Microsoft Games Archive/Visuals/Video

Original Link (now dead) - http://www.microsoft.com/games/zone/asheronscall/video.htm

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Video

Time Lapse

Day and night are one way that players can perceive the flow of time in the game world. In a persistent world such as Dereth, the passage of time is something that needs to be tangible for a number of reasons. We have also created a calendar that tracks the passage of game time within the world. Simple things like being able to watch the sun set adds immensely to the game experience. Our ultimate goal is to create a game that draws players into its world so completely that they can forget that they are playing a game. Players will want to refer to battles won or friends lost. Because we've made the passage of time visible within the game, history can be recorded, further enriching the world of Asheron's Call.
(2.0 MB)
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Atlas of Dereth
The landscape of Asheron's Call is varied and beautiful. This video is an atlas of sorts, showing a multitude of environments both above and below ground. Every hilltop and valley, forest and castle is a place you can travel to on a continuous landscape covering hundreds of square miles. Travel from the orchards of Yaraq to the misty depths of the Black Death dungeon!
(4.8 MB)
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Character Creation
One of the strengths of Asheron's Call is the ability to create a completely unique persona from literally millions of visual combinations and character statistics. This video provides a whirlwind tour of the character creation process, showing players select a heritage group and sex, and then personalize their appearance using the "create-a-face" system, as well as controls for skin, eye, and hair colors, hairstyle, and a unique combination of clothing. You also get a peek at how players choose a profession for their character, then further customize their attributes and skills.
(4.4 MB)
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Combat Skills
Meet some of your opponents in Asheron's Call, up-close-and-personal. This video shows you the many ways that players can fight their foes, including hand-to-hand combat, swords and other melee weapons, archery and thrown weapons, and even spellcasting. Combat offers a rich, tactics-based experience, simulating the advantages and disadvantages of: combat position and posture; the height, power and accuracy of an attack; a piecemeal armor system and multiple damage types; stamina expenditure and replenishment as affected by a player's burden, and numerous combat skills and weapon statistics.
(4.4 MB)
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The Magic Arts
The arcane arts can be dangerous, but also terribly effective. Witness first hand as skilled sorcerors ply their craft. Acid Blasts and Force Bolts fly, and recuperative magics are applied to aid the wounded. In Asheron's Call, players can learn the formulae for spells by experimenting with individual spell components; this footage offers a tantalizing glimpse at some of these components. But beware, spells become less powerful as more people cast them, so keep your hard-earned arcane lore secret. Knowledge is (literally) power!
(3.9 MB)
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The Olthoi
Deep within a hive-like catacomb, a group of mighy adventurers face off with one of Dereth's most terrible denizens - the wicked Olthoi. Watch as these powerful adversaries do battle, and note the tactics that they employ. This is no simple hack-and-slash experience; cooperation and group coordination are essential. And don't forget the most important professions of all: the healer. Don't leave home without one.
(6.5 MB)
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Loot & Lifestones
A returning adventurer binds his spirit with a lifestone, then makes his way to the general store to sell his hard won loot. Lifestones are a sort of "save point" along your journey; if you perish during your adventure, you reappear at the lifestone you last bonded with. Also, take a close look at the vendor and inventory panels; simple drag-and-drop controls provide an intuitive and immersive interface.
(4.5 MB)
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Social Interaction
Watch as characters interact with each other in Asheron's Call. Triumphant victories, tragic loss, and touching moments unfold before you. With the 'emote' system, characters in Asheron's Call can attain a level of social interaction never before seen in a computer game. Over 60 different animations allow your character a wide range of expression. This, combined with the Allegiance and Fellowship features, facilitate a rich community that truly unlocks the social potential of the internet.
(4.2 MB)
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Battle at the Waterfall
At the top of a majestic waterfall, doughty warriors are attacked by a group of water golems. Notice the degree of camera control in this footage. An infinite number of camera angles allow you to get the best possible perspective on the action. Map views, and a compass that displays targets in your vicinity insure complete awareness of your surroundings. Whether you prefer first or third person perspectives, Asheron's Call has got you covered.
(4.0 MB)
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