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Perfect World International's end-game gets imperially furious

Elisabeth Cardy — Wed, 23 May 2012 23:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Perfect World International, News items, Free-to-play, Dev Diaries, Dungeons

It is a truth universally acknowledged that an MMO in possession of an experienced player-base must be in want of more end-game. In honor of that, and in response to heavy player demand, Perfect World International is getting a sizable update. PWI: Imperial Fury will introduce the brand new Advanced Endless Universe dungeon, changes to existing dungeons, and a whole passel of other improvements.

Players are charged with retrieving the Perfect World City Essences within the Advanced Endless Universe dungeon. This dungeon, which will be accessible six times per week, will present one of three variations of itself upon entry. All three variations are distinctly different, and all three will require significant effort and coordination for successful completion. Hard work does not go unrewarded, however, as completion is rewarded with a chance box containing either a brand new skill book or a stack of potent consumable buffs -- and as both the boxes and their drops can be traded, you can always sell anything you don't want for yourself.

Lunar Glade and Warsong City have received a design facelift, had their difficulty ramped up and their rewards increased -- rewards that include materials for upgrading the most powerful gear (at present) in the game.

A temporary and intermittently-recurring NPC, the Aurora Agent, will allow characters over level 80 to trade Tokens of Luck for a chance to get rare and powerful items. There will also be new Bounty Hunter bosses, improvements to Phoenix Valley, more ways to gain Prestige, improvements to player-enemy targeting, the return of Secret Passage to its "more carebear-friendly roots," and more. So suit up and get ready to kick imperial hiney!

Perfect World International's end-game gets imperially furious originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 23 May 2012 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Celebrate Valentine's Day with Perfect World Entertainment

Jef Reahard — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Perfect World International, Events, in-game, MMO industry, News items, Free-to-play

If you haven't made any MMO-centric plans for Valentine's Day, consider the offerings from free-to-play giant Perfect World Entertainment. The company is playing cupid in several of its online titles, and players can acquire "wedding fashions, romantic items, spectacular mounts, mystery boxes, and more."

Jade Dynasty features a wedding event and items for marriage-minded avatars, while Perfect World International GMs will be interacting with players and giving out a rare mount. Rusty Hearts is putting on an art contest, and the prize is Roselle Vegerius (the game's latest premium character).

Forsaken World players will receive a Valentine's Day card and random items, while War of the Immortals fans can collect chocolate and trade it for additional XP. Finally, Ether Saga Odyssey players can enter a screenshot contest to win XP and bonus items, as well as bid for rare pets and send custom broadcast messages.

[Source: Perfect World Entertainment press release]

Celebrate Valentine's Day with Perfect World Entertainment originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Perfect World International begins its Descent

Eliot Lefebvre — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Trailers, Video, Perfect World International, Classes, Expansions, Patches, News items, Free-to-play

If you're an avid player of Perfect World International, February 15th will be the day that it all goes down. That's the launch date for the game's latest expansion, Descent, which brings along a variety of improvements and upgrades to the game. Despite the low implications of the name, the expansion will be focusing on high-level conflict, with a new zone open to players of level 95 and up to explore. Said zone includes new quest hubs, two new dungeons, and of course several new pieces of equipment.

Progress through the zone will also bring characters into contact with the three Orders, forcing players to choose between the Orders for special character perks and improvements. Even without membership, however, each class will be gaining some new and unique skills that should alter the current distribution of abilities rather than reinforce existing roles. If this sounds right up your alley, check out the full expansion trailer just past the cut, and mark your calendar in advance.

Continue reading Perfect World International begins its Descent

Perfect World International begins its Descent originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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[Updated] On the tenth day of giveaways, Perfect World gave to me...

Rubi Bayer — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Sci-fi, Super-hero, Contests, Star Trek Online, Free-to-play, Champions Online, Giveaways

[UPDATE: All winners have been selected and contacted. Thanks to everyone who entered!]

