No FFXIII Release Set

Square Enix has recently made an announcement correcting reports by 'certain videogame websites' regarding the release of Final Fantasy XIII.

Square Enix assures that no official release date has been set, regardless of what some sources have reported. Gamers should ignore any reports of the game's upcoming release until an official announcement is made.

So Final Fantasy fans, I guess we just have to keep on waiting. :)

Source: http://www.square-enix.com/na/company/press/2008/0130/

Dungeon Explorer is Gold!

Hudson Entertainment has announced that their Multiplayer Action RPG, Dungeon Explorer: Warriors of Ancient Arts, has gone gold for the PSP and DS and will be available in stores next month!

Published by Hudson and distributed in North America by Konami Digital Entertainment Inc., both versions of the game are planned to ship February 12th, 2008 for a SRP of $29.99 each.

Dungeon Explorer: Warriors of Ancient Arts features hundreds of variations of weapons, armor and equipment that can be chosen and upgraded throughout the adventure to battle through armies of foes in multiplayer action-packed combat! There are also unique features in both the PSP and DS version, including a unique story.

For more information, visit http://www.hudsonent.com/.

Open Beta for Cabal Online

OGPlanet, a provider of multiplayer online games, has recently announced the start of the U.S. open beta for Cabal Online, an action- oriented massively multiplayer online game.

Cabal Online already boasts nearly 1 million players in more than 12 countries throughout Asia and Europe . This open beta testing will begin on Feb. 1, 2008, and continue until the game officially launches on Feb. 21, 2008.

In Cabal Online, players are called upon to protect the people of Nevareth from an evil entity known as Cabal. Hundreds of years ago, CABAL nearly destroyed Nevareth. However, the land was saved and rebuilt by seven great masters wielding the ancient abilities of Force Power. Nearly a thousand years later, Cabal has returned, and it is up to players to master the intricacies of the Force Power and use them to save Nevareth.

Some exciting features of Cabal Online are:

• An interactive combat system that utilizes combination attacks (precision and timing sensitive) to deliver blow after blow with NPC and PvP encounters.


• Six distinctive classes of characters-Warrior, Force Archer, Blader, Force Shielder, Wizard and Force Blader-each offering an entirely unique game play experience within Cabal.


• An in-game downloadable jukebox that allows players to download their own songs to play while they take on Cabal.


• A fluid fighting interface that brings intuitive and elegant motions to players' fingertips. Different classes bring unique movements and actions to their character both in and out of the battle zone.


• All in-game items can be crafted into new items or enhancement.


• A dynamic character-creation tool with more than 200 options.


• More than 300 dungeons featuring highly original and challenging quest designs to explore.


• Magical and mystical unlockables enhance healing, attacking, crafting and shielding powers.


• Astral cycles and boards allow players to travel great distances in short amounts of time.


• Hundreds of weapon styles, ranging from blade, bow and arrow, guns, and magic, are available.


• Supports multi-player Server-Client.


• A state-of-the-art game engine delivers stunning, high-polygon-count 3D graphics at a sustainable high frame rate, even on low-end machines.


• Unparalleled special effects: dynamic lighting shading, Z-buffering, particle-based effects.


• An engine designed and built by a staff experienced with massive network traffic management to minimize any latency.


• Supports most popular 3D hardware accelerators.

For more information on OGPlanet and Cabal Online, visit www.ogplanet.com.

Codemasters Announces Jumpgate

Codemasters Online has recently unveiled their newest upcoming MMORPG, Jumpgate.

Developed by the US-based MMOG developer NetDevil, Jumpgate is a space-based MMO that promises to incorporate action-packed gameplay unlike anything ever seen in an online game.

In Jumpgate, gamers will choose form three playable nations and engage in intense combat across a vast universe. Players can take part in dangerous outer-space raids, trade valuable commodities, and strive to build a reputation as a galactic hero or a feared space pirate!

Codemasters and NetDevil promise that Jumpgate has been designed to be playable by both MMO veterans and n00bs. Expect it to be available across North America in late 2008.

Crisis Core Pre-Order Freebie

Square Enix has announced a free bonus for gamers who pre-order Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core for the PSP.

This pre-order goody is a SHINRA UMD case, which is available with orders from the following retailers: Amazon.com, EBGames, Game Crazy and GameStop. Expect to see Crisis Core in stores around March 25, 2008.

1/25/08 Issue at Just-RPG!

We've posted our latest update with plenty of new game screenshots and RPG coverage. Check it all out below!

http://www.just-rpg.com

• Disciples III: Renaissance Screenshots
• Dungeon Explorer: Warriors of Ancient Arts Screenshots
• Pirates of the Burning Sea Screenshots
• Stargate Worlds Screenshots
• And More!!!

