Mafia MoFo 1.0
Mafia MoFo is a free, mafia-style RPG and massive multiplayer online game, which means you play live against other people in real time. In Mafia MoFo, you choose your own path. Whether you want to train your mobster's stats at the gym and become the strongest player or become the wealthiest mobster in the game, the path you choose in the game is entirely up to you! Play Mafia MoFo now and release the MoFo in you!
Download Mafia Mofo here: http://www.soft32.com/Download/Free/Mafia_MoFo/4-233912-1.html
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Dungeon Fighter Online Announced
Arcade styled action RPG coming later this year.
March 30, 2009 - Don't have a lot of time to leap into a multiplayer online gaming session, but still like the depth of these titles? Been looking for a side scrolling arcade styled action RPG? You're in luck, because Nexon America just announced today that Dungeon Fighter Online will be coming to North America in the second half of 2009. Released as Dungeon & Fighter in Asia, players create a character from one of five character classes: Swordsman, Fighter, Gunner, Mage and Priest, each of which has their own customizable sets of skills and class specializations. These characters can either explore dungeons in the land of Arad individually or team up with other online players to go through multiplayer specific areas.
Players will be able to tailor their characters thanks to a large variety of items that will be included within in-game item shops. While the game will be free to play, extra equipment can be purchased via stores as well to further augment your characters. What's more, players will also be able to go head to head with opposing players, entering a player versus player arena that's auto-balanced to ensure competitive matches.
"With its dynamic gameplay coupled with classic retro arcade feel, Dungeon Fighter Online is a household title in Asia," said Min Kim, vice president of marketing for Nexon America. "Few games are able to make an impact in one genre. Dungeon Fighter Online delivers in two; as a great fighting game and as an engrossing social experience. We look forward to delivering this amazing experience to North American gamers later this year." With an art style that's reminiscent of classic arcade side-scrollers like Final Fight or Magic Scroll, Dungeon Fighter Online will enter beta testing this summer.
Source article: Dungeon Fighter Online Announced
March 30, 2009 - Don't have a lot of time to leap into a multiplayer online gaming session, but still like the depth of these titles? Been looking for a side scrolling arcade styled action RPG? You're in luck, because Nexon America just announced today that Dungeon Fighter Online will be coming to North America in the second half of 2009. Released as Dungeon & Fighter in Asia, players create a character from one of five character classes: Swordsman, Fighter, Gunner, Mage and Priest, each of which has their own customizable sets of skills and class specializations. These characters can either explore dungeons in the land of Arad individually or team up with other online players to go through multiplayer specific areas.
Players will be able to tailor their characters thanks to a large variety of items that will be included within in-game item shops. While the game will be free to play, extra equipment can be purchased via stores as well to further augment your characters. What's more, players will also be able to go head to head with opposing players, entering a player versus player arena that's auto-balanced to ensure competitive matches.
"With its dynamic gameplay coupled with classic retro arcade feel, Dungeon Fighter Online is a household title in Asia," said Min Kim, vice president of marketing for Nexon America. "Few games are able to make an impact in one genre. Dungeon Fighter Online delivers in two; as a great fighting game and as an engrossing social experience. We look forward to delivering this amazing experience to North American gamers later this year." With an art style that's reminiscent of classic arcade side-scrollers like Final Fight or Magic Scroll, Dungeon Fighter Online will enter beta testing this summer.
Source article: Dungeon Fighter Online Announced
Enigma Games' social gaming war: Myspace vs. Facebook
Which social network has the best gamers? Enigma Games will soon have an answer this question with its RPG, Wargods Online.
(Media-Newswire.com) - Wargods Online, available at wargodsonline.com, is a free to play online RPG that is available on the social networks. After initially appearing on four of the major networks only Myspace and Facebook proved to bring in superior players. Competitive players can invade the opposing 'world' and wage war on their enemies gaining cash and other rewards for each victory. After two months of this war there have been over 14,000 battles and as of this release Myspace is ahead by roughly 1,000 victories.
Customer support is clearly important to social gamers and Enigma Games has taken strides to excel in this area. With a 4.3/5.0 playing rating, this theme is repeated in each review. Here are a few words directly from the players themselves:
"The game developers are very involved and quite open to listening to what the player base is saying."
"The game developers do a great job listening to the community. I know I have had a personal hand in finding some early bugs and making some suggestions for future enhancements."
Future plans for Wargods Online include porting the game to mobile devices to see how gamers on iPhone, Blackberry, and Windows Mobile stack up against the social network veterans.
About Enigma Games Inc:
Founded in 2000, Enigma Games Inc. is an independent publisher of video games for Mac, PC, Windows Mobile and Blackberry platforms. Focusing on innovation and strategy, their lineup of games has carved a niche in the industry. Distribution agreements with Handango, MobiHand, and Clickgamer allow Enigma Games Inc. to reach its target customers through their high volume websites.
Source article: Enigma Games' social gaming war: Myspace vs. Facebook
(Media-Newswire.com) - Wargods Online, available at wargodsonline.com, is a free to play online RPG that is available on the social networks. After initially appearing on four of the major networks only Myspace and Facebook proved to bring in superior players. Competitive players can invade the opposing 'world' and wage war on their enemies gaining cash and other rewards for each victory. After two months of this war there have been over 14,000 battles and as of this release Myspace is ahead by roughly 1,000 victories.
