The gaming world is set to welcome a new addition to the creature-capturing genre as “Duel Revolution,” developed by the small team at Game Matter, announces its official release. After a decade in development and a successful open beta phase, this free-to-play, 2-D MMORPG is ready to launch on March 1, across PC, iOS, and Android devices.

“Duel Revolution” offers players an expansive universe where they can explore, engage in battles, and collect creatures known as Evo. With a roster of 50 unique Evos, each with its own 12-level skill tree, the game emphasizes customization and strategic growth, allowing players to tailor their creatures’ abilities and strengths.

The game is designed to cater to a variety of gameplay styles, featuring real-time PvE missions and PvP battles. Beyond combat, “Duel Revolution” encourages players to immerse themselves in the game’s world through alliances, quests, and personalization options. This approach aims to provide a full-fledged dueling experience, emphasizing not just competition but also exploration and community.

Anticipating the needs of its players, Game Matter promises regular updates for “Duel Revolution,” including new quests, creatures, and areas to explore. A breeding system will enable players to enhance their favorite Evos, and a comprehensive crafting system will support gear production. The game also introduces dynamic day and night cycles, affecting gameplay elements such as creature appearances and quest availability.

In a surprising yet somewhat anticipated move, Nexon, has announced the closure of its ambitious multiplayer medieval war game, Warhaven. Despite a promising start and substantial efforts by the developers to refine the gameplay, the title will be shutting down on April 5th, 2024, just six months following its Steam Early Access launch.

Warhaven, which gained initial traction with its unique blend of medieval PvP warfare, had been undergoing rigorous bug fixes and gameplay balancing by the Nexon team. Despite these efforts, the game has struggled to maintain a sustainable player base, leading to its eventual downfall.

The game’s journey began with its first alpha test in 2021 and transitioned into a global early access phase in 2023. It reached an all-time high of 10,456 concurrent players on its launch day. However, these numbers steeply declined over time, with daily peaks dropping to the low hundreds – a clear sign of dwindling interest from the gaming community.

Nexon’s official statement thanked players and supporters for their dedication and love for Warhaven. The developers expressed their gratitude and sorrow, acknowledging the effort invested in creating a game that was hoped to be enjoyed over a longer period.

The Warhaven team’s statement highlighted the immediate suspension of WP charge (Warhaven’s in-game currency) and promised to provide further details about the shutdown schedule in the near future. While no specific reasons for the closure were provided, the gaming community speculates that the decision was influenced by the game’s declining player base and possibly other internal factors.

In a startling revelation, Nexon, the developers of the popular MMO game MapleStory, have been found guilty of manipulating in-game item probabilities, deceiving players for over a decade. The Korean Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) has slapped Nexon with a $9 million fine, the largest in its history, for these unfair practices.

The controversy revolves around items known as “cubes,” which players could purchase to potentially enhance their gear. These cubes, introduced in May 2010, were sold for about $1 to $2 each. Players bought these cubes in hopes of obtaining passive boosts or upgrading items to the “Legendary” rarity. However, behind the scenes, Nexon was found to be periodically reducing the odds of obtaining these desirable upgrades, without notifying players.

The KFTC’s investigation, which began in 2021 after Nexon published the rate odds for these cube items, revealed that Nexon had not only reduced the odds of acquiring high-tier upgrades but had also made some combinations of upgrades unattainable. This revelation came after years of speculation and community conjecture, with players sharing their own statistics suggesting that the published odds were not accurate.

Nexon’s malpractices didn’t stop at just manipulating probabilities. When players expressed concerns about the apparent change in odds, Nexon falsely assured them that no alterations were made. In 2011 and again in 2016, Nexon made public statements denying any changes to the odds, despite internal evidence to the contrary.

The investigation also uncovered internal documents and emails within Nexon, revealing discussions about whether to disclose the manipulated rates, with the decision ultimately being not to inform players. Furthermore, Nexon was found to own a patent for dynamic RNG (random number generation) based on player activity, which allowed them to alter probabilities based on various factors, including a player’s activity level and location.

The impact of these manipulations has been significant. From September 2010 to 2021, Nexon earned approximately $420 million through the sale of these cube items. The $9 million fine, while substantial, represents only a small fraction of the revenue generated from these sales.

In an exposé posted last, YouTuber Nuion scrutinized the game “The Quinfall,” revealing a heavy reliance on purchased assets and pre-fabricated models, raising concerns about the game’s originality and potential as a pre-order scam. The video was mostly largely unnoticed in the MMO community until popular streamer and YouTuber Asmongold reacted to it earlier this week.

Nuion dissected the game’s trailer, noting an extensive use of assets from stores, a common practice in development for prototyping but problematic when a game is primarily composed of these.

The video delves into each component of the game, from basic attacks to intricate environmental designs, pointing out the original sources of these assets, predominantly from the Crypto FX pack and other well-known asset stores. Nuion estimates the cost for these assets used in the trailer, suggesting a surprisingly low investment for what is presented as an expansive and unique MMO game. The commentary becomes particularly critical of the use of these assets in portraying the game’s unique features. Nuion argues that while using assets for non-central parts of a game is acceptable, the one-to-one use without significant modification or original contribution diminishes the game’s uniqueness and misleads potential players.

