I often admire developers who make great attempts at breaking down barriers, especially that of social aspects… no, I don’t mean Facebook integration – I mean language and culture.
Machine Zone is taking on exactly that with Game of War: Fire Age, an iOS strategy game putting the ‘massive’ into MMO. It is global in game and global in fan base.
[image src=’http://fnx.network/fnxnetwork/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/gow_features_1.jpg ‘ width=’306′ height=’543′ title=” align=’left’] Game of War is fostered on an agenda that is very comparable to many other multiplayer strategy mobile games that have come before it. The concept is very “FarmVille” like – you begin the game to find you are a king of a city-state, your goal is to attempt to build the most powerful city possible in a game world full of other players in their cities with the exact same aim. Rather than harvesting carrots, you await for different forms of resources to accumulate which in turn can be used in exchange for upgrades, troops and defences.
The first view is city-view, your attention is to be concentrated on building and upgrading structures in your city and boundary. Some of the buildings (ie. Farms, mines, marketplaces) are for gathering the resources you require (stone, wood, ore, food and silver), whereas others are desired to yield troops, researching of new technologies, and making defenses at the wall. You don’t just tap build, however, you must reach the cost in resources in order to carry out the move – no IOU’s in this game. Also needed is a lot of time, this is mostly a game of waiting or trying to win time forwarding power ups.
[image src=’http://fnx.network/fnxnetwork/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/gow_features_2.jpg ‘ width=’306′ height=’543′ title=” align=’right’] Of course this is a Game of War, along with building and researching, you’ll need defensive edifices and traps to hold onto the throne of your city. In addition, you will need troops to assault other cities for experience points and of course that sweet treasure. But who leads your troops into fights? Why of course it is your hero unit who can be leveled up to supply more defensive or attack percentages, better chances to find unique items and, and can even craft weapons and armor using materials you pillage during your battles. The more rare an item, the better it affects your bonuses.
You’re not limited to trying to find resources in your city either, randomly generated resource tiles on the world-view can be occupied to collect the item inside. Out in the world you can be attacked at any time and you are at risk outside of your city as you lack defenses – only the strength of your outbound army. It’s crucial to have enough defending soldiers to collect the resources and also numbers ready to defend your power.
This is an MMO so naturally there is a component crucial to the game that is both a blessing and a curse – Alliances. On one hand, it is terrific that so many alliances contain members that follow the “all for one and one for all” mentality as it helps build the chaotic ambience of the game where war is constantly on the brink.
[image src=’http://fnx.network/fnxnetwork/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/gow_features_3.jpg ‘ width=’306′ height=’543′ title=” align=’left’] On the other hand, with alliances come politics internally – the yearning to be leader (which can be transferred between members), in-fights and just general jealousy. There are even some massive alliances who have alliances with other alliance groups who in turn may have 3 other alliances wishes to take into consideration. This leads to massive “No Hit Lists” posted to members… at the beginning of the game you simply attack whoever you feel like you could beat against. However in alliances you must follow the rules set by your “family” otherwise risk banishment and recourse. This can lead to a few minutes reading sometimes long alliance lists to make sure you’re not attacking someone who is in alliance with your alliance (yet isn’t in your specific alliance). Confused yet?
It is slightly concerning as it was massive mobs that general stop people continuing games like these, especially if you’re just starting out. Anyone who plays EVE may agree.
[image src=’http://fnx.network/fnxnetwork/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/gow_features_4.jpg ‘ width=’306′ height=’543′ title=” align=’right’]The community though is made up of mostly civil and interesting people who casually chat in the games inbuilt chat system. “But what about languages in the game?” you may be asking but this is where Machine Zone’s solution really shined. Whilst other MMO strategy games abode people on diverse servers filtered by native languages of each player, this game manages to incorporate an incredible chat translator so everybody comprehends each other in the game. It manages to do this through observation of conversations and crowd sourcing. They’ve made it an incentive to help develop the translator by offering in-game rewards to players who take time improving words the game doesn’t fathom or incorrectly assumes.
In terms of multiplayer functionality it is superb but again it is based on an outdated formula that originated in FarmVille – plant, wait, harvest, wait. It could add to the game by introducing randomized events, spontaneous challenges or just something fresh and new. Unfortunately it just manages to be pretty so you can admire your dilapidated farm as you wait for gold to generate while again waiting.
I wasn’t kidding about the game being pretty – it is definitely a finely crafted visual which pays attention to detail (zoom on a person in city mode, they carry out what you’ve ordered). However this can get old quickly as you wait for a 6 hour building to complete. I’m aware ads help developers get some dimes but the self advertising on this game is intrusive… it’s the “freemium” monster of all games where for only $100 real dollars your can have a slight handful of fake in game currency which will only save you a few hours anyway. They do have specials on where you can get $20 content for $5 and they happen quite regularly so I recommend you wait for those – just like you would hold out for steam sales.
Oh and the advertising buttons regarding coins cant be dismissed or hidden. The UI is very cluttered at times but overall you will get used to navigation.
Game of War: Fire Age takes some imperative steps to something sincerely genuine and beloved by its fans , but it lacks some originality in the story lines and reason to make it appeal to general audiences (or maybe someone who likes Civ a LOT). Still, based on numbers it is doing well.
Why not try to find us in Kingdom 1!