Tuesday, May 06, 2008

Warhammer Online Newsletter #30 - April 2008



We know that you all have been patiently waiting (well, some not so patiently) for information about Guilds and this is your lucky month! This month's Production Podcast is chock-full of juicy details about how the Guild System works in WAR. Associate Producer, Josh Drescher, explains how this social and competitive system can be an important strategic instrument used to achieve victory for your Realm. He also details many of the new tools we've included with the Guild System to make forming, managing, and growing your guild a simple and enjoyable process! View the video for the dirt!

Be sure to check out this month’s Grab Bag for more answers to your burning questions about the Guild System!


Welcome to the WAR Grab Bag, where our friendly neighborhood community team answers the most pressing, the most popular, and the most interesting questions from fans. Keep those questions coming, as we’re eager to hear what you have to say!

Check out this month’s Grab Bag >>

In the future we will collect grab bag questions from a different fansite each month. If you have a question you would like to submit for next month's grab bag please submit your questions on www.warhammerconflict.com dedicated forum page.


Prepare for the coming war by pre-ordering the Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning Collector’s Edition. You’ll have the chance to gear up with special items and experience the glory of Realm vs. Realm™ combat before the rest of the recruits even set foot in the game world. Only 60,000 units of the Collector’s Edition will be available for North America so don’t miss out. Pre-order your copy today!

The Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning Collector’s Edition includes:

    • An exclusive Games Workshop Miniature of the Greenskin warboss, Grumlok, and his shaman, Gazbag
    • An original 128-page Graphic Novel commission specifically for the Collector’s Edtion
    • A beautiful 224-page Art Book filled with original art from the game
    • Bonus In-Game Item – The Librams of Insight
    • Exclusive In-Game Content – 12 new quests with exciting item rewards and unique players titles
    • Exclusive Character Customization Options

To learn more about the Warhammer Online Collector’s Edition, please click here.

The WAR Collector’s Edition is available now for Pre-Order. Special Pre-Order Bonuses Include:

OPEN BETA ACCESS
Be one of the first players to experience the glory of battle and the thrill of WAR when the Open Beta phase begins.

LIVE GAME HEAD START
Begin your adventures in the Age of Reckoning before the raw recruits arrive!

BONUS IN-GAME ITEMS
Equip your characters for the journey to the frontlines with two helpful bonus items!

For more information about the Collector’s Edition pre-order program, visit www.warhammeronline.com/ce_preorder.

COLLECTOR’S EDITION PRE-ORDER PARTNERS
The Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning Collector’s Edition is available for pre-order from these fine retailers:


This month in the WAR Closed Beta, testers had their first glimpse of the Tier 4 campaign as the forces of the Empire and Chaos battled their way through Tiers 3 and 4! The test concluded with the players ready to take down the gates of Altdorf. A sampling of what players experienced included:

- Empire and Chaos Tiers 3 and 4
- In-Game Mail
- Siege Testing
- Campaign Testing
- and Fortresses

Twelve careers open, with Career Mastery included:

Order

  • High Elf: Swordmaster, Archmage, Shadow Warrior
  • Empire: Witch Hunter, Bright Wizard, Warrior Priest

    Destruction
  • Dark Elf: Disciple of Khaine, Witch Elf, Sorceress
  • Chaos: Chosen, Zealot, Marauder
  • The first phase of the test focused on updated PvE content, careers, and Open World RvR. Testers began in Tier 3 with Rank 20 characters ready to charge into WAR. The second phase focused on the Campaign itself. Order and Destruction were pitted against each other in Tier 4 with Rank 40 characters to lay siege to Fortresses and Keeps! Next month players will charge into Altdorf to experience sacking, pillaging and burning the city!