The video highlights several specific elements, from enemy designs to magic effects and major landscapes, all traced back to commercial asset packs. One of the main criticisms is directed at the repetitive use of specific packs for varied elements within the game, leading to a lack of originality and innovation. The concern extends to the overall presentation of the game in its trailers and promotional material, suggesting that what is shown might not accurately represent an original or fully developed game but rather a clever assembly of existing assets.

Towards the end, the video serves as a cautionary tale, urging viewers to be skeptical of games that seem overly reliant on purchased assets and to refrain from pre-ordering without concrete evidence of the game’s development and originality. Nuion’s analysis concludes with a stark warning against potential pre-order scams, emphasizing the need for only 17 gullible individuals to recoup the asset costs used in the trailer, posing a risk for unsuspecting gamers.

Update

Due to the popularity of the video post Asmongold reaction, Nuion has posted an update titled “The Quinfall Deep Dive…” which points out several other issues with the game.

Nuion, a critical YouTuber in the gaming sphere, has released a new video delving deeper into the controversies surrounding the game “The Quinfall.” This update brings to light new evidence and discussions that raise further doubts about the game’s existence and development practices.

The Quinfall Discord server has become a battleground of opinions, divided into four camps: defenders of the game, critics, neutrals, and followers of popular streamer Asmongold. The developers’ engagement in the server is noted for being more verbal than demonstrative, failing to show evidence to back their claims about the game’s capabilities, such as handling 10,000 players on a server. This lack of tangible proof has fueled community skepticism.

Nuion continues to uncover more pre-made assets used in the game, reaffirming the concern over the game’s reliance on these components. He highlights the use of a city pack in various scenes, stressing that while using assets is acceptable, an over-dependence suggests a lack of commitment to original development. This practice undermines the authenticity of the game’s world, as demonstrated by Nuion’s revelations about the game’s promotional materials.

Further investigation into the game’s promotional strategies has revealed alarming practices. Nuion points out the reuse of the same image with minor alterations, as well as the use of a stock photo with the company name photoshopped onto it, which was later removed from the game’s website. These actions suggest a superficial approach to marketing and raise doubts about the game’s credibility.

The video also uncovers striking similarities between Quinfall’s UI and that of the popular MMO Black Desert, casting shadows on the game’s originality. Additionally, Nuion raises concerns over the game’s written content, which often appears nonsensical and repetitive, further questioning the professionalism and seriousness of the development.

Nuion delves into the history of the developers’ previous game, KRA Online, which never saw full release and had controversial practices, including a cash store in beta and partnership with a real-money trading (RMT) website. This history, combined with Quinfall’s approach to asset use and marketing, paints a troubling picture of potential repeat behavior.

The video ends with Nuion speculating on the potential for Quinfall to feature a paid beta with an in-game store, based on past patterns. He urges caution and skepticism among the gaming community, highlighting the need for transparency and originality in game development.

Nuion’s latest video not only reinforces previous concerns about The Quinfall but also introduces new elements that deepen the skepticism around the game’s development and marketing practices. The revelations about asset dependence, marketing misrepresentations, and questionable historical practices of the developers serve as a cautionary tale for both gamers and developers in the MMO space.

As we venture into 2024, the landscape of Massively Multiplayer Online (MMO) games continues to evolve and excite. This year is shaping up to be a landmark for the genre, featuring a blend of eagerly awaited titles and innovative newcomers. Let’s dive deeper into what the MMO world has in store.

Blue Protocol

Developed by Bandai Namco, “Blue Protocol” is an anime-style action MMO that has captivated audiences in select regions with its vibrant graphics and dynamic combat system. Unlike traditional MMOs, it adopts a lobby-based structure, offering a blend of exploration and instanced dungeons.

Players can expect a rich narrative, customizable classes, and a unique skill system that allows for a deeply personalized gaming experience.

Once Human

Standing out in the MMO landscape, “Once Human” combines the thrill of a looter-shooter with the grit of a survival game. Set in an expansive open world, it features intricate PvE and PvP elements, innovative base building, and realistic survival mechanics like hunger and thirst.

The game is praised for its dynamic world activities, including unique stronghold mechanics, making it a title to watch.

Dune Awakening

This ambitious project by Funcom blends survival MMO elements within the illustrious Dune universe. “Dune Awakening” promises a seamless world, where players engage in large-scale battles and struggle against environmental challenges like thirst.

The game aims to offer a fusion of social interaction and strategic gameplay, set against the rich backdrop of Frank Herbert’s sci-fi masterpiece.

Throne and Liberty

“Throne and Liberty” from NCSOFT, initially launched in Korea, is poised for a global release. After a mixed reception to its beta, the game has undergone significant improvements.

It boasts a seamless open world, eliminating loading screens, and features large-scale PvP battles and a dynamic weather system.

Project LLL

Project LLL is a cutting-edge MMO looter shooter set in an alternate Seoul, South Korea. The game merges third-person shooting with futuristic gadgets and abilities. Its highlight includes intense vehicle combat and expansive PvE and PvP battles, offering a unique blend of action and strategy in a meticulously crafted urban landscape.

