PaleLord
An Industrial Fantasy/Steampunk MMO?

I have been keeping an eye for an indie games developer long ago. It is now creating a title of its game,a browser-based steampunk-themed MMO under the name City of Steam. Early in this March, the developers got a chance to show it off at GDC San Francisco. After a great reception, they also join the 2012 GDC in Shanghai, China. It has finally launched its Alpha Test since this July.
First, Let's first look at some videos of the game:
And here are some in-game screenshots:
A little about the game setting:
Already years in development, City of Steam evokes an industrial age fantasy set in a mechanical world during an industrial revolution where the boundaries between science and magic have begun to blur, where humanoid steamtoilers partrol the streets and levianthan ariships float just abov
A Legend Returns: Show Your Might and Cast Your Magic!
It has been over 2 years, since the tribes of the east charged into the depths of Antagarich with the hammers of fate in their hands, and we have no idea what Fate has in store for the denizens of Harmondale. Are we lost? Forgotten? Or perhaps the whole world is only a shared delusion, created by our wandering minds?
Maybe your feelings are the result of a spell cast by your enemies, to force you out of Harmondale? No! This magnificent world of might and magic could not be a mere illusion. You truly are a Hero of Might and Magic!

Heroes of Might and Magic Online (HoMM Online) is an online game that combines the classic elements of HoMM III, with the updated graphics of HoMM V, to present a unique gameplay experience. HoMM Online is a turn-based online game that puts the emphasis on strategic planning and tactical skill, while allowing players to socialize and create their own legends of glory!
You have 8 playable factions to choose from, with 16 classes and 56 creatures to use. After choo
...It has been over 2 years, since the tribes of the east charged into the depths of Antagarich with the hammers of fate in their hands, and we have no idea what Fate has in store for the denizens of Harmondale. Are we lost? Forgotten? Or perhaps the whole world is only a shared delusion, created by our wandering minds?
Maybe your feelings are the result of a spell cast by your enemies, to force you out of Harmondale? No! This magnificent world of might and magic could not be a mere illusion. You truly are a Hero of Might and Magic!

Heroes of Might and Magic Online (HoMM Online) is an online game that combines the classic elements of HoMM III, with the updated graphics of HoMM V, to present a unique gameplay experience. HoMM Online is a turn-based online game that puts the emphasis on strategic planning and tactical skill, while allowing players to socialize and create their own legends of glory!
You have 8 playable factions to choose from, with 16 classes and 56 creatures to use. After choo
...It has been over 2 years, since the tribes of the east charged into the depths of Antagarich with the hammers of fate in their hands, and we have no idea what Fate has in store for the denizens of Harmondale. Are we lost? Forgotten? Or perhaps the whole world is only a shared delusion, created by our wandering minds?
Maybe your feelings are the result of a spell cast by your enemies, to force you out of Harmondale? No! This magnificent world of might and magic could not be a mere illusion. You truly are a Hero of Might and Magic!

Heroes of Might and Magic Online (HoMM Online) is an online game that combines the classic elements of HoMM III, with the updated graphics of HoMM V, to present a unique gameplay experience. HoMM Online is a turn-based online game that puts the emphasis on strategic planning and tactical skill, while allowing players to socialize and create their own legends of glory!
You have 8 playable factions to choose from, with 16 classes and 56 creatures to use. After choo
...The Business of Strategy
Recently, I stumbled upon this Heroes of Might and Magic inspired game when looking for a strategy mmo. I've tried Atlantica Online, and it just felt like I had 9 alts instead of one avatar. Yikes. Just the sheer amount of equipment, stat points and skills I had to manage made it feel like an old school Japanese RPG rather than a MMO. Make no mistake about it, it is a fun game, but the battles tend to fade into one another as I end up not doing much more than clicking auto attack with my ranged guys while my front line defends. Flanking? You're dreaming.
Or are you? I'm as skeptical of Chinese F2P grindfests as much as the next guy, but what if they made a strategy game instead of a RPG game? If anyone remembers the gameplay from HoMM III (which the official site says the game is based on), how much did gear and stuff like that matter? Hardcore gamers may even remember the classic 10 Pikemen vs the Black dragon scenario where, through smart play,
...Pause. Breathe. Think. Attack.
Turn based strategic gaming in general has been a long held and honored tradition. From the ancient game of Go to more modern cousins like Heroes of Might and Magic, the game itself has largely remained unchanged.

