A new website was recently launched for the upcoming sci-fi MMO action game, Global Agenda, in preparation for the first official public preview/demonstration of the game that’s taking place on November 8th at a charity event called MISSION: Pwning for a Cure. Developed by Hi-Rez Studios, the game was announced back in March of 2007 and has been in development for a couple of years.
Global Agenda Battle
Emerging from a particular genre of MMOs pioneered by games like Neocron and Face of Mankind, Global Agenda values unrestricted gameplay over static PvE grind-oriented gameplay found in typical MMORPGs on the current market. Incorporating fast-paced action of first-person shooters into an persistent online universe rife with political and economic intrigue, the game revolves around dynamic scenarios driven entirely by the natural development of player-interaction, a la EVE Online. Players create their own agent (character) which they can extensively customize and upgrade over the course of their career, then establish their own agency or join an existing one, vying for territory, resources, technology and influence in the game world.
Global Agenda Character Models
Four standard classes will be initially available, Assault, Recon, Medic and Robotic, all of which are flexible enough that there are a gazillion sub-classes just out of the sheer possibilities of different load-out combinations. In addition, it’s not just all about conflicts and chaos. Outside of missions, players can trade, socialize, craft items and travel/explore. Be sure to keep an eye out for further details on the game as it unfolds.
A couple of brand new high resolution screenshots have been put on public display for the indie sci-fi sandbox MMO action game, Divergence Online. The game is relatively underground, since it’s being developed by a small-time company as a part-time project apparently. They’re looking to create an MMO that strays from the usual mainstream formula of medieval fantasy grind-fests by opting to go with a player-driven, open-ended experience and real-time skill-based combat.
Neowiz Games’ futuristic action sports third-person shooter game, S4 League has recently ended its open beta phase and is now officially launched at alaplaya. S4 League is a free online multiplayer game with persistent character progression, fierce competition and a dedicated community. In it, you take control of cel-shaded manga-style athletes who compete in thrilling violent sports and deathmatches with stylistic bullet ballet combat and science-fiction weaponry.
You can choose from a variety of weapons, special abilities, equipment and aesthetic apparel, allowing for endless flexibility for expressing your own style and method of fighting. Organized matches require clever teamwork and coordination in order for teams to succeed, emphasizing tactics and strategy as much as twitchy fingers and individual skill. In “Touchdown” mode, the objective is to score points by grabbing the ball (called a “Fumbi”) in the middle of the arena and taking it as fast as possible to the opposing team’s goal without fumbling. It’s pretty much a reverse variation of Capture-The-Flag.
Players can also dash, jump, flip and perform a diverse array of impressive aerial maneuvers to help them traverse their surroundings more fluidly. Weapons consist of SMGs, swords, rifles, cannons, railguns, pistols, etc.
A group of ex-Face of Mankind players who were known for hacking the game and DDoS’ing the official forums before the game’s publisher ceased hosting it have recently created a Face of Mankind emulator where some of the old community members have been migrating to. However, Duplex Systems, the original developers of Face of Mankind are responding by making plans to resurrect their own official version of the game instead of leaving it in the void.
Face of Mankind was a cult favorite amongst cyberpunk, first-person shooter and open-ended, player-driven MMO fans when it first went open beta back in 2005 and went subscription-based in 2006 through 2007.
Jim “Jimbo” Youngkin, a marketing associate for the developers of Stargate Worlds, has set up an official YouTube channel for the upcoming MMO, posting daily vlogs featuring insider information, answers to fan questions and latest game footage.
If you want to catch up on all the past videos, interviews and demos on Stargate Worlds (new ones as well), I recommend checking out this fan made SGW channel that has a complete compilation of them.
The official website and discussion board for the upcoming post-apocalyptic action/RPG hybrid MMO has recently been given a major face lift in preparation for the open beta that’s coming early next year in 2009.
The game just reached a milestone last month when a limited number of participants were allowed to sign-up for the alpha phase during a collaboration with GameSpot to promote and distribute alpha keys to eager fans around the world. You can keep a close eye on the Fallen Earthforums or GameSpot’s FE alpha portal for more chances to get in early, as quite a few people are waiting for their chance as well.
A couple of new character concept art was revealed today by Realtime Worlds over at APB Evolved, an All Points Bulletin fansite. The artistic style is keen on fashion and is obviously meant to appeal to the youth, but is nonetheless tastefully done. The character creation and customization in this game is nothing short of astonishing, just have a look at the following video and you’ll understand why.
S4 League was recently licensed by Burda:ic to be made available for western audiences through their international online games portal alaplaya. S4 League is an online multiplayer third-person shooter with striking similarities to Gunz Online that’s popular in Korea and was developed by Korean gaming company Neowiz. Much like Gunz Online, S4 League has players battling each other in a fantasy sport where gunplay and John Woo-esque shootouts take place. The cel-shaded anime style graphics a la Jet Grind Radio suits the frantic and over the top ultra stylized gameplay quite nicely, as well. When it launches, it could rival the popularity of Gunz Online.
The company behind popular MMO Maple Story, Nexon, have recently announced the addition of a more mature title, Combat Arms, to their F2P (free to play) online games lineup, which includes Mabinogi and Audition. Players will get a chance to participate in the closed beta starting on May 30th.
Following the same footsteps as America’s Army, Combat Arms is another free online FPS with persistent character progression elements to join the growing list of the same genre alongside such titles as Warrock, Soldier Front and Wolf Team.
The latest Fallen Earth Question(s) of the Week has been posted over at their official forums where the developers answer questions asked by fans on a weekly basis.
New details reveal that clans will require 10,000 chips (the currency used in Fallen Earth) and a minimum of 10 members to establish. Clan leaders will be able to create up to 10 custom ranks with customizable permissions for each rank. Permissions include the privilege to invite/kick and promote/demote members, access to the clan vault, the ability to accept or reject clan war challenges, etc.
Clans will be able to engage in “clan wars”, whereby clans challenge each other to a formal war in which they can mutually agree on the rules, location and the amount wagered for rewards.
More questions are answered in the thread. For a chance to have your questions answered in future weeks, post here.
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