Customer support is clearly important to social gamers and Enigma Games has taken strides to excel in this area. With a 4.3/5.0 playing rating, this theme is repeated in each review. Here are a few words directly from the players themselves:
"The game developers are very involved and quite open to listening to what the player base is saying."
"The game developers do a great job listening to the community. I know I have had a personal hand in finding some early bugs and making some suggestions for future enhancements."
Future plans for Wargods Online include porting the game to mobile devices to see how gamers on iPhone, Blackberry, and Windows Mobile stack up against the social network veterans.
About Enigma Games Inc:
Founded in 2000, Enigma Games Inc. is an independent publisher of video games for Mac, PC, Windows Mobile and Blackberry platforms. Focusing on innovation and strategy, their lineup of games has carved a niche in the industry. Distribution agreements with Handango, MobiHand, and Clickgamer allow Enigma Games Inc. to reach its target customers through their high volume websites.
Source article: Enigma Games' social gaming war: Myspace vs. Facebook
Monday, March 30, 2009
GameSpy Aims Online Gaming Services At Independent Developers
Mar 28, 2009 (Close-Up Media via COMTEX) -- GameSpy Technology, a division of IGN Entertainment and provider of online gaming services, announced the availability of a new pilot program, GameSpy Indie, designed to support independent game developers and advance innovation in online-enabled gaming across the industry.
In conjunction with the launch, Blitz Games Studios announced that the first game from the new program - Buccaneer: The Pursuit of Infamy, developed by Stickman Studios - will be released next week.
Through the new program, GameSpy Technology is now being made available to smaller developers that can benefit from high value online services but may have been prohibited in the past due to resource or implementation barriers. The program expands the reach of GameSpy's suite of technologies and services, which are available for every existing gaming platform.
"At GameSpy, we are committed to advancing innovation in online and connected play within the gaming industry," said Jamie Berger, SVP Consumer Products and Technology, GameSpy Technology. "This means that we not only work to ensure that our technology is cutting edge, but that we also demonstrate a commitment to supporting independent developers and publishers - like Stickman Studios and Blitz Games Studios - who are driving innovation and pushing the industry forward on PC and Consoles. Our new program gives those industry pioneers the professional online technology, services, and support that they need to make their games successful."
The first game to launch from the new program, Buccaneer: The Pursuit of Infamy, is an adventure game in which players control a variety of pirate ships and plunder their way through a 56 mission, non-linear campaign, going head to head against other cut-throats online. Buccaneer employs a simple and intuitive control system, allowing players to jump straight into the action and begin their career in piracy.
The game was initially released in 2008 with limited online features. Working with GameSpy, Stickman Studios has added a more in-depth multiplayer dimension to the game. With the recent updates to GameSpy's matchmaking services, setting up and joining those multiplayer matches is now easier than ever. The game also uses GameSpy's ownership authentication and patching services to help players keep their game up to date, no matter where they decide to install and play it.
"GameSpy Technology played a significant role in the development of some of Buccaneer's most exciting features, enabling fierce multiplayer warfare and seamless matchmaking," said Chris Swan, Business Development Director, Blitz Arcade. "The team at GameSpy Technology was amazingly helpful and great to work with, and the technology was very easy to integrate. GameSpy Technology helped us to provide the most exciting in-game experience possible for today's sophisticated gamers."
IGN Entertainment, a unit of Fox Interactive Media, Inc., is an Internet media and services provider focused on the videogame and entertainment enthusiast markets.
Source Article: GameSpy Aims Online Gaming Services At Independent Developers
In conjunction with the launch, Blitz Games Studios announced that the first game from the new program - Buccaneer: The Pursuit of Infamy, developed by Stickman Studios - will be released next week.
Through the new program, GameSpy Technology is now being made available to smaller developers that can benefit from high value online services but may have been prohibited in the past due to resource or implementation barriers. The program expands the reach of GameSpy's suite of technologies and services, which are available for every existing gaming platform.
"At GameSpy, we are committed to advancing innovation in online and connected play within the gaming industry," said Jamie Berger, SVP Consumer Products and Technology, GameSpy Technology. "This means that we not only work to ensure that our technology is cutting edge, but that we also demonstrate a commitment to supporting independent developers and publishers - like Stickman Studios and Blitz Games Studios - who are driving innovation and pushing the industry forward on PC and Consoles. Our new program gives those industry pioneers the professional online technology, services, and support that they need to make their games successful."
The first game to launch from the new program, Buccaneer: The Pursuit of Infamy, is an adventure game in which players control a variety of pirate ships and plunder their way through a 56 mission, non-linear campaign, going head to head against other cut-throats online. Buccaneer employs a simple and intuitive control system, allowing players to jump straight into the action and begin their career in piracy.
The game was initially released in 2008 with limited online features. Working with GameSpy, Stickman Studios has added a more in-depth multiplayer dimension to the game. With the recent updates to GameSpy's matchmaking services, setting up and joining those multiplayer matches is now easier than ever. The game also uses GameSpy's ownership authentication and patching services to help players keep their game up to date, no matter where they decide to install and play it.
"GameSpy Technology played a significant role in the development of some of Buccaneer's most exciting features, enabling fierce multiplayer warfare and seamless matchmaking," said Chris Swan, Business Development Director, Blitz Arcade. "The team at GameSpy Technology was amazingly helpful and great to work with, and the technology was very easy to integrate. GameSpy Technology helped us to provide the most exciting in-game experience possible for today's sophisticated gamers."
