Massively

ArcheAge upgrading to CryEngine 3

Jef Reahard — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, MMO industry, New titles, News items, ArcheAge

Development on XL Games' ArcheAge continues apace, and several fan sites are reporting that the fantasy sandbox MMORPG will be adding a spiffy new graphics engine to its lengthy list of features. Prior to this year's GDC, ArcheAge was being marketed as a CryEngine 2 title -- and was already somewhat renowned for its lush visuals and hyper-detailed environments.

Apparently XL and lead developer Jake Song saw room for improvement, though, since ArcheAge will be transitioning to CryEngine 3 according to a reputable South Korean gaming news website. There is also some fan speculation regarding when the new engine will see the light of day. ArcheAge will be kicking off its third Korean closed beta phase in April (still using CryEngine 2), with deployment on the newer technology coming later this year (and possibly coinciding with open beta).

Head past the cut for a CryEngine 3 demo video from this year's GDC (the ArcheAge footage begins at the two-minute mark).

Continue reading ArcheAge upgrading to CryEngine 3

ArcheAge upgrading to CryEngine 3 originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 30 Mar 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

ArcheAge beta video highlights naval battles

Jef Reahard — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 14:45:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Video, New titles, News items, ArcheAge

ArcheAge is something of a mysterious title here in the west. We know it's being developed by XL Games, and is the brainchild of NCSoft veteran Jake Song (who also created Lineage). We've also heard tell of destructible architecture in the gameworld as well as the fact that the developers are powering the game with the CryENGINE 2 (a more advanced variant of the graphics powerplant behind Aion).

Beyond that, we didn't know much else about ArcheAge before we stumbled on a new beta video recently posted to YouTube. The brief clip features some rather jaw-dropping footage of player ships and an in-game naval battle. While player ships have been done before (notably in Vanguard and Darkfall), you've never seen them like this. Aside from the impressive visuals, the video shows player characters in different crew positions (including the crow's nest) as well as recoiling cannons and a host of other interesting details.

Stay with Massively for the latest ArcheAge news as it develops, and check out the footage after the jump.

Continue reading ArcheAge beta video highlights naval battles

ArcheAge beta video highlights naval battles originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 22 Oct 2010 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

The robots are rising on Planet Calypso

Eliot Lefebvre — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Entropia Universe, Events, in-game, News items, Free-to-play, Virtual worlds, Planet Calypso

It's not one of the largest games out there, so most people might not know what you're talking about if you mention Planet Calypso. Those who do might well only think of the highly publicized auctions and trades, in which players have spent large amounts of real-world money to purchase land and facilities (which bring in plenty of real-world money themselves, for the record). But beyond that there is an actual game world, complete with an ongoing storyline. As spotlighted in the newest game newsletter, that storyline is being turned up by a new event -- an ominous approach by robots.

The last major assault by the robots left the previous capital city a smoking ruin, and not coincidentally coincided with the game's graphical update to CryEngine 2. This time, the colonists have begun decoding messages sent by the robots, and defenses are gathering to ensure that a repeat of the last event doesn't take place -- even as the robots field a new technology known as "Hydra." Several helpful links for information may be found within the newsletter, which promises plenty of enjoyment for the players in Planet Calypso.

The robots are rising on Planet Calypso originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 26 Aug 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

ArcheAge closed beta announced

Jef Reahard — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, New titles, News items, ArcheAge

We'll forgive you if you haven't yet heard of ArcheAge, an in-development MMORPG from XLGames. You probably have heard of lead developer Jake Song, though, or at the very least, you've probably played one of his games. The native South Korean is the brains behind the original Lineage, and he worked with Richard Garriott on Tabula Rasa. Also while at NCsoft, Song lent his talents to the conceptualization and creation of an MMORPG called Lineage Forever, which subsequently morphed into Aion.

These days, Song's XLGames is busily putting the CryENGINE 2 through its paces to bring you ArcheAge, and it is gearing up for the game's first closed beta test. The testing, scheduled for late July, looks to gather player feedback on some of the title's more unique features including destructible architecture.

Unfortunately, you'll need to speak Korean (and probably know someone on the inside) to get an invite, but stay with Massively for more on this new game as it develops.

