Fantasy Earth: Zero

Fantasy Earth ZERO
Developer(s) Multiterm(original), Fenix Soft (Current)
Publisher(s) Gamepot
GamepotUSA
Square Enix
Gamania
Hangame
PlayOnline
Designer(s) George Kamitani (Art director)
Composer(s) Hitoshi Sakimoto
Masaharu Iwata
Manabu Namiki
Kenichi Koyano
Chronicles:
Ryo Yamazaki
Hidenori Iwasaki
Tsuyoshi Sekito
Platform(s) Windows
Release
  • JP: February 23, 2006 (original)
  • JP: November 2, 2006 (beta)
  • JP: December 21, 2006 (Official)

CN April 23, 2007(beta)

HKJune 26, 2008 (beta)

TWJuly 3, 2008(beta)

  • NA: March 3, 2010 (1st)
  • NA: March 17, 2010 (2nd)
  • NA: May 18, 2010 (official)
Genre(s) MMORPG/TPS/RTS
Mode(s) multiplayer

Fantasy Earth Zero (Japanese: ファンタジーアースゼロ), formerly known as Fantasy Earth: The Ring of Dominion, is a massive multiplayer online game (MMO) developed by Fenix Soft(Square Enix) (the original developers, Multiterm, were absorbed into NHN Japan on September 1, 2007,[1] however development rights transferred to Fenix Soft on June 2008[2]).

Several months after the release of The Ring of Dominion, Square Enix cancelled the game because of a severe lack of demand. The publishing rights were later bought by Gamepot, who renamed it to Fantasy Earth Zero and had greater success with it when they dropped the subscription-based element it became a "free to play" game. In 2011 the game claimed over 1,200,000 users.[3][4] Revenue is generated using an in-game currency known as "arbs", which are bought for real money and can purchase items obtainable in no other way.

Gamepot Japan and Gamania Taiwan have established IP blocks that prevent players outside their respective regions from playing the game. Gamania HK has established an IP block as of December 20, 2012 and will gradually prevent players from outside the region from playing.[5] While PlayOnlineCN has not established an IP block allowing players from anywhere to play.

The original game entered beta testing on February 23, 2006, and was re-released by Gamepot Japan on November 2, 2006. On April 3, 2007, Fantasy Earth entered beta testing in mainland China. On June 3, 2008, it entered beta testing in Taiwan. On July 1, 2013 the Taiwan server ended its service. On July 2, 2013 Gamania HongKong has terminated its service of Fantasy Earth Zero.

US players were finally able to play when Fantasy Earth Zero was announced by Gamepot USA on January 12, 2010.[6] The first open beta in the US ran from March 3 to March 10, 2010.[7] Players who took part in a "Kingdom War" in the first open beta were eligible to receive a "limited edition" weapon in the second open beta, which started on March 17, 2010.[8] The game was officially launched in the United States on May 18, 2010.[9] On February 3, 2011, Gamepot USA announced the closing of North America Fantasy Earth Zero service[10] effective from March 21, 2011.

Overview

Fantasy Earth: Zero (FEZ) is a third-person action MMORPG with a large emphasis on player-versus-player on a massive scale. Armies of players, each from one of five kingdom, can go head-to-head in a type of war known as "Kingdom-versus-Kingdom" (abbreviated as KvK). These KvK battles are balanced by forcing each side to have a similar number participants, placing "overflow" players into a queue waiting to enter the battle. Players from the two warring kingdoms receive preference in this queue. A maximum of fifty players are allowed on each sides of the battle. KvK battles are all held on the same server.

At the time of character creation, a player can create a male or female scout, warrior,sorcerer or cestus. (Cestus was the last addition before the closing of the NA server) Another class, fencer, can only be obtained in the Garrison located in the game's tutorial map by completing a quest given by Knut, the fencer class NPC. Only by completing Knut's request players can class change to fencer. See Fencer on how to complete the quest. The character's level will be reset after switching to fencer. Players must then choose their allegiance—the Kingdom they will fight for. This determines which king or ruler speaks to the player on the battlefield and in towns. The kingdoms are Yelsord, Cesedria, Gevrandia, Netzavare, and Hordaine. The maximum level is 40.

A player can also create corps to play with friends and cooperate with other people. These groups confer special benefits, one of which is a corps-only armor set.

A feature of FEZ that makes it different from most other fantasy-setting MMOs on the free-to-play market is that attacks must be aimed manually, and there is no auto-attack. Players manually aim at their opponent and then click the left mouse button to attack. Various special skills become available to the player as they progress to higher levels and gain skill points. Skill points are spent to learn new skills.

