Free PC Gaming Blog

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.

It seems like all of the free to play MMOs continue to expand infrastructure to keep up with demand… What can I say, it must be all of traffic coming from this blog!

Aeria Games Announces the Addition of a New Server for Last Chaos

California, U.S.A. (November 12, 2007) – Aeria Games will launch a new server for Last Chaos starting on the week of November 19th. Several exciting promotions will be available for new players as well as current players and these include a limited item giveaway event and a variety of in-game contests.
In the world of Last Chaos, the mortal races fight for power and conquest of Iris. In a land of shifting alliances, bloody betrayals and insatiable ambitions, players have full control of their destiny; every action and decision is meaningful and important. Fate rests on their shoulders and they determine the evolution of Last Chaos’s story through brutal warfare, brilliant strategy and building trusted alliances.

By accomplishing missions, learning crafting skills, rearing helpful pets and experiencing adventures in the huge and unknown world, players acquire the bravery, intelligence and strength to become the true ruler of Last Chaos.

For more information regarding Last Chaos, please visit: http://lastchaos.aeriagames.com

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.

RF Online is expanding it’s capacity to allow for the growing audience getting in on the free to play MMORPG:

RF Online Opens New World as Demand Reaches Unprecedented Levels!

Unprecedented demand sees Codemasters Online open another new world due to huge popularity for this free-to-play MMORPG.

Thursday, 8th November (2pm GMT) – Codemasters Online are thrilled to announce the opening of another new world for their hugely popular 100% free MMORPG RF Online. The new world known as “Solus” will open its gates as a surge of new players join the RF Online service.

Since the switch to free to play two weeks ago, RF Online has achieved unprecedented levels of success as players come from far and wide to declare their allegiance and battle it out for control of Novus.

“To open our 2nd new world in the space of two weeks is a tremendous success and testament to the ever increasing player base and their loyalty to the game. The current demand for RF Online is far exceeding our own expectations and the active player base continues to increase week upon week.” commented Adam McGowan, Global Product Marketing Manager, Codemasters Online.”

Following the opening of “Solus”, Codemasters Online are now preparing for the games next free update due to launch in the coming months currently named “Planet Wars”. This completely free expansion will see players take to the skies in fast paced action space combat as they pilot their ships through space and venture to all new planets and systems.

RF Online, the completely free MMORPG is an epic mix of traditional fantasy and futuristic Sci-Fi set in the deep space galaxy of Novus where three races compete in an ultimate struggle for power and resource.

To download RF Online now visit www.rf-onlinegame.com

Now that the Halloween event’s are over in the world of free to play MMOs, it’s time to look to our next big holiday Thanksgiving. Voyage Century Online, described as a free to play strategy, trade and role play 3D Nautical MMO game set in the 17th century, has announced an event to celebrate the Thanksgiving season:

Voyage Century: Happy Moments Commemoration

Thanksgiving Day is coming. Voyage Century Online (http://vc.igg.com) will hold a “Remember the Happy Moments” activity in the forum for players to remember their joyful time during the Thanksgiving Holiday.

Event Duration: Nov 6th – Nov 21st
Event Venue: The Event Zone of the VCO Forum
Event Contents: Players can send pictures with their best wishes and hopes to people they care about the most.
Rewards Information:
1. Participation Rewards: 1 Gift Brochure
2. Lucky Rewards: 1 Diamond Safe
Every participant will obtain a reward; in addition, two players will be selected as the lucky players from each page and gain extra rewards.

To get more details, please visit the official website: http://vc.igg.com/content.php?news_id=706

Ok, ok, so they call it Street Football, but being the American that I am… a completely different picture comes to mind when I hear "Street Football!"

Anyway, the game’s now open to all. Here’s the press release:

Kicks Online Goes Commercial

Gametribe.com launches free to play Kicks Online

After a convincing Beta Test phase Gametribe.com is proud to announce the commercial launch of Kicks Online, a free to play street football game. Kicks Online offers street football gameplay at its finest and is the first of a range of free to play titles to become available through the online gaming portal.

A wide offer of items is now available for players at the Kicks Online shop, where they can buy whatever they desire to customize their character’s look and skills. From a new t-shirt to a new pair of sunglasses, players will be able to purchase using Kash (the Gametribe virtual money) or from using experience points gained in game.

In order to use Kash players simply need to login to GameTribe.com and recharge their account using their preferred payment method between credit card and/or Paypal within the secured payment system developed by Gametribe.

Gametribe.com,
www.gametribe.com
Time to Play!

About Kicks Online
Kicks Online is a free-to-play football MMO (massively multi-player online) developed by Entermate, one of the emerging brands in the Korean online games industry. The game was launched in the Korean market in July 2006 and now has more than 300,000 registered users.

