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WAR40K: Eternal Crusade creates entire planet from scratch
While nobody can claim that the Warhammer 40,000 universe is lacking in locations, the team over at Behaviour Interactive thought it was important enough to create a new planet specifically for Eternal Crusade's setting. Art Director Ghislain Barbe talks about the planet Arkhona in his latest dev diary, saying that it lies smack dab "in the dead center of a void of systems." Arkhona used to be home to the Xenos, but now is ground zero for a five-way tug-of-war when it's not trying to tear itself apart with natural disasters. Or as Barbe puts it, "Death has come to Arkhona and it is ready for a second service." The look of the planet is replete with abandoned structures, shattered chasms, and diverse environments. Barbe also mentioned that one of the priorities of the art team is to support tons of customization. "Lots of research was done to see how far we could push what we offer without harming game performance," he said.
WAR40K's Miguel Caron on lore, immersion, and cloud computing
Miguel Caron is a passionate man. The former Funcom Canada CEO has moved on from The Secret World to lead the team developing Warhammer 40,000: Eternal Crusade, and he's not shy about showing the world what's happening behind the scenes. In fact, he recently showed off an impromptu video of a fan playing the pre-alpha build at Chicago's Comic & Entertainment Expo. Total transparency was the theme of our two-hour-long Skype chat this week as the Behavior Interactive studio head talked to me about everything from pleasing 40K lore fanatics to avoiding the "public quest curse" that plagued the original Warhammer Online MMO.
Eternal Crusade delivers sneak peek of new website and founder's program heroes
Behavior Associate Producer Mathieu Fecteau penned a new producer's letter today in which he showed off both a mock-up of the upcoming Warhammer 40,000: Eternal Crusade website and some concept art of the founder's program heroes. The website will be launched in the early summer, Fectaeu said. "I'm really proud of the direction the design is taking. Ghislain Barbe (Art Director) helped by Nicolas Brunoni (Lead UI/HUD) and I are working closely with Turbulent to get something immersive, dynamic and appealing for our dear crusaders!" As for the founder's program heroes, the sketches provided in the producer's letter merely give an idea of what they will look like when comleted. Fecteau said that all factions will have heroes, special units that are sent out for certain situations, but are "mostly aesthetic."
Eternal Crusade says founders program is not a crowdfunding campaign
Behaviour Interactive's Miguel Caron penned a Warhammer 40K: Eternal Crusade newsletter today for fans skeptical about the founders program announced last week. The purpose of the program, he explains, is to solicit feedback and provide value to the faithful, not to crowdfund the game, which he says is already fully financed but might see an earlier introduction of content thanks to the founders: "The founders programs might, with your help, move a few unannounced features that are currently planned for after launch... before launch." Caron also discusses the studio's commitment to transparency, expresses disdain for any sort of "marketing firewall between devs and fans," and hints that a playable game isn't too far off with this cryptic sentence: "You will soon land on Arkhona." We outlined the proposed founder program perks in a post earlier this month.
Warhammer 40K: Eternal Crusade's founder program detailed
In a newsletter sent to fans today, the Warhammer 40K: Eternal Crusade team fleshed out its previously mentioned plans for its founder program. Within the next few months you will be able to buy a Founder's Pack for Warhammer 40,000: Eternal Crusade. Buying a Founder's Pack will give you full access to the full game at launch, and all four races. You'll also get to select unique rewards from the following categories: ► Identity – Enhance your character's core identity with unique Founders-only squad emblems, Heroes, and background-related titles, biographies, and cosmetics ► Weapon Skins – Unique cosmetics for each race ► Armor Skins – Unique cosmetics for each race ► Space Ship Decorations – Unique cosmetics to dress up your Squad or Strike Force Cruiser's interior the way you want ► Miscellaneous – Unique execution animations and pets, both utility and non-combat ► Vehicles – Unique Founders-only vehicles ► Consumables – Extra ammunition, grenades, and other convenience items ► Accessories – Unique equipment pieces The developers promise updates to each category over time and also note that playable modules will become available much earlier to founders than to everyone else. [Thanks to Dengar for the tip!]
