As a result of a Q&A session on Reddit, John Smedley, the President of Sony Online Entertainment, answered several questions from the community – logically, it mainly focused on games from SOE’s portfolio.
It is also not surprising that participants showed particular curiosity regarding the sandbox MMO Everquest Next .
Particularly interesting was the question about the release date for Everquest Next, the next installment of the well-known role-playing series. The answer sounds initially vague, but it provides insight that it will likely be in 2015. John Smedley, President of SOE, said:
Not yet sure. Probably sometime next year.
In addition, he also answered what he believes truly defines EQ Next. He suggested that it is not the destructible environment, but the artificial intelligence that makes the biggest difference and will bring about a revolution in the MMO genre.
Furthermore, John Smedley confirmed that Everquest Next will also be playable on the Playstation 4 . Reactions were quite mixed. Personally, I view this somewhat critically because I feel that role-playing games lose some depth due to ‘console ports’. Perhaps I will be proven wrong.
Update: 8 months later, there was another statement that was somewhat more reserved, so no trace of “probably”. He answered the question about the release in an interview with PCGamer as follows (in the video at about 10:16 minutes): “…not before next year”. That sounds like “Could come in 2015, but at the moment, it is still very far away”.
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For all those who are a little sad about having to wait until next year for Everquest Next, there is good news. The sandbox game with its seemingly endless possibilities, yes, it is about Everquest Next: Landmark, is releasing this year – in 2014 (as Beta)!
Would you like to learn more about the games mentioned here? Then we can recommend you our special on Everquest Next!Everquest Next and Everquest Next: Landmark are, by the way, two different MMOs!
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
The development team of The Repopulation has released a new trailer showcasing the first gameplay scenes from the upcoming sci-fi sandbox MMORPG (from a very early stage of the game).
The project is additionally listed on the crowdfunding platform Kickstarter, and it is one of the most popular titles there with over 150,000 dollars pledged. They hope to gain additional resources that will benefit the game in terms of features. However, the investment campaign only has a few hours left.
They are clearly focusing on innovative sandbox features and want to give the player as much freedom as possible. The classics Star Wars Galaxies and Ultima Online (old MMORPG veterans will fondly remember), serve as sources of inspiration for The Repopulation. Do you see potential here?
Dear readers, we are expecting an insane MMORPG year 2014. Seriously, if you compare it to the hibernation in 2013, there are worlds apart. It will be exciting to see which MMO will convince us or maybe even disappoint us.
A whole series of supposedly top-notch online role-playing games will be released, all of which can be called AAA titles:
The Elder Scrolls Online, WildStar, ArcheAge, and Everquest Next (Landmark) – these are probably the greatest MMORPG hopes for 2014, which could not be more different, and from which we will certainly hear a lot. It also looks very much like there will be something for every type of player.
Wait a minute! We forgot someone here. There’s also the genre primus World of Warcraft. He must not be missing, but it’s almost like with Klitschko: Only retirement will make room for a new king – unless the mighty, gigantic, and intimidating WoW has already exceeded its prime. Will a certain frailty become apparent this year?
[intense_table bordered=”1″ columns=”Title,Model,Release” data=”The Elder Scrolls Online,Pay-to-play,04.04.2014,WildStar,Pay-to-play,03.06.2014,ArcheAge,Free-to-play,16.09.2014,Everquest Next (Landmark),Free-to-play,End of 2014,World of Warcraft: WoD,Pay-to-play,13.11.2014″ /]
The Elder Scrolls Online
Let’s start with the ambitious MMO project from Bethesda. Elder Scrolls Online is set to release at the beginning of April and will most likely be the first contender in the ring. TESO’s gameplay is oriented towards the extremely popular single-player RPG Skyrim, which is the absolute mainstay in the genre.
Let’s look back: What do we associate with Skyrim? A distinctive atmosphere with beautiful scenery, an active combat system, and the captivating story. While these are not the only parallels between the two games, they are enough to give you an impression of what you can expect at a similar level here. Also in The Elder Scrolls Online, which takes place about 1000 years before Skyrim.
But since this is an online role-playing game logic dictates that social features also play a significant role. Who wouldn’t want to defeat mighty creatures alongside friends in the Elder Scrolls Saga or face human intelligence in the enemy factions? Exactly, prepare yourselves for group content like dungeons or an exciting PvP spectacle for dominance over Tamriel, in addition to solo missions!
We believe that Elder Scrolls Online will be a major blockbuster simply because of its very famous license. The experienced developers know exactly how to captivate players, as you can practically count on an immersive open world. The open PvP should be anything but trivial, since here DaoC legend Matt Frior pulls the strings.
The question is whether its gameplay, which comes across as somewhat atypical for the genre, will appeal to classic MMO players as well. And was the bold pay-to-play model the right choice here? In less than three months we will know more about whether the perhaps already high expectations can be met!
ESO was released on 04.04.2014, read here how we rated the MMORPG:
Crazy, crazier – WildStar! 8 years, the 200 employees from Carbine have been working on creating an MMORPG that will leave a lasting impression on everyone – probably a disturbing one, but also a positive one at the same time. That sounds a bit paradoxical, but somehow also awesome? Congratulations, then you are already successful.
The list of planned features for the release is very long; they want to offer visitors on the planet Nexus a lot of variety. Whether it’s challenging raids, extensive housing, an innovative combat system, or a sophisticated path and profession system – you definitely won’t get bored quickly here, and that is not just due to the humor but also the game’s quality. By the way, many old WoW developers are on board, who have chosen this sci-fi adventure as a new challenge together. Rumor has it that it could be a good sign to rely partly on successful virtues from back then.
First experiences already show that WildStar could be the ultimate savior. It seems to attract players who long for innovations as well as those who seek something new but do not want to miss classic elements. These are not split personalities; no, that describes this MMORPG hope very well: You feel at home and it is even exciting! It almost reminds you of couples who have been together for 20 years and still find ways to experience wild adventures together, playing with their tongues as if it were the first time. But will everyone warm up to the stylistically exaggerated style and the insane characters?
WildStar was released on 03.06.2014, here you can read how we rated the SF-MMO:
The sandbox adventure Everquest Next goes through as the double Lottchen for us. It almost borders on anti-competitive behavior since Sony wants to create a stir with two titles! Everquest Next and Everquest Next: Landmark. The free MMOs are, however, more different than their titles might suggest, but both could revolutionize the genre in their own way.
Already Everquest Next has set high ambitions. With a fully destructible voxel environment, 40 playable classes, and mob hordes that follow their own agendas, the next-gen MMORPG is setting new standards. Moreover, it is a real beauty and incredibly good-looking. It will also be exciting to finally discover what the Everquest makers have learned from the upheavals in the MMORPG field. After all, Everquest has long been the first address when it comes to fantasy MMORPGs. Perhaps Everquest Next signifies a return to the throne for Sony?
