With an extensive range of features Runes of Magic prepares to redefine the standard of free-to-play MMO games. Right from the launch Runes of Magic will convey its absorbing story through more than 1.000 quests embedded in an atmospheric world. Players can choose between six main classes. Combined with a secondary class they dispose of 36 individual character classes over all. All characters possess unique skills with impressive combo attacks and can use mounts. A particularly attractive feature for guilds and players is the possibility to arrange their own virtual homes with individual furnishing. Thanks to an extensive crafting and reputation system, thrilling PVP as well as demanding dungeons and boss-monsters, no wishes remain unsatisfied. The Taiwanese developer Runewaker has developed Runes of Magic according to western MMO standards within a time frame of three years. The studio will provide new challenges for players every three to four months with free add-ons and updates.

Crafting Details:

Besides exciting PvE and PvP adventures, Runes of Magic offers lots of activities for crafters and traders as well. Players can accept gathering professions already in the starting areas, to collect materials for the crafting of weapons, armor, potions or nourishing meals. Later on, the professions of carpenter, blacksmith, armor crafting, alchemist, tailor and even cook are available. Alchemists mix potions, cooks prepare strenghtening food, carpenters and blacksmiths produce the best weapons in the country, while armor crafters and tailors are catering for the protection needs. Having taken the first steps in their profession, players can hire out as apprentice. Just like in real life, they can learn more than one profession in the fantasy-world of Runes of Magic and specialize later, depending on their interest.

At first, the apprentice artisan has moderate skills only, but they are rising with each of his creations. Altogether, there are four ranks to master: apprentice, craftsman, specialist and master. The gathered resources can be refined into valuable items near the tools of the crafters. In the cities all of those tools are marked by a green arrow and the appropriate symbol for the profession. Crafters who’d rather want to work in the safety of their own home can build their personal workshop there or work in their guild house.

The magical runes that grant the world of Taborea their power can be combined by skilled craftsmen in the most different ways, taken apart into their components and integrated into manufactured products. That way, players can equip themselves with valuable items or earn a little extra money selling their crafted goods. It is even possible to extract attributes from one item and transfer them onto other items. This way, the most inconspicuous weapon can adopt the might of a powerful artifact or a gorgeous evening gown can be furnished with the resistance of an unsightly piece of armor. When the personal requirements are met, it may be advisable to boost the economy. The auction house is the right place to dispose of the produced surplus or to supply yourself with cheap resources.

Profession System

If you believe that everything in Taborea revolves around battles and conflicts, you couldn’t be more wrong – every player can take on a multitude of professions to equip themselves or to earn a few extra pieces of gold.

It’s important to note that every crafting profession relies on two kinds of materials collected by different gathering professions for its production, as shown in the picture below.

You can take on a profession simply by talking to one of the trainers of that job which can be found in every city or larger village. As soon as you’ve learned a trade, you can start to improve your skills by crafting items or collecting and processing materials respectively.

Every profession has four ranks: apprentice, craftsman, specialist and master. You can learn as many professions as you wish on the apprentice rank, can become a craftsman in six trades, be a specialist in three and ultimately master one profession. To increase your profession rank, you have to have reached the maximum skill level of your current rank and then talk to a trainer of that profession.

Tools

Near every profession trainer, you will find tools matching that profession. In order to craft an item or to refine materials, you’ll have to be within the vicinity of the appropriate tools. Crafting tools can be found in just about any city and village and are highlighted by a large green arrow and a symbol of that profession.
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Those of you who would rather craft in private can set up a small workshop within their own house or even work in your guild house!
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Crafting Formulas that will allow you to create a multitude of items can be bought from traders or be found while hunting. If you get lucky, you might even find rare formulas that’ll allow you to craft epic equipment! On top of this, all crafted equipment has a high chance to have more rune slots than normal equipment, so learning a trade is really worthwhile.

Runes

To improve equipment, you can put runes with attributes into any item that has one or more rune slots. Runes can be looted from monsters or gained from disenchanting other equipment.

There are many kinds of runes, all of which carry different sets of attributes. Every type of rune also exists in various ranks (I-X) and is more of less efficient, depending on the rank. You can also use the Arcane Transmutator, which can be reached via your backpack, to combine several runes of the same kind and rank to a higher ranked version of that rune or use several different runes to create an entirely different rune!

On top of this, it will be possible to take the attributes of one item and insert them into another item – so fashion victims can make sure they get the best stats and look great too!

Upgrading Equipment with Jewels

Aside from inserting runes into your equipment, you can also upgrade them by refining them with jewels which can be bought from NPCs. If you successfully refine them, the item will receive higher attributes (e.g. +1% Defense) and behind the name of the item, a „+1“ will be shown.

The lucky ones who will reach the maximum upgrade level of +6 will be able to enjoy significantly better equipment – but be careful, the chance to successfully combine equipment with a jewel is only 30%! If it fails, all jewel upgrades may be lost or the item may even break.

Features:

• Free2play, no monthly fees, free download
• Dual class system with switchable primary and secondary classes
• Enthralling background story
• Already over 600 quests and level comprehensive quest series on launch
• Instanced and persistent dungeons
• Individually developed skills and spells
• Armor sets with special bonuses
• Dynamic item system: Upgrades with hundreds of runes
• PvP system, to be activated with a PvP flag (Player vs. Player duels, arena combat, ranking system)
• Epic crafting system with the possibility to improve existing items
• Individual coloring of clothes and armor
• Housing: personalization with individual furniture for players and guilds
• Special zones for guild houses
• Reputation system
• Scalable user interface based on the users flavor (development of own add-ons possible)
• In-game map and radar system to find dealers, resources and quests easily
• Auction house: auction and purchase items
• Teleporting possibilities per runes
• Different and unique mounts
• Controlling with mouse (point & click) and keyboard (WASD or arrow keys) possible

MMO fans can find a registration form for the newsletter on the official teaser site.

The German version will come to light even before Christmas 2008, shortly there after an English version will be released.

Frogster Interactive strives to release both the European-English version and the American version at the same time. Concerning the US version Frogster currently looking for a qualified US-Publisher.

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