ArcheAge was a 3D-sandbox, fantasy MMORPG set in the medieval fantasy world of Erenor, in which two factions - the Nuia and Haranya - wage constant war. Advance in the world of Erenor through combat, thievery, and even crafting.
Frostkeep Studios released their early access development roadmap today for their sandbox faction based survival game Rend. The game has been available through Steam early access for about 2 months now and despite a strong start the game's playerbase is in decline, averaging about ~240 players online at any given time.
Some of the key targets and objectives in the development road-map are:
Comprehensive Combat Improvements
Streamlined Features
Legendary Artifacts
Dynamic Siege Combat
Refined Social Mechanics
Rend is a buy to play survival game that mixes Rust like survival elements with larger scale faction based gameplay and persistent MMO elements.
NCSoft USA announced today that Aion: Awakened Legacy is launching on October 24th, 2018 which is the biggest update of the year for the game. Awakened Legacy, better known as 6.0, increases the game's level cap to 80, introduces the new Lakrum zone, adds new skills, gear, items, and more. It's a massive update and to celebrate the occasion, NCSoft is giving away free awakened gala gift packs (visit the splash page to get them).
Aion: Awakened Legacy Teaser Trailer
The European version of Aion through gameforge received this exact same update early last week, so the North American version is a tad late. Still, better late than never. This is the first time the game has increased its level cap since 2016, so it's a massive update. Mark your calendars!
While we knew WildStar was shutting down, we didn't know exactly when. At least until today. NCSoft announced today that WildStar will be shutting down for good on November 28, 2018. Anyone who spent money on the game since July 1st on either Steam or through the official website will be getting refunds. From now until the game shuts down, WildStar will be hosting some fan favorite in game events as a farewell to their loyal players. Rest in peace WildStar (2014-2018).
Battlerite's Battle Royale game mode, Battlerite Royale, officially launched on Steam early access today as a standalone game as is off to a fairly strong start (3360 peak players on launch day). The game is available for $19.99 and mixes the MOBA elements found in Battlerite with popular battle royale mechanics from hit titles like PUBG / Fortnite. While the game costs money today, it will be free to play after it launches sometime in 2019. The game's current early access build features 20 unique champions along with similar combat mechanics from Battlerite, although with some tweaks to make every character viable.
“We’ve taken MOBA and battle royale and blended the best of both worlds to create something different and worthy of all MOBA fans,” says Peter Ilves, Game Director at Stunlock Studios. “Featuring a third person perspective, unique combat, and MOBA elements, Battlerite Royale is a truly unique take on the BR genre. The Early Access version not only plays smoothly, but is already visually captivating, and so we look forward to players joining us on this journey in bringing Battlerite Royale to its complete release next year.”
It's a bit odd that Battlerite Royale is available as a standalone game. I figured it would be included in the base game, but it looks like Stunlock Studios is shipping them as 2 separate products. I suspect they're doing so monetize the early access period for Battlerite Royale, as once it fully launches, it'll be free to play.
MMOs.com Podcast – Episode 166: Are MMORPGs Back, Raiding, Bless KR, Lost Ark, & More
MMOs.com Podcast Episode 166 - Omer (@remotayx) and Erhan (@Ehaltay)
This is episode one hundred and sixty six of the MMOs.com Podcast and we look at the most recent news and happenings in the MMO and gaming world. As always we jumped right into the Weekly Raid, "Are MMORPGs Making a Comeback?". We discussed the latest Superdata report which shows the 2 highest grossing PC games in the world being MMORPGs (Dungeon Fighter Online and World of Warcraft). We then discussed Bless Korea shutting down and how the game has been a scam from the get-go. Lost Ark's South Korean open beta and potential U.S. release was also a topic of discussion.
MMOs.com Weekly News Recap #166 September 24, 2018
Weekly MMO News Recap #166 - September 24, 2018
A look at MMO News and updates for the week ending September 24, 2018. This is episode 166 in a weekly series every Monday that will cover all major MMO news and updates. The games covered this week were: Bless, Magic: The Gathering Arena, Perfect World, Lost Ark, Soulworker, Elder Scrolls Legends, Lineage 2, Rift, Neverwinter, World of Warcraft, New Wargaming MMO, Blade and Soul, and Waven. Links to individual news articles we covered this week:
NCSoft is launching a classic server for Lineage 2 on October 3, 2018 which will feature all the modern engine tweaks and upgrades of the game today with gameplay elements from before the Goddess of Destruction expansion. So that means no Charisma or luck stats, no auction house, and no vitality system. The game's level cap will also be set at 70 and additional new features will be added to the game in time (kind of like a progression server).
Lineage II Classic Teaser Trailer
This isn't the first classic server for the game. There's been a European and Russian one before, but this is the first time a North American version is being released through NCSoft. Given how popular classic and progression servers have been in other titles, I suspect Lineage 2 classic to do pretty well. After all, nostalgia
The highly anticipated isometric action MMORPG Lost Ark from SmileGate is launching into open beta in South Korea on November 7th, 2018. It's been a long road to open beta ever since the game's first closed beta began in late 2015. The game will get regular big updates called seasons with story updates titled episodes, much like Guild Wars 2. No word on when an English launch is happening, but I suspect we'll hear about it sometime in 2019.
Lost Ark Gameplay Chaos Moonlight 365iLvl Dungeon
Those looking to give Lost Ark a try before its English launch should be able to play the Korean version in November at least. I'll personally be giving it a try then and will put up a first look video once I get the chance.
Bless Korea is permanently shutting down on November 19th, but the North American and EU versions will remain up according to a producer letter posted by the game's executive producer. The Korean version's shutdown should come as no surprise to anyone as it's never had much of a playerbase. In fact, even the North American / EU version on Steam has been bleeding players since launch and currently averages only 839 players online at any given time.
Despite the executive producer claiming that this won't effect the Steam version of the game, I suspect as the game's playerbase continues to dwindle it too will close. Especially since Bless Unleashed is set to launch in the West in early 2019, which will simply be a better version of Bless (Unreal Engine 4 and free to play).