Corepunk

“Corepunk” brings a fresh perspective to the MMO genre with its top-down approach and MOBA-style gameplay. It features a vast open world with diverse biomes and a unique fog of war mechanic that encourages exploration.

Character progression is deepened with a variety of heroes, artifacts, and skill trees, allowing players to tailor their playstyle.

Looking Further: More MMOs on the Horizon

In addition to these highly anticipated MMOs, there are several other upcoming titles that have caught the attention of the MMO community. Some of these include “New World” from Amazon Game Studios, “Ashes of Creation” by Intrepid Studios, and “Population Zero” from Enplex Games.

Each of these games offers its own unique spin on the MMO genre, with features such as player-driven economies, dynamic ecosystems, and immersive survival elements.

As the demand for immersive and social gaming experiences continues to grow, it’s likely that we will see even more innovative MMO titles in the near future. Whether you’re a fan of open-world exploration, strategic combat, or immersive role-playing, there’s sure to be an upcoming MMO that will pique your interest and offer endless hours of entertainment. So keep your eyes peeled for these exciting new releases on the horizon! So don

• Soulframe: From the creators of “Warframe,” this fantasy-oriented MMO focuses on themes of nature, restoration, and exploration. High expectations surround this title, given its predecessor’s success.
• Pax Dei: Emphasizing player-driven content and dynamic world events, “Pax Dei” aims to merge classic MMO gameplay with innovative mechanics.
• Chrono Odyssey: This ambitious MMO promises an epic narrative and a universe encompassing high-fantasy and time-travel elements, offering a unique twist to the genre.
• Ashes of Creation: With a focus on player impact and a living world, “Ashes of Creation” is highly anticipated for its innovative approach to world-building and community-driven content.

Several other titles like “Pantheon: Rise of the Fallen,” “ArchAge 2,” “Bitcraft,” and “Odin: Valhalla Rising” are on the radar, and some will likely enter alpha or beta testing soon, but the final release date is yet to be announced.

2024 is set to be a great year for MMO enthusiasts. With a diverse range of worlds to explore, battles to engage in, and environments to survive, the upcoming titles offer something for every type of player.

In a recent live stream, Ashes of Creation, the highly anticipated MMORPG, presented an in-depth look at the Ranger archetype, revealing a range of new abilities and combat mechanics. The stream, led by Steven Sharif and key developers, offered a comprehensive view of the Ranger’s skills, ranging from basic attacks to complex ability synergies.

Highlights from the Stream:

1. Ranger Archetype Overview: The Ranger, known for its ranged combat prowess, was showcased with an array of 17-19 new skills. The presentation highlighted the archetype’s versatility and depth.
2. Skill Demonstrations: The developers demonstrated various Ranger skills, emphasizing their effectiveness in different combat scenarios. Skills like ‘Snipe’ and ‘Barrage’ were shown, each with unique mechanics and strategic uses.
3. Skill Tree and Customization: The stream provided a first look at the Ranger’s skill tree, indicating a significant amount of customization and progression. The tree includes a mix of active and passive abilities, allowing players to tailor the Ranger to their play style.
4. New Combat Mechanics: Key developments in combat mechanics were discussed, such as ability charge times, area-of-effect indicators, and unique passive effects like increased attack speed or critical strike chances.
5. Environmental Interaction and Strategy: The developers demonstrated how the Ranger interacts with the game environment, using terrain and strategic positioning to maximize the effectiveness of skills.
6. Feedback and Iteration Process: The team emphasized the importance of community feedback in refining the Ranger’s abilities and overall combat experience. They detailed their iterative development process, which includes regular playtesting and adjustments based on player input.

Community Engagement and Future Updates:

• The Ashes of Creation team encouraged the community to provide feedback on the showcased content.
• Upcoming updates were hinted at, including enhancements to other archetypes and further development of combat mechanics.

The stream concluded with a reminder of the ongoing development process and the team’s commitment to creating a rich, player-driven experience in Ashes of Creation.

In a recent announcement, the MMORPG, Revelation Online, is set to end its services on March 13, 2024. This decision marks the conclusion of an eight-year-long journey in the mystical realm of Nuanor, a world that has been a second home to many adventurers.

Developed by NetEase and published by MY.GAMES, Revelation Online opened its virtual doors in 2016, offering players an immersive experience in a detailed, expansive world. The game quickly garnered a dedicated following, praised for its vibrant landscapes, extensive character customization, and engaging flight system.

As stated in the announcement, the game’s servers, both on the MY.GAMES Launcher and Steam platforms for North American and European players, will cease operations on the set date. Until then, players can continue to explore Nuanor and complete their quests. However, a notable change following this announcement is the deactivation of payments, effectively immediately, although the in-game Store will remain accessible.

The Revelation Online team expressed their heartfelt gratitude towards the player community in their statement. They acknowledged the joy and satisfaction it brought to deliver this virtual experience to a vast audience, emphasizing the growth and vibrancy of the game’s community. The team’s message resonated with a tone of thankfulness for the memories created and the bonds formed within the game’s universe.

Is playing MMOs with a controller right up your alley? Or are you simply wondering which PC MMORPGs are playable with a gamepad? We kick off the list with a bunch of games that offer native controller support and finish with a few titles that don’t but still work.

Final Fantasy XIV and Final Fantasy XI

• Developer: Square Enix
• Release Date: 2010 & 2002
• Platform: Playstation & PC
• For Fans of Anime MMOs

Final Fantasy XIV is one of the MMO games with the best controller support. The critically-acclaimed MMORPG makes it extremely easy for players to set up up their gamepads. A variety of settings allow you to customize in and out of combat hotbars, actions, and whatnot.

The well-integrated support is no surprise considering that FF XIV is also a console MMORPG. Its revered sibling, Final Fantasy XI, comes with native controller support as well. So, if you ever decide to drop the mouse and keyboard in favor of a gamepad, rest assured as these two Final Fantasy MMOs work smoothly with such a peripheral.

World of Warcraft

• Developer: Blizzard
• Release Date: 2004
• Platform: PC
• For Fans of Fantasy MMOs

Before October 2020, gamepad configuration was unofficially available thanks to third-party software, such as the ConsolePort addon. Blizzard Entertainment sneaked in native controller support with the Shadowlands pre-patch giving players the chance to hook up a gamepad of choice and have more excuses for standing in the fire.

Joke aside, WoW works pretty well with a controller. Character movement and camera controls feel fluid. You will have no issues getting around. Setting up the binds for combat takes a bit of time. A class-specific guide is recommended. You might want to get comfortable with the spells and abilities before jumping into any kind of group content with pugs.

Black Desert Online

• Developer: Pearl Abyss
• Release Date: December 2014
• Platform: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows
• For Fans of Korean MMOs

We are happy to report that Black Desert Online is among the MMORPGs with built-in controller support. The option to enable the controller, aptly named Gamepad, is under the Interface Setting menu. In the Action Hotkeys menu, you can set up the buttons for actions. However, many players recommend the reWASD mapper for advanced customization.

Playing BDO on a competitive level with a gamepad is not for everyone. It can take time and practice to find and master a comfortable configuration. The experience heavily depends on the class you play.

Elder Scrolls Online

• Developer: Zenimax
• Release Date: April 4, 2014
• Platform: PlayStation, Xbox, PC
• For Fans of Fantasy MMOsc

The controller support in ESO is quite robust, making it a viable option for those who’d rather play with a gamepad than a keyboard and mouse. However, don’t toss the old kbm aside because most Elder Scrolls Online addons don’t work with a gamepad.

Navigating the menus is another action for which you’ll want the designated PC gaming peripherals. You will also need them for typing. Most of the players only use the gamepad for combat. The mapping depends on your preferences and whatever you find easier. Play around with the options and check out community guides for tips!

Lost Ark

• Developer: Smilegate & Amazon Games
• Release Date: December 4, 2019
• Platform: PC
• For Fans of Isometric MMOs

The popular MMO ARPG from Smilegate doesn’t leave gamepad fans stranded. It supports both PlayStation and Xbox controllers. If plug-and-play doesn’t work, you need to go into the Settings menu and enable the Use Gamepad option. The in-game Control menu allows you to map the buttons. For menu navigation, you will feel more at ease with a mouse and keyboard.

As for combat, the auto-targeting option is your friend when playing a ranged class. On the other hand, auto-targeting can be bothersome for close-quarters encounters. The only way to find out if playing Lost Ark with a controller is for you is to give it a try.

Destiny 2

• Developer: Bungie
• Release Date: August 28, 2017
• Platform: PC, Playstation, Xbox
• For Fans of Shooter MMOs

It would be a bit weird for a game that was first released on consoles not to have controller support on PC, right? Connect your controller of choice to the PC and the game should automatically detect and allow you to use it. The controller settings within the game’s options menu allow you to fine-tune the experience. 

Keep in mind that some activities, such as competitive multiplayer or high-level raids, still heavily favor mouse and keyboard controls due to the precision and speed advantages they offer. However, Destiny 2 offers a fair controller experience for players who prefer this input method. 

DC Universe Online

• Developer: Daybreak Game Company, Dimensional Ink Games
• Release Date: January 11, 2011
• Platform: PC
• For Fans of Superhero MMOs

DC Universe Online offers a unique blend of immersive storytelling and exciting gameplay. You have the chance to become a legendary superhero or villain within the DC Comics universe. Unless you are using a controller. DCUO has gamepad support, but don’t count on being as fast and precise as with a mouse.

At the end of the day, it all comes down to individual taste. Some have no problem engaging in thrilling combat armed with their controller of choice, while others swear by the mouse and keyboard. 

Tom Clancy’s The Division 2

• Developer: Ubisoft
• Release Date: March 1, 2019
• Platform: PC, Playstation, Xbox
• For Fans of Shooter MMOs

The PC version of The Division 2 fully supports the DualSense, DualShock 4, Xbox Elite Wireless Series 2, and Xbox Wireless controllers. The question is: are gamepad users at a disadvantage? We all know that shooters and controllers aren’t the bestest of friends.

For relaxed PvE, go ahead and hook up your gamepad and you will feel – for the most part at least – no difference. For competitive content – where precise aiming and quick interactions are crucial – nothing can beat the mouse and keyboard. Consider switching to the console version if you want to be on a level ground with your pad pals in PvP.

Bless Unleashed

• Developer: Roud 8 Studio
• Release Date: February 26, 2020
• Platform: PC
• For Fans of Free-to-Play MMOs

While the game supports most types of controllers, the UI displays the Xbox controls even when using a PlayStation controller. For some, that is a deal breaker. If you can get over it, you will find that Bless Online has good support for this input method.

Bless Unleashed features fast-paced engaging action combat that feels fluid and natural when playing with a controller. If in other MMOs, controllers hinder your movement and actions, in Bless Unleashed, you will find the opposite to be true. Too bad that the game doesn’t get much attention from the developers.

Phantasy Star Online 2 New Genesis

• Developer: Sega
• Release Date: July 4, 2012
• Platform: PC, Playstation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch
• For Fans of Action-Combat MMOs

Phantasy Star Online 2 and its New Genesis iteration are two MMOs that come with native controller support. What you need to know is that you will lose some convenience when playing with a gamepad. For example, the camera movement isn’t as precise as when using the mouse.

The newer PSO2NG provides a better experience. Even if you decide to use a controller, you will still want to keep the keyboard around for typing and the mouse for browsing the menus and settings.

Star Trek Online

• Developer: Cryptic Studios
• Release Date: February 2, 2010
• Platform: PC, Mac, Playstation, Xbox
• For Fans of Sci-Fi MMOs

Can you play Star Trek Online with a controller? Yes. Should you play Star Trek Online? Only if you truly want to go where (almost) no player has gone before. Being a console game, you’d think STO has all that fancy controller support. Sadly, that is not the case. However, fret not as you can still make your favorite space MMO work with a gamepad. A quick search will yield an excellent community-made guide detailing all you need to know.

The following MMORPGs don’t integrate support for controllers, but we all know that gamers are nothing if not resourceful. With a bit of research and a few tweaks here and there, you can play these MMOs with a controller.

Guild Wars 2

• Developer: ArenaNet
• Release Date: August 28, 2012
• Platform: PC
• For Fans of Action-Combat MMOs

The developers have stated that controller integration is not in the plans, but that’s merely a setback. Guild Wars 2 is the game with the best unofficial controller support. The community went to great lengths to be able to play this MMO with a gamepad. You will find no shortage of guides.

Star Wars The Old Republic

• Developer: BioWare Austin
• Release Date: December 13, 2011
• Platform: PC
• For Fans of Sci-fi MMOs

For raiding and PvP, SWTOR is designed to be played exclusively with a mouse and keyboard. However, story campaigns and leisure activities are perfectly doable with a controller.

Neverwinter

• Developer: Cryptic Studios
• Release Date: June 20, 2013
• Platform: PC, Playstation, Xbox
• For Fans of Action Combat MMOs

It’s funny that a game that has been on consoles for ages doesn’t have native controller support on PC. Nevertheless, there are a few good emulators and mappers that will allow you to adventure into the Forgotten Realms sans mouse and keyboard.

Dungeons and Dragons Online

• Developer: February 28, 2006
• Release Date: Turbine
• Platform: PC
• For Fans of Dungeons & Dragons

Dungeons and Dragons Online lets players use a gamepad without too much fuss. Users can alter the settings with third-party software. If you need configuration ideas, you can check out reWASD.

Lord of the Rings Online

• Developer: Standing Stone Games
• Release Date: April 24, 2007
• Platform: PC
• For Fans of Lord of the Rings

Playing Lord of the Rings Online with a gamepad is viable depending on the content. You may underperform in raids and have your behind handed to you in PvP. For all those other times when you want to chill – LOTRO is a great casual MMO – and do things at your own pace, the controller offers a smooth experience.

A few years ago, Singularity 6, an LA-based studio consisting of ex-Riot, Blizzard, and Epic Games veterans, announced their debut game, Palia. Nothing out of the ordinary here, except for the nature of the game: a wholesome peaceful community-focused MMO.

Palia lacks the traditional PvE and PvP gameplay. Needless to say, it piqued the curiosity of those yearning for a different MMO experience. Now that Palia is in open beta, we had the chance to see what the developers have been working on for the past five years. Is this the ultimate casual MMO? Let’s find out!

Character Creation

Like most of the games, Palia kicks off with character creation. A word of advice: Be careful when creating your first – and only – avatar. It seems that only one character slot is available per account. If you don’t like the looks of your character, you will have to wait until later in-game to access some customization options.

If you decide that you don’t like your name, tough luck. Some players reported that contacting the support team did the trick and they were able to change their name, but don’t count on it. Also, there is no option to delete your character. So, double-check your choices before entering the world of Palia.

The character creation options are purely cosmetic. You customize the looks and outfit. There are no classes or other gameplay-relevant choices. Nothing fancy here, just a handful of decent customization options that are enough to design a unique human avatar. Yes, humans are the only choice and that ties in with the story.

Welcome to Kilima!

You spawn into the world of Palia with no recollection of your past life. Your coming isn’t exactly breaking news. Why? Because you are one of the many humans that have recently started to appear in Kilima. Coming from other games, you might expect a grand welcome as the hero of prophecy who arrived at a fortuitous moment to save the world from impending doom. That’s not the case here. You are immediately directed to a nearby settlement.

The inhabitants are more than happy to welcome another resident. Someone hands you a tent and assigns you a piece of land. Although we knew this was a danger-free realm, it felt sort of uneasy not hearing about death and destruction in the first minutes. Old habits die hard.

Gameplay – Crafting, Building, and Making Friends

Crafting and building drive the gameplay. Palia doesn’t have monsters to take down, loot to acquire, or PvP. Player housing is the main game activity.

As one community member pointed out, Palia’s gameplay is like the downtime in other MMOs. You start with a small patch of land and, eventually, unlock more slots. Palia has instanced housing. Working in the yard is as serene as it can be, however, it does feel a bit lonely for an MMO.

The crafting mechanic is uncomplicated. You turn resources into materials that you craft into items. The annoying part is that crafting is time-gated. For example, it takes time to turn wood into planks. You can use this – not necessarily welcome at all times – respite to work on skills and strengthen relations with the NPCs.

The inhabitants of this world are more than just trainers, quest givers, or service providers. Palia has an NPC reputation system allowing you to make friends and more. Chat them up, give them gifts, and romance them. They will tell you more about themselves and slip in bits of lore once they feel comfortable around you.

Character Development Through Crafting and Gathering Skills

Eight skills are the bread and butter of the Palia character development system. We have foraging, fishing, bug catching, cooking, hunting, mining, furniture making, and gardening. You gain access to each skill as you meet its associated NPC.

Some skills require tools that you also receive from the trainer. Skills are leveled up by using them. If you want to level up faster, don’t let the Focus bar run empty. Various consumables give Focus boosting the XP gaining rate.

Palia has a simple and straightforward skill system. There are no skill trees, no abilities, no specializations. Of course, you can completely ignore certain skills and focus on others. However, sooner or later, you will max them all out. In the beginning, you will most likely concentrate on mining and foraging as these skills provide the raw materials needed for crafting and building.

Social Interaction and Community

Palia is advertised as a casual MMO. It is casual all right, but it’s far from being an MMO. Or you could say that it is a casual MMO with the nuance that it has lightweight MMO features.

Long story short, it is a single-player game with optional multiplayer. It has a friends list, a general chat, and the possibility to form groups, but little incentive to interact with others. The only real benefit from interaction is that players get more resources when they hit the same node. At least, friends can visit each others’ homes.

There’s a trading system where you can request items from others. The player that fulfills your request gets renown. Gold would have been better. In its current state, Palia is a 90% single-player game. Players sometimes speak in the chat and the community seems nice.

Is Palia Pay to Win?

The answer to this question is a wholehearted No. The cash shop has no gameplay-relevant items. You don’t pay to speed things up or to gain access to features. All the content is free to play. Cosmetics, such as outfits, are the only items you can buy with real money. Considering they are optional, we see no reason to complain about the game’s microtransaction system. At least, for now.

Conclusions – The Bad

Palia open beta feels more like an alpha. Plain and simple, there isn’t enough gameplay to keep you glued to the screen. The character development, crafting, and building systems have no depth. The world is small. It takes mere minutes to traverse it from one end to the other. As a result, exploration is nonexistent. There are no areas to uncover by yourself, as the game practically points you to all locations of interest.

Palia is a sandbox game with little direction. The main story provides a bit of context, but it’s not exactly what we would call enthralling. The side missions are nothing more than accordingly prized humdrum tasks.

The MMO features are wanting to say the least. There is no player trading. This means that selling to the game is the only way to make money. Speaking of selling, it takes a few hours to receive your gold.

Conclusions – The Good

Let’s keep in mind that Palia is not yet in its final form. The game captivates thanks to its cozy graphics and wholesome activities creating a feel-good atmosphere. The lack of competitive gameplay results in a non-toxic player base.

The developers are keeping an eye on the community’s requests and they are quick to implement – some of, at least – them into the game. Palia is a free to play game with a cash shop that sells only cosmetics.

It’s a suitable game for kids and adults looking for an accessible violence-free gaming experience. Even though it would seem the bad outweighs the good, Palia is not a bad game. It is an unfinished game with huge potential. Despite the lack of content, players are sticking to it and we can only hope that the developers will take action and deliver a fully-fledged product come the release day.

Prepare your gear, summon your courage, and take on the fearsome spider-goddess of the drow, Lolth, as the latest module of Neverwinter, The Demonweb Pits, is now live across all platforms. This gripping module marks the climax of the Menzoberranzan story arc and challenges players to push Lolth out of the Material Plane, rescuing the city of Menzoberranzan from her web of darkness.

Exploring the Dangers of Narbondellyn

In this module, players are granted access to a new adventure zone, Narbondellyn, opening the grounds of the noble House Fey-Branch. This gives adventurers the opportunity to aid the house in building the Realm Engine, a pivotal element in thwarting the sinister plans of Gromph Baenre. However, the path to success is fraught with danger and mystery that only the bravest can overcome.

