Free PC Gaming Blog

Darkeden is now out of beta and available for all to sign up and play:

Joymax Announces Darkeden And Daden Market Launch

SAN JOSE, CA - February 12, 2008 - Joymax, an independent developer of interactive entertainment for the global market, has launched their vampire-themed massively multiplayer online role-playing game, Darkeden. Previously only available in an open beta test, Darkeden is now available for everyone to play for free. Players can log in today and slay vampires, fight humans, or crush ousters! Players can also retreat to the new Daden Market where they can purchase Coins and spend them on Premium Service for access to new areas, rare items, weapons, armor, pets, armor and more.

About Darkeden
A free-to-play MMORPG, Darkeden invites players into a bleak near-future environment and a brutal conflict between three distinct races-vampires, slayers, and ousters. Featuring hand-rendered graphics and an isometric 2D view, Darkeden is easy for novices to learn, yet includes a broad variety of features and character-building options for hardcore players. Darkeden contains hundreds of potential skills and two distinct systems of character advancement, and is available to download and play free of charge.

Darkeden is available for download at http://www.darkedenonline.net/.

About Joymax
Since its establishment in April 1997, Joymax has been developing quality games for the rapidly-growing interactive entertainment market. Based in Seoul, Korea, the company has published numerous titles for the PC platform, and its first MMORPG, Silkroad Online, has grown to offer service to over 200 countries since its 2004 launch. Joymax is a global entertainment company providing multimedia content. For more information, please visit http://www.joymax.co.kr/eng/.

Being an Eagles fan myself, I’m not all that into "the big game" this weekend. I thought it was cool though that the free to play MMO Rumble Fighter is going to offer up jerseys, helmets, and cheerleaders in New York Giants or New England Patriots themes.

Check out the press release:

OGPlanet Gears Up for the Big Game

New Football-related Items Announced Exclusively for North American Rumble Fighters Players

El Segundo, Calif.- Jan. 31, 2008- In honor of The Big Game on Feb. 3, OGPlanet today announced all new football-related in-game items and events for Rumble Fighter, its massively multiplayer online fighting game.

Beginning Jan. 31, Rumble Fighter players will be able to support their favorite team with in-game jerseys for the big game! Football helmets and a perky cheerleading uniform will also be available. While Rumble Fighter is an international game, these limited-edition football items are being created exclusively for the North American market.

"These football-related items are a fun way to tailor Rumble Fighter specifically to our North American players," said Sean Mackay, marketing manager for OGPlanet. "With the broad multi-national player base this game enjoys, it’s important for us to make sure our players get an individualized gaming experience."

Nimonix, the Korean developer of Rumble Fighter, has made a commitment to providing specialized content in the North American region and these items are a first of many to come specifically for the U.S. in 2008.

About Rumble Fighter
Launched in 2007 Rumble Fighter has grown its user base to over 100,000. Rumble Fighter is a free to download, free to play fighting game. Up to 8 players simultaneously battle it out online in furious melee action. Featuring an advanced combo attack skill system with multitudes of real fighting styles to choose from, Rumble Fighter allows players to build the fighter they’ve always wanted to be.

About OGPlanet
Based in El Segundo, California, OGPlanet is a leading publisher in North American of free to play and downloadable games. OGPlanet offers microtransactions as a revune source. Founded in 2005 by Sangchul Park, President. For more information, visit www.ogplanet.com.

It looks like one of my favorite online free game publishers are going to be releasing a new free to play fantasy MMO this summer:

Nexon America Unveils the Highly-Anticipated Fantasy Role-Playing Game, Mabinogi

Exclusive Closed Beta to Launch January 30

January 16, 2008 – Los Angeles, CA – Nexon America Inc., the U.S. division of Asia’s leading online entertainment company Nexon Group, announced today the launch of Mabinogi, its free-to-play, massively multiplayer online role playing game (MMORPG). Slated for release later this summer, users can get a taste for this thrilling fantasy by taking part in the closed beta service scheduled to launch January 30.

