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Rise and Shiny: Knight Age

Beau Hindman — Sun, 09 Sep 2012 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Screenshots, Video, Game Mechanics, New Titles, Previews, Opinion, Free-to-Play, Casual, Humor, Kids, Family, Rise and Shiny, Livestream

Knight Age is an adorable new Anime MMO brought to us by Joymax. I want to emphasize the word adorable because the game is perfectly designed to illicit a reaction that is something along the lines of "Awww, look how cute that is! My head is explo.." and it really does have that effect. In fact I love the graphics of Knight Age so much that I would give anything to see an MMO developed that looks like Knight Age yet has the hardcore ruleset of, say, a Wurm Online or Darkfall. Yes, I am entirely serious. Strange how many players tend to think that "serious" or "hardcore" titles need serious or machine-taxing graphics. That's simply not true; just ask a World of Warcraft raider.

The point is that the graphics of Knight Age are one of my favorite things in the entire universe. The characters are chunky and solid, the animations are smooth, and the game runs like butter. Does this mean I do not like more realistic graphics? No, it means that I like all sorts of graphics and all sorts of gameplay. It's possible for a writer to enjoy different things. I know, crazy huh?

But what does Knight Age offer other than amazingly awww-rific graphics? Some interesting gameplay, that's what, and a soft grind. Allow me to explain.

Continue reading Rise and Shiny: Knight Age

Rise and Shiny: Knight Age originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 09 Sep 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rise and Shiny revisit: Order and Chaos Online

Beau Hindman — Sun, 02 Sep 2012 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Video, Game Mechanics, Previews, Opinion, Free-to-Play, Mobile, Casual, Rise and Shiny

It's been over a year since I last officially looked at Order and Chaos Online. The funny thing is that when I reread my older article, I immediately notice how my experience has not really altered since then. I pretty much had the exact play experience. What has changed is my appreciation for much of what the game does. I am still impressed by certain parts and quite bored by others, but overall the presentation is where the mobile title shines.

There have been a few developments over the last year but not many. One of the biggest was the addition of mounts. I checked them out and basically spent my time between the two servers: one for Android players and another for iOS. I even struggled with streaming the game from my iPad!

Continue reading Rise and Shiny revisit: Order and Chaos Online

Rise and Shiny revisit: Order and Chaos Online originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 02 Sep 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Knight Age open beta launches today

Elisabeth Cardy — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Events (Real-World), PvP, News Items, PvE, Free-to-Play

The long-awaited event is upon us! People have been looking forward to this day for so long, and all that waiting will now pay off: Knight Age enters open beta testing today!

Players entering the OBT will be able to keep their characters, levels, items, and all that jazz for launch, so your efforts won't be wasted. Unlock mounts -- including a new special duck mount -- and strike fear into the hearts of your foes as you charge into battle. Raise pets from tiny pupae into lean, mean, fighting machines. Experiment by fusing two pupae to create a new pet that combines the strengths of both parents. Engage in large-scale PvP battles to fight for the glory of wielding Excalibur, or fight in mounted battles against other guilds. Seize the day.

Visit Knight Age's official site to sign up and hit up the game's Facebook page to get in the know.

[Source: Joymax press release]

Knight Age open beta launches today originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 28 Aug 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Joymax announces Knight Age, opens beta for one week

MJ Guthrie — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, MMO Industry, New Titles, PvP, News Items, Miscellaneous

The studio that brought us Silkroad Online has announced its newest venture in the MMORPG market: Knight Age. Based on a vast world of knights battling against a malicious god, the game will feature pets that will fight alongside players, guild sieges, and giant PvP battles of 50v50 and even 1v100 in the ultimate fight for Excalibur. And what's a knight without his or her horse? Knight Age will feature mounted combat in which players will be able to perform elaborate attack skills while mounted and on the move.

The first English closed beta is open to everyone on July 10th and will last one full week until the 17th. Players can participate in this beta via the official site.

[Source: Joymax press release]

Joymax announces Knight Age, opens beta for one week originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 03 Jul 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Silkroad-R R-elaunches

Justin Olivetti — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 16:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Trailers, Video, Events (Real-World), Events (In-Game), Launches, Silkroad Online, Free-to-Play

Don't let the fancy title fool you: Silkroad-R (the R is for "rebirth") isn't a completely new game but an updated version of Joymax's previous Silkroad. Brought into the shop for some body work and a new paint job, Silkroad-R is back and better than ever.

