Dungeons & Dragons Online: Stormreach
Encyclopedia
Dungeons & Dragons Online: Eberron Unlimited (abbreviated as "DDO") is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game
(MMORPG) developed by Turbine, Inc.
for Microsoft Windows, and originally marketed as Dungeons & Dragons Online: Stormreach. Turbine developed DDO as an online adaptation of Dungeons & Dragons
(D&D) based loosely on the D&D 3.5 Rule-set. The game is set in the vastly unexplored continent of Xen'drik
within the Eberron
campaign setting.
, the publisher of the Dungeons and Dragons pen and paper game. Later, this initial team moved to work on Turbine's other title in development Lord of the Rings Online, or left the company. Development was then led by James Jones, and DDO was released on February 28, 2006. It is published by Atari
.
, in the world of Eberron
, a D&D
campaign setting. Xen'drik
is a vastly unexplored and wild locale once the center of the Advanced Giant Civiliation which was destroyed thousands of years before. Players can create their characters
following the revised edition of D&D 3.5 rule-set fashion, and play them in both indoor and outdoor environments, including dungeons.
Although the game is based in large part on the tabletop D&D 3.5 rule set, it contains changes from the tabletop game, some which were introduced due to differences in the dynamics between the media of computer game combat and tabletop gaming. For example, Turbine wanted DDO to use a real time combat engine, whereas tabletop D&D uses a turn-based system. This brought about considerable changes in the handling of combat, character skills and feats; situations where Turbine felt the turn-based combat system and real time combat did not mesh. Notable differences are: increased hit possibilities in a round (as much as twelve times more), increased spell casting resources over rest periods, and the use of a spell point system instead of spell slots. Magical items are underpriced (they average 1/8 of the tabletop D&D prices), characters have higher stats, and offensive effects created by characters do not harm their allies. A list of other differences between DDO and tabletop D&D is on the DDO Wiki.
The core of the game is set in the city of Stormreach, a giant-scaled city built ages ago, and recently settled by humans. Areas in Stormreach are: The Harbor, Marketplace, and five Dragonmarked Houses (House Cannith, Deneith, Jorasco, Kundarak and Phiarlan). There are adventures beyond the city walls into other areas across the continent, each home to quests.
, this character ends up shipwrecked on the shores of Korthos Island and is helped by a band of citizens (Jeets, Cellimas and Talbron) who want to end the rule of the Sahuagin
on Korthos Island and send them back to the sea. The Dragon Aussircaex is plaguing the island due to the fact a Mindflayer Creature is controlling it with a Mindsunder Artifact. Once the player character destroys the Mindsunder Artifact, Aussircaex now has its own mind again it destroys the Mindflayer and returns Korthos Island back to its old ways, effectively ending Sahuagin rule. After achieving fame in Korthos Island, the player is sent to Stormreach to gain fame and clear all threats to the city. On Stormreach the player performs many quests for many different factions to gain fame.
From that point on, issues in the game revolve around Stormreach. The player has to save the city from many threats including (but not limited to):
There are seven DDO servers for the North American market (merged to five from the original 14, then two added), named after geographic aspects of Eberron. In North America, Turbine themselves deploy the game and maintain daily operations.
In Europe the game was maintained by Codemasters
with the help of Alchemic Dream and remained subscription based until 19 August 2010, where the European servers went offline. Players were able to transfer their characters to the American servers. There were initially five servers, named after Eberron deities
. After a server merge in early 2007, two remained until the closure. In China, the game was operated by Shanda
. In Japan, the game was operated by Sakura Internet.
There are no servers for the Southern Hemisphere market. The game distributed in Australia by Atari is the US version.
presented in Real-time tactics
combat. There is the option to move the camera view to first person perspective. The camera follows behind the player and can be adjusted to view surroundings. The game is controlled either by keyboard or gamepad
. Every action in game can be remapped to suit the player, even controller
buttons. This allows a player to play the game like a console game
if desired. Within a toolbar on screen, items and action abilities may be placed and activated at will. Exploration and battles are real time; characters move in 3D with directional keys and may dodge long range attacks.
A party system is in place, placing more emphasis on multiple players grouping. Joining a party or creating one is accessed by the Grouping panel. Players interact with screen chat windows. Voice chat is possible between party members.
Progression is defined by completing quests and leveling up. After creating an avatar on the character selection screen, players are required to go through a tutorial, which may be skipped after completing once. Players receive quests from non-player characters. After accumulating enough experience points through quests, the character is entitled to gain a level, which grants access to feats, spells and skills.[1] The game has progressively increased the number of character levels from 10 to 20. Each module added quests and areas.
Standard groups can be up to six characters. Killing monsters, destroying breakables, finding hidden doors, and disabling traps can increase the experience reward, but is not always central to the reward. In some cases, simply running through a quest from one end to the other grants an XP reward. Raid parties may be up to 12 characters. They are usually high level adventures with multiple tasks to complete. There is usually a specific method of unlocking them. DDO supports solo play with a "Solo" level of difficulty on a few low-level quests, intended to introduce characters to game concepts. More recently, "Casual" difficulty has replaced "Solo" difficulty in most cases. A typical party consists of multiple characters filling roles such as "tank" (defensive melee types specialized to hold the monster's attention), high damage-per-second or DPS (offensive melee or magic users that do most of the damage to the monsters), healer (clerics) and caster (magic users that either perform "crowd control", cast useful spells to enhance themselves and allies, "nuke" the monsters by doing many high damage spells in a short amount of time, or a combination of all three).
Most quests have an item or monetary reward when finished, but the character must talk to the quest giver to receive the reward. Some dungeons require several visits to the quest giver to complete the entire quest chain. Speaking to the quest giver allows players to repeat the quest. Completing a quest multiple times reduces the amount of XP awarded, and, in extreme cases, the loot, as well. Once enough quests are completed, the character will attract the attention of patrons, who will give special rewards, such as long-lasting spells or exclusive items. In some cases, it will unlock special races or classes (which can also be purchased through the DDO Store).
The quests are narrated by a "Dungeon Master
" who gives information to the players about what they see and hear. For the "Delera's Tomb" quest chain, the dungeon master duties are performed by D&Ds late co-creator Gary Gygax
. In his memory, a special shrine area of the graveyard was added. A higher-level quest chain features the voice of D&D's other co-creator, Dave Arneson
.
