MMO News

World of Tanks 8.3 Preview Interview
Alphamon Ouryuken Arrives For Digimon Masters
Elsword Introduces Battle Magician Class
Month Long Bonuses For Netmarble Games
Ragnarok Online Classic Opens Doors To Lighthalzen
Fiesta Online Reveals Snow-Shredding New Mount
Chinese Tanks Roll Out in World of Tanks
StarConflict

Posted: 16 Jan 2013 05:15 PM PST

World of Tanks 8.3 Preview Interview with Head of Esports for Wargaming America

Image11 620x348

DizzyPW was invited to San Francisco yesterday to get an exclusive look at the changes coming to World of Tanks in update 8.3 which features brand new Chinese Tanks. Dizzy interviews Caleb Fox, the head of Esports for Wargaming America about how these new tanks play their role on the battlefield along with other changes that were made to the game in the most recent patch scheduled to launch tomorrow.

Here are the details for the game changes in update 8.3:

Added the new Chinese tanks tech tree (17 light, medium, and heavy tanks)
The tier I light tank Renault NC-31 is added with a slot
Fixed tank model errors: T57, T28, AMX 13 75, Grille, M10 Wolverine, T25/2, Valentine GB, AC Mle 1946, SU 100Y, AT-15A, IS, TOG-2, Churchill I, Object 263, IS-2, T30, and KV-5
Fixed armoring discrepancies: T82, Object 261, M22 Locust, Pz III/IV, VK 4502 P, and Т69
Fixed camouflage cost for Type 62 and SU100 Y
Changed HE explosion splash radius: slightly increased for small calibers, practically no changes to medium calibers, and decreased for large calibers. Changes to medium calibers can be found in the vehicle changes section of the update notes.
Added new loading screens featuring Chinese tanks
Fixed incorrect visualization of permitted vehicle tiers for participation in junior and medium tank companies
Fixed some minor errors in the battle results screen
Fixed the description of the “Confederate” achievement
The criteria for crediting the “Spartan” commemorative has been brought into accordance to its description
Fixed font quality in some places of the interface
Fixed the system name of the ban at the login screen
Fixed surname duplicates in the personal data of French tankers
Removed from the store the turrets for TD/SPGs which have no turrets
Fixed the visualization errors of vehicles track traces

These are just changes from 8.2, here are the changes to the individual nations.

Changes to French Tanks
Changes to German Tanks
Changes to British Tanks
Changes to American Tanks
Changes to Soviet Tanks

Alphamon Ouryuken Arrives For Digimon Masters

Posted: 16 Jan 2013 05:01 PM PST

Joymax has introduced one of the most powerful Digimon into Digimon Masters Online’s universe.

Players can combine Alphamon and Ouryumon through the Jogress system. Once they’ve completed a long quest chain, players will be able to Digivolve into Alphamon Ouryuken – but the climb isn’t easy.

Alphamon Ouryuken’s skills are light-element based, and include two special skills. One skill creates a large ball of light energy to slam into the enemy; the other slashes its sword with an earth-shattering impact!

Players who bring a friend to Digimon Masters during the current event period will get a full set of items to tame their own Alphamon Ouryuken. Events also taking place include a double experience boost during weekdays and a triple experience boost on the weekends.

Elsword Introduces Battle Magician Class

Posted: 16 Jan 2013 01:51 PM PST

Kill3rCombo has launched a new class for its popular MMORPG, Elsword.

The Battle Magician is a new job class for Aisha, and is a second part of the Elsword Transformation update series. Aisha is capable, as a Battle Magician, of unleashing punishing close quarter attacks, letting her now go toe-to-toe in melee fights instead of staying at range. This makes the character more versatile in both PvE and PvP modes.

While the Battle Magician class offers improved melee attacks, Aisha still is capable of strong magical attacksk. While Aisha’s other classes involve mastery over the natural elements or dark forces, Battle Magicians have the rare ability to wield magic in its pure form for devastating energy attacks. Aisha acquires this ability through a magical pendant given by her mentor, as the Battle Magician story unfolds.

Month Long Bonuses For Netmarble Games

Posted: 16 Jan 2013 12:42 PM PST

Netmarble, the online game platform from CJ Games, is giving its fans something to appreciate. Two of Netmarble’s titles – the historical massively multiplayer online role playing game Uncharted Waters Online and intense online first-person shooter District 187 – will reward its fans with in-game bonuses this month after being recognized as the fan-favorite strategy MMO (UWO) and one of 2012′s best new games (D187). Through February, new and veteran players alike are eligible for the rewards by registering and playing the games for free.

