Massively http://massively.joystiq.com Massively http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Massively http://massively.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[War of the Immortals expansion adds new class, 540-player PvP arenas]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/10/war-of-the-immortals-expansion-adds-new-class-540-player-pvp-ar/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/10/war-of-the-immortals-expansion-adds-new-class-540-player-pvp-ar/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/10/war-of-the-immortals-expansion-adds-new-class-540-player-pvp-ar/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

War of the Immortals - combat screenshot
War of the Immortals' new expansion is officially live. Perfect World Entertainment is adding a new Harbinger class, the pet ascension system, a new instance called Proof of Divinity, and an extensive PvP revamp with the Lost Omen patch.

This last bit involves "re-tooling the team matchmaking system," PWE says. The changes allow for three teams of up to 180 players to duke it out in a single battle arena (that's 540 players at once if you're counting at home).

There's also a new trailer for the Lost Omen expansion. Check it out by clicking past the cut.

[Source: Perfect World Entertainment press release]

Continue reading War of the Immortals expansion adds new class, 540-player PvP arenas

MassivelyWar of the Immortals expansion adds new class, 540-player PvP arenas originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 10 May 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>540-player-arenaarena-pvpbattle-of-the-immortalsboif2pfantasyfree-to-playlost-omenlost-omen-expansionperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentpwewar-of-the-immortalswoiThu, 10 May 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[War of the Immortals shows off class preview trailer]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/15/war-of-the-immortals-shows-off-class-preview-trailer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/15/war-of-the-immortals-shows-off-class-preview-trailer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/15/war-of-the-immortals-shows-off-class-preview-trailer/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

As always, every class wields the dreaded particle effect weapon.
After yesterday's launch of the closed beta for War of the Immortals, the development team is trying to help ramp up enthusiasm for the title. So the team has kicked things off with a new class preview trailer, showing players the various classes available for play in the action-focused MMO as well as what each one looks like in high-level combat.

Players can choose between Berzerker (melee DPS), Champion (tank), Duelist (melee DPS), Enchantress (support), Heretic (healer), Magus (ranged DPS), Ranger (ranged DPS), and Slayer (melee DPS). The Ranger, Enchantress, and Duelist are all new additions compared to the game's obvious predecessor, Battle of the Immortals, bringing in a more support-oriented set of abilities to battle. Take a look at the full preview of the classes and their abilities just after the break, and if the gameplay looks interesting to you, look on the horizon for more information on the beta.

[Source: Perfect World Entertainment press release]

Continue reading War of the Immortals shows off class preview trailer

MassivelyWar of the Immortals shows off class preview trailer originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 15 Nov 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battle-of-the-immortalsbetaboiclassclassesf2pfree-to-playperfect-world-entertainmentpreviewspwetrailersvideovideoswar-of-the-immortalswoiTue, 15 Nov 2011 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Perfect World Entertainment announces War of the Immortals]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/28/perfect-world-entertainment-announces-war-of-the-immortals/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/28/perfect-world-entertainment-announces-war-of-the-immortals/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/28/perfect-world-entertainment-announces-war-of-the-immortals/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

At some point, the whole zoom-in motif of flying toward an airborne city is going to get old. It may have already done so.
If you're a fan of Perfect World Entertainment's library of games, odds are good that you've been battling against immortals for some time now. But that's being ratcheted up several steps to full-fledged war. All right, War of the Immortals isn't exactly a direct extension of Battle of the Immortals, but the upcoming action MMO certainly has some connections to the older title. Nevertheless, it's still worth a look from fans of the genre, especially with its closed beta starting on October 25th.

War of the Immortals promises guild housing and territory control as players engage in battle against both enemies and one another. Players can choose between eight different classes, with each class linked to a unique set of "soul gear" that advance as the individual character progresses through the game. If it sounds up your alley, you might want to check out the announcement trailer embedded just after the cut.