Gameplay

Fantasy Earth: Zero has a player-versus-environment element, but experience is awarded at a much slower rate than in KvK battles.

KvK battles have many elements that are similar to those found in real-time strategy games. Players "mine" crystals by crouching next to a giant crystal. After a certain number of crystals are mined, players must trade with each other to get the number of crystals they need to build a structure or summon a unit of war. Units of war are summoned much as they are in Final Fantasy games, but the Wraith and the Giant require structures to be built before they can be summoned. When a player character summons a unit, they assume the form of that unit and directly control its action.

Several buildings can be built on the battlefield, each with its own purpose. Obelisks are used to capture enemy territory. Eclipses can expand further into overlapping territory. Scaffolds can be built as a jumping platform. Bulwarks are used to block enemies from a certain area. Gates of Hades are required to summon Wraiths; War Workshops, to summon Giants. Arrow Towers attack nearby enemies to reinforce the front-line.

Flow of War

State of Peace

The default state of a map (a battlefield). In a state of peace, any player can enter a map to kill mobs to earn gold and experience. However, they may only enter maps that are either controlled by their nation or adjacent to a controlled map. Players may only declare war in maps that are currently in a State of Peace.

Declaration of War

The time period in which the map is prepared for war. A Declaration of War may only be declared when at least five Players from your nation consent on the Keep location on the map. If players do not consent, the declaration of war will not be declared. After a war has been declared, an announcement is sent to all players in the two warring nations. Players from these nations may enter the war during this time, based on population balance. Players from other nations will be removed from the map until the war begins. All enemy mobs will disappear at this time.

War

The battle itself. During this time, player-versus-player damage is enabled toward the enemy team only. There is a time limit of 45 minutes and in the event the match is timed out, the defending nation wins the battle. The object of a war is to reduce the enemy's keep health to zero. There are multiple ways to lower the health of the enemy base:

Deals the most damage to enemy base over time. The more area you control on the map, the more damage you can deal the enemy keep over time (Damage Capped at 56%). You can expand your territory by building Obelisks or Eclipses.

Deals immediate damage to enemy keep whenever buildings are destroyed. Obelisks will deal the most damage to keeps when they are destroyed. The longer an Obelisk was on the field, the more damage it deals to keep when destroyed.

Killing players will damage the keep by a small amount. The higher level a player is the more damage they will deal to the keep when they die. Players who are killed will respawn at their keep after a few seconds.

Players can directly attack the keep. This is seen as generally pointless due to the vast amount of health a keep usually has.

A skill unique to the summon Chimera. This skill is only available in the vicinity of the enemy keep. When a Chimera uses this skill, it will deal four million points of damage to the keep (about one bar of health). However, after using Final Burst the Chimera will die, counting as one death for the player that summoned the Chimera. This skill is the major reason the Chimera summon is considered dangerous.

Truce/Takeover

After the battle is over, the battlefield will enter a state called Truce, if the defenders won the battle, or Takeover, if the attackers won the battle. During this time, mobs will not spawn, and a Declaration of War cannot be declared on the map. This period last ten minutes, after which the battlefield will enter the State of Peace to renew the cycle. In Takeover, the map will change ownership to the winning nation instantly; adjacent maps cannot be declared by that nation until the Takeover phase ends, however. In Truce however, adjacent maps can still be declared by the nation controlling the map.

Classes

Warrior

Generally a frontline class that can deal heavy damage or protect allies with a shield. Warriors can only learn Greatsword skills by bringing a greatsword to Popo in town. Can equip a greatsword, polearm or 1-handed weapon and shield.

Sorcerer

The magic user class that can specialize in either lightning,fire, or ice magic. Project Witch added three more skills to be available for sorcerer:Meteor Impact,Radiant Shield and Gravity Field;however, is only usable with a familiar. Players can only learn Familiar skills by talking to Teonera in town. Can equip a staff or familiar.

Scout

A stealthy class that can hide from enemy sight, debuff enemies and attack them from afar. Scouts can only learn Gun skills by bringing a gun to Aneito in town. Can equip either a dagger, bow or gun.

Fencer

A class specializing in frontline combat can block and counter most every attack. However deals very low damage against buildings. Players must complete the Secret of the Sword from Knut before becoming a fencer. The Secret of the Sword quest requires players to obtain a Beginner Rapier from the Tutorial Shop(Female Warrior wearing Command Set) and bringing a Harpy Feather. (Harpy Feather can be dropped from tutorial Harpies or by crafted by Alchemist Blacksmith Winbeck using 10 Harpy Downs). Can only equip a rapier.