There are six difficulty levels for quests: Solo, Casual, Normal, Hard, Elite and Epic. Solo and Epic are special in that they are only available on a small number of quests. Solo quests must be completed without any other members in the party and are rare outside tutorials, while Epic difficulty is offered for select quests as an endgame challenge, once level 20 is reached. All difficulty levels give an XP bonus the first time the quest is run at the given level, but Elite gives a much higher bonus (Epic, being endgame content, does not award XP). Higher difficulty levels provide a much more challenging experience to the players, with monsters making use of more powerful spells and traps doing lethal damage. As a bonus, the quality of the "loot" (items, equipment, etc.) increases depending on difficulty level. Generally speaking, the highest level quests on the Elite setting offer the best treasure, although that is not always the case.
On the other hand, Casual offers decreased XP and loot. Some especially powerful items don't appear in Casual at all. Casual is frequently used by newer players to learn the game (replacing the previous "Solo" difficulty on virtually all quests) and higher level characters to quickly achieve prerequisites for raids or farm materials used in crafting. Unlike Solo difficulty, Casual can be played with a full party.
There are localized
versions for the European market. Languages available are English, French and German.
A gamepad is supported, as well as a virtual keyboard
.
, Elves
, Dwarves
, Halfling
s, Warforged, Drow, Half-Elf
and Half-orc
. The game does not feature a full complement of playable races from the Dungeons and Dragons world, and is missing a core race Gnome
, as well as the additional Eberron-specific races of Kalashtar
, Shifter and Changeling.
with no race restrictions. Following the 3.5 edition rules and the rules of the Eberron campaign, players choose a class to begin with but are not limited to remaining in that class. Favored Souls are not immediately available and must either be unlocked or purchased. Monks are a premium class and require either an active subscription or purchase in the online store. They cannot be unlocked by free-to-play players, but can be bought with freely earned in game turbine points.
At the character creation
screen, the player is allowed to choose a path or to customize their stats
. Choosing a path will automatically give the character feats
when they gain a level.
Absent from the table are the standard classes of Druid
, and the psionic
classes. Prestige classes do not exist as standalone character classes (although many are available as enhancements to base classes). There are no experience penalties for multi-class characters. Apart from alignment restrictions there are no restrictions on multi-class combinations.
available in Dungeons and Dragons, instead limiting itself to good and neutral alignments. The ability to play evil aligned characters is unavailable, but the chaotic alignment is currently available. Some character classes have restrictions based on alignment. Neither Barbarians nor Bards may be Lawful. A Monk must be Lawful, and a Paladin must be Lawful Good. A character may not multiclass
into those classes if the alignment is not allowed for that original class. In addition, some weapons and equipment have alignment restrictions as well.
are special abilities that grant a character additional actions or abilities. Skill
s can be increased to give higher bonuses or satisfy prerequisites. Enhancements can be chosen which augment feats and class-based abilities.
Feats are divided into regular feats and class feats. Whereas most feats are available to any class (so long as any requirement is met), class feats can be chosen only by specific classes. For instance, Ranger is the only class that is able to choose Favored Enemy, which grants an attack bonus against certain monsters. Every class is granted at least one feat during character creation, as well as one every level of a multiple of three. Other feats include Toughness, which grants additional Hit Points, and Whirlwind Attack, which lets a character perform a special attack where the character spins 360 degrees.
Skills, such as one's ability to jump or find secret doors, are increased whenever a new level is gained. Each skill has a governing attribute, which may apply a bonus or penalty. Some skills are limited to success or failure (such as Search, which does not even roll a die), while others (such as Jump) give incremental bonuses with each skill point. A character's skills are based on class, with cross-class skills costing twice as much to increase. The number of skill points one can distribute is limited by class and the Intelligence attribute.
Enhancements, a mechanic unique to DDO, further customize characters. Levels have five tiers, and each tier reached, by accumulating XP, grants one Action Point, for a total of four Action Points per level. These can be spent at any time, and are spent at a trainer NPC
to buy an Enhancement. These are similar to Feats, but do not provide as significant an alteration to a character's abilities. Each Enhancement costs a certain number of Action Points to attain. An example is Fighter's Critical Accuracy II, which costs 2 Action Points, and requires Fighter's Critical Accuracy I. That ability gives a Fighter a better chance to deliver a critical strike when a hit is delivered, doing more damage than an ordinary hit.
Prestige enhancements are similar to Prestige classes
. Instead of prestige classes in the game, some classes can purchase enhancement lines that grant much the same abilities. For instance, a Rogue is able to become an Assassin
by purchasing Way of the Assassin, thereby doing greater damage when doing a sneak attack. All prestige enhancements require other prerequisite enhancements or Feats.
Turbine releases major content updates as modules, named after the module
concept in the pen-and-paper version of D&D. Additional content was released between modules as "updates." Starting with Module 5, the development team decided to stop releasing interim updates. Responding to the player feedback that the interim updates do not provide enough new content, the developers instead focused on creating larger modules. Prior to the launch of DDO: Eberron Unlimited, there was a 10-month content gap.
s and the addition of a new encounter area: Ataraxia's Haven. Update 4.2: Searing Heights, revamped the Menechtarun desert landscape and the Waterworks adventure area. There was an added landscape for level 4 characters called Searing Heights, new spells, abilities, and enhancements including Holy Sword and Warchanter. Players get three more weapon set configuration slots for a total of seven. Also fixed were several bugs. Many new spells were added for all spellcasting classes. Extra enhancements were also added. One additional level 4 dungeon was added.
.
Updates include (complete release notes):
Updates include (complete release notes):
Updates include (complete release notes):
Updates include (complete release notes):
Updates include (complete release notes):
Updates include (complete release notes):
Update 5 Patch 1 Release Notes July 21st 2010
Updates include (complete release notes):
Updates include (complete release notes):
Updates include (complete release notes):
Updates include (complete release notes):
Updates include (complete release notes):
Updates include (complete release notes):
. On November 1, 2005, Turbine announced that the public Beta test was open.
On November 22, 2005 Turbine announced that each copy of the January 2006 issue of PC Gamer
magazine would contain a "key" to gain access to the beta. Turbine, in association with Fileplanet
and IGN
, also completed 3 public stress tests of the game, with the most recent ending on February 12, 2006.
Testing for DDO ended on February 19, 2006. The game opened February 28, 2006, after a special head start
event that started February 24, 2006 for those who preordered.
In July 2009, DDO reopened the beta testing, in preparation for their new free-to-play subscription structure.
) and Free users would have access to the majority of game content; some features would have to be purchased with Turbine points or unlocked through play. As for new subscribers or old subscribed players, there would be VIP access with additional features available, as well as free Turbine points. Closed beta registration opened on June 9, 2009 and the game and contents were free to download on September 1 for VIP members and September 9 for the general North American public.