[Source: PWE press release]

Continue reading Perfect World Entertainment announces War of the Immortals

MassivelyPerfect World Entertainment announces War of the Immortals originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 28 Sep 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>actionaction-mmoannouncement-trailerbattle-of-the-immortalsboif2pfree-to-playlaunch-trailernew-titlesnewsperfect-world-enterainmentpreviewpwetrailerupcoming-titleswar-of-the-immortalswoiWed, 28 Sep 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Battle of the Immortals Titan update coming this Wednesday]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/11/battle-of-the-immortals-titan-update-coming-this-wednesday/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/11/battle-of-the-immortals-titan-update-coming-this-wednesday/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/11/battle-of-the-immortals-titan-update-coming-this-wednesday/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Are you excited for Titan? No, not that one, we're talking about the new content update coming this week to Battle of the Immortals. That's right, Perfect World Entertainment has graced us with a release date to go along with the dev blogs we've been featuring over the past couple of weeks.

The patch will hit the live servers on Wednesday, July 13th, and in case your anticipation isn't quite where it should be, PWE has just released a new Titan trailer to further whet your appetite. The one-minute clip is packed with in-game footage that includes glimpses of the new instances as well as some spiffy shots of the soul gear that's coming soon to every class.

You'll also see some boss fights, including a brief look at the god-king Kronos. Sound good? Well, what are you waiting for? Check out the clip after the cut!

Continue reading Battle of the Immortals Titan update coming this Wednesday

MassivelyBattle of the Immortals Titan update coming this Wednesday originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 11 Jul 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battle-of-the-immortalsbattle-of-the-immortals-titanboiboi-titandungeonsf2pfantasyfree-to-playkronospatchperfect-world-entertainmentpwesoul-armortitantrailerupdatevideoMon, 11 Jul 2011 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively Exclusive: Battle of the Immortals Titan Throne instance dev blog]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/05/massively-exclusive-battle-of-the-immortals-titan-throne-instan/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/05/massively-exclusive-battle-of-the-immortals-titan-throne-instan/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/05/massively-exclusive-battle-of-the-immortals-titan-throne-instan/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Ready for another exclusive Battle of the Immortals dev blog? If not, too bad, because we've got one and you're reading it!

Like our last Perfect World Entertainment-powered exclusive, this one concerns BoI's Titan update. The patch contains a new instance called Titan's Throne, and players at level 115 or higher will be able to run through it once per day in order to challenge a fearsome gauntlet of monsters, elite bosses and finally Kronos himself.

Head past the cut for more on the new content courtesy of the BoI dev team, as well as a few screenshots of the instance in action.

Continue reading Massively Exclusive: Battle of the Immortals Titan Throne instance dev blog

MassivelyMassively Exclusive: Battle of the Immortals Titan Throne instance dev blog originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 05 Jul 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battle-of-the-immortalsbattle-of-the-immortals-titanboiboi-titanbossescronoselite-monstersf2pfeaturedfree-to-playperfect-world-entertainmentpwescreensscreenshotstitan-updatetitans-throneTue, 05 Jul 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively Exclusive: Battle of the Immortals Titan update lore blog]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/20/massively-exclusive-battle-of-the-immortals-titan-update-lore-b/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/20/massively-exclusive-battle-of-the-immortals-titan-update-lore-b/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/20/massively-exclusive-battle-of-the-immortals-titan-update-lore-b/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Perfect World Entertainment's Battle of the Immortals -- which hit its one year anniversary just last month -- is gearing up for its upcoming Titan update. Precious little information about this upcoming addition to the game has been released (all we know right now is that two new instances will be introduced, along with updates to the game's existing features), but today PWE has treated us to an exclusive tidbit of lore to fill players in on the events leading up to the update.

Unfortunately, that's about all we have in regard to this brand-new update, but be sure to check back with us from time to time because we'll be keeping you up to date on all the freshest information on Battle of the Immortals and its Titan update as the news drops. So without further ado, head on past the cut for the first lore blog post from Battle of the Immortals' Titan update.

Continue reading Massively Exclusive: Battle of the Immortals Titan update lore blog

MassivelyMassively Exclusive: Battle of the Immortals Titan update lore blog originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 20 Jun 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battle-of-the-immortalsboiexclusivef2pfree-to-playloremassively-exclusiveperfect-world-entertainmentpwetitantitan-updateMon, 20 Jun 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Battle of the Immortals turns one]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/04/battle-of-the-immortals-turns-one/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/04/battle-of-the-immortals-turns-one/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/04/battle-of-the-immortals-turns-one/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

We hope someone brought cake and presents, because Perfect World Entertainment's Battle of the Immortals hit the big one year mark today! The free-to-play game, which drops five classes into a variety of dungeons ranging from Mayan jungles to Egyptian temples, is celebrating its first anniversary by giving away prizes -- including epic Soul Gear equipment and the prestigious Flame Kirin pet -- to its loyal players.

