Shadowbane Releases New Asian-Specific MMO Fork

Posted by simoniker on Sunday February 29, 2004 @09:38PM from the different-strokes-for-different-folks dept.

Thanks to Waterthread.org for its messageboard thread pointing to major new Asian-specific features for UbiSoft's PC MMO title Shadowbane, following Asian publisher En-Tranz's decision to create a separate version of the game to better meet "the needs of the Asia-Pacific players." This unique split, with 2 development teams working on different version of the same MMO, has led to Asian-specific changes such as "a 'WASD' control scheme (no more mouse clicking movement)", a new experience curve ("players can now reach level 20 much more easily but as players reach the higher levels, it gets much more difficult"), and a general "newbie experience overhaul." Update: 03/01 19:07 GMT by S : In related news, UbiSoft has just announced the purchase of Wolfpack Studios, creators of ShadowBane.

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changing because they failed by Filiks · 2004-02-29 21:56 · Score: 5, Interesting

Shadowbane was supposed to have been user created warfare against other humans. I haven't played since summer, but the game hadn't yet accomplished that.

The changes sound as though they're making the higher levels difficult to reach so the game becomes more like Everquest. Since the warfare didn't work like it was supposed to, change the focus to player vs. monsters. If the PVP had worked, leveling quickly would still be appreciated as the real fun I had was against other humans. Getting most players to similar levels makes for a more even battlefield.