The Demonweb Pits Dungeon: A Test of Skill and Grit

The Demonweb Pits module also introduces a challenging new dungeon, providing an epic showdown against Lolth, Gromph, and other formidable bosses. With the backdrop of the dark and treacherous Demonweb Pits, these battles promise to be some of the most intense and rewarding in the game.

Encounter the Monsters of the Underdark

Beyond the dungeon, the city of Menzoberranzan will host Abyssal Hunts. These encounters allow players to face some of the most fearsome monsters that lurk in the Underdark, offering a thrilling and dangerous experience for those daring enough to participate.

Exciting Rewards Await

Within the Planar Panic Lock Box, players can find beloved characters from the 1980s Dungeons and Dragons Cartoon. Bobby and Uni make their debut as a Companion and Mount, adding an exciting layer of nostalgia for long-time fans of the franchise.

For both veteran players and those new to the game, the Hero’s Path will serve as a guiding light towards the endgame, ensuring that every player can enjoy the full range of experiences this module offers.

As the Menzoberranzan story arc reaches its dramatic conclusion, players are assured that this is not the end. The team behind Neverwinter is committed to delivering more enthralling content and adventures. Stay tuned, Adventurers, for the unveiling of the next exciting chapter of the Neverwinter saga, coming later this year.

See the Demonweb Pits dev hub for more info.

• Genre: MMORTS.
• PvE: Yes.
• PvP: Yes.
• Business Model: Free-to-play.
• Development Stage: In Development.
• Release Date: N/A.
• Platforms: PC and mobile.

Real-time strategy, now that’s a genre that doesn’t get the MMO treatment too often. Apart from a few titles, the MMORTS selection is, to say the least, lacking. The good people at NCSoft have decided to tap into this corner of the massively multiplayer universe. Among the several MMO games in-development at the Korean studio, one is one of the RTS variety.

What Is Project G All About

Project G’s debut trailer presents the world from Sebastian’s perspective. We learn that he is our butler and we are newly-arrived commanders on Pangaea. He quickly brings us up to speed. Our duties are clear: develop the kingdom, amass an army, and go to war. It’s business as usual for someone who – we find out towards the end of the trailer – is the legitimate ruler of Pangaea.

The video shows “actual gameplay footage”. It gives off StarCraft and Age of Empire vibes with a medieval fantasy flavor. It’s a mix, for sure. The story seems quite generic for this brand-new IP. The graphics are easy on the eyes. The combat, however, catches the attention. Fortunately, we know a bit more about this part of the gameplay.

Project G Implements Real-Time Combat

Project G attempts to be the best of the SLG and RTS worlds in an MMO universe. SLG, a term mostly associated with mobile strategy titles, stands for simulation game. It is definitely something we don’t want to hear, but hold on, there’s more.

According to the Lead Designer, Cho Kyuhyung, Project G has SLG gameplay with RTS combat mechanics. What this means is that battles are not simulated. That’s definitely something we want to hear. This type of combat is a staple of the RTS genre. Players actively take control over individual units. They issue commands such as instructing the units to move to a certain location, defend an area, engage in combat, and so on.

In SLGs, players command their armies to go to war but have no control over what happens during combat. Battles are usually a numbers game, as the spoils go to the player with the most units. Project G does away with this kind of combat and we couldn’t be happier about it.

Commanders will select their units and order them to move or attack. This mechanic puts the winning odds in the players’ hands. It’s not just a simple matter of comparing numbers. It’s a matter of planning and reacting based on the situation at hand. It’s what made RTS games great.

We’re not getting ahead of ourselves here, but, if done right, Project G could bring something new to the table.

Project G Features Four Races with Unique Units

The official trailer shows an amalgam of races and units. The dragon, of course, steals the show, but more questions remain. What other races and units are available? Will we join a faction?

The unexpected news is that we won’t choose a race and get locked out of the other races. Kang Seongpil from the animation team promises some interesting races and a generous selection of units. Project G will feature four groups, races, or factions. While three of them are nothing to write home about, the fourth is insanely cute. A leader represents each race.

Aerial and terrestrial units are available for each faction. We build our armies using units from all four races. Each race has special units. Circling back to the dragon, that’s the special unit of the Caleon race.

Each special unit will be countered by a special unit pertaining to a distrinct race. In this particular case, dragons are susceptible to magic weapons. A system of strengths and weaknesses is in place to maintain balance between units of different races.

Buildings have a strategic use in battle. In RTS games, different types of buildings spawn units, unlock technologies, and have defensive capabilities. The buildings’ tactical function in Project G is unclear, but they will play a part on the battlefield.

Project G Gameplay

NCSoft conceived Project G with the “MMO experience” in mind. Base building and upgrades are solo activities ultimately converging towards multiplayer encounters.

When you are not tending to your kingdom, you are taking part in large-scale wars for territory. The game is made with grouping in mind.