IGN Entertainment, a unit of Fox Interactive Media, Inc., is an Internet media and services provider focused on the videogame and entertainment enthusiast markets.
Source Article: GameSpy Aims Online Gaming Services At Independent Developers
Eve Online bundled with Nvidia cards
by James Lee
Eve Online will now be bundled with the current series of Nvidia VGA cards manufactured by Albatron Technology, alongside a one month subscription to the space-faring MMO.
Each Nvidia card comes packed with a DVD that includes the Eve client and CD key with one month of game time, worth USD 14.95.
Last year, CCP signed a deal with Atari which saw boxed copies of Eve Online distributed throughout retailers, previously the title had only been available through digital distribution.
The MMO has approximately 250,000 monthly subscribers and, earlier this year hit a peak in concurrent users of over 50,000.
Source: Eve Online bundled with Nvidia cards
Eve Online will now be bundled with the current series of Nvidia VGA cards manufactured by Albatron Technology, alongside a one month subscription to the space-faring MMO.
Each Nvidia card comes packed with a DVD that includes the Eve client and CD key with one month of game time, worth USD 14.95.
Last year, CCP signed a deal with Atari which saw boxed copies of Eve Online distributed throughout retailers, previously the title had only been available through digital distribution.
The MMO has approximately 250,000 monthly subscribers and, earlier this year hit a peak in concurrent users of over 50,000.
Source: Eve Online bundled with Nvidia cards
Hidden treasure: League of Legends
GDC 2009: We sit down with the upcoming online strategy game League of Legends and come away feeling like we just found a diamond in a coal pile.
Stepping into my hands-on with Riot Games' League of Legends, I wasn't entirely sure what to expect. I hadn't really heard much about it other than that it was an RTS/RPG game that started out as the popular Warcraft 3 mod Defense of the Ancients. When I sat down and actually played with the game for a while, I quickly realized that this was one of the coolest games on display at this year's Game Developers Conference.
The basic premise of the game is that players play the role of a summoner who enters into battles with other summoners: each summoner chooses a champion to fight on his behalf, and then players control the avatars in battle. Each avatar possesses totally different abilities and combat styles: Nuna the Yeti-Rider is effectively a tank unit, Master Yi is a sneaky swordsman, and Alistar the Minotaur is a brawler. The match I participated in had me playing as a healer/priest, but I learned that it was possible to use my champion as both a support and attack class once I learned her strengths and limitations. Learning to control—and eventually mastering—any of these characters will take some time to learn, but once you've got the basics down, they're a ton of fun to play.
The game is built on the idea of creating an RPG/RTS title that utilizes the same concept of multiplayer matches in the way that games like Counterstrike and Team Fortress 2 do. Players will choose their avatars and level them up during matches as they gain experience. However, the avatars' abilities will reset at the beginning of each match. Meanwhile, as summoners earn experience points, they will earn new abilities and spells that won't reset at the end of a match.
Read the full article here: Hidden treasure: League of Legends
Stepping into my hands-on with Riot Games' League of Legends, I wasn't entirely sure what to expect. I hadn't really heard much about it other than that it was an RTS/RPG game that started out as the popular Warcraft 3 mod Defense of the Ancients. When I sat down and actually played with the game for a while, I quickly realized that this was one of the coolest games on display at this year's Game Developers Conference.
The basic premise of the game is that players play the role of a summoner who enters into battles with other summoners: each summoner chooses a champion to fight on his behalf, and then players control the avatars in battle. Each avatar possesses totally different abilities and combat styles: Nuna the Yeti-Rider is effectively a tank unit, Master Yi is a sneaky swordsman, and Alistar the Minotaur is a brawler. The match I participated in had me playing as a healer/priest, but I learned that it was possible to use my champion as both a support and attack class once I learned her strengths and limitations. Learning to control—and eventually mastering—any of these characters will take some time to learn, but once you've got the basics down, they're a ton of fun to play.
The game is built on the idea of creating an RPG/RTS title that utilizes the same concept of multiplayer matches in the way that games like Counterstrike and Team Fortress 2 do. Players will choose their avatars and level them up during matches as they gain experience. However, the avatars' abilities will reset at the beginning of each match. Meanwhile, as summoners earn experience points, they will earn new abilities and spells that won't reset at the end of a match.
Read the full article here: Hidden treasure: League of Legends
Fasaria World Launched!
Fasaria World was officially launched last March 27, 2009. We would like to thank everyone who supported us thus far from our beta testers to our partners. We would also like to use this opportunity to invite new players who are looking for a mature and friendly community to accompany their incredible online gaming experience.
7 Reasons to Consider Fasaria World:
Intuitive World with Direction: Fasaria World has a rich story and a world that expands with your experience. This gives an RPG element to the game that provides a sense of direction and purpose. You never feel bored with not knowing what to do or how to get where. There is so much to do and learn in Fasaria World, you just enjoy the experience, not dread it. Fasaria World also takes out a lot of time consuming elements that often frustrates and exhausts your time and game play.
A. Every single item you pick up can be used and has limitless stack abilities. What this means is that your inventory will not be bogged down with useless items only good for selling or removing from inventory.