However, things get really crazy with the sandbox game Everquest Landmark, which is set to release this year, compared to the role-playing version. Here, players are to have the opportunity to create their own realm. The player is no longer just a visitor in a world but becomes its creator. Everquest Landmark is not just limited to fantasy elements but is supposed to allow creative players to let their imagination run wild. This marks the dawn of a whole new era in MMORPGs!
ArcheAge
The Asian free-to-play fantasy MMO ArcheAgebuilds literally on numerous sandbox features in a medieval setting that should also find resonance in the West. The almost limitless possibilities are considered the flagship here.
ArcheAge offers many opportunities in an open world to pass the time: Build houses, castles, or farms and breed animals? No problem. With the multifaceted professions, it is also a paradise for crafting enthusiasts, and during the battles at sea, one almost feels like Captain Jack Sparrow. A player-driven economy, gripping besiege wars, and the immensely comprehensive class system round off the list but only reflect a small part of the possible player experiences.
After annoying delays regarding the release, it is finally getting serious! Recently, the CEO of Trion Worlds (publisher for ArcheAge in EU/NA) revealed to us that there is already a playable English version and the release date is approaching rapidly. A reason to rejoice. Since they are opting for a free game model, probably only Everquest Next is a direct competitor – both games are also referred to as sandbox MMOs. In hindsight, it may have been a clever ‘move’ to postpone the release since the Korean version initially faced many problems.
World of Warcraft – Warlords of Draenor
Blizzard wants to remain at the top of the food chain with World of Warcraft also this year. In recent years, many WoW killers have been conjured up and the downfall of the giant has been predicted, but ultimately, it was nothing more than hot air. To ensure that the privilege of being the genre head remains in favor of WoW, they are launching a counterattack with the expansion Warlords of Draenor!
This year, the battle for first place could be more exciting, as never before has the competition been this fierce! The developers’ blog entries are already sounding like a declaration of war, as if they want to say: “We won’t hide this year and will give it our all!”.
To give substance to this indirect promise, they are relying on proven improvements with the latest expansion and also on content that players have been wishing for a long time. The long-awaited housing finally receives its entry into the world of Azeroth after many years. And the fact that character models are getting a major overhaul or the story ties back to old times only clearly shows what the goal is: Keeping active players engaged, winning back former players, and attracting new players with notable modernizations. Whether this can be achieved for another year, we will know at the latest in 2015.
Was there not more?
Certainly, we are fully aware of this – but here, the focus is on the big new releases.
The doomsday MMO shooter The Division was not listed here incidentally because it reportedly only releases in 2015 according to the latest reports. That would have also been a candidate and could have given the whole thing a different title.
Furthermore, many are still hoping that Blade&Soul will eventually release in Europe and America! Since the announcement over a year ago, it has unfortunately been extremely quiet about the very popular Asia MMORPG from NCSoft. Is the focus now on the West entirely on WildStar at least in 2014?
And how does the indie MMO The Repopulation fare, which has gained great popularity on the crowdfunding platform Kickstarter and also focuses on sandbox elements like Everquest Next and ArcheAge? As soon as we know more, we will definitely report separately on that! Similar is the case with the Ultima Online successor Shroud of the Avatar. These are certainly games with potential, but a soon release is debatable.
Who will take the throne?
Yes, who will win the favor of hungry MMO fans? Ah, we don’t know that yet – we are many things, but not prophets. Only when the games are released on us passionate gamers can we assess how things will likely continue and especially what ratings we will give. And who knows, like in boxing, there are several belts to be proud of. We may even crown several world champions in different categories!
But since we still have something to say, we will do so. If you want to know what the Mein MMO editorial team is particularly looking forward to, then click through the tabs.
What we are eagerly interested in is what you are looking forward to in 2014?
Björn is Excited
As an absolute MMO fan, I’ve actually been looking forward to 2014 for over a year! YAY – this is NOW! Why? Because as a fan of online games and the Elder Scrolls series, I am of course very much looking forward to the combination of both – The Elder Scrolls Online! YEAH!
There’s no question, the combination of both elements will inevitably lead to the loss of certain attributes, but I firmly believe that the game will still captivate me for a longer time. For how long? Well, we will have to see. But the odds are good that I will probably still be engaged during the next Christmas and New Year holidays for you. And while I can’t tell you anything (yet) about the beta, I can at least reveal that my impressions were mostly very positive. 🙂
Almost a bit sad with all the joy could be the release of WildStar this year. Initially not convinced by the colorful world, a somewhat deeper engagement with the content-rich game slowly but surely raised my interest significantly. I fear that TESO will have to endure some occasional breaks. But that might not be a bad thing because it will curb the consumption a bit and I might enjoy my favorite longer.
I’m also curious about the F2P MMO ArcheAge and EverQuest Next (if it comes in 2014). I give both games a very good chance to establish themselves well in the fiercely competitive MMO battlefield. Coming from a completely different theme, MMOTPS Defiance has, to be honest, captivated me with its concept, and I am burning with interest in how it will progress. Moreover, the shooter together with colleague Planetside offers a pleasant change from the otherwise fantasy-rich offerings.
And last, but not least: World of Warcraft: Warlords of Draenor. I definitely need to try out the latest add-on of the MMO grandpa. Especially due to the strong reference to the good old Burning Crusade, I can imagine that at least one or the other long-lost gamer will hop back into the lap of the original.
On the other hand, the competition this year is extremely fierce, and the enthusiasm for the title is not exactly at its highest level. WHO CARES! 2014 will be really exciting, and I hope I can still get some (extra) sleep with all these great games! 😛
In this sense! See you ON THE LINE!
Your Björn
Schuhmann hopes for Everquest Next and WildStar
I am looking forward to the diversity of different MMOs this year. As someone freshly divorced from WoW, I have the freedom of choice, have no obligations, and want it to stay that way. Because being on the treadmill in a guild with fixed raids often makes an MMORPG feel like an unpaid job – I don’t want to deal with that for the foreseeable future.
But I am definitely looking forward to WildStar. The little I have read so far sounds like a wonderful opportunity to dive in and switch off. I expect a sugar rush from WildStar like from Borderlands 2: Log in, walk two meters, and off you go.
I am still very interested in Guild Wars 2 with its crafting system and the possibility to drop by every now and then to see how the story has progressed. I could well imagine spending my summer vacation in Tyria.
A hardcore trip that I have wanted to indulge in for years leads me to Eve Online. Even in 2014, the game exerts an enormous appeal. But the threshold to really get into it has always been a little too high for me over the years. Perhaps 2014 is finally the year.
Depending on whether it comes out in 2014 or not, the crown jewel for me is also Everquest Next. The philosophy of the game and the ideas behind it simply convince me, and I am eager to dive into the world and establish myself there. And preferably from the beginning, to enjoy that virgin stage where everyone is a bit of a noob. I haven’t had that last time over ten years ago in Dark Age of Camelot, and I miss it a bit.
Cortyn: WoW, Hearthstone, and WildStar are on the list
For me, three games in particular stand out for the year 2014.