Cestus

A class specializing in building destruction or combat. Has the highest damage against buildings compared to any other class. Can switch between building specialization or combat by simply switching styles. Can only equip a knuckle.

Kingdoms

Kingdom of Netzavare

Ruler: King Huenkel CV:Rikiya Koyama; Eris CV: Yui Kano
To the North West, the Continent of Victorion, The Kingdom of Netzavare
The Kingdom of Netzavare controls all land on the Victorion continent. Said to be home of a witch in antiquity, many non-human species call this country home. Netzavare is relatively peaceful internally thanks to the rule of its beastly king, King Huenkel. This noble king was once human, now cursed by a witch to take a lion's form. He rules with kindness and compassion; while his ferocity in battle is legendary. National color is red and is represented by an axe.

Kingdom of Yelsord

Ruler: King Nias Yelsord CV:Norio Wakamoto; Ella CV:Yuuko Sanpei
To the North, the Continent of Pedestal, The Kingdom of Yelsord
The Kingdom of Yelsord controls all of the land of the Pedestal continent. The current ruler is King Naias, the Duke of Yelsord. His governance has resulted in a well balanced country that swells with power. The nation favors knowledge over might, and those under Naiass work to expand the domain of the kingdom of Yelsord. King Naias Himself watches the plans for expansion with a careful eye, always eager to spread knowledge throughout the world... National color is blue and is represented by a thunderbolt

Kingdom of Hordaine

Ruler: Queen Vadrithe Berkstein Hordaine CV:Ami Koshimizu; Igloo CV:Takeshi Aono
To the North East, the Continent of Oreole, The Kingdom of Hordaine
The kingdom of Hordaine controls the Oreole continent and is led by the charismatic Queen Wadritte Belkstein Hordaine. The overwhelming Charisma of Queen Wadritte inspires efforts to both calm the unrest local regions and conquer the lands around the kingdom.The kingdom of Hordaine is the most youthful and active country in the land of Melpharia, yet remains fiercely loyal to the sometimes hot-tempered Queen Vadrithe . National color is yellow and is represented by a sword.

Gevrandian Empire

Ruler: Emperor Lyle Q'velda Gevrandia CV:Kazuya Nakai; Kei CV:Romi Park
To the South East, the Continent of Strictor, The Gevrandian Empire
The Gevrandian Empire rules the entirety of the Strictor continent with an iron fist-a military society that has survived eras of conflict and birthed an aristocratic class of former warlords. Emperor Lyle Q'Velda Gevrandia seeks to end the aristocrats' chokehold on the country, and bring true society of equality. Brash and confident, Emperor Lyle believes it is his destiny to bring about this new world... National color is purple and is represented by a shield.

Royal Alliance of Cesedria

Ruler: Sacred Queen Tivarece CV:Kaori Nazuka; Winvene CV:Jōji Nakata
To the South West, the Continent of Akelnar, The United Kingdom of Cesedria
Sacred Queen Tivarece rules over the United Kingdom of Cesedria. A royal elf, Queen Tivarece has many supporters and even more elf-hating detractors, luckily her bodyguard, Winvene, is always at her side. She is a true pacifist, and only believes in war as the last option. National color is green and is represented by a fleur-de-lis.

Buildings

Buildings are a primary feature of battle. Any player can build a building, provided he or she can meet a building's requirements. All building have a cost (in crystals) and a limit of how many may be built at one time. With the exception of the keep and scaffolds, all buildings must be built in territory your army controls (see Obelisk). With the exception of scaffolds, all buildings do damage to their owner's keep when destroyed.

Keep

The main focus of war in Fantasy Earth Zero. In order to win a war in Fantasy Earth Zero players must reduce the health of the opponent's Keep to zero. Constructing a keep requires that your kingdom controls an adjacent territory and at least five people from the kingdom approve of the keep placement. Keeps have a massive amount of health (about twelve million points) and generally cannot be destroyed by head-on attacks. Keeps also have an automatic attack similar to arrow towers to dissuade direct attackers and protect players near it. Keeps begin with an area of controlled territory in a radius around it.

