Since I certainly don’t have the level of patience necessary to keep refreshing web pages waiting for an announcement that the ordering is going to open at some random time. Then to take a chance on getting a sub, and if I’m not successful to try again day after day. (Hmmm. It looks like Aventurine has taken MMORPG grinding to a whole other level.) If I do end up trying Darkfall I’ll probably wait until it quiets down and the sub-rush is over.

The problem is that Aventurine only have one server, and they need to limit their intake in order to prevent server meltdown. I’ve written about The Darkfall Release Model before, and I do think that limited intakes in the early stages of a MMORPG release is a good idea, but I think Aventurine are hurting their release by the way they are doing it.

A much better way to have gone about releasing new subscriptions to Darkfall would have been to have a lottery system. Potential players would have been able to register their interest, perhaps through a pre-order, a month or two before the game was due to be released. Then, on release day, a number of players would be randomly selected and sent emails with details on how to register and access the game.

This process would continue until all pre-orders had been exhausted, at which point the website would open up for general ordering. If access limitations are still required, the same process could apply, or perhaps it could then be a FIFO queue with players gaining their account in the order they subscribed.

The problem is that Aventurine brought this problem on themselves. They prefered spending all of their effort on the game, but forgot that the front-end web experience is almost as important. If you frustrate your customers and make it hard to get your game, then you are shooting yourself in the foot with your  marketing. Of course the hardcore players over at the Darkfall forums think that websites and marketing don’t matter.

Are they right?

The Darkfall Lottery

Fallen Earth is one of several upcoming post apocalyptic MMORPGs. The other games are Huxley, Earthrise, and the very vaporous Fallout Online.

Anyway, kudos to Icarus for getting to this stage. Feature complete is a huge milestone, but there’s still tons of work to be done — even work removing some features might be required!

Here’s the Fallen Earth Alpha press release (pdf).

MMOG FALLEN EARTH ACHIEVES MAJOR DEVELOPMENT MILESTONE
CARY, NC – JUNE 19, 2008 –

Fallen Earth, a post apocalyptic MMOG in development using the Icarus Studios Tools Suite platform, today announced it is has reached the Alpha milestone and is now “feature complete.”

Over the past six months, the Fallen Earth team has implemented new production processes which has allowed for improved product quality and a streamlined development schedule.

Colin Dwan, who was promoted from Lead Engineer to Project Manager, said, “Fallen Earth has great technology and tons of content, but we needed to put a stake in the ground about all the features that were absolutely necessary to ship with. Now that we’ve finalized that long list, we’ve been able to spend all of our time making those features really fun.”

The Fallen Earth Art Department focused on an in-depth upgrading of the game’s overall appearance, improving textures, animations, and enriching the overall “look” of the game. Human models have been completely revamped, and newly added creatures include giant genetically engineered super soldiers and vicious killer fungi. Volumetric fog has been added and many towns have been completely rebuilt to take advantage of new building models and ecosystem options.

The Fallen Earth team has created a variety of new vehicle models from muscle cars to
motorcycles to ATVs. They have also enhanced the vehicle combat system using the same basis as player-based combat so players will be able to attack from their vehicles, be it with pistols from a motorcycle or dual-mounted machine guns from a muscle car.

The core functionality players expect from an MMO, such as raids, clans, auction house, and a mail system, are now up and running in Fallen Earth. Players can combine their efforts in raids of up to four groups or thirty-two players, allowing them to tackle larger threats and compete more effectively in PvP activities. Clans allow players to form large social groups with a number of different ranks, each with its own configurable name and permission list. The auction house system allows players to sell goods to each other with ease, and to search the auction house for items needed for a specific recipe. The mail system enables players to easily stay in contact and trade goods among themselves through the vigilant efforts the Franklin’s Riders, the postal service within Fallen Earth.

About Fallen Earth

Fallen Earth is a post-apocalyptic massively multiplayer online game that mixes first person shooter and role playing game style mechanics. The game is set in 2156, one hundred years after the world is brought low by a plague known as Shiva that killed 99% of the population. The game takes place in and around the Grand Canyon, one of the few habitable places left on Earth, which makes it a place many are willing to kill to control. Our world is one where mankind teeters on the edge of extinction, clinging to the bones of the old world while trying to recover their lost secrets. It’s a world of scavengers and desperation. The players are those who choose to rise above the hardships of this new world and work towards a better world, or decide the old world was corrupt and all signs of it must be erased completely.

For more information, players and fans can visit www.fallenearth.com.

Fallen Earth Reaches Alpha, Feature Complete

I now have two towns on the go. There’s Stropptopia (pictured) and Stropptown on another island. Each island provides only two resources, wood and crystal, stone, sulphur, or grapes. There are several ways to obtain all the resources you need. Trade or buy them, attack other players and loot them, or build a town on four islands with each of the resources.