Differences in content available to subscribers and non-subscribers:
Massively multiplayer online role-playing game
Massively multiplayer online role-playing game is a genre of role-playing video games in which a very large number of players interact with one another within a virtual game world....
(MMORPG) developed by Turbine, Inc.
Turbine, Inc.
Turbine, Inc. is an American computer game developer that pioneers 3D massively multiplayer online role-playing games . Turbine was founded by Johnny Monsarrat, Jeremy Gaffney, Kevin Langevin, and Timothy Miller, changing their company name in 2005 to Turbine, Inc...
for Microsoft Windows, and originally marketed as Dungeons & Dragons Online: Stormreach. Turbine developed DDO as an online adaptation of Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...
(D&D) based loosely on the D&D 3.5 Rule-set. The game is set in the vastly unexplored continent of Xen'drik
Xen'drik
Xen'drik is a fictional continent in the Eberron campaign setting of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. It is a jungle continent of vast size and varying climate that lies to the south of Khorvaire. Xen'drik's coastline has been mapped, but its interior remains largely unexplored,...
within the Eberron
Eberron
Eberron is a campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, set in a period after a vast destructive war on the continent of Khorvaire...
campaign setting.
Development
Dungeons & Dragons Online: Stormreach was developed by Turbine over two years. The initial prototype and concept was done by Jason Booth, Dan Ogles, Cardell Kerr, Ken Troop, and Michael Sheidow, in coordination with Wizards of the CoastWizards of the Coast
Wizards of the Coast is an American publisher of games, primarily based on fantasy and science fiction themes, and formerly an operator of retail stores for games...
, the publisher of the Dungeons and Dragons pen and paper game. Later, this initial team moved to work on Turbine's other title in development Lord of the Rings Online, or left the company. Development was then led by James Jones, and DDO was released on February 28, 2006. It is published by Atari
Atari
Atari is a corporate and brand name owned by several entities since its inception in 1972. It is currently owned by Atari Interactive, a wholly owned subsidiary of the French publisher Atari, SA . The original Atari, Inc. was founded in 1972 by Nolan Bushnell and Ted Dabney. It was a pioneer in...
.
Setting
Centered in the city of Stormreach DDO is set on the fictional continent of Xen'drikXen'drik
Xen'drik is a fictional continent in the Eberron campaign setting of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. It is a jungle continent of vast size and varying climate that lies to the south of Khorvaire. Xen'drik's coastline has been mapped, but its interior remains largely unexplored,...
, in the world of Eberron
Eberron
Eberron is a campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, set in a period after a vast destructive war on the continent of Khorvaire...
, a D&D
Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...
campaign setting. Xen'drik
Xen'drik
Xen'drik is a fictional continent in the Eberron campaign setting of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. It is a jungle continent of vast size and varying climate that lies to the south of Khorvaire. Xen'drik's coastline has been mapped, but its interior remains largely unexplored,...
is a vastly unexplored and wild locale once the center of the Advanced Giant Civiliation which was destroyed thousands of years before. Players can create their characters
Player character
A player character or playable character is a character in a video game or role playing game who is controlled or controllable by a player, and is typically a protagonist of the story told in the course of the game. A player character is a persona of the player who controls it. Player characters...
following the revised edition of D&D 3.5 rule-set fashion, and play them in both indoor and outdoor environments, including dungeons.
Although the game is based in large part on the tabletop D&D 3.5 rule set, it contains changes from the tabletop game, some which were introduced due to differences in the dynamics between the media of computer game combat and tabletop gaming. For example, Turbine wanted DDO to use a real time combat engine, whereas tabletop D&D uses a turn-based system. This brought about considerable changes in the handling of combat, character skills and feats; situations where Turbine felt the turn-based combat system and real time combat did not mesh. Notable differences are: increased hit possibilities in a round (as much as twelve times more), increased spell casting resources over rest periods, and the use of a spell point system instead of spell slots. Magical items are underpriced (they average 1/8 of the tabletop D&D prices), characters have higher stats, and offensive effects created by characters do not harm their allies. A list of other differences between DDO and tabletop D&D is on the DDO Wiki.
The core of the game is set in the city of Stormreach, a giant-scaled city built ages ago, and recently settled by humans. Areas in Stormreach are: The Harbor, Marketplace, and five Dragonmarked Houses (House Cannith, Deneith, Jorasco, Kundarak and Phiarlan). There are adventures beyond the city walls into other areas across the continent, each home to quests.
Story
After creating a player characterPlayer character
A player character or playable character is a character in a video game or role playing game who is controlled or controllable by a player, and is typically a protagonist of the story told in the course of the game. A player character is a persona of the player who controls it. Player characters...
, this character ends up shipwrecked on the shores of Korthos Island and is helped by a band of citizens (Jeets, Cellimas and Talbron) who want to end the rule of the Sahuagin
Sahuagin
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, the sahuagin are a fish-like monstrous humanoid species that live in oceans, seas, underground lakes, and underwater caves. Sahuagin speak their native tongue . With higher intelligence scores, they can also speak two bonus languages, usually...
on Korthos Island and send them back to the sea. The Dragon Aussircaex is plaguing the island due to the fact a Mindflayer Creature is controlling it with a Mindsunder Artifact. Once the player character destroys the Mindsunder Artifact, Aussircaex now has its own mind again it destroys the Mindflayer and returns Korthos Island back to its old ways, effectively ending Sahuagin rule. After achieving fame in Korthos Island, the player is sent to Stormreach to gain fame and clear all threats to the city. On Stormreach the player performs many quests for many different factions to gain fame.
From that point on, issues in the game revolve around Stormreach. The player has to save the city from many threats including (but not limited to):
- GiantsGiant (Dungeons & Dragons)In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, giant is a type of creature, or "creature type." Giants are humanoid-shaped creatures of great strength and size.-Dungeons & Dragons :...
attempting to regain mastery over the city of Stormreach and the continent of Xen'drik - The gate to Xoriat attempting to be reopened
- The Black Abbot and his minions of Khyber (Eberron) and other undead attempting to gain power over Xen'drik
- Devils from Shavarath attempting to invade and conquer Eberron
- Pirates and undead pirates attempt to make a foothold in House Denith before attempting to conquer Stormreach.
- Droaam, an army of Medusa', orcs, kobolds, and gnolls attempt to play war games with the lords of Stormreach. They mine under the Lordsmarch Plaza and attack.
Subscription information
As of September 9, 2009, DDO can be free to play anywhere, with an available micro-transaction store; players can gain VIP status by paying a subscription fee, which garners them additional rewards every month. A free-player's first micro-transaction converts them to a "Premium player" with additional perks (though less than those of a "VIP").There are seven DDO servers for the North American market (merged to five from the original 14, then two added), named after geographic aspects of Eberron. In North America, Turbine themselves deploy the game and maintain daily operations.