Warhammer board game Mordheim: City of the Damned coming to PC
The Warhammer universe will continue its reach through time and space with the upcoming PC adaptation of the 1999 board game, Mordheim: City of the Damned. While not set in the current timeline, Mordheim takes place in the Imperial city of ... well, Mordheim, which is part of the Warhammer universe. While the Warhammer universe regularly deals in galactic-scale conflict, Mordheim focuses on a smaller-scale skirmish within the city, where a fallen comet has turned the metropolis into a warzone. The game, developed by Rogue Factor and published by Focus Home Interactive, looks to keep the same tone of a more bite-sized battle. Gameplay will focus on turn-based tactics with a blend of RPG elements and unit customization, according to a press release. Mordheim is expected to let loose the hounds - and wererats - of war late this year. [Image: Focus Home Interactive]
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Warhammer 40k: Storm of Vengeance launches on April 3, DLC detailed
After spending a month in the lanes of Early Access, Warhammer 40k: Storm of Vengeance is lining up on iOS and PC users' Steam for an April 3 launch. Details for initial DLC packs have also been shared, outlining three additional unit types for developer Eutechnyx's lane defender. The Ork Stormboy will supply aerial support, made possible by the "rokkit" strapped to its back. The Deathwing Terminator and the Dark Angel Dreadnought will also be available, the latter of which will contribute a "serious extra punch to the Dark Angels arsenal," according to a press release. Ork Clan Skins are also coming, expanding the Oak Warboss' selection of clans to include the Bad Moons and Death Skulls. Each unit will be available at launch for both the iOS and PC versions, but prices have not been offered. [Image: Eutechnyx]
Warhammer 40K: Eternal Crusade plans to launch a founder program
The Warhammer 40,000 Eternal Crusade team sent out a newsletter to fans today discussing the progress of the game since January. Behavior Interactive Creative Director David Ghozland explained that the team is busy stress-testing tech and preproducing everything from the story to the design and visuals. "We are already playing with three fully functional classes out of four," he wrote, and the first working outpost is in the game. Notably, he promises both a new website that will include a guild listing and a pre-order "founder" program set to launch during this year's E3. [With thanks to Dengar for the tip.]
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Warhammer 40K: Storm of Vengeance beta rages on Steam
The PC beta for Warhammer 40k: Storm of Vengeance launched on Steam this week for $9.99, translating the Warhammer universe into a game of defending lanes. Aside from serving as a chance to play the game early, purchasing the Storm of Vengeance beta works as an early purchase of the final build once it's finished. Storm of Vengeance involves a disagreement between Grand Master Belial and Ork Warlord Ghazghkull Tharka on the planet Piscina IV. Players can guide either character's army through its respective group of 50 missions, progressing through a skill tree as they earn victories. As with any beta, the listing reminds us that this isn't representative of the final Storm of Vengeance build, and developer Eutechnyx is welcoming feedback on the game's forum. If you'd rather play this on the go, iOS and Android versions are planned for the first quarter of this year, which the Steam listing notes will be compatible with cross-platform multiplayer against PC players. [Image: Eutechnyx]
Mark Jacobs talks character aging: Nixed in Warhammer Online, planned for Camelot Unchained
Players who were disappointed when the character aging feature was cut from the release of (the now defunct) Warhammer Online can look forward to seeing it implemented in Camelot Unchained. Mark Jacobs, an instrumental man in the creation of both games, talked with Eurogamer about that system and how it got scrapped as well as delved into the details of how it will work in CU. Basically, the system would allow players to visually judge the veteran status of others and therefore their threat both up close and from a distance. For instance, a larger-than-normal Greenskin or a Dwarf with a very long beard would signify a player who is more experienced and likely tougher. Jacobs relayed that he was never even informed that the feature was actually removed from the game and only discovered it when a beta tester inquired about it, noting "Nobody was more embarrassed than me when I had to say that that feature of the game had to be removed." The feature is not dead, however, and will make its appearance in Camelot Unchained. What does that mean for players? In CU, the changes will be more than cosmetic, they will actually be meaningful in the world. Jacobs added, "There will be some downside to aging, but there will also be a greater amount of upsides, because we want it to be a net-positive experience for the player. However, players won't have to worry about getting old to the point of major gimping [becoming not as effective] of their characters, or worse, perma-death, as that would simply be no fun."
Sneak a peek at Warhammer 40K: Eternal Crusade's early prototype
Behaviour Interactive's upcoming Warhammer 40,000: Eternal Crusade is currently in extremely early alpha and scheduled for a 2015 launch. However, footage has snuck out revealing the game's "proof of concept" demo. The video, while brief, gives us the first real glimpse at what Behaviour has planned for this next entry in the Warhammer franchise. Check out the prototype after the break.
One Shots: Over the moon and back
Welcome back to One Shots! I've missed you! I've missed you so much! It's been so long -- how long has it been, really? A week? That's far too long. Let's catch up: What have you been up to? Me? Well, I've been collecting the very best player-submitted screenshots for all to enjoy. But I guess binging on Breaking Bad is a valid use for your time too. Reader Derrick sent in our first picture of the day from Mabinogi, and this might well be one of my favorites. Just looking at it makes me want to live a better life so that one day I might be invited to sit up there with them. "Here I am sitting in my personal homestead on Ladeca, one of the two moons of Erinn," Derrick explains. It only gets more whimsical from here, folks! Join us as we swing on a star and see what our fellow gamers are up to in MMOs.
One Shots: Get to da Choppa!
