Funcom have announced they are running a competition where Musicians can win the chance to have their music in The Secret World. the Contest runs from 29th January until the 19th February and the winning tracks will be put into the game as soon as possible.
Funcom have announced a big change to The Secret Worlds subscription model. the game originally was a pay monthly MMO, but now Funcom have moved the game to the Guild Wars model where you pay for the game once and are able to play the game for as long as it's supported. Funcom will continue to support the game with free updates that are called issues and paid expansion/content packs. a membership option will continue for The Secret World which enables those to spend around $10 and get access to double XP bonuses, 10% discount at the in-game store and more.
Funcom have announced the first update to The Secret World is out now. these updates are called Issues and the first Issue brings new investigation missions (questing) to the game. the marketplace now lets you trade with players in other dimensions.
Funcom have also announced that The Secret World will be free to play this weekend. from 4PM GMT on 3rd August until 7AM 6th August, anyone can sign up and play The Secret World for free. if you had an account with the game that has now expired, including Early Access and Beta Accounts, you can log back in with your information.
There is an in-game promotion also live during the weekend. every character will get fireworks, and there is a in-game challenge. complete 30 in-game missions and help those in need and recieve a special in-game t-shirt and 1200 bonus points.
Funcom and EA have released a new trailer for The Secret World. this trailer shows some of the pre-order bonuses for the game. The Secret World is set to come out on 19th June, but there will be Beta weekends for the game starting 11th May, which will be open to those who pre-ordre the game. Gamers who
pre-order The Secret World will receive:
Guaranteed
access to all Beta Weekends starting May 11, with the ability to
carry over their characters to every subsequent event
Guaranteed Early Access to the game, up to four days prior to the
game’s official launch
An exclusive in-game item providing an
experience boost to progression
An exclusive in-game t-shirt
featuring a unique monster design
A powerful pet (Ferocious
Wolf, Egyptian Cat or Loyal Hound) to support the player in combat
A head start on character naming before the game launches
Funcom have released a new video for The Secret World. this is a developer video where they focus on explaining the games' character progression. the devs explain that there is more to the characters than a class. you are able to dress your characters as you like, you can develop over 500 abilities and use them anyway you like. the key is equipping the right abilities to the right weapons and skills. the video uses in-game action to this.
EA and Funcom have released new screenshots and a trailer for The Secret World. the trailer is a cinematic trailer, very similar to an earlier trailer that focuses on a specific person, and the screenshots focus on in-game action and environments.
Funcom have released the first developer video for The Secret World. this video focuses on the games story and missions. some of the developers explain the different factions in the game and what their goals are. the different types of missions are talked about and so is some of the technology used to make the characters more life like. the video shows new in-game footage.
Funcom have released a new trailer for their upcoming MMO The Secret World. this trailer is titled Everything Is True. the trailer is light on gameplay and spends some time listing several prophecies and conspiracy theories, saying each and everyone of them is true.
Funcom have released a new trailer and screenshots for The Secret World. the trailer features some of the games devs briefly talking about their game and some of its features, whilst the trailer shows what they are talking about. the screenshots show each of the 3 factions, them fighting, and several locations.
Funcom have released new gameplay videos for Bloodline Champions. each of these videos focuses on a specific job/class in the game. a narrator helps describes each of the jobs/classes and uses in-game action to show their moves and tips on how to use each class.
Funcom have released new screenshots, concept art and a video for their upcoming MMO, The Secret World. Funcom have released these to provide a glimpse at the start of The Secret World, focusing on London and the Templars. The video shows what happens after you've created your character, it shows how your character is given powers and the consequences of that. The video features many members of the team behind the game and they explain what's happening to you character and what the next step will be. In the video, the character they created joins the Templars, and the video shows their hideout and some parts of London.
The Screenshots and Concept art are also from this stage of the game, and choosing the Templars. some of them are shown in the video, whilst some of the screens and concept art show more depth of the Tube battle that the video ends with.
Press Release
Durham, USA – August 27th, 2010 – Funcom is thrilled to be able to give gamers a unique glimpse into the starter experience for new players in ‘The Secret World’, the company’s upcoming modern-day massively multiplayer online game. Through exclusive new footage and developer interviews, viewers get an idea of what locations they will visit, what characters they will meet and what gameplay mechanics they will get to play around with if they start out as a Templars character in London. In ‘The Secret World’ players can choose to begin as a Templars, Illuminati or Dragon character.
Depending on what secret society you choose, you either begin in New York, Seoul or London. This newly released video focuses on the starter experience for a Templars character in London.
