Anarchy Online: Lost Eden Preview

Anarchy Online has been a dominant force in the MMO genre for years. It helped set the benchmarks that define modern games. New games are still compared to it as a benchmark- the sign of a true masterpiece. The developers at Funcom are not content to sit back and rest on their laurels. They are working to expand the epic game. After listening to their fan base, who has repeatedly requested more PVP action and a greater sci-fi flavor to the game, they are getting ready to release a new expansion called Lost Eden.

The focus of the expansion is on the conflict between the factions. Characters will be able to bring the player-versus-player conflict to new levels of action and violence with the introduction of new weapons and the addition of vehicles to the classic MMO. Players of all levels will be able to enjoy the action, both as individuals and as members of a larger group.

Devastating new weapons are being introduced to the Anarchy Online world. With the seizure of the battle stations in the last expansion, players have gained access to new toys for the players. Working with a team of other players it will be possible to unleash the destructive firepower of a bomber wing. Carpet bombing an area with explosives will be an extremely powerful attack that covers a wide area. Players might survive, but it will require skill and luck.

The more powerful beam attacks require a player to be on the ground nearby, painting the enemy with a targeting laser. Combined with another player in the control tower they can unleash a deadly barrage. Smaller in scope than the bombers’ airstrikes, the energy weapon will immediately kill any player caught in the blast. This is only one side of the faction conflict that will become available to players. The research system will also have options for factional conflict.

The research system is broken up into two pieces. Individuals can research skills by spending experience. Using this system individuals can learn to pilot the mechs that players have been waiting for with baited breath since the first screenshots appeared on the internet. Players can also increase their own abilities with a mech through research, which will directly benefit them. All the players in a faction can also spend experience to provide bonuses to the entire faction. As the developers put it individual research enhancements will have a small but measurable effect. Faction-wide research bonuses will be much more powerful.

Interest in the mechs has been simmering since the expansion was announced. Players will be pleased to hear that mechs are provided free of charge by their factions. The only catch is that skill with a mech is not immediately granted. Players will have to research the ability to pilot a mech before they can use one. Another balancing issue with mechs is that spells and abilities will be turned off. Effectively when players jump into their mechs they are exchanging their standard avatar for a much larger game.

With the focus on PVP combat Funcom has already said that they will be monitoring the servers to prevent one faction or another from developing an overwhelming advantage. They will be working to prevent “muggings” by a much more powerful faction without interfering too greatly in the online experience. Thy have also said that every class and character will get an upgrade of some kind in the upcoming expansion.

Anarchy Online: Lost Eden is going to bring even more content and options to an already expansive game. The introduction of mechs alone is a nice addition to the game. Creating area effect bombardment weapons like air-strikes that require multiple players to successfully pull off is another nice touch. The people at Funcom have said that AO is doing well and that they want to support the game and the community. The huge expansion that is heading for a winter, 2005 release is an excellent sign that they are taking very good care of their game.
 

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