xl-games
Latest
Civ Online to launch with four civilizations and win conditions
In an interview with 2P, XLGames CEO Jake Song talked a bit about upcoming Civilization Online and delved deeper into how the game will function. Civ Online, which is currently not officially scheduled for a North American release, will go live with four playable civilizations: China, Rome, Egypt, and Aztec. Each civilization controls three starting cities that cannot be conquered; players must strike out on their own to found cities once they have gathered enough resources. Song also revealed four of the game's classes, confirming Engineers, Miners, Soldiers, and Farmers for release. Players will be allowed to change careers if desired, though career-swaps carry risks. Progression requires that players develop skills in order level their characters up. Technology advances will be made based on how players focus their resources. Civilization Online will be different from previous Civ games thanks to its MMO nature. However, Song confirmed that the game will have several win conditions that end the session, such as a player conquering all other civilizations or launching a spaceship. When a player wins, the game starts over with everyone back at square one. [Thanks to Dengar for the tip!]
Scott Hartsman on leading Trion Worlds out of the woods
It's been a rocky return for Scott Hartsman, who has rejoined the Trion Worlds fold as CEO. With End of Nations going through development hell in its final stretch, studios being shuttered left and right, employees being laid off, and a mess of unknown questions, Trion's been put through the ringer this past year and come out looking bruised. But that's the moment in the movie when the crafty manager inspires his boxer to get back in there and fight for the win -- and there are few devs more inspirational and passionate than Hartsman. The way he sees it, Trion is due for a rally. We spoke to Hartsman as he was in the second week of a two-month period of evaluation, meetings, and decision-making. Instead of sounding tired or stressed, Hartsman came across as upbeat, enthusiastic, and brimming with good things to say about his team and the studio's future. So why did Hartsman return to the Trion fold now, and what does it portend for the studio and its many titles? The full story is more interesting than you might think.
New ArcheAge video showcases new outfits and riding shotgun
What's better than owning a hot rod to show off to your friends? Why, taking those friends for a spin in it, of course -- even if for no other reason than to increase their envy factor! If there was any question about whether folks could bum a ride on the land like they can the sea in ArcheAge, the newest video sets the record straight. And if you are the type who really pushes your rig to its limits, be prepared to spend some time under the hood for repairs. Also highlighted are new outfits, including French maid and butler ensembles as well as leopard-print swimsuits. See them all modeled in the clip after the break. But don't say we didn't warn you about those last few moments.
Civilization Online not currently planned for North America
You might be tremendously excited about Civilization Online right now, especially if you read our interview with Jake Song yesterday. But if you live in North America, it's time to crank that excitement down to a dull interest because XLGAMES and 2K Games are not currently looking at a release in the region. 2K Games PR Manager Brian Roundy delivered the bad news: "Civilization Online is developed by South Korea-based XL Games in partnership with 2K, and will be available first in Korea. No release date has been set. There are no plans for a North American release at this time." This doesn't mean all hope is lost, of course. It might be that the studios are holding their cards close to their chest or that they don't want to commit until they see how it performs in Korea. But if you were camping in front of a retail store (why?) for this release in America, you should probably go home for now.
Massively Exclusive: Jake Song introduces Civilization Online
You might have heard about a little project called Civilization Online, a new MMO in development based on the popular Civilization series of turn-based strategy games. You also might have heard that XL Games CEO Jake Song, of ArcheAge and Lineage fame, is overseeing the project as Executive Producer. But chances are, that's really all you have heard. Until now, that is. We had the opportunity to sit down with Song, XL Games Senior VP Jung Hwan Kim, and Producer Garrett Bittner from 2K Games to get the scoop on the project. Follow along for all the juicy details about building up civilizations in a new open world environment, including crafting, PvP, and more!%Gallery-195539%
You'll want to watch the new ArcheAge intro video
Hey ArcheAge fans and the mildly curious, you're going to want to watch the latest XLGAMES trailer! According to Steparu, this is the new login movie for the Korean version of the game. It's also quite a nifty marketing tool and may even sway a few of you fence-sitters since it shows off just about everything that sets ArcheAge apart from other MMORPGs. Whether you're into sieging, player weddings, car races, underwater exploration, hang-gliding, bikinis, sailing ships, or dragons, there's plenty of that and more contained in the clip's three-a-half-minute running time. See for yourself after the cut.
