New Launcher Backgrounds; Sneak Peek or Not?

Today, the Wizard101 Launcher got revamped with NEW Aquilan like background and new character that we have not even seen in Pirate101. What does this mean? Is this a just a ploy for people to get excited about Pirate101? Or is a new world coming? Is this a clue that we will see Aquila in Wizard101? But really? Aquila? What about Empyrea? That sounds even more possible.

The background banner above is from the Wizard101 TEST REALM launcher. This definitely shows that something new is coming our way!

The Character Pictures below is on the live Wizard101 Game Launcher.

Some of the characters are gods from Pirate101. 

Ares - God of War

Hephaestus - God of Fire, Metalworking, Weapon Making

Athena - Goddess of Wisdom

Hades - God of Death

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Then new characters we have not even seen in Pirate101

This one is my favorite character. He looks AWESOME!

Someone remarked that he could be Neptune, the god of sea. Interesting idea!

We do have male centaurs in Pirate101, but not female. This is quite interesting!

So I'm thinking that it is probably a new area or world we will see. I feel that the storyline might will be more about the gods in Empyrea, which probably will be an area of Aquila. I really do not believe that Wizard101 would bring out Aquila in Wizard101 especially when Pirate101 had such a LARGE Aquilan world released already. But Empyrea, probably. I just wonder if it's small side world like Wysteria or a large main world like Azteca. That's the question isn't it? Azteca was released 6 months ago. I got a feeling that it's going to be a small side world. 

I bet Morganthe wants to steal something special of the Greek Gods to be able to be more powerful. Like Johnny said, she still needs her Celestial Choir. So of course they get mad and summon us for help. I mean it's predictable.. I mean SHE is predictable. But then, I wonder she's also working with Ares and Hades? Ares loves fighting and wars while Hades is the god of death and rules Tartarus which is the place where the greek dead to pass on to. We're wizards so we are able to deal with the magic of the gods than pirates can. It makes sense if we are the ones who can come directly into their presence and go to special places that Pirates cannot.

But then it could be entirely separate from the Morganthe storyline. We might see what the gods have in store for us. Also remember, we got 10 more levels to go. So.. Once we hit 100 levels, will the gods give us something new like new spells, new badges, new honor? That's actually pretty exciting to think about! That would be an amazing way to celebrate being Level 100!

And someone mentioned Atlantis being also another world in addition to Empyrea which makes sense. After all the Sea Horse character looks like a sea creature. So are we expecting TWO new worlds like with Pirate101?

My Prediction is a brand new world called Empyrea which will be a part of Aquila.

What do you think?

PS: Don't forget to check out Cret92 aka Merciless Morgrim's trend on #P101 Gods/Goddesses. It's a great reference for the new launcher backgrounds.
http://pirate101.centralforums.com/forums/showthread.php?33784-The-Olympians

The Magic Within You

Don't forget the magic within you,

let it flow, let it grow,

twist a spell or two,

let your aim be true.

Watch the rise and the fall,

our history telling its own story,

the shadow and the light,

all of the wrongs and rights.

Let your heart guide you,

don't let others lead you astray,

to your destiny you will go,

let your dreams come true today.

Don't forget the magic within you,

let it flow, let it grow,

twist a spell or two,

let your aim be true.

-Kelsey Fireheart

Exclusive Pirate101 Concept Art: The Scylla

As everyone knows, we all are very interested in concept art, especially unreleased pictures. So I asked One Eyed Jack if I could kindly have a couple that were not released yet. And in response, he sent me a few concept art pictures. Thank you One Eyed Jack! I hope that this trend continues, so I can show you all the wonderful, special work that the amazing Pirate101 team have created.

I will release the other one next week. But for this week, here's the Scylla. 

(Click On The Photo To Enlarge It)

Concept Art means a painting of an area or monster or whatever is needed to create the area before even thinking about setting it up in-game. It's to help the designers find the right look for the game.