On the tenth day of giveaways, Perfect World gave to me... ten grab bag items!
On the ninth day of giveaways, GamersFirst gave to me... nine SWG mementos!
On the eighth day of giveaways, Enjin gave to me... eight guild-wide gifts!
On the seventh day of giveaways, NCsoft gave to me... seven years of memories!
On the sixth day of giveaways, GamersFirst gave to me... six retail packs!
On the fifth day of giveaways, Trion gave to me... five subscription codes!
On the fourth day of giveaways, Nexon gave to me... four pet items!
On the third day of giveaways, Wargaming.net gave to me... three premium years!
On the second day of giveaways, BioWare gave to me... two warring factions!
On the first day of giveaways, Turbine gave to me... a lifetime VIP!

Day 10 of Massively's 12 Days of Giveaways is all about Perfect World Entertainment. The developers pulled out all the stops, giving us a total of 10 different items from Star Trek Online, Champions Online, Rusty Hearts, and Perfect World International. Two winners will receive 1,000 Cryptic Points for Star Trek Online, and two more will receive 10 days of gold membership status in Champions Online. Three Rusty Hearts fans will walk away with a gift package containing items for triple XP as well as instant weapon and armor enchants. Finally, if you are a fan of Perfect World International, we've got three codes for a very rare Giant Bunny pet.

Ready to enter? Check the contest rules below for eligibility, hit the comment button, and tell us which prize you'd like and why you should win. Enter by the deadline of tomorrow, December 23rd, at 6:00 p.m. EST, and good luck!

[Updated] On the tenth day of giveaways, Perfect World gave to me... originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 22 Dec 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spanish version of Perfect World International is on the way

Eliot Lefebvre — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Galleries, Screenshots, Perfect World International, Previews, News items, Free-to-play

Despite the name, Perfect World International has always been fairly national after all. Or at least, it's been limited in the sense that unless you can read the game's English text, you're going to have a hard time navigating it. Fortunately for players in Latin America, Aeria Games is currently in closed beta testing for a Spanish version of the game client, complete with all of the game's content and free expansions to date.

The official site for the Spanish version is up, along with registration options for players hoping to take part in the testing and refinement of the title. We've also received a few preview screenshots of the game in its current incarnation, although ironically enough none of these screenshots features text in any language. If you're hoping to be able to play the game in a language other than English, keep your eye on the localization of this title in the coming months.

[Source: Aeria Games press release]

Gallery: Perfect World

Spanish version of Perfect World International is on the way originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 07 Nov 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Perfect World introduces The Trials content update

Matt Daniel — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 21:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Trailers, Video, Perfect World International, Patches, News items, PvE, Free-to-play, Dungeons

Ready yourselves, Perfect World International players, because great trials are coming your way. The latest update to Perfect World Entertainment's trademark title brings players a new zone, known as Elysium Village, which will provide new quests and content for players level 100 or higher.

But the main attractions of the new update are the new Faction Trials, which are "a set of nine teamwork-based missions that will challenge even the most powerful faction." Up to 100 players can take part in each trial, and the ultimate goal of said trials is to prevent the ominously named Grand Demon Lord from breaking through to the Perfect World. These aren't the only new features being introduced with the update, so head on over to the game's official site to see the full details, and don't forget to check past the cut for a new trailer.

Continue reading Perfect World introduces The Trials content update

Perfect World introduces The Trials content update originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 01 Nov 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Star Trek Online's free-to-play starships prepare to leave spacedock

Justin Olivetti — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 23:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Classes, Previews, Star Trek Online, Free-to-play, Dev Diaries

As Star Trek Online's free-to-play final frontier approaches, the Cryptic team is fast at work trying to strike the right balance between the standard-issue starships that come with the game and the C-Store options available for purchase. In a new dev blog, Executive Producer Stephen D'Angelo says that each rank of gameplay is being shuffled around to offer a regular and premium starship for each class.

Because not every tier had enough for six starships, Cryptic is adding a number of spiffy C-Store versions for Federation players, including the new Exeter cruiser, the Sao Paulo escort, and the Bellerophon science vessel. The Klingon Defense Force is receiving a similar restructuring, with new ships like the Norgh Refit and Orion Dacoit Flight Deck Cruiser making their way into the store. D'Angelo admits that C-Store starships are slightly stronger and carry a special piece of gear that can be transferred from ship to ship as the player levels up.

D'Angelo also stresses that any C-Store starships are purchased for an entire account, not a single character. Cryptic is also planning to re-instate the free starship token at Lt. Commander and Commander ranks for everyone.