The special bonuses to players of the game are:

Uncharted Waters Online – Sailors, traders and adventurers can explore new areas, build better ships and trade for higher gains with a 50 percent skill boost, which lasts until Feb. 6

District 187- Gangsters and SWAT teams can easily rearm themselves with M4A1 rifles, Desert Eagles, combat knives and grenades with a 10 percent gold boost lasting through Feb. 10

57295 540x400 uncharted waters online 1 16

Ragnarok Online Classic Opens Doors To Lighthalzen

Posted: 16 Jan 2013 12:16 PM PST

57294 540x400 ragnarokonline lighthalzen

Gravity Interactive has announced a major town update for Classic Ragnarok Online.

Lighthalzen, originally introduced to International Ragnarok Online, will now be available on the new Pre-Renewal Classic server. In addition to new quests, the update also unlocks homunculus companion monsters for Alchemist class characters, and the mysterious Somatology Laboratory dungeon below Lighthalzen.

Airship routes to the city-state of Lighthalzen have opened up and adventurers from around Rune Midgard have journeyed over long distances to discover what this seemingly peaceful town has to offer. Established by the powerful Rekenber Corporation, the city-state of Lighthalzen grew from a simple mountain village to a prosperous metropolis. Though they have brought great wealth to the town, visitors whisper of dark experiments taking place behind the clean façade of the Rekenber headquarters. Players will have their hands full if they attempt to unravel the mystery.

This update allows for Alchemists to create Homunculi, user-programmable monsters that will fight on the side of their creators. There are four different kinds of homunculi, each with their own special skills and specialty. These helpful new creatures are much more than pets.

"With the highly requested Lighthalzen expansion on Classic we are giving the opportunity for players to experience more high level content "says iRO lead producer Jason Heimdallr Koerperich. "Quests, Homunculi and our Jump Start event make this a big content update for Classic!"

The Jump Start event is a two week event designed to help level new characters up to level 50. This event will help iRO fans get over the difficult early-game "hump" by reducing the amount of EXP required to level-up character and job levels from 1-50 by half – a great time to get started!

Fiesta Online Reveals Snow-Shredding New Mount

Posted: 16 Jan 2013 11:31 AM PST

Fiesta Online delighted their millions of fans today with the unveiling of an exciting new permanent mount that allows players to ride around with a wintery aura of snow. Now one can keep shredding long after the fresh powder is gone. To show off the supercool snowboard features, the game team posted this video:

All this week, Fiesta’s Game Masters will be giving away one-day free rides for players to preview the boards which go on sale this weekend in a variety of exciting designs, starting with the Fiesta and Idol Snowboard Speeder models. There will also be a downhill race for fashionable prizes including stylish snowsuits, snow hats and snow goggles. Those launch event details can be found here.

Chinese Tanks Roll Out in World of Tanks

Posted: 16 Jan 2013 10:47 AM PST

Wargaming has announced that Chinese tanks are arriving in the World of Tanks battlefields with update 8.3. The update is available today in Europe and Southeast Asia, and will be available tomorrow, January 17, in North America.

The update adds seventeen tanks used by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army in the mid-twentieth century. Chinese tank designers combined the best qualities of existing designs from foreign engineers, modernizing and upgrading their technology to build some of the fiercest tanks of their time. As a result, the Chinese tank fleet consisted of modifications of classical models, as well as original combat vehicles.

Lower tiers of the new tech tree feature various foreign designs, including the Type 97 Chi-Ha, the first Japanese-made tank in the game. In top-tier tanks, heavy Soviet influences are found, along with many original Chinese models, some of which never went into mass production.

A fearsome opponent, the Chinese tanks are equipped with decent armor, impressive mobility and accurate guns with high damage potential making them a force to be reckoned with.

StarConflict

Posted: 16 Jan 2013 09:48 AM PST

StarConflict is a dynamic action MMO, allowing you to sit at the helm of a starship and take part in massive star fleet battles! Control several different ships from fast and furious interceptors, to powerful, hulking, frigates as you and your squad fight for galactic dominance. With a slight arcade feel, StarConflict takes dogfights to an intergalactic extreme, giving you full 360 degree control, cloaking, lasers and, who doesn’t like space nukes!?

Publisher: Gaijin Entertainment
Playerbase: Medium
Graphics: High
Type: MMO
EXP Rate: High
PvP: Available
Filesize: ??

Pros: + Limited information available.

Cons: - Limited information available.

Overview

StarConflict Overview

* Please bear in mind that this information can be changed or corrected. This document only reflects changes which are most important and necessary to be shown.

