GodsWar Online Dev Journal #1: Pet System

We have here the first in a series of Dev Journal entries from IGG for their Greek Mythology-based MMORPG, GodsWar Online. For this first iteration, Ethan Pan, the game designer of GodsWar Online, is sharing his thoughts on the development of the new pet system for GodsWar. He also brings us cute screenshots to ogle out, so go check it out after the break.



Let me say first that a ton of effort has gone into preparing this system for release. The RPG standard for pets is that they join their masters in a fight and can wield various melee attacks or spells while leveling up and becoming more powerful. This is common, and ultimately boring. We wanted to shake things up a bit and eliminate another source of tedious grinding, which I think we’ve managed to do.

With this in mind, we began designing the pets. Right off the bat we saw that providing interaction between pets and their masters without resorting to combat was going to be immensely difficult. Fighting seemed to be the only way to get them to talk!

To resolve this problem we introduced the pets more into the storyline and made them part of random events. We went with the most basic of pet duties, Fetch. These events were loaded with items and treasure that pets would be able to pick up and add to their masters Exp and Talent points. All of the sudden, taking pets for a walk didn’t seem like such a chore!

As nice as bunches of treasure and Exp is, it wasn’t going to be enough to satisfy our players, so it was back to the drawing board to expand the pet’s role in the game even further. We saw that we needed to make a distinction between pets as combat sidekicks and pets as helpful assistants. We wanted them to be there for players to help them, but not just as another source of damage.

We settled on (nursing) helping players recover HP, (gofors) to submit quests, and possibly even to earn money. These looked good on paper, but they still lacked the necessary pizzazz to make them really unique.

It was at this time, when were at a creative dead end and staring at blank computer screens, that the project director burst in and broke us out of our coffee deprived stupor. “Combine!” he kept shouting, “Put them together to make something even better!” At first we were at a loss, but as he explained it we could see he was on to something. Combine the pet’s skills with the skills of their masters to make a sort of super skill.


“Imagine the power that could be generated!” he said. We couldn’t agree more, and suddenly Starbucks didn’t seem so important. Brilliant, dazzling effects, upgraded appearances - the ideas came spilling out faster than we could jot them down. It seemed to be the real, unique breakthrough that we had been waiting for.

The last problem we had to overcome was how to raise these new kinds of pets, but it seemed the ghost of combat sidekicks wasn’t going down without a fight. How could your pet obtain exp without actually doing something? We finally kicked exp to the curb and settled on a compound system that lets players combine weaker pets to make stronger ones. Although a little morbid, we feel that the pet’s won’t have much to say about it. We even have plans to incorporate a pet rebirth system so that their development can continue to match their masters.

By Mabie A.

Source: http://mmorpg.qj.net/

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Atlantica Online to Be Published in Thailand

NDOORS’ Popular MMORPG Continues Worldwide Expansion. NDOORS today announced that a deal has been signed to publish their popular MMORPG title Atlantica Online in Thailand through a partnership with Southeast Asia’s number one online game provider, AsiaSoft.

In less than a year Atlantica Online has successfully expanded from Korea into North America, Japan, Taiwan, Vietnam, and now Thailand. The game is in open beta in mainland China as well.

“When we developed Atlantica Online, we knew we would be bringing the game to the global market and we took that into consideration in many of our design choices,” said Peter Kang, CEO, NDOORS Interactive.“That strategy is paying off for us as we see more and more new players from different countries embracing the game and enjoying the online experience.”

AsiaSoft is the largest provider of MMORPG games and services in Southeast Asia and was the first company to bring an MMORPG to Thailand. Their expertise in the space will ensure a smooth launch for Atlantica Online in the new territory.

Recognized as one of the best free-to-play MMORPGs, Atlantica Online has received critical acclaim for its quality, accessibility, and entertainment value. Atlantica features a unique turn-based fighting system and takes players on a journey around the world through mystical and historical lore. The recently announced addition of the Titan Server enables interaction among players from all Atlantica servers, creating the first true test to determine the best of the best.

By El Segundo
From: http://www.mcvuk.com/press-releases/

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Tanoth

With the disappearance of king Targon also the country Aris fell into darkness.

Since a quarter century his younger brother Halgan rule with an iron fist. After a catastrophe on a small island in the east could be farther, unnoticed by the most, now there is coming up a new one in the north.

In Tarabat, a small village at the foot of the shadow mountains, the brave adventurers meet to try their luck. Some heroes bravery will lead to their doom. But those who are strong enough and stay alive are going to find unexpected opulences ...

Play Tanoth Now

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THQ Announces CrimeCraft for PC

THQ and Vogster Entertainment have announced what they are calling a persistent world next-gen shooter called CrimeCraft for the PC. I guess adding craft to the end of an online MMO game makes them feel more successful. The game is set to ship in August and will be sold exclusively at Best Buy.



The game merges elements of a shooter game with an MMORPG title to bring something that sounds a little like the epic fail that was PlanetSide. The game is said to mix fantasy and sci-fi themes into the mix.

Players who pre-order the game starting on May 31st online will get two free in game t-shirts and a combat backpack for their character. Those who pre-order will also be allowed into the game beta launch. The game will have monthly fees for playing, but the game comes with two months free play.

| by Shane McGlaun |

Source :http://www.i4u.com/

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Seven Core: Riding Action MMORPG Created by MU2's ex-Developer

Seven Core, a new MMORPG with riding actions as its core gameplay, is currently being developed by Noria, a newly established Korea-based game development company consisting of developers who have previously engaged in the creation of Webzen's MU2 and Kingdom of Warriors.

According to Noria, Seven Core allows players to experience combats on land, at sea and in the air. As we know, World of Warcraft features diversified mounts and Aion is known for its breathtaking air combats, both inaugurating a new era in the game industry. Seven Core combines the strong points of these two games, providing both thrilling air combats and wonderful mounts gameplay.

Seven Core providing both thrilling air combats and wonderful mounts gameplay .The mounts in Seven Core not only can help players move around, but also can join combats to fight side by side with players. Different mounts such as beasts and mechanisms possess different combat skills that allow players to launch melee, ranged or area attacks. Mounts can obtain new skills as characters advance, as well as level up through using items. Additionally, the player can also grab other player's mount and enjoy its unique skills.

Similarly, each in-game character is endowed with unique skills. So, when a player runs into monsters or foes, he/she can either ride on the mount and apply its unique skills or apply his/her character's unique skills without riding on the mount.

http://news.mmosite.com/

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