Master X Master

Master X Master
Developer(s) Studio MXM (NCSOFT)
Publisher(s) NCSOFT
Engine Gamebryo
Platform(s)

Genre(s) Multiplayer online battle arena
Mode(s) Multiplayer, cooperative, single-player

Master X Master (MXM) is an upcoming multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) video game developed and published by NCSOFT.

Gameplay

Typical map of a MOBA-genre game. Yellow lines are the "lanes" where action is focused; blue and red dots are the defensive "towers/turrets" that defend them; light-colored quarter circles are the teams' bases; and blue and red corners are the structures whose destruction claims victory.

MXM is a MOBA with third-person shooter characteristics.[1] Each player controls two playable characters known as "Masters".[1] There are 30 Masters as of January 2016.[2] Each has a unique ability and different styles of play.[1] The Masters are characters from previous NCSOFT-published games,[3] as well as new characters.[4] The player can switch between two Masters throughout the game, where the unused Master can regenerate its health.[3] There is a cooldown associated with switching, as well as death.[1] The player in MXM uses the WASD keys to control its character.[5] Each Master has four special abilities, with one ability a more-powerful move, and each of these abilities have a cooldown.[1] Using the mouse to aim, many of the game's abilities are based on projectiles, dodging, and skill shots.

The game provides player versus environment (PvE) missions, uncharacteristic to the genre,[5] as well as the characteristic player versus player game mode.[3] There are other game modes, such as team deathmatch and point control.[3] There are co-op options for both PvE and PvP.[6] NCSOFT planned to restrict gameplay on the large maps to the genre-standard two teams of five players, while smaller teams would have smaller maps, which would force player interaction.[1] Both large and small maps will have three lanes with which to attack the opposing team's base.[1] It is played in matches between two teams who each occupy their own base on the map. Defeating multiple enemies allows a team to summon a temporary super-creature called a Titan to their side.[1] To end a game, the team must either have the most points at the end of the timed match, or must reach a point threshold.[1]

The game has a science fiction setting.[3]

Development

NCSOFT was beta testing the game in South Korea in October 2014,[5] and is NCSOFT's first internally-developed MOBA.[7] Engadget did not know of a release or localization date at that time,[5] but also reported a month later that NCSOFT planned to release a mobile version of the game.[7]

The game is developed for cloud technology.[7]

In mid-2015, NCSOFT planned to release the game in a beta version globally in early 2016,[6] with a later full-release of the game the same year.[3] The game was still only in beta test in South Korea at the time.[3]

In January 2016, NCSOFT announced the game,[1] to launch for personal computer in the second half of 2016.[8] NCSOFT planned the launch for Europe and North America.[6] NCSOFT did not announce a pay model.[2]

In June 2016, NCSOFT provided free game keys for a brief alpha playtest on personal computer, which focused on PvP interactions and some PvE content. Both Polygon and VideoGamer cooperated with NCSOFT to provide keys to their readers.[9][4]

The game's design philosophy is based on team work.[1] NCSOFT said that the reason for the "long" deaths is to ensure players keep their teams in mind.[1] The PvE in the game is designed to teach players their heroes.[3] The matches are designed to last approximately ten minutes.[3]

free-to-play.

Reception

Pre-release

GameZone praised the aesthetics, saying that the palette adds to the game's setting.[1] The game was compared to Heroes of the Storm and Smite,[5] as well as Diablo and Van Helsing.[1] GameZone was surprised at the length of the time the player needed to wait before respawning.[1] GameZone called the two-Master aspect the most unique aspect of the game; the previewer thought the swapping "overwhelming" prior to playing but quickly adjusted, finding that the game was "surprisingly easier to grasp than other MOBA's".[8] He praised the level design, was overall "impressed",[8] and thought the game provided a good learning curve.[8]

IGN thought some of the characters were generic, but was impressed with the detail of the character design, and was expectant for future releases.[10] IGN also commented on the crowd of MOBAs with which MXM would need to compete.[10]

Engadget suggested "it might be different enough from its contemporaries to pique your interest."[5]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Boccher, Mike (January 27, 2016). "Preview: Hands-on with NCSOFT's new shooter Master X Master". GameZone. Archived from the original on September 17, 2016.
  2. 1 2 Chalk, Andy (January 27, 2016). "NCsoft announces Master X Master, a tag-team "action MOBA"". PCGamer. Archived from the original on March 1, 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Priestman, Chris (August 9, 2015). "NCSoft's MOBA Master X Master Will Get A Global Open Beta In 2016". Silconera. Archived from the original on September 17, 2016.
  4. 1 2 Staff (June 24, 2016). "Claim your free Alpha Key for NCSoft's Master X Master". VideoGamer. Archived from the original on September 17, 2016.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Lefebvre, Eliot (October 13, 2014). "A look at NCsoft's upcoming MOBA, Master X Master". Engadget. Archived from the original on September 17, 2016.
  6. 1 2 3 Priestman, Chris (January 30, 2016). "NCSoft's Confirms That Master X Master Is Launching In 2016". Silconera. Archived from the original on October 9, 2016.
  7. 1 2 3 Olivetti, Justin (November 11, 2014). "Master X Master MOBA getting a mobile version as well". Engadget. Archived from the original on September 18, 2016.
  8. 1 2 3 4 Boccher, Mike (January 27, 2016). "Preview: Hands-on with NCSOFT's new shooter Master X Master". GameZone. Archived from the original on September 27, 2016.
  9. ↑ Staff (June 23, 2016). "Master X Master Alpha Key Giveaway". Polygon. Archived from the original on September 17, 2016.
  10. 1 2 Fillari, Alessandro (January 27, 2016). "MXM: Master x Master First-Look PC Preview". IGN. Archived from the original on September 22, 2016.

External links

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