The Open Beta session for Vikings of Thule has come to a close and today the game will be reset. We assembled a terrific test crew on Facebook and the time Beta testers spent playing, their feedback and enthusiasm are highly appreciated. All Beta testers’ comments and feature requests have been taken into account and the next time Beta testers log in, they are encouraged to have a look in their inventory, where a special item can be found as a token of our appreciation.
We’ve been working extremely hard to bring our players a great update. The new, rebalanced Beta version includes cool, new features, new assets, powerful moves and an improved social interaction. It also introduces ways to earn Silver Coins, which allow players to buy exquisite equipment, beautiful clothing and divine, limited edition items.
Everyone who donates (done by clicking the shiny yellow button at the top of the game screen) will be rewarded an in-game silver chest! Silver Chests ensure a steady income of Silver Coins and strengthen players’ chances of becoming one of the 39 who hold a vote at Thule’s parliament: Althingi.
Here’s a peek at our roadmap:
New Fascinating Game Modes
More Assets
More Moves
Improved battle system
Quests & Missions
Player alliances
Interactive tutorial
Wagers
In-game messages
+ more
We’re really excited about the new and better Beta version awaiting players in the world of Thule. Click here to play.
Welcome to the experiment
Launching an Open Beta for Vikings of Thule is not only a major milestone for us, it is also an experiment and a huge bet. We are actively asking you – the players who participate in our Beta program – to be our Quality Assurance team. The first days are guaranteed to be raw and rough, with buggy clients and unstable servers, but we are forging an agreement. You get to help us set the course, prioritize what comes next and decide on where we go from here. We promise to listen, update the client as often as necessary and do everything we can to build a benchmark when it comes to online social games.
How this works
On October 15 th 2009 we will reset the game and that will signal the end of the official Open Beta period. If everything goes according to plan that will be the only time we will intentionally reset the game. This reset is planned so we can use the Beta period to balance every aspect of the overall experience – even re-calculate values and parameters within the period. Up until the reset, we ask you to actively work with us to create the best experience possible. Of course, those of you who participate will have an advantage after the reset, as you already know how the game works and how it should be played.
· Use the Feedback Box at the top of the application site to send us your thoughts, comments and ideas.
· Use the Beta Testers Group forums for additional feedback and open communication with us/others.
· Everyone who creates a Viking avatar and sends us a comment during the Open Beta period will get a special item which will only be available for Beta Testers. This item will be available to avatars after the reset.
· 10 people who we feel gave us the most valuable feedback during the Open Beta Periodwill additionally get limited edition items which can be worn and used after the reset.
· The person who leads the game just before reset will also get a handful of Silver Coins which can be used to buy more expensive items after the reset.
Please Donate
As we see it, the Beta is only the beginning. It only includes a small portion of the world we want to create. There is so much more to explore. The world of Thule is set to expand and grow with time. The Vikings are coming.
If you want to help us realize this, please donate. The official release will include an item economy but until then, we are completely dependent on your goodwill and support.If you donate, you will receive special in-game jewelry that indicates your special support for the game.
Features & Roadmap
A detailed list of features will be posted to the Beta Testers Group. We will also publish a roadmap which outlines the features that we are currently working on or want to include in future releases. Please help us prioritize and add to that list.
Independent Icelandic game developer Gogogic is revealing further details about its upcoming MMORPG, Vikings of Thule, in preparation for Gamescom 2009. An open Beta version is set to launch in September and anyone with an active Facebook account can sign up for participation by visiting www.vikingsofthule.com.
Vikings of Thule is a highly polished Flash based Facebook game that includes strategic elements of group management, resource and asset handling, multiplayer battle systems and highly customizable avatars – all within a persistent game world. Gogogic wants Vikings of Thule to set a new standard when it comes to games that are directly tied to larger social networks.
Gogogic is doing even more to push the boundaries with Vikings of Thule. In the future, the company is planning to extend Vikings of Thule onto the iPhone and iPod Touch devices, allowing players to interact with the game world from different angles and perspectives.
The Soft Freaks are coming!
Gogogic has established itself as an iPhone developer and recently the company announced that it was working on Soft Freak Fiesta – a multiplayer game that is specifically designed to take advantage of the unique features and connectivity of the iPhone. People should prepare to bump, bash, and battle it out with cute cuddly finger-friendly freaks over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Of course there will be tons of rewards, achievements, badges, and gadgets to achieve and unlock.