Star Trek Online's free-to-play starships prepare to leave spacedock originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 13 Oct 2011 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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One Shots: Welcome to starting zone week

Rubi Bayer — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Galleries, Screenshots, Perfect World International, Free-to-play, One Shots

We're kicking off starting zone week here on One Shots with an image from Perfect World International. Massively reader Ryan says:

Here's a night-time shot of my Seeker in Tellus City, part of the Earthguard starting zone in Perfect World International. I've always thought the moon glow and huge stone faces make for some gorgeous adventuring in the evenings, not to mention the scenery included when you cruise through your home port attached to a kite!

It's starting zone week here at One Shots. First impressions are a big deal, so many developers put a lot into that first zone you see. Show us a screenshot of your favorite starting zone -- add your name and a little bit about the image, send it in to oneshots@massively.com, and we'll feature it in this week's One Shots!

Gallery: One Shots: 2011

One Shots: Welcome to starting zone week originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 12 Sep 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Free for All: Another attempt at free-to-play vs. freemium

Beau Hindman — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Business models, Opinion, Free-to-play, Free for All, Miscellaneous

I'm one of those types who can't just let certain things go. When I see someone talking on Facebook about issues with his pet, I have to chime in. (I'm sort of an amateur animal behaviorist.) If I hear someone talking about her favorite bands, I usually have to let her know which ones I love. (I'm a music snob.) I'm just sort of a nosy individual. Since I can admit that, I think I deserve a pass when I volunteer information that wasn't asked for.

But I work at Massively. We're a website about, you know, games, and not just games, but MMOs, some of the least understood of all games. People and even developers seem to confuse what MMO means, and they especially confuse what a free-to-play MMO should offer. Once again I am going to take a crack at it, but not just because I am nosy. Mainly I want to clear this up so people will know what to expect from a title and whether there is going to have to be any money involved.

Click past the cut and let's have at it!

Continue reading Free for All: Another attempt at free-to-play vs. freemium

Free for All: Another attempt at free-to-play vs. freemium originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 07 Sep 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cryptic uploads Star Trek Online's free-to-play plans

Justin Olivetti — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Business models, Star Trek Online, Free-to-play

Curious about how a free-to-play Star Trek Online will look? We are too, which is why we're glad that Cryptic's followed up the unofficial announcement of STO's F2P conversion with specific and numerous details.

On the site's new Free-to-Play page, Star Trek Online reveals what silver (free) and gold (subscribers and lifetimers) members will be able to access in the game. Free players will be able to enjoy a majority of the game's content, including character creation, all of the missions, the basic ships, the full range of levels, and special task forces. While free players won't be able to create their own missions through the Foundry system, they will be able to test out ones made by subscribers. The biggest restrictions a free account player will face are a limited mail system, reduced inventory space, and only two character slots.

Subscribers and lifetime members will enjoy certain perks under the new system, including a monthly stipend of store points, priority login, respec tokens, Foundry access, and other basic MMO staples.

It's interesting to note that when the game changes to the new system later this year, Klingon content for subscribers and free players will unlockable at level 25 instead of the current low level access. This is so that Cryptic can spend more time working on this weaker aspect of the game. The new system will also replace several types of currencies with a single new one, Dilithium, which will be used to purchase ships and gear.

There are plenty more details on the site, including an FAQ and Features Matrix. Stay tuned later this week for an in-depth analysis of this information and a Q&A session with Cryptic in our STO column, Captain's Log!

Cryptic uploads Star Trek Online's free-to-play plans originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 06 Sep 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Perfect World International invites you to attend its 3rd anniversary

Justin Olivetti — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Perfect World International, Contests, Events, in-game, Free-to-play

In our opinion, the best birthday parties are the ones where the visitors get presents too. Hey, we're going out of our way to spend an afternoon putting up with a half-rate clown and a rapidly deflating bouncy castle -- we've earned it!

Perfect World International subscribes to this theory (well, not the clown, thank goodness), and so is handing out lots of free gifts for its third anniversary starting today. The anniversary celebration kicks off with several in-game events, veteran rewards based on how long since you first registered for PWI, and 24 days of double XP, spirit and drops that starts today. Players who log in from the 2nd through the 4th will automatically be entered for the giveaway pack, which includes a cool giveaway package with a Barbarian Tiger Statue and a Logitech keyboard.

