Lineage II -- Now with 25% less grind!

by: Randy - posted: 8/14/2008 12:24:00 AM

NCsoft is taking measurable steps to shake off the grind-laden gameplay reputation perceived to plague Asian MMOs.  With Lineage II's latest update, Gracia - Part 1, spending time away from the game or hanging out in safe zones (Lineage II is PvP-centric) will now build up your Vitality.  Increased Vitality counts for increased rewards for completing quests and defeating monsters, and gives you greater access to better loot.  This appears to be a sea change in Eastern MMO business models, as the upcoming Atlantica Online likewise features a similar system.  On the other hand, plenty of Western MMOs like World of Warcraft have been doing this for a while now.  Perhaps Lineage II's less grindy taste will send more people outside for smoke breaks.

These three new screenshots depict one character buffing, one leveling up during combat, and another one that's probably typing "Ding!" into general chat at that very moment.

NCsoft Ushers in a New Age in Lineage II Gameplay

New update, Gracia – Part 1, completely changes the way Lineage II is played

AUSTIN, Texas, August 13, 2008–NCsoft^®, the world's leading publisher and developer of online computer games, today announced major changes in its massively multiplayer online (MMO) game, Lineage^®II. In an update from The Chaotic Throne^™ series called Gracia^™ – Part 1, players will find advancing in the game to be dramatically faster. This, plus a host of other changes to enhance the player experience, makes this update much more accessible to newer players than before.

The increase in leveling speed is due in part to a new Vitality system, which rewards the player with an experience bonus for time either spent away from the game or in safe zones. New characters will start out with maximum Vitality, so they can begin improving their character's advancement within minutes.  An increase in rewards for accomplishing quests, battling boss creatures, as well as greater accessibility of items also enable players to increase their character's level more quickly.

"Gracia represents a huge change to Lineage II," said Tim Tan, NCsoft's North American producer. "The increase in leveling speed allows players to create new characters and advance nearly twice as fast as before. This will allow players to experience the meat of Lineage II quickly, giving them the ability to visit new and exciting areas and cool high-level content much quicker than before. While this game is still a hardcore game, these changes with Gracia – Part 1 make the game much more accessible to new players. I hope gamers will take another look at what Lineage II has to offer."

Continuing the storyline and changes brought with the earlier expansions, this first of three updates involving the land of Gracia, introduces a new terror with the strange dream-like inter-dimensional world of Kamaloka. Adventurers of varying levels can easily travel to Kamaloka and face a series of incredibly potent creatures that are tailored to the experience of the players. The expansion also offers a selection of new and improved skills, many new items, and improvements to the Cruma Tower, as well as other hunting zones.

Lineage II is known as the gaming market's premier player-versus-player (PvP) online role-playing game, with a customer reach of more than 19 million players worldwide.

The Lineage II 4^th Anniversary Edition pack is now available at retail. For more information about the retail box contents and where to purchase go to: www.lineage2.com/4thanniv.html. To find out more about the game, please visit the Lineage II web site at: www.lineage2.com. 

 

The game is rated Teen by the Entertainment Software Rating Board.

 

About NCsoft

NCsoft North America is headquartered in Austin, Texas and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Korea-based NCsoft Corporation. NCsoft, with its own development and publishing offices in Texas and California, also works with other NCsoft subsidiaries and third party developers throughout North America to develop and publish innovative online entertainment software products. The company has successfully launched multiple online titles and continues to support its franchises that include Lineage/Lineage II, City of Heroes^®/City of Villains^®, Guild Wars^®/Guild Wars Factions^®/Guild Wars Nightfall^®, Guild Wars: Eye of the North^™, Dungeon Runners^™, Exteel^™ and Richard Garriott's Tabula Rasa^®. More information about NCsoft can be found at http://www.PlayNC.com.

 

NCsoft, the interlocking NC logo, PlayNC, Lineage, The Chaotic Throne, Gracia, City of Heroes, City of Villains, Guild Wars, Guild Wars Factions, Guild Wars Nightfall, Guild Wars: Eye of the North, Dungeon Runners, Exteel Tabula Rasa  and all associated logos and designs are trademarks or registered trademarks of NCsoft Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.