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[Spellborn dropping out of the Japanese market]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/02/spellborn-dropping-out-of-the-japanese-market/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/02/spellborn-dropping-out-of-the-japanese-market/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/02/spellborn-dropping-out-of-the-japanese-market/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The somewhat European inspired fantasy MMO The Chronicles of Spellborn is shutting down its Japanese service, causing a stir of worry and discussion about the title's future in other territories within the community at large. To make matters worse, the one person who could've cleared up any confusion, TheHistorian, is no longer with publisher Acclaim as community manager for the game. Given that he was the sole link between the community and developers, it's no wonder people are feeling a bit unsettled by the whole affair.

While the closure of The Chronicles of Spellborn Japan isn't a good thing, it doesn't necessarily spell out a dark future for the title. A business deal could've gone sour, or perhaps the audience in Japan just wasn't strong enough to maintain the title. Just in cast something does happen, however, we'll be keeping an eye out for any further development.

MassivelySpellborn dropping out of the Japanese market originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 02 Mar 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acclaimclosedcmcommunity-managereuropeeuropeanjapanshut-downshutting-downspellbornspellborn-internationalspellborn-japanthehistorianTue, 02 Mar 2010 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Spellborn's American launch pushed back, closed beta starts the 27th]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/19/spellborn-american-launch-date-pushed-back-closed-beta-starts-t/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/19/spellborn-american-launch-date-pushed-back-closed-beta-starts-t/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/19/spellborn-american-launch-date-pushed-back-closed-beta-starts-t/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

So we heard a couple months ago that The Chronicles of Spellborn would be released in North America and the United Kingdom on November 27th, coinciding with the continental European launch. Turns out it's been pushed back -- kinda. The European launch will still commence on the 27th, but the North American closed beta will begin on that day, with the actual, final launch occurring sometime in January.

Sure, we're a bit disappointed, but chances are we'll still get to play the game soon. Acclaim, the game's publisher in the region, went out of its way in the press release it sent us to stress the "Freemium" business model -- a newbie trial area will be available to all players, who can reach level seven before they have to upgrade to a premium subscription at the usual $15/month rate.

The idea of an unlimited free trial area with a level cap isn't fresh -- both Meridian 59 and EverQuest II have done that, but it's not a bad way to sample a game to decide if you want to invest your hard-earned cash in it. Might be worth trying just for Jesper Kyd's soundtrack

MassivelySpellborn's American launch pushed back, closed beta starts the 27th originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 19 Nov 2008 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acclaimacclaim-gamesbreakingcentral-americachronicles-of-spellbornclosed-betalaunchnorth-americarelease-datesouth-americaspellbornspellborn-internationalWed, 19 Nov 2008 07:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Chronicles of Spellborn: Not free to play, proclaims Acclaim]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/29/the-chronicles-of-spellborn-not-free-to-play-proclaims-acclaim/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/29/the-chronicles-of-spellborn-not-free-to-play-proclaims-acclaim/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/29/the-chronicles-of-spellborn-not-free-to-play-proclaims-acclaim/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

In fact, the PR Manager for The Chronicles of Spellborn is quite insistent on the that point. 'TCoS is NOT a Free2Play game,' says PR manager, Mirage. And then again, only in ALL CAPS. Mirage is correct, of course. The Chronicles of Spellborn basically has a starting zone that you can play in for free. Think of it as a free trial, if you like. If you want to play the rest of this MMOG, you'll need to upgrade your free account for the regular subscription kind.

'Second, there are NO item malls, there is NO item selling,' adds Mirage. By the time we got halfway through we had to fan the air a little, as the stench of those nasty free-to-play models had pervaded the corners of the room. We hear that a box of sodium bicarbonate left open behind the sofa will eliminate those nasty odors.

Continue reading The Chronicles of Spellborn: Not free to play, proclaims Acclaim

MassivelyThe Chronicles of Spellborn: Not free to play, proclaims Acclaim originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 29 Sep 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acclaimacclaim-gameschronicles-of-spellbornfantasymmo-industrynew-titlesspellborn-internationalMon, 29 Sep 2008 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Chronicles of Spellborn launches November 27th in North America]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/28/the-chronicles-of-spellborn-launches-november-27-in-north-americ/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/28/the-chronicles-of-spellborn-launches-november-27-in-north-americ/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/28/the-chronicles-of-spellborn-launches-november-27-in-north-americ/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Publisher Acclaim Games has finally announced the North American release date of developer Spellborn International's action-oriented MMORPG The Chronicles of Spellborn. The game will go live in the United States and Canada on the 27th of November -- exactly the same day as the European release. Why Acclaim and European publisher Frogster didn't announce for all regions at once, we're not quite sure!

In the press release we received, Acclaim promised that a North American closed beta will begin soon, and directed would-be players to sign up at the official site. Expect fairly standard MMO gameplay, except for combat, which is a little different. You'll actually have to aim your attacks like you would in a third person shooter game.

Spellborn runs on "Unreal Engine 2.5" and features music by respected video game composer Jesper Kyd, who has contributed scoring to games like Assassin's Creed, Gears of War, and Unreal Tournament 3.

MassivelyThe Chronicles of Spellborn launches November 27th in North America originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 28 Sep 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acclaimacclaim-gameschronicles-of-spellbornclosed-betafrogsterjesper-kydlaunchrelease-datespellbornspellborn-internationalunreal-engineSun, 28 Sep 2008 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Acclaim to publish The Chronicles of Spellborn in North America]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/26/acclaim-to-publish-the-chronicles-of-spellborn-in-north-america/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/26/acclaim-to-publish-the-chronicles-of-spellborn-in-north-america/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/26/acclaim-to-publish-the-chronicles-of-spellborn-in-north-america/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Action-oriented MMORPG The Chronicles of Spellborn has found a publisher in Acclaim Games, the MMO-focused reincarnation of now-defunct Acclaim Entertainment. The company was founded by former Activision CEO Howard Marks, who bought the brand name from the original Acclaim after it crashed and burned in 2004.