Starting with the CCG “Hearthstone”, which should soon enter open beta and has already kept me glued to my computer for many nights. Many additional contents are already announced, so the card game will remain fun for a long time.
Secondly, my list contains the new WoW add-on “Warlords of Draenor”, which will probably lead me back to my MMO roots and ruin one or the other semester paper while I face the iron horde.
However, at the top of my list is WildStar. If the developers manage to present a playable open beta version before the release of “Warlords of Draenor”, all other role-playing games will be dead to me for now since I will probably spend weeks – if not months – setting up my Esper’s house and exploring every corner of Nexus with her.
And as soon as that’s done, I will dive into the promising RP of the world and finally allow myself to get fully immersed in an MMO – farewell, my fellow students! See you during the first maintenance activities!
The Elder Scrolls Online and WildStar are Dawid’s Highlights
I am honestly still a bit torn by the incredible selection, which is why I am quite happy that the games are not all releasing at the same time. This way, I can take my time to examine each highlight in peace.
My starting point will be The Elder Scrolls Online. My first impression is that it will captivate me for a while. Currently, however, I don’t see it as the savior but rather as a great change after a hard day. It remains to be seen whether TESO can bind me in the long term. I am still a bit critical of the ‘end content’. Does a story-heavy game still convince when the story is over? Sure, the PvP mass battles have their appeal, but as mentioned, it’s more for me a change. If I don’t find motivating PvE content that doesn’t come across as generic, it will likely stay that way.
ArcheAge and Everquest Next (Landmark) are of interest for the simple reason of letting one’s creativity run wild. Sandbox games have appealed to me since childhood, and with these sandbox MMOs, I don’t even have to get dirty if I want to build something! Since my free time is quite limited and games of this kind often consume a lot of time, I am first turning to other MMORPGs. One must set priorities!
In summary, it boils down to TESO and WildStar for me. If time permits, I will surely take a quick look at the sandbox variants as well.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
[intense_lead ]Craig Robinson, Senior Art Director at World of Warcraft, has now presented on the WoW website the exact plans on how the often very old player character models are to be renewed.[/intense_lead]
In recent years, it has increasingly become a problem that old models with relatively few polygons looked more and more like foreign bodies in an increasingly stylish environment.
Dwarven beards as fluffy as Pandaren fur!
The goal of the facelift is now to bring the traditional models up to par with the Pandaren, boss mobs, or certain new NPC models like Vol’jin, the leader of the Trolls.
Robinson also provided an insight into how extensive such a seemingly simple task ultimately turns out to be. The number of polygons is significantly increased (sometimes quadrupling), the texture is enhanced, and significantly more bones are used. This is intended to enable updated facial expressions. With 180 animations per character and 10 races with a female and male variant, nearly 3600 animations were needed.
Same Troll, old price – now with 40% more soul!
Robinson emphasized several times how important it is for Blizzard to preserve the soul of the beloved models. A player should definitely feel that they are still playing the same character, just that someone has finally focused the lens.
Some time ago, there was almost a shitstorm when a designer changed the position of the ears on a model during a standard patch and millions of players worldwide no longer recognized their avatar. Blizzard seems to have learned its lessons from that experience.
The first images of human females (feels weird to write that) already look very promising and we are excited to see how the changes ultimately play out in the game and whether we will really recognize our avatars again! It would be strange if there was some other troll in our armor!
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
The secrets about the next patch are gradually being revealed: In the free-to-play MMORPG Rift, famous for its exceptional gameplay, the upcoming update 2.6 will bring a new crafting profession. The Dreamweaver.
The Dreamweaver will grant players access to a total of 15 new dimensions. However, this won’t happen just like that; it requires the crafting of special keys – it’s easy to guess that some keys will likely pose a challenge. For those wondering about the term dimensions: that refers to the quite extensive housing system in Rift.
In addition to the dimensions, the profession fittingly also allows you to forge items for the accommodations, which, among other things, are supposed to have a special effect due to their fluorescent properties:
Dreamweaving is about bringing players’ imagination to life. As a weaver, you can create visual effects, lighting, and special items that can be used in dimensions. You can create elements like fire, water, particles, and smoke, plus pure, objectless effects that you can place anywhere (and on anything) in your favorite dimensions.
But what if someone doesn’t care about the accommodations? Should these players therefore steer clear of the weaver? The answer is no! Because fortunately, you can also craft powerful dream spheres that can be combined with the current crafting runes. These greatly enhance your equipment!
And since dreams are unpredictable, you won’t know what values you’ll get until after they are completed. I can imagine it will take several attempts before the desired values appear on the runes.
Last but not least: Today from 10:30 PM, there will be a livestream on Twitch, where Rift, Trove, and Defiance will be showcased – you can win some goodies (from the developer personally): http://www.twitch.tv/Trionworlds
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
DC Universe Online, the free-to-play superhero MMO, has recently been enriched by the expansion pack War of the Light Part 1.
Legendary members have been able to fully enjoy the new content for several days now (subscription players generally have free access to all addons). For all other players, it starts on January 28th for those who are free to play – provided they purchase the pack through the shop or switch to a legendary membership, which brings several advantages.
The now ninth addon comes with some interesting new features that we certainly don’t want to withhold from you:
The Rage Power, which is related to the Red Lanterns,forms the now 12th power set and can be used by both good and evil players.
Players can look forward to brand new group content: A 4 and 8 player operation.
Two new Legends PvP characters – the Lanterns Atrocitus and Saint Walker.
Brand new items, collections, and more.
If you also want to embody a hero or even a villain, then go ahead – the action-packed online game isfree to play. Superman and Joker are therefore not so far away.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Players of the American version of the free-to-play MMORPG Aion can look forward to the next big update very soon. On January 29, 2014, client version 4.5 will be deployed, bringing a lot of new features.
The highlight is undoubtedly the new class Ethertech, which is already being touted as the upcoming ‘community favorite’. To shorten the wait a bit, NCSoft has now released a new trailer for the Ethertech. The robot-like figure already comes across as quite impressive, a really nice preview of what awaits us soon in Atreia. Robocop says hello!
In addition to the Ethertech, the patch will also bring new instances, hairstyles, skills, items, weapons, and much more. However, it is still unclear when the European servers will enjoy the new content. However, there has been a first glimmer of hope in the Gameforge Forum that it may not take too long here either:
As I see the plans, 4.5 is being planned directly. So yes, small patches will probably no longer come. But… hopefully it won’t be long now :x. Near future. Man, I wish I could say more :/
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Listening closely pays off – they reveal some character details!
