| Open beta announced for Sword Girls Posted: 22 Feb 2012 03:54 PM PST Changyou.com has revealed the open beta date for Sword Girls to be March 28. Players can expect new cards, new dungeons, and more. In fact, over 100 new cards have been added to the already large library. Three new dungeons are also available to all players, featuring challenging bosses and great rewards. Sword Girls will also feature Facebook integration, allowing players to invite their friends and share their accomplishments. A tutorial for new players is also being added, along with an improved matchmaking system for PvP, and a variety of daily quests.  Sword Girls Gameplay Screenshot
Source: CHANGYOU.COM (US) NAILS DOWN SWORD GIRLS OPEN BETA DATE TO MARCH 28, 2012
“Everybody Wins!” Countdown Celebration Event Begins Today SANTA CLARA, CA (February 22, 2012) - ChangYou.com (US), a wholly-owned subsidiary of ChangYou.com Ltd. (NASDAQ: CYOU) and a leading publisher of online interactive entertainment in North America, today announced that its flagship browser-based online collectible card game, Sword Girls, will begin its open beta phase on March 28, 2012. Sword Girls open beta launch will boast exciting new content including new cards, new dungeons and much more. Players can expect over 100 new playable cards added to the game’s already expansive library with the inclusion of Episode 3 and Episode EX1. In addition, three previously unreleased dungeons will become available to all players, offering challenging boss battles and exciting rewards. Sword Girls will also incorporate Facebook integration which will allow players to invite friends and share in-game activities and updates. Based on user feedback, Sword Girls will feature major updates including an easy to follow beginner’s tutorial, improved matchmaking algorithm to shorten wait time during Player versus Player (PvP) matches, a variety of daily quests with generous Token rewards, and adjusted quest difficulty, catering to players of all experience levels. In celebration of the Sword Girls open beta launch, ChangYou.com (US) is also announcing that today will be the start of a countdown celebration event with weekly challenges for fans on the Sword Girls Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/SwordGirls. When milestones are achieved, fans of Sword Girls will win cool in-game bonuses, culminating in a Samsung Galaxy tablet sweepstakes drawing at game launch. “Sword Girls has such an enthusiastic community of players,” said Annie Kang, Community Manager at ChangYou.com (US). “We’re excited to be holding these giveaways as a way to say ‘thank you’ for all the support as we enter the open beta phase for the game.” Sword Girls is the newest online collectible card game with visually stunning anime design and strategic game play that will entice both veteran players and newcomers alike. The game features hundreds of uniquely drawn playable cards that can be collected through the innovative card crafting system with new cards released periodically. Players are invited to explore multiple tiers of dungeons and challenge other players to online duels to collect materials that can be used to craft their favorite cards. Sword Girls is free to play for everyone and works on any Flash enabled web browser. For more information about the game or to sign up for newsletters to receive the latest news and updates, please visit the game’s official website at www.SwordGirlsOnline.com.
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| Tribes Ascend announces open beta Posted: 22 Feb 2012 03:40 PM PST Hi Rez Studios announced that open beta for Tribes: Ascend will begin on Friday, February 24. There are no planned character wipes in place, so closed beta players may continue with what they have unlocked. A patch is scheduled this week as well, which will introduce Team Deathmatch to the game modes, along with a new Capture-the-Flag map. Two unlockable items for the Soldier class have been announced, and the Doombringer and Brute receive new default suits. Several other bug fixes are being put in place. Hi-Rez Studios also publishes Global Agenda.  Tribes Ascend Gameplay Screenshot
Source: Hi-Rez Studios Announces Start Date of Open Beta and Major Content Updates for Tribes: Ascend Fast growing free-to-play shooter Tribes: Ascend will be available to everyone on Friday, February 24. This week's patch adds a new game mode, four new maps, and new regions. ATLANTA. February 22, 2012 Today, Hi-Rez Studios announced major content updates to the highly anticipated, fast-action multiplayer shooter Tribes: Ascend in advance of starting Open Beta this Friday, February 24. "The Tribes: Ascend Closed Beta has exceeded our expectations", says Todd Harris, Hi-Rez Studios Chief Operating Officer. "Over 300,000 players participated in the closed beta and the game has improved greatly based on community feedback. We are now excited to launch Open Beta this Friday. We have expanded capacity in North America, Europe, and Australia and added new local servers to support growing communities in Brazil and Asia." All player progress and unlocks will be preserved with no planned character wipes. In advance of Open Beta, a significant patch this week will include: - New gametype, Arena Deathmatch, with two initial maps
- New Capture The Flag map, Temple Ruins
- New Team Deathmatch map, Inferno
- Two new unlockable items for the Soldier class: Proximity Grenade and Utility Pack
- New default suits for Doombringer and Brute
- Ability to view either Blood Eagle or Diamond Sword skins from Class menu
- Service supporting Name Change
- Large number of bug-fixes and balance adjustments.
