My favorite holiday!

We are working on AdventureQuest Dragons bugs for Android and Apple. Especially the one that crashes specific phones right after the intro video plays! Just as Sun Tsu wrote in the Art of War "No battle plan survives contact with the enemy," I would like to humbly declare "No amount of testing can prepare a new video game for the first install by thousands of real players." We believe we have isolated the issue, but we need help from people with those specific devices.

Android "Crash after video plays" Bug

So... this one was really hard to figure out since it is so inconsistant. Very specific combinations of Android OS versions and GPU hardware do not know how to handle the texture compression that Dragons is using (Which is called ETC2). Normally, this would be ok. this is because your phone will simply uncompress it and just use the raw image data. Which would be great... except the raw size of these giant textures are too huuuuuuuge... so CRAAAAAAAAASH. It would sort of like making a cup of coffee for your friend, but he tells you that his mouth is incompatable with the coffee cup you are holding... so you try shoving the entire pot of coffee in his mouth instead.

We have two solutions, but we need a device here at the lab to test on. Specifically we are looking for older phones running Android OS 4.2 or lower, with a Qualcomm Adreno 203 GPU chipset.

• Samsung GT-I8262
• Samsung GT-I9082

If you have one of these devices and want to help. Please let us know in the comment section below. In the mean time, I am calling everyone I know.

Apple Version Update

We ran into a pretty critical problem. Our "redeem code" functionality is not allowed on Apple devices. This rule is in place primarily to stop evil developers who are trying to sneakily circumvent Apple's App Store Purchase process. Which makes sense. I am not sure if you noticed, but each major techological ecosystem is now in it's own sandbox. What I mean is... Apple, Google, Facebook, and other major tech companies have created very strict borders around their digital territories. If you are on an apple device, you must pay through apple. Same for Google devices. Same for Facebook. We understood why this is the way it is-- and as of the BattleGems video game project respectfully implimented a different system depending on where you played.

The redeem code, however, was something that never even crossed our minds as being a problem. It was put in place for two reasons. First to allow player support to help players-- which is extra challenging since this other than the upcoming leaderboards this is a single player game that lives purely on your device. Secondly, to give away redeem codes in promotions and merch to draw more players to Dragons. So, the redeem code feature being a release-stopping issue puts me in an absolutely terrible position. To solve it, I have no other choice but to remove the redeem code feature from the Apple version. (otherwise it will not be allowed to go live.) This feature will still be available on the Android and upcoming Web version.

The Apple App store will be closing next Monday-- meaning this is our last shot. As you can imagine, we are desperately (and quite panickly) doing everything in our power to have Dragons released before then. Please cross your fingers, toes, talons, and any other lucky things that can be crossed in an somewhat awkward and highly amusing manner for us!

Thank you for being so patient and understanding as we battle through these bugs. Also thank you to everyone who gave us 5-stars and wrote such enthusiastic and kind comments. Your comments make working on this through the weekend and nights so worth it.

BATTLE ON!

• Follow Dragons on Facebook
• Follow Artix on Twitter

Adventure Quest Worlds - Web Browser MMO

Winter’s Heart: Breaking Your Bones

From Travelers leaving the Frozen Wastes come rumors of a vast treasure, waiting for those strong enough to take it. But, say the travelers, no one who has set out to claim it has ever returned… and no sign of them has been found. Is the treasure so grand, the luxury so rich, that they never wish to leave? Or is something darker, deadlier, lying in wait at the heart of the hoard?

• Unlock an exclusive zone, storyline, boss battle, and rewards with the  BoneBreaker Adventure Package!

• Discover the deadly reason heroes seeking the Winter’s Heart Hoard treasure never return!

• Talk to Aran the Tundra Hunter in Yulgar’s Inn for a tale of frozen fear and to get his gear!

• Happy birthday, Beleen! Check out her pretty pink birthday presents in Battleon and Frostvale!

Frozen Fury Part 2

• This Friday, unleash a fury which has never been seen in a browser MMO with 2 NEW promotional packages. Get fully-equipped with Frozen Fury-themed scythes, armors, bots, mutating weapons, sidearms, and auxiliary weapons. This awesome gear comes loaded with SIX new cores! This gear will allow you to dominate your foes in EPIC PvP battles.

Continue the Saga

• Take a break from the conflict between Edgar Boothe and Alydriah to explore the Frysteland wilderness and investigate the mass disappearance of yetis and blood hawks.

Give and Receive 

• Remember to login every day to claim your free gifts! While you're in, why not share the love and offer gifts to all your friends?! New prizes will be added with the new update so there's never been a better reason to login and give!

