Free PC Gaming Blog

Prepare for the Mutated Phoenix Tower in Grand Fantasia

SANTA CLARA, Calif. – April 14, 2011 – Aeria Games, a leading global publisher of free-to-play online games, has just released its Mutated Phoenix Tower content update for one of its most popular free-to-play titles, Grand Fantasia.

Buried deep with the Lost Highlands, the Mutated Phoenix Tower is now accessible for players who seek to destroy the deadliest monsters and earn the best items in the game. This 10-man raid dungeon is suitable for only the highest level players looking for a challenge.

Grand Fantasia new content update includes:

· Conquer the enemies in the dungeon for your chance to face the Mutated Hateful Witch, the Blue Scorpion Queen!
· This new Raid dungeon will drop materials allowing players to craft the highest quality level 80 armor and weapons!
· In addition to this great new dungeon, the Item Buyback feature has been released. Any non-junk item sold to the Merchants can now be purchased back!

For more information on Grand Fantasia, please visit http://grandfantasia.aeriagames.com.

THREE KINGDOMS BRAWLER COMING TO PC THIS SPRING FROM THE9 INTERACTIVE , INC.

San Jose, Calif. – February 25, 2011 - The9 Interactive, Inc., an interactive entertainment publisher, today announced their first title, Three Kingdoms Brawler, will be released this Spring as a free-to-play action MMO for Windows PC.

Three Kingdoms Brawler takes the classic side-scrolling arcade beat-em-up and updates it for a new generation of online gamers. Inspired by the events and battles of the Three Kingdoms era in China, players take control of legendary warriors fighting to determine the future of the country. By choosing their guiding spirit and hero class, players can customize their fighting experience to their own personal skills. As they progress they will upgrade their combo moves, armor, and weapons, becoming even more powerful and able to face the challenges ahead. The fight cannot be won alone, however. By joining and fighting together, the heroes will be able to face ever increasing odds and emerge victorious.

Joining together in factions and guilds, players have a vast world to explore and conquer. A robust crafting system allows players to create unique weapons and armor that enhance their personalized combat skills. The online marketplace and auction house allows players to buy and sell their creations with thousands of players. With thousands of different weapon, skill, and armor combinations, each player will have their own unique experience tailored to their personal choices.

Player vs. player combat adds a new twist to the action, with players competing for victory against each other in arena combat. Players can prove they are the mightiest warrior by defeating all their opponents or teaming up in tag-team matches. Leaderboards and in-game honorary titles will show the world who has the most skill.

For more information or to register for an upcoming Beta, please visit www.threekingdomsbrawler.com

Bigpoint Launches Battlestar Galactica Online; Humans and Cylons Battle for Control of the Universe

Tactical Space Combat MMOG Based on Syfy’s Hit Television Series Sets New Benchmark in Browser-based Gaming; Available Worldwide in Partnership with Syfy

Hamburg – February 8, 2011 – Bigpoint (www.bigpoint.com) – the global market leader in browser-based massively multiplayer online games (MMOGs) – today launched Battlestar Galactica Online. Based on the internationally popular Syfy television series produced by Universal Cable Productions, Battlestar Galactica Online (http://battlestar-galactica.bigpoint.com/) is a free-to-play, browser-based space combat MMOG that combines high-quality, 3D graphics with intense gameplay. Following a successful closed beta period that started in late 2010, the free-to-play game can now be enjoyed by players worldwide.

David Eick, Executive Producer of Battlestar Galactica, said, “Bigpoint has successfully embraced the spirit of Battlestar Galactica’s aggressive ship design, tactile physics, and its signature, vérité-style combat aesthetic, and taken it all to an entirely new level. Playing this game is like watching the most highly-adrenalized, nail-biting episodes of the series while chewing on a hunk of uranium. I highly recommend it – just make sure you don’t have anything else to do for a few days…”

Battlestar Galactica Online is based on the acclaimed Emmy and Peabody Award-winning television series Battlestar Galactica, which aired for four seasons on Syfy. Set during the latter part of the show’s second season, the game takes the form of a previously untold chapter in which both the Colonial and Cylon fleets are stranded in an uncharted area of space. Heavily damaged and low on critical supplies, both fleets must fight for control of the resources in the nearby star systems as the Colonials desperately search for a way to escape before the Cylons regain enough strength to destroy them once and for all.

“Our team’s passion for the series, and their dedication to maintaining its authenticity, enabled us to extend Battlestar Galactica’s iconic IP into a world-class MMOG,” said Heiko Hubertz, CEO and Founder, Bigpoint. “We are confident that a new standard has been achieved – no longer should browser games be considered subpar to their console or PC-installed counterparts.”

A blend of tactical space combat, exploration, and mission-based gameplay provides an engaging experience. For accuracy, assets from the television production have been integrated into the game, including Bear McCreary’s original score, select talent likenesses, and a number of ships modeled from schematics provided by the show’s creators.

At the start, players select a side – human or Cylon – and then are guided through a series of introductory tasks to learn basic flight controls and weapon systems. Once completed, players can customize their in-game avatars, receive situation and mission briefings, and begin to explore the vast universe. As players gain experience, they can unlock additional ships and learn a variety of skills. Inside capital ships and outposts, players can access the in-game market and customize all aspects their current ship – including weapons, engines, hulls, computers, and mining equipment.

For a period of six weeks, Syfy is Bigpoint’s exclusive distribution partner in the US (http://www.syfy.com/) and UK (http://www.syfy.co.uk/battlestar-galactica-game). In addition to Bigpoint’s game sites around the world, Syfy will also make the game available through its other international sites in Germany, France, Spain, Poland, and Russia, with more sites to be added in the weeks following launch.

Currently in open beta, Battlestar Galactica Online was developed by Artplant (http://artplant.no), a Norwegian studio that specializes in MMOGs. Post launch, Bigpoint will continue to add new content and features, paying close attention to community feedback. Battlestar Galactica Online is licensed through Universal Partnerships & Licensing on behalf of NBC Universal Television Consumer Products Group.

WALK THE PLANES OF MAGIC: THE GATHERING - TACTICSTM ON JANUARY 18th

The Free to Download and Play Strategy Game Invites Players to Join a New World of MagicTM

WHAT:
Sony Online Entertainment LLC is scheduled to release Magic: The Gathering - Tactics™, a free-to-play game, on the PC this January 18th. Players worldwide will experience a new dimension of Magic: The Gathering® as Wizards of the Coast’s legendary trading card game and its iconic creatures, characters and spells come to life for the first time in a fully realized 3D environment. Free to download and play, registered players will be able to compete online against opponents around the world or take on the challenging opening chapter of the game’s story-driven campaign. In the game, players will be able to build more powerful spellbooks by purchasing booster packs and taking on additional campaign chapters through the game’s integrated story.

ABOUT MAGIC: THE GATHERING - TACTICS:
A free-to-play online tactical strategy game, Magic: The Gathering - Tactics invites players to take on the role of a Planeswalker, a powerful mage commanding devastating spells and incredible creatures. Players will take their skills into intense online tactical battles as they fight in richly illustrated environments with all five colors of Magic. Magic: The Gathering - Tactics brings the challenge, collectability and community of Magic to the PC with the ease and access of a free-to-play downloadable client. Gamers can freely join the fun and open the door to a whole new dimension of Magic!

KEY FEATURES:

• Experience a New Dimension of a Classic Favorite: Characters, creatures, spells and settings from the rich world of Magic come alive in this free-to-play online game.
• Unleash the Power: As a commanding Planeswalker, players cast devastating spells such as Fireball, Doom Blade, Pacifism and Lightning Bolt, and control incredible creatures like Serra Angel, Lord of the Pit or Reya Dawnbringer.
• Connect and Combat: Join legions of gamers for intense battles of thrilling strategy in casual and tournament formats.

WHEN:
Magic: The Gathering - Tactics is scheduled to release for digital download on the PC platform January 18, 2011 and is expected to be available for the PlayStation ® 3 computer entertainment system later in 2011.

ESRB Rating: Teen with content descriptors Mild Blood and Mild Fantasy Violence. For more information on Magic: The Gathering - Tactics, visit www.magicthegatheringtactics.com and www.facebook.com/MagicTheGatheringTactics.

Conquer Online Official Newbie Guide Released!

New Servers Open on Dec. 16th

On Dec 16, 2010, the TQ team officially launched the latest expansion pack, the Returning Light, for their classic free to play Kungfu MMO, Conquer Online, in which the highly anticipated Monk was released as the sixth playable class! 2 brand new servers were opened at the same time, along with a string of celebration events, making the holiday season better than ever before for the CO community.

To celebrate the overwhelming success of the new expansion, and to pay special respects towards the dedicated players, CO has decided to name the servers after the newest champions of their grand inter-server PK competition, World Elite PK Tournament.

The new servers give all players, new and old alike, a perfect chance at a fresh start with the “Returning Light”. As soon as the new expansion & the new servers were available, hundreds of thousands of new characters tried to log into game at the same time, sparking spectacular scenes across the CO world.

To meet the growing demands of the new players, Conquer Online have released an official Newbie Guide, which provides some useful tips for beginners, including how to begin, fast level up tips and how to accumulate an in-game fortune in a short period of time.

The latest expansion, Returning Light, brings players a refreshing gameplay experience by introducing the new Monk class into the game. Players have shown such great interest and enthusiasm in the new content that everywhere in town is full of monks and saints!

You only need to look at the screenshots to see how hard they are working on honing their powerful new skills.

Want to live the spin kicking life of a Monk? Hurry up and join Conquer Online now!

Dragon Saga goes Live!

Marina Del Rey – October 28th , 2010

Gravity Interactive, a world renowned massively multiplayer online game publisher, is proud to announce Dragon Saga (formally Dragonica Online) will be going into commercial launch October 28th, 2010. Dragon Saga is a fast-paced fantasy-action MMO whose unique 3D side-scrolling perspective brings a new level of strategy to the genre. This will be the fourth title to be added to the WarpPortal.com growing list of free-to-play games.

“The Production Team and Barunson Interactive have been working very hard on Dragon Saga…” said Yoshinori Kitamura, Chief Executive Officer of Gravity Interactive, “…to bring users new gameplay and content previously unseen in the US version of the game. Our community is excited for the commercial launch of Dragon Saga and so are we; they are really going to enjoy how Dragon Saga has evolved. “

Dragon Saga players will find their characters just as they left them, and ready for battle. These players will also notice that many updates have been added since they last played, including many elements of the “Paris Strikes Back” update. Upon commercial service, updates will include Kundara Dungeon and Temple of Water, with Van Cliff Manor, level cap raise to 70, 4th classes, and more to come before the end of the year.

More Information about Dragon Saga and its WarpPortal.com:
http://www.playdragonsaga.com
http://www.warpportal.com

Trick-or-treat Taborea style

Runes of Magic celebrates Halloween with Pumpkin Festival event

BERLIN, 29/10/2010 – With Autumn casting its long shadow over the world of Taborea, Runes of Magic is preparing to celebrate all things ghastly and ghoulish with a newly expanded Pumpkin Festival event. On top of Runes of Magic Halloween favourites, this eerie event will offer up an XL haul of goodies, adding the Lil’ Pumpkins Trick-or-Treat and Pumpkin King games.

The Lil’ Pumpkins trick-or-treat offers visitors to Dalanis plenty of treats and more than enough tricks. This daily quest sends participants on a hunt to trap five pumpkin spirits scattered throughout the city before time runs out. These pumpkin pranksters are more than slippery and players might see their well-laid traps come up empty.

The Pumpkin King will also be holding court in Dalanis. In this event, his majesty will challenge players to a quiz that will force gamers to answers a series of questions by wearing their emoticons on their sleeve. Top treats are reserved for gamers who can obtain a perfect quiz score, but consolation prizes are available for those who get tricked.

This year’s event features the ghostly games of years past, including Kaz Madness, Monster Parade, Trick or Treat, and the Colored Ribbon Exchange.

For more information on the Pumpkin Festival event or Runes of Magic, visit the official website: www.runesofmagic.com.

Ntreev’s Golf Game, Pangya, Announces Halloween-themed Events

Players of the Online Game Stand to Win Goodies from In-game and Online Events

IRVINE, Calif. - Oct. 20, 2010
Ntreev USA, Inc., developer and publisher of several popular free-to-play games, today announced Halloween-themed events for its casual online multiplayer game, Pangya. Starting Oct. 20, players will be able to participate in two costume events on the official forums, as well as an in-game hunt for treats that can be exchanged for special Halloween boxes full of goodies.

“Halloween unleashes the role-play gamer in all of us, and that is why it is our favorite holiday,” said Chris Lee, CEO of Ntreev USA. “The interactive Halloween events we are hosting for Pangya players will give us the chance to enjoy our fans’ creativity and give away some great prizes!”

Players can visit the official forums to participate in a Halloween Design Contest and a Halloween Costume Contest. For the Design Contest, players are encouraged to create both a top and bottom for a spooky Halloween costume using the Self Design feature. The second costume contest will give players the chance to show off a picture of the Halloween costume they plan to wear this year for prizes. To participate, players submit a picture of themselves in their costume while holding a piece of paper with their in-game name written on it. Both contests can be entered by submitting screenshots or pictures on the appropriate forum thread. Submissions can be made Oct. 20 up until Oct. 31.

To keep the pumpkin rolling, Ntreev is also hosting an in-game Halloween Hunt. Candy boxes have been hidden throughout the island and can be collected and returned to Cadie’s Cauldron for Halloween Boxes chock-full of special items. Ntreev will also be rewarding players with Skull and Pumpkin Comets for logging on to Pangya during the Halloween season. The Halloween Hunt and log-in events are Oct. 20 through Nov. 3.

For more information about Ntreev, please visit: www.ntreev.net.

ATLUS ONLINE TAKES F2P MMORPG FANS TO NEW FRONTIERS WITH MASSIVE 600-PLAYER WARZONES AND STRATEGIC REAL-TIME COMBAT INPANDORA SAGA, LAUNCHING Q1 2011

IRVINE, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 20, 2010 - Atlus Online, a premiere destination for online entertainment, in collaboration with RossoIndex, is proud to reveal Pandora Saga™, a free-to-play MMORPG set in a fantasy world embroiled in a sweeping, player-driven war, coming to North America in early 2011. Pandora Saga boasts battles of breathtaking scope-up to 600 players may simultaneously engage in weekly realm-versus-realm combat to extend their nation’s influence. With an emphasis on fast-paced, strategy-laced real-time battles, Pandora Saga aims to set a new standard for free-to-play massively online roleplaying experiences.

“Our goal with Pandora Saga is nothing less than raising gamers’ expectations for what a free-to-play MMORPG can be,” stated Producer Justin Guthrie of Atlus Online. “Impressive scope and real-time combat involve and engage the player, bringing the back story and turmoil of the game world to life, while the various character and battle-related customization options give gamers a greater sense of ownership. Players must consider their angle of attack and properly manage siege weaponry found in many of the game world’s contested zones in order to achieve dominance.”

