Free PC Gaming Blog

GAMESCAMPUS ANNOUNCES NEW GENRE-BENDING MMORTS, SOUL MASTER

Upcoming Massively Multiplayer Online Real Time Strategy Game Takes The RTS Genre To A New Level With Complete MMORPG-Style Control Over Characters

Sunnyvale, Calif. (March 18, 2010) - Leading online game publisher, GamesCampus.com (www.GamesCampus.com), today announced its new genre-bending, free-to-play MMORTS, Soul Master. Developed by NPluto, Soul Master is an addictive new game that takes the innovation behind customizable “Hero” units in the RTS genre to a whole new level by allowing players to have complete MMORPG-style control over their characters. The game will enter Closed Beta Testing in June of this year. For more information on the game and to follow the latest updates, visit http://SoulMaster.GamesCampus.com.

“Soul Master is unlike anything else currently out there and definitely what players have been waiting for,” said David Chang, EVP of Marketing and Business Development for GamesCampus. “We spotted an opportunity to bring this truly unique and fun MMORTS online experience to our GamesCampus.com players and we took it!”

Soul Master will feature a unique combat system that will allow players to create structures, progress through technology trees and produce and command units-all while developing a persistent character of their own. With resource-driven RTS combat, Soul Master allows players to create defensive towers, barricades, resource harvesting structures, and unit production facilities while progressing through simplified, traditional RTS tech-trees that let players focus on strategic, active gameplay in both Team and Free-for-All PvP.

Soul Master includes rich item customization systems that enable players to acquire unique stat and skill bonuses both for their personalized avatars, as well as their RTS buildings, production capabilities, and controlled units. In addition to the robust PvP content, Soul Master features a wide range of PVE scenario modes such as defending objectives, escort missions, co-op challenges, boss raids, and AI RTS battles.

With fast paced combat that combines the high-speed action of a character vs. character brawler- and the tactical elements of a squad-based RTS - Soul Master sets out to take the very best of both worlds and merge them into a genre unto itself.

For more information on the game and to follow the latest updates,
visit http://SoulMaster.GamesCampus.com

NINE MILLION PLAYERS AND COUNTING, FREE REALMS CONTINUES RAPID GROWTH
Targeted New Content Proves to Resonate With Players

SAN DIEGO, CALIF. – March 5, 2010 – Sony Online Entertainment LLC (SOE) today announced that its family-friendly online game, Free Realms™ (www.FreeRealms.com), has surpassed nine million registered players.

“With Free Realms, we’ve been able to reflect the needs and wants of our players by keenly listening to their suggestions and feedback,” said John Smedley, president of SOE. “We believe the persistent exercise of capturing in-game research inside Free Realms has been a huge contributing factor as to why we’ve attracted over nine million players in less than a year. It truly helps us give our players a game where they can do and be whatever they want.”

Continuous development of new features and themed in-game events, as well as persistent marketing support, has drawn a constant influx of new players into the free-to-play virtual world. An example of a customer-requested feature recently introduced in Free Realms is Rides.

Introduced last month, Rides not only look cool and come in multiple color choices, but they allow players who have purchased a Membership to hop on the back of a T-Rex or Dragon and travel anywhere in the overland world at 150% of their normal speed. Building on this player-driven feature request, Horses are the next Rides scheduled to be released, with more types of transportation in the works. The development team is also set to introduce new Owl and Groundhog pets, as well as an exciting new 3-D minigame in the near future.

Free Realms offers an endless array of activities and mini-games to entertain players. From ninja fighting to kart racing to raising pets, Free Realms offers a safe, family-friendly environment to connect with old and new friends. Also available is the Free Realms Trading Card Game: a full-featured trading card game, playable both digitally within the Free Realms online game and offline via physical card decks sold wherever you buy trading cards. Free Realms players can also pop into select retailers to purchase Station Cash™ cards, which can be redeemed for Station Cash, and used to buy virtual goodies or upgrade to a Membership status in the game.

Free Realms is rated E10+ for Everyone 10 and up with content descriptors of Crude Humor and Fantasy Violence. To play Free Realms, visit: http://www.FreeRealms.com.

ATLUS ONLINE AND NHN USA, INC. PARTNER TO CHANNEL EVER-GROWING F2P STEAMPUNK MMORPG NEO STEAM: THE SHATTERED CONTINENT THROUGH ijji.COM

IRVINE, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 26, 2010 - Atlus Online, a premiere destination for online entertainment, and NHN USA, Inc. today announced a partnership to channel Neo Steam™: The Shattered Continent, a free-to-play massively online roleplaying game, through the popular online gaming portal ijji.com. The venture will allow ijji.com’s over seven million users to convert “G Coin,” the service’s currency, into “Gears” to purchase in-game items and boosts to fully experience Neo Steam.