B. All drops are placed in your inventory automatically with an alert of what was picked up and how much. You never have to walk up and pick up anything. This makes game play so much more fluid and less time consuming.
C. A real time fighting system with power skills gives a more engaging sense of battle but still implements the RPG feel gamers like to experience with combat. Combat never feels mindless but doesn’t feel cumbersome or overbearing. This removes the “grind” feel associated with many mmos.
D. Easy transport options with fast steeds gives you more time to play and less time trying to get to your destination.
E. Downloads are only a couple of minutes and patches are very fast. No need waiting hours to get started.
Read the full article here: Fasaria World Launched!
7 Reasons to Consider Fasaria World:
Intuitive World with Direction: Fasaria World has a rich story and a world that expands with your experience. This gives an RPG element to the game that provides a sense of direction and purpose. You never feel bored with not knowing what to do or how to get where. There is so much to do and learn in Fasaria World, you just enjoy the experience, not dread it. Fasaria World also takes out a lot of time consuming elements that often frustrates and exhausts your time and game play.
A. Every single item you pick up can be used and has limitless stack abilities. What this means is that your inventory will not be bogged down with useless items only good for selling or removing from inventory.
B. All drops are placed in your inventory automatically with an alert of what was picked up and how much. You never have to walk up and pick up anything. This makes game play so much more fluid and less time consuming.
C. A real time fighting system with power skills gives a more engaging sense of battle but still implements the RPG feel gamers like to experience with combat. Combat never feels mindless but doesn’t feel cumbersome or overbearing. This removes the “grind” feel associated with many mmos.
D. Easy transport options with fast steeds gives you more time to play and less time trying to get to your destination.
E. Downloads are only a couple of minutes and patches are very fast. No need waiting hours to get started.
Read the full article here: Fasaria World Launched!
Ragnarok Online Storm the DS
The long-running Korean MMO finally hits consoles.
After seven years and several million players, Ragnarok Online, the Korean online game that is still the most popular MMORPG in Japan in terms of registered players, is expanding from the PC to the Nintendo DS. GungHo Works, a new console-gaming division of GungHo Online Entertainment (the outfit that runs Ragnarok in Japan), unleashed this week the first details about Ragnarok Online DS, a fantasy role-playing game that retains a surprisingly large chunk of what makes the PC game so interesting in the first place.
Basic gameplay is exactly the same, although some concessions have been made to make the game's largely offline story mode more approachable. The main game has you controlling Ares, a mild-mannered kid who wants to start up his own guild and be a great adventurer like his father; you make this happen by recruiting party members and carrying out quests in the realm of Rune Midgard, building up your gang to the point where they earn new jobs and more powerful skills.
This is the first time that Ragnarok has been released for a non-PC platform -- which GungHo head Kazuki Morishita says is "something we had hoped for since before online service began [in Japan]" -- and the publisher is doing everything it can to make the adventure accessible for new gamers. The Nintendo DS version runs largely off the stylus, which serves the same function as the mouse in the PC game. You tap the screen to attack enemies and retrieve items, and the game occasionally asks you to draw circles and other designs in order to pull off spells and skills. Ragnarok veterans have little to fear: Most of the jobs from the MMORPG are available, along with two brand-new jobs -- Dark Knight, which lets you unleash special moves that sap your hit points, and Shaman, which puts magic from a wide variety of elements at your fingertips. The DS Ragnarok also has an extensive online component -- up to three people can team up over a wireless or Wi-Fi connection and challenge the Tower of Mirages, a 50-floor randomly generated dungeon that's home to untold treasure and decidedly mean-looking monsters.
Ragnarok Online DS is due out December 18 in Japan for 6,090 yen; no U.S. release plans have been announced.
Source article: Ragnarok Online Storm the DS
After seven years and several million players, Ragnarok Online, the Korean online game that is still the most popular MMORPG in Japan in terms of registered players, is expanding from the PC to the Nintendo DS. GungHo Works, a new console-gaming division of GungHo Online Entertainment (the outfit that runs Ragnarok in Japan), unleashed this week the first details about Ragnarok Online DS, a fantasy role-playing game that retains a surprisingly large chunk of what makes the PC game so interesting in the first place.
Basic gameplay is exactly the same, although some concessions have been made to make the game's largely offline story mode more approachable. The main game has you controlling Ares, a mild-mannered kid who wants to start up his own guild and be a great adventurer like his father; you make this happen by recruiting party members and carrying out quests in the realm of Rune Midgard, building up your gang to the point where they earn new jobs and more powerful skills.
This is the first time that Ragnarok has been released for a non-PC platform -- which GungHo head Kazuki Morishita says is "something we had hoped for since before online service began [in Japan]" -- and the publisher is doing everything it can to make the adventure accessible for new gamers. The Nintendo DS version runs largely off the stylus, which serves the same function as the mouse in the PC game. You tap the screen to attack enemies and retrieve items, and the game occasionally asks you to draw circles and other designs in order to pull off spells and skills. Ragnarok veterans have little to fear: Most of the jobs from the MMORPG are available, along with two brand-new jobs -- Dark Knight, which lets you unleash special moves that sap your hit points, and Shaman, which puts magic from a wide variety of elements at your fingertips. The DS Ragnarok also has an extensive online component -- up to three people can team up over a wireless or Wi-Fi connection and challenge the Tower of Mirages, a 50-floor randomly generated dungeon that's home to untold treasure and decidedly mean-looking monsters.