Mabinogi offers a robust, online universe where people can experience all facets of fantasy life from fighting to harvesting. The game’s radiant 3-D graphics are infused with an art style based in Celtic and Welsh mythology, which also gives Mabinogi its name and foundation. Mabinogi provides a new experience with its variety of gameplay, unique combat system, and orderly time element and age component, to provide additional depth to Nexon’s latest free-to-play offering. In addition to traditional MMO features—challenging adventures, exciting group quests and a plethora of fearsome monsters—Mabinogi offers a much fuller “life” for its players. Players can increase experience by taking jobs, such as cooking, shearing sheep or other farming duties. The game’s unique music program allows users to write and share music in MIDI formatted files. Players even have the option of getting married, so don’t be surprised if married life leads to some cooking and dungeon raiding whenever the urge strikes the two of you!

“Playing Mabinogi is about more than just fighting and normal MMO fare,” said John H. Chi, president and CEO of North America. “This is a chance for gamers to live a fantasy life in a place where communities build mutual beliefs of family, friendship and hard work.”

The upcoming closed beta test will allow users to tap into a world that has already birthed a civilization of fans in Asia. It will offer players an opportunity to discover enthralling characters in a beautiful 3-D, cell-shaded art style, featuring anime-type characters and gruesome monsters.

Mabinogi’s traditional mouse and keyboard functions unite with its distinctive combat, and anthology of game-play styles, that should excite the most hardcore gamers. Players will also quickly discover Mabinogi requires more finesse and strategy during combat than just pushing a few buttons and haphazardly attacking everything in sight. The unique fighting system adds another degree of complexity. Characters develop skills in three categories—Life, Combat and Magic—so users can not only gain experience by fighting a giant spider but also by cooking dinner and learning a new spell. Players acquire Ability Points as they gain experience in the game to help show progression. This gives players more freedom to play Mabinogi however they choose.

Additionally, Mabinogi’s time is standardized and as users play longer they are awarded different “daily” bonuses as incentives to play on a regular basis. Plus, avatars age on a weekly basis and get taller as they get older (up to 21). Avatars gain ability points up to the age of 25 as well. Plus, players will see their avatars’ diet affect appearance. Mabinogi also features a long-term storyline that is revealed over a series of generations and weaves its way throughout the game. Using these unique features, as well as the heavy socialization aspect present in all of Nexon’s games, gives Mabinogi a unique placement in the world of MMOs. And like Nexon’s previous offerings, the game is free to play.

The closed beta will last just a short time. Interested players can learn more at mabinogi.nexon.net.

About Nexon America Inc.
Nexon America Inc. is the North American publishing arm of Nexon Group, a pioneer of interactive entertainment software and the world’s leader in massively multiplayer online games. Based in Los Angeles, Nexon America was founded in 2005 to bring the best of online entertainment to the North American audience. The company’s growing library of titles includes the world famous franchise MapleStory, the online multiplayer dance game, Audition and the new racing sensation KartRider. The foundation of all Nexon America titles is the Item Selling business model, in which users access the full game for free and can later opt to pay for game enhancements.

Two of the Free to Play OGPlanet Games Albatross18 and Rumble Fighter have announced new events and in game items available to start off the new year…

OGPlanet Rings in 2008 with Contests, New Items

El Segundo, Calif.- Jan. 10, 2008- OGPlanet, an innovative provider of multiplayer online games, today announced two events and a number of new in-game items for Albatross18 and Rumble Fighter, two of its popular massively-multiplayer online games.

Beginning Jan. 12, Albatross18 players will compete for prizes in the Birdie Marathon 500. For one week, OGPlanet will keep track of the numbers of birdies hit in the golf role-playing game. At the end of the Birdie Marathon 500, players will be rewarded with in-game items according to the number of birdies they’ve hit. Prizes will include Mulligan Roses (redeemable for a free second chance if a swing doesn’t go well in a tournament), Power Boosts (used to increase distance by 10 yards for one swing), and Pang Mastery potions.

The Play Hard Get More event in Rumble Fighter will reward players who play a total of more than seven hours between Jan. 10 and Jan. 16 with a +200 Turtle Shell, which will protect them from rear attacks for 200 hits. Prizes will be awarded on Jan. 17.

