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Lineage II becomes more accessible for new players
Among the fantasy MMO titles out there, Lineage II has gained a reputation for being a bit grindy, requiring hardcore dedication to get the most from the game. The latest update, Gracia -- Part 1, is changing all that. Players now have easier leveling thanks to the new Vitality System, which gives an 'experience bonus for time either spent away from the game or in safe zones.' Starting characters begin the game with maximum Vitality and enjoy increased rewards for quest completion, taking down bosses, and a wider array of items available in general, allowing for faster leveling. A recent press release quotes Tim Tan, NCsoft's North American producer, as saying, "The increase in leveling speed allows players to create new characters and advance nearly twice as fast as before. This will allow players to experience the meat of Lineage II quickly, giving them the ability to visit new and exciting areas and cool high-level content much quicker than before. While this game is still a hardcore game, these changes with Gracia -- Part 1 make the game much more accessible to new players." Do the changes make the title more appealing, or do they detract from the 'hardcore' aspects of Lineage II? If you're a serious Lineage II player, how do these changes sit with you? [Thanks, Torak]
Lineage II: behind the gates of the Steel Citadel
Here at Massively, we've always striven to provide you with as much information as we're able to gather about our favorite games. Well, we were lucky enough to catch up with Tim Tan -- North American Producer for NCsoft's Lineage II property -- and had the chance to discuss with him his views on Lineage II itself, the Hellbound expansion, and his feelings about the game's fourth anniversary. With him was Jessica "Alyra" Folsom, Community Manager for Lineage II, so we took the opportunity to pick her brain, as well.For those unaware of the excitement, Hellbound went live on 23 April, the same day the Lineage II team launched Luna, their brand-new European server. Tie both of those events in with the fourth anniversary of their title, and you can see why Tim's so excited about the success of this labor of love. Okay, labor of love, and a lot of coding. Closing the last link in the chain of the First Throne saga, Hellbound brings into existence the horrors and triumphs foreshadowed in earlier installments.
