Design Notes

November 26, 2015

Happy Thanksgiving, Heroes!

Thank you for battling alongside us

2015 is FLYING by - it's hard to believe we've just released our 7th Thanksgiving event... and even harder to believe that December arrives next week! But it's the time of the year to remember how far we've come, and to be grateful to those who've gotten us here.

It's been a crazy year so far - Yorumi has been pushing hard on the server rewrite, and we've brought in additional coding help to give him the boost he needs to finish the last pieces of it. We've finished the first Queen of Monsters Saga in Embersea, then brought on more writers to help us take the story to deeper, darker, and more intense places. We had the Return of the Devs summer event, which saw Artix, Cysero, and Beleen come back to the AQW team for a few weeks to tell tales of their own, and we saw the internet evolving all around us as Flash and various browsers made changes that will affect how you play AQWorlds...

But through it all, we've had you guys battling alongside us as we tackled those issues and brainstormed ways to rise beyond them - like Artix's announcement about taking AQWorlds onto mobile in 2016.* I am genuinely grateful to all of you who join us each week as we bring you new releases, stories, gear, and more.  Each week, we read your comments and feedback and take those back as we develop the next series of events. 

As I sit here on vacation** in the frozen wilds of South Dakota, far from the Secret Underground Lab where I usually write Design Notes, I'm reminded of how much I appreciate what we get to do every week because of you guys: telling stories, building worlds, making peace and war and videogames. 

So thank you, heroes. (Yes, you. With the armor on. Right there, reading this.) And a huge thank you to the volunteer artists, designers, testers, moderators, archknights, and other staff who work their computer processors down to the last byte bringing you epic gear to equip, awesome adventures, and friendly places to play/discuss them in.

Without all of you, there wouldn't be an Artix Entertainment. When we say we make our games with and for you, it's the truth. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

* And how about AQW on Steam? Seems like a logical step, right? Right!
** "Isn't writing Design Notes work?" I was asked. "You are very bad at vacationing!" Saying thank you is never work - especially not during Thanksgiving!

October 26, 2014

Birthday Server Bonus

Thank you all for playing AQWorlds!

At Artix Entertainment, we don't like to GET gifts on our birthdays, we like to GIVE them, and thanks to all the October birthdays, we have a blast doing just that!

Miko and I were born one year and one day apart!

We have a TON of team members with October birthdays:

• Rolith and Cysero (Team Omni)
• Ai No Miko (Empress of the web)
• Kalanyr, IMR, and Kamui (Original AQ team)
• Aster and Judge Acumen (AQW Class designer and In-game Mod)
• Scakk, Therril, Kokujoe, Chisagen (Forum Mods)
• Myself and so many of you 

Battle On for ALL the Birthday Boosts!

Usually our artists make weapons, armors or other gear and put them into shops for everyone.  Not being an artist, I wanted to do something a bit different to celebrate all our birthdays and the 7 years I've been working with AE.  

Since we just increased AQWorlds' level cap to 65, an XP bonus seems like the perfect way to celebrate! For those incredible heroes who have already reached the cap, there are Rep, Gold, and Class Point Bonuses active, too!

• 15% Rep, Class Points, Gold, and EXP on all servers
• 25% Rep, Class Points, Gold, and EXP on Legend servers

My wish for the coming year is... 365 days of battling alongside all of you on the MANY new adventures we've got planned! Thank you all so much for playing AQWorlds; without you, we would not be here! 

/bows

January 24, 2014

Thank you for playing AQW

Open Letter to All Our AQWorlds Heroes

As the new year gets under way, I have been doing a lot of thinking about what we need to do to make AQWorlds the best game it can be, and a lot of planning on just how to do that. And there's one answer I keep coming back to: you guys. 

We always say we make AQW for and with you, and this year I want that to be more true than ever. I want everyone to get as much enjoyment out of playing AQWorlds as we do making it.

That means more Legend-only content (because without their support, we could not keep the servers running), more focus on gameplay, optimizing core functionality like the inventory/bank, friends/guild lists, and PVP, and addressing any issues which frustrate you (like botting and the chat filter).

