Before I begin, I'd like to make a public service announcement. The patch is not done yet. Thank you.
Q: Why can't we sell potions to NPCs on Pendragon?
A: Because we're still working on the patch. Right now, when you sell a potion with multiple charges, the system doesn't check to see how many charges are actually on the item, and gives you money as if the item were fully charged.
In other words, yes, we catch exploits before things even get to Pendragon all the time. ;) As soon as it's fixed we'll turn potion selling back on.
Have you ever wondered what happens after you kill that mob? Much like players, they need a place to vent too! Today, Esmender gives us a look inside the top secret mob board.
Another Mark Jacobs Interview[ Comment ] Print News | Mail News GameDaily.BIZ conjured up an interview (reprinted from The Hollywood Reporter) with EA Mythic mansteak Mark Jacobs who touches on a number of subjects ranging from the emerging market for online games to MMOG addiction:
Jacobs: I don't like the word "hooked." I prefer to think that the gamer is just enjoying the heck out of your game and wants to continue playing. Nothing makes a filmmaker happier than when people come up to them and say, "I saw your movie eight times and I love it, it's brilliant." The same with game makers. We love it when someone says, "You know, I've been playing your game for two years now ...," or, "I bought the game and all the expansion packs and I love them."
They even managed to talk a little bit about Dark Age of Camelot:
THR: Do you think that's one of the reasons why EA chose to buy Mythic?
Jacobs: I think that's exactly what they thought. They needed some outside help and they turned to a studio that produced the single most successful independent online game of all time, at least in North America and Europe.
THR: Meaning "Dark Age Of Camelot?"
Jacobs: Right. No other independent studio has had the same level of success that we did. All the other MMOGs -- including WOW -- came from studios owned by larger publishers. And that was attractive to EA.
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Dark Age of Camelot
Version 1.85b Release Notes
Tradeskills, Quest System, and Class Changes
August 10, 2006
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NEW THINGS AND BUG FIXES
- The autoloot radius has been increased.
- In order to reduce confusion and possible accidental flag state changes, the "/xpoff" command is now obsolete. It has been replaced with the "/xp" command. This command takes one parameter, "ON" or "OFF". Typing "/xp OFF" will disable gaining experience for your character. Typing "/xp ON" will re-enable the gaining of experience. Typing "/xp" with no parameters will display the current state of this flag ( ON or OFF ), it will not change the state.
- In order to reduce confusion and possible accidental flag state changes, the "/rpoff" command is now obsolete. It has been replaced with the "/rp" command. This command takes one parameter, "ON" or "OFF". Typing "/rp OFF" will disable gaining realm points for your character. Typing "/rp ON" will re-enable the gaining of realm points. Typing "/rp" with no parameters will display the current state of this flag ( ON or OFF ), it will not change the state.
- A correction has been made to the autoloot message when the option is turned off. It used to say, "Use '/autoloot off' to turn this option off." Now it says, "Use '/autoloot on' to turn this option on."
CLASS SYSTEM CHANGES AND FIXES
Left Axe Changes
- (Pendragon Only) Decaying Rage has been appropriately adjusted to be a 5-second stun.
Master Level Ability Changes
Sojourner
- (Pendragon Only) Forceful Zephyr now has a range of 1000 units.
Class Changes
Bainshee
- Bainshees may now be interrupted while casting spells from the Deafening Screech spell line of taunt spells.
- The Audible Barrier line of group pulsing ablative auras no longer absorbs 100% of each hit. The spells will now absorb damage up to 50% of each individual hit.
Druid
- We've added two new spells to the Druid's Nature affinity spell line.
These tree pets should be functionally identical to the Bear Pet received at the same level. This is a cosmetic change with one minor difference. The Bear pet casts a disease spell called "Rabies,” but the tree will cast a spell called "Spore Cloud.” They should be identical disease spells with a different name and spell effect. The trees should also have a randomized model when summoned.
Hunter
- Hunter pets added in 1.85a should no longer trigger reactive armor procs. (Pendragon Only)
- The Wild Spirit line of pet cast Str/Con buffs is now instant cast, and the duration has been increased to 20 minutes.
