WarpPortal:Blog

This week we’re celebrating Live Creative Day (Sept.14) by taking a look at ways certain games have changed the industry by creating or recrafting a genre.

 
In celebration of Live Creative Day, it is worth recognizing how creativity can transform the gaming industry.
Some developers do more than create a successful game within an established genre — they introduce an idea so distinctive that it becomes a genre of its own. Vampire Survivors, for example, popularized the “bullet heaven” formula so dramatically that many players now associate the entire genre with the game. Titles such as Dark Souls have had a similar impact, inspiring the term “Soulslike.” These games show that true creativity is not always about following existing trends; sometimes, one original idea can establish a new direction for countless games to follow.

— Justin J, Asst Project Manager

When I think of creative ways the industry came a few notable entries come to mind.
First, a juggernaut which many originally called a simple Zelda clone really fired up the adventure genre by mixing a solo gameplay and stories focused on a central, lead character by adding multiplayer and gacha mechanics. This formula really broke open what adventure games could be and started a massive trend in the adventure category. Players could now craft builds and ‘pull banners’ on desirable characters, weapons based on utility or appearance – finally free of the limitations of the game developers vision for how the fantasy could play out. This bold hybrid also gave players a gender choice which is another feature many adventures games still do not offer commonly.

Another industry-changing game was Ingress and by extension Pokemon Go, Pikmin Bloom, and Monster Hunter Now by Niantic.
These games take players outside and also created the sense of social gameplay away from the couch or traditional desktop. The mixture of discovery, geography, and recognizable brands pushed a somewhat hum-drum category like GPS into the popular narrative and helped millions of players extend the idea that gaming is no longer an isolated, anti-social activity.
I was bummed when they closed the Harry Potter location based game Harry Potter: Wizards Unite as I’m a fan of the franchise but I’m sure Niantic will receive some strong competition in the coming years. Personally, my current favorite is Pikmin Bloom which I find to be more motivating than Pokemon GO, in particular, because Pikmin rewards continual movement whereas Pokemon GO often creates scenarios where gamers are standing still waiting for a special event or pokemon to appear instead of getting in more steps.

Finally, both categories (gacha adventure, location based gaming) are still in their infancy and I can’t wait to see what new adventures are in store from both.

— Mace T, Project Manager

That’s all from the team at Gravity Interactive this week.
See you next week!

Hi, everyone!

This week we’re taking it easy due to the hot weather and celebrating National Video Games Day this Saturday, September 12th.

This day honors games because they are both fun and challenging. Video games also connect people and help us learn more about ourselves.
Another great thing is that video games evolve. They have been around so long that we now make retro games to honor the design, systems, and artwork from previous generations.

Things are changing quickly in video games, as well. Smaller teams now make games where that was not really possible due to technical limitations.
Now, some people even make games with artificial intelligence to help cover gaps in the development process.

It’s an exciting time to be a gamer. So let’s celebrate video games together!
Play with a friend or tackle some challenges alone – it’s up to you. That’s another one of the great benefits of video games!!

See you next time!
Have a great weekend!!

Pre-registration for Ragnarok Zero is open now.

Sign up before launch to claim a Blue Poring Balloon costume, Red Potions, Bubble Gum, and a Growth Elixir when the game launches.

There are extra rewards to collect along the way.
Check in each day during the 30-day event, invite friends with your referral code, and keep an eye on official channels for hidden codes that can be exchanged for potions.
Returning players can verify their accounts for VIP items, and community goals may unlock buffs and bonuses for everyone.

Visit the Ragnarok Zero pre-registration page to get started.

The Future of iRO: A Look Ahead

The adventure never stops, and neither does the work behind it. Check out our new video for a glimpse at what’s coming to Ragnarok Online:

For more than twenty years, adventurers have battled monsters, joined guilds, and built memories in Rune Midgard. Episode 20 is still fresh, and many of you are deep in its stories and toughest fights. That journey isn’t over, but the road ahead is already taking shape.

We’re sharing a glimpse of what’s to come:

– A look back at Episode 20’s adventures
– Peeks at challenges and moments waiting down the road
– A reminder that Ragnarok Online keeps growing, even beyond what’s currently scheduled

Not everything shown is locked in yet, but we’ll get there. Consider it a window toward the horizon.

To everyone who’s been with us since Prontera’s gates first opened, and to everyone just starting out, thank you for being part of this world.
Whether you’ve got twenty years in or twenty minutes, welcome to the community.

We’ll have more to share soon, so keep an eye out.
Drop your thoughts in our community channels, we’d love to hear what you’re most excited for.

See ya next week, adventurers. We’ll see you in Rune Midgard!

For me, National Lazy Day—or Relaxation Day—is all about doing as little as possible and enjoying it without feeling guilty. My perfect lazy day starts with a good meal, then I lie down, get comfortable, and spend hours watching YouTube or reading webtoons. When it comes to gaming YouTubers, I don’t really stick to one specific game or creator. I like watching all kinds of games, whether it’s an MMORPG, an H5 game, some random game someone discovered on Steam, or even a horror game that I would probably never play myself. I can easily spend hours going from one video to another, or getting completely lost in a webtoon without realizing how much time has passed. On a true relaxation day, the only reason I want to get up is because it’s time for lunch or dinner. Sometimes the best way to recharge isn’t going somewhere exciting or doing something productive—it’s simply having good food, lying down, and enjoying whatever keeps you entertained for the day.

— Justin J, Asst Project Manager

After a tough day, I like to relax to some heavy action game like a shooter or ARPG. Most recently, Warframe… for the second time.
I just slap on the noise-cancelling earbuds and just drown out everything. That’s my post-stressful day relaxation mode.

On more calm days I like to play something that can focus my mind like an RPG.  Lately, I’ve been playing Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time (Switch 2) and that’s been a nice break from the routine. With its many jobs called ‘Lives” it can be fun to just do some logging, fishing, or mining to advance within the guilds. Getting in a little progress before winding down for the evening is a nice way to take my mind off of the summer heat and just chill with a cold drink.

— Mace T, Project Manager