New items abound this month in both Albatross18 and Rumble Fighter. Albatross18 players will have access to SWAT-like Tactical Gear for Max, cozy Knit Sweaters for Arin, and a Crimson Ring that increases distance by 4 yards. In Rumble Fighter, new in-game items this month include a Martial Arts ExoCore, Silver Earrings, Rocker and Corset Tops, Hardvard Schoolgirl Skirts and Bigger Afro, a huge new hairstyle.

About Albatross18

Albatross18 incorporates fantasy role-playing game elements to bring an entirely new spin to the timeless game of golf. This massively multiplayer online game is set in the magical kingdom of Pangya, and features colorful costumes, unique clubs, memorable characters and a multitude of special shots and courses.

About Rumble Fighter

One of the most unique fighting games around, Rumble Fighter allows up to 8 players to battle it out online in simultaneous melee action. Featuring an advanced combo attack skill system with multitudes of real fighting styles to choose from, Rumble Fighter allows players to build the fighter they’ve always wanted to be.

About OGPlanet

Based in El Segundo, California, OGPlanet focuses on bringing popular multiplayer PC games to U.S. gamers. Built on an innovative business model, our games allow anyone to play for free, but offer the opportunity to enhance their experience by purchasing game pieces, clothing, and accessories. These "Virtual Economy Games" have already attracted tens of millions of players in Asia and are building a large audience in the U.S. Co-founded by Jack Liu, Chief Creative Officer, and Sangchul Park, President, the company is funded by a team of experienced gaming and digital media executives. For more information, visit www.ogplanet.com.

A nice advantage MMOs have is the ability to generate seasonal and special event content. Many of the free to play MMOs are getting into the holiday spirit with holiday updates and events. Below is a list (in no specific order) with links off to the announcements. Enjoy and have a Merry Christmas!!!

• Dragon Raja
• Silkroad Online
• Metin 2
• Albatross18
• Rumble Fighter
• KartRider
• MapleStory
• Audition
• Trickster Online Revolution
• Angels Online
• Darkden
• Anarchy Online
• Bots
• 2Moons
• Corum Online
• Fishing Champ
• FreeStyle Street Basketball
• Global MU Online
• Gun Bound
• KAL Online
• Knight Online World
• Last Chaos
• Myth War
• Pirate King Online
• Xiah

Fury is an MMO built on the Unreal 3 engine that claims to have combat at the pace of an FPS with the strategic depth of an RPG. As one more holiday present to us free-loving PC gamers… with the update to be published on December 14th, it will now free to download and free to play!

See the full details in the press release below:

Free Play Option For FURY Coming December 14

"Age of the Chosen" Update to Bring Major Changes

Cockpit, Austin, TX - December 11, 2007 – Gamecock Media Group and Auran Games today announced a new Free to Download, Free to Play option for their fast paced arena combat game FURY. The new business model will begin with the release of the first major free content update “Age of the Chosen” on December 14, 2007.

“FURY was built around giving players options that suit their play style and their wallet,” said Tony Hilliam, CEO of Auran. “With the AotC update, we are introducing a new player category called “Chosen”. As one of the Chosen, players can access all game types, equip all weapons and unlock all 400 abilities – and they can play as much as they like absolutely free. This is a fantastic opportunity for players to jump into battle with their mates and discover the frenetic pace of the fastest RPG combat ever. Chosen will earn less gold and essence, and will not be able to trade with other players.”

“Chosen players can purchase game gold from the FURY store or upgrade to “Hero” status to earn more Essence and Gold. Retail stores sell the “Hero” status pack, along with a free month of “Immortal” status, so this is $30 value for the new price of $19.99 (in US stores). As a Hero or Immortal players can unlock abilities faster and purchase better gear, but the matchmaker then ensures they are playing against other players of similar skill and rank.”

FURY: Age of the Chosen is a massive free content update that introduces two new game types aimed at the new player. “Carnage” throws two teams into battle with the aim of returning blood tokens to their base faster than their opposition. Blood tokens are gained from killing bots, not other players, so the action is indirect competition rather than head to head. The 1v1 Elimination game type means games will spawn faster and matches are more evenly balanced.

For more on FURY, visit www.unleashthefury.com. Also, be sure and visit http://www.unleashthefury.com/ageofthechosen/ for information on the Age of the Chosen update and new business model.