    Here are some exciting insights that testers had as they explored the areas of Talabecland and High Pass:

    "Nice flow, good storyline, LOVED the talking boss on a floating disc! Eeeep runaway!!" (Level 20 Archmage)

    "Just the whole layout of everything comes together quite nice. It feels good to be able to wander around and get quests done at the same time, not to mention come across a couple Public Quests along the way. Thanks guys, and keep up the great work!!" (Level 21 Archmage)



    "I don't have much time to play right now so I logged in to see what changed. This game just gets better and better every phase! The UI looks much better, new abilities are ALWAYS welcome! You guys are great, keep up the work." (Level 20 Disciple)

    "I love it here! I like how to avoid blowing up in a huge fireball, you need to use ALL your abilities and weave them together. Really makes the class complex and fun." (Level 22 Bright Wizard)

    "Excellent game play design for the Marauder. The mutations are an excellent addition to the game." (Level 20 Marauder)

    Check out the latest News From the Front, featuring the Elves, and be sure to keep your eyes posted to the WAR Herald for more news from the Beta!


    This month we sat down with Anthony Reynolds, the author of the first Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning novel, EMPIRE IN CHAOS, to learn more about the story and what influenced him most while writing the book.

    Q. How many Warhammer books have you written and how did this one compare to your previous novels?
    A. So far, I’ve written two Warhammer 40K novels, and three Warhammer novels, though I’ve also written quite a few army books and supplements during my time as a Games Developer with Games Workshop. I was getting to see more and more cool concept art and screenshots from the game while I was writing, and kept going ‘oooh, I have to include that!’ The Dwarf steam train is a good example of that – it wasn’t in the book at the start, but once I saw the shots of it, I just had to include it.

    Q. What is your favorite Warhammer army? What is your favorite faction to write about? Favorite to play?
    A. Ah, that’s a tricky one. I have a particular fond spot for several of the races, including Wood Elves, Bretonnians, Chaos and the Empire. To write about, I’d probably say I like Chaos best – there is so much horror and weirdness involved, which really appeals to me (though that probably says something about myself!) In the tabletop game, I’ve always played Vampire Counts (or Undead, before Vampire Counts existed).

    Q. Which careers are you most looking forward to playing in Warhammer Online?
    A. I really want to try out quite a few of them before I pick one to stick with it. I’m probably most looking forward to playing an Empire or Dwarf career – particularly the Witch Hunter, or the Ironbreaker. It’s going to be great to actually see all the places I’ve read about for so many years – places like Altdorf, Blackfire Pass, and the Dwarf holds. That is probably what is exciting me the most.

    Q. What are the main factions the reader will encounter in this book?
    A. The main action of the book takes place between the Empire and Chaos. Having said that, I wanted to get at least a little bit of each of the six factions into the book – there should be a little bit for everyone.

    Q. Who do you feel was the most interesting character in the book?
    A. My favorite character was probably Eldanair, the silent, guilt-ridden Shadow Warrior. However, I found Annaliese’s journey particularly interesting, travelling with her as her faith in Sigmar strengthened to become a potent weapon against the enemies of the forces of order.

    Q. Do you need to be familiar with the Warhammer universe to enjoy this book?
    A. Not at all, and in fact I think Empire in Chaos is a good introduction into the Warhammer universe, as is the game Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning itself. I wrote it to appeal to complete newcomers as well as those who were already familiar with the world and its inhabitants, either through the table top game, the computer game, or the fiction.

    Learn more about EMPIRE IN CHAOS, the first novel in the Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning series, at www.blacklibrary.com.


    Episode 4: Grovod Caverns and Reikland Hills
    by Brian Wheeler, Lead RvR Design

    Welcome, folks, to another episode of Scenarios 101! So far we’ve covered Tier 1, 2, 3 and several tier 4 Empire vs. Chaos Scenarios. This month we’ll be focusing on the last of our Empire vs. Chaos Scenarios: Grovod Caverns and Reikland Hills.