Ragnarok Online DS is due out December 18 in Japan for 6,090 yen; no U.S. release plans have been announced.
Source article: Ragnarok Online Storm the DS
New Aion Screenshots
Treating us to a little eyecandy today, NCsoft has sent over 20 (!) new screenshots from their upcoming massively multiplayer online RPG, Aion: The Tower of Eternity. These latest shots highlight the game's colorful environments, character models and a handful of different enemies. Pretty hot stuff! Enjoy:
New Aion Screenshots
Aion: The Tower of Eternity is scheduled for release in Fall 2009.
New Aion Screenshots
Aion: The Tower of Eternity is scheduled for release in Fall 2009.
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time (Wii)
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time makes a lot of improvements on past games in the series, especially with its near-flawless online, wireless multiplayer. Even with a severely lacking story and graphics that don't really live up to Final Fantasy standards, the hack-and-slash RPG action is the best since the original Crystal Chronicles. Overall, Echoes of Time proves itself to be a good dungeon-crawler, despite a less than stellar Wii port and awful A.I. compensation for tedious, boring single player gameplay.
One give-or-take aspect in Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time is definitely the story. You start the game as a village warrior who has "just come of age" in time to solve the mystery of a sudden "crystal sickness" that has crippled one of your childhood pals. Venturing out into the world for the first time, your character immediately runs across the game's blatant main villain, who promises to help cure your ailing friend. Soon enough, all heck breaks loose, your village is wrecked, and you're off on a quest to save the world. Personally, I wish that Echoes of Time had directly continued the storyline of Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fate, because I often had little clue what the heck was going on this game. Still, the plot is essentially just a means to send you traveling the world on various dungeon-based mission, and that's all that really matters.
Like the titles before it, Echoes of Time's gameplay sends you into fully 3D dungeons to kill monsters and loot as much as gold as your little arms can carry. The addictive part of the game comes into play when you collect enough items to start crafting your own gear, which is both fun and rewarding to see on your in-game character. It gets even better when you're playing with a group of friends, since the puzzles and enemies are best tackled with your buddies coordinating attacks and spells in unison. Echoes of Time's wireless play works incredibly well between DS and Wii machines, and even my online session didn't falter in the face of frantic boss battles. Moreover, the dungeons are clearly structured with multiple players in mind, and they're varied enough to engage teams of Crystal Chronicles players for dozens and dozens of missions.
Even though the Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles series has always been best when played with friends, the flaws in Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time become drastically magnified both on the Wii and with only a single player in the game. Echoes of Time gives you the option to customize your own team of tagalongs, but the party A.I. is just pathetic outside of closed battles. Also, each dungeon's frustrating platforming elements (stupid camera!) are exaggerated when your A.I. partners blindly stumble face first into traps and fail to snag items and loot. Even worse, you can't give them simple commands, like "stand on this floor panel," which made me want to claw my eyes out every time I had to deal with a multi-part puzzle.
If you're going to play Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time, the DS version is the better of the two by far. The colorful and crisp graphics on the small dual screens just look bad when they're blown up on the Wii, and splitting the display into two small side-by-side screens is like lemon juice on an open flesh wound. It's obvious that the DS' display options are the way to go, but Square Enix should have thought of a way to make the screens at least shift so they could be full-sized for the Wii. Then again, that probably would've made the graphics look worse.
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time may have a forgettable story and serious design flaws on the Wii, but it's still a great dungeon crawler for groups of Final Fantasy devotees to get their hands on. While the online upgrade and improvements in the wireless multiplayer make it a feat to behold, just make sure to play the DS version instead of its unattractive, very unpolished console port.
PROS: Plenty of things to collect, online multi-player makes great hack-and-slash fun, colorful DS graphics and good soundtrack
CONS: Platforming elements suffer from bad camera; tedious single player hampered by brain-dead party A.I., Wii version is a visual mess.
Source
It seems like Square is getting worse with their game releases. But I still have high expectations in Final Fantasy XIII. Hopefully, they won't screw this up.
One give-or-take aspect in Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time is definitely the story. You start the game as a village warrior who has "just come of age" in time to solve the mystery of a sudden "crystal sickness" that has crippled one of your childhood pals. Venturing out into the world for the first time, your character immediately runs across the game's blatant main villain, who promises to help cure your ailing friend. Soon enough, all heck breaks loose, your village is wrecked, and you're off on a quest to save the world. Personally, I wish that Echoes of Time had directly continued the storyline of Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fate, because I often had little clue what the heck was going on this game. Still, the plot is essentially just a means to send you traveling the world on various dungeon-based mission, and that's all that really matters.
Like the titles before it, Echoes of Time's gameplay sends you into fully 3D dungeons to kill monsters and loot as much as gold as your little arms can carry. The addictive part of the game comes into play when you collect enough items to start crafting your own gear, which is both fun and rewarding to see on your in-game character. It gets even better when you're playing with a group of friends, since the puzzles and enemies are best tackled with your buddies coordinating attacks and spells in unison. Echoes of Time's wireless play works incredibly well between DS and Wii machines, and even my online session didn't falter in the face of frantic boss battles. Moreover, the dungeons are clearly structured with multiple players in mind, and they're varied enough to engage teams of Crystal Chronicles players for dozens and dozens of missions.