About Auran
Established in 1995, Auran is one of Australia’s largest and most respected game developers. Boasting an 80 strong international development team, Auran is currently working on three titles; the world leading Trainz Railroad Simulator, now in its 6th Edition with more than 1 million copies sold; BattleStar Galactica for XBLA; and Fury, the innovative PvP MMO game that is set to revolutionize the world of competitive online gaming.

About Gamecock Media Group
Based in Austin, Texas, Gamecock Media Group offers a welcome solution to the bloated and originality-starved video game industry. A well-funded, independent, artist-driven company, Gamecock favors the most innovative and original video game developers in the industry. Publishing games for all platforms, Gamecock offers its developers a high degree of participation, freedom and financial incentives, allowing them to perform and create to their utmost ability. For more, please visit www.gamecockmedia.com.

Dungeon Runners has release the latest update entitled "Chunk 2" for the free to play satirical MMO. A big part of this update is new in-game advertising. This benefits non-paying free accounts! Content and functionality that was previously only available to paying players will now be open to all. The only difference is that there will be advertising in loading screens and a banner positioned at the top of the game window. This advertising will offset the costs to play.

I LOVE this model! It gives us the choice… let the advertisers pay for us to play in exchange for ad impressions or put up the cash ourselves. It keeps the game free, the developers get the money that they deserve and we all are happy gamers!

Here’s the press release:

NCsoft Launches Chunk 2, Adding Advertising, New Content To Dungeon Runners Game

Tuesday 11th December/… BRIGHTON, 5th December, 2007 – NCsoft® Europe today announced the release of Chunk 2, the second content update for its successful free-to-download and play game, Dungeon Runners™.

This update includes in-game advertising in non-member worlds, more bank space for members, item trading, increased access to prime loot, and overall Player versus Environment (PvE) and Player versus Player (PvP) balance refinements.

Dungeon Runners is a free to download and play online multiplayer role playing game in a satirical, fast-paced sword-and-shield setting, where defeating monsters and evil enemy’s results in piles of loot, treasure, and non-stop fun.

The hallmark of Chunk 2 is in-game advertising which will help fund future development of the massively multiplayer online game (MMOG) and keep it free for players. The in-game advertising will be visible to non-members in loading screens and in a banner that sits on top of the game window during play. Dungeon Runners members, who can subscribe to the game for only $4.99 per month (equivalent to approximately £2.50), will not see any of the advertising.

Advertising in Dungeon Runners will open up new content and functionality for all players. Non-member players will gain access to new content previously unavailable to them, including dungeons and valuable items. Also, non-members will now have access to one page of bank slots, enabling them to store more items. Members will increase their bank storage space from one to three pages.

Also, by popular demand, a secure trade system has been added to Dungeon Runners. This new feature allows everyone to easily trade items (with the exception of gold) with other players through a simple interface.

“Chunk 2 unlocks an enormous amount of playable content for non-members that they didn’t have access to before thanks to the addition of in-game advertising,” said Stephen Nichols, NCsoft’s producer and lead programmer for Dungeon Runners. “Our non-member players are very happy they can now use what was previously members-only loot, and our members are really excited about receiving additional bank slots to hold their items. These changes, plus our new secure trade system, make this update a win-win for everyone!”

Further enhancements include increased rare item drops and stackable potions for members and non-members alike, which lead to more success in this hack–and-slash game.

Dungeon Runners can be downloaded for free at http://www.dungeonrunners.com/join.html. Players can play for free or subscribe to the members version at any point for $4.99 a month. Members have access to such benefits as log-in queue priority, members-only servers, and the most powerful items, weapons and armor. Membership status also includes three bank pages for hundreds of loot items and the ability to stack potions in one inventory slot to save room for even more loot.

To find out more please visit the Dungeon Runners web site at: www.dungeonrunners.com.

The game is rated Teen by the Entertainment Software Rating Board.

Coming on December 18th, the latest update to Silkroad Online entitled Legend II - Fortress Wars will be launched. The update will allow massive 300 player guild war battles to take place giving the winner the right to fix the tax rate and levy taxes.