    Read more from Scenarios 101 >>


    Swordmaster Career Masteries

    The Swordmaster fights with magical enchantments to bolster the strength of his attacks and is a deadly front-line warrior. Surprisingly agile with his finely-crafted Elven Greatsword, the Swordmaster is the vanguard of any Elf army.

    The Swordmaster strings together short chains of attacks in a graceful Blade Dance. With each swing of his weapon he steps into a more balanced fighting position, which allows him to use more powerful attacks, which then increase his balance even further.

    Swordmaster Masteries

    Path of Khaine

    The Path of Khaine focuses on the Swordmaster's signature Elf Greatsword, a massive but exquisite weapon which he can swing with deceptive speed. While no High Elf would ever worship the God of Warfare, a Master of this path acknowledges Khaine as a potent and necessary figure, and the Swordmaster brings swift death to any who stand in his way.

    Path of Vaul
    The Path of Vaul is primarily focused on defense, and a Master of this path may very well be temped to lay aside his Greatsword in favor of an elegant Elf-crafted shield instead. The Swordmaster who specializes in this path will be the core that the lines of battle form around.

    Path of Hoeth
    The Path of Hoeth is for Swordmasters who have spent much longer amounts of time in the White Tower, honing their innate magical skills and learning how to smoothly work magical power into their attacks. A Master of this path will learn subtle ways to both expose weaknesses in their foes, and to shield themselves in battle.

    Sorceress Career Masteries

    The Sorceresses of the Druchii are the true power of the Dark Elf armies. Blades may be turned aside and shields may be crushed, but what soldier can stop a flow of living shadow and darkness? Tearing the Winds of Magic asunder, the Sorceresses bring forth devastation on an unimaginable scale, raining destruction down upon their helpless foes.

    The weak High Elves teach that the Winds of Magic must be used in balance, through precise and careful crafting, but the Dark Elf Sorceresses scoff at their foolish cowardice. Every Dark Elf knows that when you want something, you simply take it - all of it. A Sorceress uses her Dark Magic to pull power indiscriminately from all the Winds of Magic, driving her magical potency to levels that her weak High Elf cousins could scarcely dream of. The Winds themselves fight back against such overwhelming use of power, however, and reckless Sorceresses will find themselves facing a Backlash against their unnatural use of power, but such is the price of victory - and surely, any Dark Elves clumsy enough to be destroyed by their own Backlashes would clearly be too foolish to live long in Druchii society regardless, yes?

    Sorceress Masteries

    Path of Agony
    The Path of Agony is mainly concerned with slaughtering individual enemies in the messiest and most direct ways possible. This path contains a somewhat equal mix of volatile Dark Magic spells and more stable magic.

    Path of Calamity
    The Path of Calamity is favored by the more subtle and insidious covens of Sorceresses, and is primarily focused on longer-duration effects. A Master of Calamity prefers to hinder and wound their enemies over time, until the effects have built up enough that their foes are already dead, and just don't realize it yet. This path has fewer Dark Magic abilities, and relies more on a steady pace of destructive stable magic.

    Path of Destruction
    The Path of Destruction is for the Sorceress who believes that killing one enemy is nothing but a waste of time that could be much better spent killing ALL of their enemies. Spreading vast, sweeping swaths of darkness and death across the battlefield, the Masters of Destruction gamble the most heavily on numerous Dark Magic spells.


    In this month’s teaser for the second WAR cinematic we reveal the the elegant, yet arrogant and deceitful, Dark Elf Sorceress.

    Stay tuned for more as we bring you another peek at the WAR cinematic next month. Enjoy!


    Games Workshop recently hosted a Golden Demon painting competition in France and the winner of the Open Category, David Waeselynck, was truly inspired by the original WAR cinematic! That is killer Slayer!

    Here is the original Slayer from the WAR Cinematic. David’s miniature is spot on!



    The source of Eataine’s wealth and prestige is Lothern, a magnificent city-state filled with towers of glittering silver and ringed by plazas of white marble. One of the wonders of the Warhammer world, Lothern is a marvel of High Elf craftsmanship and a sight not soon forgotten by any who visit it.

