I går annonserte Microsoft at Asheron's Call 2 er på vei, på PC Games International Games Festival i Las Vegas. Vi har de siste bildene og mer info!
Microsoft har tatt hintet fra de mange fans av originalen og nå er de altså i gang med utviklingen av et splitternytt MMORPG, basert på det gamle Asheron's Call universet. Asheron's Call 2, forventes å være tilgjengelig i løpet av vinteren 2003.
Her er de siste screenshotene fra spillet, etterfulgt av noen utdrag fra pressemeldingen, samt spillets hovedfeatures:
Microsoft is building on this momentum and has again allied with Turbine Entertainment Software Corp. for the development of "Asheron's Call 2." The game will feature a new dynamic, evolving world that reacts to player behavior and actions; the advanced MMORPG Turbine Engine G2 graphics engine; a revamped combat system and a new in-depth crafting system that gives players a chance to pursue noncombative skills.
"Core to the appeal of heroic fantasy is the ability to make your mark on the world around you," said Stuart Moulder, general manager of Microsoft Game Studios. "'Asheron's Call 2' delivers this with an engine that allows players to genuinely affect the landscape and story of the world, combined with graphics that rival some first-person shooters. We expect 'Asheron's Call 2' to elevate online gaming, and our players in the process."
In "Asheron's Call 2," players will be challenged to rebuild a world that has been devastated by a great disaster. Their actions will help determine where and how the world is restored. In their quest to rebuild the world, players also must deal with ongoing events, including such world-shaking calamities as blizzards, volcanoes and hordes of invading forces, as the story unfolds. Players can align with one of three kingdoms and battle both monsters and opposing players to capture and control precious resources - and ultimately, survive.
Key Features:
- Your world will never be the same: "Asheron's Call 2" features an unfolding storyline and a dynamic content system that can bring about an ongoing stream of world-shaking events, including blizzards, volcanoes and hordes of invading forces. As players become more powerful, they will be able to trigger some of these directly.
- Grand Campaign - As each major chapter unfolds, players will receive a series of quests intricately tied to the story-line, sweeping them up into the events and story around them.
- Factions - Players will be able to align with one of three factions and can do battle with both monsters and players of opposing groups to capture and control precious resources.
- Rebuild the World - The world has been devastated by a great disaster. Players will be responsible for rebuilding the world and, on both a micro and macro level, their actions will help determine where and how the world is restored.
- Interactive Environments - Players will be able to impact their game-world like never before. Everything from being able to change their immediate environment from completing a quest all the way up to triggering global events.
- Tactical Combat: "Asheron's Call 2" features an all-new streamlined combat system where players are gripped by real-time decisions that influence the outcome of a battle. Players can excel and develop distinctive combat styles and techniques, and be the envy of other players.
- Fantasy in a new light: "Asheron's Call 2" uses the Turbine Engine G2, the next generation graphics engine that provides real-time 3D shadows and lighting, and dense reactive environments. This creates a rich, atmospheric world where dense grass and foliage sway in the wind, and water shimmers with reflections. The engine also enables highly detailed player characters and monsters a hundred times more massive than the players.
- Express your inner hero - Choose between three very different character races, including the industrious humans, the wild, magical Tumeroks or the behemoth Lugians. Develop your combat, crafting and magical abilities along distinct skill-trees with hundreds of skills, where experience and diligence will open up new paths for players to explore.
- Crafting System - A brand new crafting system will give players the chance to pursue non-combat skills. Begin as a humble crafter of mundane items and graduate to become a master craftsman of the most sought-after magical items.