If you want a piece of the giveaway action or just want to try something new for a change, head over to Battle of the Immortals' official site. Register to claim your goodies, and help PWE celebrate one year of dungeon-crawling fun!

MassivelyBattle of the Immortals turns one originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 04 May 2011 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anniversaryanniversary-weekbattle-of-the-immortalsboibotiperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentpweWed, 04 May 2011 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The top indie and free-to-play stories of 2010]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/28/the-top-indie-and-free-to-play-stories-of-2010/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/28/the-top-indie-and-free-to-play-stories-of-2010/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/28/the-top-indie-and-free-to-play-stories-of-2010/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

I have to admit to feeling slightly amazed when I read that someone thought of 2010 as a bad year for MMORPG fans. Then, when I think about it, I realize that he was talking about the year in "AAA" subscription gaming -- something almost alien to me. I just don't get turned on by huge-budget subscription games like I did seven or eight years ago. Well, it might be better to say that I am always suspicious of big-budget gaming. Gaming is a lot like movies, and look at how bad most blockbusters are. They are often silly, over-the-top, special-effects-laden bores. If those movies were the only ones I watched, I might be a little depressed about Hollywood as well.

If you pay attention only to what the major publishers are pushing out, you are simply going to have a narrow view of MMO gaming. You will miss too much. The year 2010 offered more than any year before it, and 2011 will top that. Thanks to mobile technologies and the always-dropping price of computers, you will find that smaller or unknown games have much more of a chance of grabbing a gamer's eye than ever before.

So, what were some of the high and low points in free-to-play and indie gaming this year? Click past the cut and let's take a look!

Continue reading The top indie and free-to-play stories of 2010

MassivelyThe top indie and free-to-play stories of 2010 originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 28 Dec 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alganonallodsallods-onlineapbbattle-of-the-immortalsbeau-hindmanboicash-shopcataclysmchang-youderek-smartend-of-the-year-2010everquestEverQuest-2f2pfeaturedforsaken-worldfree-realmsfree-to-playfreemiumftpgpotatoipadiTuneskingsislekingsisle-entertainmentlegend-of-martial-artslomalord-of-the-rings-onlinelotroMapleStorymicrotransactionMicrotransactionsperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentpocket-legendsquest-onlineSOESony-Online-EntertainmentUltima-OnlinevanguardVanguard-Saga-of-Heroesvelvet-ropevelvet-rope-modelwe-rulewizard-101World-of-Warcraftzentiazentia-mmoTue, 28 Dec 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[F2P giant Perfect World experiencing financial downturn]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/17/f2p-giant-perfect-world-experiencing-financial-downturn/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/17/f2p-giant-perfect-world-experiencing-financial-downturn/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/17/f2p-giant-perfect-world-experiencing-financial-downturn/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

It's rare to hear news of under-performing free-to-play titles these days, but Gamasutra is running a piece on the recent stumble of industry titan Perfect World Entertainment. The Chinese online game maker recently saw its third quarter profits fall 28.8 percent to $31.9 million and also experienced a stock price dip of 16.2 percent.

According to the report, PWE's television and film business revenues surpassed expectations and helped keep the company profitable, but the performance of the online gaming division took a notable downturn (due in part to the weak returns on Battle of the Immortals). Though PWE predicts a one to five percent gaming growth spurt in the fourth quarter of 2010, analyst firm Janco Partners is decidedly less optimistic. "Aggregate portfolio online game portfolio metrics continue to disappoint and we're not confident new game releases will stabilize a decidedly negative performance trend," the firm said.

You'll find all the details at Gamasutra.