Stropptopia is on an island with crystal, which is useful as it’s used for research upgrades. But for many other upgrades I needed stone. So I built a palace which allows an extra town for each level and then built Stropptown on a stone island. Once I’d gathered enough I shipped it back to Stropptopia and proceeded with the upgrades.

At this stage I haven’t built an army, I’ve just been upgrading and researching. As you can see from the screenshot, I have lots of money in the bank and I’ve maxed out the amount of wood (building materials) that I can store.

To be honest, now that my main town is effectively built, I’m finding Ikariam a little boring. It’s not a fast game, you can really only do one thing at a time per town, and once you get a ways along it takes a long time to do anything.

So, I’m not really spending much time in there now. The place is running on autopilot while I’m doing other things.

The big problem is I find the gameplay a little shallow. I quite enjoyed the depth of gameplay in the Civilization games, especially 3 and 4. One of the things I liked was aiming for a non military victory – I especially liked building up my culture and watching enemy cities defect to my supremely decadent culture.

Ikariam doesn’t have that depth. That doesn’t make it a bad game. There are a lot of players enjoying it. I’ll probably keep an eye on it, but I don’t think I’ll be doing much else with it. At least for the moment.

Ikariam Update

I was over reading Ogrebear’s blog which I discovered over the weekend, he has quite a bit on Everquest 2, but that’s not what caught my eye. Ogrebear did a review of Ikariam, a Civilization style web browser based game. (I think someone pointed this out to me previously.)

With the news a few weeks ago that Sid Meier was actively considering developing a Civilization MMO, I found myself wondering how such a game could work. It looks like the developers at Gameforge have worked it out.

After I signed up and created an account, I found myself looking at a rather timid little town. No structures other than the town hall. No defenses to prevent other players from overrunning the land and carrying off the women. It needed a bit of sprucing up.

The first order of business was to give it a good solid name. A name that would come to symbolize power and majesty. It could only be called Stropptopia.

The game works in real time. You can see in the picture that I am currently building an academy. In fact it should be finished by the time I’ve done writing this. So far I’ve created a baracks and a trading post. The next on the agenda will either be the city walls or upgrading the city level.

I’m playing it by ear at the moment. There are some reasonably active forums with a lot of info, but I haven’t really had a good look at these yet. (BTW, shameless plug – don’t forget the new Stropp’s World forums, they need your love too.) I’ll have a better look at them later.

The game is essentially free, but with some paid content. You can buy ambrosia and get some premium content time bonuses.

And the best part of all. Since it is browser based, you’ll be able to play at work. Not that I encourage that sort of thing. No. Not at all.

Welcome to Stropptopia

The difference here is that Remnants of Skystone is set in a Steampunk themed world rather than the standard Tolkienesque worlds we know and love.

The Steampunk genre doesn’t really get much love from game developers. There is only one game that I can think of that fits the bill. That was the single player RPG Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura. If I recall correctly, it was released sometime in the mid to late nineties and was set in a Victorian era world that was undergoing the pains of a industrial technological revolution. The problem was that magic and technology were two opposing forces. The increasing dominance of technology was threatening to cancel out magic. This balance gave the player some interesting choices in developing his character.

The first thing to note is that Remnants of Skystone (or should we called it RoS from now on?) is a browser based side scroller. While it has some similarities to Maple Story it looks like the similarities are superficial. The artwork is unique, almost quirky. Perhaps some details on the world are in order.

In the game, players enter a world in which alien Mimics had long ago infested the land and spread their noxious poison throughout the countryside. The people of Skystone retreated to an airborne town high above the poison haze, and are now ready to launch their attack on the Mimic infestation.

Hmmm. A floating city. Neat.

Some of the features being promised are:

• Side-scrolling platformer adventure
• Browser-based MMO Game
• Three classes with unique platforming abilities
• Customize characters with new clothing / accessories
• Deck out personal houses with furniture and spoils
• Team up with another player for Co-op Missions
• Mingle with other players in personal houses
• Five worlds to explore in single-player and co-op
• Numerous side-quests for solo and co-op modes
• Collectible trophies, medallions, and cards

The game is due to be launched in the Fall of 2008. See the Remnants of Skystone developer blog for more details.

Remnants of Skystone

The latest patch to go to the test server, patch 22, has some fairly disturbing notes for the players of this free to play MMORPG.

The Shadowbane Team decided that it would be best for the longevity of the game to reset all server and character data and start from scratch.

There’s a lot more to the patch notes, you can read them here, but the upshot is that everything the players have been working on since the game was released in 2003 will be erased. That’s characters, their gear, every change  made to the world.

