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Trickster Online shuts down today
No, despite the name, this isn't an elaborate deception. Trickster Online is being shut down as of today at 8:30 p.m. EST. The official announcement declines to provide a reason for the shutdown, stating only that the game's time has come to an end. Players who made purchases in the game's cash shop will be eligible for a refund automatically credited to their accounts, although the refund will be in the form of points usable on other games published by SG Interactive. The refunds will extend to purchases made as far back as February of last year; purchases made further back than November will receive less than a full refund. Our condolences to any and all fans of the game left without their favorite haunt in the wake of the closure. [Thanks to Paul for the tip!]
Trickster Online updates with new Chaos Tower content
Did you know that Trickster Online has a story, and that story concerns Don Cavalier, "founder and former leader of [...] the world's biggest and best game company?" Yeah, we didn't either (and no, we're not kidding). Be that as it may, the real reason for this post is to inform you that Trickster has updated with some new content called The Chaos Tower. The patch includes the titular tower, which brings "hours of never before seen playable content" to SG Interactive's free-to-play title. The tower boasts 72 floors of enemies, and the rewards for running the gauntlet are plentiful. The update also introduces a new weapon forging system which allows players to combine Chaos Tower loot items with their existing gear in order to make even more powerful weapons of mass destruction. Head to the official Trickster site to learn more and to download the game. [Source: SG Interactive press release]
Trickster Online's Episode 6 woos players with magic!
The world's most epic love story is coming to a close, a treasure map is discovered, and celebrations galore are on the way. It's not a soap opera; it's Episode 6 for Trickster Online, which has landed on the servers today. Trickster's latest update features the final part of its current story arc as well as a heapload of new content for players to explore. The episode adds 23 additional areas to the game, 56 more quests, an escort system, and a treasure hunt for billionaire Don Cavalier's loot. SG Interactive's Chris Lee says to look at Episode 6 not as an ending but as a new beginning: "The new episode will put the finishing touch to our storyline while providing engaging contents for all players, from beginners to high level players. In addition to concluding the current storyline, this update marks the beginning of more new adventures in Trickster Online, and players should anticipate big celebrations in and out of the game coming soon." Be sure to check out the trailer for Episode 6: Songs of Love and Fate!
Exclusive: Trickster Online's Songs of Love and Fate
Heads up, Anime fans: SG Interactive's Trickster Online is on the verge of releasing what it's calling "the largest episode in the history of Caballa Island." The cutesy, free-to-play, 2-D isometric MMO out of South Korea aims to launch Episode VI, the grand finale of its second season of content, on October 6th. The episode, titled The Songs of Love and Fate, includes a new escort system, 18 new characters, 23 new maps, 17 new monsters, 15 new normal quests, and 41 new scenario quests. And as you might guess from the title, the update will tell a love story rather than focus on the mysteries of the island itself. Who says a game has to be 3-D to tell a good story? Past the cut, we've got an exclusive teaser video with the highlights from this upcoming content patch. Enjoy!