MassivelyF2P giant Perfect World experiencing financial downturn originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 17 Nov 2010 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battle-of-the-immortalsboif2pfinancial-performancefinancialsfree-to-playgamasutrajanco-partnersmmo-industryperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentstock-price-dropWed, 17 Nov 2010 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Battle of the Immortals launches an expansion teaser]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/02/battle-of-the-immortals-launches-an-expansion-teaser/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/02/battle-of-the-immortals-launches-an-expansion-teaser/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/02/battle-of-the-immortals-launches-an-expansion-teaser/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

There's something to be said for verisimilitude. Despite the fact that we've all accepted limitations in just how much a game can model at any given time, it's nice to be able to break things when you unleash whatever horrible ultimate spell your character of choice is packing. Battle of the Immortals recognizes this, and that's why one of the big features in their new teaser trailer is the addition of destructible environments to the game.

While the game's first major expansion update is ramping up for release, this trailer is for an addition not slated for arrival until spring of 2011. It's a bit of a wait, but the trailer already looks detailed and interesting, promising several graphical and environmental upgrades for the game. Take a look past the cut for the full trailer, and keep your eyes peeled for more news on the updates for Battle of the Immortals, as they seem to be coming fast and furious.

Continue reading Battle of the Immortals launches an expansion teaser

MassivelyBattle of the Immortals launches an expansion teaser originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animationanimation-updatesbattle-of-the-immortalsboidestructible-environmentsenvironmental-damageexpansionf2pfree-to-playmajor-updatesmovieperfect-world-entertainmentpweteaserteaser-trailertrailervideoThu, 02 Sep 2010 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[First expansion coming to Battle of the Immortals]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/13/first-expansion-coming-to-battle-of-the-immortals/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/13/first-expansion-coming-to-battle-of-the-immortals/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/13/first-expansion-coming-to-battle-of-the-immortals/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Perfect World Entertainment is enjoying the continuing success of Battle of the Immortals, and the development team is ready to give fans more to explore.

The game's first expansion is coming, and even though there's no date announced yet, PWE promises "more and more details" in the next few weeks. Our first peek is of the new Mount Olympus high-level map. It will bring new monsters and bosses as well as a welcome update for players: coin drops.

One of the strengths of BoI is that the dev team is willing to listen and respond to player concerns and complaints, and the lack of coin drops from mobs was definitely a concern. As a result of that feedback, mobs in the Mount Olympus zone will drop coins in addition to regular loot.

All of the current preview details can be seen on the Battle of the Immortals site.

MassivelyFirst expansion coming to Battle of the Immortals originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 13 Aug 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battle-of-the-immortalsBoIexpansionf2pfree-to-playftpmount-olympusperfect-world-entertainmentpweFri, 13 Aug 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Your Battle of the Immortals questions answered: Our developer chat with Clifton Chu]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/11/your-battle-of-the-immortals-questions-answered-our-develop-p1/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/11/your-battle-of-the-immortals-questions-answered-our-develop-p1/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/11/your-battle-of-the-immortals-questions-answered-our-develop-p1/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Didn't get to come to our developer chat last night with Clifton "Kantorek" Chu from Battle of the Immortals? Don't worry, as we've got you covered with this transcript of last night's question and answer session!

Clifton fielded many, many questions in one hour and 30 minutes, covering everything from BoI's player-killing system to future updates and new skills. We even got a behind-the-scenes sneak peak at the game's Westernization, covering some of the many changes Perfect World Entertainment made to the game in order to make it "fit" better for Western audiences.

So, without anymore time wasted, let's take a time warp back to last night, and see what questions you had to ask Clifton!

Continue reading Your Battle of the Immortals questions answered: Our developer chat with Clifton Chu

MassivelyYour Battle of the Immortals questions answered: Our developer chat with Clifton Chu originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 11 Jun 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battle-of-the-immortalsboiclifton-chudev-chatdeveloper-chatf2pfree-to-playinterviewirc-chatirc-dev-chatkantorekperfect-world-entertainmentpwequestion-and-answertranscriptFri, 11 Jun 2010 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Battle of the Immortals shows off new armor art]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/28/battle-of-the-immortals-shows-off-new-armor-art/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/28/battle-of-the-immortals-shows-off-new-armor-art/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/28/battle-of-the-immortals-shows-off-new-armor-art/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

We spend our time stomping around in MMOs wearing (or coveting) armor that someone dreamed up, but sadly we don't often get a chance to hear about the time and effort that went into creating these interesting bits of art. That's why we are particularly intrigued by the new series called BoI Blueprints from the crew over at Perfect World Entertainment. This time we're treated to a quick Q&A with Liao "Fruit" Shuiguo, the Lead Art Designer on the Battle of the Immortals Development Team, who gives us a bit of an insight into how one of the sets -- the above pictured Soul Gear Prometheus set -- was made.