ArcheAge closed beta announced originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 12 Jul 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Anti-Aliased: Blade & Soul > Aion

Seraphina Brennan — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, New titles, Opinion, Anti-Aliased, Blade & Soul

All right, now that the inflammatory title that makes you look at my column is out of the way, let's get down to business. This week we got to see a 30-second teaser trailer from the folks at NCsoft about Blade & Soul, a game from NCsoft that has been stealthing in the background, waiting for the right time to strike and jump in front of Aion.

Blade & Soul isn't a brand new game though. In fact, the game's artwork has already made a guest a ppearance on our website. (With subsequent comments on how that woman's back is going to break in half if she should walk forward.) Plus, if you really want to see what the game has to offer, a quick YouTube search will bring you to the Blade & Soul HD gameplay video which looks, well, simply stunning.

So why am I dedicating my opinion column to a game that's nowhere close to being released? Well, because I think it has potential, and because it's my opinion column. So come along after the break, and let's look at Blade & Soul.

Continue reading Anti-Aliased: Blade & Soul > Aion

Anti-Aliased: Blade & Soul > Aion originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Rumor: Blue Mars to go into open beta on September 2nd?

Seraphina Brennan — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 16:30:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Blue Mars, Casual, Virtual worlds, Rumors

According to an anonymous source, the new virtual world game on the block, Blue Mars, might be entering into open beta on September 2nd. What does this mean for you? Well, it means that another CryEngine 2 MMO might be making an appearance soon to do battle with Planet Calypso.

Currently we are unable to confirm the exact time of the opening of the Blue Mars open beta, but we can confirm that the game has been shut down and is being prepared for the "public beta" according to posts on the forums.

Blue Mars is the middle ground between Second Life and Planet Calypso. Where Planet Calypso acts as a game with a real money economy and Second Life allows all users to create content and change the world to their preferences, Blue Mars signs up and approves select developers to create content for their world. Standard users will have the ability to open up small shops and/or purchase living quarters (at the developer's preference) as well as interact with the games and events the ruling developer sets up for their players.

Continue reading Rumor: Blue Mars to go into open beta on September 2nd?

Rumor: Blue Mars to go into open beta on September 2nd? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 28 Aug 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Planet Calypso, formerly Entropia Universe, converts to CryEngine 2

Seraphina Brennan — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Entropia Universe, Business models, Economy, Events, in-game, Game mechanics, Launches, MMO industry, Patches, Server downtime, News items, Virtual worlds

In just two days, Planet Calypso, formerly Project Entropia and Entropia Universe, will be shutting down for a major patch of epic proportions. The game will be undergoing a graphical refit, moving from their old graphics engine to the new CryEngine 2 -- the same engine that powers Crysis and upcoming virtual world Blue Mars. Old and busted, meet the new hotness.

The new version of the client, version 10, is now available for download before this whole conversion process takes place. The servers will be shut down on Sunday night/Monday morning at midnight UTC as version 10 is deployed to the servers. The servers will be unavailable for a few days, as the First Planet Company does a full diagnostic on the servers to make sure everything is good to go.

Continue reading Planet Calypso, formerly Entropia Universe, converts to CryEngine 2

Planet Calypso, formerly Entropia Universe, converts to CryEngine 2 originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 15 Aug 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

New MMO Forged by Chaos to use CryEngine 2

Akela Talamasca — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Galleries, New titles

Panzar Studio has announced its development of Forged by Chaos, which will use the popular CryEngine 2 engine, which powered the PC game Crysis. From the looks of the character concept art, it needs all that power. CEO Vladimir Valkov says "For such a game as this we were searching for a modern graphics engine that was capable of utilizing DirectX 10 technology ... We were also impressed by their handy Sandbox 2 editor, which was designed to work with very expansive and highly detailed locations, their modern dynamic lighting model, and their character animation systems, including inverse kinematics and dynamics."

There is currently no information on actual game mechanics or release date, but there is some lore on the site, as well as some concept art. We'll keep an eye on this title and provide more news as it develops. Doesn't some of this look like the Warhammer aesthetic? Tons of doodads and gewgaws dangling from every available surface? This is the true definition of fantasy warfare.

New MMO Forged by Chaos to use CryEngine 2 originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 29 Jun 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments