Artix Entertainment
Artix Entertainment, LLC is a game development company that specializes in creating online browser-based computer role-playing games written for Adobe Flash. The company was founded by Adam Bohn (Artix) and Tony Deller (Galanoth), and is based in Land O' Lakes, Florida, in the United States.
The company received its first invitation to the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in 2006. As the company is not a public company, it offers no stock and has not yet released an Annual report. This status is not expected to change.
Games
Artix Entertainment develops a small range of games with storylines that are loosely based on each other. All of them have graphics vaguely reminiscent of anime and a fairly simple user interface. The company uses the fictional world of Lore (Land Of Rising Evil) as the setting for its RPGs.
Mini-games (EbilGames)
Every few months or so the AE team releases a Mini-game. The team is currently working on multiple mini-games. The previous site to find their mini games was Battleon Mini-Games but they recently released Ebilgames.com, which will be the primary Mini-games website. The games are Deady the Evil Teddy, Moglin Punter, Jimmy the eye, Valencia Surehunter, Robina's Monster Hunt, Monster Joust Madness, Ninja Shadow Power Assault, Firespawn, and Undead Assault. Other mini-games include AQ Poker Card Game, Battleon Invaders, Frogzard Racing but they are only available when Server Maintenance are on, they are not accessible through EbilGames.
AdventureQuest
Website Main Article: AdventureQuest
AdventureQuest (AQ) is a browser-based RPG featuring simple gameplay mechanics and turn-based battles. The basic game, coded in Adobe Flash, is free to play. To become a Guardian requires a one-time payment. Guardians have access to special quests and items that are not available to those who play for free. You can pay another 5 dollars to become a more special type of guardian, called a X-Guardian.
The primary in-game currency for AQ is gold; however, a special form of currency called Z-Tokens is required to purchase some items. Z-Tokens can be collected a few at a time as special drops from creatures defeated in battle, or a large amount of Z-Tokens can be purchased by players using real-world money.
The graphic style of AQ is closer to caricature than later game offerings from Artix Entertainment. The contrast between AQ and Dragon Fable (see below) is particularly noticeable; Dragon Fable's art is more detailed and less cartoonish, even though DragonFable is actually a prequel to AdventureQuest, taking place 5 years earlier. However, the timeline is split, so the events and style is different.
A list of the AQ Team can be found here: AQ Staff List
The Zardian
AE has started an online magazine called "The Zardian". The head of this paper is SMBdoll. There are some authors from the AE support site: http://forums2.battleon.com/f/. In order to write for this you must be 18 and send a PM or Email to SMBdoll. As of Issue 8, a new logo was introduced.
ArchKnight
Guardians have access to a game called ArchKnight, which was planned to be Artix Entertainment's next big game. Eventually, the plans for ArchKnight were cancelled, and the game was continued as (the new and improved) DragonFable. The only way to login now is by using your AdventureQuest username and password. You must be a Guardian in AdventureQuest to play.
DragonFable
Website Main Article: DragonFable
DragonFable (DF) is a free online browser-based single-player role playing game developed by Artix Entertainment. Created in July 2005, the game went into beta testing on November 21, and on June 9, 2006, the game was officially released. It is implemented in Adobe Flash(version 8+) and uses anime-style graphics, some of which are animated. It is a prequel to another Artix Entertainment game, AdventureQuest. The game is updated weekly, with the introduction of new quests and monsters. Because of the fact that it is the past of AdventureQuest, people wonder where some cities in Dragon Fable are in AdventureQuest.
Each free account may have up to three characters, while each Dragon Amulet account may have up to six. Until newly registered players respond to an activation e-mail, they are limited to one character regardless of Dragon Amulet status. The game allows players to engage in turn-based combat against monsters to accumulate experience points (known as EXP) and gold. Characters have a combat level, six stats to train, and a specific class. Players may use gold to purchase weapons and pets to aid them in combat. There are areas to explore, and special events such as holidays and wars, for players to meet new types of monsters and complete quests.
MechQuest
Website Main Article: MechQuest
Mechquest is a free brand new online browser-based single-player role playing game developed by Artix Entertainment. It was launched on October 1st (this will be the alpha and beta together making Gamma).Pre-registration is all ready open for people who want to get a low id number and registration is already available. Quote: "Heavily inspired by the art from of every mecha & giant robot series every created (and we are throwing in magic and laser swords just because) we will be putting a true "anything goes" build and battle "lunchbreak sized" game." This game was first announced on the Dragonfable design notes.
At the moment there is no plans for a upgade for players like the Adventure quests Guardians or Dragonfables Dragon Amulets however many people think there will be a upgrade for players released soon. However it has been confirmed that the upgrade for MQ is StarCaptain and the 'advanced currency' will be Nova Gems. If you are a Guardian or have a Dragon amulet on AQ or DF you can access a special shop during the Gamma phase containing the strongest weapons currently in-game, for a cost. this may change in the future.
Just to clear anything up, MechQuest is the renamed form of Assault Mecha -- Maxwell, animator for AdventureQuest.
MechQuest takes place 5,000 years before AdventureQuest, the timeline may be split, however.