Silkroad-R will exist on its own servers, seperate from its Silkroad ancestor. Joymax is particularly proud of a "buffed-up" cash shop, as CEO Nam-chul Kim explains: "There's many aspects of Silkroad-R that we changed or improved based on user feedback, and we took a long time investigating the cash shop and evaluating each item."

To celebrate the relaunch, Joymax is sponsoring a string of giveaways through February 7th. Players who reach specific levels have a chance at Amazon gift cards and in-game boosts and items. Other launch events include a special XP-boosting NPC and a player-submitted wallpaper/greeting card contest.

You can check out the official trailer for Silkroad-R after the jump!

[Source: Joymax press release]

Continue reading Silkroad-R R-elaunches

Silkroad-R R-elaunches originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 18 Jan 2012 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Silkroad-R adding new server, gearing up for re-launch

Jef Reahard — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Game Mechanics, MMO Industry, News Items, Silkroad Online, Free-to-Play

When we heard about Silkroad-R, our first thought was buhwhat? Is Joymax getting into race cars or something? As it turns out, the "R" stands for rebirth, and the free-to-play fantasy MMO is being groomed for a new launch in 2012 (sans some of the problems that plagued it in its original run).

A new Joymax press release describes the leaner, meaner Silkroad as "the all-new, light and easy- to-play massively multiplayer online role-playing game that picks up where the original left off." The company is also touting a "bot-free and lag-free experience" that includes a new server to cope with the expected new-user demand.

Open beta testing is going on now through January 17th, 2012, and you can learn more about the reboot at the official Silkroad website.

[Source: Joymax press release]

Silkroad-R adding new server, gearing up for re-launch originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 27 Dec 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rise and Shiny Recap: Evony

Beau Hindman — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Video, Business Models, Culture, Previews, PvP, Opinion, Browser, Hands-On, Casual, MMORTS, Humor, Rise and Shiny, Livestream

Yes, you read the title correctly. This week I revisited Evony. But don't worry -- I tend to write about a game's gameplay and how it made me feel, not the politics surrounding it, especially during a time when people are talking more about an instance of poor taste in lieu of a discussion about how fun the game is. In other words, I will only speak about the infamous Evony ads at the end of this column. if you want more opinionated stuff, check out our Soapbox column!

I knew going in that the game had changed since I last played it. I also knew that it would not blow me away as far as gameplay is concerned, simply because I have played scores of MMORTS games over the last year. But what did I find? What was good and bad about the game? And what about those ads?

Click past the cut and we'll chat about it.

Continue reading Rise and Shiny Recap: Evony

Rise and Shiny Recap: Evony originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 20 Nov 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Silkroad Online rolls out premium server tomorrow

Justin Olivetti — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Events (In-Game), Patches, Silkroad Online, Free-to-Play

Wanna feel like a VIP? Silkroad Online's got you covered. Tomorrow Joymax will take the wraps off of its new premium server, Genesis, which will cater to the high-rollers and high society among MMO gamers. The members-only server will reward loyal customers by offering huge XP, SP and drop rates, GM events, and discounts on cash shop purchases for a limited time.

Joymax isn't limiting the fun to just subscribers, either; all players on all servers are invited to partake in Silkroad's Carnival. The Carnival will deliver a smaller but still significant XP boost than what Genesis is offering, and any players who head over to an attendance event will rack up SP and skill/stat reset scrolls. This event goes until December 13th, so there's plenty of time to shake your booty and rack up the rewards!

[Source: Joymax press release]

Silkroad Online rolls out premium server tomorrow originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 14 Nov 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Digimon Masters launches worldwide

Justin Olivetti — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Launches, Free-to-Play, Kids

Enough with the waiting -- there are battles to be won, and today's the day in which to win them! Joymax's Digimon Masters emerged from its beta cocoon, spread its wings, and flew into release today. It's much cooler if you think of it as a monstrous mechanized butterfly with atomic ray eyes, of course.

