Build B Diary #6: Matchmaking

Dragonica now features a Matchmaking system!

Once you log in, a box will pop up listing all those in your vicinity who are a good level for you to party with. Then you can click on their name to send them an invitation, and if they accept, you can quest together in a party.

But that's not all there is of course.

Dragonica "Love Love" 101 ("Ra-bu-Ra-bu" for ye anime-freaks) :
1. Boy is bored and lonely. Boy hits "Y" and clicks on the Couple tab.
2. Boy lets system do matchmaking. System sends back results: Girl.
2. Boy sends Girl a request to be a Couple.
3. Girl accepts Boy's request and pink hearts pop up by their names. (They will now show up as pink hearts in each others' mini-maps.)4. Girl buys Brand-New "LOVE LOVE Warp Scroll" (Rabu-Rabu-Wapu ftw!) and teleports to Boy. (No more dash-jumping from Odellia all the way to Libra, whew.)
5. When Boy and Girl are in the same screen, either one of them can activate their new skill (aptly named "With the Power of Love") for a 30sec +10% Attack-Speed buff (below). May be activated by either party.
Matchmade Couple-status lasts for 1 day.
Also works for Girl-seeks-Boy.

Warning: Rampant Pink Hearts. Not recommended for Boys-playing-as-Girls unless you have a strong stomach. (Or a stronger need for power.)

Build B Diary #5: Map Face-Lift

Everyone's favorite gathering place, Port of Winds, has undergone some massive reconstruction since we last saw it!
(And we're pleased to say it's looking better than ever.)

Photo-ops, anyone?
Class trainers are now vendors of special class-specific set equipment, below.
Bulletin Board quests, below.

And Farrell's moved to a more fitting location in the underbelly of the city. In fact, boss instances like Farrell's mansion and the Magmus caverns are no longer as straightforward to get to.

Instead of just zoning in to fight, you actually have to survive obstacle courses to get to them, Tomb Raider style. Navigate your way past traps, over shifting boulders, spouting lava, rotating platforms, and all those pesky mobs just waiting to stop you from getting to the boss.

Magmus entrance, below.
Oh yeah... it's not going to be that easy anymore!

Teaser: Don't Mess With The Ninja

To Live, No Action is Cowardly.

Build B Diary #4: PVP

Many gamers have tried the Death Match and also the Ground-Capture PVP modes.
The area maps have been increased of course, and a few more additions are in place for this build:The minimal level for entry to PVP is now 20.
Most gamers are busy leveling from 1-20, which you can pretty much hit in less than a day if you party and go for the right mobs. (Hint: Go for the ones slightly higher than you to stack your combos and get the EXP bonus. Low level mobs die too easily to get big combo numbers.) Also, at the lowest levels, there aren't that many interesting skills to play with yet.

The cap for basic PVP is raised from 4v4 to 5v5 and may be raised more in future.There are also a few more different modes to enjoy:

Elimination matches are straightforward. Match starts and you dash forward to take down those of the opposing team. Last man or woman standing wins for his/her team. Most people just leap in to start spamming skills, but it can make a difference if you strategize as a team to take key people out first.

There is also a Free-for-All PVP where all 10 people zone in with one shared objective in mind; Be the last one standing.
This is PVP Battle Royale style. Pull out all your tricks because nobody is your friend in this one!

Ragtag bunch of winners and loser, below.But the most exciting one we're getting ready to try is the Guild Emporia War. Get ready for 20 v 20 warfare in Dragonica! Something like a Colony War, whichever Guild is currently holding the Emporia will enjoy its buffs and privileges until the next time it is unlocked for challengers.

This is when you send in your team of strongest fighters, no matter whether you are defending or challenging.

Emporia entrance, below. (Also note the Guild logo that will accompany your name.)

Then its up to you to defend your posession against those eyeing it!
For attackers, simply manage to destroy the sub-core and main-core of the defense before time is up, and you will be the new Custodians of the Emporia and its powers.More on Guild features in another post!

IAH Games Carnival 2008 Dragonian Recruitment!

Be one of the first to set foot on El Grego!

If you are in Singapore from 10-11th June 2008 (coming Tues, Wed), head on down to Funan DigitalLife mall for direct-entry to Dragonica and Top Speed CBTs, and play our game titles for one free hour in the Funan iCafe (basement level)!

I'll be roaming around in-game on both days, so let's see if we'll catch each other in Carinian!

Date and Time : 10th June 2008 (1pm to 8pm) /11th June 2008 (11am to 8pm)
Venue : Funan DigitalLife Mall, Level 1, Main Atrium
Available Games : Top Spin 2, GTA IV, Top Speed, Dragonica, etc.