"This is the last time I ever got to see my Orc Choppa in game," sent in reader Sean. "Oddly enough, I couldn't get a screenshot of my Order character because even in the final days they didn't take out the faction locking, and so I was locked out for eight hours." It's also the last time that I'll be able to make that awesome Predator pun that you see in the title of this week's column there. Man, with Warhammer Online gone, how will I be able to make my '80s action movie references? I guess I'll just put on a brave face and soldier on, somehow.
Warhammer Online shuts down tonight
Today, the drums of Warhammer Online fall silent. After five years of operation, the game will shut down permanently at 6:00 p.m. EST tonight. If there are any last-minute screenshots or contact details you need to exchange, we encourage you to get that done before the servers turn off permanently. Partial refunds will be issued for players who still had paid game time on their accounts as of November 1st; those who purchased game time cards will need to contact customer support directly. For those looking for a bit more farewell reading, our writers have taken on both the overall arc of the game from launch and the game's shutdown event (or lack thereof, depending on your perspective). Fans have also assembled a tribute video for the game as a whole. Our condolences go to the players who are losing a game that has been a home for five years.
Warhammer Online offers partial refunds
With Warhammer Online's closure tomorrow, some of the players will be entitled to a partial refund for money spent during the past few months. Those who qualify for a refund will include those who had paid game time on their accounts on November 1st, including credit card payments and game time cards. Mythic will also be refunding unused purchased game item codes. These refunds will begin tomorrow but could take up to 90 days to process. In the case of credit card purchases, Mythic will automatically refund the money back onto the account. For cards and codes, Mythic is asking those who qualify to contact customer support to arrange a refund method (we suggest a shady back alley hand-off between a Mythic employee and you).
Second Wind Roundtable: The final days of Warhammer Online
I know it's been a while, but the Second Wind Roundtable is back for a special occasion: the shutdown of Warhammer Online. As you may know, Mythic's long-floundering RvR title is officially shutting down on December 18th, taking with it the war between Order and Chaos that's been waging since 2008. I was never a die-hard WAR player, but I did have an account still in good standing, and the game was made free for all former subscribers, so I figured that I'd jump in for a last hoorah despite the icky taste it left in my mouth the last time I played. I wasn't about to do this alone, though, so I pulled my now-ex-friend Eliot Lefebvre along for the ride. A post on the official site promised new NPCs to power up our characters and "other unique experiences," so I expected a big end-of-the-world bash as former players returned and boosted to max level for one final brawl. What we got was... well, just read on past the cut. I need a drink.
Warhammer Online tribute video takes the bloody cake
Short of digging up old login details and re-downloading the client, the best way for Warhammer Online veterans to pay tribute to their old (or current) MMO home might be to watch this excellent fan-made video. Clocking in at around 25 minutes, the video takes us on a tour of WAR's world, lore, and landmarks, all with heaps of in-game action to preserve the memories as they were. This video's been getting noticed by all categories of Warhammer Online players, so we figured we should share it to you as the clock ticks down to the final minutes of the game's life on December 18th. You can view it after the break. [Thanks to Li for the tip!]
One Shots: The storm has passed
"Here is a picture from my days playing Warhammer Online," reader John submitted. "It will be missed." You know what, John? It really will be. Heaven knows it's been kicked around enough in the larger MMO community, but people doing that oh-so-conveniently forget the great times that were had. In a sea of fantasy games, it's still hard to find Witch Hunters battling mutated madmen or suicidal punk Dwarves getting swallowed by a giant squig. Except for here, of course. So take in that lightning and be kind to those who will go through the grieving process this month when WAR is shuttered. Do it for me, will ya? The Gipper. And as you're doing that, also check out our other player screenshots from this past week!
The Eldar invade Warhammer 40k: Eternal Crusade
Warhammer 40,000: Eternal Crusade's racial roster continues to expand, as Behavior Interactive officially added the Eldar Craftworlds to the races and sub-factions page today. As the name and common sense implies, the Eldar are ancient, old, and qualified for senior citizen discounts in every part of the galaxy. However, as they have access to advanced technology and powerful psychic soldiers, they're not content to putter around Walmart on scooters but are instead right in the thick of the intergalactic conflict. Interestingly enough, the Eldar can also see their own future in which they meet a bitter end, but they fight on with severe denial even so.
Warhammer 40K: Space Wolf howls in on Q2 2014
HeroCraft's turn-based, card-focused entry into the Warhammer series, Warhammer 40K: Space Wolf, will start constructing a deck for battle in Q2 of 2014. The launch window comes with a new trailer which, despite being light on new details, offers a glimpse at unit types and attack animations for equipped Weapon and Use cards. Space Wolf's movement grid is also displayed as a unit straps on a Jump Pack to propel himself closer to his targets. Space Wolf will be free to play on the iOS, Android and PC, though the press release noting Space Wolf's Q2 launch curiously states it will also be available on "other platforms." We've reached out to HeroCraft for clarification and will update as we learn more.