Unlike previous Digimon games, Digimon Masters will eschew turn-based combat to take place in real-time. Players assume the roles of Tamers who train combat-worthy creatures to battle each other.

Digimon Masters has been released worldwide and is currently only available in English. You can jump into the game through the Joymax portal.

Gallery: Digimon Masters

Digimon Masters launches worldwide originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 25 Oct 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Digimon Masters launching October 25th

Jef Reahard — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Game Mechanics, Launches, MMO Industry, New Titles, News Items, Free-to-Play

Digimon fans, your wait is almost over. Joymax has just announced that the Digimon Masters Online MMO is scheduled to release on October 25th (which is next week, if you're keeping score at home).

The game features "a deeper RPG experience, enhanced graphics, and adrenaline-pumping real-time combat," according to the latest Joymax press blurb. DMO will purportedly satisfy fans of the original Digimon television series too, as it features more than 1000 characters who appeared on the show during the first five seasons. Joymax says that Digimon Masters is faithful to both the original art design and the series' storyline, and you can learn more about the pet-centric RPG title at its official website.

[Source: Joymax press release]

Digimon Masters launching October 25th originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 20 Oct 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Digimon Masters open beta starts today

Matt Daniel — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, News Items, Free-to-Play

Di-Di-Di-Digimon, digital monsters, Digimon are the champions! Err... Ahem. Sorry. Joymax announced today that Digimon Masters, its newest MMO based on the popular monster-collecting franchise, has entered open beta. Players will be able to capture hundreds of Digimon from the first five anime series, and then pit them against one another in ruthless fights to the digi-death.

The press release claims that players can expect "a deeper RPG experience, enhanced graphics, and adrenaline-pumping real-time combat." It's up to players to use their digital pets to save both the digital world and the real one from certain destruction. To get in on the action, head on over to the game's official site and register for an account.

[Source: Joymax press release]

Digimon Masters open beta starts today originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 27 Sep 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Digimon Masters preps for open beta

Justin Olivetti — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Free-to-Play, Kids

Prepare to unleash your digital monster because Digimon Masters is on the verge of open beta! Joymax's online adaptation of the hit franchise will unlock open beta testing on Tuesday, September 27th to anyone interested. Potential testers need only head on over to Joymax's portal and apply.

Digimon Masters is the story of various youths who decide on an alternative career path to business school or online games journalism. Players can select from Marcus (big damage), Thomas (dodge and counter-attacks), and Yoshino (multiple special attacks) depending on their playstyles. The game features hundreds of Digimon from the anime series and promises to be loyal to the series' art design and story.

Make sure to wash your eyeballs first and then you can check out these fantastic new screens of Digimon Masters below!

Gallery: Digimon Masters

Digimon Masters preps for open beta originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 22 Sep 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Silkroad Online's eighth expansion launches today

Jef Reahard — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Events (In-Game), Expansions, Game Mechanics, MMO Industry, News Items, Silkroad Online, Free-to-Play

The world of Silkroad Online just got a lot bigger, as Joymax has launched the free-to-play fantasy title's eighth expansion. The Mysterious Temple of Jupiter boasts a ton of new content including a level cap increase, new quests, and new community events.

The level cap has been bumped from 110 to 120, and each Silkroad class features brand new skill sets inspired by various Chinese and European arts. The expansion has also added upwards of 60 new quests to the game's ancient Chinese setting, and new hunting grounds for 111th level characters have also arrived.

New dungeons are available for low- and mid-level characters, as are over 100 new monsters and new mob AI that a Joymax press release says will "provide a more active, tactical experience." Finally, events including the Forty Thieves collection contest and the Famous event (wherein players are gifted items based on individual stat and ability increases) will be happening all through the month of August.

Silkroad Online's eighth expansion launches today originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 02 Aug 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Silkroad Online's Mysterious Temple of Jupiter update to go live August 2nd

Justin Olivetti — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Patches, Silkroad Online, Free-to-Play

If a temple didn't have mystery, would adventurers flock to it? We think not. Therefore, it's a good thing that Silkroad Online still has a few secrets up its sleeves as the dev team prepares to release the game's eighth major update on August 2nd.