Pandora Saga is slated to bring its exciting real-time combat and vast PvP wars to Atlus Online’s interactive portal in early 2011, joining the steampunk MMORPG Neo Steam: The Shattered Continent™, one of the most engaging, community-driven options on the market. A closed beta for Pandora Saga is scheduled to begin in December.

Visit the official site (http://pandorasaga.atlusonline.com/) and register to receive updates about Pandora Saga and the upcoming betas!

About Pandora Saga
There exists a Great Empire with an ultimate weapon of terrible power. The people of this land, divided into three warring nations, have come to call this force “Pandora.” Each faction-the Kingdom of St. Pfelstein, Varik Confederation, and the Latugan Empire-seeks Pandora for themselves, for it is written that Pandora’s wielder will rule the world. So it is amidst this battle for supremacy, with an entire realm devouring itself from greed for power, that you awaken. Bereft of memory, you will choose a side and lend your strength to their defense lest the war for control of Pandora brings the walls of your nation crumbling down…

Key Features
War of tremendous scale-With an emphasis on PvP action and a variety of immense theatres of war upon which to wage battle, some of Pandora Saga’s greatest conflicts can host as many as 600 combatants.
Real-time, strategy-laced combat-Breaking from genre traditions, attacks occur in real-time based on user inputs. Bonuses based on player tactics, such as the direction from which an enemy is attacked, can be exercised by either combatant, making for exceptionally tense PvP encounters.
A world full of meaningful choices-Ally with one of three major nations, join a guild (or create your own), and explore a variety of deep customization options. Combat-related choices, such as managing defensive strong points across the game world’s many vast battlefields and one’s preference for how to enter battle (on horseback, for example), highlight Pandora Saga’s fast, action-packed battles.?

About Atlus Online
Atlus Online is the online interactive entertainment division of Atlus U.S.A., Inc., renowned for its proud tradition of publishing exceptional role-playing games with strong niche appeal. Atlus Online’s flagship title, Neo Steam: The Shattered Continent, a unique steampunk free-to-play MMORPG, complements the existing library of critically-acclaimed Atlus video games, including: Demon’s Souls, 3D Dot Game Heroes, Odin Sphere, the Trauma Center series, and the award-winning Shin Megami Tensei series. More information can be found at www.atlusonline.com.

GAMESCAMPUS’ MMORTS, SOUL MASTER, TO ENTER OPEN BETA AUGUST 12

Starting Tomorrow Players Can Enjoy The One-Of-A-Kind MMORTS With MMORPG-Style Character Control

Sunnyvale, Calif. (August 11, 2010) - Leading online game publisher, GamesCampus.com (www.GamesCampus.com), today announced that its genre-bending, free-to-play MMORTS, Soul Master will enter open beta tomorrow, Thursday, August 12. Developed by NPluto, Soul Master is an addictive new game that takes the innovation behind customizable “Hero” units in the RTS genre to a whole new level by allowing players to have complete MMORPG-style control over their characters. Players can set up an account and play the game by visiting http://Soul Master.GamesCampus.com

“While many MMO’s claim to blend genres into a new and unique gameplay experience, Soul Master actually delivers on that promise,” said Uyen Uyen Ton Nu, Head of Marketing for GamesCampus. “With easy to learn controls and well-balanced gameplay, Soul Master offers a truly unique
and incredibly addictive MMO experience.”

Soul Master features a unique combat system that allows players to create structures, progress through technology trees and produce and command units-all while developing a persistent character of their own. With resource-driven RTS combat, Soul Master allows players to create defensive towers, barricades, resource harvesting structures, and unit production facilities while progressing through simplified, traditional RTS tech-trees that let players focus on strategic, active gameplay in both Team and Free-for-All PvP. Players will find the game’s PVP highly competitive and a variety of strategies will be necessary for each player to utilize their own strengths in order to win. Players enter the game’s battle lobby and can join teams of up to
6 people and enter Team Vs. Team games or Free For All matches playing against either human opponents or AI controlled characters.

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

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