Paladin
- The Paladin's Barrier of Faith spell line and Celerity spell line will no longer share the same recast timer. Because of this change, the single magical resist chants will now share two timers. The Body, Spirit, and Energy chants will share one timer, and the Heat, Cold and Matter chants will share a second timer.
TRADESKILL NOTES
General Changes and Fixes
- The Alchemy weak essence of weariness recipe will now properly accept the greater enervating poison ingredient.
Basic Crafting
- Chain and Scale recipes in Basic Crafting will no longer require the use of liners.
Multiple Charge Potions
- All existing Alchemy potion recipes are now set up to create 3-charge potions. Please note that any potion created before this patch will not be affected. New potions created with these recipes will have the appropriate number of charges.
- We have added 6-charge and 9-charge recipe versions for each Alchemy potion. Alchemists will now have the option to create a 3-charge, 6-charge, or 9-charge version of each of their potions.
- Due to changing the potions to be multi-charge potions, newly crafted potions can no longer be sold to an NPC vendor.
- The recipes in Alchemy have been reorganized to fit the multi-charge potion recipes more cleanly into the recipe list.
Alchemy Potion Changes
- The durations for the Strength, Fortitude, Dexterity, Enlightenment, Might, Deftness, Shard Skin, and Speed potions have been increased from 10 minutes to 20 minutes.
- The durations for the Invigoration potions have been increased from 2 minutes to 10 minutes.
- The buff value of the Strength, Fortitude, Dexterity, and Enlightenment potions has been increased from 20 to 34.
- The buff value of the Might and Deftness potions has been increased from 30 to 51.
New Low Level Tinctures
- We have added reactive effect and charge tincture recipes to Alchemy for levels 25 and level 35. The names and effects for these tinctures are listed below.
- We have added reactive effect, weapon effect, and charge tincture recipes to Alchemy that provide new effects for crafted armor. The names and effects for these tinctures are listed below.
- Some of the higher level tinctures require a dropped component, which comes from the standard dropped components used in Alchemy. The following recipes that require this dropped component are as follows:
- (Fletching) We have added new level 51 ranged weapons with a predefined weapon effect. Players will have a choice between three different recipes for each level 51 bow to choose between either a cold, heat, or energy based direct damage weapon effect.
Specialty Armor Recipes
- We have added new level 51 armor recipes for Tailoring and Armorcrafting. Each armor piece has a predefined bonus in imbue slot 5. Players will be able to create these items and spellcraft in the four available imbue slots. The predefined imbue slot does not use any imbue points that would be used for spellcrafting purposes.
- The armor pieces have Trials of Atlantis armor textures (from Stygia, Volcanus, and Aerus sets).
- The recipes for the specialty armor pieces will require a dropped component that can be found on high-level monsters and boss monsters in classic, Shrouded Isles, and New Frontiers zones (including Passage of Conflict).
- For more information on the predefined bonuses and armor pieces available from the new Specialty recipes for Armorcrafting and Tailoring, please visit http://www.camelotherald.com/article.php?id=211
CAMELOT CLASSIC WORLD NOTES
Item Notes
- The Brimstone Dagger of Bedlam is now left hand useable.
SHROUDED ISLES WORLD NOTES
Albion Monsters
- Various drakoran in Avalon City have been equipped with melee and ranged weapons.
TRIALS OF ATLANTIS WORLD NOTES
General
- Additional teleporters have been added to the Ruins of Atlantis zones and the Oceanus Haven zones. These teleporters provide the same options as the Portal Keep teleporters.
Oceanus Encounters
- Eternal Plant - Previously, this encounter would reset after a given amount of time if not completed successfully, requiring players to wait for the spawn conditions to be met again. Now, Sobekhotep should now remain up until the encounter is completed successfully.
- Winged Helm - The marble fighters and the marble figurines have had their level reduced to be more on par with the frightening harpies in the area.