“It feels great being able to show the world some of the exciting stuff that we are working on,” says Senior Producer and Game Director Ragnar Tørnquist. “It might only be scratching the surface of the vast universe of ‘The Secret World’, but this video gives a unique glimpse into what Templars players will experience when they first enter the game. We look forward to revealing even more soon, not only about the Illuminati and Dragon secret societies, but the game and the world as a whole.”
Funcom attended this year’s GamesCom in Cologne, Germany, where Mr. Tørnquist and Mr. Bruusgaard presented all new content and gameplay to the media. The embargo for this presentation is lifted today, and those interested in ‘The Secret World’ can look forward to new information and visuals hitting the web during the next few days. Press can download new screenshots, artworks and video material from the official press FTP atftp.funcom.com/press.
‘The Secret World’ is Funcom’s third massively multiplayer game, having previously developed the award-winning ‘Anarchy Online’ and the best selling new MMO of 2008 ‘Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures’. The game features a modern-day, real world setting where every myth, conspiracy theory and urban legend is true, and where thousands of players from all over the world must join one of three secret societies in the fight against darkness – and each other. For more information visit the official website. ‘The Secret World’ is currently in development and no release date has been announced.
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ABOUT FUNCOM - Funcom is an independent developer and publisher of online games for PC and consoles. Funcom has provided outstanding entertainment since 1993 and continues to expand its track-record of more than twenty released games. Recent titles include ‘Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures’, ‘The Longest Journey', 'Anarchy Online' and 'Dreamfall: The Longest Journey'. For corporate information please visit www.funcom.com. For information about Funcom games visit www.anarchy-online.com www.dreamfall.com,www.darkdaysarecoming.com orwww.ageofconan.com. Funcom is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange under the ticker FUNCOM.
The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
Funcom have revealed the games they are bringing to this years GamesCom. The games are Bloodline Champions and The Secret World. The Secret World will only be shown to media, but Bloodline Champions will be playable on the floor and there is a chance to win Beta Keys to it. the Funcom Booth is at Hall 9, stand A031, but due to their partnership with Razor, you can also play Bloodline Champions at the Razor booth at Hall 9, stand B031. the Razor website will also be lice streaming Bloodline Champion battles on their website.
Press Release
Durham, USA – August 16th, 2010 – Funcom is pleased to announce the company's presence at this year's GamesCom. From August 18th to August 22nd, Funcom will be present at the Cologne game show to showcase both the new arena-based multiplayer game 'Bloodline Champions' as well as the upcoming modern-day massively multiplayer online game 'The Secret World'.
While 'The Secret World' will only be shown to the media this year, visitors will get to try out 'Bloodline Champions' on the showfloor. Until now only a select number of beta testers have been allowed to try the game out, and the reactions have been very favorable. The press is also starting to dig into it, with sites such as The Examiner calling it 'brilliantly simple, fun and quick to play'. Now the 240.000 visitors expected to GamesCom will also get a chance to experience the intense battles of 'Bloodline Champions', and could possibly also walk away with one of the thousands of beta keys that will be handed out during the show.
"We are very excited to be bringing 'Bloodline Champions' to this year's GamesCom," says Funcom Vice-President of Sales and Marketing, Morten Larssen. "The game is perfect to pick up and play at a show like GamesCom; it is instantly enjoyable and it only takes a few minutes getting used to the controls and your character's abilities. The developers at Stunlock Studios are doing terrific work, and we are thrilled to be showcasing the game at this year's show."
Through a special partnership with Razer, the world's leading manufacturer of high-end gaming products, 'Bloodline Champions' will be available at both the Funcom booth (Hall 9, stand A031) and the Razer booth (Hall 9, stand B031) where players can either take part in competitive games or just try it out for fun. Renowned professional gamer James Harding will be present at both booths to provide live commentary on several of these battles, and those emerging victorious from the competitions will be able to walk away with exclusive prizes such as t-shirts, beta keys and even superior computer peripherals provided by Razer.
Razer will also be live streaming the 'Bloodline Champions' battles as well as their other activities onto their website so that even if you are stuck at home you can still take part in the fun! Journalists present at this year's GamesCom will have the opportunity to check out the latest developments on 'The Secret World', Funcom's upcoming modern-day massively multiplayer online game. Game Director and Executive Producer Ragnar Tørnquist and Lead Designer Martin Bruusgaard are present to show all new content, locations and features from the game. More exciting news on the game will be released before, during and after GamesCom.
'Bloodline Champions' is currently in beta and is slated for release later this year. The game is being developed by Stunlock Studios and is being published by Funcom. For more information please visit http://www.bloodlinechampions.com. 'The Secret World' is currently in development and there is no publicly announced release date.