“We are thrilled to partner with NHN USA, Inc. to bring the unique fantasy-steampunk MMORPG experience of Neo Steam: The Shattered Continent to ijji.com’s over seven million users worldwide,” stated Jamie Ortiz, Head of Business Operations at Atlus Online. “Since its launch in North America, Neo Steam: The Shattered Continent has steadily expanded its audience by clearly establishing an emphasis on providing the richest, most community-oriented online roleplaying experience possible. Partnering with ijji.com dramatically grows that user base, introducing a new host of gamers to its distinct, eventful MMORPG gameplay.”

Neo Steam: The Shattered Continent is the only MMORPG of its kind, set in an imaginative steampunk world, where 19th century steam-based technology meets fantasy inventions. The game transports players to a land where two nations battle over a precious resource called Neo Steam. From the onset, customization is key to each player’s experience, where they can choose which nation to join and select from a number of specialized classes. As players battle to expand their nation’s resources and protect their borders from invasion, they must learn to harness the Neo Steam technology to upgrade their equipment, learn new abilities, and progress in their chosen class.

“Steampunk is another immersive experience we are thrilled to add to our current line-up of games. Neo Steam: The Shattered Continent offers the ijji community a class-A persistent world to get lost in,” said Calvin Yang, vice president of marketing, NHN USA, which hosts ijji.com. “Atlus provides some of the best games in the business, and that is just what we look for when it comes to our portal.”

Neo Steam: The Shattered Continent is now available on ijji.com!

For more information about Neo Steam, please visit the official game website at http://neosteam.atlusonline.com

Archlord Expansion Update ‘Chaotic Frontier’

- Archlord Episode 4: ‘Chaotic Frontier’ update in March
- New Adventures at ‘Chaotic Frontier’, the Vanished Civilization
- Multi-language game service launched in February 2010.

Wednesday, 17th February, WEBZEN (NSDAQ: WZEN) is pleased to announce that Archlord, a premier MMORPG with no monthly subscriptions, will unveil the next expansion update Episode 4: Chaotic Frontier. The expansion update is due to go live in the coming month of March where the update introduces distinguished new concept of dungeons.

New features of Archlord Episode 4: Chaotic Frontier include:

Exclusive dungeon system: Chaotic Frontier
- Specifically designed according to the game factions, each player’s level will be automatically adjusted pending on which field of Chaotic Frontier he walks into, hence allowing Archlord players of all level to enjoy. In addition to this, players will need to acquire a special passport to enter each realm which drops from mobs or alternatively they can be purchased directly from the Chantra Shop for a minimal price later on.

6 new playing fields for players to challenge
- The Chaotic Frontier includes six new realms providing unique and interesting challenges to all players along with its own exclusive scenario about the legendary civilization vanished over the Chaotic Frontier.

New collectible armor sets with unique stats and more!
- The exclusive collectible armor sets and unique accessory items that can be found throughout the realms are lying in wait for the adventurous warriors, who are brave enough to come for them!

New monsters and boss creatures
- These exhilarating realms are populated by tough mutated creatures that require teamwork and skill to take down, each one providing a strong challenge to any seasoned warrior.

Meanwhile, the game client has been recently updated to support multi-language game scripts including German, French, Spanish, and Portuguese. Players are now able to choose their preferred languages before entering the game. This feature will facilitate a better gaming experience for those connecting from non-English speaking countries.

“We are pleased to be able to set out our exciting new expansion plans for Archlord. We have put a great amount of efforts to provide gamers a better gaming experience by committing to provide frequent updates. We look forward launching this free expansion to our players. Furthermore, we’re planning on implementing a new game client that supports multi-language options such which will bring the internationally competitiveness that we have been trying to achieve.” said Chang Keun Kim, the chief executive officer of WEBZEN.

Details on the update and the game are available at Archlord.webzen.com.

EA SPORTS UNVEILS FREE DOWNLOADABLE FOOTBALL GAME FOR PC

Football Fans Will Shape EA SPORTS FIFA Online Content During Development Process

GUILDFORD, UK., – 29th January 2010 – Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS) announced today development of a free-to-play*, downloadable game called EA SPORTS™ FIFA Online that will make its most popular and highest rated^ videogame franchise available to football fans with a broadband internet connection and an average spec laptop computer or desk-top personal computer. The free-to-play EA SPORTS FIFA videogame will call on football fans and gamers to help shape features during closed beta testing prior to its English language European open beta release in June 2010.