Obelisk

A primary building used in war. An obelisk expands an army's territory in a radius around it. Territory is very important, as the amount of territory an army holds does damage to the enemy keep. Owning territory also allows your army to see nearby enemy troop movement on the mini-map. Enemies cannot build into controlled territory. Destroying an obelisk does significant damage to the Keep, thus it is important to protect your own while attacking the enemy's obelisks. As time passes, the damage that a destroyed Obelisk deals to the keep increases. Obelisks have high health and can be difficult to destroy. Requires 15 crystals to construct; limit of 25.

Eclipse

Eclipses have a similar functions to an obelisk. Eclipses expand an army's territory in a radius around it; however, it is a much smaller radius than an obelisk. The primary advantage of an eclipse is that it can be built into enemy territory to further expand your own territory. An eclipse has a low amount of health, but it also does less damage to the Keep when destroyed. They are usually easy to destroy. Requires 11 crystals to construct; limit of 5.

Scaffold

A building that can be built by any player, anywhere during war. Scaffolds are normally used as leverage, allowing players to jump on one for a higher vantage point or as a platform to jump to higher terrain. Scaffolds can act as a shield from attacks, blocking ranged damage and line-of-sight. Scaffolds can also act as a spy beacon, as it allows an army to see enemy movements in a small radius around it. Scaffolds have very little health and can be destroyed with relative ease. Requires no crystals to construct; limit of 50, and each player may only build 1 scaffold per war.

Bulwark

A large wall that can prevent access to a certain point on the field. Bulwarks cannot be passed by either army; a poorly placed bulwark can hinder the building army more than it hinders the enemy army. Bulwarks have a very high amount of health but take a long time to construct. Due to their nature, bulwarks can be hard to defend and often can be attacked with little risk. Requires 30 crystals to construct; limit of 3.

Arrow Tower

A defensive structure. An Arrow tower fires arrows at all enemies in range at periodic intervals. Arrows do minor damage to players and can be avoided, and a tower cannot defend itself well against even a single attacker. Their strength comes in assisting players who fight in their range, and several placed in the same spot can give players a significant advantage. Arrow towers have high health and can be difficult to destroy. Requires 18 crystals to construct; limit of 12.

War Workshop

A summoning building. War Workshops are used to summon Giants. War Workshops have a moderate amount of health, but they are typically placed near the keep, making them difficult to destroy. If it is destroyed, however, all summoned giants are instantly banished. Requires 20 crystals to construct; limit of 1.

Gate of Hades

A summoning building. Gates of Hades are used to summon wraiths. Gates of Hades have a low amount of health, but like War Workshops, they are typically placed near the keep and often well guarded, making them hard to destroy. If it is destroyed, it will banish any currently summoned wraith. Unlike other buildings, a Gate of Hades cannot be rebuilt. Requires 20 crystals to construct; limit of 1 per war.

Summons

Apart from individual classes, players can take advantage of summons during battle. Summons typically have one primary strength that make them important on the battlefield. All summons cost crystals and/or items, and most have a form of prerequisite. Summons are much larger than typical players and are displayed on the mini-map differently, making them easy to spot on the battlefield. Killing a summons deals more damage to the keep than killing an infantry.

Knight

One of the most basic summons in the game, appearing as an armored knight on horseback, wielding a lance. The knight is a swift summon, able to traverse the map with ease. Its primary function is battling other summons, as it deals high damage to all summons (including other knights). They can also serve in reconnaissance, traveling the map quickly and relaying information about troop positions. Knights deal weak damage against infantry units and buildings. Requires 30 crystals and are summoned from the keep.

Giant

A slow summon that appears as a grotesque giant carrying two cannons on its shoulders. Giants do hefty damage to buildings at a very long range and have a high amount of health. However, due to their slow speed, they are very vulnerable to infantry and Knights. Requires 30 crystals and are summoned from a War Workshop

Wraith

A powerful summon that appears as a black-winged ghoul wielding a large sword. Wraiths specialized in fighting infantry, as a few attacks can destroy entire troops. They move slightly slower than infantry, making them vulnerable to fast-moving knights; however, their attacks deal significant damage to knights as well. Only one may be summoned at a time. Requires 50 crystals to be summoned and are summoned from a Gates of Hades.

Chimera

A deadly summon that appears as a three-headed monster of mythology. While a Chimera is powerful against infantry, its major purpose is to directly attack the enemy keep. By using a skill called Final Burst, the Chimera can directly damage the keep for four million points of health (roughly 1/3 of a keep's total health). However, after using Final Burst the chimera will die and count as a death for the player. Also, a chimera's health decreases over time, creating a time limit to reach the enemy keep. Only one may be summoned at a time. Requires 40 crystals and an item called a Chimera Blood, and are summoned from the keep once it has taken 1/3 of its total health and again at 2/3 of its health.