Even though the Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles series has always been best when played with friends, the flaws in Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time become drastically magnified both on the Wii and with only a single player in the game. Echoes of Time gives you the option to customize your own team of tagalongs, but the party A.I. is just pathetic outside of closed battles. Also, each dungeon's frustrating platforming elements (stupid camera!) are exaggerated when your A.I. partners blindly stumble face first into traps and fail to snag items and loot. Even worse, you can't give them simple commands, like "stand on this floor panel," which made me want to claw my eyes out every time I had to deal with a multi-part puzzle.
If you're going to play Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time, the DS version is the better of the two by far. The colorful and crisp graphics on the small dual screens just look bad when they're blown up on the Wii, and splitting the display into two small side-by-side screens is like lemon juice on an open flesh wound. It's obvious that the DS' display options are the way to go, but Square Enix should have thought of a way to make the screens at least shift so they could be full-sized for the Wii. Then again, that probably would've made the graphics look worse.
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time may have a forgettable story and serious design flaws on the Wii, but it's still a great dungeon crawler for groups of Final Fantasy devotees to get their hands on. While the online upgrade and improvements in the wireless multiplayer make it a feat to behold, just make sure to play the DS version instead of its unattractive, very unpolished console port.
PROS: Plenty of things to collect, online multi-player makes great hack-and-slash fun, colorful DS graphics and good soundtrack
CONS: Platforming elements suffer from bad camera; tedious single player hampered by brain-dead party A.I., Wii version is a visual mess.
Source
It seems like Square is getting worse with their game releases. But I still have high expectations in Final Fantasy XIII. Hopefully, they won't screw this up.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
@ GDC: How Online Gaming Communities Are Using Technology To Compete
With social networks, game-based video sites like Machinima.com and even console networks like Xbox Live vying for a given gamer’s attention, how do online communities like IGN’s GameSpy and GamerDNA fight for their share of voice? With technology.
Both GameSpy and GamerDNA can pull in stats from when members play across the various multi-player networks—automatically updating a profile when someone gets a new Xbox Live Achievement, for example—and they also let members play certain games without leaving the site. Both sites also offer various ways to stay “in-network” without being on the site, including iPhone apps and Twitter feeds. But it’s a constant fight to stay relevant, so at GDC, I asked Jamie Berger, GameSpy’s SVP of consumer products and technology, and Jon Radoff, GamerDNA’s CEO, about what new developments were coming down the pike. More after the jump.
—GameSpy’s “virtual locker”: Given the increased focus on downloadable games and digital distribution, Berger said that GameSpy was working on a “virtual locker” that would let players keep track of both their downloaded games and the progress they’ve made in them. “It will be fully portable,” he said. “With a login, a buddy list, and the ability to access all the games you have available.”
The locker would build on the technology inherent in the GameSpy Arcade, though it would work across platforms (PS3, Xbox 360 and PC). Berger didn’t offer an ETA, though he did say it was part of a series of upgrades: “We have more improvements to make.”
—GamerDNA’s recommendation engine: The site pulls info from multiple sources to help members understand why they like the games they do (and ultimately find new games that would appeal to them most). “For people that don’t fit into the ‘core’ or ‘casual’ silos, there’s no real way to tell whether they like a game because games aren’t segmented logically,” Radoff said. “We’re using technology to help people find that next game they’re going to enjoy.”
Each game is assigned a set of “traits” like ‘cool music,’ ‘fun to play,’ or ‘variety of weapons,’ and gamers select the ones that matter most; the recommended games have these traits in common. Quizzes, comments and news updates also feed new recommendations; Radoff said the company was working on a Facebook integration, as well as expanding the number of games available for on-site play.
Source article: GDC: How Online Gaming Communities Are Using Technology To Compete
Both GameSpy and GamerDNA can pull in stats from when members play across the various multi-player networks—automatically updating a profile when someone gets a new Xbox Live Achievement, for example—and they also let members play certain games without leaving the site. Both sites also offer various ways to stay “in-network” without being on the site, including iPhone apps and Twitter feeds. But it’s a constant fight to stay relevant, so at GDC, I asked Jamie Berger, GameSpy’s SVP of consumer products and technology, and Jon Radoff, GamerDNA’s CEO, about what new developments were coming down the pike. More after the jump.
—GameSpy’s “virtual locker”: Given the increased focus on downloadable games and digital distribution, Berger said that GameSpy was working on a “virtual locker” that would let players keep track of both their downloaded games and the progress they’ve made in them. “It will be fully portable,” he said. “With a login, a buddy list, and the ability to access all the games you have available.”
The locker would build on the technology inherent in the GameSpy Arcade, though it would work across platforms (PS3, Xbox 360 and PC). Berger didn’t offer an ETA, though he did say it was part of a series of upgrades: “We have more improvements to make.”
—GamerDNA’s recommendation engine: The site pulls info from multiple sources to help members understand why they like the games they do (and ultimately find new games that would appeal to them most). “For people that don’t fit into the ‘core’ or ‘casual’ silos, there’s no real way to tell whether they like a game because games aren’t segmented logically,” Radoff said. “We’re using technology to help people find that next game they’re going to enjoy.”
Each game is assigned a set of “traits” like ‘cool music,’ ‘fun to play,’ or ‘variety of weapons,’ and gamers select the ones that matter most; the recommended games have these traits in common. Quizzes, comments and news updates also feed new recommendations; Radoff said the company was working on a Facebook integration, as well as expanding the number of games available for on-site play.