Three Classes

The Empire:

A great war machine, steadfast in its submission to the leader. This faction's policy is aimed at expansion: expanding the boundaries of the Emperor's power is their main priority.
The Empire's strength comes from the best navy in the universe. The magnificent ships are characterized by high wear resistance and combat capability. They are equipped with the best offensive and defensive techniques in their field, which were developed by the faction's scientific cabinet. Representatives of the Empire are very interested in technology, particularly military technology. The cabinet of scientists, which is formed by the best minds in the universe, is generously sponsored—Imperials don't skimp on innovations. However, the Empire isn't interested in sharing these technical innovations with the masses.
The army is the pride of every Imperial, and a successful military career is essential for anyone who hopes to achieve a high-powered position. Representatives of this faction command respect with fortitude, the ability to stand up for themselves, and solidarity. The appearance of members of the Empire is exactly the same as their character. According to them, one's clothes should be functional and reflect the owner's status.
Proud and strong, loyal to the Emperor and ready to conquer the universe every day of the year, Imperials are one of the universe's strongest factions.
Characteristics of the Empire Ships
The Empire ships are a good choice. The ship’s hull is 35% stronger compared to ships from other factions, but the shield is 20% weaker than the shields of other factions. All in all a recommended choice for all who prefere to play on strength.
Bonus for Imperial factions
“Loyalty”: +5% Reputation
“Rage”: +5% Damage on main weapons
The Imperial factions
Legion
Wardens

The Federation

Also known as the Alliance of Free Worlds. Representatives of this faction bow to no one, but have paid for their freedom with centuries of bloody wars against the Empire.
There is no rigid power structure or clear hierarchy in the Alliance. This faction doesn’t pursue a policy of aggressive expansion (except the expansion of the mind), but from time to time accept free men into their ranks when one star system or another decides to throw off the yoke of the Empire. Trade is the Federation's power and there no place in the known universe that was occupied by another faction without a Federation representative getting there first—whether to mine, sell, or explore the potential market.
The Federation cares about the development of technology. Its high quality ships are well eqipped, speedy, and convenient for travel and transporting goods. Men of the Federation use weapons primarily for self-protection, which is why the Federation keeps developing portable and stationary devices to generate solid force fields.
As for their appearance, members of the Federation are known as rather democratic personalities. Expensive fabrics of superior design, exceptional comfort, and some extravagance distinguish their favorite apparel. However, in striving for the perfect appearance, members of the Alliance don't neglect defense, hiding portable generators and power fields in their belts, or venom locators and virtual maps in their rings
Their desire for security, taste for moderate adventure, love of luxury, and exceptional nose for profit are the main features that characterize representatives of the Federation faction.
Characteristics of the Federation Ships
Ships of the Federation are characterized by high speed and maneuverability. These abilities are 25-30% higher compared to the other factions. In addition the Federation ships have good power generators allowing them to replenish energy 15% faster.
Bonus for Federations factions
“Transaction”: +5% credit income
“The perfect Setup”: +2% Hitpoints for hull and shields
The Federation factions
Armada
Vanguard

The Jericho

The heirs of people who were long ago banished from the Earth, Jericho are quite suspicious of and harsh toward strangers. Forced to live for a long time on huge spaceships flying into the unknown, the representatives of this faction have worked hard to improve their technology, and now Jericho is the most technically equipped faction. Jericho’s ships are fast and maneuverable. Their arms are not only superior in design to those of the other factions, but also differ from them in many ways.
It's worth noting that the men of Jericho are different from the other descendants of humanity, too. For centuries, this faction led development in the field of cybergenetics, resolving various disadvantages of the physical human body with complex implants that helped them in their struggle for survival.
Starting in early childhood, the Jericho modify their bodies, and this process seems so natural to them that people who don’t use implants are met with scornful surprise. They put their faith into the success of technological development and it has paid off.
Jericho have survived, conquered numerous planets, and returned to avenge those who drove them out. Will this faction justify its name will the people of Jericho allow the wall of misunderstanding that separates them from the rest of the world to fall? Time will tell.
Characteristics of the Jericho Shpis
Jericho ships have relatively low (approximately 15%) hull strength, but very powerful shields and strong recharge generators, which are 35-40% better than in other factions.
Bonuses Of Jericho
“Observant”: +5% more experience
“Intrigue”: +2% damage of missles
The Jericho factions
Raid
Techs

Reputation

Reputation is earned for certain actions in the game. Reputation is necessary to obtain the next rank in the faction. Reputation points for one and the same action can give reputation for both sub factions.
Ways to improve reputation
1. The main way to gain reputation points is to fight with the ships of the faction. If you are in battle with ships of different fractions, reputation points will be credited to those factions ships which took part in the battle. You may also enter the fight on non faction ships. In this case the reputation will be provided for the two subfactions.
2. An additional way to gain reputation points is to complete contracts. For the completion of the terms of the contract the player is awarded a certain amount of reputation points as specified in the contract.

Contracts

Contracts are Quests players can recieve from every faction regardless of their origin. With the completion of the contract the player receives a reward.
Contracts are a way of enhancing the reputation of the fractions. Contracts are not required. It allows you to accelerate the growth of reputation and reduce the time to achieve the next level rank in a particular faction.
At the beginning of the game the player is not available for all contracts. Availability of contracts is unlocked as the reputation for a particular faction. Contracts can be included several times in a row, but a number of contracts have a rollback time and cannot be completed in a series.