Tag: MMORPG

  • New MMO Features Epic 100 vs. 100 Battles in Month-Long Wars

    New MMO Features Epic 100 vs. 100 Battles in Month-Long Wars

    Key Takeaways

    1. Unique Gameplay System: Warborne eliminates permanent character growth, using a cyclical gameplay model where each battle impacts a month-long war for balanced competition.

    2. Role of Drift Master: Players command a team of up to 40 Drifters from a tactical perspective, with customizable gear and 12 distinct classes for strategic experimentation.

    3. Diplomatic Dynamics: Factions can form temporary alliances or betray each other, encouraging collaboration and strategic planning among players.

    4. Upcoming Global Playtest: A global playtest is scheduled for April 24, 2025, to refine game balance and expand the player community.

    5. Pre-Assembly Event Rewards: Early participants in the “Warband Pre-Assembly Event” can form guilds and earn exclusive rewards during the testing phase, including skins and emblems.

    Warborne: Above Ashes is an anticipated MMORPG that immerses gamers in a persistent conflict among six factions. This game deviates from conventional MMOs by eliminating permanent character growth and instead implementing a cyclical gameplay system. Every battle contributes to a larger month-long war, ensuring a balanced competition on a consistent basis. This unique framework promotes strategic planning and collaboration between players and guilds.

    The Role of a Drift Master

    In Warborne, players take on the role of a Drift Master, leading from a tactical, top-down perspective. Instead of fighting alone, you’ll command a team of up to 40 individually chosen Drifters. These units can be tailored with numerous gear combinations across 12 distinct classes, which include melee fighters, snipers, technicians, and heavy support. This structure allows for extensive experimentation with various builds. Beyond just combat, the game includes a diplomatic aspect: factions have the ability to create temporary alliances, coordinate joint operations, or even betray one another—something the developers not only permit but also actively promote.

    Development and Upcoming Events

    Currently, Warborne: Above Ashes is being developed by the Taiwanese studio Pumpkin Studios and is anticipated to be released sometime in 2025. Although a precise release date has yet to be announced, it is expected to be soon. A global playtest is set to commence on April 24, aiming to fine-tune the game’s balance while also expanding its player community. The developers announced this in a YouTube video that was released on April 10:

    Players who are interested can sign up here. The “Warband Pre-Assembly Event” is already underway, allowing players to gather and form guilds prior to the game’s launch. Early participants will receive access to:

    During the testing phase, additional rewards are available—special skins, emblems, and hidden customizations for players who hit specific milestones or show high levels of activity.

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  • Korean MMO Hits Big: Coming to Western Players Soon

    Korean MMO Hits Big: Coming to Western Players Soon

    Key Takeaways

    1. Expansive Open World: The game features a continuous map with no loading times, exploring mythic lands like Midgard and Alfheim.

    2. Iconic Characters and Enemies: Players encounter legendary figures such as Odin and Loki, battling gods, giants, and undead foes.

    3. Diverse Gameplay Elements: Traditional MMO features include boss raids, extensive PvP, and the 30v30 “Battle of Valhalla” mode, with plans for guild wars and future updates.

    4. Character Classes and Combat: Players can choose from four classes (warrior, wizard, priest, rogue) and enjoy a semi-automatic combat system that blends autoplay with manual controls.

    5. Global Launch and Pre-registration: The game will be globally released on April 29, 2025, with pre-registration offering in-game rewards valued over $170.

    Odin: Valhalla Rising brings gamers into a large open world based on Norse legends. The game has a continuous map with no loading times, leading players through mythic lands like Midgard, Jotunheim, Alfheim, and Nidavellir. Throughout their adventures, players will meet iconic figures such as Odin, Loki, and Fenrir, while engaging in battles against gods, giants, and the undead. Additionally, it includes traditional MMO elements, such as boss raids and extensive PvP, featuring the 30v30 “Battle of Valhalla” mode. There are already plans for guild wars and future updates.

    Playable Classes and Combat System

    Valhalla Rising offers four character classes: warrior, wizard, priest, and rogue. The game incorporates a semi-automatic combat system that fuses autoplay with manual gameplay. You can let regular battles play out on their own if you want, but you’ll have to be more active during boss fights and PvP encounters. One highlight of the game is its complete cross-play capability across PC, Android, and iOS, allowing gamers to join in from any device. Even as a mobile MMO, the graphics powered by Unreal Engine 4 are unexpectedly stunning.