Please find the details in the patch notes. As of Friday 5pm GMT, anyone interested in trying Tribes: Ascend can create an account and download the game from http://www.tribesascend.com, without the need for a beta key.
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| Forge of Empires discusses art and design Posted: 22 Feb 2012 03:13 PM PST Additional information was provided about the art direction in Forge of Empires. The developers have worked hard to create natural looking 3D graphics to give players an accurate, believable world. The game uses a muted color palette to focus on highlights in the designs to make the game stand out, without everything looking the same. The game also features significantly detailed buildings and animations to give life to player cities. New wallpapers, art designs and sketches have also been provided on the Forge of Empires website for players to download. Forge of Empires is published by InnoGames, who also publishes Tribal Wars and Grepolis.  Tobias Dunz, Lead Graphic Artist
Forge of Empires
Source: Natural Beauty: Art and Design in Forge of Empires Realism and Attention to Detail create immersive Worlds in the Browser Hamburg, February 22, 2012. Today InnoGames released additional information regarding Art and Design of the strategic Browsergame Forge of Empires. The Flash-Based 3D Graphics of the game are based on a naturalistic style, and present players an accurate and believable world by focusing on realistic details. On www.forgeofempires.com, there are now brand new Wallpapers, Art Designs and Sketches for players to enjoy. “We aimed at creating a world that feels authentic to players,” explains Tobias Dunz, Forge of Empires’ Lead Artist. “Which doesn’t mean, to force oneself to remain historically accurate all the time, but rather to keep in mind that this world and the buildings within could really have existed.” Forge of Empires keeps away from comic-like exaggerations, a muted color palette with targeted visual highlights keep the graphics appealing without being too uniform: “We did not want a style that seems sterile or plain. Thus we toyed around a lot with the geometry and shapes of the games’ various ages. Additionally, we paid a lot of attention to details,” says Dunz. Structurally complex and detailed buildings and dozens of animations allow curious players to perpetually discover new aspects of their city. The Graphic Artists’ main Tools for creating Forge of Empires were 3D Studio Max, Maya and Cinema 4D. Forge of Empires is a browser-based strategy game that allows players to create a city and develop it from the Stone Age and onward throughout the centuries. Players can create a vast empire through military campaigns and skillful dealings. InnoGames provides additional information in the game’s very own blog.
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| Rangers and more arrive in Eden Eternal Posted: 22 Feb 2012 03:03 PM PST Eden Eternal has released a new content patch today. The patch includes the new Ranger class, an increase in the level cap, new maps and dungeons, and improved PvP content. The Ranger is a powerful ranged class, capable of learning skills like Meteor Shower and Arrow of Fear. The class can also use guns and even an eagle to assist it in combat. The level cap in Eden Eternal has also been increased to 65, and a 3v3 matchmaking system for PvP has been improved to pit characters against opponents their level range. The new maps include Witchcraft Forest and Shiver Peak, and there are new dungeons to explore and loot as well. Eden Eternal is published by Aeria Games, who also publishes Shaiya and Grand Fantasia.  Ranger in Shiver Peak
Eden Eternal Gameplay Screenshot Source: Aeria Games Releases New Content for Eden Eternal Featuring New Ranger Class, Maps and Increased Level Cap Update to Popular Free-to-Play MMORPG Introduces All New Ranger Class Along With New Dungeons and Upgraded PvP SANTA CLARA, Calif. – February 22, 2012 – Aeria Games, a leading global publisher of free-to-play online games, has released the latest content patch for its highly popular free-to-play MMORPG, Eden Eternal. The new content update includes the all-new Ranger class, an increased level cap, new maps and dungeons, and upgraded PvP content. Eden Eternal has expanded its vibrant world to include the ranks of the agile warrior known as the Ranger, whose deadly aim can easily disable opponents from a distance. With a fury of high DPS ranged attacks at its disposal, including the Meteor Shower and the Arrow of Fear, this powerful class can stealthily take out its opponents from afar by bow, artillery gun or even eagle. The Ranger class's unique ability to summon the assistance of the mighty Hunters eagle makes it a lethal new addition to the Eden Eternal universe.