In Europe the game was maintained by Codemasters
Codemasters
The Codemasters Software Company Limited, or Codemasters is a British video game developer founded by Richard and David Darling in 1986...
with the help of Alchemic Dream and remained subscription based until 19 August 2010, where the European servers went offline. Players were able to transfer their characters to the American servers. There were initially five servers, named after Eberron deities
Religions of Eberron
In the Eberron campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, most people identify with churches rather than a specific patron deity, as is the custom in other D&D settings. Religions in Eberron are not in general specific to a race, although both the elven Undying Court and the...
. After a server merge in early 2007, two remained until the closure. In China, the game was operated by Shanda
Shanda
Shanda Interactive Entertainment Limited is a Chinese operator of online games and book publisher, based in Shanghai, established in December 1999 by Chen Tianqiao and Chen Danian. In 2005 it claimed to have 460 million registered accounts and an average of 1.2 million players at any given time....
. In Japan, the game was operated by Sakura Internet.
There are no servers for the Southern Hemisphere market. The game distributed in Australia by Atari is the US version.
Gameplay
DDO is an Action role-playing gameAction role-playing game
Action role-playing games form a loosely defined sub-genre of role-playing video games that incorporate elements of action or action-adventure games, emphasizing real-time action where the player has direct control over characters, instead of turn-based or menu-based combat...
presented in Real-time tactics
Real-time tactics
Real-time tactics or RTT is a subgenre of tactical wargames played in real-time simulating the considerations and circumstances of operational warfare and military tactics...
combat. There is the option to move the camera view to first person perspective. The camera follows behind the player and can be adjusted to view surroundings. The game is controlled either by keyboard or gamepad
Gamepad
A gamepad , is a type of game controller held in two hands, where the digits are used to provide input. Gamepads generally feature a set of action buttons handled with the right thumb and a direction controller handled with the left...
. Every action in game can be remapped to suit the player, even controller
Game controller
A game controller is a device used with games or entertainment systems used to control a playable character or object, or otherwise provide input in a computer game. A controller is typically connected to a game console or computer by means of a wire, cord or nowadays, by means of wireless connection...
buttons. This allows a player to play the game like a console game
Console game
A console game is a form of interactive multimedia used for entertainment. The game consists of manipulable images generated by a video game console, and displayed on a television or similar audio-video system. The game itself is usually controlled and manipulated using a handheld device connected...
if desired. Within a toolbar on screen, items and action abilities may be placed and activated at will. Exploration and battles are real time; characters move in 3D with directional keys and may dodge long range attacks.
A party system is in place, placing more emphasis on multiple players grouping. Joining a party or creating one is accessed by the Grouping panel. Players interact with screen chat windows. Voice chat is possible between party members.
Progression
Standard groups can be up to six characters. Killing monsters, destroying breakables, finding hidden doors, and disabling traps can increase the experience reward, but is not always central to the reward. In some cases, simply running through a quest from one end to the other grants an XP reward. Raid parties may be up to 12 characters. They are usually high level adventures with multiple tasks to complete. There is usually a specific method of unlocking them. DDO supports solo play with a "Solo" level of difficulty on a few low-level quests, intended to introduce characters to game concepts. More recently, "Casual" difficulty has replaced "Solo" difficulty in most cases. A typical party consists of multiple characters filling roles such as "tank" (defensive melee types specialized to hold the monster's attention), high damage-per-second or DPS (offensive melee or magic users that do most of the damage to the monsters), healer (clerics) and caster (magic users that either perform "crowd control", cast useful spells to enhance themselves and allies, "nuke" the monsters by doing many high damage spells in a short amount of time, or a combination of all three).
Quests
The quests in DDO are organized by character level, difficulty, length, and patron. Each quest has a base level, and the XP reward decreases if any of the party members are above that level. Characters more than two levels below the "base level" are not allowed to initiate a quest, but they are able to join a quest started by another party member. Characters more than three levels below the highest highest level character are penalized for being "powerleveled", and get significantly less XP.Most quests have an item or monetary reward when finished, but the character must talk to the quest giver to receive the reward. Some dungeons require several visits to the quest giver to complete the entire quest chain. Speaking to the quest giver allows players to repeat the quest. Completing a quest multiple times reduces the amount of XP awarded, and, in extreme cases, the loot, as well. Once enough quests are completed, the character will attract the attention of patrons, who will give special rewards, such as long-lasting spells or exclusive items. In some cases, it will unlock special races or classes (which can also be purchased through the DDO Store).
The quests are narrated by a "Dungeon Master
Dungeon Master
In the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, the Dungeon Master is the game organizer and participant in charge of creating the details and challenges of a given adventure, while maintaining a realistic continuity of events...
" who gives information to the players about what they see and hear. For the "Delera's Tomb" quest chain, the dungeon master duties are performed by D&Ds late co-creator Gary Gygax
Gary Gygax
Ernest Gary Gygax was an American writer and game designer best known for co-creating the pioneering role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons with Dave Arneson. Gygax is generally acknowledged as the father of role-playing games....
. In his memory, a special shrine area of the graveyard was added. A higher-level quest chain features the voice of D&D's other co-creator, Dave Arneson
Dave Arneson
David Lance "Dave" Arneson was an American game designer best known for co-developing the first published role-playing game , Dungeons & Dragons, with Gary Gygax, in the early 1970s...
.
There are six difficulty levels for quests: Solo, Casual, Normal, Hard, Elite and Epic. Solo and Epic are special in that they are only available on a small number of quests. Solo quests must be completed without any other members in the party and are rare outside tutorials, while Epic difficulty is offered for select quests as an endgame challenge, once level 20 is reached. All difficulty levels give an XP bonus the first time the quest is run at the given level, but Elite gives a much higher bonus (Epic, being endgame content, does not award XP). Higher difficulty levels provide a much more challenging experience to the players, with monsters making use of more powerful spells and traps doing lethal damage. As a bonus, the quality of the "loot" (items, equipment, etc.) increases depending on difficulty level. Generally speaking, the highest level quests on the Elite setting offer the best treasure, although that is not always the case.
On the other hand, Casual offers decreased XP and loot. Some especially powerful items don't appear in Casual at all. Casual is frequently used by newer players to learn the game (replacing the previous "Solo" difficulty on virtually all quests) and higher level characters to quickly achieve prerequisites for raids or farm materials used in crafting. Unlike Solo difficulty, Casual can be played with a full party.