For those who have always been curious about just what goes into making armor sets, then you'll want to pop by the Battle of the Immortals site and give this interview a read. While it's a small starting salvo, we're hopeful that the BoI team will dig in and bring us many more tasty developer interviews in the future. That said, more videos with sneak peeks like the one we've got after the break of the animated Soul Gear Prometheus set wouldn't hurt, either.

Continue reading Battle of the Immortals shows off new armor art

MassivelyBattle of the Immortals shows off new armor art originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 28 May 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>armor-artartbattle-of-the-immortalsboideveloper-interviewf2pfree-to-playinterviewperfect-world-entertainmentpwesoul-gearFri, 28 May 2010 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Battle of the Immortals adds fourth server]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/19/battle-of-the-immortals-adds-fourth-server/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/19/battle-of-the-immortals-adds-fourth-server/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/19/battle-of-the-immortals-adds-fourth-server/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Battle of the Immortals, the newest free-to-play from Perfect World Entertainment, has seen great success in the two weeks since launch. The team at PWE received mixed reviews from the open beta, but gained quite a bit of player appreciation by listening to that feedback and making quick changes, a move that helped them retain a fair amount of players and gain many new ones.

That willingness to work with their fans combined with a game with improving reviews has earned a larger player base than the Battle of the Immortals team counted on, and they're moving to accommodate those players by launching yet another server. Jonathan Belliss, PWE's product manager, announced the Poseidon server yesterday: "Player response has been tremendous and within two weeks since open beta started, we are already launching our fourth server, Poseidon. Aptly named after the Greek god of the sea, the Poseidon server will help meet the flood of players."

The Poseidon server is located in the US East Coast -- set to GMT -4 -- and comes complete with a few handy bug fixes, so be sure to check them out.

MassivelyBattle of the Immortals adds fourth server originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 19 May 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battle-of-the-immortalsbattle-of-the-immortals-new-serverBoIf2pfree-to-playperfect-world-entertainmentposeidon-serverPWEWed, 19 May 2010 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Gameplay on parade in newest Battle of the Immortals video diary]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/04/gameplay-on-parade-in-newest-battle-of-the-immortals-video-diary/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/04/gameplay-on-parade-in-newest-battle-of-the-immortals-video-diary/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/04/gameplay-on-parade-in-newest-battle-of-the-immortals-video-diary/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

It's a big day for Battle of the Immortals, as the open beta has finally started on the most recent Perfect World Entertainment game. Closed beta was quite successful, with the development team rolling out requested features like improved access to the high-end Soul Gear and improved keybinding (complete with standard WASD movement schemes). To celebrate the occasion, and to give players who haven't been following the game too closely an idea of why they might want to start, the game has released its fourth video developer diary today, this time focusing on the content found within the game.

Jon Belliss, Product Manager for the game, focuses on the game's dungeons, starting off with one dubbed Knight's Jail. Everything from gameplay to rewards gets covered, complete with a semi-snarky reference that "you can complete it in ten to fifteen minutes, as long as you have a group that isn't full of idiots." He goes on to discuss the later Dragon Emperor Catacombs, which can switch between a low-level "easy mode" and a more rewarding "normal mode," and Spectre Island even beyond that. Take a look past the cut for the full diary, and keep your eyes open for more news on the open beta for Battle of the Immortals.

Continue reading Gameplay on parade in newest Battle of the Immortals video diary

MassivelyGameplay on parade in newest Battle of the Immortals video diary originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 04 May 2010 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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One of the best things any MMO developer can do is listen and respond to their players, particularly during beta testing. Perfect World Entertainment seems to be fully aware of that, as last night an email was sent out to everyone who participated in the first round of closed beta testing for Battle of the Immortals: "We've been collecting a ton of feedback from our players and last night, we delivered!"

