Ten Ton Hammer - Taking MMO Gamers to the Next Level!

The Dual Class system is fun: At first glance, it is easy to dismiss the Dual Class system in Runes of Magic as a copycat version of the jobs used in Final Fantasy XI. However, to label the feature as an imitation is hasty and inaccurate. The Dual Class system, though a bit complicated and imperfect, allows players to build a versatile character that can perform a number of roles in a group or an avatar that fits a role playing story. By combining two character classes, each gamer can design the character he wants, experiment with skill combos to maximize effectiveness, and escape the boredom that often sets in when a class hits the “middle levels.” Just when a Taborean tires of playing one class, she can switch to the other for a while.

Streaming Download: Lars Koschin, CEO of Frogster America, Inc., notes, “The biggest barrier to even wider adoption of free-to-play online games is the time it takes from when you start downloading the game, to when you get in and play.” Now Frogster is working with BitRaider to make Runes of Magic a streaming download that will take about five minutes to download and let people get into the game. If the feature works well, it should result in more gamers trying the title. The full version of the client weighs in at almost 3.5GB, making for a very long download that can scare off potential players. And it lends to a greater chance of a corrupted download causing a gamer to simply give up on Runes of Magic. The speedy download of the smaller client will mean people have even less to risk in trying the title.

Frogster knows what it is doing: The streaming download is just one sign that Frogster is managing Runes of Magic well. The frequent content updates are further evidence, as is unlocking new content at launch.

It is important to note that Frogster held an exclusive beta for Runes of Magic, demonstrating that the company was more concerned with fixing bugs and adding polish to make a great game than advertising a mediocre game. Frogster is wise enough to understand that when beta is used as marketing that testers don't bother to report bugs. They play until they encounter something that turns them off to the game and leave. They tell their friends only about the offensive gameplay element, and the title is relegated to the anonymity that comes with a glutted market.

Parting Thoughts

Frogster has demonstrated a commitment to Runes of Magic that is not often found in games without a retail tag and subscription fees. We have listed but six terrific reasons to try the title, and we haven’t even mentioned the distinctive artwork in the different zones, the staggering number of quests, the mature and helpful player base, or the sheer fun of the game. The important things to convey are that players can download Runes of Magic for free, play it for free, and find a gameplay experience fully supported by the developer and publisher.