One could say – here presents itself a truly convincing group of high-profile actors or in this case voice actors. Of course, they voice the English-speaking characters, but they also offer some interesting insights into the prominent NPC characters of TESO. Despite the affection for the well-known actors and voice actors, one almost feels like playing the English version. However, you won’t learn that from the video, the German voice actors are impressive as well. We’ve taken the names from the official press release:
The role-playing epic is enriched by a true star ensemble of German voice actors: Otto Mellies (e.g. the German voice of Christopher Lee), Rainer Schöne (e.g. the German voice of Willem Dafoe), Klaus-Dieter Klebsch (e.g. the German voice of Alec Baldwin), Frank Glaubrecht (e.g. the German voice of Al Pacino), Thomas Danneberg (e.g. the German voice of John Cleese), Wolfgang Condrus (e.g. the German voice of Ed Harris), Martin Kessler (e.g. the German voice of Vin Diesel) and Bernd Rumpf (e.g. the German voice of Liam Neeson) along with many other renowned speakers lend their voices to the German version.
And that wasn’t all, the other speakers are also quite notable German-speaking voice actors.
Thomas Danneberg voices Cadwell, a cheerful and loveably crazy runaway slave who embarks on a series of intricate quests in the Empire. Portrayed as High King Emeric, Bernd Rumpf plays a wealthy merchant who was able to ascend to the throne due to luck and determination. Tanja Geke (e.g. the German voice of Zoe Saldana)takes on the role of Ayrenn, the leader of the Aldmeri Dominion and queen of the High Elves, who feels significantly more comfortable wielding the blade than her crown.
Additionally, Klaus-Dieter Klebsch voices the role of Abnur Tharn, a cunning old wizard and politician who leads the Elder Council of the Empire and represents the de-facto power behind the Ruby Throne. Otto Mellies lends his distinctive voice to theProphet, a mysterious blind man who guides players in their search for their soul. Frank Glaubrecht takes on the role of the key figure Molag Bal, an evil Daedric god from another dimension who seeks to enslave the mortal souls of Tamriel.
The Dragon King Jorunn is voiced by Wolfgang Condrus, the renegade High Elf sorcerer (the most powerful necromancer in the world) by Martin Kessler and and and. It’s going to be exciting and the drums are about to sound! Gather your friends and prepare for the battle for Tamriel and against the Daedra Molag Bal! We will also be at the front lines. 😉
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
The exact date is not yet out, but DLC number 3 for Defiance will be available in early February. As we already reported, the title of the next expansion of the first season is: The 7th Legion. So far so good, but what’s new? In one word: A lot!
If the announcements are to be believed, the MMOTPS will evolve significantly. You will have the opportunity to become a member of the legendary 7th Legion. Led by the war hero Yoshida Hiro, the army marches towards the Bay Area, the area where we currently find ourselves in the game. Those who join the Legion – which probably means those who purchase the DLC – will receive the so-called Recruit Special Kit. This is a special gear for the members of the 7th Legion, which includes a new outfit, some yet-to-be-defined gear, and a new title.
New gear, new combat style, new shield technologies, and much more!
In addition to additional and new gear, there will also be new Hybrid Shields and a unique combat style – whatever that may mean. The latter could perhaps refer to a new main specialization for melee combat (?). Additionally, the chat system is said to be revamped, which many will certainly appreciate, and there will be new dynamic content that goes by the promising name RAIDS – well, that already sounds nice. 😉
Oha! It will probably get even bloodier in Defiance with the 7th Legion!
All in all, the 7th Legion could lead to the biggest changes or expansions in Defiance so far. As far as I can assess the announcements, everything sounds extremely interesting. How good that I already have my Season Pass, which applies to all five DLCs of the first season. Just a reminder, it costs around 35 euros, which ultimately means that you save 15 euros compared to buying them separately and receive a few in-game bonus items. In this sense, grab your friends – Defiance is great for playing with buddies and, of course, girlfriends! – and rock the Bay Area!
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This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
[intense_lead ]After a long wait, the time has finally come: The closed beta of “Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft” has ended, and from now on, all players can dive into the tactical free-to-play collectible card game and shake things up in the tavern with their favorite hero – the open beta is here![/intense_lead]
For those who have not heard anything about Blizzard’s latest game, I want to give a brief overview of what you can experience in Hearthstone and how to take your first steps into the world of collecting.
Let me say this: If you’ve ever played a trading card game like “Magic”, “Yu-Gi-Oh!”, or the “Warcraft TCG” away from your PC, the adjustment will be a piece of cake. In essence, these games function very similarly, but the rules have been simplified for Hearthstone to provide as many players as possible with a smooth entry.
The beginning is… child’s play!
When the game is started for the first time, the tutorial inevitably begins, which you must navigate to reach the main menu. After five quick matches, where you defeat iconic Warcraft characters like “Hogger” and “Illidan Stormrage”, you can finally start the main game.
As a newcomer, you only have the Mage class, represented by Jaina Proudmoore. It is advisable to complete a few games against AI in the “Practice” mode, because to unlock the other 8 classes, you must have defeated them at least once – the mode doesn’t matter here, and you can also internalize the basics again.
The goal is always clear: To reduce the opposing hero’s health points from 30 to 0 before the enemy can do the same.
How does a match play out?
No matter if you are facing other players or computer-controlled opponents, the process is always the same. Both opponents have a deck of 30 cards each, and it is decided at random who starts. The starting player draws 3 cards, and the second one an additional card to compensate for this disadvantage.
Each turn begins with drawing another card and increasing the mana counter by 1. All cards have mana costs that must be paid to play the card; accordingly, a card with a cost of “3” can only be played at the earliest in your third turn, while a card with 8 or even 10 mana costs will wait for its use for quite a while.
Unusual for card game veterans: There are no “Instant” cards that the opponent could play – in your turn, only you decide what happens! After just a few rounds, it becomes clear that merely “playing” your own cards will not achieve the desired effect; tactics and foresight are some of the many keys to victory in Hearthstone.
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All cards basically fall into three categories: Minions, Spells, or Weapons. Simply put, Minions are your units that you send into battle. Each Minion has a value for attack power and another for health points. When one of your Minions attacks an enemy’s Minion, they inflict damage on each other. For Magic players, it is worth noting that the damage is permanent. For example: If a 4/4 Minion (4 attack power and 4 health points) attacks a 3/3 Minion, the 3/3 Minion is destroyed, and the 4/4 Minion drops to 4/1.
All Spells are tied to a respective class, so Mages always have different magical tricks up their sleeves than Warlocks or Hunters. Unlike Minions, the effect of a Spell takes effect immediately and usually has no further impact on the game. A simple example would be the card “Arcane Intellect”, which lets you draw 2 cards and has no further use thereafter.
Weapons allow your hero to deal damage themselves. Unlike Minions and Spells, Weapons have an attack value and a durability value. Each time your hero strikes with their equipped weapon, the durability decreases by 1 until the weapon is destroyed.
And now the most important thing: How do I get new cards?!
There are many ways to acquire new cards in the game. First and foremost, you should level up all classes to level 10, as you unlock the so-called “Basic Cards” for a class by reaching this level; these cards can only be obtained in this way!