Source article: GDC: How Online Gaming Communities Are Using Technology To Compete
Game Wave to Introduce Online Gaming Portal
ZAPiT Games announced today that it is set to launch the PlayGameWave.com gaming portal. This portal will provide Internet users access to its suite of award-winning, non-violent titles online for the first time.
As a first step in ZAPiT Games’ new game deployment strategy, this portal will allow multiple players to compete and interact against one another in real-time. Following the launch of this portal, ZAPiT Games will introduce their first mobile application allowing for concurrent cross-platform game play.
The Game Wave is an award-winning multi-player gaming console developed in Canada. It allows up to six players to compete against one another simultaneously with no waiting for turns. Game Wave’s growing library features topical multi-media rich, narrated content with stunning photography and movies. The challenges come in a variety of game themes from word, number, puzzle and trivia titles. All feature non-violent, family friendly content and images.
Source Article: Game Wave to Introduce Online Gaming Portal
As a first step in ZAPiT Games’ new game deployment strategy, this portal will allow multiple players to compete and interact against one another in real-time. Following the launch of this portal, ZAPiT Games will introduce their first mobile application allowing for concurrent cross-platform game play.
The Game Wave is an award-winning multi-player gaming console developed in Canada. It allows up to six players to compete against one another simultaneously with no waiting for turns. Game Wave’s growing library features topical multi-media rich, narrated content with stunning photography and movies. The challenges come in a variety of game themes from word, number, puzzle and trivia titles. All feature non-violent, family friendly content and images.
Source Article: Game Wave to Introduce Online Gaming Portal
Duels: Nightmare Premium Set Releases Worldwide
Challenge Online Games, Inc. announces today the release of the Duels: Nightmare Premium Set. The set became available to members in a pre-release event yesterday and releases to non-members on Saturday, March 28, 2009 at 10am Central/3pm GMT.
The Duels: Nightmare Premium Set gives players a preview of approximately 60 items from this summer’s highly-anticipated Shadow-themed expansion. The Duels: Nightmare Premium Set will be produced in a limited-run compared to previous premium item sets, and all items in the Duels: Nightmare Premium Set are among the rarest available. Items range in the top rarity tiers within the game - “Rare,” “Epic,” “Legendary,” and “Artifact,” - so players are guaranteed to garner premium items in this aptly-named set.
Based on the victorious Shadow faction from last season’s epic player versus player (PVP) battle, the Duels: Nightmare Premium Set will also include a touch of what might have been had the Orzayans triumphed, and picks up where Noble Set V left off. There are four Artifact weapon types that weren’t represented in that set - a fist weapon, a shield, a sword and a wand - that will be unveiled in the upcoming premium collection.
“The Duels: Nightmare Premium Set provides a glimpse into the excitement awaiting Duels players later this summer when the full Shadow expansion is released,” says Christian Primozich, Executive Producer of Duels. “The powerful new items in this set include four amazing new artifacts and expand the wealth of strategies available for warriors, mages, assassins and druids to employ in the arena.”
With half a million players worldwide, Duels is a free-to-play online fantasy RPG where players build powerful characters based on physical attributes, battle experience, special abilities and collectible items, and may upgrade their characters using in-game currency. Unlike many online RPGs which require hours of grinding play to achieve player power and status, Duels is designed to provide compelling in-depth PVP, head-to-head game play in 10 to 30 minute increments, attracting both hardcore and casual gamers for quick-fix gaming. This summer’s yet to be named Shadow-themed expansion will be the 5th expansion in the wildly-popular Duels universe.
To play Duels for free, visit www.duels.com or http://apps.facebook.com/duelsfb.com. For more information on Challenge Games please visit www.challengegames.com.
Source Article: Duels: Nightmare Premium Set Releases Worldwide
The Duels: Nightmare Premium Set gives players a preview of approximately 60 items from this summer’s highly-anticipated Shadow-themed expansion. The Duels: Nightmare Premium Set will be produced in a limited-run compared to previous premium item sets, and all items in the Duels: Nightmare Premium Set are among the rarest available. Items range in the top rarity tiers within the game - “Rare,” “Epic,” “Legendary,” and “Artifact,” - so players are guaranteed to garner premium items in this aptly-named set.
Based on the victorious Shadow faction from last season’s epic player versus player (PVP) battle, the Duels: Nightmare Premium Set will also include a touch of what might have been had the Orzayans triumphed, and picks up where Noble Set V left off. There are four Artifact weapon types that weren’t represented in that set - a fist weapon, a shield, a sword and a wand - that will be unveiled in the upcoming premium collection.
“The Duels: Nightmare Premium Set provides a glimpse into the excitement awaiting Duels players later this summer when the full Shadow expansion is released,” says Christian Primozich, Executive Producer of Duels. “The powerful new items in this set include four amazing new artifacts and expand the wealth of strategies available for warriors, mages, assassins and druids to employ in the arena.”
With half a million players worldwide, Duels is a free-to-play online fantasy RPG where players build powerful characters based on physical attributes, battle experience, special abilities and collectible items, and may upgrade their characters using in-game currency. Unlike many online RPGs which require hours of grinding play to achieve player power and status, Duels is designed to provide compelling in-depth PVP, head-to-head game play in 10 to 30 minute increments, attracting both hardcore and casual gamers for quick-fix gaming. This summer’s yet to be named Shadow-themed expansion will be the 5th expansion in the wildly-popular Duels universe.