    Lothern is also home to the Phoenix Throne, the prize that is fixed firmly in the mind of Malekith, Witch King of Naggaroth and arch-enemy of the High Elves.

    The war between the High Elves and their dark kin rages on many fronts, but the invaders are slowly gaining ground in their relentless march toward Lothern. Now, the battle lines have been redrawn yet again, as Prince Tyrion's forces fall back to Eataine to regroup and take on reinforcements. Where they expected to find respite, however, they instead find a very unexpected battle.

    Read more about Eataine >>


    Magus
    Daemonette
    Knight of Tzeentch
    Lord of Change
    Marauder of Tzeentch
    Slaanesh Champion
    Zealot of Slaanesh
    Warrior of Tzeentch
    Slime Hound

    Order - NPC - Gotrek

    Order - NPC - Felix

    Order - NPC - Thyrus Gormann
    Order - NPC -
    Grand Theogonist Volkmar
    c
    Dark Elf - NPC - Beastmaster

    Join Creative Director, Paul Barnett, and his trusty video phone for a truly unique look at the making of WAR. This month Paul shares with us some Chaos coolness, many shades of green, the first few seconds of a new beta opening and he introduces us to “mutard”.

    View the Video Blog >>






    This month in the WAR Closed Beta, testers battled their way through Empire and Chaos Tiers 3 and 4 to fight their way to the gates of Altdorf! Don’t waste any time, sign up now to take part in one of the largest beta tests ever for an MMORPG. More than 600,000 players have registered so far, but we are always looking for new recruits. Sharpen your sword, unleash your inner mutation, and prepare to meet your destiny on the battlefields of Warhammer Online.

    Sign up for the WAR Beta at:
    betacenter.eamythic.com

    WAR is coming! Are you ready?

    There are a million stories in the Age of Reckoning just waiting to be told. What is your tale?

    This month we follow a Chosen on his journey into the elf lands looking for possible recruits to supoprt the side of destruction in the war.

    Read This Month's Beta Journal Entry >>


    WAR is coming! Are you properly dressed?

    JUST ADDED – WAR BELT BUCKLE

    Hold your pants up with style and show the world you are ready for WAR!

    Do you feel like you’ve been lacking accessories in your WARdrobe? Well not any more! Now available exclusively at the EA Mythic Store is the new WAR pewter belt buckle.* Supplies are extremely limited so order now!



    Visit the EA Mythic Store!

    * Offer valid for U.S. residents only



    EARN A SPOT IN THE CLOSED BETA!

    Feeling creative? We know we have some talented fans out there and now is the time for you to demonstrate your skills. Send us your WAR-inspired art and we’ll showcase the best submissions in upcoming newsletters. Plus, featured artists will be invited to join us in the closed beta test!



    Chaos Zealot
    by C. Coates


    Druchii Knight
    by S. Ying Ow

    Death or Glory
    by S. Davis


    The Beta Beggar
    by Thonn


    Tzeentch Horror
    by A. Shkel


    I hate Mondays
    by J. Hall


    „Tödliche Gier“
    by Dominik Friedrich


    ShadowWarrior
    by Gordan Dzinovic


    Rozzy
    by Aiek


    Priest
    by Pedroosp


    Visit the Fan Art Gallery >>

    Submit your artwork >>



    "I've collected a seriously unhealthy number of miniatures ... really. There is enough metal in my cubical to crush a small village. Right now I'm obsessing over a massive Ultramarine force with Vostroyans sort of just over the horizon beckoning me to explore the path to Imperial Guard glory. And then of course there's my Inquisitorial temptation ... Ordo Malleus ... "

    Developer Profile >>

    "I think WAR offers something more than previous MMO's. PvE and RvR are blended together in a way that makes the experience seamless and engaging on all fronts. In other games, I often find myself bored with static content and my lack of influence on the world around me. With WAR you actually change the course of history in the game as you conquest for your realms dominance."