As is common in a trading card game, there are also Hearthstone cards that are common and others that are rarer. Besides the Basic Cards, there are also “Professional Cards,” which have a rarity of “common” (white), “rare” (blue), “epic” (purple), or “legendary” (orange). These cards are primarily obtained from packs, each containing 5 cards, at least one of which is “rare” or better. Packs can either be purchased for real money (2 packs for €2.69), bought with Gold (100 Gold coins), or you receive them for participating in the Arena.
As a last option, you can craft the cards yourself. For this, you need Arcane Dust, which you receive for disenchanting excess cards – not the optimal solution for beginners since they have no extra cards.
Then with Gold! How do I earn Gold? And what else can I do with it?
Every day, you receive a quest that rewards between 40 and 100 Gold coins for completion. In addition, you receive 10 Gold pieces for every 3 victories, although a daily maximum of 100 has been set (for which you would need to record 30 wins, which can take several hours even for experienced players). Certain “Achievements” also grant Gold coins, though only once, but it is certainly more exciting when the message “Achieve 100 Wins!” pops up.
So it is also possible for casual players to open a new pack every 1-2 days.
However, if you want to spend 150 Gold pieces, you can try your hand at the Arena mode. Here, you assemble a deck of 30 cards, and the twist is: The game presents you with 3 cards 30 times, and you must choose one each time until your deck is complete – this leads to amusing decks that both you and your opponent often do not expect. After that, you compete against other players until you either record 3 losses or 12 victories.
The interesting part: The more you win before accumulating three losses, the greater the reward. And don’t worry! Even with 0 wins and 3 losses, you still get at least one pack, so you would have only lost 50 Gold at most – from 7 wins onwards, you even get the 150 Gold back and essentially receive a pack for free. If you achieve even more, you will be rewarded with larger amounts of Arcane Dust, even more Gold, or even a second pack.
First Conclusions
The developers have set themselves the goal of creating a game that is beginner-friendly while still offering tactical depth without ever overwhelming the player. All cards have been designed so that you can see at a glance what a specific card does and how it interacts with other cards.
Especially practical: If you ever forget what certain keywords like “Charge” or “Taunt” mean, you just need to hover over the card with your mouse, and you will receive a brief, clear explanation right next to it. Getting started is easy, and the seemingly endless combinations offer enjoyment for many sleepless nights – but don’t be discouraged, as especially the players from the closed beta have a significant experience advantage.
Don’t let that get you down and try to learn something from every lost round, then victories will come on their own soon – happy deck-building!
The developers of WildStar have talked several times about the social features in the upcoming sci-fi MMORPG, but so far there have been no tangible facts regarding guilds.
This has changed with today’s article on the official site, which provides a good insight into guild life on the planet Nexus.
At first glance, all the usual structures are present, as one would expect from an online role-playing game. Starting with the founding of the guild, through ranks and powers, to an optional guild tax and the typical guild bank, there is much available to properly organize a group of like-minded players.
But we are talking about WildStar, which wants to be different and offer more than many other games. It would be surprising if this were not the case – especially since social groups are supposed to be very important in WildStar, as this statement once again makes clear:
[intense_testimonies]
[intense_testimony]
[intense_testimony_text]In many MMO games, a guild is a social group of players. They might raid together or hang out in their VOIP system of choice, but most individual players roam the open world alone, and their guild is little more than an unremarkable name on a sign. That is really a shame – and a state that we don’t want in WildStar![/intense_testimony_text]
[intense_testimony_author company=”Community Manager” image=”https://images.mein-mmo.de/magazin/medien/2014/01/Wildstar_Logo.png”]Jan “Bronn” Sterl[/intense_testimony_author]
[/intense_testimony]
[/intense_testimonies]
To counteract this, a lot has been thought out. We will briefly introduce the features that are intended to foster greater connection between players.
Guild Influence:Playing together is rewarded here, which is nothing extraordinary at first. It’s quite simple, which makes it all the more surprising why hardly any other games have come up with this idea.
Other games also have guild quests and the like, but the small yet subtle difference is that the guild gains influence when the members actually play together and do not go off separately to complete tasks. The more you tackle dungeons, raids, battlegrounds, or quests in a group of guild members, the faster the influence increases. What this brings becomes clear in the next point.
Guild Benefits:The influence acts as a currency with which you can gradually unlock rewards, categorized into 3 categories:
Guild unlocks (e.g., summoning players, bank expansion)
Guild-wide boosts (e.g., experience, faction reputation, and influence bonuses)
Consumable guild items (e.g., individual buffs and summoning the bank)
Guild Holo Emblems:Last but not least, a little treat. You can look forward to a comprehensive tool that allows you to create a custom guild logo in the game. The special thing about it is that the emblem is projectable and its position can be freely determined on the character. This way, you show – whether in PvP or elsewhere – which group you identify with and represent it at the same time!
What do you think about guilds that play together being rewarded? We think that’s great, as people sometimes just need a motivation to realize that they can also have a lot of fun together.
The most important thing last: How and where do I found a guild in WildStar?
Once you reach level 12, you are allowed to found a guild in WildStar. The founding itself is then done in the respective capital of the faction, at a non-player character who is responsible for this. But beware, this is not free and costs you 10 gold. Typically, you have this 10 gold in the normal course of the game and haven’t collected it by level 12 yet. If you still want to initiate a founding, it is advisable to pool the necessary cash in the community.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
In The Elder Scrolls Online you will be able to roam the continent of Tamriel together with your friends for the first time since the release of the popular role-playing series. The developers are currently showing you why a community, such as in the form of a guild, can be beneficial in the latest video. One of the declared goals of the game makers is to not only offer great group content but also to actively encourage TESO players to engage in group play through compelling moments of tension. This is absolutely understandable, as one must not forget that there is a huge fanbase for the TESO series, and some players may not have belonged to the MMO crowd until now. *waves at those addressed with a smile* 😉
The Group Teleport
A very nice feature introduced in the video is the ability to “teleport” directly to another group member. In this case, I can let it slip that I had the chance to test this nice option in the beta and I’ve come to appreciate it right away. Indeed, Tamriel is just as beautifully confusing and vast as you know it from games like Skyrim or Morrowind. This means that it can happen that friends may quickly lose sight of each other while playing AND exploring together. While this might annoy some MMO gamers, it is part of the charm of the TES series for me. But to avoid it getting out of hand and to have distant group members quickly at hand, you can, as mentioned, teleport directly to your group members by magic. OK, to some extent, this charm inevitably gets somewhat lost, but I think that is manageable. Or how do you see such options?
The Attack is Approaching Unstoppably – It’s Time!