Tiered subscription for Anarchy Online

Funcom has just announced a new tiered subscription system for their MMORPG Anarchy Online.

AO players can now choose between three different subscription plans ranging from free-to-play to $5 to 14.95 per month. This new subscription system will allow gamers to fully experience the content of the Shadowlands expansion for as low as $5 monthly.

Sword of the New World Expands

K2 Network has announced today that it has launched an expansion for its Age of Exploration MMORPG Sword of the New World: Granado Espada.

The expansions, titled Manifest Destiny, received it's name straight from the Sword of the New World community. It features five new characters, two new maps and five new zones as well as new events and additions to the game's item store.

For more info, or to download and play the game, check out:
http://www.swordofthenewworld.com

Conan Release Set

Funcom has announced that their upcoming MMORPG, Age of Conan, has once again been delayed to allow for more development time.

The new release date is May 20, 2008, which allows for 8 more weeks to polish the title before launch. Overall, Funcom reports very positive feedback from Age of Conan so far, but feels that a little extra time will greatly benefit the game.

Time to Set Sail!

The highly anticipated MMORPG, Pirates of the Burning Sea, is now available!

From Sony Online Entertainment, Pirates of the Burning Sea is available for $49.99 with a montly subscription of $14.99.

Pirates will give gamers the opportunity to be the Captain of their own ship in the 1720s. Players start by joining the French, Spanish, English or Pirate nations as a naval officer, freetrader, privateer or pirate. Players can blow enemy ships out of the water in ferocious sea battles, or engage in action-filled sword fights on land. The game's unique economy allows gamers to become captains of industry, running mines, lumber mills, shipyards and other large-scale operations. Players produce all the various goods needed to supply others with the raw materials to conquer the Caribbean, one port at a time. A player-generated content system lets gamers create their own sail and flag designs and even model their own ships.

There are over 50 ships at your command and up to 25 players per side can engage in PvP action. For more information, visit: http://www.burningsea.com/

1/18/07 Issue at Just-RPG!

We've just posted our weekly issue on Just-RPG filled with screenshots and the latest RPG news. I'd also like to point out that Just-RPG is still actively looking for volunteers to help us round out our staff by writing reviews and editorials. Shoot me an email if you're interested!

In the mean time, check out the issue right here:
http://www.just-rpg.com

• New A Vampyre Story Screenshots
• New Rondo of Swords Screenshots
• New Baroque Info and Assets
• Just-RPG Looking for Staff
• And More!!!

1/18/08 Links

I hadn't bothered posting links since the New Year, so I figure it's about time. I just noticed that AllRPG recently revamped their site, so make sure to stop by there and see it! Anyway, here's a few links for your reading pleasure:

Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker Review on AllRPG - An unimpressed review of the DQ spinoff for the DS.

Front Mission Review on AllRPG - AllRPG has also reviewed Front Mission for the Nintendo DS.

Growlanser: Heritage of War Review on AllRPG - AllRPG awards Growlanser a solid 8.5 score, higher than their two reviews above.

RPG Vault Previews Dungeon Explorer - IGN's RPG Vault takes a look at the upcoming Dungeon Explorer for the PSP.

Jolt/RPGDot Reviews Mass Effect - The critically acclaimed RPG from BioWare gets a glowing review from the Jolt sites.

New Conan Site

Eidos and Funcom have recently launched a revamped Age of Conan site located at http://www.ageofconan.com/.

The site is filled with videos, screenshots, links and more. If you're anticipating Age of Conan, make sure to stop by and take a look!

True Games Launches

Former K2 Executives have come together to launch the new MMO Publisher True Games.


True Games Interactive formally launched today, 1/17/08, as a global publisher for online games. Jeff Lujan and Bob Drobish, former key executives behind the K2 Network, have recently left K2 to launch True Games.

"Given the demand for online gaming and the tremendous development
talent available, we want to embrace this opportunity and bring
content of value and quality to this growing segment on an
International scale," said Jeff Lujan, Chief Publishing Officer of
True Games.

True Games is currently negotiating several product deals and working to secure funding. To learn more about this recently launched company, see:
www.truegamesinteractive.com

Atlus Announces Rondo of Swords

Atlus has just announced a new Strategy RPG, Rondo of Swords, for the Nintendo DS.

Rondo of Swords is a fantasy RPG that promises to combine an epic narrative tale complete with storyline branches and multiple endings, with a deep and innovative combat system that takes full use of the touch screen of the DS. Gamers will embark on a quest to cleanse the sacred blade, protect the princess, and vanquish the oppressing armies of your enemy and deliver the Kingdom of Bretwalde from tyranny!

