Shadowbane
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| Shadowbane | |
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| 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 player-driven 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. A system of short ads, displayed when the game is opened or closed and when a character dies (with at least 10 minutes between death ads), was introduced on March 6 of 2007 to provide revenue for the game.[2]
The game takes place in a dark fantasy world called Aerynth (however, the world will sometimes depend on the server. Most servers have their own unique world map). 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.
Some have claimed that Shadowbane is not really free to play due to the client requiring a FilePlanet account in order to download. However it can still be downloaded with non-subscriber FilePlanet acounts and from other sources of the client, both for PC[3] and Mac[4], exist which require no investment of money, directly or indirectly.
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[edit] Gameplay
Shadowbane is notable for emphasizing player-versus-player combat, implementing non-conventional races 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.
Players are also allowed to own cities and capitals and most of the property and cities in Shadowbane are player owned. In effect, Shadowbane's war status is decided by the players rather than the game company. Whether a guild city goes to war with another guild city is entirely up to the leaders. A government system is also implemented in the game. This allows players to be in total control of the Shadowbane world.
There are no quests in the game, which can turn many MMORPG players off. However, most players agree that Shadowbane's PVP, Nation, and Siege Warfare system make up for this fault. Even now, Shadowbane is considered one of the best PVP MMORPG.
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.
[edit] Characters
[edit] Races
There are twelve races available in the game:
- Aelfborn (Half Elves)
- Aracoix (Flying Birdmen)
- Centaurs
- Dwarves
- 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.
[edit] World Maps
Shadowbane has also been known for it's large map, which contains a large amount of continents. Unlike many MMORPGs, Shadowbane's world map depends on the server. Most servers have a different map from each other.
Two of the most popular maps are Vorringa and Aerynth.