On April 4th, 2014, it’s finally here! The Elder Scrolls Online will finally be playable for all of us, and we can storm Tamriel. So it’s about time to get your friends together and march towards Tamriel. Take the idea of group content as an occasion to slowly start beating the war drums and gradually increase the drumming speed. Pre-order TESO! Share this and other articles about TESO on Facebook and Co! Call your friends! Build up anticipation together and wait for the final blow! We are in! — And while we are on the subject, which faction and race do you want to play together? Feel free to tell us, as we are still in the decision-making process ourselves. 😉
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
A few days ago, the Carbine devs Frost and Pappy introduced the Assassin in a livestream – the ultimate claw beast that not only causes a stir in WildStar, but also as Wolverine in X-Men. Definitely a spectacle worth seeing.
Okay, the thing with Wolverine was a little joke on my part, but it is worth it! Frost and Pappy sometimes even throw some serious shade. Holla the forest fairy.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
[intense_lead ]Blizzard’s flagship World of Warcraft resembles a frighteningly successful sports team that becomes champions year after year, defying all challengers, even as the naysayers grow louder. Will WoW strike back in 2014?[/intense_lead]
In American basketball, the Miami Heat have been in a similar position for years. With superstar LeBron James, they are favorites for the title each season. However, every year new teams, the so-called contenders, emerge. They look young, fit, and agile. Tens of thousands of sports journalists earn their living writing about basketball, declaring a changing of the guard at the top – every year.
Does the championship team from 2014 look like this?
The Miami Heat are said to be getting old. The air is out, the dynamics have exhausted, the team is clearly past its prime. And on the other side: Just how great Golden State can shoot, how dynamic the Pacers are playing again this year! And then – when it’s time for the Finals, LeBron and his Heat will once again be crowned champions.
In MMORPGs, things have been similar for years. Many in the industry are tired of WoW still reigning supreme. They say: The graphics are now truly outdated, the gameplay is simply exhausted, the old stories of Arthas and Illidan have been told, it’s finally time for something new. Every decline in subscription numbers is now viewed as the final demise of WoW.
[pull_quote_center]Every game is now deemed the ultimate WoW killer, a savior – and every year, in the end, WoW is still just ahead.
After Blizzard took a big hit with the somewhat disastrous expansion Cataclysm, it seemed they would steer the ship back with Mists of Pandaria, but that excitement has since dissipated.
Especially with a fresh crop of contenders for 2014 like TESO, WildStar, and Everquest Next waiting in the wings, there was a critical eye on what Blizzard would have in store for 2014.
The answer: A lot, of course.
This year, they plan to bring the player models of the old races up to the level of the Pandaren, Goblins, and Worgen – a preview is set for the end of January. Additionally, Blizzard is returning to its strengths in storytelling. With Warlords of Draenor, the new expansion, it’s once again into the shattered world. This content was already addressed in Burning Crusade and that era is retrospectively seen by many fans as WoW’s golden age.
“Look here ladies, I’m going to look sexy again soon!”
Further delicacies planned for the new year lie in a consistent development of existing content. With Mists of Pandaria, they already provided players with a taste of housing with their own farm. In Warlords of Draenor, players will now get their own fortress. The concept is reminiscent of Baldur’s Gate 2 and other games.
In addition, they are of course relying on proven concepts: The level cap will once again increase, this time to level 100. New raids are planned, new dungeons, new items, new quests. Throughout the last expansion, they also made good use of fresh concepts from Guild Wars 2, making mass questing in new zones easier to manage.
Are you coming home again?
World of Warcraft and Blizzard also seem to be pursuing a strategy this year that has served the Miami Heat well. Instead of focusing on spectacular innovations or transfers, they polish their own strengths, observe what the contenders are doing, analyze that, and adopt the changes that prove beneficial into their own system.
For journalists, there isn’t much to report; fans of other teams may get a little bored, but in the end, it’s still enough to secure the title once again. Whether 2014 will end with the crown for Blizzard remains to be seen. The competition is strong this year, and Blizzard has not announced any killer ideas yet. But it’s just as clear that WoW will not relinquish the throne without a fight.
Depending on where one stands on the Miami Heat and WoW, one can either speak of an evergreen that is experiencing its third and fourth spring, or of a zombie that keeps coming back and is impossible to kill, no matter what you throw at it.
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In Dragon’s Prophet, a new update has been implemented that definitely brings noteworthy innovations.
In addition to the so-called Mounted Combat, which now also plays a role in PvE, there is also a new region and a legendary dungeon to explore.
The special thing about mounted combat is now that it also introduces new tactical elements to the game, in addition to the expanded gameplay itself. Players particularly demanded more teamwork in dungeons and missed the Holy Trinity (the traditional role distribution into Tank, DPS, and Healing) in this context.
This aspect is now gradually finding its way into the game due to the mentioned dragon feature, as the choice of your own dragon now gains importance even in group play (the companion complements your mounted combat with tank, DPS, and healing skills depending on their orientation). This potentially means that the upcoming dungeons will be adjusted according to these new possibilities!
You can now work even more closely with your dragons and choose your preferred playstyle during combat… out in the wilderness or in your favorite dungeons!
Summary of the new patch contents:
Handras’ Shrine, a new dungeon in Olandra
Mounted PvE combat with a new approach to roles
Changes to the spawn rate for legendary dragons in dungeons
Update in housing (players can now gain experience)
New hairstyles and faces for both genders
Random mini-events in the world
Trailer shows gameplay experiences in Olandra
Additionally, a new trailer recently came out that showcases the latest region Olandra, where the legendary Underwater Dungeon Handras’ Shrine can now be found. The video is worth watching!
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When looking at the first information, images, and videos about the next-gen MMO ShooterTom Clancy’s: The Division, it almost seems certain that we will have a proper post-apocalyptic blockbuster on our hands. Now, rumors are intensifying that we probably won’t get to experience the apocalypse in the contaminated New York this year.
The press has listed The Division almost without exception in the lists of the most anticipated MMOs of 2014, and not without reason: The publisher UbiSoft has set the release date for the end of 2014. Apparently, the developers at Massive Entertainment see it differently. An employee, of course anonymously, is said to have commented on this ‘nonsense’. Of course, it could have just been anyone, but why has there been no denial from Ubisoft so far?
The engine for the game works; it is not finished yet, but it runs well. The development of the actual game has just begun (…). The fact that Ubisoft is publicly aiming for a release in 2014 is honestly ridiculous. We will never be able to release The Division this year. It is a big project and we have a long way to go.
Alleged anonymous employee of the developer.
Whether at the end of 2014 or sometime in 2015, we are certainly curious about how it will continue and are currently just enjoying a video with the first gameplay scenes:
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Guild Wars 2 is in a strange position. It launched with huge hype, received excellent reviews from all game magazines (recently from us as well), and was a huge success with the fans: No MMORPG has sold faster than GW 2.
However, recently the innovative adventure seems to have lost some momentum. Discontent has spread among fans. The English-language site eurogamer.net has now given ArenaNet the opportunity to dispel rumors and offer a glimpse into the future.