An anniversary is a great time to renew vows -- or make new ones -- which is why Perfect World International also has added a Chinese-themed Phoenix Nest Wedding Chapel into the game.

Product Manager Derick Chan took time out of throwing confetti and blowing a birthday horn to praise the community: "We owe all of the game's success to the fans that have helped it grow and plan to reward every single player regardless of how long they have been with us."

Perfect World International invites you to attend its 3rd anniversary originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 02 Sep 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Perfect World Entertainment surpasses market expectations

Larry Everett — Tue, 24 May 2011 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Economy, MMO industry, News items, Free-to-play, Miscellaneous

Perhaps the belief that free-to-play games are bad and do not make money is unfounded. If you asked anyone with stock in Perfect World Entertainment, he would tell you that F2P is where it's at. The creator of the Perfect World International and Forsaken World has stunned the market as it reported a 15% revenue increase last quarter (January 2011 to March 2011) over last year (January 2010 to March 2010.)

However, the biggest surprise is the amount of profit the company generated. The 110% growth over last year greatly surpassed the high-end expectations of the company itself. CEO Michael Chi attributed the stellar growth to the recent release of Forsaken World and Empire of the Immortals. But the profit is due to more than the entry of these two games into the market. "At the same time, we also experienced lower sales and marketing expenses as we did not have as many new launches as we did in the previous quarter. All of these factors contributed to our strong bottom-line growth in the first quarter," Chi explains in a Gamasutra article.

Perfect World Entertainment hopes for continued growth as it continues to solidify its place in the F2P market with more games coming soon.

Perfect World Entertainment surpasses market expectations originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 24 May 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Impressions: Forsaken World

Beau Hindman — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Screenshots, Opinion, Free-to-play, Hands-on, First Impressions

Perfect World Entertainment's latest title, Forsaken World, is made to sound like the polar opposite of Perfect World, the older flagship title that serves as Forsaken World's foundation. When I first heard about this newer project, I was enthused. After all, I wasn't really fond of Perfect World. I thought it was too stale and linear. Still, I have admired Perfect World Entertainment for a long time, mainly because the company knows its audience and does really good work. Its games are flexible when it comes to system requirements, and its titles fit all sorts of different players and age ranges.

Also, the developers claimed that Forsaken World would be a game made for a "Western audience." Of course this means absolutely nothing to me, being that there are easily millions and millions of players for decidedly "Eastern" games like Nexon titles or other large publishers, so I figured that PWE meant to say that it was a game made for those snootier Western players who consider free-to-play games to be nothing but point-and-click junk. Strangely enough, PWE got the WASD movement wrong in Forsaken World. I have no idea how or why this was missed, but the "Western" audience will notice, I promise.

Click past the cut and let's talk about everything I loved about the game -- and a few things I did not.

Continue reading First Impressions: Forsaken World

First Impressions: Forsaken World originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 01 Apr 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Perfect World Entertainment comments on 2011

Beau Hindman — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Galleries, Screenshots, Perfect World International, Interviews, Launches, Free-to-play

Perfect World Entertainment is always busy. No, seriously -- these guys and gals do not sleep. They now publish nearly 10 titles and show no sign of stopping. Their newest and largest title, Forsaken World, just hit open beta at the time of this writing, so we thought it might be a good idea to ask a few questions of the developers.

We tracked down PWE's Clifton Chu, product manager for Forsaken World, to give us some info on the new game and the company's MMO presence. If you have been excited to play it or any of the other titles in the Perfect World lineup, 2011 is going to be a very good year for you. Not only can you try out every title on its roster, but you can do it at your own pace. No subscription fee also means that you'll have more money to blow in the cash shop. Hey, everyone needs vanity items!

Click past the cut to read the interview!

Gallery: Forsaken World

Continue reading Perfect World Entertainment comments on 2011

Perfect World Entertainment comments on 2011 originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 10 Mar 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Perfect World dev diary shows off all changes coming in Genesis

Krystalle Voecks — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 21:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Video, Perfect World International, Expansions, Game mechanics, Guilds, Patches, Previews, News items, Free-to-play, Races, Dev Diaries

Perfect World International, the largest game in Perfect World Entertainment's free-to-play MMO stable, is set to erupt with enormous world-changing goodness. On March 2nd, the game's largest expansion, Genesis, is nearing launch. We've checked out the expansion in earlier developer diaries, but today we have a video showing off the many changes players can expect, all in one tasty, ready-to-devour package.

