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Experience Week Canceled

A note has been posted on the official site for Hero Online that their week long experience event has had to be canceled.

We regret to inform you that we have canceled our exp week event due to conflicting problems with our new UI. Our exp event is currently causing a lot of problems with our testing which is causing us to delay the release due to constant problems. So in order to keep the release date May 9th, we have to shut down our experience event.

Get clicking to learn more.

Experience Week!

The official site for Hero Online wishes to thank players for their patience the last few weeks. To do so they are planning an experience week!

First we would like to thank all of our players for being very patient with us while we fixed our networking problems over the past 2 weeks. The connection and lag issues have been fixed.

We are making an Exp Event Week for our players to thank you for your patience and dedication.

Find the details with a click.

Firefly CEO Simon Bradbury Talks About Hero Online

FiringSquad.com posted this interview today with Firefly CEO today.

FiringSquad: What can you tell us about the storyline for the game?

Simon Bradbury: Only a little at this stage. Our hard bitten mercenary hero enters the dungeon on what he thinks is a straightforward mission, but it soon proves anything but… It will involve a dungeon under siege, a dungeon that needs the Hero’s help.

Get clicking to learn more if what they found out.

Christmas and New Years Event Schedule

The official site for Hero Online has posted the schedule for their holiday events. Five events span the next few weeks. Get ready to Catch the Snowman, Find Santa and Grab the Piggy Bank and much more! Get clicking to see the details.

Pre-launch Chat With Jack Stanley

RPGDot.com has just posted an interview that they did just before Hero Online launched last week.

MMORPGDot: Please introduce yourself and Mgame.

Jack Stanley: My name is Jack Stanley, the lead game designer for Hero Online.

MMORPGDot: Please give us an overview of Hero Online and the sort of gameplay players can expect.

Jack Stanley: Hero online is a martial arts MMORPG based in traditional China. Players create their character and are plunged into a story line involving 12 demons that have darkened the land and a kingdom that needs a new champion. You learn many weapon skills and class skills along your journey in Hero. You can even achieve some advanced skills like running across the surface of water or dashing up the sides of buildings.

Read the rest of the interview at RPGDot.com then head over to the forums right here at Ten Ton Hammer and give us your thoughts.

Ten Ton Hammer's "First Glimpse" Review Gives Hero Online 3 Out Of 5

Ten Ton Hammer reviews the latest MMORPG to arrive on the scene. Hero Online, released on Monday (7/31/2006) is free to download and free to play, and who doesn't like free? Developer NetGame has a very novel approach to making money in the increasingly jaded fantasy MMORPG market, unfortunately there's little else innovative about the Hero Online grind. We played the first fifth of Hero Online's 100 levels, and our "first glimpse" review gives the game 3 out of 5 hammers

"In a slight bow to newbie-friendliness, Ngame added tips for beginners that appear at intervals in your chat window. Unfortunately, this consists of mostly keybinding information. Aside from that and what you can discern from the zone-wide chatter, there's literally no handholding. Quests are few and far between; I received a grand total of five quests in the first ten levels. Mostly mundane single-step quests are, however, doled out at intervals; a message scrolls your HUD that "[NPC] might have work for you" when you level up."

Read the rest of the review and see what else Ethec had to say. Think he's on the mark? Missed the mark totally? Let us know in the forums right here at Ten Ton Hammer.

Events, Prizes and More

This press release was issued late yesterday by the folks at Hero Online. Keep reading to hear about all the launch fun that will continue through August.

NEWS UPDATE:

The following events will take place during the first month of Official Release.
The events page, however, will be continually updated, and we highly encourage our users to keep their eyes and ears open.

nCash Giveaway
We are pleased to announce that all users will receive $3 in nCash to purchase cash items in Hero Online Premium Item Mall. Tell all your friends to join and receive their free cash today!

Extravaganza Tickets (Grand Prize)
Throughout Hero Online, we have distributed many Extravaganza Tickets for our players to collect and qualify for the chance of winning an iBUYPOWER computer (customized for Hero Online). The drawing for the Grand Prize will take place after the event period has ended.

Rogue GM Events
With the new bounty system, it will be much easier to track and take down our Rogue GMs who''ve stolen Extravaganza tickets to hoard for themselves. We need our players help to find these thieves and take back the tickets!