Of course this is all justified in the notes, there are a lot of fundamental changes that are being made. And it’s reasonable for the developers to want to wipe the database. It’s much easier to do.

While it could be done without the wipe, making sweeping changes to equipment is better done in conjunction with it.

I kinda remember the reaction to a similar action taken in a far more popular game and the results it had on subscriptions. Star Wars Galaxies anyone?

The developers admit that they can make these changes without resorting to a server wipe, but it is easier to wipe and start over. I’m not sure that’s a good philosophy for a game dev. After all how would World of Warcraft players react if Blizzard implemented sweeping changes for Wrath of the Lich King by wiping all player data?

However, looking at the forums so far, the reactions seem to be mixed. Some players are lamenting the Shadowbane reboot, while others are heralding it as a move that will save the game by fixing all the problems that have occurred since launch. The question is how the non-forum using players will react to the wipe, and usually, the majority of players never even go near a forum, let alone post on it.

Shadowbane is a free game. So while they may lose some regulars, with a little promotion player levels will probably return to normal levels in no time. Still, I wonder how the remaining old timers will feel.

If by chance you’re a Shadowbane player, I’d be interested in your opinion of this. Of course, I’m interested in your opinion even if you’re not a Shadowbane player.

How to Screw Your Loyal Players

That started the chain of events that led to World War Three.

Now the Earth lies in ruins, mankind has been spanked, and the corporations are still telling us what to do. There’s a rebellion in progress, and criminal factions to deal with, or join. And to top it off, we now have to fight all sorts of hideous mutant beasties. 

This is the premise of Earthrise a new MMO game announced by Bulgarian developer Masthead Studios. At least WWIII is good for something.

Masthead have already put up the Earthrise website. Here’s the overview.

Earthrise is a post apocalyptic science fiction MMORPG set in the distant future.
In the aftermath of the Third World War, mankind has managed to survive and build a new society: the prosperous city of Sal Vitas. Cloning, nanotechnology and quantum engineering are part of a new reality. Thanks to these technological advances, the human species has become immortal; each individual’s consciousness is stored in a data vault, ready to be uploaded into a cloned body as necessary. New energy sources have been discovered. There is a unified government that takes good care of those citizens who abide by its strict laws. Paradise, it appears, might really have come to Earth, and the people have embraced it.

But not everything is as perfect as it appears. By exercising full control over the cloning process, Sal Vitas’ government decides who will live and who will not, playing the role of God on Earth. Insurgent forces have accused the city’s rulers of crimes against humanity. Armed factions fight for resources and power within the new system. And from the waves of discontent, a rebellion has fomented and formed a shadow government: Noir.

Featuring a unique skill-based advancement system and player-driven economy, as well as extensive, meaningful player-vs.-player combat, Earthrise gives you innumerable choices to forge your destiny. Whether you’re a noble soldier in the raging conflict between the Utopia and the rebellion, a criminal hiding from the law or a world-renowned engineer whose power extends into intricate trade and politics, your actions will echo throughout the game world.

From what I’ve seen so far this looks like it will be a very interesting game. The feature list looked familiar though. Nanotech, robotic companions, skill based, three factions; one corporate, one rebel, one neutral/criminal, pvp security zones, and deep crafting. Hmmm. What other SciFi MMO does this remind you of?

Why Anarchy Online of course.

That’s not to say it’s a bad thing. AO, was a very rich game with lots of possibilities. I shouldn’t say ‘was’ though, since it’s still going strong and in line for a major engine upgrade in the near future.

Earthrise will be a subscription based game and according to their FAQ will cost the same as comparable games. There’s no hard date for the release yet, but the website is saying that it will be sometime in 2009. Early or late, no idea at this stage.

Earthrise will join Huxley, Fallen Earth, and the ellusive Fallout Online in the Post Apocalyptic MMO game market.

War What is it Good For? New MMOs Thats What

Now NetDevil, the developers of the late Auto Assault, have announced that they are partnering with the LEGO company to bring the LEGO brand to persistant online gaming. Hmmm. Maybe that’s partly why Auto Assault was canned. The game, called LEGO Universe, is scheduled for release in the fourth quarter of 2008.

LEGO Universe looks like it will offer a Second Life style of gameplay. Like those blocks you played with when you were a kid, the sky will be the limit with what you can build. It sounds pretty cool. I imagine a lot of grown-up former LEGO lovers will let their inner children run free.

Speaking of children running free, LEGO Universe promises a child safe environment as well.

The full press release is below.

The LEGO Group announces LEGO Universe as official title for branded MMOG

The LEGO® Group today announced LEGO Universe as the official title for the upcoming MMOG being developed by NetDevil® to further engage the company’s dedicated and active community. LEGO Universe, currently planned for launch in the fourth quarter of 2008, is designed as the first MMOG professionally developed for LEGO fans and supported by community members from around the world.