SG Interactive launching GameRage portal
SG Interactive is in the news today thanks to its new GameRage online portal. Who the heck is SG Interactive? Well, the company was originally called Ntreev USA and is headquartered in southern California. Its portfolio includes Trickster Online, Grand Chase, and Pangya, as well as several other free-to-play titles. GameRage will provide centralized contests and events, giving players a sort of one-stop shop for all of the happenings across SG's catalog. There's also a mission zone which allows achievement comparisons across titles, and a reward zone where in-game event winners will be immortalized. GameRage is currently live, and you can sign up at the service's official website. [Source: SG Interactive press release]
Trickster Online and Pangya United want to send you to Las Vegas
SG Interactive wants to send you to Las Vegas, and all you have to do to qualify is play one of the company's MMORPGs. A new press release spills the beans, and entering the contest is as easy as completing a couple of in-game events. Said events are happening in Trickster Online and Pangya United, and one winner from each title will take home a prize pack that includes airfare, hotel accommodations, and tickets to attend the 2012 Consumer Electronics Show. What's the skinny on the events themselves? First up is The Pirates of Pangya Island contest. The pirate queen Kooh is challenging players to collect gold coins hidden at the 18th hole of each Pangya Island course. All you have to do is collect one coin and you'll automatically be entered into the Las Vegas trip contest. The Pangya event ends on September 21st, and the winner will be announced on the 22nd. Entering the Trickster Online contest is even easier. Rack up 100 hours of game time by September 28th and you'll be eligible to win. The victor will be announced on October 5th. [Source: SG Interactive press release]
Massively interviews Ntreev on rebranding to SG Interactive
Last month we heard that North American MMO publisher Ntreev USA was rebranding the company as SG Interactive. Originally established in Southern California in 2006, Ntreev was a relative newcomer to the MMO scene. It has since published the manga-esque free-to-play titles Grand Chase, Pangya and Trickster Online. The rebranding was announced alongside news that the company would be launching a new online portal and taking on board several new free-to-play games. For fans of Ntreev's titles, the news of rebranding brought about a few concerns. Would players lose their Ntreev points during the switchover? And with the addition of new games to the mix, would the existing games get less development time? We caught up with SG to get the lowdown on its recent rebranding, the direction the company is now taking, and what it all means for players. Skip past the cut for the full interview.
Ntreev rebranding as SG Interactive
Ntreev USA, the publisher behind free-to-play titles Grand Chase, Pangya, and Trickster Online, has announced a corporate rebranding as well as new games and an online portal. In a press release made public earlier today, Ntreev revealed that it has changed its name to SG Interactive and will be expanding to offer new online games and services through a portal that is scheduled to launch early next year. The portal will focus on existing F2P titles as well as several new games, the details of which will be announced before the end of 2010. SG Interactive, originally founded as Ntreev in 2006 and located in Southern California, was recently acquired by SmileGate, the Korean publisher responsible for Cross Fire. Be on the lookout for a Massively interview with SG Interactive coming soon.
Trickster Online's Spring Poppuri Olympics flings out prizes
They all laughed at you when you told them you were playing a 2D sprite-based MMORPG with characters cuter than The Smurfs, Rainbow Brite and Pokémon all rolled into one. Now you have the chance to wave a brand-new iPod touch in their faces and crow "Who's laughing now? Who's laughing now?" as they fall to their knees and scream to the sky. Ntreev's Trickster Online continues to roll out special events and contests for its playerbase, as it just announced their Spring Poppuri Olympics, which starts March 18th and runs through April 7th. Players can net some snazzy prizes through this event, including an in-game pet, an iPod Touch 32G, an autographed 2010 World Cup soccer ball, and more. To win, players are tasked to drill for special "Poppuri Boxes" hidden across Caballa Island. If you are level 40 and find at least 200 of these boxes, you will be eligible to win the goodies. "We love to watch the fierce drilling spirit of our players during these Poppuri events," said Chris Lee, CEO of Ntreev USA. "Players will be rewarded nicely with some fabulous prizes for this exciting event and we hope to deliver more events in the future with even greater in-game and real-world prizes." Since Trickster Online is a free-to-play title, there's no reason why you shouldn't head on over to their website, and check it out to see if it's up your alley. And with the lure of a free iPod touch, there's no time like the present!
Trickster Online Revolution kicks off two new in-game events
Tricksters! There are new games afoot for you to take part in across Caballa Island, just perfect for those of you who love nothing more than to uncover secrets in Trickster Online Revolution. The team at Ntreev has lined up two games -- the Lucky 13 challenge, and the Megalo Snipe Hunt GM event -- to bring even more excitement to the game. The Lucky 13 event will start March 4th and run until March 17th, offering players a chance to level up their unrefined equipment and win prizes like Gacha coins, GM pets, and even posters of new Trickster Online Revolution art with GM signatures. Three lucky winners from this first in-game event will also be picked to get 50,000 points for use in the game. The GM event will involve a hunt for disguised GMs all over the game world, and promises to net players all manner of goodies like GM disguise kits, Chaos Feather Random boxes, and other fun things. It certainly sounds like the spirit of the Trickster games are alive and well in the Ntreev team, so if it's been a while since you've logged in and spent some time in the world, you'll want to make sure your client is all patched up and ready to go on the 4th. If you've never stepped foot in Trickster Online Revolution, be sure to check out our First Impressions posting about it, and see if it sounds like a free-to-play game you might find fun.
