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Saturday - March 02, 2002
We have put a review of the Arx Fatalis demo online today, telling you our likes and dislikes with what we saw. Here's a bit:
Speaking about bugs: I had two crashes with the demo early on (XP, GeForce 3 Ti 200, latest windows drivers) that sent me back to the desktop, but strangely enough: after these two crashes, everything ran fine. There are other bugs I noticed: the fog plane sometimes seemed to zoom in on me, for no apparent reason, and when you save the game with a torch in your hand, you loose it when reloading. And then there is the physics system which is … well, strange. You can pick up stones and stick them into walls, for example. This really needs some finetuning, as well as the fact that rats, for example, can attack you from within stones. Not really a bug, but strange nevertheless: When you steal the wine in the inn, Tizzy, the barmaid, didn't react at all. On the positive side: when you click her often, she makes some pretty funny remarks. |
| Our friends at ToTheGame have published a short article about a possible HoMM4 expansion, and some news on HoMM4 itself. Nine more days of bug hunting and it will go gold :-). Head over and read it. |
| There are some screenshots from Purge at the official website. Purge is an online-only computer game. It is a hybrid Role-Playing-Game / First-Person-Shooter set in the near future accounting a war between the diametrically opposed forces of science-fiction (the Order) and fantasy (the Chosen). Technology versus magic. Science versus religion. Purge is being developed by Freeform Interactive LLC and utilizes the LithTech Talon system. |
Gamehelper has posted a review of Disciples 2 - Dark Prophecy, rating the game 8.6/10. Their summary:
I find it oddly comforting to be one in a small sect of devoted knowing of this gem in the strategy genre. Fantasy clichés, routine combat, and repetition of tasks would have gamers running in terror. Disciples II: Dark Prophecy may adhere to some of these, but never does it wear thin on the gamer. It would be a shame not to try this game at least once. Because, like all sequels dark and foreboding, there has to be a resolution, there has to be the dénouement of the conflict. Disciples II delivered and I await Disciples III. |
| ToTheGame features some pieces of artwork from Might & Magic IX today. In total there's 10 character/monster models to be found inside. |
CRPG.ru has an interview with Pro Sotos about Disciples 2 - Dark Prophecy. Not too long, but some interesting questions like this one:
CRPG.RU: Were any alternatives discussed for the combat system of "Disciples II", e.g. allowing the creatures to move or spell casting in combat? Is it planned for a future release?
Pro Sotos: There have been a few changes to the combat system in Disciples II, but nothing has changed to the extent that those who played the first game wouldn’t understand how to play Disciples II. For instance, in the first Disciples game, once a combat begins units can’t change position and that’s still the same. One of the basic rules in Disciples is that you have to make sure that all the units are in a proper position before combat. What’s different in Disciples II is that leaders now have the ability to use items in combat, such as potions, orbs and talismans. Any leader can use a potion in combat, but you need a special ability to use orbs and talismans. The two are basically the same but an orb can only be used once and a talisman has five charges, which means it can be used in five battles. In all there are about 70 different orbs and talismans and their abilities range from simple healing orbs to summoning units in battle. Also, leaders can now equip themselves with 5 items, which means that they’ll have a harder time choosing upgrade abilities. We’ve also added the wait defend and auto-battle options in combat. |
| Since the Bethesda preorder page opened yesterday, I wanted to point out that you can preorder Morrowind from us, as well. Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk do list it by now, and we have convenient links to them from our software store. Just follow the link above.
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A new team comment about quality assurance has been posted at the Ultima Online site. Here's a bit from this update, written by Grok, one of their QA testers:
I've been with Origin for almost ten months now, and the last few months have easily been the most exciting. Since I've been here, we have released LBR and have gone through three major publishes. However, our Fan Event was by far the most fun and exciting project I've participated in as of yet. I played UO for over 2 years, and participating in the event and talking to all the players was an amazingly nostalgic experience. I really enjoyed talking with those of you who were there. In fact, it was actually helpful as I got a better idea of the mindset of the hardcore player base and have a new outlook on what shape the players feel the game should take in the future. |
The Mahirim are one of the races in Darkfall Online, Razorwax' upcoming MMOROG, and the official site now holds a race description for them:
Physical description
The mahirim are the tallest race inhabiting the continent of Darkfall, with both males and females averaging 245 cm. They are powerfully built, with barrel-like chests, and pawed, bearlike arms which are capable of inflicting terrible damage.
A mahir at rest stands slightly hunched, as if ready to pounce. Their extraordinarily large and powerful legs, which resemble those of a canine creature, allow impressive jumps, which are often used to close the final distance between them and prey.