Expect Rondo of Swords to be on store shelves on April 15, 2008. For more information, see: http://www.atlus.com/rondoofswords/

1/11/08 Issue at Just-RPG

We've updated with our latest issue on Just-RPG. Visit http://www.just-rpg.com to see it!

• New Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning Assets
• Disciples III: Renaissance Screenshots
• Official Requiem Screenshots
• And More!!!

Secret of the Solstice Store

Outspark has just unveiled a brand new interactive store for their MMO Secret of the Solstice, allowing gamers to buy a wide variety of items for their characters.

There are dozens of new items available. Here's just a few, as described by Outspark:

• Angel Pajamas, the traditional PJs worn by all young Xenians


• Green and Red Scarves to keep you warm (and stylish) during the long, cold winter


• An all encompassing Starter Kit that includes a backpack, HP/MP potions and experience booster will start your adventure off right!


• A handy dandy Fox's Tail to increase your character’s speed by 1


• A Panda Outfit too cute to resist


• The Light Helmet to help navigate mysterious dungeons and mines


• Don the ever-so-fashionable School Uniform and be the smartest looking Xenian around

Secret of the Solstice is a free to download and play MMORPG set in a fantasy world. It is the second MMO in Outspark's growing portolio of titles.Visit the Secret of the Solstice store here, or download the free game client here.

Conan Collectors Edition Announced

Funcom and Eidos recently revealed that an Age of Conan Collector's Edition will be available when the highly anticipated MMO launches in March.

This exciting limited edition box set features exclusive assets and plenty of unique in game items. In addition to the game itself, the box comes with an impressive art book, the original soundtrack, a bonus DVD, a faux leather map of Hyboria, and additional gamekeys which can be given to MMO friends. Making this offer even more limited, all of the Collectors Edition copies will be printed in one batch, so once they're gone they're history!

The pack will retail for $89.95 in North America, and will be available at retail and online stores on March 25, 2008.

Pirates Pricing

Pricing for the MMO, Pirates of the Burning Sea, have beeing announced.

Retail Purchase/Digital Download of Pirates of the Burning Sea: $49.99
1 month subscription: $14.99
3 month subscription: $41.99
6 month subscription: $77.99
12 month subscription: $143

In addition, a Boarding Party is currently in full effect where you can level your character up to level 21 before the January 22nd launch date. To join the party, check out: www.piratesoftheburningsea.com/preorder/ .

New Fallout Goodies

Bethesda has posted some new concept art and a new team development diary for the upcoming Fallout 3. Check these goodies out and the link below:


http://fallout.bethsoft.com/eng/vault/diaries_diary3-1.09.08.html

Circle of Doom Ships

Microsoft has announced today that the wait is finally over... Kingdom Under Fire: Circle of Doom is shipping to retailers across North America.

Circle of Doom reunites players with the memorable cast of characters and unique world from Heroes and The Crusaders, but replaces the strategy gameplay with a more action RPG experience. The game will feature familiar heroes such as Leinhart and Cleine along with three all new heroes, complete with unique abilities to use against a variety of horrifying enemies.

Gamers can embark on the journey alone or join up with friends in co-op or through Xbox Live. To further enhance the experience, downloadable content is planned for January 22nd, which inclucludes wearable add-ons.

I'm a big Kingdom Under Fire fan myself. While I haven't had the chance to experiment with this title just yet, I very much look forward to it, so watch out for coverage on Just-RPG soon.

Just-RPG Back Issues

The holidays have come and gone, and while Just-RPG has been updating with regular issues, I haven't had the time to post them here. So here's a few of the exciting things we've posted on Just-RPG over the last few weeks!

http://www.just-rpg.com

• New Ballerium Screenshots
• Dragon Raja Screenshots
• Drone Tactics Screenshots
• Dragon's Lair for PSP Announced
• Just-RPG Looking for Staff
• And More!!!

Requiem: Bloodymare Announced

MMO developer Gravity Interactive has announced that they will be bringing Requiem: Bloodymare to the United States in early 2008. While Gravity is largely known for cute, anime inspired titles, Requiem: Bloodymare will be very different...

Requiem: Bloodymare is an intense MMO for mature gamers only, and introduces players to a nightmarish world filled with violence and death. In Requiem: Bloodymare, the world has been warped due to the misuse of magic, resulting in the creation of horrible mutated monsters that terrorize the land. Players take on the role of the Temperions, beings created through genetic engineering and arcane rites to engage in bloody combat with the walking nightmares stalking the land.

Requiem: Bloodymare also promises to introduce new gameplay mechanics, such as using genetic engineering to enhance your characters and a time of day system that greatly impacts the strength of your enemies,


For more information on this adult MMO, visit http://www.playrequiem.com/.