First of all, the two heads of ArenaNet made it clear in the discussion that there is nothing to any rumors, that they are not scaling back server performance or have given up on further development of the game. On the contrary, they are very satisfied with the sales figures, a decline in sales is normal when the excitement of the launch has faded, and Guild Wars 2 is still performing much better than expected. They have not skimped on personnel either, but have hired additional staff. ArenaNet expects an additional boost when the game launches in China, Korea, Russia, and Brazil.
Future larger updates, like in an expansion!
However, ArenaNet appears to intend to deviate somewhat from the previous philosophy of many small events and storylines. The designers want to draw inspiration from a narrative masterpiece like Game of Thrones and increasingly involve players in the mechanics of the world. This should no longer be limited to small events, but from modest beginnings, huge upheavals should arise. An example of such a world-changing, cataclysmic event can be found at the end of our post in a video.
Furthermore, ArenaNet plans to introduce content that players expect from an expansion, even though they want to stick with the idea of a Living World, which would be due after a year and a half: So perhaps an increase in the level cap or new ways to develop the character further, new races, regions, items, recipes, etc.
However, how exactly these new features will be introduced is still unclear. It should start relatively soon after Living World Season 1 concludes: So sometime after March 14, heading toward summer.
In any case, these expansions are planned, Guild Wars 2 is doing financially well, and the content development machine is humming. So say the creative minds behind the game.
We are looking forward to seeing how the world of Tyria will continue to evolve. Here is the promised video! It heralds the end of the first chapter in the story of Guild Wars 2 – and with quite a bang!
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Hardly any other game has managed to evoke such enthusiasm in me before its release, and to finally give me a strong “hype” again, like “WildStar” has done in recent months, and there isn’t even a release date in sight.
But what makes me want to watch the few short videos of the game over and over again? I want to show you here as thoroughly as possible.
Before I continue, it’s important to note that there is currently an NDA in place for the beta (Non-Disclosure Agreement). Therefore, all information here is from public sources and may change before the game launches – but for a first impression, it’s more than enough.
The Standard Fare – Ordinary Story, Ordinary Game?
Let’s first look at the rough historical background: As with many MMOs, the central conflict is between two competing factions that players can join: the Dominion and the Exiles. Basically, this explains almost everything, as the Dominion has set the original goal of enslaving the entire galaxy, whereas the Exiles are from those worlds that have already fallen victim to the Dominion.
Currently, the Exiles have fled to the world “Nexus” – only it’s unfortunate that this is the legendary planet from which the Dominion is believed to draw its power. Thus, the focus of the game is on exploring and battling for control of Nexus.
In total, there are 8 races and 6 different classes to choose from, each with 2 class-specific roles: Tank, Healer, or Damage Dealer.
The Deviations – Uniqueness to Behold
Up to this point, WildStar does not differ from an average “grind-to-death” MMO, but then the differences arise: There are no fixed skill trees; instead, you can choose exactly what you want. A Medic can either focus on damage or healing – or create a crazy mix of both that remains effective in combat.
The same applies to all classes; for the first time, hybrids seem genuinely useful and do not have to hide from their single-mindedly talented teammates.
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The classes themselves impress with cool effects and numerous customization options. As a Tech Pioneer, for example, one has combat robots that are sent into battle, or the character slips into such armor and rampages like a Space Marine across the battlefield. The Spellslinger blasts enemies with dual pistols – why does he use magic from the void? Right, so the ammunition doesn’t run out!
Each class is unique and is so impressive that it’s hard to choose without lamenting the one you leave behind.
The Combat System
The heart[intense_icon type=”heart” size=”1″ color=”#dd3333″ /] of every MMORPG is, of course, the combat system, and here WildStar breaks new ground: Almost all abilities are area spells that either have linear, cone, or circular effects, and a large part of the abilities can be used while moving.
This means, on the one hand, that you almost never stand still, and on the other hand, it offers many new aspects for PvP, because what’s the use of the best equipment if my opponent is so skilled that he can simply dance out of my attack zones?
Status effects also impact in a refreshing, new way: If your character is “blind,” not 50% of your attacks miss, instead, your screen turns black. If you are affected by “confusion,” then suddenly all keys work in the opposite way – I can already see myself taking a step over the cliff.
In addition to your class, you can also choose one of four different “Paths” during character creation. The options are Soldier, Explorer, Settler, and Scientist. And what distinguishes this from the classes? While the class primarily determines how you fight, the path decides what else you experience – often through missions that are only available to you.
All players can find out things about the background story, but only a Scientist can access all the details – Do you want to know what these ruins were used for? Analyze them with your probe! Are you interested in why this particular plant species only grows here and why its spores make you fly? Scan the surroundings and find out! (And I promise you right now – as a role-playing fan, this is exactly your path!).
Soldiers love to test experimental weapon systems, protect villages from attackers, or take down extremely tough bosses. If battles are what excite you, then there’s nothing standing in the way of a Soldier career!
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Not so much into battles? Would you rather seek hidden locations or try to figure out how to reach the top of the mountain? The Explorer gets tasks that primarily deal with the landscape, like a race, a treasure hunt, or descending into a hidden cave that perhaps no player has discovered before you…
The Settler, on the other hand, is able to build structures almost anywhere. Buildings? In the middle of the game world? You read that right! They can set up many constructions from campfires to taverns that offer new functions to other players, such as a buff or a special quest. Every time a player interacts with the buildings, the Settler benefits – a classic win-win situation!
Graphics and Design
WildStar is crazy in every imaginable way. I know no other world where giant hamsters fire nuclear weapons, space zombies seek a cure, or my cute Aurin with bunny ears and a fox tail scans daisies that turn out to be oversized monsters wanting to devour me whole.
Die Welt auf dem Nexus gefällt nicht jedem.
The comic-like appearance is perfectly matched to the scenery, the expressions and gestures of the characters are great so far, and from what we’ve seen, the world is vibrant and cohesive without being absurd in a disturbing way.
The comic look also has the advantage that the game never has to be photo-realistic, which means compromises can be made in graphics without you really noticing (similar to “Borderlands”).
Conclusion
The incredibly funny humor, the crazy world, the announced housing, the possibility to pay the monthly fees with in-game currency, the combat system, the brilliant paths, and the fresh world where I can role-play has already captivated me.
Where are the Aurin and the Exiled human looking? Our outlook is that WildStar will be an excellent MMORPG!
I confess, I am hyped to my fingertips.
In recent years, it has become common to scream every game as “WoW Killer”, and I really don’t want to lower myself to that level.
Nevertheless, I’m already starting to dig a grave. Whether I’ll bury a game in it, or the miserable traitors of the Dominion, remains to be seen.
http://youtu.be/ukb7oOCkhJw
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Last night, Stephan Frost, the Design Producer of WildStar and the voice of the well-known “DevSpeak” videos, answered numerous questions from the community in an English-speaking forum.
One of the most important questions was probably about the endgame content and whether the game would offer enough of it at launch to keep players engaged for longer. Frost confirmed this and listed that there are many contents accessible only at level 50, including raids, veteran dungeons, adventures, PvP zones, and a large part of the housing items.