Features
DDO is an instanced game, where each party receives a private "copy" of a dungeon for their own use. Marketing, socializing and quest selection are done in community areas.There are localized
Internationalization and localization
In computing, internationalization and localization are means of adapting computer software to different languages, regional differences and technical requirements of a target market...
versions for the European market. Languages available are English, French and German.
A gamepad is supported, as well as a virtual keyboard
Virtual keyboard
A virtual keyboard is a software component that allows a user to enter characters. A virtual keyboard can usually be operated with multiple input devices, which may include a touchscreen, an actual keyboard and a computer mouse.- Types :...
.
Races
All races are initially available in the game, except for Drow, which must be purchased or unlocked. Premium races consist of Warforged, Half-elf and Half-orc, which require an active subscription or a purchase from the online store. Current player character races are: HumansHuman (Dungeons & Dragons)
Humans are a race available for player characters in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game. Although short-lived by comparison, humans are the most populous of all Dungeons & Dragons races. They are renowned for their diversity and ambition, and although they lack specializations like...
, Elves
Elf (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, elves are a fictional humanoid race that is one of the primary races available for play as player characters. Elves are renowned for their grace and mastery of magic and weapons such as the sword and bow...
, Dwarves
Dwarf (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, dwarves are a humanoid race, one of the primary races available for play as player characters...
, Halfling
Halfling
Halfling is another name for J. R. R. Tolkien's Hobbit which can be a fictional race sometimes found in fantasy novels and games. In many settings, they are similar to humans except about half the size. Dungeons & Dragons began using the name halfling as an alternative to hobbit for legal reasons...
s, Warforged, Drow, Half-Elf
Half-elf (Dungeons & Dragons)
-Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 1st edition :The half-elf appeared as a player character race in the original Player's Handbook . The half-elf also appeared in the original Monster Manual...
and Half-orc
Half-orc
The half-orc is a creature born to mixed orc and human parentage in the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game. The half-orc is a playable race for D&D player characters. Half-orcs are typically born in wild frontiers where human and orc tribes come into contact. Half-orcs are between six and seven...
. The game does not feature a full complement of playable races from the Dungeons and Dragons world, and is missing a core race Gnome
Gnome (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, gnomes are one of the core races available for play as player characters. Some speculate that they are closely related to dwarves; however, gnomes are more tolerant of other races and of magic, and are skilled with illusions...
, as well as the additional Eberron-specific races of Kalashtar
Kalashtar
The kalashtar are a race of psionic people in the Eberron campaign setting of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. They are descendants of a group of human monks from Adar who allowed themselves to be possessed by good-aligned Quori fleeing Dal Quor. Over time, the connection between...
, Shifter and Changeling.
Classes
There are 12 playable classesCharacter class
In role-playing games, a common method of arbitrating the capabilities of different game characters is to assign each one to a character class. A character class aggregates several abilities and aptitudes, and may also sometimes detail aspects of background and social standing or impose behaviour...
with no race restrictions. Following the 3.5 edition rules and the rules of the Eberron campaign, players choose a class to begin with but are not limited to remaining in that class. Favored Souls are not immediately available and must either be unlocked or purchased. Monks are a premium class and require either an active subscription or purchase in the online store. They cannot be unlocked by free-to-play players, but can be bought with freely earned in game turbine points.
At the character creation
Character creation
Character creation is the process of defining a game character or other character. Typically, a character's individual strengths and weaknesses are represented by a set of statistics. Games with a largely fictional setting may include traits such as race and class...
screen, the player is allowed to choose a path or to customize their stats
Attribute (role-playing games)
An attribute is a piece of data that describes to what extent a fictional character in a role-playing game possesses a specific natural, in-born characteristic common to all characters in the game. That piece of data is usually an abstract number or, in some cases, a set of dice...
. Choosing a path will automatically give the character feats
Feat (d20 System)
In the d20 System, a feat is one type of ability a character may gain through level progression. Feats are different from skills in that characters can vary in competency with skills, while feats typically provide set bonuses to or new ways to use existing abilities.Feats were first implemented in...
when they gain a level.
Absent from the table are the standard classes of Druid
Druid (Dungeons & Dragons)
The druid is a playable character class in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. Druids wield nature-themed magic. Prior to 4th edition, they gain divine magic from being at one with nature, or from one of several patron gods of the wild, while in 4th edition, they gain primal magic...
, and the psionic
Psionics Handbook
The Expanded Psionics Handbook is a sourcebook by Bruce Cordell for the 3.5 edition of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game that contains a multitude of rules and options for integrating psychic powers into the D&D game...
classes. Prestige classes do not exist as standalone character classes (although many are available as enhancements to base classes). There are no experience penalties for multi-class characters. Apart from alignment restrictions there are no restrictions on multi-class combinations.
The Classes
- FighterFighter (Dungeons & Dragons)The fighter is one of the standard playable character classes in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. A fighter is a versatile, weapons-oriented warrior who fights using skill, strategy and tactics....
: A warrior with extra feats, allowing him to specialize in melee.
- PaladinPaladin (Dungeons & Dragons)The paladin is one of the standard playable character classes in most editions of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. The paladin is a holy knight, crusading in the name of good and order, and is a divine spellcaster...
: A warrior that trades some of his melee power for the ability to cast divine spells.
- BarbarianBarbarian (Dungeons & Dragons)The barbarian is a playable character class in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game.-Creative origins:The barbarian is based on Robert E...
: A warrior that has special powers when in Rage mode and specializes in damage dealing.
- RangerRanger (Dungeons & Dragons)The ranger is one of the standard playable character class in most editions of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. They are protectors of nature, skilled woodsmen, and often live reclusive lives as hermits....
: An archer and a dual-wielding melee (in exchange for removing animal companions, DDO gives all rangers both combat styles).
- MonkMonk (Dungeons & Dragons)The monk is a playable character class in most editions of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. A D&D monk is a fantasy martial artist, specializing in unarmed combat.-Dungeons & Dragons :...
: A combatant usually fighting without weapons, without shield and without armor, that performs amazing techniques in battle by using a power source called Ki.
- Favored Soul: A divine caster that follows the path of the Cleric but is able to throw spells with surprising ease.
- RogueRogue (Dungeons & Dragons)The rogue or thief is one of the standard playable character class in most editions of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. A rogue is a versatile character, capable of sneaky combat and nimble tricks...
: Has the highest melee damage with sneak attacks. Also has the most skills in the game. He can find and disarm traps, open locks and find hidden doors.
- BardBard (Dungeons & Dragons)The bard is a standard playable character class in many editions of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. The bard class is versatile, capable of combat and of magic . Bards use their artistic talents to induce magical effects...