In this video, the game's Product Manager, Clifton, and Community Manager, Steven, sit down to tell us all about the myriad things that will be coming to the game on March 2nd. The Earthguard race will emerge from the underground; players can pick up Runecrafting to buff their weapons; and even new dances will be added to replace some of the older ones. (Those are apparently so embarassing that Clifton and Steven are loath to put them on camera!) For active Perfect World International players, a huge rollback of Territory Wars to pre-nerf is coming as is a full map reset, which will open up the season for one heck of a power-grab. Finally, we also get a look into the upcoming guild bases, which players have been wanting for quite some time.

You'll find the newest dev diary video behind the break, ready for those who want to check out more on Perfect World International's upcoming Genesis expansion.

Continue reading Perfect World dev diary shows off all changes coming in Genesis

Perfect World dev diary shows off all changes coming in Genesis originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 24 Feb 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Guild bases coming to Perfect World

Jef Reahard — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 22:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Perfect World International, Expansions, Game mechanics, News items, Free-to-play

Guild bases are on their way to Perfect World International, and the new functionality is the latest in a long line of updates scheduled to go live with the Genesis expansion on March 2nd. In terms of mechanics, the bases are instanced and feature four wings: an armory, an alchemy lab, the Manor of Justice, and the Heavenly Vault. Each wing offers different buffs, unique quests, and guild-only exclusive content to make your PWI experience all the more memorable.

The guild bases also feature a fifth room, the Hall of Loyalty, centrally located between the four wings and home to more quests, trivia activities, and unique rewards. If all that isn't enough for you, guild bases also boast an area dedicated to raising monsters that can be hunted for experience and spirit.

Head to the official Perfect World International blog for further details.

Guild bases coming to Perfect World originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rise and Shiny recap: Perfect World

Beau Hindman — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Video, Perfect World International, PvE, Opinion, Free-to-play, Hands-on, Humor, Rise and Shiny, Livestream

Perfect World International, brought to us by Perfect World Entertainment, is a beautiful game -- I'll give it that. I am not sure whether the newbie area I was playing through (which consisted of a race of mermaid- and mermen-type creatures) is newly made or recently redone, but the scenery, special effects, and characters are downright gorgeous. While near-realism (with a huge touch of pointy fantasy) is definitely not my favorite art style, I can see how much hard work went into the game. Props to everyone on the team!

Still, a beautiful game does not guarantee a fun game. PWI is obviously very successful and boasts a massive population, but does that translate to a friendly community? I wonder, also, what the average age of players is. I would put hard-earned money (playing video games, so it's fitting) on the table and say that the numbers would surprise us. In fact, that could sum up a lot of how I felt about PWI while I played it: surprised -- a lot of the time.

Click past the cut and I'll tell you more.

Continue reading Rise and Shiny recap: Perfect World

Rise and Shiny recap: Perfect World originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 06 Feb 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PWE reveals Perfect World International Genesis trailer

Jef Reahard — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Trailers, Video, Perfect World International, Expansions, News items, Free-to-play

Perfect World Entertainment has unveiled a sparkling new trailer for Genesis, the latest expansion for its free-to-play Perfect World International MMORPG. The clip features just over a minute and a half of gameplay footage and shows off a ton of new content. First up is a glimpse of the new Earthguard race, followed by a montage of the new Seeker and Mystic classes in action. There's also a look at some of the new summonable pets as well as interior shots of the expansion's new faction bases.

The new Genesis content will be hitting the PWI live servers on March 2nd, and in the meantime, you can get a sneak preview of all the juicy details after the cut.

