. Finally, be prepared to wait a bit for the page to load due to the large number of high-quality images.
Bluehole CM addresses TERA player feedback
Bluehole Studio Community Manager Mr. Blue has responded to tester feedback regarding the Korean beta version of the upcoming TERA MMORPG. The question and answer session, translated by Meiellink and Locien of TeraFans, touches on a lengthy list of player concerns including a lack of character and skill differentiation, a reliance on repeatable quests, difficult solo play, and a lack of unique hunting zones. "A complete renewal of the hunting zones, including the ones in Arun continent which players have visited is already planned. This doesn't just encompass the variety of monsters, placement, paths, topography and buildings, but also things such as quest types, quest lines and the placement of solo and party quests. We're going to take these factors and others into account as we measure the level of completion of the renewed zones one at a time," Mr. Blue says. Check out the full article over at TeraFans.