Beta testing in this case did exactly what it was supposed to: tracked down bugs and drew player feedback on what they did and did not like. The majority of the player base, for example, disliked things such as click-to-move only and the ability to bot in-game. The bot has now been removed, and WASD movement has been added.

That's just the beginning, however. Follow along after the jump for a peek at the email from the Battle of the Immortals team, and be ready for open beta on May 4th.

Continue reading First round of Battle of the Immortals beta brings changes

MassivelyFirst round of Battle of the Immortals beta brings changes originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 29 Apr 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battle-of-the-immortalsbetaBoIclosed-betaf2pfree-to-playopen-betaperfect-world-entertainmentPWEThu, 29 Apr 2010 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[First Impressions: Battle of the Immortals]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/19/first-impressions-battle-of-the-immortals/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/19/first-impressions-battle-of-the-immortals/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/19/first-impressions-battle-of-the-immortals/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

We've been hearing quite a bit from the guys over at Perfect World Entertainment in anticipation of the launch of Battle of the Immortals lately. The game has been given a fair amount of hype, thanks in large part to the promotion of innovative twists on standard game features such as mounts, pets, and gear.

Does the game live up to the buzz? Well, closed beta began on the 14th, and I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to check it out. Follow along after the jump for a look at Battle of the Immortals.

Continue reading First Impressions: Battle of the Immortals

MassivelyFirst Impressions: Battle of the Immortals originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 19 Apr 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battle-of-the-immortalsbetaboiclosed-betaf2pfeaturedfirst-impressionsfree-to-playperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentPWEMon, 19 Apr 2010 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[More Battle of the Immortals info, including upcoming closed beta]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/05/more-battle-of-the-immortals-info-including-upcoming-closed-bet/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/05/more-battle-of-the-immortals-info-including-upcoming-closed-bet/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/05/more-battle-of-the-immortals-info-including-upcoming-closed-bet/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

The crew over at Perfect World Entertainment have been hard at work localizing their upcoming action MMO, Battle of the Immortals. But as we find out from their Product Manager, Jonathan Belliss, this isn't just a question of localizing the story or converting the in-game text over from the original language to English -- the ramifications are far further-reaching.

In their most recent video developer update, we're not only treated to some in-game eye-candy, but Belliss informs us that the team at PWE has been really doing their homework on the differences between Eastern and Western gamers and what they enjoy in their games. One of the major things many were wondering about is how the cash shop will be utilized. In China, players expect a "pay for power" model, which Belliss clearly states that they know Western players "absolutely hate." As such, they've put in a lot of time doing a massive overhaul of the game, placing the power upgrades in as drops, and instead gearing the cash shop towards "convenience" -- something much more palatable to the Western gamer.

Add to that, we've now gotten word that the plans are to start up the Battle of the Immortals closed beta on April 14th for players to get a chance to start testing these new gameplay changes. So if you've been curious about getting your hands on this beautifully-detailed upcoming Diablo-esque action MMO, then you'll want to be sure to head over to the Perfect World Entertainment site and get signed up. If you're curious about everything Belliss had to say in the recent developer update, we've embedded that video behind the break for you to check out. We'll also be talking with Jon Belliss and Jason Varden from PWE on an upcoming edition of Massively Speaking, so you'll undoubtedly be hearing more about this game soon!

Continue reading More Battle of the Immortals info, including upcoming closed beta

MassivelyMore Battle of the Immortals info, including upcoming closed beta originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 05 Apr 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battle-of-the-immortalsbetaboiclosed-betajonathan-bellissperfect-world-entertainmentproduct-managerpweMon, 05 Apr 2010 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New Battle of the Immortals gameplay trailer]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/28/new-battle-of-the-immortals-gameplay-trailer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/28/new-battle-of-the-immortals-gameplay-trailer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/28/new-battle-of-the-immortals-gameplay-trailer/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Perfect World Entertainment's upcoming PvP focused hack-n-slash MMO Battle of the Immortals now has a gameplay trailer showing off its goods. You're probably wondering whether or not this game is up your alley. Well, this video will probably help answer most of that question for you.

Did we mention the game will have demonic hot rod mounts as well as kung-fu pandas and ninja master turtles as pets? Don't get too worked up just yet, because the closed beta isn't coming until mid-April. We're sure to have more videos and information about Battle of the Immortals leading up to the beta process, though. So if your interest is piqued, at least you'll be able to maintain that insatiable lust for knowledge.