He also emphasized that it will be very difficult for most players to tackle the raids on the first day, as they would require a lot of preparation and demand everything from you. Furthermore, he mentioned that some developers are already working on the follow-up patches to quickly implement new content even after launch.
In addition, he answered small questions, such as why there are no female Chua as player models (which only underscores the game’s absurd humor):
Chua are neither female nor male, but primarily insane.
So, who finds the crazy Chua?
Are you ready for the upcoming Open Beta of WildStar?
For many who can’t wait any longer, certainly interesting: The goal is still to release the game this spring and an Open Beta is set to “start soon”, though this should be taken with a grain of salt in programming terms.
Let’s hope that these great promises also come true, then nothing will stand in the way of a successful release of the MMORPG hope.
Until then, just enjoy one of the famous DevSpeak videos:
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If you spend 5 minutes on the topic Everquest Next and especially on the sister project Everquest Landmark, you will be amazed!
40 classes? A destructible environment? Dynamic quest system with mob groups following artificial intelligence? A sandbox mode like in Minecraft? If only half of that is true and works, Everquest Next will be the new hot shit, that much is clear.
And the nice thing is: Behind Everquest Next are not just some dreamers, but veterans of the gaming industry with over 20 years of experience. We answer the most important questions about Everquest Next and Everquest Landmark.
Everquest, Everquest – have I heard that before?
Oh, probably. The first Everquest was WoW before WoW became the new WoW. A hardcore MMORPG with a fantasy touch, which still exists today.
It was released in 1999, has since 16 races and 16 classes and was a huge success, it is still played by hardcore gamers. In October 2013, the twentieth expansion for the game was released. Yes, no typo: the twentieth expansion.
The successor project Everquest 2 went online in 2004 and was supposed to compete with the industry leader WoW – that didn’t quite work out. However, the two Everquest games are still considered by purists as an example of “real MMORPGs” with huge raids, guilds, character development, rare spawns, and all those hardcore things from which mainstream MMORPGs have turned away for quite some time.
Who is behind the new Everquest?
Sony, this billion-dollar giant that designed this thing … I believe the kids call it Playstation? Some sort of cross between a toaster and a PC, but apparently a few people seem to be very keen on it. Everquest is being developed by Sony Online Entertainment, a subsidiary of Sony. Major players in the gaming industry are involved in the project itself. SOE is also responsible for DC Universe and Planetside 2.
A new era is dawning
Why is everyone losing it over Everquest Next?
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Because it is supposed to be possible to manipulate the environment in the game quite freely. That is actually the feature SOE is advertising and exciting everyone because it changes the whole balance of a game. If everything works as promised, you could use spells to bring down a bridge where enemies are lying in wait, collapse entire caves, literally shoot your way free to the boss, and so on. A freely manipulable environment allows a return of creativity in problem-solving instead of boss kill after guide. An out-of-the-box thinking. It is just incredibly exciting.
While previous games have already attempted something like that, where you could slowly grind down the walls of a fortress until a passage formed, Everquest Next is supposed to go much further and be much freer. The fixed environment remains one of the biggest hurdles that separates MMORPGs from movies or other story elements.
The environment in previous games is simply a solid ground on which the exciting things happen. Something players don’t even think about. But if a cave, where you are hunting a spider or chasing a dragon, becomes important – and not just according to a script, but freely manipulable – a new era for MMORPGs would truly begin.
This is what many hope for from Everquest Next: The Next-Next-Gen MMORPG. A Guild Wars 2 taken even further.
Dynamic and organic as main design goals
Do quests still fit into this universe?
For the quest system, Everquest Next will likely draw on Guild Wars 2. So no quest hubs with: Go there and kill 10 rats, when you are done, come back and I’ll make you a nice cloak out of rat fur, but dynamic events.
The magic words are “dynamic” and “organic”. When a group of goblins spawns somewhere in the world, they should pursue concrete goals: The goblins want to raid a neighboring village. Now an attack on the village is taking place – if a player is present, they will naturally try to protect the village, and next they might go on the counteroffensive, kill fleeing goblins, invade their nest, and slay the chief. Or the goblins withdraw in an orderly fashion and choose a new target. Or the goblins succeed in taking over the village; they become stronger and plan an attack on a trade caravan.
The quests should look roughly as dynamic and organic as this. The main design idea of Everquest Next is probably to break with many conventions of MMORPGs that players have come to take for granted.
With Landmark goes into the sandbox
What about classes?
For Everquest Next, 40 classes are planned. The developers intend to work with highly specialized classes. For example, a mage is supposed to become a pet class, the next is also a mage but specialized in destruction spells.
The creators of Everquest Next believe there will be enough room for these 40 classes, and they expect that these highly specialized classes will then manage with only a few skills. Numbers like 8-12 main skills per class are circulating.
And what about Everquest Landmark?
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Yes, it’s getting complicated now. Everquest Landmark is clearly inspired by Minecraft and other newer games where players can unleash their creativity. It’s called sandbox – the box is provided, the sand and the shovel too, but what the kids build there is entirely up to them. And it doesn’t really make sense to build a sandcastle. The sandcastle is just a sandcastle; the journey is the destination, and creating something is its own reward. Until the zombies come at night… well, the sandbox term hasn’t really fit since Minecraft.
Everquest Landmark operates under the same basic rules as Everquest Next, only that content comes from the users. Any creative player can then build their own world and visit the neighbor’s world. Quests can also be designed freely – it all sounds almost too good to be true at the moment, and one can assume that the development phase and the launch will come with some problems. But just the prospect of creating an MMORPG within very free boundaries makes many fans’ mouths water.
Everquest Landmark is possible because of the manipulation of space also in Everquest Next, it has to do with voxel technology. It’s pretty complicated stuff that ultimately means that the world consists of smaller elements that can be manipulated more easily (there is also a further video about EQ Next Landmark). This could indeed usher in a new era for MMORPGs. And this is what both the industry and players hope for from Everquest Next.
Hype or for real?
When does it start?
The alpha of Everquest Landmark is supposed to start on February 28. The closed beta at the end of March – and, well, with such an ambitious and revolutionary project, delays can certainly be expected.
At the moment, everything sounds almost too good to be true. Millions of fans sit in front of the clips with sweaty hands with every new video, imagining whether their dream castle will have two or three towers, and what color the lava flow should have that runs in the lowest caverns: Usually, this period of euphoria is followed by a harsh awakening when it goes into the alpha and beta stages.
Is the hype justified?
There is definitely reason for cautious euphoria from Everquest Next. Just from the idea of dynamic mob hordes or destructible terrain, exciting games could have already been created. Combining this with the Everquest universe, the know-how of Sony behind it, and a strong hand in the sandbox box? The hype is definitely justified.
Everquest Next, Wildstar, and TESO are the hottest candidates for the next few years. Whether Everquest Next will really be released in 2014 – that remains to be seen. One thing is already certain: It will be free-to-play.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