Boss Monster
Some of our Rogue GMs have stashed some of their stolen Extravaganza Tickets with their new buddies, the boss monsters. Defeat them and take the tickets for yourselves!

Legendary Characters
In the world of Hero Online there are many legendary warriors who reward those skillful enough to defeat them. Few have accomplished this feat, but tell tales of the greatness of their reward. Be on the lookout for these legendary characters as they often traverse the land during the summer.

Spell it out! (Grand Prize)
During the first month of release we will be implementing several event items that will have alphabet characters on them. Players can attain these items through small quiz events as well as off certain boss monsters. Through many hints and clues provided by the GMs in forums, threads, and chats, players can spell out mystery words to receive prizes ranging from in-game items to the Grand Prize!

Background/ Wallpaper Contest (Grand Prize)
During the first month of Official Release, we will be accepting submissions from players and users who wish to create new and exciting backgrounds for Hero Online! Our panel of judges (consisting of GMs, graphics designers, developers, and more) will choose the top three backgrounds and award prizes to the winners. The first place winner will receive one of the Ibuypower.com desktop towers!

Player Guides (Grand Prize)
We will be hosting a contest for players to submit guides for Hero Online. A panel of judges will choose the top three guides and reward them with prizes ranging from MGame merchandise to the Grand Prize. Guides will be judged on how well they explain all the features of Hero Online as well as how to play the game. Guides on how to level a character will not qualify unless it includes a majority of the features and systems for Hero Online (i.e. warfare, bounty, pet system, Master/Disciple, House setup/wars, etc.).

Player Created Stories
Are you a great storyteller? Can you role-play with the best of them? Do you have what it takes to impress coffee-ridden cynics who stare at computer screens all day long? Great! Because MGame is now accepting storylines from players as an event! The top 5 submissions will receive prizes such as in-game items and/or MGame merchandise as well as the chance to have their story posted on the website for all to appreciate. Winners might even have a chance of having their character mentioned in the GM storylines and/or take part in exclusive storyline events! More details and rules will be announced on the website during Release.

Stay tuned to MGame's Hero Online Event Page for all the latest details on these events and more.

What Does Launch Day Bring?

MMORPG.com has taken time today to jump into the launch day fun. They have posted a review of the game that is packed with screenshots and impressions.

Hero Online is a Korean Free to Play game that has been ported over for the US market. Typical of many of its lineage, the client is free and there are no monthly fees to play. Although what you pay for differs between games, each developer’s business model is essentially the same – you pay for what you get. Additional inventory space, special weapons and suits of armor perhaps, additional classes or characters, additional mounts, skills… the list is endless… but we don’t know yet, what will be available.

A game like Hero Online can hardly be compared to paid models such as EverQuestII or World of WarCraft but must be compared to others of the same genre, or judged on its own merit. Gamers entering this game seeking a world, content and game play similar to EverQuestII or World of WarCraft will only have themselves to blame if they are disappointed.

Keep reading to see if they rate Hero Online as a hit or a miss! Let us know what you think of the game in the forums here at Ten Ton Hammer and share your launch day adventures.

Six Images to Herald Launch Day

You've waited a long time for this day to come and it's finally here! To mark the occasion we were sent six wonderful screenshots for you to enjoy.

What are you waiting for?? Get clicking and check em out. Tell us about your launch day adventures and impressions right here at Ten Ton Hammer!

Game Launches Monday

MGame issued this press release late today for Hero Online...

Hero Online Official Release on July 31, 2006.

Over 200,000 players have participated and 500,000 characters have been created in Hero Online Open Beta (June 30 ~July 30, 2006) and MGame sincerely appreciates players’ special interest and attention to Hero Online!

MGame proudly announces July 31, 2006 as the official release date of Hero Online. Please note the below information.