We'll be handing out exclusive Dragonica and Top Speed print goodies!
Prizes for participating in the events also include Limited Edition GTA IV sets.

First 2000 gamers whom bring their copy of Grand Theft Auto 4 (PS3/Xbox360) to the Carnival will get to redeem a set of 8 Limited Edition GTA4 Posters!


Sign up and play!

Found This! And Got THAT!

I thought the rendering of the warrior and mage costumes and expressions was SO cute... Somehow, 2D art manages to capture cute-ness better than 3D sometimes, especially in the case of Dragonica monsters like Tutu (below).

Then a good Samaritan came along... (Thanks, Starstorm!)

And While We're Waiting...

We didn't manage to log into the Korean beta server the past 2 days, so we contented ourselves with this: All ye anime/manga/art lovers listen up!!
Just as Dragonica is a potential hot-bed for fantasy-setting artists, Top Speed by ICE Entertainment is going to attract plenty of contemporary fan-submissions. (Yep! We share 2 Summer projects with ICEE. Dragonica and Top Speed.)I like to think I'm a pretty mean driver, even if I say so myself *hyuk*, but more importantly, I like art, and the possibilities for this game are just mind-blowing. If I can help it at all, art-events and contests will be a big thing for IAH gamers this Summer!

CLASSES, CLASSES, CLASSES...

Okay, there's something missing on the character creation page.
OUR THIEF!!! Yep. We're working on unlocking it for you. It happens to be the second most popular class for use among our previous testers, not for any reason beyond the fact that it's really cool LOL.

As you can see, stats are as follows: I clicked on the Specifications box so you can see where the differences are. VIT IS your health, so it turns out that the developers have ascribed hardiness to the Thief class (as well as high Spell-points if you've noticed!), melee-power to the Warrior, wisdom to the Mage (INT IS your spell-points) and speed to the Archer for dizzying firing rates.

As you all lean in to squint intently at the screen, my recommendation is that you try every class.
You have 4 character slots: USE 'EM!!

There are a lot of variations depending on which monsters you meet and what kind of battles you engage in.

At the lower levels (under 10), the melee classes seem to dominate in PvP, because the ranged classes just don't stack up to physical attacks against non-AI opponents who know how to keep coming at you while you try to maintain distance. But get to about Level 15, pick the right skills/spells to learn, (I shall not spoil it by telling you which I like...) and I know a Mage can often PWN other classes more than 10 Levels higher. It's probably true of the other classes. The player has to figure out which skills make a huge difference for his/her class and what kind of movement style suits him/her.
Nothing is set in stone.

For leveling rates, there's some dispute over which class levels fastest. Right now, EVERYONE thinks their favorite class has the fastest and best rate. (Hence the advise to try every single one before you decide which one to stick with.) You can't tell which one you will handle better. And that's all part of the fun. If you need more of a challenge later, you can always go through a "job promotion" to master a whole new mode of attack.

Lastly, we really haven't had the chance to find out all there is to find out. Which is where YOU guys are supposed to come in. (Even then, it would probably take more than Alpha for all the nifty little player-generated Class-Guides and Walkthroughs to come out...)

That reminds me we need PvP tournaments. Preferably with a mix of classes to see how their skill balance out. A lower-level Mage will be able to buy time for a more devastating ranged attack if there was a Thief or Warrior to guard the frontlines, and an Archer sneakily eating away at enemies' HP from a distance.

(And Dragonica PvPs are always side-splittingly funny, in my experience... I'll propose holding a few just so I can laugh.)

Interview: ICEE Dragonica Marketing Manager on China CBT 1

The 8-day China CBT 1 for Dragonica just ended in late March. Yours truly managed to poke her nose in and sniff around using the various classes.

Honestly, I just wanted to check out the newer build... Ha. The special moves have been "powered-up" compared to the older version, so even our Alpha-testers have no idea what game-play will be like during CBT! (And check out the cool head-gear!)

In any case, if you want to know how the Chinese CBT went, I translated the interview. Scroll to the bottom for the link to the original ICEE article in Chinese.

Interview: Dragonica Marketing Manager Announces 2nd CBT Schedule
March 28 2008

On March 27, ICE Entertainment's Chinese-language Closed Beta Test of Dragonica, NC Soft's new masterpiece for 2008, officially ended. CBT in China was Dragonica's first massive testing phase. The game is positioned as a “First-Of-Its-Kind' blockbuster MMORPG, and has received highly-positive response from gamers. It is being described as “genre-defying”, as well as being likened to "Ragnarok”, and “Ragnarok 2". Other descriptions include "arcade-style side-scrolling system-integrated game", and "MO+MMO game balanced with community features."
So far, the bulk of gamers left out of the CBT have been crowding the official site in order to live vicariously through screenshots posted by the lucky shortlisted few.