“LEGO Universe ties together all aspects of our community and line of products in an online environment that can be enjoyed by LEGO fans of all ages,” said Mark William Hansen, Director of Business Development, LEGO Universe. “By merging the online world of social interaction with the LEGO concept of play, LEGO Universe will provide our community with an entirely new way to experience LEGO and connect with other players in a fun and imaginative setting.”

The full featured MMOG will be complete with character advancement, expansive social and community features, and provide a child safe alternative to other MMOGs on the market. As a player, you’ll be able to customize your mini-figs and interact in the universe as any character you choose, providing unique opportunities for players to expand and explore with their creations.

“LEGO Universe is being built as a place where fans and community members can discover nearly unlimited play possibilities,” said Ryan Seabury, NetDevil Lead Producer on LEGO Universe. “Given the strength of the LEGO community, a large part of bringing the game to life will be working hand in hand with them to ensure that the core values of creativity, connectivity, and imagination are reflected in the end product.”

About NetDevil, LTD
NetDevil is a leading independent game development company that specializes in the development and construction of massively multiplayer online games (MMOs). Founded in 1997, under the inspiration of Jumpgate(TM), the world’s first massively multiplayer space simulator, the company carries on a commitment to creating interactive, virtual worlds in unique and elaborate settings. Led by a development team of talented and experienced industry veterans, NetDevil has grown to over 50+ employees with plans to hire and retain top industry talent for work on its large scale projects in development. All NetDevil employees share a common vision to bring the mysteries of new and exciting worlds to life as immersive online universes. NetDevil is a privately held company, with headquarters in Louisville, CO.

For further information, please contact:
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA CONTACT:
Helle Winding
The LEGO Group
Mobile: + 45 20 30 88 12
helle.winding [at) LEGO (dot] com

U.S.A. MEDIA CONTACT:
Audra McIver
NetDevil/Kohnke Communications
Phone: + 212 730 9744
audra [at) kohnkecomm (dot] com

Bricks and Blocks – Lego Universe

Bethesda Softworks is the developer behind The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion which can be easily described as a MSORPG or Massively Single Player Offline Role Playing Game. Oblivion is a huge game with lots of open ended content. It just felt a little empty to me. That would be easily remedied by changing the S to an M. Perhaps The Elder Scrolls V will be the object of the MMO divisions affections.

The company is also working on the upcoming Rogue Warrior, and Fallout 3 which is slated for release in 2008. I doubt that the MMO division will be dealing with this simply because there is supposedly a Fallout MMO already in development and the license wouldn’t be available. Hmmm. I wonder how that one is going?

This is definitely an interesting development. More and more game developers are working on MMO titles. A few years ago there were a handful of MMOs in development, and the pundits were saying that there wasn’t enough market share for all of them.

Then along came Blizzard with World of Warcraft and changed all the rules. It’s amazing what a big success will inspire.

I have to wonder if Bethesda Softworks have already started a MMO title, and how far along they are. It’s doubtful that they would just create a new division without something already in the pipeline. What do you think, will Bethesda be releasing a new MMO in the near future? And what do you think it will be?

Bethesda Gets into the MMO Game

So when I found out that the Pirates of the Caribbean universe was being turned into a MOG, I was a bit confused about how this could be done. After all, for the most part Pirates are at sea. And the sea is usually extraordinarily empty. Not much landscape except for the big blue wobbly. There will be land based content, but how much remains to be seen.

My other concern was the characters that I could create. After all the Pirates of the Caribbean were no Errol Flynns with dentist white teeth and neatly pressed puffy shirts. The movie pirates were all dirty and unkempt, with bad breath and no access to dental floss. If I am to create a character in the PotC MOG, I want him to look good and ugly with bad teeth and rags.

So today I saw that Disney had released a new screenshot of the game. I hadn’t seen any yet, so I headed over to check it out. The pirates are ugly all right, but not in the good way. As the image below shows, they’re ugly in the ten year old graphics engine way. (This picture isn’t the latest screenshot btw.)

I don’t consider myself to be a graphics bigot. Great graphics don’t make a great game. Gameplay is king. But, for an upcoming game based on a series of movies with such great visual effects as Pirates of the Caribbean to have such ordinary graphics is somewhat surprising.

It indicates to me that there isn’t a lot of love and care going into this game. It indicates that it’s more of marketing decision to capitalize on the success of the movies with a game, and since MOGs are flavor of the month due to the success of World of Warcraft, that was the type of game to make.

I mentioned the other day that I thought it was sad that a niche game like Auto Assault was being closed because of lack of players. I also think it’s sad that a great movie property like PotC that could be a top niche massively multiplayer game is not being given the development it deserves. Arrrr.

Arrrrrr Ugly Pirates