In addition to the Ranger class, an increased level cap of 65 and new PvP enhancements have been made. The improvements such as a 3v3 Matchmaking system have been refined to more effectively pair players with others in their level range. By creating a more balanced, intensive match, players have access to an even-footed arena experience to prove their strength in PVP combat. Also included in this Eden Eternal content update: - New Level 61-65 Maps: Amazing new areas including the Witchcraft Forest and Shiver Peak for players to forge through new landmarks in pursuit of wealth and adventure.
- New Level 61-65 Dungeons: Epic dungeons full of new dangerous monsters for players to battle, secrets to discover and powerful gear to loot and equip.
Published by Aeria Games, Eden Eternal is free to download on the PC and free-to-play. Gamers can learn more and play Eden Eternal by visiting http://edeneternal.aeriagames.com.
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| Lucent Heart announces Stadia expansion Posted: 22 Feb 2012 02:49 PM PST Gamania (Beanfun) has announced the second expansion for Lucent Heart will be coming on March 20. Named Stadia, the expansion will bring a significant amount of content for players. Aside from new areas and new bosses, players can also look forward to Tarot Battle Pets, a unique Mount Race system and even new songs and dances in their dance system. Each Tarot pet the player can collect will have their own skills, role and animations. The Mount Race system is a kart-style racing game, complete with different tracks and mounts to race with. Gamania also publishes Bright Shadow and Divina. Lucent Heart Stadia Expansion Trailer: Source: GAMANIA REVEALS LUCENT HEART'S "STADIA" EXPANSION Mount Races, Tarot Battle Pets, New Areas, Bosses, and More IRVINE, Calif. – February 22, 2012 – Gamania Digital Entertainment today announced Lucent Heart's second major expansion, Stadia, coming March 20th. Bringing a significant amount of content, players can expect new areas and bosses, the first Tarot Battle Pets, the unique Mount Race system, and more. Gamania has released a preview trailer for the expansion and additional details will be revealed at the official Stadia teaser site: http://www.lucentheart.com/updates/stadia Stadia Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqfe7gO7WrI "This will be our second major expansion for Lucent Heart and it's coming with some great RPG and social content," said David Wong, COO of Gamania. "My favorite new feature is the Mount Race, which adds Mario Kart style racing to the game. We've been having a blast playing it internally and I can't wait to let our players give it a try." Stadia will launch on March 20th as a free update for all Lucent Heart players. Key highlights include: Mount Races: The Mount Race is a full-featured kart-style racing game with multiple mounts and tracks, items, and of course power slides! Tarot Battle Pets: The powerful Tarot race is the newest type of battle pet to fight alongside players. Each Tarot pet has its own unique skills, role, and animations. Additional Content: Players will find new zones, bosses, instances, armor sets – even songs and moves for the Dance System. Players can follow the Stadia teaser site (http://www.lucentheart.com/updates/stadia) until its March 20th launch for upcoming in-depth information and join Lucent Heart's fun and friendly community today at http://us.beanfun.com/lucentheart/.
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| MMOHut Weekly Recap #74 Feb 19 – Rusty Hearts, Perfect World, Tactical Intervention, & More Posted: 21 Feb 2012 05:03 PM PST
Click here to view the embedded video. A quick look and discussion for every major announcement and update during the week! This week we discussed updates from the following games: Rusty Hearts, War Inc, Seven Souls Online, Allods Online, Requiem, Perfect World, Forsaken World, Tactical Intervention, Brawl Busters and Eligium. The biggest news this week is the huge content updates for both Perfect World and Allods Online, arguably two of the most popular F2P MMORPGs. The updates for both games provide higher level caps, new items and gear, group dungeons as well as Raid dungeons, class balances and new abilities. All of this content is now available to players. You can view all the individual news articles mention over at the MMOHut.com News section. |
