The expansion for Shadowbane®, the critically acclaimed massively multiplayer online (MMO) game for both PC and Macintosh, features new high-level content including more than 30 new adventure areas and a new race, the Nephilim, a chaotic fusion of demon and man that has arisen from the forces of darkness. In addition, two new classes, the Doomsayer, a priest of Chaos, and the Sentinel, holy warriors who devote their lives to holding Chaos at bay, add to the ever-growing adventure.
"We are excited to take the next step in the Shadowbane franchise," said Jason Rubinstein, general manager of ubi.com. "The Shadowbane universe has more than doubled since it launched earlier this year, and we will continue to grow the game with patches, improvements, new content, worlds and unique in-game events. Our most recent patch releases today and it compliments the Chaos retail expansion nicely and includes a third world, five new character disciplines, and improved city management features."
The expansion provides new character classes, disciplines, an additional character slot, new macro zones, and enhanced environmental graphics like blood storms, acid rain, and tornadoes. Players must be wary of the various elements that can affect their game and plan accordingly; however, this only adds to the overall experience.
"Shadowbane: The Rise of Chaos gives players the combination of intense strategic action and hardcore PvP that MMORPG gamers thirst for," said Frank Lucero, producer of Shadowbane.
Shadowbane: The Rise of Chaos, set in a dark fantasy world burning with strife and unrest, will continue to expand the MMO genre into new uncharted territory. Its success and large fan following have been pinned to the game's ability to combine immersive role-playing with deep strategic elements such as city management, army creation, siege warfare, and economic development.
In fact, current Shadowbane players have shared their enthusiasm regarding the expansion on recent forum posts on the community website:
"With new races, classes, and disciplines, the Rise of Chaos expansion allows Shadowbane players to have an even more dynamic PvP experience than before. All while they will be exploring the new ominous Chaos lands, a place infested with demons and creatures that threaten the lives of those who dare step on their isle. Age of Strife indeed."
"RoC is just the thing that Shadowbane needs! The additional classes, disciplines, ability and training points will expand the already large variety of possible characters. AND, I'll have beautiful red wings and be even cooler then I already am!"
"Take the best character customization system, and add to it more skill and stat points, new zones to explore, upgraded environments, new weapons, new armor, new items, and the best MMO on the market just gets better."
Shadowbane: The Rise of Chaos, rated "T" for Teen by the ESRB, was developed by Wolfpack Studios, based in Austin, Texas, and is operated and supported by Ubisoft's online gaming division, ubi.com?, among the top five gaming portals in the world.
Shadowbane: The Rise of Chaos features:
- New playable race, the Nephilim, half-demons with bat-like wings, horns, and the ability to mask their infernal nature.
- More than 30 adventure areas for players to explore, engage, and challenge those who dare enter: Ruins, volcanic wastes, demons of all description, and corrupted natural creatures.
- New classes including the Doomsayer and the Sentinel:
- The Doomsayer: A priest of Chaos whose power comes from the worship of the Dark Lords. Able to use their powers of Chaos to inflict harm and to weaken opponents, Doomsayers also possess a good repertoire of heals, debuffs, and pet spells.
- The Sentinel: Stout, holy warriors who devote their lives to holding Chaos at bay and to cleansing the world of its presence. Their powers are a hybrid of the Crusader and the Templar ? with anti-Chaos powers such as dispells, debuffs, and demon-only blasts.
- New disciplines include the Darksworn and the Conjurer:
- The Darksworn: Underlings dedicated to the service of the Dark Lords, who are given in turn a battery of infernal powers.
- The Conjurer: Used to summon Chaotic entities, these creatures are pet versions adapted from the new monster content added with the expansion pack.
- Current players who purchase the expansion pack are immediately granted a sixth character slot to use at their discretion.
- Graphical enhancements include new environmental effects