    Development and Launch Success

    Created by Lionheart Studios and published by Kakao Games, Odin: Valhalla Rising made waves when it debuted in South Korea in June 2021. GamePress reported that it dominated the South Korean Google Play charts for 17 weeks, drawing in around 17 million players from across Asia. This success has likely fueled the decision for a worldwide release, which is just around the corner.

    Odin: Valhalla Rising will officially be launched globally on April 29. Pre-registration has begun on the official site and will continue until April 21, 2025. Players who register through both the website and the app stores will earn in-game rewards valued at over $170, which includes avatar and mount summon tickets, boonstones, and other items that provide a solid advantage right at launch.

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  • $25 Million MMO Shuts Down Just 4 Months After Launch

    $25 Million MMO Shuts Down Just 4 Months After Launch

    Key Takeaways

    1. Gran Saga will shut down on April 30, 2025, after only four months of operation due to difficulties in providing stable service.
    2. The game was in development for four years with a budget of around $25 million and launched on November 8, 2024.
    3. Key features included cinematic production quality, cross-play, complete voice acting, and a soundtrack by Yoko Shimomura, but these did not attract a solid player base.
    4. Major player experience issues included automated gameplay, poor game balance, slow progression, costly microtransactions, and technical glitches.
    5. The game’s player base declined significantly, peaking at 547 concurrent players and dropping to under 200 by February, highlighting its lack of popularity compared to competitors like Final Fantasy XIV.

    The ambitious anime MMORPG Gran Saga is set to close its doors after only four months of operation. NPIXEL, the developer, has made it clear that the servers will shut down on April 30, 2025. They pointed to “difficulties in providing a continuous and stable service for users” as the main reason behind this decision. For many gamers, this announcement was not unexpected.

    Development and Launch

    Gran Saga was in development for four years and had a budget of around $25 million. It launched worldwide on November 8, 2024, for both PC and mobile platforms. The game was known for its cinematic production quality, cross-play capabilities, and complete voice acting. It garnered praise for its soundtrack composed by Yoko Shimomura and its art style that drew inspiration from Final Fantasy. Nevertheless, despite these appealing features, Gran Saga failed to build a solid player community due to several issues.

    Player Experience Issues

    One of the significant factors contributing to Gran Saga’s lukewarm reception was its automated gameplay, which minimized opportunities for genuine player interaction. Additionally, many players expressed frustration over the poor balancing of the game—story bosses were too powerful, and progression slowed considerably around level 50. Moreover, the presence of costly microtransactions and various technical glitches pushed players further away. According to SteamDB, the game only reached a peak of 547 concurrent players shortly after its release, with numbers declining consistently. By February, Gran Saga found it hard to maintain even 200 players, a concerning statistic for an MMORPG. In contrast, Final Fantasy XIV consistently boasts over 15,000 concurrent players on Steam. Given the dwindling player base, the developers faced little choice but to close the game prematurely.

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  • Upcoming Unreal Engine 5 MMO Set for Launch Soon

    Upcoming Unreal Engine 5 MMO Set for Launch Soon

    Key Takeaways

    1. Developed by WeMade: Legend of Ymir is a new MMORPG from the South Korean company WeMade, utilizing Unreal Engine 5 for impressive graphics.

    2. Unique Gameplay: The game features large-scale siege battles, a complex combat system, and four distinct classes for varied gameplay experiences.

    3. Positive Community Reception: Players have reacted positively on YouTube, praising the visuals and expressing hope for a strong PvP system.

    4. Concerns About Monetization: Some players are worried about potential pay-to-win strategies and NFT features, based on past experiences with WeMade’s other games.

    5. Release Date: Legend of Ymir is set to launch on February 20 for PC and mobile, with a global release planned, though availability outside South Korea remains uncertain.

    Legend of Ymir is a new MMORPG being developed by WeMade, a South Korean company. This game uses Unreal Engine 5, which helps it to provide amazing graphics and remains true to classic MMORPG gameplay. The story takes place in a realm where mythical creatures meet cutting-edge technology, creating an interesting mix of fantasy and science fiction.

    Gameplay Features

    In addition to its beautiful graphics, fans of MMO will be able to engage in large-scale siege battles and explore a complex combat system. Players have the option to select from four unique classes, each offering different gameplay experiences.