Volcanus Encounters
- Master Level 5.9 - When interacting with the 'hery seshta', players would occasionally be transformed into the wrong gender and race of mummy. This should no longer occur.
Aerus Encounters
- Cyclops' Eye - Modified the encounter to fix a rare occurrence where Kertom would not spawn properly and require a manual reset.
- Centaur commoners will no longer use the Grasping Roots style.
CATACOMBS WORLD NOTES
Encounters - Hibernia
- Chief Amanita in the Underground Forest now wields a bow.
NEW FRONTIERS WORLD NOTES
- In the Proving Grounds battleground, the Hastener and siegemaster for the Hibernian portal keep were moved to prevent them from overlapping.
- The realm-specific guards for the central keep in the Cathal Valley battleground should now appear decked out in equipment more befitting their role and stature.
DARKNESS RISING WORLD NOTES
Quests - General
- Any players with the Darkness Rising client can enter the King’s Throne Room.
COOPERATIVE SERVER
- Albion porters for this ruleset will now display [Oceanus] as a destination again. The keyword was still functional but was missing from the list of locations offered by these porters.
- Relic fragments should now obey standard loot rules when dropped from destroyed Relics.
PVP SERVER
- Albion porters for this ruleset will now display [Oceanus] as a destination again. The keyword was still functional but was missing from the list of locations offered by these porters.
Earlier this week, I went to admire the new race, and I talked to the people building the expansion encounters. Heck, I even looked at the press release, and thought, at last, I can stop saying "next week! Caw! Next week!" like a deranged parrot. Even though (as I said in the grab bag) there won't be much IN the press release, seeing as we're saving all the good details for the Roundtable in Vegas, I'm still deeply ashamed of saying "next week" over and over.
Well, we're at long last in the approval process for the release. I'm just going to crawl back under my rock and remove a couple of things from this week's grab bag. I'm riding a learning curve, guys, getting to know new people and new methods. I do apologize for not getting this one right.
Now that you’ve left, can you tell us what you think of the EA/Mythic deal?
Matt Firor: Everyone wants me to dish some dirt on this one! Really, I think it's a good thing. We all know EA has had some problems in the past with absorbing acquired companies, but the new management there is committed to making the EA / Mythic relationship work, and I have no reason to doubt their sincerity. They need Mythic just as much as Mythic needs them – EA knows that online games are the future of this industry, and they are setting Mythic up to lead their online MMO efforts. The last thing they want to do is jeopardize their investment in the studio.
The Dark Age of Camelot Vault would like to introduce its newest feature, spotlighting the guilds and players of Dark Age of Camelot. Our next interview comes from a guild currently on Hibernia Tintagel. Telling us about the guild "Meiva" is Xenderella !
CV: What server do you play on? Xenderella: Hibernia on Tintagel is our base. There is also a side project on Midgard/Tintagel, that started off a couple of years back, as a roleplaying guild, just for fun, called Fylgjur.
CV: How long has the guild been in existence? Xenderella: The guild has been around since 2003, and all of the core members are still active on the forums, even though most of them don't play the game anymore. It's a true sign of commitment to the guild and a power of inspiration for those that still play to see all those old-timers still hanging out with us and spending time on vent and the forums.
Click here to read the entore article The Dark Age of Camelot Vault now has a guild and player spotlight section! Each week, we will spotlight a different guild or player with a short questionnaire. While we will provide you with the interview questions, we will gladly accept any information that you wish to provide. This includes your website, screenshots, stories, major achievements/events you have been involved in, etc. If you or your guild are interested in being interviewed, send a PM to Laighean a PM!
Post Departure Matt Firor Interview[ 8 Comments ] Print News | Mail News Former Vice President of Development and Executive Producer Mythic Entertainment, Matt Firor was interviewed at GameDaily.biz about why he left Mythic in wake of the EA purchase, the emerging mmog market, Asian vs Western markets and more. First off, why did EA buy Mythic?
BIZ: Why do you think EA went after Mythic? What will Mythic bring to EA?