Titled Mysterious Temple of Jupiter, this update will offer a slew of new ways for characters to grow and gain in power -- not to mention go all Scooby-Doo on Old Man Jupiter's stomping grounds. Once August 2nd hits, Silkroad players can punch up through ten more levels for a total of 120, tackle 60 additional quests, and learn various new skills from the Chinese and European arts. The aforementioned temple will be available for conquest and plunder, although players will need to be level 111 and up to enter.

Joymax CEO Nam-chul Kim says that this update is a direct result of community feedback: "For the latest expansion to Silkroad Online, we have listened closely to our community of players and are excited to offer new challenges and improvements."

Mysterious Temple of Jupiter follows the last update, Rise of the Thief-Hunter, which came out four months ago.

Silkroad Online's Mysterious Temple of Jupiter update to go live August 2nd originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 28 Jul 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Digimon Masters Online closed beta registrations open

Jef Reahard — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Contests, MMO Industry, New Titles, News Items, Free-to-Play

If you're excited about Joymax's upcoming Digimon Masters Online MMO, you'll be happy to know that the free-to-play gamemaker has just issued a press release heralding an impending closed beta test. Interested players can register via Joymax's main website and set about watching their emails for confirmation.

Joymax is also hosting a Digimon contest on the game's Facebook page, and winners will be chosen each day between now and August 2nd. What's in it for you? How does a $20 Facebook gift card grab you?

Digimon Masters Online is the MMORPG continuation of the popular Digimon franchise. Players will take on the role of a tamer and experience "adrenaline pumping real-time combat" according to Joymax's news blurb.

Digimon Masters Online closed beta registrations open originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 20 Jul 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Not So Massively: Overpowered characters edition

Brendan Drain — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Galleries, Screenshots, Video, Game Mechanics, News Items, Not So Massively

Welcome to Not So Massively, our weekly roundup of the top news from popular multiplayer online battle arenas (MOBAs) and other multiplayer online games that aren't quite MMOs. Published every Saturday, the column covers games such as League of Legends, Heroes of Newerth, Defense of the Ancients, Bloodline Champions, and more.

Each week here at Massively, we're inundated with news about multiplayer games that are clearly massively popular but aren't quite MMOs. With the growing popularity of online gaming, many MOBAs and other online games have have developed bigger communities than some popular MMOs, and their developers have adopted ideas from the MMO genre.

Last week, we looked at Ubisoft's upcoming online FPS Ghost Recon Online and the huge Bloodline Champions patch 1.2 update. We also looked at Diablo III's runestone system, the Rise of Immortals cash shop and co-op PvE maps, and the Heroes of Newerth servers coming under attack. The big news of last week was undoubtedly League of Legends' ambitious player-mediated banning Tribunal going into full live testing, putting the fates of offensive players into the hands of their milder-mannered counterparts.

In this week's Not So Massively, we take an in-depth look at Heroes of Newerth's latest overpowered hero Amun Ra and League of Legends' devastating new clockwork champion Orianna. We also get a first look at the Rise of Immortals 3vE map layout, Realm of the Titans' hero Abraxas and Karma Online's upcoming closed beta.

Continue reading Not So Massively: Overpowered characters edition

Not So Massively: Overpowered characters edition originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 04 Jun 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Joymax launches Silkroad Online expansion and new events

Jef Reahard — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Expansions, News Items, Silkroad Online, Free-to-Play

There's a ton of new functionality on display in Joymax's free-to-play Silkroad Online MMORPG. The historical fantasy title, set along the renowned China to Constantinople trading route in the 7th century AD, has recently released its Rise of the Thief-Hunter expansion. Additionally, Joymax has added 24-hour GM support to the game and is hosting a series of events designed to draw awareness to the new services as well as solicit fan feedback (and offer prizes). Festivities include a share-your-knowledge event, a Fortress War video competition, and a Legendary Player tribute event.

The expansion features a new emphasis on jobs, and players will be able to specialize in new skill sets dependent on their characters' jobs and levels. Job titles will also change as various advancement tasks are completed, and reputation gain is now tied in with rank bonuses (which in turn raises attributes).

