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Atlantica Online is currently in closed beta, but don't let that stop you from dreaming about the turn-based strategic action to be found in this great-looking title. NDOORS Interactive has sent us new screenshots that show more characters involved in combat, including the awesome Chinese monk type you see in the shot above.

Check out all the new shots in our Gallery, and expect the First Impressions very soon!



[Thanks, Katrina!]

If you're a player of Silkroad Online and have been attempting to dominate the old historic trade route in Asia, then you're going to be excited about the news that your domineering ways might finally pay off in the form of a championship and a trip to Korea. Silkroad Online has been chosen as an official game for this year's Game and Game World Championship.

Silkroad Online will be joining Shot Online, Navy Field, and Atlantica this year as the best of the best in each game meet up and test their mettle. Players in the United States can first sign up for the online preliminary rounds, and if you pass you'll be invited to San Jose, California to compete in the regional qualifiers. Top two players will be invited to Seoul, Korea (hotel and airfare included) to compete against the other qualifiers from Germany, Singapore, South America, Japan, and Korea for a first prize of $5,000 in cash.

All that is required for entry is simply an active account with Silkroad Online or any other game in the championship. If you're interested in garnering more information about the tournament, head on over to the main tournament website for all the juicy details.

Between Concerto Gate and Atlantica, we may just have to start using a new acronym: MMOTBS or massively multiplayer turn-based strategy game. Don't get us wrong though, the thought of more turn-based MMOs makes us all tingly inside. In fact, we're very happy to see MMOs that dabble in the world of turn-based battles and it really is underutilized mechanic these days. Obviously because of our love for them you can count on us to report on anything related to these types of games, like this brand new trailer for Atlantica!

We get to see lots of turns being taken in this trailer, which truly warms our heart. However, we also see plenty of epic battles being waged. It all looks so grandiose and dramatic. In fact, we're not really sure if we've seen a game trailer with that many quick-cuts in it before. It may not be as good cinematically as say, an Oxhorn Brand Melody, but it certainly could be a lot worse: It could be set to some overused movie theme.

Gamershell has been given 25,000 registration keys for the upcoming MMORTS Saga, continuing the trend started by FileFront earlier this year. If you're not quite ready to take on another beta, familiarize yourself with Saga by checking out the trailer and repeat to yourself "Giant war tortoise" until the launch hits.

With currently two MMORTS titles on the horizon, which has you more interested, Saga or Atlantica? Can two such games exist in the possibly overcrowded MMO market, or is there room for only so much innovation in the realm of gameplay? All these questions and more soon to be answered in the approaching months!

Avast, mateys! Atlantica Online, the turn-based strategy MMO, has announced that its closed beta test begins on Friday the 18th, with registered FilePlanet users getting the goods three days earlier, on the 15th. Additionally, MMO sites MMOABC, MMOSITE, MMORPG and onRPG are giving away a limited number of account keys on a first-come, first-served basis.

More information about this title and its beta program can be found at its home site. We have new screenshots to show in the Gallery below, and expect some exclusive content in the weeks to come!

Gallery: Atlantica

Turn-based strategy MMO Atlantica continues to bring us beautiful images, keeping us looking forward to its eventual beta sometime this month. While it's difficult these days to produce truly original aesthetics, there's no problem with the visuals coming out of NDOORS.

Is the world ready for turn-based fantasy? Do you anticipate immersive gameplay despite the nature of segmented mechanics? One thing's for sure: when you're feeling the grind in Age of Conan or World of Warcraft, this title will provide a welcome respite.



[Thanks, Katrina!]

While we've talked about the upcoming turn-based strategy MMO Atlantica before, we haven't been able to see what actual gameplay looks like until now. The good folks at NDOORS have provided a 30-second gameplay trailer, and it looks right in line with what you'd hope for in a title like this.

We'll bring you as much coverage as possible as the game nears its closed beta in July, and we'll be on the front lines at launch. Just pray that we'll have enough mana to cast that final First Impressions spell, or the human race is doomed! Check out the Gallery for screens of the game, and the gameplay video after the jump.



Thanks, Katrina!

A new MMORPG by the name of Atlantica Online is set to enter its closed beta phase this July. The game will reportedly employ a turn-based strategy combat system, and developer Ndoors Interactive hopes that this will help it to stand out from other MMOs. Players are able to form groups of up to 3 people and wage war across ancient lands. There will be a heavy focus on long term planning and strategy, with players having to manage both cities and countries, keeping factors like industry, commerce, and culture in mind.

Visiting Atlantica's official website, we found a handful of screenshots, a teaser video (with no gameplay unfortunately) and a simple form to enter just an email address to register for the closed beta. Turn-based strategy games tend to divide gamers, but fans of the genre could really get into such a title taken to the level of complexity that MMOs can offer -- if done well. We'll report back when we find out more.

[Via Worlds in Motion]

From the makers of Luminary: Rise of the Goonzu comes a new MMO with some distinctly interesting features. Atlantica is a turn-based game that lets you command a large roster of mercenaries, up to a total of 27 in all. These mercenaries can be gotten as infants (legally, we hope), and actually age as the game progresses. When they get older, their stats decrease, so you'll need to keep bringing in new blood to keep your team strong. You can even marry mercenaries and raise their children to fight for you.

PvP gets an interesting take as well -- guilds can control cities, which provide them with a power base with which to attack other guilds, but these cities need to be managed well. Doing so provides rare items and more mercenaries. The game will go into closed beta in July, but until then, check out the trailer above and the screenshots below!



[Thanks, Katrina!]