Find the rather lengthy gameplay trailer after the break.

Continue reading New Battle of the Immortals gameplay trailer

MassivelyNew Battle of the Immortals gameplay trailer originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 28 Feb 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battle-of-the-immortalsboidemonicdemonic-hot-rodgame-playgameplaygameplay-trailerhack-n-slashhot-rodpandaperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentpvptrailerturtlevideoSun, 28 Feb 2010 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[In a Perfect World podcast begins operation]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/28/in-a-perfect-world-podcast-begins-operation/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/28/in-a-perfect-world-podcast-begins-operation/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/28/in-a-perfect-world-podcast-begins-operation/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

In a day and age where we all seem to have mobile devices kicking around, podcasts are great for keeping up with news and opinions on your favorite topics while still being on the go. Needless to say, we're a bit fond of podcasts around here, so we're happy to announce the first full episode of Perfect World Entertainment's official podcast, In a Perfect World, is available for download. Covering the full range of Perfect World Entertainment's products, the first show includes discussion on Battle of the Immortals, Perfect World International, Ether Saga Online, and Jade Dynasty.

Unsurprisingly, the centerpiece of the Battle of the Immortals segment is an explanation of the game's delay until mid-April. There are also previews of the next few Perfect World International events, discussion of the recently-added player-made mount in Ether Saga Online, and in-game events in Jade Dynasty. Various download and aggregator links for the podcast are available on the official blog entry, along with a small contest to win a Barbarian Tiger statue. If you're a fan of the multitude of free-to-play games the company offers, it should be worth the time spent listening.

MassivelyIn a Perfect World podcast begins operation originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 28 Feb 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battle-of-the-immortalsboicontestsesoether-saga-onlinein-a-perfect-worldjade-dynastynewsofficial-podcastperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentperfect-world-internationalpodcastpwepwiSun, 28 Feb 2010 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Player mounts in Battle of the Immortals explained]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/26/player-mounts-in-battle-of-the-immortals-explained/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/26/player-mounts-in-battle-of-the-immortals-explained/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/26/player-mounts-in-battle-of-the-immortals-explained/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

The developers at Battle of the Immortals are continuing to work on their game to prepare it for the planned closed beta in mid-April. Between now and then, the Perfect World Entertainment blog offers glimpses into what they're up to.

The latest entry for Battle of the Immortals delves deeper into mounts in the game, something that we've touched on before. The focus is on the system of leveling and progression of your mount, as well as offering screenshots of several of the available mounts (someone's been watching Ghost Rider!)

As your mount progresses from level one to level five, it receives various improvements, both cosmetic and functional. Visual upgrades are accompanied by more practical things such as a default skill and customizable skills that become available to your mount as it levels.

From the looks of things, mounts in BoI go way beyond what we've grown used to in so many games. Check out the full blog entry for more screenshots and information on what's to come!

MassivelyPlayer mounts in Battle of the Immortals explained originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 26 Feb 2010 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battle-of-the-immortalsBoImountsperfect-world-entertainmentPWEFri, 26 Feb 2010 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Perfect World Entertainment talks about delay on Battle of the Immortals]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/21/perfect-world-entertainment-talks-about-delay-on-battle-of-the-i/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/21/perfect-world-entertainment-talks-about-delay-on-battle-of-the-i/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/21/perfect-world-entertainment-talks-about-delay-on-battle-of-the-i/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

We recently brought you the news that the closed beta for Battle of the Immortals has been delayed until mid-April. Several reasons were cited, including details such as Windows 7 support, revising the item shop and the AI behavior, and so on. The Perfect World Entertainment team took some time to expand on those reasons for us this week.