Meet the Vikings
For more information and special pre-promotional Vikings of Thule virtual items, visit the Gogogic booth, located in the Nordic Game show booth. For any inquiries, contact the Gogogic Marketing Team at info@gogogic.com or visit www.gogogic.com. The Nordic Game booth is located in the Business Area of Gamescom, Hall 4.2, booth nr. J-21, K-20, and it will be open from 9:00 to 19:00 daily, from Wednesday 19 August until Saturday 22 August. About Gogogic
Visual representations of Vikings, such as in movies, video games and comics, have usually presented them as drunk, dirty brutes in drab surroundings. These attempts to achieve realism are in stark contrast to what other cultures have done while representing their heritage and legacy. Most cultures embrace heightened realities, heroic traits and stories to enhance the strong social foundation they draw from their roots. The visual portrayal of Vikings as dirty brutes doesn’t quite add up when the old Icelandic tales are thoroughly read. They’re often described as true legends and heroes, both poised and dignified. The stories’ characters are regularly involved in unbelievable acts and actions like fighting supernatural beings, traveling the world as the most feared body guards and fighters, raiding Europe and ruling the seas.
Gogogic’s motivation behind Vikings of Thule is to represent Vikings as legends, in the same way that Samurais, Khans and Spartans are represented. They have a code of honor, a foundational core of duty, beliefs and heritage. They reside in a super reality where men can indeed achieve unbelievable things. They pose, stare and stand like heroic icons, forever ready to immerse themselves in battle for glory, valor and principle.
From the start, we wanted players to experience the true nature of Vikings in a setting based on the fascinating world of Norse Mythology and the great Icelandic sagas. Everything within the game has a connection to these sources whether it’s Egill Skallagrímsson’s legendary treasure or the eyes of a Dark Elf. Also, since the game takes place in Iceland, real locations are used, both towns and natural treasures.
With Vikings of Thule, we feel like we’ve successfully mixed norse mythology, history and the old Icelandic sagas into an immersive game world, which will keep players entertained and coming back for more. When creating a game with a Viking theme and setting, being Icelandic unmistakably has its advantages.
We will be present at both GDC Europe and gamescom this year. Both events are hosted by the wonderful city of Cologne. GDC starts on Monday, August 17th and lasts until Wednesday, August 19th. At that point gamescom takes over and finally it all comes to an end on Sunday, August 23rd.
Gogogic will be part of the Nordic Game booth @ gamescom, which will be located in the business area of the show. But you will probably find us roaming around with cards, smiles and other nice stuff. More details later.
In any case we will be promoting our upcoming social beauty, Vikings of Thule and our next iPhone title, Soft Freak Fiesta.
After a successful release of our critically acclaimed App Store debut Symbol6, it’s time to bark upon a new adventure. This one is a bit bigger and revolves around cuddly ill-tempered critters and their fiesta gone wrong.
Soft Freak Fiesta is a multiplayer game for the iPhone and iPod Touch where players can play head-to-head via Bluetooth or WiFi and immerse themselves in bumpy cartoony action for hours on end.
You won’t have to wait long for sneak peeks and more about the game, but all we can tell you at this point is that the game features a unique gameplay for the device, multiple races, multiple game modes, sleek graphics and fast-asleep zombies for extra fun.
We just published a small Avatar Customization client for Vikings of Thule - our upcoming online MMOG. This is a preview of what’s to come and allows people to experience how this particular part of Vikings of Thule might eventually look and feel.
The client does not represent final graphics and there are a lot of neat little touches, movements and “stuff” that we’ll want to add – but we want to publish little tests and milestones, like this one, to show people where we are currently at and what we are thinking.
We originally submitted the Avatar Customization Test to our Beta Testers group on Facebook, which instantly responded with positive and constructive feedback. That is exactly what we’re looking for! So please join our Beta Testers group to post your comments and share your thoughts - or submit them through the “Vikings of Thule” site.
Our friends at On the Rocks Productions (another Icelandic game developer) just announced a publishing deal with Freeverse that will see two promising titles hit the app store with full force later this year. The titles are side-scrolling action packed Thor and the highly anticipated action-adventure RPG Legion of Amon.
This is a good milestone for On the Rocks Productions and we want to congratulate them. This is also another indicator that the Icelandic gaming industry is indeed thriving and growing fast.
We’ve just launched the promotional site for Vikings of Thule. Check out the Teaser Video, head over to the promo site for screen shots and sign up as a Beta tester. The Beta will be available late summer / early fall and we’re counting on you to help us develop the coolest casual online mmog to date!
Our friends at On the Rocks Productions (another Icelandic game developer) 
