Gamigo, a leading publisher of online games, today announced its latest free-to-play MMORPG: Soul Master, a unique mixture of online action role-play and real-time strategy.

“We are excited to announce that we will be the exclusive European publisher of Soul Master,” says gamigo executive board member Patrick Streppel. “Soul Master provides a unique gameplay experience that combines strategy and role-play, fitting perfectly into our broad portfolio of free-to-play online games.”

In Soul Master, three rival factions battle for the right to rule the realm of Elamond. The game is entirely mission-based: Cities act as meeting points for players to interact and trade with others and as a starting-point to set out on missions together. NPCs have many adventures ready for players to begin, either alone or with a group. The aim of these missions is more than just commanding your character and mastering your weapon, resources need to be captured and used to build a base and amass a powerful army.

Players looking to fight real opponents rather than a computer can prove their mettle against other Soul Masters in PvP (player vs. player) battles, with guild wars being an absolute highlight.

Soul Master will be offered as a free download and the European release is expected for the third quarter of 2010. In line with gamigo’s free-to-play gaming vision, Soul Master will be totally free to play – no subscription fees whatsoever.

Soul Master’s features at a glance:
- Action-packed online role-playing game with real-time strategy elements
- 3 factions (Valiant, Harmony, Holy)
- 6 character classes
- 18 units, each with their own abilities
- 33 building classes
- Single and multi-player missions
- Boss raids
- PvP battles
- Captivating guild wars
- Instant replay
- Pet system

Wargaming.net unveils American, German and Soviet tank development trees for its innovative “World of Tanks” MMO

Wargaming.net reveals the first details on the “World of Tanks” MMO upgrade and development system for American, German and Soviet lines due in the release. From the development trees players will find out what combat units will be available in the release, as well as how they can reach the fighting vehicle of their dreams. The images of the tank trees are available at the official website of the game here http://www.worldoftanks.com/gallery/art/1 .
In WORLD OF TANKS, there are more than 150 armored machines from pre-WW2 era up to the Korean War, which are organized into three trees according to the nation they belong to: America, Germany and the Soviet Union. On launching the game for the first time a player can select a “starter” vehicle from any of the three nations. While fighting in the WORLD OF TANKS, a recruit tanker receives experience points and credits which allow exploring and buying modifications or new battle units from the American, German or Soviet tree branches, which a player has chosen to follow.
“The legendary Soviet T-34 tank, the formidable German Tiger, as well as the lethal American Pershing are of major interest to tank fans of all ages and nations,” — says Victor Kislyi, producer of WORLD OF TANKS. “We are really glad to reconstruct realistic models and tactical features of these tanks in our Panzer MMO”.
After the release, Wargaming.net plans to include tank trees of other nations in WORLD OF TANKS add-ons.
The game will be available as a free download and is expected to be released in Fall 2010.

To join the Tank MMO community and get updates on the development progress, visit the Forum.

World of Tanks Debut teaser is available here: http://worldoftanks.com/gallery/video/1

For more information on WORLD OF TANKS, visit www.worldoftanks.com.

About World of Tanks

World of Tanks is the first and only team-based massively multiplayer online action game dedicated to armored warfare. Throw yourself into the epic tank battles of World War II with other steel cowboys all over the world. Your arsenal includes more than 150 armored vehicles from America, Germany, and the Soviet Union, carefully detailed with historical accuracy.
A flexible system of authentic vehicle upgrade and development allows you to try any of the vehicles and weapons in the game. Whether you prefer to exhaust your foes with fast and maneuverable light tanks, make deep breaches in enemy lines with all-purpose medium tanks, use the force of giant tanks to eliminate opposing armored forces, or become a heavy sniper with long-range howitzers, each unit type has its own advantages and can be extremely effective when operated by a true tank ace.
But being a great tank commander alone isn’t enough to win! In World of Tanks, it’s all about teamwork. Victory is achieved by combining your combat skills with those of the other members of your team, each playing their own role on the battlefield. Just add your favorite strategy to build your own iron empire and manifest the indisputable authority of the tank! Feel the TANK POWER!

Key Features:

· Action-packed 30-vs-30 PvP Tank battles
· Mixture of Action, Strategy, Simulation and MMORPG genres
· 150 Vehicles, thousands of upgrades
· Unprecedented global Clan Wars

About Wargaming.net
Wargaming.net is a UK-based strategy game specialist. Its 140-strong development team is located in Belarus. Starting from 1998, the company has shipped 13 titles, including acclaimed Massive Assault series, Order of War RTS published by Square Enix and three add-ons for Blitzkrieg II. Wargaming.net’s Operation Bagration RTS was awarded the Best Strategy Game of 2008 at Russian Game Developers Conference (KRI). At KRI 2009 Wargaming.net was named The Best Developer Company from ex-USSR. Currently the company is finalizing World of Tanks MMO action game and is working on unannounced MMO strategy project. Visit www.wargaming.net for more information.