: Has a lot of skills and is a solid arcane spell caster. Also has useful bard songs.
- WizardWizard (Dungeons & Dragons)The wizard is one of the standard character class in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. A wizard uses arcane magic, and is considered less effective in melee combat than other classes.-Creative origins:...
is an adaptive caster.
- SorcererSorcerer (Dungeons & Dragons)The sorcerer is a playable character class in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. A sorcerer is weak in melee combat, but a master of arcane magic, the most generally powerful form of D&D magic. Sorcerers' magical ability is innate rather than studied...
is a focused caster.
- ClericCleric (Dungeons & Dragons)The cleric is one of the standard playable character class in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. In the game, clerics are versatile figures, both capable in combat and skilled in the use of divine magic. Clerics are powerful healers due to the large number of healing and curative...
: a strong divine spell caster that uses all armor without penalties.
- ArtificerArtificer (Dungeons & Dragons)An artificer is a skilled mechanic in the armed forces, chiefly British. It may also refer to:* A person who makes artifacts* Artificer Sergeant Major, an appointment held by a Warrant Officer Class 1 in the Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers...
: an Ebberon specific class that comes with a mechanical pet, focuses on ranged combat and buffs, and can disable traps.
Alignments
Dungeons and Dragons Online does not have all alignmentsAlignment (role-playing games)
In some role-playing games, alignment is a categorisation of the moral and ethical perspective of the player characters, non-player characters, monsters, and societies in the game....
available in Dungeons and Dragons, instead limiting itself to good and neutral alignments. The ability to play evil aligned characters is unavailable, but the chaotic alignment is currently available. Some character classes have restrictions based on alignment. Neither Barbarians nor Bards may be Lawful. A Monk must be Lawful, and a Paladin must be Lawful Good. A character may not multiclass
Character class
In role-playing games, a common method of arbitrating the capabilities of different game characters is to assign each one to a character class. A character class aggregates several abilities and aptitudes, and may also sometimes detail aspects of background and social standing or impose behaviour...
into those classes if the alignment is not allowed for that original class. In addition, some weapons and equipment have alignment restrictions as well.
Feat, Skill and Enhancement system
In DDO, there are a number of progressive systems in place for additional variety between characters. FeatsFeat (d20 System)
In the d20 System, a feat is one type of ability a character may gain through level progression. Feats are different from skills in that characters can vary in competency with skills, while feats typically provide set bonuses to or new ways to use existing abilities.Feats were first implemented in...
are special abilities that grant a character additional actions or abilities. Skill
Skill
A skill is the learned capacity to carry out pre-determined results often with the minimum outlay of time, energy, or both. Skills can often be divided into domain-general and domain-specific skills...
s can be increased to give higher bonuses or satisfy prerequisites. Enhancements can be chosen which augment feats and class-based abilities.
Feats are divided into regular feats and class feats. Whereas most feats are available to any class (so long as any requirement is met), class feats can be chosen only by specific classes. For instance, Ranger is the only class that is able to choose Favored Enemy, which grants an attack bonus against certain monsters. Every class is granted at least one feat during character creation, as well as one every level of a multiple of three. Other feats include Toughness, which grants additional Hit Points, and Whirlwind Attack, which lets a character perform a special attack where the character spins 360 degrees.
Skills, such as one's ability to jump or find secret doors, are increased whenever a new level is gained. Each skill has a governing attribute, which may apply a bonus or penalty. Some skills are limited to success or failure (such as Search, which does not even roll a die), while others (such as Jump) give incremental bonuses with each skill point. A character's skills are based on class, with cross-class skills costing twice as much to increase. The number of skill points one can distribute is limited by class and the Intelligence attribute.
Enhancements, a mechanic unique to DDO, further customize characters. Levels have five tiers, and each tier reached, by accumulating XP, grants one Action Point, for a total of four Action Points per level. These can be spent at any time, and are spent at a trainer NPC
Non-player character
A non-player character , sometimes known as a non-person character or non-playable character, in a game is any fictional character not controlled by a player. In electronic games, this usually means a character controlled by the computer through artificial intelligence...
to buy an Enhancement. These are similar to Feats, but do not provide as significant an alteration to a character's abilities. Each Enhancement costs a certain number of Action Points to attain. An example is Fighter's Critical Accuracy II, which costs 2 Action Points, and requires Fighter's Critical Accuracy I. That ability gives a Fighter a better chance to deliver a critical strike when a hit is delivered, doing more damage than an ordinary hit.
Prestige enhancements are similar to Prestige classes
Character class (Dungeons & Dragons)
A character class is a fundamental part of the identity and nature of characters in the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game. A character's capabilities, strengths, and weaknesses are largely defined by his or her chosen class; choosing a class is one of the first steps a player takes in order to...
. Instead of prestige classes in the game, some classes can purchase enhancement lines that grant much the same abilities. For instance, a Rogue is able to become an Assassin
Assassin (Dungeons & Dragons)
The assassin is a playable character class in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. It first appeared in 1975 in the Blackmoor supplement, as a thief sub-class. It next appeared in the first edition of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons again as a thief sub-class...
by purchasing Way of the Assassin, thereby doing greater damage when doing a sneak attack. All prestige enhancements require other prerequisite enhancements or Feats.
DDO: Stormreach Modules
Adventure (role-playing games)
An adventure is either a published or otherwise written collection of plot, character, and location details used by a gamemaster to manage the plot or story in a role-playing game. Each adventure is based upon a particular gaming genre and is normally designed for use with a specific game or gaming...
concept in the pen-and-paper version of D&D. Additional content was released between modules as "updates." Starting with Module 5, the development team decided to stop releasing interim updates. Responding to the player feedback that the interim updates do not provide enough new content, the developers instead focused on creating larger modules. Prior to the launch of DDO: Eberron Unlimited, there was a 10-month content gap.