To play Duels for free, visit www.duels.com or http://apps.facebook.com/duelsfb.com. For more information on Challenge Games please visit www.challengegames.com.
Source Article: Duels: Nightmare Premium Set Releases Worldwide
Ragnarok Online World Championships
Tensions rise as LevelUp! Live opening ceremonies were held this morning,The World Trade Center located at the heart of Pasay City in the Philippines was packed with countless spectators eager to watch another online tournament history in the making. Ragnarok Online World Championships (RWC) is one of the main highlights of this two-day gaming event. Teams from around the globe, champions in their home countries, vie for the glory of being the world champions in this year’s tournament. After much formalities during the opening ceremonies, LevelUp! Philippines’s Ragnarok Zeny gameboss Ben Colayco and Ragnarok Zeny’s representative Yoon Seok Kang officially announce the RWC open. Matchups were announced early on in the event’s show. There were six matches scheduled for this day, to determine who will take the top slots for tomorrow’s semi-finals and final rounds.
Today’s matches were decided by scoring the most in a best-of-three rounds. Being the country to host this year’s RWC, Team Philippines was slated first to pit against Team Germany, followed by a match between Team Brazil and Team Thailand. Team USA versus Ragnarok Zeny Team Russia was the last of the first batch of matchups for the day.
Team Philippines garnered a 2-0 victory against Team Germany in their matchup. The loss of Team Germany’s Professor and stripping skills of Team Philippine’s Stalker paved the way for Team Philippines to wipe out the rest of the group in both rounds.
In the second matchup, Team Thailand took the lead in the first round, slowly dealing with Brazil’s champions, but were unable to wipe the Brazilians out, ending the 5-minute Ragnarok Zeny time limit. The second round proved to be a short match between the two, with Thailand wiping out Brazil and emerging victorious once again.
The third matchup proved to be more interesting than the first two, a battle between Team Russia and Team USA. The first round was a battle of wits and stamina for Ragnarok Zeny the two teams. With two deaths on both sides late into round 1, it was anybody’s win. Tables suddenly turned when Russia took out USA’s Professor. Russia cornered USA and continued their barrage until time ran out, giving Russia their first victory in the match. Team USA came back fiercely against Russia on round two in yet another round of stamina and wits. This time, USA’s members stood intact ro zeny whilst two of Russia’s best came down, tying the score at 1-1. In sheer unpredictability, Team USA wiped out Russia in less that two minutes of the third round, giving the win of this matchup to Team USA.
Read the full article here: Ragnarok Online World Championships
Today’s matches were decided by scoring the most in a best-of-three rounds. Being the country to host this year’s RWC, Team Philippines was slated first to pit against Team Germany, followed by a match between Team Brazil and Team Thailand. Team USA versus Ragnarok Zeny Team Russia was the last of the first batch of matchups for the day.
Team Philippines garnered a 2-0 victory against Team Germany in their matchup. The loss of Team Germany’s Professor and stripping skills of Team Philippine’s Stalker paved the way for Team Philippines to wipe out the rest of the group in both rounds.
In the second matchup, Team Thailand took the lead in the first round, slowly dealing with Brazil’s champions, but were unable to wipe the Brazilians out, ending the 5-minute Ragnarok Zeny time limit. The second round proved to be a short match between the two, with Thailand wiping out Brazil and emerging victorious once again.
The third matchup proved to be more interesting than the first two, a battle between Team Russia and Team USA. The first round was a battle of wits and stamina for Ragnarok Zeny the two teams. With two deaths on both sides late into round 1, it was anybody’s win. Tables suddenly turned when Russia took out USA’s Professor. Russia cornered USA and continued their barrage until time ran out, giving Russia their first victory in the match. Team USA came back fiercely against Russia on round two in yet another round of stamina and wits. This time, USA’s members stood intact ro zeny whilst two of Russia’s best came down, tying the score at 1-1. In sheer unpredictability, Team USA wiped out Russia in less that two minutes of the third round, giving the win of this matchup to Team USA.
Read the full article here: Ragnarok Online World Championships
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Rohan Online goes open beta test
ONLINE game publisher Level Up! has started the open beta test of Rohan Online, its latest massively multiplayer online role playing game.
The open beta test for Rohan Online started last March 24, three weeks since the company introduced the game on closed beta testing.
Level Up! partnered with online bidding company Auction.ph and Internet café operator Netopia to distribute the Rohan installation discs.
One of the main features of the game is a Revenge System, which is an improved player-versus-player mode where players seeking revenge against an another player could teleport near the target. The same player can bring some clan members to exact revenge on the target.
Another feature is the Mkill, which rewards a player with a boost on experience points for every 20 kills. Mkill reduces the need for players to complete in-game quests to level up faster.
Rohan Online is the fourth multiplayer online role-playing game introduced by Level Up! after Ragnarok Online, Silkroad Online and Perfect World.
This is also the second game the company introduced this year after Crazy Kart, a casual online racing game.
The game was developed by Korean firm YNK Interactive.
I'm currently playing Philippine Ragnarok Online but I can't wait to put my hands on it. Go Level up!
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