“Listening to and engaging football fans has been one of the driving forces behind the success of our FIFA franchise and now we are inviting European football fans–in mass numbers and earlier than we ever have before–to help us develop a new football game,” said Executive Producer Kaz Makita. “Fans will determine the features that matter most, and at the end of this process, our goal is to deliver a game for fans looking for a quick football fix at home or at work.”

“There are a large number of football fans who do not want a console gaming experience due to time and other priorities in their personal lives but they still want to be able to play a top-quality football videogame,” explained Makita. “FIFA Online will be designed specifically for them.”

Beginning February 3, football fans across Europe are invited to register to participate in the closed beta development and testing of FIFA Online by visiting http://fifa-online.easports.com. More than 20,000 fans will be involved in the first phase of closed beta testing and then, during open beta in June, hundreds of thousands of fans will test the game, providing feedback directly to the game’s developers through exclusive discussion forums.

EA SPORTS FIFA Online will be released around the world in stages. The English language version will be available to all football fans in June, 2010. Over the next 12 to 24 months FIFA Online will launch in other languages across Europe and then in North America. Non-English speaking football fans will also be able to participate in the development process of these games.

EA SPORTS FIFA Online will offer an authentic football experience with 30 licensed leagues, 500 clubs and more than 15,000 players. During the first closed beta stage beginning February 3, the game will feature a 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa tournament mode and a control system that uses the mouse only. At the second stage of closed beta, the game will feature a League Mode that enables fans to manage and compete as their favorite football club, and the ability to play online matches. FIFA Online will enable football fans and gamers to build their favorite club into their dream team by developing or acquiring players, upgrading skills, and getting unique apparel by earning in-game currency to acquire items or through micro-transactions. Additional content will be designed for the game based on feedback by fans.

Register to play at http://fifa-online.easports.com.

GameHi Announces New Water Combat with Shark Tail

Highly Anticipated Water World Now Available to Sudden Attack Players

January 29, 2010 - Los Angeles, CA – GameHi, Inc., the U.S. division of the blockbuster online games maker from Korea, GameHi Co., Ltd, announces Shark Tail, the highly anticipated new water world in Sudden Attack, their No. 1 free-to-play first person shooter (FPS).

A combination of elements including fast and fun casual gameplay, Shark Tail offers Sudden Attack players the opportunity to experience strategic battle in the water. With a plethora of hideaway points, this new map makes knowledge of its landscape vital to the player’s success. Providing intense tactical battle, the in-water combat requires players to rise regularly for oxygen once they’ve dived into the water, all the while keeping their opponents in check. This new map also involves mid-range and long-range sniping, as well as sound play – the ability to detect where the enemy is in the water from subtle sound clues.

With ongoing updates for new maps and firearms Sudden Attack offers a variety of features to provide both novice and core gamers continuous gameplay options. Community inclined it supports several chatting modes, macros and firm clan system, as well as Explosion and Elimination game modes. Quick entry allows users to install in under three minutes and join games without having to wait for a new start. Even new FPS fans can easily adopt in the game with simple rules and easy controls. Additionally, players can earn in-game points for game currency or purchase upgrades through real world cash.

Players can register, download the game, and play for free by visiting http://suddenattack.gamehi.com/.

Karos Online: Paladin class announced

Seoul, Korea – Friday, January 22nd 2010 – News from NHN Corporation today about the update that Karos Online players have been waiting for: the Paladin is coming to Asmara! The Karos Online forums have been buzzing for weeks about the arrival of the next character class, and NHN has now confirmed that the Paladin will be part of next week’s game update along with a host of bug fixes and improvements to the free-to-play fantasy MMORPG. Karos Online is currently in open beta, and available to download and play now at www.karosgame.com.

Paladins are a female class of Humans with natural toughness and resilience, which makes them strong defenders in close combat. They are formidable warriors, able to wear their opponents down with melee damage while providing healing and protection to allies. As with other classes in Karos Online, a Paladin can specialise into different careers at level 15: she can rally her group with protective buffs as a Defender, or become a Holy Knight radiating powerful defensive auras.

The Paladin joins the previously announced classes of Blader (two-handed melee attacks), Rogue (dual-wielded attacks), Bowmistress (ranged missile attacks), Mystic (ranged magical attacks) and Sorceress (magical attacks and debuffs). More details and features will be unveiled as Karos Online draws closer to commercial launch.