Following the successful launch of the Tales of Fantasy Alpha Test at 8:00pm EST(GMT-5) on March 9th, the response in game and on the forums ( http://forum.tof.igg.com ) has been overwhelmingly positive.
As announced in earlier press release, the official will be giving away an iPad and 20 Amazon Gift Cards to some lucky players. Simply meet the following requirements and you may walk away with one of these fabulous prizes!
Who will be listed in the lucky drawing
All Alpha Test participants with a character Level 25+ will qualify for the lucky drawing.
Winners will be rewarded with an iPad or one of the twenty $25 Amazon Gift cards.
When to get the rewards
After the end of Alpha Test, we will announce the list of winners on the official website – after which, we will give out the prizes within 15 working days.
Note
1. Reward winners are required to contact us via their official email (or contact our Customer Service Center) to confirm their preferred method of prize delivery.
2. The iPad contains 16GB of memory, supports Wifi, and is worth $499! The iP ad will only be available in April – as such, please be patient! We will deliver the iPad as soon as we get our hands on it.
Additionally, players can also win an additional twenty Amazon Gift Cards by taking part in our various forum events like the screenshot contest, game video recording, or by writing short articles about the game.
For more details please visit the official site at
http://forum.tof.igg.com/viewthread.php?tid=601&extra=page%3D1&frombbs=1

 The latest game master blog at the Star Trek Online site deals with a host of issues that confront both GMs and players. This time, Destra discusses, among other stuff, griefing and restoring items. Check it out!

Griefing

How do we deal with griefing?

 

Players who are found griefing accrue account penalties in the same form they would if they were found harassing another player. However, it’s not always black and white. We look at a few factors to determine if someone is truly at fault.

 The latest EVE Online developer blog is a great treatise about upcoming changes in the works for the Tyrannis expansion to allow players to have interaction with -all- planets in game. Keep reading!

 

 

But before we get into that I would be remiss if I didn’t give a modicum of back story. Interacting with planets is something we’ve always wanted to do. We have even shown a rough prototype of planetary flight at the first FanFest. Well, a lot has changed since that first FanFest but our desire to explore these thousands of worlds has remained unwavering. The EVE universe is such a rich and interesting place it’s been a shame we haven’t been able to immerse ourselves deeper into it. Until today where we are

 Warhammer Online developers will be running another “Weekend Warfront” event from March 5-8, 2010. This time, the event will take place in the High Pass Cemetery. Grab the details below:

 

 

WAAAAGH!!!

 The details for the EVE Online Alliance Tournament VIII have emerged on the official site. The blog post goes over some of the rules changes since Tournament VII. Read more below:

Along with this blog release comes the latest update to the Alliance Tournament section of the site. Cast your eyes a little bit to the left, and a little bit downwards; almost…almost…there we go! Both the rules and the format sections have been updated, so I’d like to explain some of the thought processes behind these updates.

 

Comet Network, a leading publisher and developer of MMORPGs and social games, today announced the very stable version of TransForce titled RockBot. The big updates have gone live together with brand new features – for the Transformers-themed MMORPG such as Instance Exploration, Dependency System, and Bounty Hunt as well.
 
With this move, the TransForce team would change its current community software to enhance the gaming community functionality. Furthermore, the folks at Comet Network have rolled out a handful of new features with wildland digging, Personalized Mission System and Expedition quests and the Arena System.
In Feb 8,2010, the TransForce team integrated this most anticipated browser mmorpg to facebook connect, which doubled their existing users and brought TF to more and more global users. While today’s TF gaming enhancement, and big updates are on the way, TransForce is expected to become one of most popular facebook games and browser games.
 
TransForce is a FREE browser based game that is closely based on the Marvel comic book series and also the Transformers Film. In TransForce, there are two factions–Autobots and Decepticons. Like some mainstream browser-based game, TransForce also requires you to build resource buildings and produce resources like Metal, Crystal, and Matrix. Etc.
Features:
Assemble all alliance members to launch a Joint Attack
Feel free to make Shape-Shifting and Transformations
Make a Free Trading Agreement to trade your resources
Diversified Attacking gameplays: ammunition, armor-piercing, energy, scatter and suicide
Personalized Mission System and Expedition quests
Instance Exploration and Aggressive Tribal War
Bounty Hunt and The Most Wanted System
Player’s Achievement and Whole Server Achievement
Dependency System
Arena System
 
For more information, check its official website http://tf.playcomet.com/

As we ramp up to the Erebus: Travia Reborn closed beta, it’s time for some more info on Outspark’s upcoming free-to-play MMO Action-RPG! This week, we take a look at the game’s four starting classes, and their final advancements.

Over at the Erebus teaser site (http://erebus.outspark.com), people waiting for the game can read about Warriors, Archers, Clerics, and Mages. (And if you don’t want to visit the site, YOU can read about them below!)