    Developer Profile >>



    The next phase of the WAR Beta is underway and we are debuting all-new content and RvR mayhem! Each month we'll randomly select 20 names from the newsletter subscriber database for entry into the Beta Test.* If you are a current Warhammer newsletter subscriber, then you're automatically entered into the drawing every month. If you are not yet a newsletter subscriber, visit betacenter.eamythic.com to register for the Beta and subscribe to the monthly newsletter.

    April Winners:

    B. Roland/North America M. Hamann/Europe
    N. Powers/North America A. Pegenaute/Europe
    R. Sandifer/North America S. Demesse/Europe
    M. Hauck/North America T. Grizard/Europe
    F. Trovato/North America C. Thomson/Europe
    G. Daubar/North America G. Lewandowski/Europe
    R. Rowland/North America D. Garcia/Europe
    R. Murphy/North America M. Giacomo/Europe
    S. Gordon/New Zealand D. Wei/Europe
    L. Mcdonald/Australia P. Mullen/Australia



    This month, decorate your desktop with more images of WAR.











    March 2008
    February 2008
    January 2008
    December 2007
    November 2007
    October 2007


    Each month we’ll be shining the spotlight on WAR fan sites that exemplify what we consider to be the best in WAR community spirit.

    WAR Orbs – Warhammer Info



    We recently discovered a great
    WAR
    inspired game over at www.warhammerinfo.com.
    Pit yourself against the computer
    as you work to claim victory using Action Points, Morale, and Tactics. Be sure to check out the tutorial first (brought to you by Paul’s Sunglasses)!
    Play Orbs here!

    Is your fan site doing something cool, informative, or fun? Let us know by sending an email to war-community@mythic.ea.com and you could be featured in the next community spotlight.

    Download the WAR
    Fan Site kit.

    The views expressed in the linked sites are the views of the respective owners of each site, and do not necessarily express the views of Electronic Arts, its wholly-owned subsidiaries or Licensors. Electronic Arts does not endorse and is not responsible for content on third party sites, including fan sites.



    Here’s an exciting chance for you to get into the Warhammer Online closed beta test!

    When BOOM! Studios' new comic, WARHAMMER: CONDEMNED BY FIRE, hits stands this May, readers will have a chance at gaining entry into the North American WAR closed beta test.*

    Each copy of WARHAMMER: CONDEMNED BY FIRE #1 contains a special scratch-off which reveals a code giving readers a 1-in-5 chance to get into the Warhammer Online North American beta test.* Not only will you discover some great new Warhammer fiction, but there is also a chance you could be fighting your very own battles online. Pre-order your copy of COMDEMNED BY FIRE #1 today and get ready for WAR!

    WARHAMMER: CONDEMNED BY FIRE #1 (of 5)


    Story by Dan Abnett and
    Ian Edginton
    Script by Ian Edginton
    Drawn by Rahsan Ekedal

    The Witch Hunters come to the fore in this five issue mini-series from the same team that brought you WARHAMMER: FORGE OF WAR.

    Tireless foes of Chaos in the Warhammer universe, Witch Hunters roam the Empire seeking to stop the spread of dark magic and witchery of all kinds. When Witch Hunter Magnus Gault hears that the nearby village of Loughville has fallen prey to the canker of Chaos, he is driven to investigate. Once there, he finds the buildings rancid and rotted and the villagers wretched and mutated - eager to prey upon any lost soul who should come their way.

    Can one man stand against this monstrous regiment? Warhammer 40,000 novelist Dan Abnett, multiple Eisner Award-nominee Ian Edginton, and fan-favorite artist Rahsan Ekedal return to bring you another tale from the epic, fantasy realm that is Warhammer!

