Post by Gilvan Blight on Dec 12, 2007 10:54:58 GMT -5
Silverlode Interactive is currently beta-testing Saga, a new collectible online game that uses the booster-pack purchase model of collectible miniatures games for a Real-Time Strategy game set in a persistent fantasy world similar to a Massive Multiplayer Online Game. Each Saga player starts with
a small town which can grow, through conquest and through building, into a mighty kingdom. Players can choose to fight other players or against an AI through the game’s quest system. Players can also join forces through a guild system to create even larger empires. The company is currently aiming to release Saga in the first quarter of 2008.
Saga booster packs will be available in game stores as a foil pack containing a plastic card with a scratch-off code. The code can be entered on the Saga website to obtain a virtual booster for the game. Virtual boosters will also be available for purchase directly from the site.
In Saga, players collect virtual troops and spells to create a customizable army online. Individual units gain experience and weapons and armor upgrades through quests and military campaigns, either alone or with online friends and guildmates. Troops can be further customized by naming the unit, designing a national flag which all units carry into battle, and enchanting equipment. Players can trade excess troops, spells, and resources in an online marketplace to help them build the exact army they want.
A player’s territory in Saga’s virtual online world begins as a small town but can be developed into a mighty city complete with walls, defensive structures, a research university, and hundreds of peasants who gather resources. Unlike most RTS games, you can issue orders that your peasants will continue following even when you’re offline.
Saga was originally designed to be another tabletop collectible fantasy miniatures game, with a minor online element, allowing players to enter a code that came with each collectible piece for a duplicate unit online that could be played in a simple head-to-head battle. Core team members Andrew Grierson (a veteran CCG publisher), Dallan Christensen (lead programmer on Starcraft: Brood War) and Jason Faller, a successful movie producer, realized the potential to develop an immersive online world and changed their approach to Saga to make it an online collectible RTS game.
The Saga world has five continents, each with a dominant race and play style. The Brotherhood faction consists of Orcs (mighty warriors, with great offensive battle prowess) and Dark Elves (great sorcerers, formidable magic abilities and spells). The Brotherhood are sworn enemies of The Order, a faction of Elves (who focus on speed and high damage), Giants (excellent defensive abilities and specialized flying units) and Dwarves (masters of machines and technology). Each race has its own unique units and spells, with more than 160 to choose from in the core set.
Saga charges no monthly fee for playing. Players can spend as much or as little as they choose — booster pack purchases are optional. In fact, many top-ranked players in the Saga’s first closed beta acquired all of their troops through smart trades in the auction house and wise management of their nation’s resources.
Saga was designed to appeal to both hardcore and casual players. Participating in player-vs.-player combat is voluntary. Players may choose to place portions of their empire into increasingly dangerous situations with the potential for increased gains; in these cases, players station garrison troops in their territories, which the AI will control when the player is offline. For a more laid-back play style, players can forego PvP altogether and enjoy the rich quest system. Saga also has a middle road, allowing players to participate in PvP tournaments without risk to their own nation.
Saga’s beta test phase is currently scheduled to run through the end of January; opening in the beta test are still available. Silverlode is offering GamingReport readers a special opportunity to participate in the beta test. Normally, players are invited on a first-come first-served basis as they sign up. However, you can move to the front of the line by registering for the beta test at www.playsaga.com and entering “gamingreport” in the special offer field on the beta signup page.
a small town which can grow, through conquest and through building, into a mighty kingdom. Players can choose to fight other players or against an AI through the game’s quest system. Players can also join forces through a guild system to create even larger empires. The company is currently aiming to release Saga in the first quarter of 2008.
Saga booster packs will be available in game stores as a foil pack containing a plastic card with a scratch-off code. The code can be entered on the Saga website to obtain a virtual booster for the game. Virtual boosters will also be available for purchase directly from the site.
In Saga, players collect virtual troops and spells to create a customizable army online. Individual units gain experience and weapons and armor upgrades through quests and military campaigns, either alone or with online friends and guildmates. Troops can be further customized by naming the unit, designing a national flag which all units carry into battle, and enchanting equipment. Players can trade excess troops, spells, and resources in an online marketplace to help them build the exact army they want.
A player’s territory in Saga’s virtual online world begins as a small town but can be developed into a mighty city complete with walls, defensive structures, a research university, and hundreds of peasants who gather resources. Unlike most RTS games, you can issue orders that your peasants will continue following even when you’re offline.
Saga was originally designed to be another tabletop collectible fantasy miniatures game, with a minor online element, allowing players to enter a code that came with each collectible piece for a duplicate unit online that could be played in a simple head-to-head battle. Core team members Andrew Grierson (a veteran CCG publisher), Dallan Christensen (lead programmer on Starcraft: Brood War) and Jason Faller, a successful movie producer, realized the potential to develop an immersive online world and changed their approach to Saga to make it an online collectible RTS game.
The Saga world has five continents, each with a dominant race and play style. The Brotherhood faction consists of Orcs (mighty warriors, with great offensive battle prowess) and Dark Elves (great sorcerers, formidable magic abilities and spells). The Brotherhood are sworn enemies of The Order, a faction of Elves (who focus on speed and high damage), Giants (excellent defensive abilities and specialized flying units) and Dwarves (masters of machines and technology). Each race has its own unique units and spells, with more than 160 to choose from in the core set.
Saga charges no monthly fee for playing. Players can spend as much or as little as they choose — booster pack purchases are optional. In fact, many top-ranked players in the Saga’s first closed beta acquired all of their troops through smart trades in the auction house and wise management of their nation’s resources.
Saga was designed to appeal to both hardcore and casual players. Participating in player-vs.-player combat is voluntary. Players may choose to place portions of their empire into increasingly dangerous situations with the potential for increased gains; in these cases, players station garrison troops in their territories, which the AI will control when the player is offline. For a more laid-back play style, players can forego PvP altogether and enjoy the rich quest system. Saga also has a middle road, allowing players to participate in PvP tournaments without risk to their own nation.
Saga’s beta test phase is currently scheduled to run through the end of January; opening in the beta test are still available. Silverlode is offering GamingReport readers a special opportunity to participate in the beta test. Normally, players are invited on a first-come first-served basis as they sign up. However, you can move to the front of the line by registering for the beta test at www.playsaga.com and entering “gamingreport” in the special offer field on the beta signup page.