Expect more updates next week during GDC, especially as we begin inviting press to try both Erebus and one of our other upcoming titles, Divine Soul. If you’re attending GDC and haven’t made an appointment yet – and want to check the games out or interview someone about Outspark in general – just let me know. And if you won’t be at GDC but still want to take a look at the game(s) (via Skype or some other video chat platform) and interview the producers, we can also try to do that!

Cheers!
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The Warrior – Long before humans discovered magic, they were masters of armed warfare. This rich combat legacy ensures that no other class can dish out or take physical damage like a Warrior. With his superior strength, a Warrior like General Karvion can wield massive two-handed blades and wear the heaviest armor in Travia, but with fewer ranged options, he will need that armor to survive. Veteran Warriors can choose to follow the path of warfare, becoming dreaded Blade Masters, or they can swear service to their god, becoming Paladins.

The Archer – The Elven Archers are unrivaled masters of ranged combat. Elves such as Lady Vestora use their bows and crossbows to pick off targets with deadly accuracy. These defenders of the forest forgo heavy armor, preferring to keep their foes at a distance. Masters of survival, Archers use traps and cunning to keep the battle on favorable terms. As Archers advance through the ranks, they can choose to focus on improving their weapon skills, becoming a Huntress, or they can deepen their bonds with the forest as a Summoner.

The Cleric – When humans were exiled to Travia, many turned to Andara, the Goddess of Light, for guidance and power. Over the years, the devout have deepened their connection to the goddess, gaining the ability to unleash holy magic from afar or heal allies with a touch. Some clerics use mighty staves to smite their foes, while others use cudgels and shields to engage the unrighteous in melee combat. When a Cleric is ready, she can renew her commitment to Andara, ascending to the role of Bishop, or she can turn from the light to Devu, Goddess of Shadows, and become a Necromancer.

The Mage – For a race that only recently discovered magic, humanity has quickly mastered the secrets of the arcane. Now, the Mages of Bitrah are the ultimate damage dealers, with focused spells that can annihilate a single target and magical storms that can devastate foes within a wide area of attack. With this great power comes great risk, for Mages are the most vulnerable of all classes. As Mages grow advanced in their studies,they can rise to the rank of Archmage and specialize in the arts of Fire, Ice or Lightning.

G4BOX Inc., a North American publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment media, announced today that hugely popular military shooter, Cross Fire, has launched a dedicated server in Europe. Due to the high demand from European players, G4box has launched the dedicated server to ensure everyone can enjoy a smooth Cross Fire experience. In addition, the company will introduce a new Rival Factions mission related to its Ghost Mode and also host events and the third official Cross Fire tournament.  Players can go to http://crossfire.z8games.com to download and play the game.

In celebration of the new server, the month of March will be loaded with events and great prizes for Cross Fire players.  The collection of events themed “March of the Ghosts” is in relation to the game’s popular Ghost Mode. The “March of the Ghosts” events will include the Third Official Cross Fire Tournament, a New Rival Factions Mission and a Video & Screenshot contest.  

Registration for the tournament begins March 12^th and the competition will start on March 17^th, with 32 teams battling it out for the top spot and great prizes. Matches will be 5 versus 5 with 3 subs per team.  (for a total of 8 people). 

The New Rival Factions Mission, where players choose to fight for either Global Risk or Black List factions, is expected to start on March 10^th and will take place in one of the Ghost Mode maps. The video and screenshot contests will cap off the Ghost Mode themed events, with submissions being accepted beginning March 19^th. 

Cross Fire is a free online military first-person shooter for Windows PCs supporting Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7. Players assume the role of either a Black List or Global Risk operative and compete in various modes of play including Free-for-All, Team Death Match, the exclusive stealth-action Ghost Mode, and the brand new Mutation Mode. Cross Fire includes a military ranking system, in-game friends lists, an integrated clan system, and deep character customization options. Cross Fire is part of the Z8Games platform of free-to-play games. 

Cross Fire is free-to-download-and-play. Visit the Cross Fire homepage at: http://crossfire.z8games.com    

For more information about G4BOX visit www.g4box.com.  For more information about the Z8Games lineup of free games please visit www.z8games.com.   

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About Z8Games

Z8Games is the evolution of free to play gaming online. It’s an online destination for gamers to download the very best online games, including online military shooter, Cross Fire and dynamic-action MMORPG, Metin2, as well as access engaging community features and events; all for free! Visit www.z8games.com today to take part in the evolution of free-to-play gaming online.   

About G4BOX INC.

G4BOX INC. is a digital media provider specializing in the publishing and distribution of online video games. The company was founded in 2006 on the principle that online, community-based video games offer unique and compelling gaming experiences with untapped mass market potential and wide social appeal. They currently offer a growing portfolio of successful, massively multiplayer online game properties. 

G4BOX is based in Toronto, Canada, where it employs a staff of widely-talented and culturally diverse employees – headed by an experienced and imaginative management team. Their mission is to become a premier content provider in the online gaming market. 

For more information about G4BOX and its current product offerings, please visit www.g4box.com.