Continue reading PWE reveals Perfect World International Genesis trailer

PWE reveals Perfect World International Genesis trailer originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 04 Feb 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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One Shots: Open the floodgates

Krystalle Voecks — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Screenshots, Perfect World International, Free-to-play, One Shots

For some people, one character per game is pretty much their hard limit. That way they can level up, see almost all of the game's content, and only have to worry about gearing up once. For others, a new game just represents a chance to roll even more alts! Some are for crafting, some are for roleplay, some for raiding, and there's almost always that one inevitable bank and auction house mule. Today's One Shots comes from someone who was more the former but has crossed to the alt-tastic dark side recently in Perfect World International. This image comes to us from a player going by SiSSY LaLa, who writes in: "I almost never make alts, but I finally decided to make one and check out the Tideborn in Perfect World International. I was very intrigued by the interesting city decor. I hope my main doesn't get jealous of my time away."

When you're running around in your MMO of choice this weekend, why not grab a screenshot and send it along to us? We love to see what you're all up to -- and it's easy to do. Just email your image to us at oneshots@massively.com along with your name, the name of the game, and a quick description. We'll share it with the world and give you the credit.

Gallery: One Shots: 2011

One Shots: Open the floodgates originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 21 Jan 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Perfect World shows off new dance moves plus Forsaken World class video

Jef Reahard — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Perfect World International, Classes, Expansions, New titles, News items, Free-to-play

The devs at Perfect World Entertainment are busy little bees, and today they've brought us a pair of videos to show off what's new in two of the company's flagship free-to-play titles. First up is Forsaken World's second dev diary video, and in it, PWE marketing director Jon Belliss shows off the fantasy epic's eight playable classes as well as the 14 secondary occupations that make up the job system.

Not to be outdone is Perfect World International, and its upcoming Genesis expansion will be featuring the usual expansion suspects such as a new race, new classes, new zones, and more. In addition to all the new content, PWE is throwing some fluff into the mix via a slew of new character dance emotes that amp up the style and complexity of the game's existing moves. All of the game's original races will be able to perform the maneuvers, and many of them will be activated via special clothing sets.

Check out the Forsaken World dev diary video and a sneak peek at a new Perfect World International dance after the cut.

Continue reading Perfect World shows off new dance moves plus Forsaken World class video

Perfect World shows off new dance moves plus Forsaken World class video originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 06 Jan 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Forsaken World details protector class

Jef Reahard — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, New titles, News items, Free-to-play

Hot on the stiletto heels of their assassin and vampire spotlights, Perfect World Entertainment brings us a brand new Forsaken World class preview focusing on the protector. According to the game's official blog, protectors are "nine feet tall, carry hammers the size of people, and are regularly seen carrying dwarves on their shoulders."

Dwarf-tossing references and subtlety-related snarkiness aside, the protectors serve as Forsaken World's tanking class, complete with the usual amenities such as aggro-building taunts and very large pieces of armor. Protectors also make use of a special ability called fury, which gradually charges up over the course of a fight. Theoretically, protectors grow stronger and more dangerous the longer the fight continues.

To learn more about the protector class, head over to the class preview at the official Forsaken World blog.

Forsaken World details protector class originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 13 Oct 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Rising Tide continues to wash over Perfect World International

Krystalle Voecks — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Video, Perfect World International, Expansions, News items, Free-to-play

Will you be prepared when the tide rises and the seas give up their secrets? Well, if you check out this nifty trailer for Rising Tide -- the recently released expansion to Perfect World International -- that we've managed to get our hands on, you'll have a good head-start if you decide to wade in!

Featuring a brand new race -- the graceful, aquatic Tideborn, new starting areas for players to enjoy, and a whole pile of new challenges, the expansion offers players a great deal of new content for everyone. Perfect World International players are facing off against a whole new evil to rescue the underwater kingdom through three new explorable zones, 200+ new quests, 100+ new monsters, new gear, and more!

For those interested, be sure to check out the trailer behind the break, or pop over to the Perfect World International site for more details -- or to sign up! After all, there's no charge to take a dip in the Rising Tide.

Continue reading The Rising Tide continues to wash over Perfect World International

The Rising Tide continues to wash over Perfect World International originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 29 Apr 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In a Perfect World podcast begins operation

Eliot Lefebvre — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Podcasts, Perfect World International, Events, in-game, Launches, Free-to-play, Ether Saga Online, Jade Dynasty, Battle of the Immortals

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.

In 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.