    Community Reception

    The response to Legend of Ymir on YouTube has been mostly positive. Many viewers commend the visuals, often likening them to those seen in Black Desert Online, and are optimistic about the potential for a strong PvP system. Nonetheless, some players worry that the game might focus too much on pay-to-win strategies or incorporate NFT features, similar to earlier WeMade games such as MIR M and Night Crows.

    Release Information

    Legend of Ymir is scheduled to be released on February 20 for both PC and mobile platforms. The developers have confirmed that it will have a global launch, but there is still some uncertainty regarding when gamers outside of South Korea will be able to play.

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  • Exciting MMO with Vast Open World Launching Early Access Soon

    Exciting MMO with Vast Open World Launching Early Access Soon

    The Quinfall offers a massive open world that stretches over 2,000 km², making it significantly larger than popular MMOs such as World of Warcraft (207 km²) and Elder Scrolls Online (400 km²). The game world is split into five unique regions, each with its own climate, seasonal changes, and fluctuating weather patterns.

    Combat and Gameplay Features

    In The Quinfall, players can engage in a non-target combat system that emphasizes medieval warfare. This includes player versus player (PvP) skirmishes, siege battles on castles, and naval encounters. Staying true to MMO conventions, the game features a range of professions, a lively trading economy, and the option to build personal homes or clan islands. Players have the freedom to customize their characters extensively and make choices that significantly influence the storyline.

    Storyline and Early Access

    The story revolves around the struggle between the gods Pelyonas and the dragonborn Greis and Kreas, who are fighting for a cursed crown. Set in a world torn apart by civil war, players will need to choose whether to contribute to the chaos or work towards restoring peace. A 20-minute video on The Quinfall’s official YouTube channel gives a sneak peek into the game, highlighting gameplay and the announcement of its Early Access launch.

    The feedback in the comments section is quite varied. While some fans enjoy the nostalgic “old school” MMORPG vibe, others have raised concerns regarding aspects like rough animations and slow harvesting mechanics. Nonetheless, since The Quinfall is still undergoing development, there’s ample time to iron out these issues.

    Development Timeline and Community Concerns

    Initially announced in 2023, The Quinfall began its first closed beta in January 2024. Early Access is set to launch on January 24, 2025, which means it will have been in development for just four years. This phase is anticipated to last six months, and players can already put the MMO on their Steam wish lists.

    Although excitement among MMO enthusiasts is palpable, there’s also a degree of skepticism. Vawraek Technology Inc., the studio behind the game, was founded in January 2021 and has yet to release a successful game. Their initial project, Kayra Online, was canceled, which has led to doubts in the community about the team’s ability to meet the high expectations for The Quinfall. Specific concerns revolve around the enormous size of the open world coupled with the relatively brief development period.

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  • Oldschool MMO Experience Returns to Steam in Early Access

    Oldschool MMO Experience Returns to Steam in Early Access

    On December 13, Visionary Realms launched the MMORPG Pantheon: Rise of the Fallen in Early Access on Steam. This game is aimed at players who enjoy classic MMORPGs such as World of Warcraft Vanilla and EverQuest, providing a intentionally slow and difficult gameplay experience. The focus is on an open world, social interactions, and PvE content. Gamers can select from nine different races, including dwarves, elves, and gnomes, along with 14 classes like clerics, druids, and paladins. The game highlights several key features, such as:

    Classic Gameplay

    Pantheon intentionally skips modern features like quest markers and maps, putting a spotlight on mob grinding instead of quests, while implementing a slow leveling system. This design is likely to resonate well with fans of traditional MMOs.

    Mixed Reviews

    Currently, Steam reviews for Pantheon are somewhat mixed. Many players have pointed out the demanding system requirements, even with mediocre graphics and bland NPC dialogue. Some users express annoyance at the lack of a map, even though this fits the game’s central design philosophy. Overall, Pantheon has garnered a 75% positive rating from about 400 reviews.

    Pricing and Future Plans

    Pantheon: Rise of the Fallen is still evolving. The Early Access version is available for around $40 on Steam, allowing players to explore six large areas that include dungeons, unique monsters, and a crafting system with 10 different professions. The developers have plans for future expansions, which will introduce new classes, races, zones, visual upgrades, and gameplay mechanics.

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