A few months back, you guys gave us a lot of feedback on what you want to see change in the game, and we have not forgotten your posts. The list is long, but the list is not more than we can accomplish when we have a whole world of heroes working with us to make AQWorlds great for old and new players alike!

I am really grateful to all of you who play and help us make AQWorlds each week, and who have stuck with us through the lag, the bugs, and the crazy-OMG-releases. Thank you for battling alongside us! You are awesome, and we could not have kept Artix Entertainment and AdventureQuest Worlds running without your friendship and support! 

/unsheathes blade

Now let's go make 2014 the BEST YEAR EVER!

July 19, 2013

Our Heroes: AQW Legends

Unlock the Legendary Hero Class when you Upgrade!

Since AdventureQuest Worlds began in 2008, we have always called our upgraded players "Members." That's pretty easy to understand, because they buy memberships to unlock exclusive gear, content, and bonus extras (like server boosts) ... AND help keep the servers running (and the developers fed)!

Get 15% MORE Class Points and REP all weekend!

Without the support they give the game, we would not be able to stay online or allow free players to enjoy the full main storyline and unlimited access to our servers. That's why we keep releasing new gear, storylines, and challenge fights that only they can access.

Unlock exclusive content when you upgrade!

But earlier this year, we stopped and thought to ourselves... "Hunh. All of our other games have AWESOME names for their upgraded players. We should, too!" As one of my Twitter followers put it, "Member sounds like something you become at Sam's Club." And he was right. So a couple months ago, we started preparing to make the change...

From Member to Legend!

From now on, we will begin referring to our upgraded players as Legends. You'll also hear AQW Legends, Legends of Lore, and Legendary Heroes. Why did we make the change? Because you haven't signed up for a book club... you are here to SAVE THE WORLD! And you need a name that reflects that.

Pictured: YOU! Our Legendary Hero!

That's why we created the Legendary Hero Class! Legendary Heroes favor Strength to guard their allies and Endurance to stay alive. Legendary Heroes gain mana when they: Strike an enemy in combat or are struck by an enemy in combat! So you know that no matter what happens in battle, you've got a way to regain the mana you need to demolish your opponents!

How To Get the Legendary Hero Class!

If you currently have an active upgraded account, then talk to Ragnar in Battleon (he's wearing the Class armor!) to open the Legend-Only Legendary Hero Class Shop! NEXT week, anyone who has EVER upgraded their account will find the Legendary Hero badge in their Book of Lore and can access the 0 AC Class AND armor from that shop!

Upgrade from the in-game payment window, on the web, or through the Portal.

Guide to Naming to AQW Heroes!

So... what will all the different types of players be called now?

• Upgraded players: Legends
• Upgraded players (active or in the past) and AC purchasers: "our supporters"* 
• Free players: either "free players" or "heroes"**

* We've used this term since AQW started, and it won't change.
** We will not be using the term "non-Legends"

Thank you, Legends of Lore!

On behalf of the AQWorlds team and the rest of the Artix Entertainment family, I want to thank you for supporting us by purchasing Upgrades and AdventureCoins. I get to go to an AMAZING job each day, working with people who have become more than friends... and it's all because YOU support AQW. 

A.Q.Double-YOU!

We hope you enjoy the Legendary Hero Class (and all the other Legend-only perks!) because we couldn't keep making AQWorlds without your support! We are so grateful you've battled alongside us through the crazy-awesome releases of 2013, and we can't wait to begin the next Chaos Saga with your help!

So get ready for a Chaotic ride, because whispers are flying, and over the coming weeks, the beginning of the end of the Chaos Saga will start. The 12th Chaos Lord is almost ready to strike... and Drakath is keeping a close eye on you, Hero!

December 22, 2012

Broken Prophecy LQS is Live

Log in now to get this rare gear!

The world will be here for a long time to come... but this gear won't! Because you defeated Kezeroth in yesterday's 12-21-12 Frostval event, we are here to launch the last Limited Quantity Shop of 2012! This time around, Khuddar has epically-awesome post-apocalyptic AND Frostval armors and items! Quantities are limited, so make your deals with Khuddar quick!