Rise of the Thief-Hunter also brings a newly designed crafting system granting players the ability to fabricate everything from siege items to alchemy staples. A new trade system allows for players to explore their smugglery sides and offers quests that reward unique job items. Players may also choose to protect trade caravans or raid them. Check out the official Silkroad Online website for more information on the expansion and associated events.

Joymax launches Silkroad Online expansion and new events originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 14 Mar 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GDC 2011: Joymax weighs Karma

Justin Olivetti — Sun, 06 Mar 2011 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Galleries, Video, MMO Industry, New Titles, War, Free-to-Play, MMOFPS, Events (Massively's Coverage), Miscellaneous

Imagine a world where World War II -- also known as "That War With All Them Movies" -- never ended. Imagine that while the conflict raged, weapons development continued to advance well into the 1950s. Now imagine that this war-ravaged landscape is your new virtual playground.

Joymax, the studio behind Silkroad Online, revealed at GDC that its next MMO will take place in such a world. Code-named Karma Online, this massively multiplayer online first-person shooter will attempt to provide the ultimate PvP battleground for players sick of bows and arrows and futuristic plasma rifles.

Karma Online seeks to meld the best of both RPGs and FPSs by introducing a skill tree system that allows soldiers to specialize in preferred weapons and tactics. Although we're not quite sure what Joymax means by this, the studio promises more immersion by requiring the use of both hands for combat instead of just the mouse. The game will also come with the popular Call of Duty-style zombie mode if you want to switch up player-killing for undead slaughter.

The shooter is scheduled to go into closed beta this May. Hit the jump to see Karma Online in action and get the skinny on Joymax and WeMade Entertainment's other projects-in-progress!

Gallery: Karma Online

Continue reading GDC 2011: Joymax weighs Karma

GDC 2011: Joymax weighs Karma originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 06 Mar 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Joymax merges with WeMade Entertainment

Jef Reahard — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 21:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Business Models, MMO Industry, News Items, Free-to-Play

Free-to-play MMO gamers are probably familiar with Joymax, or more specifically, the company's flagship Silkroad Online MMORPG. In a press release earlier today, the Korean gaming firm announced that it has joined forces with WeMade Entertainment (a dev house responsible for The Legend of Mir 2 and 3, the latter of which boasts 350,000 concurrent users).

The new entity will retain the Joymax name, and CEO Kwan Ho Park says the merger is a shot in the arm for the Joymax brand. "Together with WeMade's development team and the recent partnership with Dragonfly, the co-developer of QuakeWars Online, we now have all the components to create the best and most compelling games for players across North America, Europe and Asia."

Silkroad Online, launched in 2004, is just the beginning for Joymax. The company has also announced that it plans to leverage WeMade's development expertise to launch a new global gaming portal in the spring.

Joymax merges with WeMade Entertainment originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 22 Feb 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Walk the Silkroad and take a crack at making your own weapon

Seraphina Brennan — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 17:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Contests, Silkroad Online, Free-to-Play, Massively Meta, Giveaways

Good news, massively loyal Massively readers! Well, good news for those among you with a creative streak in you. We've teamed up with the guys behind Silkroad Online, Joymax, for a pretty cool contest that we're quite excited about. How would you guys like to make a weapon for Silkroad Online?

All you have to do is pull out your artistic skills and craft the best weapon you can make. Keep in mind that Silkroad's theme is Eastern fantasy, so try to use the theme to your advantage. You can draw, paint, or even sculpt your fantasy weapon for this contest!

Best of all, it's not the developers who will be judging this contest. Nope! It's your good friends here at Massively picking the winners! Prizes include a special Silkroad Online in-game weapon enchanted with Seal of Sun, earrings enchanted with Seal of Sun, and 5,000 skill points for your Silkroad characters! But be quick, this contest ends on March 31st!

For the full rules of the contest, skip along after the break!

Continue reading Walk the Silkroad and take a crack at making your own weapon

Walk the Silkroad and take a crack at making your own weapon originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 01 Mar 2010 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Silkroad Online travels to Egypt in Heroes of Alexandria

Krystalle Voecks — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: Video, Patches, News Items, Free-to-Play

For the players who have traveled the silk road a very long time, Joymax has good news for you! Their upcoming patch for Silkroad Online, titled Legend V: Heroes of Alexandria is coming out, offering a chance to experience life in a highly stylized version of Egypt that is open to level 100 players. Among the many treasures unearthed in the strange lands of Alexandria are never-before-seen weapons and armor, the Desert of Storms and Cloud, the Valley of the Kings, and two new dungeons called Tomb of the Pharaoh and the Temple.