Module 1: Dragon's Vault
On April 5, 2006, Turbine released its first module. It included a new dungeon, fixes to the combat system and tweaks to the user interface. Update 1.1: The Harbor, included changes to the low level harbor quests. Update 1.2: Solo Enhancements, made changes to the harbor area, including the addition of some solo-only quests.Module 2: Twilight Forge
Released July 12, 2006, it added a new player race, the Drow, as well as new enhancements, spells, a patron system, in-game mail, and adventures set in the Restless Isles, a new outdoor area. Update 2.1: Litany of the Dead Part 1: The Necropolis, introduced a quest series. The update had five quests, culminating in an encounter with a powerful vampire. Update 2.2: Stormreach Under Siege! introduced the first quests above level 10, other than the Twilight Forge raid.Module 3: Demon Sands
This module was released on October 25, 2006. It introduced the concepts of explorable areas, consensual PvP (Player vs. Player) elements (in the form of "Tavern Brawl" arenas and objective-based quests; Capture the Flag, Indoor and Outdoor Deathmatch), as well as an auction house. It raised the level-cap from 10 to 12. Update 3.1: Evil Resurgent, included a rework of the social panel, bug fixes, and six high level quests. Update 3.2: Litany of the Dead Part 2, released new monsters, along with five quests for party levels 8-9. These quests continue the storyline of The Necropolis from Litany of the Dead Part 1. Update 3.3: Academy Training, revamped the Action Point enhancement system. In celebration of DDO's one-year anniversary, all treasure chests were at +1 level, and all XP awarded was +50% from February 28 to March 4.Module 4: Reaver's Bane
Introduced in April 2007, Reaver's Bane raised the cap from 12 to 14 and introduced a terrain mechanic along with new spells and abilities for characters of all levels. Two new areas (the Cerulean Hills and Gianthold Ruins) use the new mechanic that includes entrances to traditional quests plus three new types of quests: slayer quests (where you get experience for how many monsters you or your party have killed), explorer quests (where you get experience just for visiting a new part of the area for the first time), and rare encounter quests (where you get experience for killing infrequently spawned named monsters). Update 4.1: Mark of the Dragon, implemented DragonmarkDragonmarked house
Dragonmarked houses are organizations in the fictional Eberron campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game that are based on bloodlines descended from families that first manifested dragonmarks. Not all members of the Houses have dragonmarks; nor is it an assurance of...
s and the addition of a new encounter area: Ataraxia's Haven. Update 4.2: Searing Heights, revamped the Menechtarun desert landscape and the Waterworks adventure area. There was an added landscape for level 4 characters called Searing Heights, new spells, abilities, and enhancements including Holy Sword and Warchanter. Players get three more weapon set configuration slots for a total of seven. Also fixed were several bugs. Many new spells were added for all spellcasting classes. Extra enhancements were also added. One additional level 4 dungeon was added.
Module 5: The Accursed Ascension
Released in September 2007, this module includes parts 3 and 4 of the Litany of the Dead; by doing so, it doubled the amount of quests in the Necropolis area. It ends with a new high level raid. Apart from the addition of new enhancements and some minor corrections, the metamagic system went through a major revision and the item tool tips were vastly improved. Collectible and gem bags were added, made to reduce the cluttering of inventory space.Module 6: The Thirteenth Eclipse
The January 2008 update, the Thirteenth Eclipse, raised the level cap from 14 to 16, and opened a previously locked area that was partially accessible by players, The Twelve. Also with this area is a new set of quests and a new raid located in an area connected to The Twelve, called the Vale of Twilight. Included is allowance for subscribers to customize the player interface as is available in Turbine's other MMO "Lord of the Rings Online." Also added with the new area was a new feature of the game, crafting. Crafting requires numerous ingredients which, when put in the Eldritch Devices in a specific combination will produce an item or alter an existing item. Update 6.1 introduced an ongoing live event, as well as a slice of anniversary cake. The anniversary cake summons a Djinni that will grant a wish (as the Wish spell)Module 7: Way of the Monk
This update, released on 3 June 2008, introduced the Monk class to all servers. It had been in testing on the Risia preview server. Included were city upgrades, bounty subquests collecting remains of monsters, and UI interface tweaks. Other things added were two raid quests, located in a massive raid wilderness area, feats and enhancements, and a memorial to Gary GygaxGary Gygax
Ernest Gary Gygax was an American writer and game designer best known for co-creating the pioneering role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons with Dave Arneson. Gygax is generally acknowledged as the father of role-playing games....
.
Module 8: Prisoners of Prophecy
This update, released November 6, 2008, introduced a low level area called Korthos Island. It replaced the starter area in the Harbor, the tutorial area, as well as updating many of the low (level 1 through 3) quests. Four wilderness areas were added as high level content. DirectX 10 have been integrated into their graphics as well. NPCs known as hirelings have been integrated into the main game, which are controlled by the player while on quests. The number of character slots available for users was increased to 10. New spells, Enhancements and UI improvements round out the module.DDO: Eberron Unlimited Updates
With the relaunch and rebranding of the MMO Dungeons & Dragons Online: Eberron Unlimited Turbine began using a new numbering scheme when releasing additional or new content, classes, races and or making changes to the game these are now referred to as Update with a number, e.g. Update 1.Update 0: Dungeons & Dragons Online: Eberron Unlimited
Update 0 (aka Module 9) was released on September 9, 2009.Updates include (complete release notes):
- DDO becomes Free to Play
- DDO store and Turbine points.
- Level cap 20.
- Favored Soul class.
- The Devils of Shavarath and The Sharn Syndicate adventure packs.
- Two Cerulean Hills quests.
- Difficulty scaling.
- Capstone Enhancements.
- Many new UI features, enhancements, and spells.
Update 1: The Path of Inspiration
Update 1 was released on October 28, 2009.Updates include (complete release notes):
- The old Harbor area is open after months of renovation.
- The Path of Inspiration adventure pack.
- Epic dungeons.
- Veteran status.
- Epic-level crafting.
- Suppressed power items.
Update 2: The Dreaming Dark
Update 2 the first of the content only updates was released on December 16, 2009.Updates include (complete release notes):
- Dreaming Dark Adventure Pack
- The Dreamforge - Suppressed Power Unlock
Update 3
Update 3 the first update with free quests was released on February 3, 2010.Updates include (complete release notes):
- Removal of level sigils.
- Four free quests.
- Dungeon Difficulty: Casual.
- Epic Vault of Night.
- Beautification improvements around Stormreach.
- Synchronized weather and lighting.
- Additional reincarnation types.
- In-game web browser.
- Wizard Pale Master prestige enhancements.
Update 4: Sentinels of Stormreach
Uupdate 4 was released on April 5th 2010.Updates include (complete release notes):
- Sentinels adventure pack.
Update 5: Rise of the Guilds
Update 5 was released on June 28th 2010.Updates include (complete release notes):
- Phiarlan Carnival adventure pack
- Guild improvements, including guild renown, ranking, amenities.
- Guild airships.
- Platinum as the primary coin.
- New feats.
- Trapmaking.
- Cleric Radiant Servant and Monk Ninja Spy prestige enhancements.