Despite their hulking size, mahirim move with astounding speed and stamina. When running on all fours, they easily outsprint all other races, and healthy adults can run for several days without tiring. As a result, mahirim armies have a greater striking distance than those of any other race. However, a mahir who for some reason (injury, carrying large weapons, etc.) is restricted to only using the hindlegs, tires more quickly, and runs no swifter than an elf. |
IGN.PC has written a hands-on preview of Asheron's Call 2. The sequel to Asheron's Call takes place hundreds of years after the original in the same game world, Dereth. Facing a nearly apocalyptic event (which Jason wasn't about to let out of the bag just yet), many of the denizens of Dereth retreated underground to escape the great devastation. Now the world has become safe enough to return to the surface, but the world is a very different place than it was before the exodus as nearly everything lay in ruin. As a member of Asheron's Call 2's brave new world, you're going to have to help rebuild it on both a micro and macro level.
That's one of the game's defining elements. The big catch in Asheron's Call 2 is to put the entire development of the world in the hands of the players. So how are you going to rebuild Dereth exactly? For starters, you'll have to fix the structures that were damaged in the cataclysm. You'll be able to repair everything, from the city square to the weapon forges, and you can even build your own new structures. This means that the players can eventually turn the rubble of a village into an impressive metropolis. |
The latest Meridian 59 newsletter has reached our mailbox. It deals with, amongst other things, how to play and where to play the game after it will start:
What, When, How Much!?
The biggest question since we purchased Meridian 59 has been "When can I play!?" Many fans were disappointed that we didn't just immediately throw the game online for everyone to play. Unfortunately setting up a gaming service takes a lot of work behind the scenes. However we do understand that everyone wants to play right away. So as stated in last week's newsletter, we'll be holding a Pre-Launch phase where a limited number of fans will be able to play the game. This will give some of our feverish fans an opportunity to get back into their favorite online game in a commercial environment where the characters they build will remain.
We initially decided to limit the Pre-Launch phase to only those that purchase the Limited Edition CD. However, upon doing so, there was a great outcry from our fans outside of the US and Canada. While the full commercial phase allows any player to download the game client and play right away, the Limited Edition CD requirement of the Pre-Launch excluded international players due to extremely absurd shipping costs. Therefore we've decided to make a concession based on international player feedback. Up to one hundred fans outside of the US and Canada that wish to be a part of the Pre-Launch will be able to purchase a Pre-Launch account for the same price that US and Canadian players pay for the limited edition CD. The international customers that purchase a Pre-Launch account will be able to download the client by password protected FTP. Players in Canada may also download the game client to ensure that they have the software by opening day should their CDs get slowed down in Customs. International customers that purchase a Pre-Launch account that would like a physical CD for collecting may contact us and make arrangements to have one sent to them at their cost.
All players will receive their logon information by E-Mail on opening day so that everyone that joins the Pre-Launch phase will be able to begin play at the same time. Those that download will not have an advantage over those getting their Limited Edition CD mailed to them.
Pricing for the Pre-Launch accounts will be $35 US. For Americans and Canadians this includes the Limited Edition CD with shipping included. As stated there will be only 1000 Pre-Launch accounts for players in the US and Canada and 100 for players outside of the US and Canada. There will be a restriction of only two Pre-Launch accounts per shipping address to give all of our fans a fair chance to participate. Pre-Launch accounts will also include an extra character slot for a total of three characters per account. These accounts include unlimited playtime during the Pre-Launch phase which will last from two to six weeks at which time the game will go live to full commercial release. When the game goes live to full commercial release these accounts will turn into normal Meridian 59 Gameplay Subscriptions at a cost of $10.95 per month. At full commercial release anyone will be able to sign up for a Meridian 59 Gameplay Subscription for $10.95 per month with two character slots included. At this time there are no plans for selling additional character slots on accounts though this may be considered in the future. There will be no limit as to how many accounts one person can own.
Please note that the Limited Edition CD must be purchased through Near Death Studios in order to receive an account and extra character slot. Purchasing the CD from a friend or an auction website will not get you an account as the account is set up at the time of purchase.
We expect to put the Limited Edition CDs and Pre-Launch account sign-ups for sale on our website once the CDs have been delivered from manufacturing. They are expected here late next week. We will announce the sale on our website, through our mailing list, and alert news websites. Those interested in purchasing and signing up should watch for news, as demand seems to be pretty high. The Pre-Launch is expected to go live shortly afterward, between the 11th and 13th of March. These dates are of course subject to change but the date will be announced at the time of purchase. |
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