David Perry -- Chief Creative Officer of Acclaim Games -- published a letter to the Spellborn community announcing the deal. In it, he talks up the game and the dev team behind it, saying that they immediately stood out to him and the other folks at Acclaim. We'll assume that Acclaim was the company that wrote the letter of intent way back in April, but who can say for sure?

Spellborn had already landed a publishing deal for Europe and Asia with Frogster Interactive. Last we heard the game was due out by the end of 2008, but we're not super-confident about it. Spellborn is still in its closed beta testing phase at the moment.

MassivelyAcclaim to publish The Chronicles of Spellborn in North America originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 26 Aug 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Seems like just yesterday we were wondering if The Chronicles of Spellborn would ever see US shores. Some kind spirit must have heard us, for today comes news that a US publisher has signed a letter of intent to publish this rather unique fantasy MMO on this side of the Atlantic. Spellborn International and its European/Asian publisher, Frogster, have decided to push the release date of the game from Q2 '08 (ie, Real Soon) to Q3 '08 (ie, when Warhammer Online and the new World of Warcraft expansion, Wrath of the Lich King, ship). The reason given for the delay is polish and time for the US publisher to work on marketing the game. Polish. That used to be such a kind word. Polished games are nice, but "fun" is an even better one.

Given the rather empty looking world they have been showing us, this extra time should certainly allow them to jam it full of goodness. With any luck at all, we'll be flying through the Deadspell Storm in our golden shardships, on our way to represent our Houses in Parliament. Now that it appears we'll be seeing this game in North America after all, what better time to learn more about the world of Spellborn through the Spellborn Scrolls? The Scrolls are an interactive text adventure that introduces you to the people and places of the game and is a pretty darn unique way to get the feel for the lore.

[Thanks, Garold!]

MassivelyChronicles of Spellborn gets US Publisher originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 11 Apr 2008 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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With all this news coming out of the Chronicles of Spellborn closed beta, can open beta be far? Well, actually, probably yes. The glimpses we have gotten of the game world so far look absolutely beautiful. Today's screen shots of actual characters shows off the unique Spellborn art style. And yet... the game world still seems barren and lifeless. Despite all the media Spellborn International is showing us, it seems unlikely they will make their Q2 '08 date for open beta. Further, without a US publisher, it could be a long time indeed before we get a chance to play.

MassivelySpellborn character screenshots originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 10 Apr 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betacharacterschronicles-of-spellbornpublisherscreenshotsspellbornspellborn-internationalThu, 10 Apr 2008 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The sounds of Shorath Mesa]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/05/the-sounds-of-shorath-mesa/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/05/the-sounds-of-shorath-mesa/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/05/the-sounds-of-shorath-mesa/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

There's so much news coming out for Chronicles of Spellborn these days, can we be blamed for hoping we get to play the game itself, soon? Hot on the heels of last week's developer's art journal about the swampy Shorath Mesa comes this new journal explaining how the sound artists designed the ambiance of the area. Shorath Mesa is covered with swamp and forest and the occasional ruined temple from ages long past. The ambient sounds must change as you move from one area to another; the soft whisper of rain falling through forest leaves makes way slowly to an echoing sadness as you near a temple. Far in the distance, thunder rolls. The best ambient sounds drag you into the game. By the sounds of things, Spellborn will draw you in completely to their realm. We don't often get a chance to hear how sound designers do their magic.

MassivelyThe sounds of Shorath Mesa originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 05 Apr 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>art-journalbansheechronicles-of-spellbornshorath-mesashrine-of-currentsspellbornspellborn-internationalSat, 05 Apr 2008 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[A glimpse into Quarterstone, the jewel of Spellborn]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/03/a-glimpse-into-quarterstone-the-jewel-of-spellborn/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/03/a-glimpse-into-quarterstone-the-jewel-of-spellborn/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/03/a-glimpse-into-quarterstone-the-jewel-of-spellborn/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


The Chronicles of Spellborn beta testers keep teasing us with these wonderful screenshots! We haven't seen an MMO with such a unique and evocative style since Lord of the Rings Online. This week brings us pictures from the city of Quarterstone, "the jewel of Spellborn". Quarterstone sits beneath massive holes that allow in the light of the Deadspell Storm, and around which cyclones rage. Despite the turmoil outside, Quarterstone seems fairly peaceful -- the real danger there are the battles between the great Houses.

Chronicles of Spellborn is due out "Q2 2008". Despite rumors of financial difficulties, a perceived lack of commitment by Central European and Asian publishing partner Frogster International, and no announced publishers in Britain or North America, Community Manager "Papillon" vows that if they run out of money, they will put what they have on the market and try to find a way forward from there (even if that means working for free!). We're rooting for you, Spellborn, and we loved what we saw of the game at GDC.

Updated: The struck-out text was based on a bad translation of a quote from the German section of the Spellborn forums. And in fact, the meaning was entirely opposite. We regret the error, won't be using dodgy automatic translation services in the future!

According to Papillon, the correct translation was: "And to even more emphasize that we do NOT intend to release Spellborn in a hurry, I finished in joking about "I think this development team would even work for free to make the dream become reality :) (PSSST! That stays between us! ;) Don't let my Boss know about this!)".

I think it's clear they meant something entirely different! /heads back to the English side of the forums...

MassivelyA glimpse into Quarterstone, the jewel of Spellborn originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 03 Apr 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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