Released by Turbine on November 2nd 1999, Asheron's Call (AC), one of the longest running MMOs, is coming up on its 100th update, more than any other game on the market. The team has been focusing on a expansion worth of content free, to celebrate! Community Manager and Assistant Producer Anthony "Frelorn" Cataldo spoke with me at Gen Con and showed me what players can expect to see.

Andy has worked with the AC team for almost five years, working his way up from customer service to his current position. His passion and dedication to the player base are instantly recognizable and he laughs about his wife catching him playing at 5am, asking to come to bed, and then figuring it would be easier to stay up than sleep for an hour. We've all been there, right?

This dedication is mirrored in the entire team, and they wanted to bring to their players an update worthy of the anniversary, and so they asked players what they'd most like to see put into the game. They took these suggestions and built them into this update, an extension of Turbine's commitment to giving players the service they're paying for and deserve.

Since a free update patch has been released by the AC team almost every month, and is a staple of the service Turbine delivers, continuing that tradition with this patch should be no surprise. Scheduled to release next month, the update includes Player versus Player (PvP) land control features and introduces a faction system to the game.

The Society (faction) system will consist of three separate choices, sending players on quests to earn rewards. Players must be at least level 180 (out of 275 available levels) to take advantage of the system. Society quests will be offered, with over 30 new quests available to players working their way through the system. Viewing the Society of fellow players is available to all players through the description panel, but some skills in game may help hide the information from others.

In an effort to make the world a bit more modern for players, the team has also upped the artificial intelligence of mobs, who will now roam, instead of staying in a static location. Mobs will also be under the society system, and will be sensitive to which society players belong. Those who are part of a faction that is different from the creature will have a fight on their hands. If you're of the same faction, they'll let you pass uncontested. In addition, creatures from opposing factions will attack each other, making for some interesting world theatrics as you make your way to your various destinations.

The patch, which offers no instancing, will also have three new land areas to fight over. These areas will offer special quests, loot, and weapons, only available to the society that controls the area. The team hopes to give players a focused area of PvP combat with rewards that are pertinent and fun. Armor will have faction bonuses which are unlocked when more than one piece is obtained and equipped.

New spells will also be finding their way into the game with the update, something not seen since the 2005 expansion, Throne of Destiny, which also offered a complete re-texturing of the world. These level 8 spells can be researched using items, and if you'd rather not craft to receive them, you'll have to find them on a vendor from another player who's made them. An entire new tier level of loot will also make its debut, being offered through drops, some of them with level 8 spells already cast upon them. This will help those who are unable to utilize spells found in the world, for whatever reason.

Turbine will be offering a marketing push including a free download of the 2005 expansion pack, and 30 days free play for players who've since left the world. Newsletters will be making their way to players when the content goes live in September. Special pricing plans with discounts for long term subscriptions, which Turbine is known for, will of course be available.

To prepare for the influx of returning players, and folks who'd like to see what this longstanding game offers, the Asheron's Call website has been redesigned and relaunched just this last week. Returning players should note that there's been no character wipe, so if you've ever played and want to jump back in you'll be able to do so with little frustration or starting over.

The game was made available through digital download last month, through an agreement with Direct2Drive, so if you're looking to try it out, a quick download will find you in game and playing!

After testing and launching this celebratory content patch the team will focus on offering a mail and banking system for players, to help continue the modernization of the game.

The team is excited about their player base getting to see over 8 months of hard work, and some long awaited introductions to the game's continuation. If you can't wait to see what the update is shaping up to look like, check out the Turbine booth at the PAX expo this weekend!

Becky "Tovin" Simpson
Allakhazam.com News Editor & Staff Writer
ZAM Network