1. No Subscription: Hero Online will remain to be free download and play. This decision has been made to let All players have opportunities to play Hero Online. Come Freely and Play Freely!
2. Free Real Life Prize Give-Away Events (July 31 ~ August 31, 2006): During the first month of the official release, MGame will be hosting several events to distribute real life prizes to players! All players will have an equal opportunity to win these prizes such as customized Hero Online Computer from ‘iBUYPOWER,” Hero Online T-shirts, posters, hats and etc.
3. Free In-Game Cash Give-Away (July 31 ~ August 31, 2006): All players who join Hero Online from July 31, 2006 will receive free in-game cash. Those who have participated on Open Beta will receive as well.
4. Cash Shop: MGame USA is opening a Cash Shop which will offer players with many Premium in-game items which will enhance the enjoyment and excitement!
5. No Wipe for Open Beta Participants: There will not be any wipe of ID or characters for Open Beta Participants. They may continue to use the same IDs and characters even after the official release!
6. Additional Features: There will be additional features such as maps and warfares.

For more detailed information about any issues regarding the official release of Hero Online, please feel free to visit the homepage at http://hero.netgame.com

A Look From Beta

MMORPG.com has filed a report on their impressions of Hero Online. This is a look at the game from beta, before a full preview.

First Look

A highly successful MMORPG in Asia, MGame USA brings it to the English speaking world. At first look, it feels and plays like a cross between Street Fighter and Diablo – lots of martial arts moves and click-to-move/fight/equip/drink unlimited potions. Hero Online looks pretty simplistic at first glance. You are given a choice of four characters, two male (Hunter and Warrior) and two female (Assassin and Physician). Each has a description which tells you the type of combat it is good for and the weapons you can use. You also choose a profession (or class) at level 10, and despite their descriptions, any character type can elect to be any class – Assassin, Hunter, Physician or Warrior.

Learn more about Hero Online at MMORPG.com. Stay tuned here at Ten Ton Hammer for all the latest news and information on your favorite games including the forthcoming Hero Online.

Eurogamer Checks Out Hero Online

Yesterday Eurogamer.com posted a preview of Hero Online...

"He likes liquor. He never made a friend throughout his entire life. In his life crazed about martial arts, only one thing he considers to be his friend is the liquor. People say, you can find him pouring liquor in his mouth on days he killed another."

Such is the way of liquor-soaked MMO Hero Online "a masterpiece created by three generations of distinguished martial art novelists" that boasts a "complex combination of story content and plot twists, free from prearranged paths, that brings a whole new gaming experience" written by first generation martial arts novelist, Kum Kang.

Find out what they had to say about Hero Online.

Five New Screenshots and A Look at Weapons and Clothing Customization

RPG Vault has taken a closer look at Hero Online and found that customization in this game isn't what it seems at first glance...

While there are many aspects of Hero Online that are quite unique, some of its most overlooked yet distinctive aspects are its customization features. Upon first glance, it may seem like Hero Online is just another cookie-cutter MMORPG, but if players take a closer look, they will see that that is not the case.

Read more about this and see the wonderful screenshots at RPG Vault.

Hero Preview and Screenshots

GameZone posted a preview of Hero Online.

If there is one game that Hero Online can best be equated to emulate, it would be Diablo II. The game is, by default, a third-person hack ‘n slash. It is easy to jump into and play, and it is rather entertaining.

Read the full preview at GameZone.

Here are the details from the official site.

Greetings!

Welcome to Netgame!
We are currently looking for Hero Online closed beta participants and we look forward to seeing you in your dynamic adventures in the world of the Martial Arts!

So here are the details regarding this event :

1. Schedule

Closed Beta launches on June 15, 2006 (11:00 AM U.S. Pacific Time GMT -8:00)

2. How to participate in Closed Beta

Step 1. Receive a digital key from one of the following partners:

MMORPG.com
GamersHell
OnRPG
MMOSite
QJ Net
WarCry
MMOGInfo

Step 2. Create an Account HERE

Step 3. Activate the digital key HERE

3. Note

1. There might be some difficulties in the registration process if you use an internet browser other than 'Internet Explorer'.

2. The official closed beta website and the game client will be available on June 12th, 2006

3. If you have registered for 'The Legend of Ares', you may use the same Account information for 'Hero Online'. However, a digital key will be required in order to participate in the Closed Beta.

We are currently in the process of preparation to provide the best service to you in the best martial art action MMORPG! Please check our announcements frequently for upcoming updates!

Let me know how you like it!