Adventure Quest - The Classic Fantasy RPG 

It's a Wonderful Life of Crime!

• You have to stop Zorbak from making a huge mistake and retiring!
• Can you do it by showing him what the world would be like without him - a world of sunshine, lollipops, rainbows, and everything that's wonderful?

Guardian BONUS - Radiant Guardian Dragon Armor!

• This awesome armor comes free if you Guardianize any time during the month of December.
• Existing Guardians can find the armor in the Guardian Tower at a super discounted price!
• Grab this armor while you can because it will only be available until the end of December and then gone forever!

Giftboxes are here!

• Be sure to grab your giftboxes from the Guardian Tower as we wait to see what awesome items will be unwrapped!

Kibbles has returned!

• Kibbles is a really happy elf.
• He likes to wander around at Frostval time and spread as much holiday cheer as he can!
• Find him during random battles and join in the spirit of giving, and donate up to 100k to your fellow players!

Dragon Fable - Turn Based Adventure RPG

Bitten

• The search for Thursday continues! 
• Will you and Raven find her time? 
• Or will your reckless rushing from werewolf camp to camp bite you in the behind? 

Hero Smash - Super Hero 2D MMO

Golden Ticket Shop!

• Strange and cool items from all AE Online games can be found here with a Few games this week and more to come!
• Get your tickets from enemy drops, quests, special promotions or just buy them! Choice is yours!

Mech Quest - Sci-Fi Giant Robot RPG

Return of Thoh!

• Thoh is once more in this sector of the galaxy!
• Replay all the old events and catch up on the story!

• New levels of older rewards!
• The '08 mecha and items are reborn as '14 models with new effects!
• Higher level versions of the other seasonal items!

Battle On! 

Everyone Is Enjoying The Tech Demo... Even The Glitch Exploiters

You guys are SMART!

Earlier this morning, some AE Devs (such as myself) and mods (such as Dream Warden) started appearing on the AQW 3D Tech Demo and acting really fishy. They were asking for passowrds, asking people to add them on Facebook and promising to make them mods and offering free ACs. 

Most of the Legends the AQW 3D Tech Demo know that AE staff will never ask you for your passwords and that I don't write like a bollard, so they started contacting us over our REAL Facebook Fan pages and our Twiter accounts asking what was up. It appears that at least one person found a bug that allowed them to log in (to the Tech Demo ONLY!, not any of our games) as ANY player.

It was a small glitch and it has now been fixed. 

Since you guys are so smart, NOT ONE PERSON gave away their password to one of these fakes and NO accounts were compromised. Again, I cannot stress this enough, this was ONLY present in the Tech Demo and can not work on any of our other games. There is no need to worry that someone can break into your account as long as your password is decently complex and known only to you. 

This DOES highlight how important it is that YOU NEVER TELL ANYONE YOUR PASSWORD! Even if you think they are AE staff. 

AE STAFF WILL NEVER ASK YOU FOR YOUR PASSWORDS. 

If you're worried that your password isn't good enough, THIS POST will tell you how to make a better one.

If you're new to the Tech Demo, please read THIS POST for the answer to most of your Tech Demo questions. 

The AQW 3D Tech Demo is still up and running. If you have an active AQW membership you can log in and try it out for yourself: AQW 3D TECH DEMO

If you were playing and any AE staff member or volunteer said something that offended you, then we apologize but please know that it wasn't really us (Personally, I prefer to offend you here on the Design Notes or over Twitter). We would like to thank the player or players who were exploiting this bug because it helped us find a pretty obvious weakness in our login system and, thanks to them, we found it early and fixed it. We would also like to thank all the amazing Legends who brought these guys to our attention. Smiley emoji.

Adventure Quest Worlds - Web Browser MMO

Frostval Returns: Breaking of IceRise Keep

• Get ready for the return of AQW's coolest gear (literally!) this Friday as we bring back all of our previous years' Frostval events! Save Frostvale, stop the Ice Symbiote infection, watch a young Empress Gravelyn experience her first Frostval, and get SO MANY presents! Upgrade to unlock the Legend-only adventure through /icerisepast!

  • Unlock an exclusive zone, storyline, boss battle, and rewards with the  BoneBreaker Adventure Package!

  • Battle through all our seasonal Frostval zones and find the returning Frostval gear

  • Legends can talk to Moraine to help save IceRise Keep from Kezeroth’s destructive ice powers!

Frozen Fury!

• Settle the score between Edgar Boothe and Alydriah in Frysteland through the first part of an epic 3-part mission chain.