Chariot

A recently new summons appearing as a covered wagon pulled by two orcs. The Chariot is a quick summon with speeds greater that of a knight. Unique to the Chariot is its ability to carry infantry, allowing infantry to relocate quickly. However its speed can only be maintain while it is in allied territory or if it still has power left. Chariots have very low health compared to other summons. There can only be a maximum of 3 chariots at once. Requires 20 crystals, and are summoned from the keep.

Dragon

A wildcard summon that appears as a European dragon. A dragon cannot be manually summoned. An item called a Dragon's Soul is required to summon a dragon. Dragons are randomly summoned if your army is losing by a certain amount and only one can be summoned per 1/3 of the keep's health. If all the conditions are met, a player, upon death, may be "reborn" as a dragon on the spot of his death. Dragons can fly, have high health, move quickly, and do heavy damage to infantry, summons, and buildings. There can only be a maximum of three dragons at once.

Artillery

Artillery were added as a part of a recent update. Currently, the only known Artillery so far is the ballista. Weapons can be summoned from the keep using crystals similar to summons ;however, they can be mounted and dismounted by the summoner or other players.

Ballista

Currently only available in War of Battle line of Defense,War of Replenishing Base to Ensure,War of the Gate, and War of the Fort. A long-ranged weapon that is resistant to scouts and sorcerers and costs only 12 crystals. Limited to two.

Voice Actors

All voice actors for NA version of FEZ are currently unknown. Players may change their character's voice by buying a ticket from the cash shop or winning a ticket from the Dream Gacha and talk to <Voice Trainer>Basilio in Le Velza Colosseum.

Chronicles

The addition of Chronicles adds several new war modes along with several new unique buildings available to only to certain modes. Episode 1 of Chronicles only covers the Capture of the Fort system.

Commanders

Collaboration

Fantasy Earth Zero has made some collaborations with other games;however, most of them have some relation to Square Enix. Note that these collaborations are unique to the Japanese version of the game.

Game Development

Launch History

Awards

References

  1. ↑ NHN Merger with Multiterm on September 1st
  2. ↑ http://www.fezero.jp/notice_newsview.aspx?seq=862
  3. ↑
  4. ↑ 4gamer.net FEZ: Commemorative Roulette for Reaching Over 1,000,000 Members
  5. ↑ http://www.fezero.com.hk/notice_sys_detail.aspx?key=4521&key1=notice&year=2012
  6. ↑ Square Enix Cooperates with Gamepot to Release Fantasy Earth Zero
  7. ↑ Square Enix's 1st F2P MMOG Fantasy Earth Zero to Enter Open Beta on March 3rd
  8. ↑ FEZ Interview: Blow the Horn of Second Open Beta
  9. ↑ http://fez.gamepotusa.com/eventpost/20100506/FEZ_CR01.html
  10. ↑ http://fez.gamepotusa.com/announcements/index.aspx?id=224
  11. ↑ http://www.fezero.jp/collaboration/saga/
  12. ↑ http://www.fezero.jp/collaboration/kiseki2/
  13. ↑ http://www.fezero.jp/collaboration/bravelydefault/
  14. ↑ http://www.fezero.jp/collaboration/20120514/
  15. ↑ http://www.fezero.jp/collaboration/ixa/
  16. ↑ http://www.fezero.jp/collaboration/2012_razer/
  17. ↑ http://www.fezero.jp/kiba/
  18. ↑ http://www.fezero.jp/collaboration/20110314/
  19. ↑ http://www.fezero.jp/meiji/
  20. ↑ http://www.fezero.jp/collaboration/fate_zero/
  21. ↑ http://www.fezero.jp/collaboration/20110514/
  22. ↑ http://www.fezero.jp/campaign/lov/
  23. ↑ http://www.webmoney.jp/award2007/
  24. ↑ http://www.webmoney.jp/award2008/
  25. ↑ http://www.gamania.com.hk/fantasyearthzero/news/2010/0316/news.html
  26. ↑ http://www.gamania.com.hk/hk2007aspx/AboutUs/milestone_en.html
  27. ↑ http://www.webmoney.jp/award2009/online/
  28. ↑ http://www.webmoney.jp/award2010/
  29. ↑ http://www.webmoney.jp/award6/
  30. ↑ http://www.webmoney.jp/award2012/
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