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Warhammer Online

Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning was a 3D fantasy MMORPG based on the popular franchise by Games Workshop. The game focused on a variety of large scale PvP scenarios between the two warring Order and Destruction factions.

Publisher: Electronic Arts
Type: Fantasy MMORPG
Release Date: September 18, 2008
Closure Date: December 18, 2013
Pros: +Smooth graphics and gameplay. +Large, detailed areas to explore. +Variety of faction/group PvP options.
Cons: -Classes feel too similar. -Required guild membership to fully enjoy. -Group PvP undervalued individual skill.

Overview

Warhammer Online Overview

Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning, or WAR for short, was Mythic Entertainment's second MMORPG. Like their breakout title Dark Age of Camelot, WAR centered on RvR (realm vs realm) PvP where players fought as a group against the opposing faction either in open world environments or in instanced battlegrounds. Unlike DAoC, Warhammer Online had only two factions: Order and Destruction. While each faction only has 3 race options, each of those races has access to a unique tank, support, ranged DPS, and melee DPS class for a total of 24 slightly different classes. Despite initial sales success, the game's monthly subscription fee caused many players to drop off soon after release. Warhammer Online was shut down 5 years after launch when the Warhammer license came up for renewal.

Order Races & Careers

Dwarfs - Ironbreaker, Slayer, Engineer, Rune Priest
Empire - Knight of the Blazing Sun, Witch Hunter, Bright Wizard, Warrior Priest
High Elves - Swordmaster, White Lion, Shadow Warrior, Archmage

Destruction Races & Careers

Greenskins - Black Orc, Choppa, Squig Herder, Shaman
Chaos - Chosen, Marauder, Magus, Zealot
Dark Elves - Black Guard, Witch Elf, Sorcerer, Disciple of Khaine

Warhammer Online Key Features

  • Realm vs Realm Combat - Multiple group PvP options including Skirmishes, Battlefields, Scenarios, and Campaigns.
  • The World of Warhammer - Explore the lore and lands of Game Workshop's fantasy world.
  • Social Collaboration - Improve skills faster by training near other players, perhaps make new friends in the process!
  • Multiple Cities to Explore - Explore four unique cities including the hardcore Dragon's Cove and the open ended Test Center

Warhammer Online Screenshots

Warhammer Online Featured Video

Warhammer Online - Official Cinematic Trailer

Videos

Warhammer Online Videos

Playlist: Warhammer Online (Shut Down)

Links

Warhammer Online Links

Warhammer Online Wikipedia Entry
Warhammer Online Wikia [Database/Guides]
Return of Reckoning [Private Server]

Music

Warhammer Online Music & Soundtrack

Additional Info

Warhammer Online Additional Information

Developer: Mythic Entertainment
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Engine: Gamebryo
Game Designers: Mark Jacobs, Paul Barnett, Jeff Hickman
Composer: Brad Derrick

Release Date: September 18, 2008
Closure Date: December 18, 2013

Apple OSX Client Release: July 30, 2009

Development History / Background:

The original version of Warhammer Online was under development by a studio called Climax Online, but was canceled by late 2004 due to lack of funds. Mythic Entertainment approached Games Workshop and secured the now freed up Warhammer MMORPG license on May 18, 2005. Before the deal was struck, Mythic Online was in the early stages of designing its second in-house MMORPG, Imperator Online. That project was scrapped to make way for Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning.

Warhammer Online initially launched to strong sales, with over 1.2 million copies sold as of September 30, 2008 (less than 2 weeks after launch.) Despite strong box and digital sales, Warhammer Online experienced perhaps the fastest fall in subscriber numbers and the most frantic round of server mergers. Within three months of launch the subscriber count had fallen to 300,000. On March 11, 2009 the number of servers were consolidated from 56 down to 13. Further mergers saw that number shrink to 9, then to 6, and finally to just 3 as of December 14, 2011. Warhammer Online was finally shut down on December 18, 2013 after Electronic Arts and Games Workshop failed to renew the Warhammer license.

Private Servers

Warhammer Online Private Servers

Warhammer Online has a functional and active private server known as Return of Reckoning. The Warhammer Online emulator project includes work by a developer known as Dyox and the War-Emu team. The Return of Reckoning team is currently well staffed and the server boasts hundreds of concurrent users at peak times.

Return of Reckoning