Continue reading Perfect World Entertainment talks about delay on Battle of the Immortals

MassivelyPerfect World Entertainment talks about delay on Battle of the Immortals originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 21 Feb 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aibattle-of-the-immortalsboicash-shopdelayed-betaf2pfree-to-playGrinditem-shopperfect-world-entertainmentPWEsoul-gearSun, 21 Feb 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Battle of the Immortals explains mounts and pets]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/05/battle-of-the-immortals-explains-mounts-and-pets/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/05/battle-of-the-immortals-explains-mounts-and-pets/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/05/battle-of-the-immortals-explains-mounts-and-pets/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

The pace of information released about the upcoming Battle of the Immortals is increasing, no doubt to raise anticipation for the game's swift-approaching beta. The most recent post on the official Perfect World Entertainment blog offers more details on the game's mounts and pets, which look to be an integral part of the game's structure and offer a few interesting twists on the features. Mounts, for instance, can be upgraded for increased speed... but each upgrade also allows the mount to learn new skills. The example given was of a mount that learned to teleport short distances as well as running, a helpful trick to be sure.

Pets, on the other hand, can be almost any monster encountered in Battle of the Immortals. Players will have the opportunity to turn a defeated enemy into a pet "every now and then," which is a bit light on details but suggests either a long cooldown or a limited-supply item. Each pet can apparently have their skills slotted for a variety of roles, allowing them to be viable in both PvP and PvE combat. There's a week left before the closed beta begins, so if you're interested, take a look at our closed beta key giveaway to start out early.

MassivelyBattle of the Immortals explains mounts and pets originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 05 Feb 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battle-of-the-immortalsboiclosed-betamountmountsperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentpetpetspweupcoming-betasFri, 05 Feb 2010 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Battle of the Immortals reveals classes]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/27/battle-of-the-immortals-reveals-classes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/27/battle-of-the-immortals-reveals-classes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/27/battle-of-the-immortals-reveals-classes/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Perfect World Entertainment has spent a fair amount of time talking up their upcoming PvP-focused game, Battle of the Immortals. The game certainly looks gorgeous, but we've only heard bits and pieces about how it will actually play. The most recent update, however, certainly provides a fair bit more information on how the game, as it details the game's classes -- Berzerker, Heretic, Magus, Slayer, and Champion. Each class is given a brief writeup of their strengths, weaknesses, and preferred opponents.

In no particular order, Slayers deal a mix of physical and magical damage at close range but have next to no defensive abilities. Heretics are a combination of priests with more sinister magics, dealing damage and healing as well as inviting a few obious comparisons. Magi (or maguses, if you prefer) are... well, okay, they're kind of obvious. Berzerkers have an errant "z" in their name and focus on dealing out physical damage at the cost of some defense, and Champions wield a weapon and shield to be all but indestructible. The classes seem set to provide a fair mix of the usual "holy trinity" mechanics and PvP skills, so take a look at the official preview to get a clearer picture of what you might want to play once the game goes live.

MassivelyBattle of the Immortals reveals classes originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 27 Jan 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battle-of-the-immortalsberzerkerboichampionclass-mechanicsclass-previewsclasseshereticmagusperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentslayerWed, 27 Jan 2010 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Perfect World Entertainment announces Battle of the Immortals]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/14/perfect-world-entertainment-announces-battle-of-the-immortals/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/14/perfect-world-entertainment-announces-battle-of-the-immortals/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/14/perfect-world-entertainment-announces-battle-of-the-immortals/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Perfect World Entertainment is working overtime. Not content with their current stable of games or the positive press that's been getting drummed up for their upcoming comedy game, Kung Foo!, they've just announced a new addition to their lineup. The official developer blog for the company announced that Battle of the Immortals is on its way, complete with a number of screenshots of characters decked out to the nines in epic armor.

So, what will the game actually play like? Well... that's an excellent question, one that the announcement largely sidesteps altogether. We know that the game is being developed by Perfect World Entertainment's Shanghai studio instead of their more conventional Beijing studio, and that it's supposed to play very differently than their eponymous flagship title. However, no actual gameplay elements are discussed beyond a statement that implies the game may well have a strong PvP focus, and the frequently restated factor that the game promises to be high-energy. On the flip side, the screenshots look excellent (unless you really don't care for the more exaggerated Eastern aesthetic) and PWE certainly has a solid track record for its free-to-play games.

MassivelyPerfect World Entertainment announces Battle of the Immortals originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 14 Jan 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battle-of-the-immortalsbeijingboif2pfree-to-playkung-foonew-titlesperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentpweshanghaiThu, 14 Jan 2010 19:00:00 EST