Here’s the press release:

Legend II - Fortress Wars Update Invades Silkroad Online

Epic 300-Player Battles to be Waged in Joymax’s Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game

SAN JOSE, CA - December 11, 2007 - Joymax, an independent developer of interactive entertainment for the global market, has announced that a new chapter in the Silkroad Online saga will be available as a free download on December 18th, 2007. The update, entitled Legend II - Fortress Wars, will give players the capability to test their mettle in massive weekly battles, fighting for dominance of the many cities lining the historic Silk Road.

Guild vs. guild combat for up to 300 players will occur every Friday, and will combine real-time strategy elements, like building defensive structures and commanding NPC troops, with fast-paced MMO combat, leaving the victors in control of a city’s taxes and financial gains for an entire week. Guilds that enter the fray will have access to mighty siege engines, formidable guard towers, and fearsome monsters to aid them in battle.

"With Legend II - Fortress Wars, players of Silkroad Online will be reminded what we mean by ‘massively multiplayer,’" said June K. Son, General Manager of Joymax. "This game has always offered players an open-ended means to forge their own destiny. Now, by allowing them to seize and control cities, we’re letting them change the course of the entire world."

More information on Legend II - Fortress Wars can be read at the official website, at http://www.silkroadonline.net/teaser/fortress_update/index.asp.

About Silkroad Online
Silkroad Online is a massively multiplayer online RPG that puts the player deep into ancient Chinese and European civilizations along the historic Silk Road trade route.. Traveling across Jang’an, China to Constantinople, players can make their fortunes as merchants, prey on the rich as thieves, or be protection-for-hire as hunters. Silkroad Online is free to play, and offers the unique chance for players to develop their characters free of restrictions or fixed paths.

More information about Silkroad Online is available at http://www.silkroadonline.net.

K2 Networks collection of free to play MMOs are going to have special Thanksgiving day events:

GOBBLE UP THE REWARDS WITH K2 NETWORK’S THANKSGIVING EVENTS

Celebrate turkey day with your favorite K2 Network game!

IRVINE, Calif. – (November 20, 2007) – K2 Network, Inc. (www.GamersFirst.net), an online game publisher is celebrating the Thanksgiving holiday with special events and prizes in all of its games. There is something for everyone from War Rock’s “Winter Gun Giveaway” and Knight Online’s “Cursed Gobble Event” to Red Stone’s “Rescue the Pilgrims” and Global MU’s “turkey shoot”. And as if that weren’t enough, don’t forget to check out Sword of the New World: Granado Espada’s 1.5 Experience extravaganza!

All of K2 Network’s games can be found at www.GamersFirst.net

War Rock
Celebrate the holiday with the War Rock Winter Gun Giveaway. With every purchase made through the web store, players will receive a free promo code that can be applied to their account for a random unreleased weapon. These weapons can only be obtained via this promotion! For the official rules and start time of this event, please visit www.warrock.net.

Knight Online
Back by popular demand, the Cursed Gobble will be attacking the Knight Online towns in-game! Log in starting November 20th to help defeat these winged beasts that will be spawning outside of the main towns. GMs will also be running events throughout the holiday weekend and there will also be a fun event running in the Official Knight Online forums. Happy Thanksgiving!

Red Stone
Rescue the Pilgrims! – Throughout the day, GM’s will be controlling characters in game and acting as “Pilgrims” who have been taken captive by monsters and are being held in dangerous dungeons. This event will be run via in-game notices and GM controlled players. These GM controlled characters will need to be rescued by players and safely escorted out of the dungeon. Players who successfully escort the GM controlled player character will receive special prizes including an increase in their level by 1!

In addition, it is Harvest Festival time! – Thanksgiving is celebrated as a time of bounty. During this time period players will be 3 times as likely to get rare items! Harvest Festival will be celebrated until Sunday evening.

Global MU
Celebrate Thanksgiving and Hunting Season ALL at once with the Global MU Thanksgiving [MM] Event: turkey shoot! Running daily now through Thursday, November 22, a server announcement will be made that a [MM]turkey is out to be hunted. It is randomly timed, during the day or night, so gamers will have to be on the lookout! No specific location hints will be given so players will have to search high and low to find this hidden [MM]turkey, who can be hiding anywhere from Noria to Kanturu. Speed is essential for players will need to quickly find the [MM]turkey and "shoot" him (by taking a screenshot). Players can then submit their screenshot by posting it on the official Global MU Forum thread. The first player to do so will win 3 jewels of Bless, 3 jewels of Soul and 3 Jewels of Chaos.