27 Day of Giving AND Receiving

• • Give and receive gifts for 27 days starting Friday! The more you give, the better your rewards!

Home Decor

• • Loads of new home items to adorn your wintry abode.

Adventure Quest - The Classic Fantasy RPG 

Frostval Begins - Decorate the Battleon Tree!

• Winter has arrived in Battleon and with it a new tree to decorate in Battleon!
• So get yourself in the Frostval spirit as you battle your way through the snow and monsters to find trinkets to adorn the new tree!
• Also GIFTBOXES ARE COMING! Be sure to grab your giftboxes as we wait to see what awesome items will be unwrapped!

Guardian BONUS - Radiant Guardian Dragon Armor!

• This awesome armor comes free if you Guardianize any time during the month of December.
• Existing Guardians can find the armor in the Guardian Tower at a super discounted price!
• Grab this armor while you can because it will only be available until the end of December and then gone forever!

Black Friday and Cyber Monday!

• The lucky 50 winners for the Black Friday Battleaxe and Cyber Shogun's Odachi will be coming this week!

Dragon Fable - Turn Based Adventure RPG

Ninjas versus Pirates

• Which side will prove victorious?
• Fight for your favorite side to help decide the winner
• The winning faction will decide which Class gets revamped first!

Hero Smash - Super Hero 2D MMO

Happy Birthday Yergen!

• Visit Yergen at the overlook to get his Birthday missions!
• Complete all missions to get the Yergen's 'Big yellow' badge

Mech Quest - Sci-Fi Giant Robot RPG

Zorbo is back!

• Pick up this year's Zorbo in Soluna main Friday night!
• What will he be wearing this year?

Turkageddon is still on!

• After a delay, this year's event will be playable Friday!

Battle On! 

We've been getting a lot of excited feedback from the community about the Tech Demo of AQW 3D. These responses have indicated these two things to me. 

1. We're on the right track and making something that you're all really excited to play and
2. Most of you really have no idea what to reasonably expect out of this. 

We're still in VERY early development and this is only a Tech Demo which means it's too early to have answers to most questions but I do have a few answers that I didn't address in my YouTube video.

Hopefully this will clear things up for a lot of you. 

How Do I Play The AQW 3D Tech Demo?

As mentioned in the vid, the test is currently restricted to active AQW Legends (Members). 

Will The Game Always Be Restricted To Legends?

I Thought That You Said AQ3D Was Dead!

I did, in this post and it is. let me be as clear as possible about this...

This is AQW 3D, not AQ3D, Legend of Lore.

Again, as mentioned in the video, while we will probably be able to reuse a small fraction of the resources that we developed for Legend of Lore but this is new game built on new technology from the ground up. It's still built in Unity (not Flash like our other games so there will be virtually no screen lag) but considering that this will also be a Mobile App as well as a Web Game, using Unity3D THIS TIME without trying to push it through Flash Player made the most sense, although to make it fit on phone and tablets we will need to significantly reduce the poly count from AQ3D and make a number of other pretty big tweaks that makes using Legend of Lore resources slower than if we just remade them fresh. 

In time, we will probably change the name of THIS game to AQ3D beacuse AQW3D is really just a mouth full. All that you really need to know is that this is NOT AQ3D: Legend of Lore. 

Wait. Did You Say Mobile App?

I did. The really neat thing about what we're doing here is we're making an MMO that you will be able to play from your computer OR your smart phone OR Tablet... and it's all on the same server so it's all the same game. 

For example: We're fighting a boss monster, you and I.

You're a high DPS build warrior and I'm your pocket healer, keeping you alive while you bust face and keep the aggro off me. You are playing from your computer, rght in the web but I'm healing you from my phone. We're both playing the same game, in the same location on completely different devices. This was REALLY the dream behind PROJECT OMNI and it's SO RAD to see it finally taking shape with the lessons that we have learned making our Unity games like Battle Gems and AQ Dragons. 

I posted, on my Facebook page, a small example of this technology working. Check it out. 

How Can I Download The Mobile Version?!?!?!

Sorry, you can't right now. Only a few of the developers in the Secret Underground Lab have access to the mobile version right now. It's one thing to show you guys a Tech Demo on the web, but it's another thing entirely to submit this to Google Play or Apple as an app so you guys can download it and play with it. 

The mobile version of AQW3D is being developed alongside the web version so you can expect the mobile version much later in the development cycle... like, at the end of it. When it's done. 

Will I Be Able To Import All My Items And Stuff From AQW?

AQW has SIX PLUS years of development behind it.