MF: EA and Mythic are almost perfectly suited for one another. EA is a huge company that has had a string of well-publicized problems getting into the online space. Mythic is a small, independent company with perhaps the best online development pedigree of any company out there, but it lacks the financial clout to get on the radar of publishers; especially those of next-generation consoles. EA needs Mythic, and Mythic needs EA - simple as that. I think that they will do great things together.
Next-gen consoles, huh?
BIZ: MMOs are still very PC-oriented. With Xbox Live and the upcoming PlayStation Network, do you think we'll start seeing more MMOs on consoles? Does the business model need to change for the console audience vs. the PC audience?
MF: In fact, I'm giving a presentation on this very topic at the GCDC in Leipzig next month. The way things stand today, I don't understand why third-party developer is considering making MMOs for consoles (except maybe as a cross-platform option to a PC title). I firmly believe that MMOs will be centered on PCs for the foreseeable future. Worldwide, especially in Asia, consoles (except in Japan) are essentially nonexistent. Any MMO made for that market must be PC-based.
Man, they just had ANOTHER round of promotions downstairs, as the best and most experienced people move up to Development Land. So we're hiring! As I said the last time, this is the best way to get your foot in the door. And frankly, if you're actually a customer service professional who doesn't want to be a designer someday? You'd have job security for LIFE. Go, apply: http://www.mythicentertainment.com/jobs/csreps7-30-04.html
Leaky Grab Bag[ Comment ] Print News | Mail News Just a four question grab bag this week. Topics include: dinging out of thid on accident, what factors in spell resists, Catacombs classes and the /20 command plus unkillable leprechauns in Cursed Forest.
Mark Jacobs and the Future[ 80 Comments ] Print News | Mail News Gamasutra interviewedVince Vaughn Mythic main-man Mark Jacobs about the GloboGym/EA purchase (which isn't official yet, as Mark likes to remind people), Warhammer Online, possible Ultima Online entanglements, the popularity of World of WarCraft, gaining new players, the whole "how would Mythic adjust to the EA corporate culture thing", Imperator and oh-so much more. Here's a taste:
GS: Are you content at this point to still be ramping up to that situation where you’re trying to beat them? Is it ok to not be number one?
MJ: Would I like to be number one? Absolutely. I’d be a liar if I said otherwise. Have I promised EA that we’d be number one? Was that even part of the deal? No. I’ll let you in on something. Not only did I never say we were not going to be number one, I gave them numbers that were so low, and I said you’re going to have to want to partner with us because you like what we’re doing, you like what we already have, and you like these numbers – because I’m not going to tell you that we’re going to get 10 million subscribers. Because if I’d sat here and really believed that we were going to get 10 million subscribers I would have taken my asking price, and multiplied it by 10. So we gave them numbers that were realistic. These are numbers that are low. Do you still want to get involved with us. And I said this to EA – “I don’t want you getting involved, then coming back to us going ‘you promised us the moon and the stars, and you gave us a piece of dirt.’” EA didn’t do that.
I’d like to be number one in the online space. I’d like to make EA number one in the online space. I think we can get there. But I’d very foolish, and a liar – and I’m neither – if I said that we were absolutely going to get there. Because almost every time, and you’ll notice Blizzard never said this publicly, almost any time a company says that, they almost always fail. We’ve never done it and we’ll never do it. When Camelot came out people were saying “You’re the EQ2 killer!” And we said “No we’re not. We’re going to make a great game, and we’re going to see how it shakes out.” And if we’re number one, we’ve earned it, and if we’re number two, we’ve earned it. And if we flop, we’ve earned it. It’s up to us.
Expansion Race & Class Details Leaked on Pendragon[ 53 Comments ] Print News | Mail News We won't see the official announcement until next week, but on the latest version of Pendragon sports some clues to what will be included in the next commercial expansion to Dark Age of Camelot. One of the new races is Minotaur, which was seen in the model selection menu. The other clue we have is a new class called "Mauler", which was seen when a hunter exchanged his champion weapon.
Thanks to Heladus and MinionX-DW.
Here's some proof that the Minotaur isn't just another bigfoot:
