From Dai... Hello AO, I would just like to update everyone that tomorrow we will be Patching tomorrow from 11 to 2 CET. -- Best regards, Dai-Galean Community Team Funcom Oslo AS http://www.funcom.com http://www.anarchy-online.com http://www.worldofmidgard.com

Spotted this at AnarchyOnline today, looks like ARK is recruiting. I have listed the requirements here. Requirements:

At least one character Level 15

Must be 18 or over

Adequate English skills

Superb customer service abilities

10 hours a week to devote to the program

ARK by Editor - and ARK Howler - Wed, 30 Jan 2002 23:00:00 Universal The Advisors of Rubi-Ka (ARK) are always looking for new recruits. If you like helping others out, and want a peak behind the scenes of the games production industry, the ARK program might be just what you're looking for. I arrived on Rubi-Ka a long time ago, longer than I can even remember. I've seen thousands of suns rise above the arid desert, burn the land with brutal intensity, and set behind the hills and terraformed plains. I can remember when I was young, just a wide-eyed pup fresh off the colony ship. That's when I had my first encounter with an ARK. Out in the wilderness, gazing at the immense landscape and squinting my eyes from the penetrating glare of the twin suns, I stumbled on two friends, one of them unfortunate enough to get stuck in an outcropping of rock, unable to free himself. "Hang tight, I've sent a request for help to the ARK," the guy said to his trapped friend. "Yeah, I'll cope, someone will be here soon." Bewildered and curious I asked them what had happened, and who is ARK? "ARK are the Advisors of Rubi-Ka, sent here by the Interstellar Confederation of Corporations (ICC) to help the citizens with unusual problems. They are granted special abilities, and are able to help us out of tricky situations, like my current predicament" The man in trouble answered me. Immediately a man clad in a stylish black cloak with an A on the back appeared in a cloud of smoke. It was the ARK. "What seems to be the problem here?" He asked with a kind smile. "Grid accident. Got stuck." The unfortunate man answered. Seconds later the man was unstuck, and the ARK made sure we were all doing all right. That's when I decided I would become an ARK, however hard it might prove... ARK is the organisation of volunteers in Anarchy Online. They are indeed granted special abilities to be able to help players out of difficulties, as well as advise new arrivals on the ways of Rubi-Ka. They are the greeters of Rubi-Ka, and there is always one hanging around the newbie-grounds to help new players familiarise themselves with interface and game-play, giving them an invaluable introduction to the world of Rubi-Ka. They are responsible for a large part of the in-game support provided, answering petitions and taking care of problems. This way they meet many of their fellow players, and are able to assist them and befriend them. They assist at events both through helping write the design, the scripts, and play roles in the actual performance of the events. They serve as reporters for the Voice of Freedom and The Rubi-Ka Times, reporting on interesting observations from the planet, and the more monumental happenings. Read more about the ARK on their official website. Apply to become an ARK here "So why do you do it?" I ask the ARK, "What's in it for you?" "I love the world man, and I love the people. What's a better reward than to help it evolve?" I guess sometimes a question can be an answer...

We just received a letter from Dai-Galean regarding the upcoming patch and it's delay. Hello all, 13.6 Patch and the Delay We know you are all wondering why patch 13.6 has been delayed for so long. Well, here is the latest update: I was informed today there would be a 5% chance the patch will be approved this week and here are the reasons why: The new static dungeon, Camelot, is the main reason the patch has been delayed. This is the first time we have made a dungeon with two different levels of suppression gas, and this combination has caused a few unforeseen problems. In addition, the dungeon is rather complex on the world builder side, so tweaking it has taken longer than we anticipated. It's also the home of the toughest boss-mob yet to visit Rubi-Ka, and we have had to spend a little time making him fearsome enough for everyone to be adequately intimidated. In addition we have gotten more feedback from the players on Test Live then we have ever done before. This has been taken into consideration, and we have had to implement features and fixes accordingly. So you all wonder: "ok, Dai what does this mean, after that fancy explanation". Well basically no patch this week but we are working hard to fix the issues that were brought up by the testers on Test Live - and by all good fortune, patch will be next week. -- Best regards, Dai-Galean Community Team Funcom Oslo AS http://www.funcom.com http://www.anarchy-online.com http://www.worldofmidgard.com

There were several great news posts on AnarchyOnline, that copy over just didn't do justice, so to make things a little easier for you, I linked them here. Blade Corp Attacked from Within! Chapter Six of Prophet Without Honour Leets are people, too!: The Idolisation of the Leet Omni-Pol Abandons Operations in Sabulum

For those of you who do not know of the Tir Accord, here it is for download from AnarchyOnline. In 29470, the Omni-Tek Corporation and the Council of Truth signed the Tir Accord, a ceasefire agreement and territorial settlement instigated by the ICC (Interstellar Confederation of Corporations) in a bid to secure peace and foster negotiations between Omni-Tek and the rebel clans of Rubi-Ka. Download the Tir Accord here from AnarchyOnline(109KB)

From The Voice of Freedom on AnarchyOnline this week. It is apparent that many are gathering together to help clean up the Tir River. Tir River Cleanup Delayed, Citizens Offer Assistance The Voice of Freedom January 25. 29476 – 17:58 RST After local residents held a swimming contest in the Tir River two weeks ago to protest against the toxic state of the river, Henry Radiman promised the city that the Council would dedicate resources towards cleaning up the river and continuing the general renewal of the city. Work has commenced at a slower pace than first estimated, however, and while it was hoped that cleanup work would conclude this week, it now looks as though the work will continue into next week. Radiman did reiterate his promise to the city, however, and additional resources have been allocated to the project. Earlier this week, Opposing Force - an independent clan supportive of the Council's efforts in Tir - organised a charity event to collect funds for the cleanup, and continued preservation, of the Tir River. The event included an auction of single men and women, as well as other constructive activities. Opposing Force advisor Marylynn Rorie Shorts made the following statement prior to the event: "President Utildai and Opposing Force wish to show our support for Mr. Radiman in any way possible in regards to the issue of the Tir River cleanup. In times of pending war and general nastiness we should all unite to causes clearly beneficial to every citizen of Rubi-Ka. Selfless acts to the benefit of all are what distinguish us from Omni-Tek. We do not strive for personal wealth; we strive for universal wealth, in nature, freedom, and joy." The organisers of the event - which, according to participants, was an unmitigated success - managed to collect more than 11 million credits, all of which will go towards the current and future preservation of the Tir River. Major Utildai Danczak, president of Opposing Force, had the following to say: "During these times, with every major clan, division and neutral group digging in for what may be another major conflict on Rubi-Ka, we must all come together in peace and remind ourselves we all fall from the same tree. The petty conflict we are embroiled in is nothing compared to what is to come. "We all wonder who is doing what, who is responsible for this and that, why he or she is not arrested. Instead, we must all concern ourselves with that which we cannot yet see. To do that, we must come together. There is a threat out there bigger than us all and almost everyone on Rubi-Ka is missing it. "The time has come to show support for Radiman and Ross, and every citizen on Rubi-Ka, in their efforts to dispense with our childish differences regarding who owns what acre of land. We hold this event in that spirit." When informed about the donations, Henry Radiman made a brief statement to the Voice: "The Council of Truth - and the city of Tir - is eternally grateful for the assistance and goodwill of these industrious citizens and clan-members. With the help of such efforts, we will once again see our city returned to its former glory. The Council graciously accepts the donation, and calls on other clans to follow Opposing Force's example."

Hello AO, Events and the Future Many players have voiced their opinions on how they think the events are going. We hear as conflicting opinions as "they suck," to "this was great, do more." That means it is time for us to try something new, and here is a little information on what we are planning. We are pleased to tell you that from 13.6 patch onwards, our goal will be to try and reach more people with events, and we will increase our efforts in all time zones and on both dimensions, in many different flavours, both small and very grand. Patch 13.6 will be a milestone for the GMs and the Support staff here at Funcom. With new features, and new commands it will be a lot easier for GMs to run events, and at a more frequent pace. With the new commands, and the new way of organising events, we will probably experience a learning curve for the staff. As we go a long, and they become more familiar with this new format, the quality and frequency of events will hopefully increase even more. As we learn from the players, the events themselves, and the hard work the events team put into their efforts, we hope you will see in the time to come the great fun we have in presenting these events. Look forward to things to come, because I know we are. So, fasten your seatbelts and buckle up for a wild ride. -- Best regards, Dai-Galean Community Team Funcom Oslo AS http://www.funcom.com http://www.anarchy-online.com http://www.worldofmidgard.com

According to the TAG NewsBrief on AnarchyOnline today, there was a UFO, but appeared somewhat like a sun. To quote someone, "What was that weird glowing thingy?" We can only wait and see what happens. Read the entire brief here.

This just in today from the Rubi-Ka Headline Services on AnarchyOnline. Seems that Sabulum is still not a safe place to be. The tensions are growing and will erupt soon. Sabulum Situation Still Precarious Rubi-Ka Headline Services January 24. 29476 – 17:55 RST The northern city of Sabulum remains an issue of contention between the Omni-Tek Corporation and the clans after four days of scattered fighting and increasing tensions. An Omni-AF supported police action in the perpetual wastelands – an operation intended to root out extremist clan-members and terrorists reported to be holed up in Sabulum - has prompted the Council of Truth to put together an independent observational and peace-keeping force to appease complaints that the Council has acquiesced too quickly to Omni-Tek demands. Speaking at a press-conference last night, a Council spokesperson used words such as "civic duty" and "vigilance" to enlist volunteers for the mission, but emphasised that the Omni-Pol operation in Sabulum is well within the parameters of the Tir Accord, and in accordance with ICC regulations. Not all clans agree. Making a public statement for the first time in more than six months, Simon Silverstone - leader of the Sentinels, the largest militant clan - harshly criticised both Omni-Tek and the Council for recent events. Silverstone, who has never recognised the Tir Accord, calls Omni-Pol's incursion into Sabulum "an act of war". About Henry Radiman, he had the following to say: "Radiman has, by abandoning a clan-owned city to the enemy, become a traitor to the clan cause. He still has the chance to redeem himself, but I doubt that he will heed my advice. The Sentinels will do their utmost to protect our brothers and sisters in Sabulum." Omni-Pol media liaison Burton Shogren said to Headline Services that Silverstone's comments are baseless: "The perpetual wastelands are not recognised as clan-held territory by the Tir Accord, and the city of Sabulum therefore falls under direct Omni-Tek control. Regardless, and as a concession to the Council, before initiating the current operation, Omni-Pol informed the Council of Truth of our intentions to enter Sabulum to apprehend suspected criminals, and the Council agreed to support our operation both politically and logistically. When rogue radical clans interfered with our lawful police action, we acted in accordance with the Tir Accord and called on Omni-Tek’s Armed Forces to support, secure, and protect Omni-Pol employees. Sabulum remains under martial law until the operation has been completed in a safe and satisfactory manner." Asked about the Council's decision to send an official "observational force" to Sabulum, Shogren refused to comment, saying that Omni-Pol maintains only cursory contact with the Council. Fears are growing that the Sabulum situation will escalate, prompting Omni-Tek - as well as clans like the Sentinels - to launch additional actions against the opposing side. For the time being, however, the situation appears to be under control.

Third installment added today for the Rubi-Ka Timeline. Find it here.