Trickster Online's fifth episode to launch on October 7th
The free-to-play MMO about a MMO, Trickster Online, will soon be entering its fifth episode on October 7th, adding another layer of story to the game as well as more areas and quests to complete.Trickster's story is a little complicated, as the game is about, well, a game. The "Trickster Online Revolution" game is the last wish of one Don Cavalier, wealthy billionaire and founder of the game development studio, "Megalo Company." The Don's last will and testament states that he wants his fortune to be split up to those who win his final game, and your character is one of the people who have flocked to his mysterious island to become a virtual "Trickster" (half-human, half-animal being) and claim his fortune.The new episode will uncover the secrets behind the Megalo Company, introducing Don Cavalier's headquarters, the Island's master computer "Joker," and the location of the Don's sarcophagus. We dunno why he buried himself in a sarcophagus, but hey, he's eccentric, he can do what he wants.We have the trailer for episode five placed after the break, so if you're interested in watching then jump on through!
First Impressions: Trickster Online Revolution
Do you dig anime? Are you fond of mythology when coupled with strange and adorable characters? Looking for a free-to-play MMO with a large community and a surprising amount of PvP? This week, we look at the free-to-play/microtransaction title Trickster Online Revolution, which includes all of those and quite a bit more. Remember - this isn't a review; just a First Impression of a new (to us) MMO. As always, if it looks interesting to you, be sure to check it out on your own. After all, it doesn't really cost you anything beyond a bit of time. That said, on with the show!Trickster Online Revolution is actually not a new title in the free-to-play space. This game actually launched on August 22, 2007, and has been steadily gaining players since then. The Ntreev USA staff have worked hard with the Ntreev Soft staff in South Korea to create many things from beginning quests to special pets and items specifically for the North American localization. From what I could tell, the community in the North American game seems to dig all the work they've put into it - and are definitely enjoying those fun little pets! Participate in the Revolution >> %Gallery-39544%
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!
The Daily Grind: monthly fee or microtransactions?
We have covered this peripherally before, but while that post focused on buying items through microtransactions, we'd like to ask you: what's your preference? A few MMOs have monthly fees that are also set up for discounted bulk purchases -- you pay less per month if you buy, say, 6 months at once -- but then there's the oh-so-enticing free-as-a-bird model, with microtransactions for better gear thrown in.But it's not just about items or time, is it? Do you feel that paying a monthly fee to your favorite MMO is an investment in your gaming future? Is it enough of a reward for the development team? If you're playing a free-to-play microtransactions game, can you still vote with your dollars if your favorite class gets nerfed? All things being equal, which is better?
Ntreev bringing arcade-style MMO to states
We're not even a month into 2008, and already it seems like there's a veritable deluge of free MMOs coming through the pipes. Joining this rising tide is a new title called Grand Chase from Ntreev USA (the folks behind Trickster Online), which promises to bring an exciting real-time arcade style combat system that will set it apart from the pack. Though the leveling system will be standard RPG fare, combat will focus on skills, combos, and item-use. It's worth noting of course that Auran was promising a similar basket of real-time goodness with Fury not long ago, and we all know where that got them.It's got kind of a funky anime look to it, which will no doubt endear it to a certain demographic and turn off another completely. The story, or at least the vague allusions to a story from the bits of information we've gathered, center on some sort of epic battle against an evil Queen of Darkness. How they plan to stretch that over dozens or hundreds of hours of gameplay isn't exactly clear, but we're sure they'll figure it out. If you want to see the game's zany eastern stylings for yourself, head on over to the official site for a bewildering video introduction.