Six years of weekly releases. Six years of items and classes and NPCs and maps. We've gotten pretty fast at building that stuff in Flash but considering our very small number of staff (and before you ask, we can't afford to hire more) it would probably take SIX to EIGHT MORE YEARS to re-create AQW faithfully in 3D which is obviously too long. So the answer is NO, you won't be able to import ALL of your classes and items. 

HOWEVER, some of you have noticed that, since we are usig the AQW login, the Tech Demo imports your name and gender directly from your AQW files. I'm sure that we will use that ability to import SOMETHING from your AQW characters to make the transition more favorable to long-time players. 

It's just too early to know any of the specifics. 

Will I Get An AQW Badge For Testing?

No. At least, no badge has been announced at this point but I'm sure something could be arranged.  

Will AQ3D Take AQW's Place?

No. AQW and AQW 3D will be different games entirely. AQW will continue with weekly updates until you guys lose all interest. Which we hope will be never. 

Can I Jump In The Tech Demo Yet?

Nope. I will update this when we are able to implement jumpery. 

UPDATE: Yes, you can now jump!

When Will AQW3D Be Done?

This is a big question. 

First, you need to understand a few things about app and game development. 

• Beta Testing happens near the release of a product, when you are integrating a lot of user feedback and making improvements on the stable foundation that you built during the previous phases. 
  
  
• Alpha Testing happens before Beta testing. This is when the product is in a very raw but still mostly usable stage. There are LOT of bugs and probably still quite a lot of designs that need to be done.  
  
  
• A Tech Demo happens before Beta OR Alpha testing. It is a proof of concept just to show that the technology works. It is the rawest possible version of the product. 

BAKING METAPHOR: Baiscally, what I'm saying is this: If a finished, polished and ready-to-play game is an apple pie, the Beta testing version would be the pie before it's baked, the Alpha testing version would be the raw ingredients not yet mixed together and the Tech Demo is a young apple tree. Maybe just an apple SEED. 

We still have a VERY long way to go and these are just the first few steps on a journey of a thousand miles, but we're excited to see where it takes us and we're willing to walk the full length. We have NEVER directly involved you guys in the development of one of our games this early which gives you the chance to shape the world as we build it more than ever before!

We will still keep developing new games (we have a large list) and of course we will continue to develop the existing games that you guys support with your attention and love. 

AdventureQuest Worlds - MMORPG

BrightFall Commander and Harvest Fest

Log in this weekend and bare your blades as Lore’s most deliciously-deadly festival begins! Destruction is on the menu when you /join harvest, and if you want to survive the feast, you’ll need to carve your way out of danger! Battle through all our previous Harvest Fest zones and boss fights to claim your rewards, then talk to Ragnar in Battleon to unlock the BrightFall Commander set with a 12 month membership!

• Harvest Fest returns with 10 maps, 6 shops, and a cornucopia full of gear

• Unlock the BrightFall Commander set when you buy a 12 month membership

Frysteland's Return

• December 1st, Frysteland gear goes live once again to unleash all the wintry fury upon your foes!

Winter Home Decorating Contest 2014!

• Decorate your homes for the holidays and win! More details on the Design Notes.

AdventureQuest - Fantasy Browser RPG 

Item Update!

• As the BURP War rages on we are revamping a ton of old gear in AQ this week!

December Z-Token package - Champion of Sinmaw!

• A bonus set that comes with the 50k Z-Token package!
• Includes an armor, 3 weapons, a shield and the ability to drag your enemies into Sinmaw’s Lair!

Black Friday and Cyber Monday!

• Log in and play Black Friday and Cyber Monday for a chance to win 2 awesome items - Black Friday Battleaxe and Cyber Shougn's Odachi! We are also doubling the amount of Z-Tokens you can find during battles this week! PLUS a special Z-Token discount for Black Friday!

DragonFable - Adventure RPG

Saving Private Practice

• You finally got to the end of the bolt trail.
• Log in to DragonFable on Friday to find out what happened to Voltabolt and who is behind all of this.
• Good luck, Hero, Thankstaking wouldn’t be quite the same without Voltabolt!

HeroSmash - Super Hero 2D MMO

SmashGiving!

• RARE 'Shadow Hunter Sword' - This blade cuts shadows!
• Coming Soon: New promo package 

MechQuest - Sci-Fi Browser RPG

Is your bird Turkalicious?!

• All-new Turkageddon mission!
• Mr. Z is on Main Street in Soluna City and he has a message for you!
• Shop smart - shop Vil-Mart!
• If you can acquire a delicious bird for the feast, you will be rewarded with a new mecha!