Hands-on with ArcheAge's Japanese open beta
So Japan recently had it's ArcheAge open beta, and the Massively crew was kind enough to allow me to write a bit about my experience. As a close follower of the game and someone who played a little in the closed Korean beta, there is a lot I could write about, but I'm going to try to limit this primarily to Japanese localization and what that may mean for westerners. While the game has gotten a lot of coverage for an imported MMO that only recently started western beta recruitment, I feel like some readers have missed important details about AA that I'd like to address. This may build or break hype, but I've thought long and hard about what I'm about to say, and I think it deserves mentioning: ArcheAge is to sandboxes what World of Warcraft was to themeparks.
ArcheAge gives import progress report
Wondering what's going on with ArcheAge and when-oh-when will we ever see it in North America and Europe? While Trion Worlds is still being cagey with its time frame, CM James Nichols gave a progress report to give us some info as to what the team is doing. Nichols reported that the team is tackling several hurdles, including connecting the game to Trion's billing system, setting up the server architecture, and translating over a million words for those of us that don't speak Korean. He said that players should expect any changes to the Korean version to be "very minimal," so players shouldn't expect huge new features or differences. He urged patience for those looking to beta test ArcheAge: "We're just as excited to get to the point where we can invite external testers, but expect the closed testing period to last at least a few months." [Thanks to Dengar for the tip!]
The Daily Grind: Have you ever played an MMO for its crafting?
Last week's ArcheAge Japanese open beta commercials gave me a chuckle, both because of the music and because they focused so heavily on the game's crafting elements. As I was watching them, I imagined most western MMO players rolling their eyes and wondering where all the combat footage went, not to mention the screaming rock guitars and the scantily clad avatars. But enough of my stereotyping, this is The Daily Grind! And The Daily Grind needs to feature a conversation starter, so here you go. Have you ever played an MMO specifically for its crafting? If so, which one? Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!
Get the scoop on ArcheAge's fishing and factions
Who are we to say that the fellow in the above picture is doing fishing wrong? After all, this is ArcheAge, and a new fishing technique or two is to be expected from this next-gen sandbox. If you're interested in fishing or the player faction system, there are a pair of articles for you to check out today. While fishing in ArcheAge isn't as time-consuming as it is in real life, it definitely requires some preparation and know-how to do it effectively. Players can choose to fish in fresh water or salt water, and they'll need to get the right gear before angling for a good catch. There's also a helpful auto-fishing function to help cut down on some of the grind. A second guide has more information on making player factions. To create a faction, you have to accomplish a series of tasks. This costs you a significant amount of gold (26,000 or so) and requires you to go on a scavenger hunt across the world. Good luck with that! [Thanks to Dengar for the tip!]
Lose your life and your wallet with ArcheAge's new dragon and cash shop
If you thought you were safe from giant bosses in ArcheAge if you avoided sailing, think again. XLGAMES' latest update introduced a massive red dragon to harass the landlubbers like the kraken does the seafarers. Massive, scaly, and with breath that can incinerate adventurers, this dragon might just drop in on your party whether invited or not. Also included in this latest update is the new cash shop. In a unique twist, players wishing to browse through and buy the wares visit an actual in-game shopping mall in the Market District. There are no generic icons to pour over, but full-scale items on display instead. Shoppers can peruse different departments filled with clothing, animals, gliders, even cars. Want a glimpse of the dragon before it lands on your head? Or need a tour of the mall before you lose yourself -- and your funds -- in it? Then take a look at the two videos below courtesy of Steparu.com, and head to the site for more in-game footage of a dragon fight.
Watch these ArcheAge Japanese launch commercials
ArcheAge launched in Japan last week, and MMO Culture got its hands on the two launch trailers that aired on Japanese television. Both focus on the game's non-combat activities, from crafting to farming to life on the open sea. They're not completely violence-free, though, as we get to see the kraken make mincemeat out of a player-built ship. The website also reports that ArcheAge launched with a subscription business model in Japan despite the game's recent free-to-play conversion in its native Korea. Check out the trailers after the cut! [Thanks Dengar!]
Lost Continent: Should we worry about ArcheAge's crafting?
It finally happened. XLGAMES did something to ArcheAge that I really don't like, and while I'll stop short of labeling it a deal-breaker, it's definitely made me think about the game in a different light. To be fair to the company, this particular gameplay tweak was made to the Korean version several months ago, so it's a) not a certainty for the American version and b) not exactly breaking news. It was breaking news to me when I read a recent high-level review of the title, though, because I'd been purposely steering clear of the Korean release in order to more fully enjoy myself when the game finally lands on U.S. soil.