Funcom have released new screenshots, character artwork, a trailer, and a fact sheet for their upcoming PC game, Bloodline Champions. The trailer for the game uses in-game footage to show many of the games aspects, as well as levels and characters. The trailer finishes with a reminder that people can still sign up for the Bloodline Beta at www.bloodlinechampions.com. The screenshots focus more on a few of the games arenas, providing a birds eye view on each each of them.
Fact Sheet
Bloodline Champions represents the next generation of arena-based multiplayer games.
Offering fun and fast-paced action, Bloodline Champions provides a challenge for both casual and hardcore gamers. Battle it out with thousands of other players from all over the world and master your bloodlines in the quest to become the ultimate champion! Currently in public beta testing, Bloodline Champions has already been embraced by thousands of gamers and has quickly gained momentum in the online gaming communities.
Bloodline Champions is being developed by Stunlock Studios, a Swedish game developer
founded in 2008 by a small group of likeminded students at the University of Skövde.
With a common interest in gaming, they took it upon themselves to create an intense and competitive gaming experience that would cater to both casual and hardcore gamers. In 2010 Funcom signed on as publisher for Bloodline Champions, and the company will be working closely with Stunlock Studios in realizing the game's full potential.
* Experience intense, adrenaline-fueled multiplayer battles with thousands of other players. Short matches ensure you will never get stuck in a long drawn out game - great for quick bursts of fun!
* Grinding, bases, levels and gold - you'll fifind none of that here. Just pure, exciting, all-out player vs. player battles where you and your skills is all that matters!
* Choose your character from a total of twenty bloodlines, each with their own abilities and specialities. From the fire-wielding Igniter to the elusive Ranid
Assassin, each offers a unique experience!
* Easy to learn, difficult to master. Direct controls, cursor-basedaiming, focused characters and an easyto-learn interface allows you to enjoy Bloodline
Champions just minutes into your first battle!
* Thanks to a robust matchmaking system you will be off onto the fields of battle immediately after joining. Play up to five versus five battles, either with
strangers automatically matched to your level or with a team of your best friends!
* Keep an eye on your progression using an in-depth stat tracking system that allows you to review your own as well as other players' effectiveness with different
tactics, abilities and bloodlines.
* Short and intense battles, focus on player skill, and an elaborate stat-tracking system makes Bloodline Champions perfect for competitive gaming.
* Vibrant graphics, a unique art style and a superb sound design brings the world of Bloodline Champions to life as you keep yourself busy with dealing out death and destruction.
Funcom have announced they are offering active and inactive Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures players the chance to play the new expansion, Rise of the Godslayer, for free. for those inactive players, as well as getting the chance to play Rise of the Godslayer, you will also get free access to Age Of Conan. both of these free accesses only last for 10 days. the offer runs until 15th July. all players should have received an Email regarding this, but for those who haven't you can also access this offer on your account page.
Press Release
Durham, USA – July 6th, 2010 – Funcom is thrilled to be able to invite both active and inactive players to try out the critically acclaimed 'Age of Conan: Rise of the Godslayer' expansion for free for 10 days. For inactive players, this offer also includes 10 days of free access to the core game. This is a great opportunity for everyone to try out the first ever expansion to the massively multiplayer online role-playing game 'Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures'.
'Age of Conan: Rise of the Godslayer', the first expansion pack to the 2008 Best-Selling New MMO of the Year, has received universal critical acclaim, with medias such as PC Gamer, Eurogamer and MMORPG.com giving it a 8/10 score. StrategyInformer wrote in their review that the launch of the expansion "… may well mark the perfect time to jump into Conan's low-fantasy world", while Eurogamer.de gave it a 9/10 saying "… atmosphere and courageous design-decisions makes Age of Conan's first expansion do almost everything right."
"We are delighted to see how well the expansion has been received both among our own players as well as the worldwide gaming press," says Morten Larssen, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Funcom. "After a full-scale release in retail and online the expansion has performed well in terms of both sales and traffic, and the activity on our servers has increased significantly in the last month. 'Age of Conan' has once again proven that it is truly one of the top MMOs on the market right now, and we remain dedicated to supporting it."
The offer is available until July 15th and includes 10 days of free access to the expansion, as well as 10 days of free access to the core game for those with currently inactive accounts. All players have received a campaign e-mail, and can take advantage of the offer on their account page.
Launching in May 2008 'Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures' quickly became a smash hit in retail, shipping over 1.2 million copies around the world. In the weeks after launch 'Age of Conan' simultaneously topped the charts in 17 countries, and the game received critical acclaim from gaming press across the globe. 'Age of Conan' is now available in English, French, German, Spanish, Russian and Polish localized versions, and is being prepared for launch in Korea as well.