    Issues #1 through #5 are available now for pre-order at the BOOM! Studios website: www.boom-studios.com. To find a comic shop near you visit: http://csls.diamondcomics.com/



    Heldenhammer

    Book One of the
    Sigmar Trilogy



    It is a time of legends. The lands of the old World are wild and untamed, where the primitive tribes of men struggle for survival. In this time of peril, by virtue of his valorous deeds, a young man claims leadership of the Unberogen tribe. His name is Sigmar Heldenhammer, and his actions will change history forever. This is the story of how Sigmar rose to power, culminating in the Battle of Black Fire Pass, where men and dwarfs fought against the vast hordes of orcs in their quest to safeguard the future of the Empire.

    Heldenhammer is the first in a ground-breaking new series bringing the history of the Warhammer world to life.

    Available online here and in Games Workshop stores and all good bookstores.



    What about the WAR Collector’s Edition are you most excited about?

    The Exclusive Miniature
    The Graphic Novel
    The Art Book
    The Exclusive In-Game
    Quests and Items
    The Pre-Order Open Beta
    Access
    The Pre-Order Live Game
    Head Start



    What is going on in this picture? Send us your best caption and we’ll send the winner into the Closed Beta! Please keep your captions clean if you want them to be printed!

    Enter your Submission!


    Last Month’s Contest Winner



    Winner:

    "Hey didn't you say "glowing blue runes is bad".... guys?? guys???"

    Runners-Up:

    "... should have gone with plan "B"... "

    "'My Chaos-sense is tingling...' - The last words of Frank, rookie Witch Hunter."

    "Sorry, I errr.. thought you were a witch...I'll just be leaving now"


    Get your hands on the latest
    build of
    WAR at one of
    the following events:


    Baltimore Games Day
    June 14, 2008

    Toronto Games Day
    June 21, 2008

    Origins
    June 26-29, 2008

    San Diego Comic Con
    July 24-27, 2008

    Chicago Games Day
    July 26, 2008

    Gen Con Indy
    August 14-17, 2008

    LA Games Day
    August 23, 2008

    Penny Arcade Expo
    August 29-31, 2008

    Stay tuned for more information
    about our upcoming 2008 show schedule!



    More news and exclusive information from the frontlines of WAR, including:

  • Reveal of the Final Elf
    Career!
  • New Career Mastery Updates
  • Zone Overview –
    Dragonwake
  • Exciting Details about Games
    Day Baltimore
  • Plus, new screens, videos,
    podcasts, and so much
    more!


  • * The BOOM! Beta promotional code must be activated by May 31, 2008 to be eligible for the Beta Test. Previous registrants can add the promo code to their existing accounts by visiting the Beta Center. One in five registrants using this promo code are potentially eligible to participate in the Beta test. However, this is dependent upon the registrant meeting specific computer system specifications and the time of entry is not guaranteed. The Beta Test is an ongoing process and registrants will be invited to participate at various intervals until the launch of the game. Offer valid for North American beta test only. Only one BOOM! Beta Code can be associated with a Beta Center Account.

    In order to participate in the Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning Beta you must agree to a Beta Test Agreement, in which you will represent and warrant that, among other things, you (a) are eighteen (18) years of age or older, (b) are not a principal, employee, agent, independent contractor, officer or director of a developer or publisher of video or computer games (other than EA), and (c) are not a principal, employee, supplier, independent contractor, officer or director or of any entity that participates either directly or indirectly in the sale of in-game items, including but not limited to, in-game currency, armor, weapons, etc., whether these sales are to the general public or to a third-party.

    Please know that at EA Mythic, we don't want to send you information you don't want to receive. If you no longer want us to contact you, please click here to be removed from our mailing list or to change your preferences. You can also write to: Privacy Policy Administrator, Electronic Arts, 209 Redwood Shores Parkway, Redwood City, CA 94065.

    'Warhammer' ©/™ and/or ® GW Ltd. Newsletter © 2008 Electronic Arts Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    EA and the EA logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. in the
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