Of course, you can't just expect a simple tank and spank to await you in an exotic place like Alexandria. That's why Joymax has added some interesting difficulty mechanics to the new dungeons. In the Tomb of the Pharaoh, players will be able to choose from three different difficulty levels and can return up to two times per day to hunt for new Egyptian goodies. The Temple is for players at level 105 and will involve not only fighting nasty monsters, but also other competing players! Mmm, PvP raiding.

For those who take up the challenge, there are also new set items which will give players a bonus when worn together -- you know, as opposed to just looking nice. In all, it sounds like a great update for players who have long traveled the dusty roads of Silkroad Online. Hopefully we'll get some One Shots of people fighting Egyptian boss mobs like you can see in the trailer we've included behind the break! (hint hint) They're pretty cool-looking in our book.

Continue reading Silkroad Online travels to Egypt in Heroes of Alexandria

Silkroad Online travels to Egypt in Heroes of Alexandria originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 24 Feb 2010 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Silkroad Online celebrates their new Arabic language service with two worldwide events

Seraphina Brennan — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 21:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Contests, Events (In-Game), News Items, Silkroad Online, Free-to-Play

It's certainly not everyday we hear that a game has been launched in the Arabic language here at Massively, but we guess that today is one of those days! The free to play title Silkroad Online has gone the distance and has translated their game into Arabic.

To help celebrate the new translation, the entire international Silkroad community is getting two events with real world prizes. The first event, which is less of an event and more of a raffle, gives you between two and ten contest tickets each time you purchase cash for their item shop. If your contest ticket is pulled, you could win prizes including an 8 gig iPod Nano or a brand new laptop.

The second event, which is more of an event, is to level a character from one to 40 before March 2nd. If you successfully make it, you'll get entered into a separate raffle. Prizes here include 10,000 skill points for a character to spend on increasing your skills, Seal of Moon grade weaponry for your characters, or a brand new PSP.

For all of the information on these two events, check out the Silkroad main page.

Silkroad Online celebrates their new Arabic language service with two worldwide events originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 03 Feb 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Silkroad Online says no to botters

Seraphina Brennan — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: At a glance, Fantasy, Historical, Business Models, Culture, MMO Industry, News Items, Silkroad Online, Free-to-Play

No botters! Bad botters! Down! Ban! You're banned!

Well, that's not exactly how bannings go, but Silkroad Online is starting to crack down on their botting problem. The game has recently changed their anti-botting rules, converting over to a three strike policy. The first instance of your account being suspected, you get a 7 day ban. The next time your account gets flagged, it's a 14 day ban. And, if your account gets flagged a third and final time for the use of illegal programs, you can kiss your account goodbye.

It's a pretty strict system, doubly so for a free-to-play game. Usually we see larger MMO developers, like Square-Enix and CCP, moving towards initiatives like these. However, it's clear that Joymax is interested in cleaning up their game, a move that many will undoubtedly enjoy.

Silkroad Online says no to botters originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 28 Sep 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Silkroad Online players battle it out for shot at PvP tournament prize money

James Egan — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Events (Real-World), MMO Industry, PvP, Silkroad Online

MMO developer Joymax is holding PvP qualifier matches in Silkroad Online this week, in preparation for the Game&Game World Championship (GNGWC) which is coming to North America in September. No doubt some people are wondering what GNGWC is -- it's an international MMO tournament, played across Leipzig, Los Angeles, Yongin, São Paulo, and Tokyo. Regional finalists are invited to Korea for the grand finals and a chance at winning thousands of dollars in prize money.

The top Silkroad Online players who make it through both days of PvP in the qualifying rounds August 30-31 will be flown to Los Angeles on September 12th for the GNGWC regional finals. The 2009 tournament will also have players competing in Atlantica Online and Shot Online for up to $5000 in prize money.