I have not seen such an extraordinary response to a CBT for quite a time. Thus, I arranged for an interview with Liu Feng, the Marketing Manager of Dragonica, to introduce the game and talk to us about the CBT as well as future game developments.

Reporter: Did you expect to see such overwhelming reaction from testers for Dragonica CBT?
Liu Feng: Of course, a positive response was expected from the outset. The high quality of NC’s products is obvious, here and in Korea. However, Dragonica was such a unique and genre-defying game that it was very hard to make a reasonable estimate based on comparison products. Judging from the strength of the response, Chinese gamers are no less avid about Dragonica than the Koreans, which has boosted our confidence in this completely-new product.

Reporter: Does the comparable response for Dragonica (to Korean gamers) prove that Chinese gamers are getting more and more mature?
Liu Feng: Chinese gamers are now well-informed and updated on international game developments, and have ready access to all the blockbuster MMOs . Game-development capabilities in China have also been strengthening, so you can say China is playing an increasingly important role in the global game market.

Reporter: What did gamers like best about Dragonica?
Liu Feng: There are so many things that we can mention. Simply put, from the gamers’ viewpoint, besides beautifully-rendered 3D graphics and thrilling combo attacks, there are completely original aspects of the product like the comical elements and special effects. For instance, when monsters are attacked, they literally fly towards your screen and “break” the glass. Dragonica can also support the use of game-pad controllers. Because of the short test period, testers could not experience additional game systems such as in-game Weddings, Pets, Warfare, Guilds, Seasonal Environment Changes, Player Trading, etc.

Reporter: Let me ask you one last question on behalf of Dragonica players; When will you hold the next round of testing?
Liu Feng: [Well…] I can only say that it's currently undergoing planning. We have already tested many game functions and fixed many bugs through this CBT. We will only announce the next test schedule based on the rate of game content development and improvement.

Reporter: But we already see an official announcement of CBT 2 accounts being given out!
Liu Feng: Yes, that is true. Some gamers have managed to level up to 20 and above within the short 8-day test. We were moved by their enthusiasm for the game, so as a way of acknowledging their support, we are giving them access to the first lot of accounts in CBT 2.
This will likewise be implemented for the April CBT of another ICE Entertainment game, “Top Speed”, whereby kart-racers who attain a level of 15 and above will get access to Dragonica test accounts.

Reporter: Then, when will Dragonica improvement process be completed?
Liu Feng: Based on past experience, we would need approximately 2 to 3 months, and we will schedule the next phase of testing accordingly.

Reporter’s Note! This means the next round of testing for Dragonica will presumably take place 2 to 3 months from now.

Read the Chinese-language article here!

A word on Combos in Dragonica

Alright, before you think we were kidding, HERE IT IS.

Dougie the Archer, executing a 1268-hit combo.

Some people have been happily sending me reports of 100-plus (snicker) combos. I think the max I ever did up to now with a magician was about a measly 500. The latest is that someone did 1750. But no picture, no talk! Those of you who feel fit to take on this challenge better ready one finger to press your print-screen key.

If you can top 1268, SEND IN YOUR PIC and you win an enchanted weapon to bring along on your next rumble!

If you execute at least 10-hits, the XP for kills made within the combo-period is increased 10%. If you reach 20-plus, it is upped 20%. By the time you hit 100 and above, you get double-XP until you break your chain of consecutive-hits. This is a critical key to steady leveling.

Dragonica may be straightforward, but if you don't pick up skills and learn to time jumps and gauge distances for a high combo-count, you will be grinding away at Level 12, while everyone else is unlocking higher-level mission instances, getting great drops, and leveling up EVEN faster. (I'll do a more detailed write-up about combos soon.)

If you miss old-school, arcade-style combat, Dragonica will steal your heart and soul.

FINAL CLUE - Fri, 28th March 2008, I'm leveling up at Warrior's Valley (accessible from a portal on the far right of Bearded Whale Coast). Come find me if you dare! This is the last day, so I'll be around from 9pm-12am. If you find me at Warrior's Valley, you get a bonus gift of one of the REFINED (enchanted) items from my personal cache!

Delayed gratification

Thank you to Mistress Hrin for featuring all those shots of Dragonica in her blog-post yesterday! (I know she's got a thing for Woodi the Stump...)

