Shadowbane
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| Shadowbane | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Formerly Wolfpack Studios, Currently Stray Bullet Games |
| Publisher(s) | Ubi Soft |
| Engine | Arcane Engine |
| Release date(s) | March 25, 2003 |
| Genre(s) | MMORPG |
| Mode(s) | Multiplayer |
| Rating(s) | ESRB: Teen (T) |
| Platform(s) | Windows, Mac |
| Media | CD |
| System requirements | Pentium III or PowerPC G3 CPU, 128 MB RAM, DirectX 8 / OpenGL, Internet access, graphics card |
| Input | Keyboard, mouse |
Shadowbane is a free fantasy computer role-playing game (MMORPG) created by Wolfpack Studios and published on March 25, 2003 by Ubisoft for Windows and Mac platforms. Shadowbane once required a monthly fee to play in addition to purchasing the client software, though on March 15, 2006 it was made free to both download and play.[1] Starting in June of 2006, Stray Bullet Games took over development of Shadowbane due to the closure of Wolfpack Studios.
The game takes place in a dark fantasy world called Aerynth. Gameplay features many aspects typical of computer role-playing games, such as experience points, character classes, and fantasy races. Character creation is extremely detailed, allowing players to create literally thousands of different race/character combinations.
Shadowbane is notable for emphasizing player-versus-player combat and specializing in siege warfare (players building cities and trying to raze enemy players' cities) whereas the majority of MMORPGs released since Ultima Online restrict player killing to certain areas of the game or special dedicated PvP servers.
The first expansion, Rise of Chaos', was released on December 9, 2003. On December 7, 2004 the second expansion, Throne of Oblivion, was released.
The game became free to play on March 15, 2006. As a result of the increase in population, a new server called Braialla was opened on March 20, 2006. Braialla joins the existing worlds of Mourning, Wrath, Redemption, and Vindication.
Contents |
[edit] Characters
[edit] Races
There are twelve races available in the game:
- Aelfborn (Half Elves)
- Aracoix (Flying Birdmen)
- Centaurs (Horse Men)
- Dwarves (Born of Stone)
- Elves
- Half Giants
- Humans (Heirs of the All-Father)
- Irekei (Desert-dwelling Devilmen)
- Minotaurs (The Beast Men, creation of the elves)
- Nephilim (Flying demon-like creatures)
- Shades (The Pale Ones who are linked to the process of death, and have a gaunt, skeletal appearance.)
- Vampires (Powers and spells consume health instead of mana or stamina.)
[edit] Classes
There are four basic classes, though not all races may use every class:
- Fighter
- Healer
- Mage
- Rogue
At 10th level, each character must choose to promote to a specific profession:
- Assassin
- Barbarian
- Bard
- Channeler
- Confessor
- Crusader
- Doomsayer
- Druid
- Fury (Female only)
- Huntress (Female only)
- Necromancer
- Nightstalker
- Prelate
- Priest
- Ranger
- Scout
- Sentinel
- Templar
- Thief
- Warlock (Male only)
- Warrior
- Wizard
Which Professions are available are dependent on the race and base class of the character.
In addition, each character can take up to three disciplines, from a list of over thirty, though like with Professions, access is limited by race and class. The level hard cap is level 75, and at level 70 a fourth discipline slot is unlocked.
