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The Chronicles of Spellborn Newsletter,
17 February 2006 Issue 4
This is the fourth issue of our newsletter, and we're once again bringing you plenty of news from The Chronicles of Spellborn. This issue is being sent out to you because you signed up to receive more information regarding the game. We mail a new issue out to you periodically in order to let you know what is going on in the world of TCoS. It is also possible that a friend forwarded you this newsletter using our newsletter request service. Feel free to make use of this feature yourself if you know of anyone else who may be interested. In addition, if you would like to sign up for future copies, please visit our signup page. |
CM Notes
Amazingly a month has passed since the last newsletter. We had originally planned to get a copy out to you last week, but a couple of really cool things got in the way. More about that a bit later on . . . for now I'll just give you a quick update.
Some big news of late has been the introduction of a brand new jobs page. That means those of you looking to work for us now have your chance to go ahead and fill out an application! Be sure to stop by the page and look at the openings. Over time we'll add more, so always remember to check back.
We're almost finished with the localization of the website thanks to the efforts of Blizz, Thee Nailros, *Mirage* and a few community volunteers! This means that soon all of our French and German speakers will be able to see the site in their own language. We will be adding more localized content over time, thus many areas which may not be the same on the localized sites will be updated in the future. However the vast majority of information is present in a translated form! Be on the lookout for this excellent new feature . . . it's just around the corner.
Within Temptation joins the growing group of parties working to make TCoS a spectacular MMO. They've agreed to write three tracks for the game (not to be confused with the soundtrack or ambience we're revealed before) and from what samples we've heard and knowing the quality of their previous work we're very excited about this collaboration! Make sure to watch out for more news in the future, as this is an astounding opportunity for them to highlight their creativity and bring even more excitement to TCoS.
We're continuing to develop the game at a rapid pace, and the world is shaping up to be the mysterious and atmospheric place we always knew it would be. Each day shows us new pieces of the beautiful puzzle we're putting together. Some of the recent articles released on our partners' press sites have revealed new information, while other pieces are waiting to be shared in the near future. There's plenty of excitement coming, and it won't stop any time soon! So take a look at the rest of the newsletter and remember to keep coming back to tcos.com for all the latest news.
- Mathew “Corwynn Maelstrom” Reuther, Community Manager for The Chronicles of Spellborn. |
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Beta Test Update
A bit more than 800 players are a part of the ongoing TCoS ICB (International Closed Beta) at this time. The features of the game are being tested in detail by the group, allowing us to refine the smallest pieces. The foundation of the game continues to grow and we're getting a great deal of excellent feedback.
Through the last few weeks we've done a huge amount of base level changes to the game systems. These changes proved to be needed after our original testing. As a result much of what the testers are now doing is retesting the new systems to be sure that there are no fundamental flaws. With this type of attention focused on the "nuts and bolts" of TCoS, we hope to avoid major invasive coding as we continue development up to and beyond release.
Things like instances, new graphic engine enhancements, and a new combat core have been recently introduced. The feedback recieved thusfar has identified numerous issues from small to large. We're moving forward with the process of prioritizing all of these excellent finds, and the dev team is eagerly awaiting a dedicated "BUG SMASH" session in the near future, just to address things we've found in both our internal as well as Beta builds. All in all, the process is working out wonderfully, and we all appreciate the hard work of the current Beta participants. We're looking forward to adding another large group within the next couple of weeks.
In addition, we've got a group of volunteers working within the ICB to provide support and information to the other testers. These brave pioneers are setting the stage for the future volunteer support organization which will work closely with TCoS Customer Support to bring you an outstanding experience in the release version. It's a tough job, but these folks have truly heeded Noll's call to arms. Three cheers for the members of the TCoS Volunteer Team! Hip hip hurrah! Hip hip hurrah! Hip hip hurrah! (Oh yeah, and one big: FOR THE ORACLE!)
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Tcos user interface preview
Although most current screenshots found on our website and around the web feature a user interface, we have been hard at work at creating the real ingame version. The new interface has been updated using feedback from the Beta testers. In fact, many of their ideas were very close to the ideas we had been discussing internally! Great minds think alike.
Click the image to the right to see a full screen preview of the interface. Please keep in mind that this interface is still a work in progress as well. The font for instance will be changed before release. |
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Fansite corner
We've got some good news on the fansite front in this newsletter. Recently the German MMO Network MMOG-Welten has launched their network site for TCoS: Spellborn-welten.de. We now have three marvelous sites active in the Recognized Fansite Program. If you are running a fansite or plan to start one, be sure to contact us! Our email address is tcos-fansites@tcos.com should you have any questions or wish to let us know what you've got in store!
Recognized Fansite News
Spell-born.de, TCoS JOL, and TCoS Gamesrider.it have been added as our first three Recognized Fansites. We are determined to work closely with these and all upcoming RFP sites in order to give them the support they deserve. All of them have been given exclusive material showing the details of our character creation system. Make sure you pay them a visit as it's well worth it!
Featured fansite: http://www.gamesrider.it/cos/
As a branch of the Italian network Gamesrider.it "The Chronicles of Spellborn - Gamesrider.it" offers translated content, up-to-date news, and a growing community. This is "the place to be" for all of our Italian community members.
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Additional fansites
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Fansite Farewell and Rebirth
We are sad to see the very first TCoS fansite depart. Hollowshard.com was an English language site that led the way for other sites back when the very first fansite kit was announced. It was also home to WikiBorn, the comprehensive community resource which allowed all members of the community to work together and compile information on all things TCoS.
Though we will miss Hollowshard, the dedication to sharing information with all members of the community will live on. WikiBorn has arisen from the ashes and is being rebuilt as I write this article. This is all thanks to the effort of some of the staff behind Hollowshard and a number of the original content editors whose desire to see this plan reborn inspired us all to take action. The new home of WikiBorn is wikiborn.tcos.com and it is being hosted free of charge as a gift from the development team to our beloved community. All content is in the capable hands of the excellent researchers and writers out there, and this wiki will remain active for the entire life of TCoS. If you want to pitch in go ahead and register an account and start making entries! More information on the coordination of the project can be found on the irc server in the #wikiborn channel.
Fan Submissions
In this newsletter we show you how to create the "Ultimate TCoS Fan Desktop" thanks to FanArt submissions provided by two of our members. Jado & Inyaga used their skills in photo retouch and digital design in order to provide all TCoS fans with the stuff to "pimp" our desktops.
Ever wanted to check out latest TCoS forums posts with only a single click from your desktop? Or simply interested in the hottest news? Jado’s TCoS - Desktop Management is what you need and can be found here. Designed to have all the useful TCoS links available from your desktop in a neat UI, this tool will be improved as further features are implemented.
Inyaga’s Colourful Wallpaper is definitely a fan favorite. The hazy glooms and ethereal glows of this composition perfectly reflect the atmosphere of the Spellborn’s universe as the Oracle shines in the distance waiting for adventurers.
Forum Highlights
Make sure to check out the forums! There's a ton of great info to be had, and a load of new friends to be made in the community. This time we've even got a couple of threads from the French and German communities added in! What're you waiting for? Go read up and post!
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This (French) thread deals with the ability to switch High Houses in the future in game. It’s a known fact that TCoS will emphasize the players’ involvement within a House, in order to unlock access to new Shards or even gain special privileges thanks to the hard work done for the House.
You can read the posted comments and then post yours 