Yes, we're anticipating a few big launches this year, and hopefully you will all like the expanding roster of great games as much as we do. We're already alpha-testing the latest version of Dragonica on our dedicated server (so now I am concurrently playing 3 versions in 3 languages... No wonder I am not getting enough sleep...), but here's where I tell you that we will be pushing back the English-version CBT to late Summer (3rd Quarter '08).

*Sniff* Yes, my first reaction was one of disappointment. Until I realized we now have more time to think up and plan great community-events for our future Dragonians, as well as allow Barunson Interactive time to develop even more great content. (I'm telling you, the funny headgear I saw during a foray onto the Chinese server made it all worth the discomfort of a wait.)

Good game service sometimes means putting off a launch until we are certain we can meet (and hopefully even exceed) your expectations. English-language Dragonica has enormous potential, so much so we are being extra-careful to do it right. So, impatient as I am, I shall wait along with the rest of you.

In the meantime, we're working on FIFA 2 Online, and a couple more upcoming products as well (shall not reveal what they are yet!), but rest assured we're not about to slack off on G.E. or HGL either.
I don't have to remind you to keep IAHGames.com on your radar this year!

Clue #4 - Tues 25th March 2008, look for Kaye02 (above) around various regions from 4-6pm and 8-10pm! Flutter was the sole winner on Monday and is 2 golds richer.
Clue #5 & 6 - Wed-Fri, 27-28th March 2008, I'm still running around, but I'm going to the Selpiad and Libra areas. Gotta level up to qualify for the Level 40+ Mission Instances which I can't unlock at the moment.

Weekend in Dragonica

Did a bit of "spotting" myself... And you guys cracked me up. But I'll be kind and feature the cool shots here.

Check out our Flickr page for the funny shots of the scrapes our big-headed adventurers got into over the holiday weekend...

Applepuddi the magician faces off the big bad wolves.Chaoszakee the Warrior with his special sword swing.

Dees the Thief is no damsel in distress. And Zeryph the Archer found the time to type "Hi" as she was being killed by an angry lamb. Ouch.

Go, Dragonians!

Clue#2 - Sun, 23rd March 2008, I'll be around Windia and Traitor's Ridge from 8-11pm. Yesterday's winners include Logan, AporoGrand, applepuddi and Dees.

Clue#3 - Mon, 24th March 2008, I'll likely be around the various map regions on and off the whole day, but I won't be using my Mage character. Try your luck! Sunday's gold went to Dees, Flutter, galzzz,

Dragonica: The wait is over!

Hi everyone!

There have been many questions and rumors floating around regarding Barunson Interactive's DRAGONICA; what it’s about, when it will be released, whether there is even going to be an English version...

So before there is any more speculation, allow me to give you the answers:

Yes, Dragonica is going through alpha testing in various regions currently.

Yes, you’re going to get your hands on the only international English version being developed.

Yes, Dragonica is going to be open for Beta-Testing soon.

As your Community Manager, I will be gaming right along with you and in charge of looking out for your – yeah, YOUR interests – so look out for me in-game and don’t be shy about saying hello. (I’ll probably be the Magician with the trigger-happy “cannon head”.) If I can hear you after all that ear-splitting noise lobbing cannon-balls from my face, I promise I’ll fight for what you want.

We are cracking our heads (Ha!) over all possible events, contests, and activities to make Dragonica more fun than it already is. I also know all you flashy attention-seekers are drrooo-ling at the thought of showcasing your Avatars, parading them around in funky outfits, forming your own factions, or even romancing your fellow-Dragonians, so we’ll develop a range of exciting and interactive platforms to allow you maximum freedom of expression.

That said, we need your suggestions and feedback. (I’ll be more than happy to listen to any ideas about what kind of in-game events you’d like to see since it is “Mi Casa, Su Casa”, and the more fun Dragonica is for you, the more fun it is for me.)

Closed Beta Test is scheduled to roll out this Summer, so if you are interested in being one of the first in the world to experience Dragonica Online in full English-language, stay posted here for updates on the Dragonica Registration Site Opening!

Finally, I ask for your continued patience and understanding whenever you may encounter bugs and problems along the way. Dragonica, like any other online world, is a work in progress. In fact, it should always be evolving and involving, rather than flat and static. Over time, if we keep working on it, it will become more and more OUR world.

I’ll even “advance” you a sincere apology now, for the occasions we may fall short of your expectations. We are aware it might be some time before an online game can run as smoothly as we’d all like, and the most avid gamers are the ones who have to experience most of the bugs and issues along the way. Don’t hesitate to let us know how we can make improvements (and DON’T be shy about letting us know if we rock either :P At least let us know what we’re doing right so we can do MORE of it.)

Cheers!

C.M. “Kaye”
www.IAHGames.com