Battle On!

"Long live AdventureQuest 3D!"

The reaction was uninimous!

SUPER SHORT BACKSTORY

Why is AQW3D going to work when AQ3D did not?

Easy answer: "Unlike the game's predecessor, this game runs on phones and tablets apps too! It is an Omni-Game."

Longer answer: See, the original AQ3D was built with the intention of running in Flash. The 3D graphics, shaders, poly count and hardware specs were all designed for the web. When the carpet got pulled out from under us, we had a ton of assets that were only good for the web. Too complex for phones and not good enough to make a stand alone steam game. Rebuilding this from the ground up we have optimized graphics that will run on any modern device. We know everyone is playing on their phones and tablets now... and that is where our games need to be. That is where AQW3D will be! This is something we can grow, improve, and expand for the next 10+ years.

 

 

PVP?
Dage says, "YES." ...and none of us are going to disagree. It will be a high priority of this project, and vastly superior to the current system in AQWorlds.

OLD CONCEPT ART

"Knights of the Rectangle Table" at their very first meeting.

AdventureQuest Worlds - MMORPG

Dragon’s Dawn: Hunt for the Chosen Ones

It has been foretold: 12 VERY SPECIAL eggs are about to hatch, and one day, the descendants of those dragons will be the most powerful of their kind... but many dangers may befall young creatures in the world of Lore. Talk to DragonMaster StoneScythe to begin the hunt for the first of the Chosen Dragons! Then head to our Limited Quantity Package page to grab one of our most draconically-awesome new sets!

• Face Ektorax the Slime Dragon to save the Egg of Ichorus

• Quest to create the full DragonMaster set in /ectocave

• Don’t miss our limited quantity Dragon sets! Restocks go live every 10 hours.

• Unlock the Draconic DoomKnight armor when you buy the 2000, 5000, or 12000 AC packages!

The war is over with the Legion victorious, so celebrate with a Power Weekend!

• Coming Soon: Frozen Fury event!
• Visit EpicDuel's Design Notes for an in-depth look at Frozen Fury.

AdventureQuest - Fantasy Browser RPG 

Harvest Fest!

• For the last two years, the Harvest Festival has been interrupted by the increasingly common invasions of the BURPs.
• But this year, they’re nowhere to be found!
• Could it be that we’ll finally get a holiday without anything going wrong....or is something far more sinister going on?

Golden Giftboxes!

Solar Staff seeks Fire/Light and summons a healing guest! Now Golden Giftboxes will have 1 rare and 1 permanent item a month! We are bringing back permanently

• Soluna pet
• Pygmy Zombie Entourage
• Purifying Crescent Blade
• Darklaw
• Blades of Reaping

DragonFable - Adventure RPG

Thankstaking

• The preperations for a huge feast are in the making! The pies are baking, the potatoes are mashing, but someone is missing... log in now to see what you can do for Thankstaking!

MechQuest - Sci-Fi Browser RPG

Traveler updates!

• More items for all!
• You asked so we listened! The Traveler is having his inventory upgraded! New levels of his items that need them are being added! 
• Turkageddon is almost here. Will you be ready?

Battle On!

AdventureQuest Worlds - MMORPG

Harvest Fest Meets Hunger Games in AQWorlds

Login this weekend to battle through the Extinction Games! When machines develop a taste for heroism, more than just your life is on the line: you're going to need to keep your wits AND your blade sharp, because humanity is on the menu for these mechanical monsters!

• Save mankind from the rise of the machines as you survive the Extinction Games

• Take on the high-level challenge bosses once you’ve completed the event for extra rewards

• Unlock the Draconic DoomKnight armor when you buy the 2000, 5000, or 12000 AC packages!

AdventureQuest - Fantasy Browser RPG 

If You've Supported Oversoul, get our 2nd Upholder Void! 

New Characters:

• 2nd Upholder Void
• Turkonian ( Evolutions Next Week )

DragonFable - Adventure RPG

Dark Tower

• Thursday is gone... and her ancient ancestor in the Darkness Tower might hold the clues for where she is! 

• Log in now to face Frydae and try to find Thursday!

HeroSmash - Super Hero 2D MMO

This week in HeroSmash!

• Help us test the newly update Phonebooth at the Park
• Happy Veteran's Day and Remembrance Day!

MechQuest - Sci-Fi Browser RPG

Turkageddon Rises!

• Gobble Gobble!
  • Turkageddon is upon us once more! Speak to Mr. Z in Soluna Main tonight to replay the events of past years!
  • New levels of all old items are in the replay shops!

Battle On!