Funcom have announced that they have signed a publishing agreement with Stunlock Studios AB. Funcom will publish, operate, and provide customer support for Stunlock Studios AB's upcoming PC game, Bloodline Champions. Bloodline Champions is a arena based player vs player game that is currently near the end of its beta testing. Funcom have also announced that they now have a minority stake in Stunlock Studios AB.
Bloodline Champions Trailer
Press Release
Durham, USA – May 13th, 2010 – Funcom has signed a publishing agreement with Stunlock Studios AB, a start-up company based in Skövde, Sweden. Funcom will publish, operate and provide customer support for the multi-player arena game ‘Bloodline Champions,’ which is currently in the later stages of beta testing. ‘Bloodline Champions,’ is an arena-based player vs. player game featuring unique and action-packed gameplay for up to ten people.
“‘Bloodline Champions,’ is a game that we are very excited about. We have been play testing the game extensively at Funcom and we enjoy its fast-paced, player vs. player action-focused gameplay,” says Funcom CEO Trond Arne Aas. “We believe that the way ‘Bloodline Champions,’ executes this gameplay will appeal to a significant gamer segment. The game represents a complement to our large-scale MMO games and it will expand the product offering to our ever-growing online gaming community. The game fits well with the current trend of quick access online multi-player experiences.”
"Everyone at Stunlock Studios is very happy and excited to start this co-operation with Funcom", says Tau Petersson, CEO of Stunlock Studios. "We met with several potential partners for our game, Bloodline Champions, but when we met Funcom we felt that they really understood our game and its needs. We believe that Funcom and Stunlock together can make Bloodline Champions the best game it can be"
Funcom will also purchase a minority stake in Stunlock Studios AB. The company has exclusive ownership of ‘Bloodline Champions’. The remaining shares of the company are owned by the founders and employees of Stunlock Studios AB, and by Gothia Science Park Invest AB, a wholly owned subsidiary of Gothia Innovation AB (please see http://www.gsp.se).
‘Bloodline Champions,’ is expected to launch in late 2010. Gamers interested in participating in the ongoing beta can register at http://www.bloodlinechampions.com.
Funcom have announced that the upcoming expansion for Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures, Rise Of The Godslayer, is now available for pre-order. Those who pre-order the expansion will get in-game virtual items as well as a in-game pet, and those who already are playing Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures will get the pet immediately.
Funcom have also revealed that there will be a digital collectors edition upgrade that will grant existing customers a new flying fighting pet, and they have announced that this is out now at the customer account page. Funcom have announced that the soundtrack to Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures will be made available through Grappa Records worldwide and it will come with a bonus DVD.
Press Release Durham, USA – April 23rd, 2010 – Funcom is proud to announce the launch of the pre-order campaign for ‘Rise of the Godslayer’, the first expansion for the highly acclaimed massively multiplayer online role-playing game ‘Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures’. The expansion, set in the eastern empire of Khitai, builds on an already extensive Conan universe and will let players travel to a unique part of Conan’s world where an ancient traditional culture clashes with dark forces. ‘Rise of the Godslayer’ expands on an already massive game world, and will also introduce entirely new and exciting gameplay mechanics.
The expansion will launch on May 11th and will be available both through retail and as a digital download. In retail the expansion will come in an all-new packaging that includes both the expansion and the original game, allowing new players to quickly get up to speed with all the new content and gameplay. The retail product comes bundled with a new social pet as well as a package of virtual items to welcome new players to Hyboria.
Funcom is proud to be working with two new distribution partners, Deep Silver for the European territories and CompuExpert for the North American markets. Both Deep Silver and CompuExpert are heralded industry-leading distributors with over 35 years of combined experience.
“We are now ready to publish the expansion and it feels great to sound the horn and let players into this great new world that we have created,” says Morten Larssen, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Funcom. “It is also very exciting to be re-engaging with retail together with our great distribution partners with an updated product that contains both the expansion and the original game, making this release relevant to both new players, previous players and our current playerbase.”
As a pre-order reward a new form of in-game pet that aids players in battle is premiered. This pet will immediately be given to all existing customers that pre-order before the launch date, as well as to all retail customers that register up until the 25th of May. Combined with this launch, Funcom is also introducing a digital Collector’s Edition optional upgrade, which among other things gives immediate access to a flying fighting pet. The upgrade to the digital Collector’s Edition is now available through the customer account page.
