Waiting for new information on ArcheAge can sometimes be a slog. I spend a few minutes ev everyday checking through various news feeds and the like looking for new information to serve up to people interested in ArcheAge, and there are many days when I just come back disappointed.
Disappointment gives way to other sorts of searches online for ArcheAge content, and so I’d like to take some time today to discuss two things found that helped keep the flames of ArcheAge excitement burning.
English Videos
While there are actually a number of German Let’s Play videos circulating on YouTube for ArcheAge content, only a handful have English translations or are spoken in English.
That said, after going through a number of different Youtube Channels and searches, I found two channels that have some nice video content to keep people going.
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The first video channel I enjoyed watching was the ArcheAgeNA YouTube channel. While the videos are from the Fifth Korean Closed Beta Test (CBT5), they’re still fun to watch as there are some general explanations for what’s happening during the gameplay.
In terms of time-sensitive relevance, however, the YouTube channel of AmaterasuOkamiYami is really something else. I’ve not explored this channel completely, but there does seem to be far less discussion of the game in these videos. Despite this however, the allure of this channel is that some of the videos are actually from release.
If you’re looking for a particular video to start with, the one from the open beta called “ArcheAge OBT - Fight for a pack of wood” made me chuckle, since they’re basically fighting over a bundle of wood that sells for a good amount in-game.
Korean Updates
While Trion Worlds remains relatively quiet regarding the goings-on for English ArcheAge development, it seems XLGames has been hard at work providing updates that point to quality of life and sandbox improvements for ArcheAge.
There are two posts from Korean ArcheAge site that look to have been translated elsewhere and posted on MMORPG.com’s forums, and they appear to allude to quality-of-life additions to the sandbox.
This first page, released on April 10, 2013, details the return or addition of some extra-special wrinkles to the game. On our forums, Sygris summed the points up:
- Open PvP in new neutral zones
- Battlegrounds will return to the game (Public, GvG, Naval)
- Ranked pvp
- New world/raid/field bosses
- New instances (Land of Bones)
- Player-made factions (!)
- Nation Building
The concept of player-made factions and nations combined with hearty PVP options appeals to me immensely, as it makes me think they can pull off some magic that is generally seen in a game like EVE, except without spaceships.
The second page, released on April 15, explains the addition of what would generally be defined as lifestyle-enhancing content.
Apparently, XLGames is working on improvements or enhancements that should make housing even better, and they’ll also be adding a fishing boat and a sports car that looks like it can be crafted. It also seems they’ll be working on a music system for the game, and will also add some further customizability to characters using the old barbershop-slash-plastic-surgeon schtick.
Honestly, I’d be happy with the addition of a steampunk motorcycle to go with my steampunk tractor with which I can sell the potatoes I’ve farmed on this little house I will have on the prairie. Mmmmmm... potatoes.
What does this mean for us?
If all of this is being developed, will we expect to see these systems making it into the English localization of ArcheAge? I certainly hope so.
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While I do hope it means we’ll have more to do, I also hope they tweak the systems to not need obsessive maintenance to succeed. I can handle farming duties, certainly, but only if it’s in between my daily runs around the world on a glider.
In any case, let’s hope the next two weeks brings some new English localized updates for ArcheAge. Till then, this is your faithful servant, Victor Barreiro Jr., signing off. Potato!
Victor Barreiro Jr. / Victor Barreiro Jr. maintains The Devil’s Advocate and ArcheAge columns for MMORPG.com. He also writes for news website Rappler as a technology reporter. You can find more of his writings on Games and Geekery and on Twitter at @vbarreirojr.
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