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A bird's-eye view of China's MMO market

Eliot Lefebvre — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: MMO industry, Opinion, Free-to-play

To a western MMO developer, China's market is alluring in much the same way that winning the lottery is alluring to everyone else. There's a huge market right there, even disregarding the almost stereotypical amount of gold farming associated with the country, but thus far western games have yet to make much of a dent. The only one that's been largely successful is World of Warcraft, and even that has a bit of a tortured history. Scott Jennings has taken the opportunity to expound a bit on what makes China so appealing as an MMO market and why it's been so difficult to get a solid footing in.

One of the points he makes is that, by and large, China hasn't attracted a good portion of the western market either -- Perfect World International comes the closest to making a splash, and it's nowhere near the popularity of, say, Runes of Magic. He also discusses several of the difficulties in negotiations between western businesses and the Chinese counterparts, as well as the government's vested interest in ensuring the market stays solidly in China. The full article also offers as comprehensive a breakdown of the entire World of Warcraft controversy as you're likely to find in one place, making it an excellent reference point for anyone interested in the vagaries of the worldwide market.

A bird's-eye view of China's MMO market originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 15 Jan 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kung Foo! events and activities for final week of CBT

Rubi Bayer — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, New titles, Free-to-play, Kung Foo!

The Kung Foo! closed beta test is wrapping up soon (it ends January 20th), and Perfect World International are planning to finish with a series of fun community events to thank those who logged in to help out. Since the servers will be wiped before open beta, why not throw some cash around, right? Players will be receiving Foo Funds upon logging in after the latest maintenance period, so they can hit the mall and gear up for the events.

The first event is a fashion party, a chance to be a little silly and show off some of your new costumes from the mall, not to mention meet some of your fellow closed beta testers. Friday will be a bit startling if you're unprepared, because monsters will be appearing ... somewhere. Where and when is a bit of a mystery, so be ready. (Maybe smack them with your teddy bear backpack.)

Finally, while it's true that the servers will be wiped after the 20th, closed beta testers will get a few gifts to carry over into open beta. Everyone will receive a Lolligator transformation tonic that lasts 30 days after its first use, and anyone reaching level 40 will get a Sweet Wolf pet.

So enjoy the last week of closed beta, and get ready for the crowds coming in open beta!

Kung Foo! events and activities for final week of CBT originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 13 Jan 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kung Foo! creators talk about all things Foo

Rubi Bayer — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Interviews, New titles, Free-to-play, Kung Foo!

Kung Foo!, the snarky new offering from Perfect World International, went into closed beta yesterday. At first glance, the free-to-play game is yet another clunky, anime-styled fantasy game full of ancient Chinese cliches, so what makes this one so different?

Product Manager Craig Beers and Guest Writer Devin Grayson spent some time discussing this with MMORPG.com, but if you've seen the trailer, you already know the answer: Kung Foo! takes everything you recognize as standard-issue for most MMOs and satirizes it. "You name it, we make fun of it," Grayson says. For longtime MMO players, the game promises to be a fun twist on the same old tank-healer-nuker-fight-the-monster-and-move-on style that we've all grown used to.

The interview gives a look at the thought processes behind the creation of Kung Foo!, and a few hints on what you can expect from the game. Take a look at the full interview here.

Kung Foo! creators talk about all things Foo originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 06 Jan 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Perfect World's Belliss discusses free-to-play business model

Rubi Bayer — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Perfect World International, Business models, Interviews, News items, Free-to-play

The concept of microtransactions is still relatively new to many of us in the western MMO world, but many Asian companies are already very familiar with it. That familiarity is opening doors for them to transition over to the western market more easily. Jonathan Belliss is the product manager for one of these companies, Perfect World International, and he spent some time talking about the challenges and advantages of the transition.

Belliss and Perfect World seem to stand out among the deluge of Asian based free-to-play games, and Belliss' outlook may well be partly responsible for this. He has quite a bit to say about game quality over quantity (especially given the current market saturation), player preferences in two very different cultures, competition for those microtransaction dollars, and the future of the free-to-play business model overall.

Belliss seems to have that all-too-rare ability to look at the pros and potential cons of a situation, to learn from others mistakes, and to see which direction the free-to-play/microtransaction model is likely to take in the future. It's an asset to Perfect World and makes the interview well worth the time spent reading.

Perfect World's Belliss discusses free-to-play business model originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 20 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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