Graphical Overhaul Scheduled For COH's Issue 17

City of Heroes is getting a graphical overhaul and some new content in preparation for its upcoming major expansion.  In what will be the last note-worthy update to the game prior to the ‘Going Rogue’ expansion, Issue 17 will allow players to see a significant change in the lighting, reflections, shadows and water effects with what NCsoft is calling ‘Ultra Mode.’   This new mode will be scalable by players to ensure they can adjust the settings based on their computer’s specifications.   

In addition to Ultra Mode enhancements, as part of Issue 17 players will confront a new and nefarious foe who will be able to match them blow for blow. Other features within Issue 17 “Dark Mirror” include:

•  New badges, new missions and new player emotes
•  Epic Archetypes now available at level 20
•  Improvements and additions to Mission Architect
•  Enhancements to UI and game systems
•  And dozens more

NCsoft is also giving players a chance to enjoy early access to two Going Rogue power sets. Beginning March 2, players who pre-purchase City of Heroes Going Rogue will be given immediate early access to the Dual Pistols power set, and access to the Demon Summoning power set starting in April.

•  New badges, new missions and new player emotes
•  Epic Archetypes now available at level 20
•  Improvements and additions to Mission Architect
•  Enhancements to UI and game systems
•  And dozens more

•  Alpha- and Omega-themed auras
•  Alpha and Omega themed costumed sets
•  Four stance emotes
•  The Shadowy Presence invisibility power

City of Heroes fans will get their chance to explore the grey area between heroism and villainy in Going Rogue this July with the beta beginning in the Spring.

For more information about City of Heroes as well as the upcoming Going Rogue expansion please visit http://www.cityofheroes.com.

EQ2 Gets Great PvP System, Almost...

Sony is getting ready to launch a somewhat game changing system to EverQuest II with the addition of the battlegrounds feature that allows cross-server PvP.  Sure, critics will line up to say that World of Warcraft has had this since their start, and loads of MMOs including Warhammer Online also incorporate this kind of system; however, those are not cross-server.  The truth is that you really can’t justify accusing the EQ franchise of copying anything in today’s MMOs considering that EQ was so heavily “borrowed” from. 

If you love EverQuest II then this is a solid system that will breath new life back into a legend, kind of… You see, Sony is on the right track and this will improve the game dramatically for veteran players, but they just missed getting it right by about 70 levels. 

Based on the official release info, in order for players to compete in the cross-server battlegrounds you must be level 80 which is a great way to make existing high level players happy, and to bring back old players.  The problem is, it does nothing for new players that have not yet ground out those important levels. 

Sequel Announced Less Than 4 Months After Dragon Oath NA Launch

Interestingly enough, the game that just recently saw its first North American Launch 'Dragon Oath' is already getting a predecessor.  Online game developer, ChangYou, Inc., has confirmed that it will be completing the development of Dragon Oath 2 in 2010.

Although the game may not actually hit here in the States in 2010, it certainly is record time for a major release to have a follow up title announced so soon after launch.

Dragon Oath launch in North America in November as the first western release of ChangYou USA.  The game also is nearing its first major expansion here in the U.S. which was named by a player via a contest.

Dragon Oath is not a brand new title as it has been released in Asia for some time, getting a sequel is not astonishing.  We do not have alot of information on DO2 but we do have confirmations on three characters. 

Two of those characters are sisters to each other and are almost identical other than hair color.

We will keep you informed of the developments as we get them so stay tuned to MMOFury.

Online Game Developer Claims First Ever facebook Linking System

You may have never heard of the MMO 'MarMar Online' but that may soon change since its developer is claiming to have built the first interactive link between an MMO and facebook.  If the app they have built gets the traction they hope, then you may very well may be seeing more of your friends displaying their online stats using this tool.  

Min Communications, Inc. (CEO Kim, Byung Min) the South Korean online game developing company is the mastermind behind the system that interlocks the Social Network Services to their self developed and serviced casual MMORPG MarMar Online (http://www.marmaronline.co.kr).

Kim, Wan Jong PM of Min Communications, Inc. said “The interlock function of MarMar Online and SNS will help users to play MarMar Online and share each other’s information and build network of users outside of the game.”

The interlock function of MarMar Online and SNS can be initiated with '/fbwrite' and '/tweet' commands to post users’ thoughts, information, ideas and etc instantly on facebook and Twitter.

For more details about interlock functions of MarMar Online and SNS, please visit official homepage of MarMar Online http://www.marmaronline.co.kr.