AdventureQuest Worlds

Infobox VG
title = AdventureQuest Worlds


caption = Logo of AdventureQuest Worlds.
developer = Artix Entertainment, LLC
publisher = Artix Entertainment, LLC
distributor = Artix Entertainment, LLC
designer = Artix Entertainment, LLC
series =
engine =
version = Gamma version 0.37
released = Alpha Testing: June 2, 2008, Progressive Beta Testing: August 18, 2008, Projected Final Release Date: October 10, 2008
genre = MMORPG
modes = Multiplayer
platforms = Macromedia Flash Player
ratings = Not yet rated, website requires players to be 13+
media = Web
requirements = Web browser & Macromedia Flash Player 8.0+
input = Mouse and Keyboard (for chatting)

"AdventureQuest Worlds" (also referred to by its website name AQWorlds or simply AQW) is an upcoming MMORPG developed by Artix Entertainment in 2008. It is currently under public gamma testing available to those who have Guardian accounts on "AdventureQuest", Star Captains in "MechQuest", and those with Dragon Amulets in "Dragonfable". Artix Entertainment has not yet set a final release date, but the official release is planned for October 10.cite web |url=http://www.dragonfable.com/df-designnotes.asp |title="DragonFable" Design Notes |accessdate=2008-09-30]

Free players will be much more limited than in previous Artix Entertainment games. However, paying players (who can pay for three-, six-, or twelve-month memberships) will have access to the entire game. These more expensive options (as compared to previous games) are to cover the much higher costs to support the servers and multiplayer gameplay.

The game uses a more simplified graphic style than its predecessors to reduce lag time. Also unlike Artix Entertainment's previous games, it features real-time battles instead of turn-based ones. Players who participate in testing will be given special items to show they played the initial testing stages.

Because the game is multiplayer and features live chat, some precautions are planned to protect younger players. A set of servers restrict players to certain preset phrases, questions, and answers. Other servers allow for free chat, although strict profanity filters and the ability to report users will be in place. Even on the open servers, however, only those with upgraded accounts (in any of the games) will be able to chat freely, other players being restricted to canned chat alone. This is meant both to cut down on lag time and as a gift to paying players.

Gameplay

Most of "AdventureQuest Worlds"' gameplay is surrounded around the in-game battles that occur. Unlike Artix Entertainment's previous games, "AdventureQuest Worlds" is multiplayer which allows for freestyle battling with other players. Instead of turn-by-turn basis battles, it uses real time battling with simultaneous players/monsters. Currently, Artix Entertainment has restricted Player vs. Player battling but has stated they may try it since this game is multiplayer. Players may only battle alongside other players against monsters. The players, depending on class, currently can use two to three skills, one of them being a normal, melee attack. After a monster is defeated, the players that participate in that particular battle gain experience points, reputation points, and gold. When enough experience points are gained, players "level up" and gain more health and mana points. When enough reputation points are gained, players "rank up" and can use more of their class skills in a future release. Gold is the currency of "AdventureQuest Worlds", and allows players to buy weapon designs, helms, and class armors, which will be trainable by class trainers in a future release. Some monsters currently drop weapon designs and special items, which can be used to fulfill quests.

Health and mana points work in the same way as the previous games. Health points go down as the player takes damage. When the players health reaches zero, the player dies and re-spawns after ten seconds. Mana points, instead of measuring life, measure the amount of magic a player has left. Only a few spells require a certain amount of mana points. When a player's mana points hit zero, that player cannot use any magic attacks on monsters until they recuperate the points by resting.

Quests are an important feature in the game. In a quest, an NPC will ask the player to perform tasks, such as slaying a certain monster or collecting items, in exchange for which they offer experience points and gold. Some NPCs will also give weapon designs or other special items as rewards.

"AdventureQuest Worlds" has various classes that players can attain in the game, such as warrior, rogue, mage, or healer. Each class can each be ranked up and has special abilities and skills they can do. Warriors and Berserkers are built to do damage, the former dealing less but having a more defensive nature and the latter made for just damage. Healers use healing magic and their attacks are so far based upon their current HP. Rogues so far focus on using DOTs (Damage Over Time), and Ninjas appear to use attacks that affect other skills in their arsenal. During testing, some people part of Artix Entertainment are seen wearing the paladin armor, which will be obtainable in the full release by maxing out both the warrior and healer armorscite web |url=http://www.aq.com/aw-designnotes.asp |title="AdventureQuest Worlds" Design Notes |accessdate=2008-10-10] .

Testing

Alpha testing began June 2, 2008 for all players with an upgraded account for one of Artix Entertainment's previous three games: "AdventureQuest", "DragonFable", and "MechQuest".cite web |url=http://www.aqworlds.com/ |title="AdventureQuest Worlds" main page |accessdate=2008-06-01] Testing continued with some mishaps (including a coding mistake that required the deletion of all accounts) and many improvements (including much reduced lag time and the addition of some weapons for sale). Testing did not occur every day, however, and the server was usually only available for a few hours each testing day. The final day of alpha testing took place on July 21, 2008. In it, many new additions were made, including more quests and the first quest string. Over 10,000 accounts were created.Fact|date=September 2008

Progressive beta testing officially began August 18, 2008, though it is still limited to upgraded players. In beta testing, the servers run continually, day and night, and several new locations have been revealed. The first part of the plot has also been revealed, with Seplechure's undead army attacking the capital city of Swordhaven. Other new developments included sound effects and pets, which have only been released for testing by staff members. Gamma release, where the game will be open to all players, is currently planned to begin on October 10, 2008.

Gamma testing officially started on October 10, 2008, where all players were allowed to come. The gamma test also featured new areas, shops and 4 new servers.

References

External links

* [http://www.aq.com "AdventureQuest Worlds"]
* [http://www.aqworlds.com/aw-designnotes.asp "AdventureQuest Worlds" design notes]
* [http://forums2.battleon.com/f/tt.asp?forumid=209 "AdventureQuest Worlds" section in the Artix Entertainment forum]
* [http://adventurequestworlds.wikia.com/wiki/AdventureQuest_Worlds_Wiki "AdventureQuest Worlds" Wikia] - A Wikia for "AdventureQuest Worlds".