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PAX 2009: From Dungeon to Dragon: Nexon America at PAX
Catastrophe stops by the Nexon America booth for a look at some upcoming titles that range from spellcasting to combat fragging.
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While at PAX I made time to stop by the Nexon America booth - how could I not, when they had Dungeon Fighter Online, Dragon Nest and Combat Arms for me to play? Of course, that was the morning that Adam (a.k.a. photographer, camera guy and man in charge of recording) was down for the count, so I was bumming it as an old school reporter. Not only is it mighty hard to mouse and WASD while taking notes, it's extra hard when the games are fun. Really fun.
Time and again as I spoke with the guys at Nexon I heard the word "communication" repeated. Communication, an oft overlooked aspect of localization is really important to them, and the results are evident not only in their games but in the showing they had at PAX. There was someone available for each of the games shown, ready and willing to guide me through the gameplay, discuss the process of bringing the title to fruition, and even tell me that I didn't completely suck. In all seriousness, the fruit of Nexon America's labor was in full view at PAX.
While I never turn down a LAN party, truth is they only cross my path a couple times a year. Fortunately, Combat Arms doesn't pull any punches. Easy as breathing, I had a blast and managed to not be the worst on my team at the end of the round. Sure, when I idly asked what demographic they had in mind for the game I received a dry "18-35 males", but I appreciate the completely unapologetic nature of the shooter. It's a "boys game", a slick 3D MMOFPS, now with Quarantine Mode. Quarantine (read: Zombie) mode has the Showdown and Two Towers maps as well as a new mercenary, Hauser. Updates are frequent in Combat Arms, typically one a month, and it's easy to be drawn into the fray.
Dungeon Fighter Online, a 2D side-scrolling action MMORPG is more than just a trip down memory lane. There is an admirable audacity in putting such a retro-style game out there, and what DFO delivers is a compelling and deep. The community offerings here are rich with guilds and events around holidays in the persistent online environment. DFO feels like an homage of sorts, a compilation of the last couple decades of gaming. Mark your calendars, the open beta kicks off on the 15th.
The free to play model is a popular choice over at Nexon, standard in the Asian market and quickly gaining ground here in the U.S. The logic is sound - the number of MMOs available, and the number of MMOs gamers want to play, is growing. A subscription model is a barrier to entry, and what MMO really wants to go toe-to-toe with WOW? Keeping games like Dragon Nest balanced is a breeze for these guys, limiting micro-transactions to appearance rather than skill based items.
Calling the MMORPG Dragon Nest "cute" is just not fair. The game from Korean developer Eyedentity is beautiful. There are four classes to choose from, and while I typicaly opt for a ranged weapon class I was drawn to the giant hammer and dove in as a Warrior (other classes are Sorceress, Archer and Cleric). The fantasy themed game, which is free to play, was easily some of the most fun I had with game all weekend. I'm not an MMO star, in fact, I actively try to avoid liking them. All those barriers of self-preservation were melted by the graphics, feel of the combat and the sheer genuine quality of the game. This is no average port from the Korean market.
The game isn't due out til 2010, so what I played were some enemy encounters as I advanced through portals to a boss battle. Between combat there was just enough time to appreciate the environments before the next enemy strike. Dragon Nest is strung together with portals and towns, the latter as unique locations the player unlocks as they level their character.
The pacing was excellent, the game addictive and the appeal has to be near universal. I'm pining for Dragon Nest.
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