Update 5 Patch 1 Release Notes July 21st 2010
Update 6: Into the Deep
Update 6 was released on August 17, 2010Updates include (complete release notes):
- The Red Fens Adventure Pack with explorer area
Update 7: Half Bloods
Update 7 was released on October 20, 2010.Updates include (complete release notes):
- Playable Races: Half-Orcs and Half-Elves.
- Deception in Stormreach: Four free quests.
- Public area: Lordsmarch Plaza and Lordsmarch Palace.
- Updated: The Devil Assault adventure pack.
- Level 6 and epic raid: The Chronoscope.
- Live event: Mabar, the Plane of Endless Night.
- DirectX 11 Support.
- Auction House and Inventory Updates.
- Shintao Monk and Wizard Archmage prestige enhancements.
Update 8: Attack on Stormreach
Update 8 was released on December 13, 2010.Updates include (complete release notes):
- Attack on Stormreach adventure pack.
- Armor appearance kits.
- Cookie jars.
- Half-Elf Racial enhancements.
Update 9: Harbinger of Madness
Update 9 was released on April 27, 2011.Updates include (complete release notes):
- Harbinger of Madness adventure pack.
- Cannith crafting beta.
- Spells are modified and balance.
- Changes to Sorcerer and Wizard enhancements.
- Favored Soul Angel of Vengeance and Sorcerer Air Earth, Fire, Water Savants prestige enhancements.
Update 10: Reign of Madness
Update 10 was released on June 20th, 2011.Updates include (complete release notes):
- The Reign of Madness adventure pack.
- Crafting level increase to 100.
Update 11: Secrets of the Artificers
Update 11 was released on September 12th, 2011.Updates include (complete release notes):
- Artificer Playable Class
- Secrets of the Artificers adventure Pack
- Unbound Crafting increased to level 150
Beta testing
On August 1, 2005, Turbine sent invitations to people interested in participating in the Public Alpha TestSoftware testing
Software testing is an investigation conducted to provide stakeholders with information about the quality of the product or service under test. Software testing can also provide an objective, independent view of the software to allow the business to appreciate and understand the risks of software...
. On November 1, 2005, Turbine announced that the public Beta test was open.
On November 22, 2005 Turbine announced that each copy of the January 2006 issue of PC Gamer
PC Gamer
PC Gamer is a magazine founded in Britain in 1993 devoted to PC gaming and published monthly by Future Publishing. The magazine has several regional editions, with the UK and US editions becoming the best selling PC games magazines in their respective countries...
magazine would contain a "key" to gain access to the beta. Turbine, in association with Fileplanet
FilePlanet
FilePlanet is a video game download service that provides demos, patches, mods and other gaming media and other gaming media downloads to its users. FilePlanet was launched, and is run by, GameSpy, which is now a subsidiary of IGN, and is one of the most used video game download sites on the...
and IGN
IGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
, also completed 3 public stress tests of the game, with the most recent ending on February 12, 2006.
Testing for DDO ended on February 19, 2006. The game opened February 28, 2006, after a special head start
Head start (positioning)
In positioning, a head start is a start in advance of the starting position of others in competition, or simply toward the finish line or desired outcome...
event that started February 24, 2006 for those who preordered.
In July 2009, DDO reopened the beta testing, in preparation for their new free-to-play subscription structure.
Eberron Unlimited
On June 9, 2009, the official D&D Online website announced that Dungeons & Dragons Online: Stormreach would convert to a subscriptionless "free to play" game for players in North America, under the new name Dungeons & Dragons Online: Eberron Unlimited. The level cap would be increased to level 20 (also the standard level cap in the tabletop Dungeons & DragonsDungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...
) and Free users would have access to the majority of game content; some features would have to be purchased with Turbine points or unlocked through play. As for new subscribers or old subscribed players, there would be VIP access with additional features available, as well as free Turbine points. Closed beta registration opened on June 9, 2009 and the game and contents were free to download on September 1 for VIP members and September 9 for the general North American public.
Differences in content available to subscribers and non-subscribers:
| Feature | DDO VIP (Subscriber) | Premium Player | Free Player |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turbine Points | 500/month included | Buy/limited earnings through gameplay | Limited earnings through gameplay (buying any converts account to Premium) |
| Classes | All unlockable in game | Basic free, pay/gain favor to unlock Favored Soul and pay to unlock Monk | Basic free, pay/gain favor to unlock Favored Soul and pay to unlock Monk |
| Races | All unlockable in game | Basic free, pay/gain favor to unlock Drow and pay to unlock Warforged, Half-Elf, and Half-Orc | Basic free, pay/gain favor to unlock Drow and pay to unlock Warforged, Half-Elf, and Half-Orc |
| Geography | All included | Stormreach & Vicinity | Stormreach & Vicinity |
| Adventure Packs | All included | Some free, can purchase others | Some free, can purchase others |
| Character Slots | 10 | 4, can purchase more | 2, can purchase more |
| Shared Bank Slot | Included | Can purchase | Can purchase |
| Login Queue | Priority | High | Standard |
| Chat | Unlimited | Unlimited | Limited |
| Auctions | Unlimited | Unlimited | Limited |
| Unlimited | Unlimited | Limited | |
| Gold Storage | Unlimited | Unlimited | Limited |
| Customer Service | Full | Full for 45 days | None |
| Beta Priority | High | Normal | Normal |
Awards
- Freebie Award: Best Free-to-play-MMORPG, 2009 RPGLand.com RPGs of the Year 2009
- Best Free to Play MMO, 2009 MMORPG.com 2009 Awards
- Best Free to Play Game, 2009 Tentonhammer.com Best of 2009 Awards
- Best Multiplayer Game, 2006 British Academy Video Games Awards
- Most Anticipated Game, 2005 MMORPG.COM Reader's Choice Awards
- Best Persistent World Game, IGN.com Best of 2006 Awards
- Nominee, Massively Multiplayer Game of the Year, 10th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards
- Third Prize, Best Graphics, Les JOL d'Or 2006
- Third Prize, Public's Award, Les JOL d'Or 2006
External links
- Dungeons & Dragons Online: Stormreach - Official website
- DDO Compendium - Official wiki (Users can add to, but not edit, official entries.)
- DDOwiki - Community-based wiki
Media coverage
- DDO Reviews at Game RankingsGame RankingsGameRankings is a website that collects review scores from both offline and online sources to give an average rating. It indexes over 315,000 articles relating to more than 14,500 games.GameRankings is owned by CBS Interactive...
(meta-review site, Average Ratio: 76%) - Interview with Alex Rodberg & David Eckelberry from GenCon 2005 at GamerGod.com
- PC Gamer Video Podcast #3 Dungeons and Dragons Online: Stormreach