Karos Online - Stunning 3D Action Fantasy MMORPG

Karos Online (http://www.karosgame.com) is a brand new free-to-play fantasy MMORPG developed by Galaxy Gate (lead developers of Laghaim and Last Chaos), to be published in Europe and North America by NHN Corporation. The English version is currently in open beta, with a German version to follow in 2010.

In Karos Online, players take the role of a hero determined to defeat the curse of darkness falling over the world of Asmara and ascend to ultimate glory by becoming the mythical Karos warrior. Through questing, guild clashes and mass PvP, they enter the fight for domination over the world’s vital energy source, Fletta. Fletta provides the basis for the game’s unique and complex alternate progression system; alongside traditional leveling within the game, Fletta energy can be used to increase stats, give buffs, buy resources and enchant items.

With a strong RPG component, wide range of class skills and fantastic visual combat effects, Karos Online offers a rich player experience and an exciting end-game for guilds, including castle sieges and resource control points. There are a variety of dynamic dungeons to explore, with shifting paths and surprises to challenge players as they progress in level. The economy is well-developed, with mining, fishing and crafting elements, and a consignment system for storage.

Karos Online offers rare graphical quality for its small client size, has low minimum requirements, and will be accessible to a vast range of computers. Videos demonstrating graphics and gameplay are now available on the official website at www.karosgame.com, and more features will be revealed as the beta test continues.

Karos Online features

• Breathtaking 3D graphics and combat action effects
• 5 different races and 9 original classes, evolving into 36 different specialized classes
• Dynamic, evolving dungeons with shifting paths and surprises
• Guild wars, territory control and large-scale castle siege battles
• Alternate Fletta level progression system
• Elaborate mining, fishing and crafting system
• Small client size and low minimum PC requirements
• Keyboard and mouse control both available

Tournament-Based MMO Set To Launch First Closed Beta

Seattle, Washington, January 14th, 2010 - Playenvy.com, a service provided by Nvinium Games, Inc., has announced closed beta testing (phase 1) will be held for its tournament-based MMO ‘Dungeon Bandits’ January 22-24. This first beta test of the game will focus on server stability and offer a glimpse at the intense tournament style game play that is hosted within a fun and challenging dungeon environment.

Dungeon Bandits, servicing North America and Australia, features a multitude of highly detailed 3D dungeon maps with a capture-the-treasure scenario that pits teams against each other, while also having them fight their way through dungeon monsters and bosses. The team that successfully thwarts off enemy attacks and brings the treasure out of the dungeon gets the victory and its spoils.

One of Dungeon Bandits’ key features is the ranking system and tournament brackets which allows players to compete head to head in daily tournaments and rewards the top players of the game with various prizes and of course bragging rights. Even players that do not enter the tournaments will still be able to have their rankings tracked and a chance at the being rewarded as an elite player.

Closed beta testing will be launched in multiple, 3 day phases to test various elements of the game. Full service of the game will launch in Mid March after all testing phases have been successfully completed. Players can apply now for access to the beta 1 test on the official Dungeon Bandits site dungeonbandits.playenvy.com. Keys will be limited so get your requests in soon.

Avalon Heroes: Open Beta phase fires up the fans

Munich, Germany, January 15, 2010

The Open Beta phase of the free-to-play online strategy game Avalon Heroes is in full swing, and the gamers are thrilled. As of January 12, all players registered at www.alaplaya.net can throw themselves into breathtaking battles for approximately ten days.

Ambitious testers who secured a copy of the client at www.avalonheroes.alaplaya.net or one of the partnering websites receive a multitude of new contents and features. Six new heroes, the battle mode map “Swamp of the Immortal”, and the third gripping chapter on the side of Oriens and Aeonia in the fantastic scenario mode are now available in the fantasy world.

Moreover, games publisher burda:ic and the Electronic Sports League are going one step further: As soon as January 19, Avalon Heroes will be supported by the ESL, and players get to battle for great prizes in the “ESL Avalon Heroes 2on2 Open Beta Cup”.

For more information, please visit the official teaser website www.avalonheroes.alaplaya.net.

Nexon America opens new Web site for MapleStory themed online card game, iTGC Online

Nexon America launched a revamped Web site for its MapleStory-themed online game, iTGC Online. The updated site contains game information, updates, news, game guides and an introduction video. To access the iTGC Online site go to: http://itcg.nexon.net

iTCG Online is Nexon America’s first free-to-play browser-based game requiring no download. Details of the game’s second beta phase will be announced soon. iTCG Online game play is based on the characters and monsters found in Nexon’s wildly popular massively multiplayer online game, MapleStory.

iTCG Online has also opened a fan page in Facebook where players can connect, view game art and share details of the game with friends. The Facebook page is available now at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/iTCG/248518243426