Gallery: Silkroad Online Tour

Silkroad Online players battle it out for shot at PvP tournament prize money originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 30 Aug 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Anti-Aliased: Scare tactics

Seraphina Brennan — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Horror, Culture, Game Mechanics, MMO Industry, Opinion, Anti-Aliased

Our MMOs are filled with all sorts of emotions -- the excitement of getting to the next level, the surprise of the item you desperately wanted dropping off of a boss, the intense rush of a player vs. player encounter, and the joy of exploration of these fantastic worlds.

But there is one very specific genre and emotion that goes regularly unnoticed in our massively multiplayer gaming experiences. The genre in question isn't anything new to our gaming culture in the slightest, but it just seems that no MMO developer can make a game centered around it.

Continue reading Anti-Aliased: Scare tactics

Anti-Aliased: Scare tactics originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 20 Aug 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A screenshot and video tour of Silkroad Online

Michael Zenke — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 16:30:00 EST

Filed under: At a glance, Fantasy, Silkroad Online, Free-to-Play, Hands-On (Massively's)

Earlier this month we had the chance to take a tour of the free-to-play Joymax title Silkroad Online. A unique fantasy game, this microtransaction-supported offering transports players back to the time of high adventure along the trade routes between Europae and China. The game offers players the option to play either as a Chinese character, with a mix of magic and might, or a European character with a more traditional MMO role. Alongside the usual leveling and killing of monsters, the game features a one-of-a-kind trade run system, that pits players against each other in groups and against NPC brigands in a nuanced blending of PvP and PvE.

Today we have for you a screenshot and video-heavy tour of the game, offering insights into what it's like to try out this singular title. For our video offerings click on through below the cut to see combat in action, character creation, and a taste of what the trade run experience is like. For more information on the game, and to see far more of the unique character customization elements like the lady on the tiger above, click through to our extensive exploratory gallery. Either way, stay for a second and investigate the blending of East meets West that is Silkroad Online.

Gallery: Silkroad Online Tour

Continue reading A screenshot and video tour of Silkroad Online

A screenshot and video tour of Silkroad Online originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 27 Jun 2008 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Silkroad Online boasts 7.2 million registered users

Samuel Axon — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Historical, MMO Industry, News Items, Silkroad Online

World of Warcraft is huge by pay-to-play standards. We know that. But if you want to play the numbers game, some free-to-play MMORPGs can stand toe-to-toe with WoW when it comes to registered users. Silkroad Online does, according to Korean publisher Joymax. The company just announced that it has reached a new milestone -- 100,000 concurrent users. That's out of 7.2 million registered users. And that's just on its own servers; Joymax boasts that 18 million people are registered for the game across all providers and regions.

18 million users in a free-to-play MMO is not necessarily as good for business as 10 million paying subscribers, since F2P users are only potential sources of income. Joymax didn't share any information about revenues, and it didn't explain what percentage of registered users regularly purchase virtual items with real world currency.

Silkroad Online spans the globe in both a virtual and a real sense. Users are registered in countries from Asia to North America, and the game's fantasy setting is based on the historic Silk Road trade route, which has connected Western and Eastern countries for centuries.

Silkroad Online boasts 7.2 million registered users originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 26 Jun 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Vampire MMO Darkeden launches open beta

William Dobson — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 21:30:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Horror, DarkEden Online, New Titles, Silkroad Online

Razorwire picked up on a new MMO to enter the open beta phase, with the intriguing vampire theme. From Joymax, the creators of Silkroad Online, comes Darkeden, a 'horror MMORPG' set in a futuristic fantasy world. Those joining the open beta will be treated to 200% experience gain to assist in seeing what the game has to offer and testing content, in the 'near-complete' build.

The features page of Joymax's Darkeden site fleshes out the concept: players will choose between the Vampire or Slayer races, with Slayers being more powerful during the day and Vampires at night. The races work on completely different leveling systems, and each will have their own methods of transportation (including motorcycles, helicopters, warp tunnels, and of course, bats). There will be battles for territories, both small and large scale, between the Vampires and Slayers.

Those interested in becoming a Vampire (or killing them) can visit the Joymax portal and make an account, then go to the Darkeden site to download the client.

Vampire MMO Darkeden launches open beta originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 16 Dec 2007 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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