Skyforge

SkyForge
Developer(s) Allods Team
Obsidian Entertainment
Publisher(s) Mail.Ru (My.com)
Platform(s) Microsoft Windows
Genre(s) MMORPG
Mode(s) Multiplayer

Skyforge is a free-to-play 3rd-person action-MMORPG (massively multiplayer online roleplaying game) developed by the Mail.ru Group's Allods Team in collaboration with Obsidian Entertainment and published by Mail.Ru and its subsidiary My.com for selected markets. The project has been in development since 2010 and the first Closed Beta Test was opened to selected players on March 11, 2015 for the PC, with the NA and EU servers currently available.[1]

First screenshots of the game's proprietary game engine were revealed at the private Skyforge showcase at the Russian Game Developers Conference 2012.

Gameplay

In Skyforge, player takes on a larger than life role as an immortal with incredible powers battling to protect their world from the armies of hostile gods, eventually becoming a god themselves.[2] Character progression within the game is not level based.[3] Instead of a traditional leveling format, Skyforge features a “prestige” system, which allows a player to advance based on the sum total of their stats and progression. This system allows Skyforge players to develop and switch to multiple classes at any time, rather than being locked into an early game class choice like common MMOs. As a player gains more prestige, additional content, gear, and followers are unlocked.[4] Once god mode is achieved Skyforge includes an additional progression system which allows users to manage their followers to increase their character's overall power.[5]

Setting

Skyforge is set in a world where fantasy and science fiction are mixed. Ancient mysteries and powerful immortals live alongside cutting-edge technologies.[6] Skyforge takes place on the planet of Aelion, which is named after the greater god Aeli who once protected it.[7]

Combat

Skyforge is an action-combat game MMO in which players move through the world using WASD key with mouse-look and tab-targeting aiming and combat.[8]The player’s primary abilities are focused on the left and right mouse buttons so movement and combat are seamlessly blended and easy to learn.[9]

Story

In the universe of Skyforge, gods derive their powers from their followers. The planet of Aelion was once a free world protected by greater god Aeli, who helped civilization flourish.[10]Aeli has vanished, leaving behind a world of followers which is only protected by Immortals (the players) and a few remaining lesser gods. Without a strong greater god to protect it, Aelion has become a target for the armies of hostile gods, who wish to gain control of a new world of followers and build their own power. The world is constantly under the threat of cataclysmic invasions. Eventually, players will gain the prestige, renown, and followers of their own, becoming gods themselves, enabling them to protect Aelion and counter these invasions.[11]

Character Classes

Unlike typical RPGs where players choose their classes early, and level up throughout the game, Skyforge allows players the freedom to develop and play any class they've unlocked. Players can change between classes they have unlocked at any time, as long as they are not in combat. The game will ship with over 10 classes at launch, 3 of which will be unlocked for play right from the start:The Lightbinder,the Paladin and the Cryomancer.The others can be worked toward as players gain rewards for completing game activities.[12]Each class is designed to play distinctively, and to fill certain combat roles.[13]To date the developers have announced 9 classes: Paladin, Cryomancer, Berserker, Gunner, Archer, Kinetic,Slayer,Lightbinder and Necromancer.

Business Model

Skyforge is free-to-play, but will feature an optional Premium Status and Cash Shop to allow payment for certain items, like cosmetics. Currently, 3 Founders' Packs have been released that grant immediate access to Closed Beta tests along with a variety of other rewards.[14]

Awards

• “Best of Show” award from TenTonHammer's Best of E3 Awards[15]

External links

References

  1. ↑ "First CBT Now Live". http://sf.my.com/us/news/announcements/skyforge-closed-beta-test-1-now-live/''. Retrieved 15 March 2015.
  2. ↑ VanOrd, Kevin. "Is Skyforge the next big online RPG?". http://www.gamespot.com/''. Retrieved 25 March 2014.
  3. ↑ "Skyforge – First Q&A reveals level system and switching of classes". http://mmoculture.com/''. Retrieved 19 April 2014. |first1= missing |last1= in Authors list (help)
  4. ↑ Olivetti, Justin. "Skyforge abandons leveling in favor of a prestige system". http://massively.joystiq.com/''. Retrieved 6 June 2014.
  5. ↑ "Skyforge exclusive interview and screenshots". http://www.mmogames.com/''. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
  6. ↑ "Rule the Skies in Sci-Fi Fantasy MMORPG Skyforge". http://www.businesswire.com/''. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  7. ↑ "Skyforge - World Introduction Trailer". http://www.gamespot.com/''.
  8. ↑ "Skyforge – First Q&A reveals level system and switching of classes". http://mmoculture.com/''. Retrieved 19 April 2014. |first1= missing |last1= in Authors list (help)
  9. ↑ "Skyforge – First Q&A reveals level system and switching of classes". http://mmoculture.com/''. Retrieved 19 April 2014. |first1= missing |last1= in Authors list (help)
  10. ↑ "Fresh New trailer featuring the world of Aelion from MMO Skyforge". http://www.ggsgamer.com/''. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
  11. ↑ VanOrd, Kevin. "Is Skyforge the next big online RPG?". http://www.gamespot.com/''. Retrieved 25 March 2014.
  12. ↑ "Skyforge's class system has been revealed and detailed". http://www.gamingnexus.com/''. Retrieved 4 August 2014. |first1= missing |last1= in Authors list (help)
  13. ↑ Royce, Brianna. "Obsidian explains Skyforge's class-swapping system". http://massively.joystiq.com/''. Retrieved 1 August 2014.
  14. ↑ "Skyforge Founders' Packs". http://sf.my.com/us/founders-packs/''. Retrieved 15 March 2015.
  15. ↑ Waters, Reuben. "TEN TON HAMMER'S BEST OF E3 2014 AWARDS". http://www.tentonhammer.com/''. Retrieved 23 June 2014.