Game-Arena Entertainment Announces MMORPGs for Linux
August 13th, 2005 by CrusaderThe newly-launched studio Game-Arena Entertainment sent in a press release announcing the development of two MMORPGs for Linux, Age of Darkness and Ashbrook Prime:
Age of Darkness combines several innovative features including a revolutionary death system, an extremely advanced AI, dynamic quest generation and player-run cities. Both games will be available for Windows, Mac and Linux users. “We believe these games will cause quite a stir in the MMORPG community; we’re taking chances that the big-guns won’t even consider for fear of alienating their audience.” The games are expected to launch as a package in the second quarter of 2006.
Screenshots and additional info can be found here; there are also forums.
August 14th, 2005 at 1:41 am
I took a look at the Age of Darkness screenshots, feels a bit that the graphics ain’t much more than on quake3 level (if you use low quality), on the graphics side there is a lot to do before it’s IMHO upto date.
If the client will be free as they claim, then this is a big step forward, but paying to play a game monthly, I don’t think that is a good thing (I know, people earn a lot of money on this), playing should be free, as it was in the old good days when everything was free on the net, it’s nowdays all to commercial. :(
August 14th, 2005 at 6:57 am
Trizt, thanks for replying. I’m the Head of PR at Game-Arena.
Our game is in the early alpha stage right now; the graphics will improve over time. We are independently funded though, so do expect EQ2 :)
The cost of running an MMORPG with 500-1000 players is upwards of $3000/month for server costs alone, that is why they have subscription fees. I believe you’ll find ours extremely competitive.
Thanks,
August 14th, 2005 at 1:26 pm
The graphics, like someone else already said, are behind the times… *But* if they make up for it with MMORPG innovation and reliable service I think I’ll be buying this/these games…at least for a while… that 10$/mo subscription for *2* games is crazy… most MMORPGs cost 14.95/mo for *1* game!
August 16th, 2005 at 6:57 am
*sigh* I was hoping this site would be a non-commercial alternative to the Linux Game Tome. I guess not, though.
Does anyone know of a good site for FOSS-only games?
August 17th, 2005 at 1:52 pm
Hi everyone, thanks for replying.
1. First of all, we are not in this for the money, and I emphasize that. These games are being developed with a budget stemming directly from the CEO’s pocket. Should they succeed, we’ll be opening our office and working on higher budget titles, and yes, they’ll probably be available for Linux.
2. The Graphics are not in their final stage; I’ll say it again. The game is in the pre-alpha phase.
3. The client download will include a 10-day free trial period.
4. Unfortunately we will not be offering the option of limited servers, that’s not a good business plan for a title of this nature.
5. We are not Guild Wars and our servers will not be free to use unless you want us to follow the Guild Wars route and charge a hefty distribution fee and have 100% instanced play.
Keep an eye out next week: the AOD website will be launching and there will be TONS of info available.
Thanks for your interest,