New Release

Disney has just released it's new free MMORPG called Pirates of the Caribbean Online.  I haven't got a chance to check it out, but it apparently has a lot of references to the movie.  I'm suprised they went with the free model, but it's not all hugs and kisses.  The free version is also the "basic" version.  $10 a month will get you everything.  Here are some of the features:

• Create your own Pirate character - Choose from millions of combinations to fully customize your character (shapes, colors, clothing, names, etc.)!
• Set sail on your own Pirate ship - Purchase and captain your own ship. Recruit your crew and set sail for the adventure of a lifetime.
• Quest for adventure and treasure - Embark on ship and land-based missions using secret maps to locate buried treasure. Explore lush jungles, volcanic caves, and vast tropical islands. Keep your wits about you though, as traps, ambushes, and double-crosses are an everyday occurrence when keeping company with pirates.
• Use advanced weaponry - Jump into battle with a variety of weapons, each requiring a unique set of skills to master. Improve your reputation as a fighter to be reckoned with and unlock more powerful weapons.
• Become a legend - Master a variety of skills, including swords, daggers, cannons, and sailing to become the most notorious pirate in the world.
• Work your Voodoo Magic - Voodoo magic is used to heal, travel, cheat in games, and cast curses on enemies.
• Get some Booty - Earn extra loot playing poker and blackjack.
• Build a notorious Band or Guild - Join together with others for expanded adventures and added power. Form your own Band of Pirates for a quick battle or join a Guild for longer term strategy.
• Grow your wealth with money and rare items - Hunt for buried treasure including gold, precious gems, and mysterious artifacts.

It also has PvP modes, which includes Team Battle and Mayhem.  It looks like Mayhem is just a deathmatch mode, and Team Battle is just team deathmatch. 

I've seen several bloggers comment on how this game has went largely unnoticed.  It's really a shame, but there are so many MMORPG's coming out these days, that news sites usually focus on those that are the most anticipated or have the most hype.  A family-safe MMORPG from Disney isn't going to get much blogger media in my opinion, because that's just not what our readers are looking for...most likely.  Maybe some pirate fans out there will check out this game and post some reviews soon. 

Freeciv 2.1.0 has been released after 650 days of development.  Freeciv is a free open-source empire-building strategy game inspired by the history of human civilization. The game commences in prehistory and your mission is to lead your tribe from the stone age to the space age.  It runs on Linux, Windows, and Mac OSX.  Changes since 2.09 include:

• Significantly improved features for modmakers.
• New default tileset: Amplio.
• Hex-2 overhead hexagonal tileset.
• Flags rendered from SVG vector images.
• High-res building and wonder icons plus brand new tech icon set.
• New city tab on main map.
• City outlines.
• Added lua as scripting language. New tutorial scenario.
• Many new nations, flags and nation information and options.
• New /surrender command to yield in multiplayer games.
• Score now shown in player dialog.
• Reputation removed from the game.
• New borders rules. Borders are static, fortresses expand borders and cities expand more borders with city size growth.
• New diplomacy rules. Neutral state replaced with Armistice. You now start in War state, and cannot cross borders with military units except in War or Alliance states.
• SDL client much improved and usable.
• GTK+ 1.2 clients removed.
• Votes need over 50% of votes to pass. Voting is now only during game.
• First player to join becomes game organizer and sets all options.
• Many AI changes. Improved AI diplomacy. Novice AI easier to beat.
• Palace has a production bonus of +75% under Despotism and +50% under Monarchy.
• New animated cursors.
• Support for GGZ Gaming Zone.
• Multiple units may be moved at once as a battlegroup.
• Built-in theme support. GTK+ and SDL clients shipped with unique Freeciv themes.
• As usual, tons of changes under the hood.

Freeciv is one of the better, more refined open-source games on the market.  If you need a game with low system requirements or love strategy games, you may consider Freeciv.   It also might be a good history teaching tool for children to have fun and learn at the same time. 

Want to get a taste of Assassin's Creed, but can't wait till it comes out?  The Witcher is an RPG with the same free movement features, and comes out in a little under two weeks.  It was done by the same people that brought you one of the best RPG's made, Baldur's Gate.  The graphics look really good and the minimum requirements are only a 6600 (recommended 7900GTX).   The Witcher's features are pretty impressive with non-linear decisions and consequences (meaning you don't have to go one way), and an innovate real-time combat system.  Character development also looks good:

In any case, 250 skills and abilities should be more than enough to turn your own version of Geralt into a special playing character. To this end, however, we have forgone the classical, traditional number system encountered in numerous RPGs, and have decided to adopt a “what you see is what you get” approach. Thus, in choosing a character skill, you either have it or you don’t – no more scraping for that additional half point that essentially transforms the whole playing experience into the hoarding of digits.

I haven't seen this game get a whole lot of press in the United States, but on the surface, it looks very well done.  Here's a preview over at 1UP.com. 

Here's the latest video from GameVideos.com:

And here's a preview of the The Witcher's combat system, just put up today over at Gamespot:

Check out The Witcher at the official site.  It hits stores in 11 days. 

RF Online, the popular sci-fi fantasy MMORPG is now free.  Here's the release:

Codemasters Online is pleased to announce that RF Online is now a completely free-to-play MMORPG with the full game now available for download with no monthly subscription required.

RF Online is an epic mix of traditional fantasy and futuristic Sci-Fi set in the deep space galaxy of Novus where three races compete in an ultimate struggle for power and resource. Celebrating the games re-launch, new players can now also experience the all-new free expansion, Episode II: Pioneers of Novus available for free to all players of the game.

To download RF Online and get started in the world of Novus, please visit our Free to Play page here!

For more information on RF Online, visit the official community website at http://www.rf-onlinegame.com.

I also added it to our free multiplayer games list.  If this is anything like Archlord, expect player numbers to explode in this game.  They recently updated the game to Episode 2 which added:

- Level cap increase to level 55

- All new weapons, armours, skills and items

- All new monster AI system

- Enhanced guild and party features

- Brand new zones to explore

- Enhanced Chip War and PVP Systems

- Inclusion of an in-game cash shop (Click here for more info!)

For a full list of the new features, please check out the patch notes here.

CodeMasters is obviously hoping for the same success in RF Online that they had by taking Archlord free.  We hope for the same success, and hope that the free-2-play mmorpg model starts working for more companies. 

There have been a lot of new demos that have come out in the past week.  In the storm of confusion about The Orange Box, COD4, and Unreal Tournament 3, you may have missed some great game demos that were released in the past few weeks.  

F.E.A.R. Perseus Mandate -- The newest update to the F.E.A.R. series.  This game has a great player experience. 

Age of Empires III: The Asian Dynasties -- One of the best real-time strategy games comes out with another expansion.

Enemy Territory: Quake Wars v1.1 -- This demo update brings the ETQW demo up to speed with the game release.

Time Shift -- I've heard great things about this game.  Unlike F.E.A.R. and Max Payne where you slow down time, you can actually stop time in this game to move around. 

Heroes of Might & Magic V Tribes of the East -- One of the best turn-based strategy games releases a new expansion. 

These are all linked to Filefront, so no registration is necessary to download.