Sure, there's a lot more bells and whistles in more recent editions, but the basic tenets of gameplay are the same. There is at least one opponent, limited resources, and gameplay takes place on some sort of space which can be broken down into grids. Oh, and an objective; to be more successful at the game than your opponent(s), usually by using the game rules in such a way to gather more of those limited resources while denying your opponent the same opportunity. There's something very enticing about outthinking an opponent; to be able to say I crushed you using only the power of my mind. Ownage.

That's why I specifically say turn based games here. Skill for an RTS is still mainly dominated by mental prowess at the upper tier, but at the beginner level, everything's more ab
...Has anyone heard of or played this game?

I hope when they decide to port it, they actually localize the game instead of just giving us some broke-ass English mixed in with an item shop that sells the Uberl33t Armageddon Sword of Pwnage. There is so much potential for goodness out of this IP. I still like a game of heroes now and again, but 5 is such a travesty in terms of multiplayer balance I only ever play the compu
...How have dragons influenced gaming
I've been playing the bejeezus out of some Dragon Age lately. Num num num that is good ole fashioned fantasy. But that epic scene (you know the one) in the game got me thinking: How have dragons influenced gaming?
In order to explore that topic, we have to go back to the great granddaddy of our current DIKU gaming scene; D&D, or Dungeons and Dragons. This title really epitomizes the fascination gamers and developers alike have with dragons. They are the ultimate goal of any hero's quest, are challenging opponents, and always sport a healthy treasure trove to boot. So in one fell swoop, dragons have provided the holy trinity of most games; something to do, something to kill, and something to loot.
Most, if not all, western fantasy places the dragon squarely in the role of villain. They're lazy, greedy, and liable to cause havoc at the drop of a hat. Oh, and they like kidnapping princesses, although their purpose is never quite clear. Do they want a bride? Are they that hard up for
...A Topic of Virtual Pets
I was a typical Sunday morning when i am home with my kiko, a 10 month husky. Some thoughts just popped up on my mind that i can't help sharing with you guys.
Even the best historians could not tell when humans first started keeping animals as pets. We do not know the exact species of pets but we do know why we keep them. Pets are the most dependable, loyal friends. Their love is unconditional and without any judgment. However, raising a pet can be really challenging. It's like caring for a kid. You can't leave them alone. Problems pop up when you have to walk away. Who's gonna take care of them?


Thanks to the genius Japanese toy innovator Bandai, all the problems were solved! In 1996, we had a new option – the first electronic pet, Chicken Little! These colorful egg-shaped pocket toys are really cute. You can take them wherever you go! Except for that they are toys, they are just like normal pets. You have to feed them, bath them, play with them and teach them ho
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What Brings You into a New Game World

If you are a drop of fresh blood in the MMO world, you will find it is not as easy as a single player RPG. Due to the complex interactions with the UI, hostile or friendly players and the general lack of a proper tutorial, many gamers find themselves at a loss upon entering a new online world. At this point, even Never Winter Nights series can be easier to get started. Above all, if you've played one MMO before, anyone expecting something they're used to can be completely different when it comes to a new game. Your experience may be completely different. That's why the developers adopt some methods to attract new gamers. Without which, sometimes it is impossible for you to survive, let along to become a well-known hero.
I'll show you the eye candies available in some MMOs below, hopefully that can be a good guide for choosing which fantasy world to find a new future; even if you are a master of that game, I don't think it will do you any harm to look backwards and reread your story
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