K2 Network will only be awarding the prize to the FIRST player that posts the daily screenshot on the official entry thread. In addition to the big thanksgiving event, Mutizens will be treated to a 3 XP weekend from November 22 -25.

Sword of the New World Grando Espada
Sword of the New World: Granado Espada will run 1.5 experience over the Thanksgiving holiday. Players can also expect special giveaways and prizes for participating in the special Thanksgiving Events. These events will reflect the Thanksgiving Holiday in the New World. As Sword of the New World is based on a fantasy interpretation of the discovery and exploration of the New World, K2 Game Masters will be in-game providing numerous events and fun tasks for players.

About K2 Network
K2 Network publishes and services highly engaging online games and cultivates dynamic player environments. The company puts GamersFirst™ by giving them free access to compelling titles, supporting their amazing communities, offering creative pricing models and updating games based on player feedback. K2 Network currently has over 16 million registered users and offers War Rock, Knight Online, Global MU Online, Red Stone and Sword of the New World: Granado Espada. K2 Network has an operational presence in the United States, Korea, and India. Read more about the company at www.K2Network.Net and find all of their games at GamersFirst.Net.

Starting November 26th, Shaiya, a new free to play MMORPG will be launching a closed beta. You can sign up now to be one of the lucky ones to try it out first. The screen shots look pretty cool. Here are a few features they claim you will find in Shaiya:

• 1500 vs 1500 - The ultimate Realm vs. Realm combat.
• Bootleggery - Sell items to the opposing faction in the secret warehouse.
• Challenges - Sick of someone’s trash talk? Request a battle with a member of your own realm.
• Arena Fights - Enter the grand arena and take your fight to a new level.
• Goddess Blessing - Crushing the enemy doesn’t just feel good, but it helps your side.
• Guild Events - Guild vs. Guild combat, Guild vs. Monster combat, and the upcoming Willows Trial!
• Quests, Mounts, Executions, Boss Fights, Dungeons, Demons, Dragons, and more…

And here’s the press release:

Aeria Games Announces the Closed Beta for Shaiya

California, U.S.A. (November 12, 2007) – Shaiya will be launched by Aeria Games for a Closed Beta test in North America starting on the week of November 26th.

Shaiya is a fantasy Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game (MMORPG). Located on a distant planet, Shaiya puts players in the middle of an age-old blood feud between two warring factions: the Union of Fury and the Alliance of Light.
The Beta test phase gives players early access to a game with dozens of maps, hundreds of monsters, over 1,000 quests, and more than 1,000 different items, armor and weapons. This classic-style MMORPG offers players:

PvE, PvP, RvR: The best of all game worlds in one game. Slay monsters, battle friends in duels, smite opposing players in PvP, and fight for control of the continent in Realm versus Realm combat. To the winner of RvR goes the blessing of their Goddess and all the bonuses that includes!

Intriguing Content: Run bootlegs to the opposing faction and sell wares to the enemy. Go on quests that range from delivering love letters to completing a hit on an enemy. Impact your entire realm with your acts of heroism on the battlefield.
Classic RPG Elements: shining armor, dragons, elves, orcs, swords, magic, dramatic music, beautiful realms, quests, faithful steeds, and never-ending of battle of Light versus Darkness.
Players are encouraged to sign up for CB on the Shaiya website at: http://shaiya.aeriagames.com

Signup for beta requires an Aeria Games account which can be registered for free.

About Aeria Games:

Aeria Games is the dynamic gaming community where players of all backgrounds and interests can connect, share, and enjoy an unparalleled variety of Massive Multiplayer Online (MMO) games from all over the world.

Our vision is to provide the best Community Gaming Experience and Service to each and every one of our players and best of all, every game is FREE to Play! Start playing our games today by registering here for your Aeria Games account.

Founded in 2006, Aeria Games & Entertainment, Inc. is based in Silicon Valley, California.