Kicks Online adopts street football modes and rules. Only through the use of different tactics and strong teamwork can players expect to win.

Matches can be played in three, four or five-player mode on unconventional pitches such as roofs, streets and factories. Kicks Online features cartoon style 3D scenes and outstanding render action.

For further information, please visit the KICKS section on www.gametribe.com

About Gametribe.com, MMO portal of GameMediaNetworks.
Game Media Networks was created to gather and develop the digital entertainment production activities destined to television, Internet and mobile platforms.

For further information, please visit the company website www.gamemedianetworks.com

Gametribe is an innovative European MMOG Portal where you are be able to explore a whole new world of online entertainment and engage in building up an amazing community!

Sign up to check out Dream Of Mirror Online (DOMO) for free in the MMO’s closed beta program:

Aeria Games Announces the Closed Beta for DOMO to Start on 11/12/2007

California, U.S.A. (November 5, 2007) – DOMO will be launched by Aeria Games for a Closed Beta test in North America starting on the week of November 12th.

DOMO is a social massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) themed around the ancient Oriental myth of the Kunlun Mirror. Players enter an anime-inspired world to socialize and form friendships, learn crafting skills and level up, all within the quest of trying to solve the riddle of the ancient myth.

“We are thrilled at the opportunities that DOMO offers,” said JT Nguyen, Chief Marketing Officer, “In the realm of massive online games, DOMO stands out as unique. We’re excited and can’t wait to show our players the new experiences that await them.”
DOMO offers players rich interactive features, a robust crafting system, extensive quests, and many fun skills. Other features include:

*Extensive Customization – Players can choose from a wide variety of hairstyles, costumes, and features for each character, allowing each player to show his or her uniqueness.
*Robust Crafting System – Players can choose from 6 skills – meditation, mining, animal breeding, farming and forestry.
*Rich Social Features – DOMO promotes interactions among players. Players have special bonds with others, such as master/disciple, lovers and friends.
*Realistic Pet System – Players have the ability to nurture and earn the loyalty of various pets. Loyal pets can help their masters in battle and life; disgruntled ones can quickly desert their owners.

Players are encouraged to sign up for early access to Closed Beta on the DOMO website at: http://DOMO.AeriaGames.com

Metin2’s latest patch released yesterday includes new character models, class balances and tweaks, and hardware upgrades to accommodate a growing user base. Also, there have been numerous updated for in game couples.

Here’s the press release:

Metin2’s Latest Update Includes New Character Classes, a Vastly Increased Server Capacity, and Items Designed for Couples

Toronto, Ontario/Canada - October 30, 2007 - Metin2’s long-awaited patch includes new character models for male Assassins/Mages and for female Warriors/Suras. In order to accommodate an increased player base, Metin2 has also doubled their server capacity by introducing new channels for users to play on. As a part of Metin2’s marketing strategy, new products and services have been phased-in to allow paying users to receive value-added benefits that enhance their gaming experience.

*Metin2 trailer: http://www.metin2.us/trailers.html

After extensive testing and review, the latest patch from Metin2 is now available for public download and use. The major features included in this patch reflect the wishes of players which were gathered from discussion on Metin2’s Development Forums. Players will now be able to select male and female models for all available classes. In addition to this, we have re-balanced the classes to improve game-play both in ‘Player vs. Player’ and ‘Player vs. Monster’ environments.

Less popular classes that were not well suited to solo adventuring have been tweaked to allow greater flexibility when fighting enemies alone or in groups. Every class may now stand on its own and will also provide unique party-based benefits that will encourage players to band together in their battling through the challenges Metin2 has to offer.

The existing server infrastructure has been upgraded to meet the demands of an increasing player population. With these updates Metin2 has added 2 new channels (CH 3 & CH 4) that feature more monsters, maps, and combat zones. Players will now be able to communicate freely between channels, thus improving trade and social activities for all players of Metin2.

The ‘Item Mall’ section of Metin2 that allows paying users to receive special in-game bonuses has been revamped. After reviewing user buying habits, G4Box has introduced classic items at a discounted rate as well as introducing new items that required this latest patch to be effective. Player marriages have become popular due to the game-related extras available to them. A ‘Couples Shop’ has been implemented to allow paying users to enhance their gaming experience when playing together with their spouses. Wedding Rings allow couples to teleport to each other, Harmony Necklaces fortify health and defense, while Love Bracelets increase experience gained when playing together.

"New character content and changes to our server hardware will allow even more players from around the world to enjoy North America’s premiere free-to-play MMORPG," said Howard He, CEO of G4Box Inc. "This release is just the tip of the iceberg, as it showcases the lengths to which our company will go to provide continuous service and improvement in order to meet the needs of our players."

For additional information regarding Metin2’s patch notes, game information, or downloads, contact Howard He or visit www.metin2.us.