MechQuest was released on the afternoon of October the 1st. However, it is expected that a lot of people will reach the maximum level before the day is over. When released, the max level was only 3, (it is currently 4,) and the chances of verifying an account- that is being a Guardian (AQ) or a Dragonlord (DF)- will be on the 2nd of October. Mechquest now verifies accounts by email.
ZardWars
ZardWars is a spin-off from AdventureQuest that contains the "classic" style of AdventureQuest, having all of the old graphics and such. The main monsters you can fight are 'Frogzards'. Frogzards are frog-like creatures with claws and are half your character's size. They also come in different colors and elements. Players are also able to have a pet Frogzard. It was originally created as a test bed for a new database structure. Players start out with a 'Long sword'. It is a similar-sized RPG, and players will find similar items as those in AdventureQuest, yet at a lower price. (ie: Golden Plate armor) In addition, a few staff-only items in Adventure Quest, the Rhublade and the fun but useless Powerword Whoops, may be bought in the Zardwars. ZardWars is only available to guardians in Adventure Quest.
Artix Entertainment Movie
Mentioned in the DragonFable Design Notes on March 28th 2007, Artix remained secretive about the topic, but did say this:
There are talks involving lawyers and the words "Artix, Video, Amazing, Major, Motion, Picture" and several very large words that I did not understand.... but geez, just imagine Galanoth, Aria, Warlic, Drakonnan, Akriloth, Robina, Sepulchure, Drakath, Zorbak, Pae, and all of the AdventureQuest and DragonFable characters on the big screen in the form of a wildly animated action movie.
The movie has now been released as Artix and the Undead.There are also rumours of the release of a new movie containing Galanoth slaying dragons. There has been no staff conformation of that. However on 10/23/2007 Artix made an announcement on the forums that they will release another short film titled "DFA" and this is what he had to say:
For those of you who enjoyed "Artix vs. the Undead" I am pleased to announce that we will be releasing a brand new short in November titled "DFA". This second short was created/drawn/animated by J6 and features music from Warlic for the release of MechQuest. There is a theater in MQ.... so if you guys are thinking what I am thinking... lets throw a in-game premiere party in November! I will get a date for you after we make it thought the MQ launch crazyness. (Maybe we can ask Ballyhoo to show it in AdventureQuest and DragonFable.)
AE Support Forum
The support forum is located at http://forums2.battleon.com.
Staff
ArchKnights: Normal members on the forum that are picked out to help the mods on certain boards.
Moderators: Members usually promoted from AKs who have moderating powers in all boards can ban members, add titles to members and much more.
Administrators: The head people. The only chance you have of becoming an admin is if another admin retires.
Forums
Artix Entertainment also has a forum based on ASP Playground. The forum contains many useful boards to help with the game as well as doing many different things. For instance, the encyclopedia contains information on every single item and quest in AdventureQuest and DragonFable. You can also find guides for most hard quests or how to get gold and Exp faster! Another thing is that the forums and the actual games lay apart from each other, meaning you can use another username/password for each game and the forums. If you just want to talk about everything that happens every day, or any random topic (that doesn't breaks the forum rules) you can go to the OOC Room which as, according to most, the best community of all the forums!
Member Groups
Debate Club: An exclusive group of members who have shown that they are mature enough to handle intelligent debates. Members in this group receive a 'Debate Club Member' title and increased PM inbox storage. Applications now being renewed
Advanced RPers: A group of members who have proved skill in Role Playing. They receive an 'Advanced RPer' title and increased PM inbox storage.
Ezine Staff: The people who write for the Zardian (18+ only) who get an "Ezine Author" title, custom avatar privileges and increased PM inbox storage.
Approved Authors: People who like to write in the "Legends and Lore" board. It includes regular writers as well as staff members.
Knights of Order: AQ's Balancing Team - staff members.
Squires of Order: These people help the Knights of Order in their duties.
Creative!: These members earn this title by being helpful and creative.
Helpful: Members earn this title by being helpful. It takes a long time, usually, to earn this title.
AE Staff and Heads of Boards
Here is a quick list of all the AE Forum and Game staff.
Developers
Artix (Adam Bohn) ~ Founder
Galanoth (Tony Deller) ~ AdventureQuest Creative Director, co-founder
Captain Rhubarb ~ Lead Programmer
Zhoom ~ Senior Programmer
Cysero ~ DragonFable Creative Director
Warlic(Evil Jimmy in MechQuest) ~ MechQuest Creative Director
Forum Administrators and Mods
Reens ~ Head Admin/Newbie Help Mod/Leader of the AKs
Seahawk ~ Name Changes/Head of OOC and Polls
Beleqwaya~ Head of RP/Avatar Submissions
Falerin~ Loremaster/Head of "Legends and Lore"
Vephoma ~ Head of Debate Club
Scakk~ Head of Character Ratings
Eagle88~ Head of UcAG
Pae~ Head of Clans/Clubs
Lady Tomo~ Head of Bans
External links
- Adam Bohn's Homepage
- AdventureQuest Homepage
- DragonFable Homepage
- ArchKnight Homepage
- ZardWars Homepage
- MechQuest Homepage
- AE Forums
- Ultimate AQ (Unofficial AQ fan Site)
- AQ Stats (Unofficial AQ fan Site)
- AdventureQuest Poker
- Battleon Invaders
- Frogzard Racing
- AE Minigames (EbilGames)
- Artix vs. The Undead Video