Players form alliances against each other. In the grand scheme of war, allegiances may change on the spot. Your ally can quickly turn into your enemy. Other than large-scale PvP conflicts – that may as well be guild wars – we have no info on other game modes. We know, however, that PvE is not missing.

The developers weren’t ready to disclose more about the races, gameplay, and other things of interest, but they did let us in on one neat feature: a beam that we can project onto the map with some writing or message. In the demo, the luminous letters said NC.

We don’t know how many words, letters, or symbols we can fit into the message. What we know is that, no matter the limitations, players will come up with clever ways to spell something they shouldn’t.

Project G Release Date and Business Model

The team is not ready to talk about the release date yet. They say that Project G will arrive soon. Does that mean we will be able to play the game by the end of 2023? And how much do we have to pay for it? While NCSoft didn’t specifically say “free to play”, this is one bet we won’t lose.

What we are most curious about are the premium items. After seeing the powerful dragon, players were wondering if that would be one of the premium units. The official response was worthy of a politician working their way around an uncomfortable question.

The lead designer wants us not to worry. He assures us that we can acquire everything we need to stay relevant without visiting the cash shop. What would have put our minds at ease was to hear that the cash shop sells only cosmetics. Instead, we received a generic answer. However, it is too early to judge.

Impressions and Concerns

In all honesty, it’s the whole mobile stuff that puts us off. In addition to the pay-to-win apprehensions, we are wondering if NCSoft is going down the same path with Project G as with Blade and Souls 2.

BnS2 is a mobile game that can be played on PC through Purple, NCSoft’s PC emulator. Is Project G really developed for both PC and mobile or is it a mobile port?

The fact that NCSoft is not exactly known for its strategy titles is something we can live with. After all, Blizzard Entertainment wasn’t in the MMO market and their first MMORPG did pretty well for itself.

NCSoft is confident that by bringing together a niche genre (RTS) and a somewhat still popular genre (MMO), they will give new incentives to players wanting to enjoy this underrepresented genre (MMORTS).

The question remains: given the decline in popularity of the RTS games, is the player base open to the idea of an MMORTS? Scoff all you want millennials and Gen X, but the era of your beloved childhood games has long passed.

A veteran company such as NCSoft is acting on more than whims and beliefs. They must have based the decision to make an MMORTS on something solid, such as a market research showing interest for these games. We wholeheartedly hope they didn’t consider the cash-grabbing potential of SLGs only and went for a quick buck.  Ultimately, there is only one way to find out and that is by playing the game.

Over the past few months, the conversation around the world of classic World of Warcraft (WoW) has predominantly centered around the burgeoning hardcore scene.

A surge of players have explored this hardcore world, drawn to the distinctive appeal it offers. However, even as official servers have been confirmed for release later this summer, there remain many questions regarding the rules and allowances for these servers.

But it’s not solely the hardcore scene that has seen a resurgence on classic servers. In the midst of this growing hardcore narrative, the ‘regular’ classic servers have experienced a considerable influx of players, a phenomenon that has somewhat flown under the radar. And these aren’t just individuals casually perched on their bug mounts in Capital Cities, they’re players returning for Battlegrounds, open-world Player vs Player (PvP), raiding, and leveling on entirely new characters.

Despite the server’s phase of content stagnation and the absence of further updates, players are returning, willing to start anew. This trend suggests that it isn’t only hardcore players finding a renewed home in classic WoW.

Both hardcore and regular players are seeking something that cannot be provided by a single new server release. While the confirmation of hardcore servers is certainly a step forward, the question arises – is it also time for a rejuvenation of the 2019-esque vanilla classic?

The rise in the number of non-hardcore servers deserves exploration, delving into the reasons behind why players are returning to them. Blizzard should, perhaps, take into consideration the success of these servers, not just the hardcore servers, for the betterment of the game.

Vanilla WoW has always held its charm. Even when juxtaposed against The Burning Crusade (TBC) and Wrath of the Lich King, it offers a unique experience. With its distinctive features like no flying, 40-man raids, World Buffs, extensive stacking of buffs, dubious class balance, PvP ranking, a vast open world, and much more, it has a special allure. While some players might balk at the thought of returning to such a format, others eagerly anticipate a chance to relive these experiences.

Despite its quirks, the number of players returning to these servers is astonishing. Though precise player numbers are a closely guarded secret by Blizzard, a casual log-in and a stroll through Stormwind and Orgrimmar, or a walk through the leveling zones, show a robust player presence. This observation isn’t just limited to a specific server or region, but can be seen across various servers, indicative of the game’s popularity.

Players are flocking back to experience everything from the end game content to the PvP encounters. The appeal of classic WoW doesn’t rest solely on hardcore elements. A more casual, laid-back gaming style where a single death doesn’t spell the end for your character holds equal allure for many.

There’s clearly a demand for the classic WoW experience – the option to trade, to group, and if they die, to simply resurrect and continue on their merry way. It’s a less demanding and more relaxed experience than the hardcore version, free of the fear of griefing or losing your character. At the end game, there’s also less min-maxing or gatekeeping compared to the hardcore setting.

However, it’s not just about the number of players returning or the experiences they seek. The question at the heart of this conversation is why players are gravitating back to a version of the game with no further updates