A game’s story, it’s world, it’s lore matters. If it didn’t, we wouldn’t have put it in our name! Sure, we’re primarily concerned with World of Warcraft around here, either because it’s simply the most popular MMORPG or the one that we all share in common, but that doesn’t mean it has a monopoly on world-building. Of course, that’s easy when you have a storied franchise with lots of Extended Universe junk to build upon. Being a brand new franchise, TERA doesn’t have that luxury, but that’s kind of what I like about it.
I can respect a developer unafraid to create something new and populate its world with all sorts of creatures and races that break the typically Tolkien mold. For instance, the rather unique Popori race:
The popori kingdom comprises two types of nature spirits: the elin, which appear as small female humanoids, and the woodland creatures these tiny beings have raised into consciousness, known simply as “poporis.”
Long ago, the goddess Elinu fragmented her pure and innocent essence creating spirits given physical form. These elin then used their divine spark to awaken furry beasts to sentience. Despite their very different physical forms, the spirits are alike at heart: full of life, curiosity, and tenacity. As a nation, poporis hold sacred their duty to protect nature, which has led to many clashes with the other races.
Some find poporis’ blunt communication style and quirky, mischievous behavior off-putting; others find it refreshing. But no one denies that their ferocity in battle makes them strong allies. Whether you make a popori your friend or your enemy, however, have a care: poporis are not afraid to stick their noses into your face—nor are they ashamed to stick them into your business.
The only analog that comes immediately to mind is Star Trek‘s symbiotic Trill, but even that doesn’t quite apply. As it turns out, the Popori are only the tip of the creative iceberg. iTZKooPA caught the attention of EnMasse’s David Noonan for the low-down on the lore behind TERA at this year’s PAX Prime.
We Lore Hounds have been taking the wait-and-see approach toGuild Wars 2. We’ve feared getting over-hyped and have quietly waited for ArenaNet to put money where its mouth is. The company recently responded.
The folks at ArenaNet were kind enough to invite us back to their private booth during PAX Prime 2010 to see said money. And the demo was absolutely awesome. However, some questions remained unanswered, while more still were created.
ArenaNet’s Eric Flannum upgraded the awesome to awesomesauce by agreeing to sit down with iTZKooPA for an interview after he spent a half hour giving a thorough demo. During the grilling, iTZKooPA and Flannum discuss the amount of voiceover work present, how each player’s story is told, the art style, system requirements, how Guild Wars 2 will address the flaws of the original (jumping!) and so much more.
Want some free SWAG? Good, here’s your chance to earn it. Calm down, this contest isn’t as complicated or challenging as our E3 contest. The reward for winning will still be enticing. It just won’t arrive in a large box as part of a menagerie of items.
The task is simple. That picture, that one up there ^^, is without a caption. Your duty, should you chose to accept it, is to leave a comment with the best caption you can come up with (be sure to use a real e-mail address!). It can be inventive, witty, eyebrow-raising or unusual. Whatever gets the Lore Hounds to react will be deemed the winner.
A little background information: We’re hanging with a Trion Worlds booth babe showcasing Rift: Planes of Telara.
Most of the rewards for winning The Finale will be digital, so everyone should enter. If you’re outside of the United States, you’ll forfeit the physical prize(s). Fear not, the major prize does not need shipping. As far as I know, there are no region restrictions on the digital SWAG. Loot includes a highly sought after League of Legends Singed Skin, another entire MMOG, a Rift comic and a WoW loot card.
Your mission starts now. You have four days (October 7) before time runs out.
/me lights fuse, runs.
A game’s story, it’s world, it’s lore matters. If it didn’t, we wouldn’t have put it in our name! Sure, we’re primarily concerned with World of Warcraft around here, either because it’s simply the most popular MMORPG or the one that we all share in common, but that doesn’t mean it has a monopoly on world-building. Of course, that’s easy when you have a storied franchise with lots of Extended Universe junk to build upon. Being a brand new franchise, TERA doesn’t have that luxury, but that’s kind of what I like about it.