Apocalyptic Warrior Sets

If you haven't been with us for a Limited Quantity Shop before, here's what's going to happen:

This Saturday, December 22nd, at 2PM we will open up a Limited Quantity Shop in Battleon. The items listed below will all be in the shop with the stated prices and quantities. Once that item is sold out, it is never coming back. Ever.

If you see something you like, then you're going to want to make sure you're awake and have the gold or ACs on hand to buy your chosen equips!

Here's a handy online time zone converter to make logging in at just the right moment a little easier!

Apocalyptic Warlord Set

Apocalyptic Warlord – 700 AC – 4,500 quantity
Apocalyptic DeathBringer –  700 AC – 4,000 quantity
Apocalyptic Conquerer – 700 AC – 3,500 quantity
Apocalyptic Plunderer – 700 AC – 3,000 quantity
ShadowSnow Warrior – 650 AC – 2,500 quantity
Prismatic SnowStalker – 600 AC – 2,000 quantity

Apocalyptic Plunderer Set *

Apocalyptic Warlord Helm – 85 AC – 4,500 quantity
Apocalyptic Warlord Full Helm – 85 AC – 4,500 quantity
Apocalyptic DeathBringer Helm – 85 AC – 4,000 quantity
Apocalyptic Conqueror’s Mask – 65 AC – 3,500 quantity
Apocalyptic Conqueror’s Hood – 65 AC –  3,000 quantity
Apocalyptic Plunderer’s Mask – 75 AC –  3,000 quantity
ShadowSnow Helm –  65 AC – 2,500 quantity
Horned Krampus Witch Helm – 75 AC – 2,000 quantity
Horned Krampus Helm – 75 AC – 2,000 quantity
Prismatic Furred Hood – 65 AC – 2,000 quantity
Prismatic Furred Locks – 65 AC – 2,000 quantity 

* Stealing the food from heroes' mouths, Apocalyptic Plunderers makes sure there is little for no one but themselves.

Post-Apocalyptic Bunker House

Prismatic Furred Cape – 85 AC – 2,000 quantity
Silent Knight Blade – 200 AC – 3,500 quantity

Bunker House Merge Item – 1,500 AC  – 2,000 quantity **

** Talk to Khuddar in Battleon to merge your Post-Apocalpytic Bunker House Item into the full Post-Apocalyptic Bunker House!

Apocalyptic DeathBringer Set

Ice Warrior Armor – 33,500 gold – member – 8,500 quantity 
Licorice Twist  Armor – 23,500 gold – member – 6,000  quantity
Jolly SnowStalker Armor – 26,000 gold – member – 8,000 quantity

Licorice Fascinator Helm – 13,000 gold – member – 6,000 quantity
Licorice FlopHat – 13,000 gold – member – 6,000 quantity
Festive Furred Hood – 10,000 gold – member – 6,000 quantity
Jolly SnowStalker Hood – 10,000 gold – member – 6,000 quantity 

12-21-12 Alpacalypse Survivor ***

Short Holly Cloak – 15,000 gold – member – 6,000 quantity
Long Holly Cloak – 17,500 gold – member – 7,500 quantity
Jolly Furred Cape –  20,000 gold – member – 6,000 quantity
Furred Cape –  20,000 gold – member – 6,000 quantity

Alpacalypse Survivor Pet – 35,000 gold – member – 9,000 quantity

*** Not to be confused with Alpaca Lips Survivor. That's MUCH messier!

Licorice Twist Armor

Sassafras Armor – 45,000 gold – non-member –  20,000 quantity
Sassafras Mask – 25,000 gold – non-member – 20,000 quantity
Royal Frost Scepter – 32,500 gold – non-member – 30,000 quantity

A Few Words of Gratitude for the Holidays

Before I fly home for the holidays to spend time with family, I just want to thank you on behalf of the AQWorlds team for supporting this game and the rest of our Artix Entertainment family. Without you, we couldn't do what we love to do. As I look around the other people at the Lab, and talk to you guys on Twitter, the forums, Facebook, and in-game, I realize that there's nowhere else I'd rather be and nothing else I'd rather be doing each day. I get to do that thanks to all of you.

Happy holidays to all, and Battle On!