ArcheAge F2P today, adds houses and dungeon
Last month we learned that ArcheAge was switching payment models in Korea and ditching subscriptions. And now that change has come to pass. If a subscription was all that was holding you back from playing the new sandbox, today's update heralding the transition to free-to-play marks your chance to dive in. If, however, you're stuck in the western world where the game hasn't been released yet, your wait continues. This update didn't stop at just the move to F2P; Steparu.com reports that XLGAMES also introduced a new 10-man dungeon called Island of Eternity as well as new houses with underwater farms. Additionally, a new coin system has been implemented that will allow players to purchase potions to replenish labor points -- used in the game's non-combat activities -- up to three times a day. This last bit of news could be highly beneficial for the free players, since labor points will not naturally replenish unless an account is paid.
Player review offers in-depth look at ArcheAge
What's the next best thing to getting your hands on ArcheAge and checking everything out for yourself? Getting ahold of someone who is in playing the game and picking his or her brains about the experience! Well thanks to the efforts of a current player and community member who compiled a fairly hefty review, you can do just that. Although a self-professed non-expert, KeksX's review covers the gamut of systems, from ships and vehicles to housing to PvP to the economy to the UI... and the list goes on. KeksX also offers plenty of screenshots to demonstrate the visuals of the world, including the one seen above, as well as videos. In another post, the same reviewer offers a translation of the comparisons between the Japanese and the Korean versions of ArcheAge, noting that the Japanese version made quite a few modifications. If you've got a hankering for more details about this upcoming sandbox and a good chunk of time, settle in and check these posts out. [Thanks to Dengar for the tips!]
ArcheAge player guide shows how to compose your own music
A couple months ago, someone quietly posted a video of folks actually playing music in ArcheAge. As much excitement as that generated for music lovers, not much information was given in that short clip other than a Guitar Hero-style guitar was utilized to create what was heard in the sandbox game. But now, a new player-created video guide walks you through how to create and play compositions in game. What great melodious masterpieces will be arranged using this system? Only time will tell. Until then, check out the guide after the break to see how it's done. Oh, and if you missed that first clip, we've added it as well! [Thanks to Dengar for the tip!]
Lost Continent: ArcheAge needs a business model, too
Massively's Eliot Lefebvre recently speculated on what WildStar's business model might look like, and even if you're not a huge fan of the upcoming sci-fantasy opus, it's worth a read. It's also a column topic worth stealing, and I'm going to do just that this week and apply it to ArcheAge. Like WildStar, ArcheAge is largely an enigma when it comes to its western business model. Unlike Carbine, though, Trion Worlds -- AA's western publisher -- has plenty of experience with all three of the major MMO models currently in use.
ArcheAge player-made factions incoming
For those who don't care for any of the established NPC factions that you typically find in an MMO, ArcheAge has another option: make your own! XLGAMES is prepping a July update that includes the ability to create player factions. How it works is that apparently players who carve out some territory on the northern continent can then create their own independent faction. It looks like there will be a way to establish relations with other factions, tax local estate owners, and get into scuffles with neighbors. Players won't be able to join multiple factions and become dual-citizens, so choose wisely when the time comes! [Thanks to Dengar for the tip]
How ArcheAge's Korean F2P model works
Are you wondering about ArcheAge's business model? You're not alone, particularly given that the game is going free-to-play in its native Korea next month. Developer XLGAMES and publisher Trion have not revealed any pricing information for the western market, but there is a bit of info available on the Korean F2P model thanks to users on the ArcheAge Source forums. Korean F2P customers may advance to level 50, but may not own homes or regenerate labor points (labor points are a pool much like traditional health and mana pools, but set aside for the game's numerous non-combat activities). There are other restrictions too, most of them contingent upon whether or not Korean users are playing from home or from their local PC Bang internet cafes. [Thanks Dengar!]
ArcheAge going F2P in Korea on July 3
We still haven't gotten any inkling from XLGAMES or Trion regarding ArcheAge's western business model. A freemium model of some sort is probably a safe bet, though, particularly now that the Korean version of the game -- which launched as a subscription-only title -- is gearing up for a F2P switch. MMO Culture reports that, starting July 3rd, ArcheAge Korea will cease selling time cards in favor of premium 30- and 90-day packages that offer in-game advantages like faster labor point recovery, item exchange vouchers, the ability to own a house, and assorted buffs. The site also says that XL will implement account services like name changes, aesthetic changes, and server transfers.