The soundtrack of the expansion content is simultaneously being made available in all major territories through Grappa records, including a bonus DVD with full 5.1 surround recording. The soundtrack will also include a key that will unlock a unique in-game bone flute.
Launching in May 2008 ‘Age of Conan’ quickly became a smash hit in retail, shipping over 1.2 million copies around the world. In North America, the most prominent online gaming market in the west, ‘Age of Conan’ became the third best-selling PC title of the year in 2008. In the weeks after launch ‘Age of Conan’ simultaneously topped the charts in 17 countries, and the game received critical acclaim from gaming press across the globe. ‘Age of Conan’ is now available in English, French, German, Spanish, Russian and Polish localized versions, and is being prepared for launch in Korea as well. Go to http://www.ageofconan.com for more information such as a complete list of features. Visit ftp.funcom.com/press to download screenshots, artworks, videos and more.
ABOUT FUNCOM - Funcom is an independent developer and publisher of online games for PC and consoles. Funcom has provided outstanding entertainment since 1993 and continues to expand its track-record of more than twenty released games. Recent titles include ‘Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures’, ‘The Longest Journey', 'Anarchy Online' and 'Dreamfall: The Longest Journey'. For corporate information please visit. For information about Funcom games visit http://www.anarchy-online.com http://www.dreamfall.com, http://www.darkdaysarecoming.com or http://www.ageofconan.com. Funcom is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange under the ticker FUNCOM.
ABOUT CONAN PROPERTIES INTERNATIONAL - Conan Properties International LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Paradox Entertainment Inc., controls rights to Conan, many associated characters and the Hyborian world, as created by Robert E. Howard and various rights expanded upon by many acclaimed authors and artists. Many consider Conan the world's best-known fantasy character. For more information about Conan Properties International LLC, visit http://www.conan.com. For information about Paradox Entertainment Inc., visit http://www.paradox-entertainment.com.
About Deep Silver Deep Silver develops and distributes interactive games for all platforms. The Deep Silver label means to captivate all gamers who have a passion for thrilling gameplay in exciting game worlds. Deep Silver works with its partners to achieve a maximum of success while maintaining the highest possible quality, always focusing on what the customer desires. Deep Silver products are designed to equally appeal to pros and beginners, children and adults. Visit Deep Silver’s website: http://www.deepsilver.com
About Compuexpert CompuExpert, a is a subsidiary of Digital Interactive , a leading provider of innovative video gaming products, services and technologies to consumers, online retailers, video game publishers, and PC accessory manufacturers. . CompuExpert enjoys a solid reputation as one of the leading distributors for the gaming channels today with reach to many retail partners. With over 19 years of gaming & distribution experience CompuExpert focus on delivering the hottest Video Games profucts in the North American territory. CompuExpert is your first choice of gaming when it comes to distributing front line video game products. Visit CompuExpert website: http://www.compuexpert.com
Funcom have released the debut trailer for The Secret World. this trailer is made from both in-game action and cutscenes and shows locations, characters from in the game, and some monster battles.
Funcom have released new screenshots and artwork for The Secret World. The Artwork focus on a few characters, Monsters, and locations, whilst the screenshots appear to be in-game and focus on characters fighting Monsters in a couple of different locations. Funcom have also announced that a new trailer for The Secret World is coming out today on Gametrailers.
Funcom have released new screenshots, artwork, and trailers from areas in the GodSlayer expansion for Age Of Conan: Hyborian Adventures. These are from two areas in the expansion, the KaraKorum and The Gateway to Khitai.
The Artwork, Screenshots, and Trailers all come from in-game footage of the Godslayer Expansion. they show off the landscape, buildings, and enemies from each of the locations.
Funcom have released some screenshots and videos showing off environments and areas from the upcoming expansion for Age Of Conan, Rise of the Godslaye. the Screenshots and videos are in-game, the videos focus on showing various parts of the world whilst the screenshots also show some NPC's and battles as well.
Funcom Have Released New Gameplay Videos For Bloodline Champions
Funcom Have Released New Screenshots, Concept Art, And A Video For The Secret World
Funcom Reveal The Games They Are Bringing To GamesCom And Razer Partnership
Funcom Have Released New Screenshots, Character Art, A Trailer, And A Fact Sheet For Bloodline Champions
Funcom Announce They Are Offering Age of Conan Players The Chance To Play The Rise of the Godslayer Expansion For Free
Funcom Announce They Will Publish Stunlock Studios "Bloodline Champions"
Funcom have announced that the upcoming expansion for Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures, Rise Of The Godslayer, is now available for pre-order. Those who pre-order the expansion will get in-game virtual items as well as a in-game pet, and those who already are playing Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures will get the pet immediately. 