Now you notice that the Scylla is breaking out of some huge coral, rock, or some thing. It does have four heads, but has more limbs to the main body. So is the Scylla a type of monster that likes to hide and then break out to attack? Notice it's wide mouth in the middle chomping at the bit to gobble you up.

But in-game, the look is so different. The scylla has no other limbs, just the four heads and definitely no giant mouth looking to grab you aggressively. Instead, the mouth is more concealed and quieter. The heads are the major players here. Also it is nestled in some green vine plant thing. Not some weird white rock coral or whatever it is. It's also not camped in such an open area in the concept art. It's above a rolling lightning sea as well that doesn't exist in-game. Maybe it's just a ship power. Who knows?

Come to think of it.. a rolling lightning sea would be awesome to sail across. :O Also, I know that you guys also noticed the Kraken on the left side of my in-game photo. What if we had to fight him later on like we did the Scylla? He does look like he's inside of a wormhole.. or a stormgate! I bet that he's guarding a very special stormgate we might need to access to another area in the future.. Interesting thought, eh?

PvP Tourneys vs Packs

So, I was chatting with a friend about the pros and cons of Tourneys. So I decided to compare the costs and the worth of the tourneys as well as packs.

The Arena Tickets

So there's 16th places and right in the middle is 8th which has 450 arena tickets. That's going to be our average. 

4 matches a day on the average. Sometimes there's an extra match or two. But 4 matches a day will be our average since there's never less than 4 matches at least a day. Okay, so 499 Crowns per match times 4 matches a day which adds up to 2000 crowns approx on the average per day. 

I placed 4th and got 750 arena tickets!

On the average, you could have approx 450 tickets per match. So 4 matches times 450 tickets equals to 1800 tickets a DAY. If you wanted the most expensive mount which is 10,000 tickets. It would take you 5 days straight at least of doing 4 matches a day while winning approx 450 tickets at least.

PvP Arena Tickets In Crowns Value

5 days, approx 4 match each. that's 20 matches. 20 matches times 499 crowns... That would cost approximately 9980 crowns total. That means that you're guaranteed a mount for almost 10k crowns approximately. It also depends on how well or badly you do that decreases or increases the costs. But the average is 10k crowns which is pretty good. That's almost like every 1,000 crowns, you also get 1,000 arena tickets.

This mount costs 10,000 Arena Tickets

Looking in the crown shop, the most expensive mount would be on par with the Royal Lioness, Blue Dragon, Dragon Filly. It's SLIGHTLY more expensive than the Owl, but much less cheaper than either one of the Pegasus.

So what about Packs?

Packs are so much more unpredictable. You could spend 399 crowns and get one from a single pack. But then you could spend 20,000 crowns and not get one. Methinks that tourneys are the best method to use if you want a mount, a pet, maybe a snazzy new look or whatever.

Me is the Broke

My Hope For The Future

Now my hope is that even when everyone has what they want from the tourneys that Wizard101 will continue to add new items to the vendors. This will encourage us to keep playing tourneys and give us a goal to work towards to. And hey, it's nice knowing that you're guaranteed items that you can work towards to get. Otherwise, tourneys'll get old quick and less people will play it.

What Halson Wrote In His Book

On Twitter, Wizard101 said, "have you ever wondered what Halston is writing in this book? Take a look..."

If you can't read it, here is what it says:

"Real wizards will tell you the tales of their adventures. Some may twist the truth of these tales to keep great attention, but do not sell the lessons in those stories short. There will always be more to the story than we will see on the surface.

Dragons to Griffons all have tales of their fate. The greatest powers in magic come from these creatures and the lands that they make their homes. Study these creatures and the elements in the homelands to unlock the very secrets of the magic .. practice? ... day here in Wizard City.

I hope that by the end of this book that not only will you be able to do the spells but to understand the underlying magic that gives these spells life.

To memorize motions and words is one thing. To truly advance, you must  ... the ... and why of what you are attempting.

Just remember that you are ultimately responsible for every spell you cast. Both good and bad. In wizard land, there are no accidents. So be very careful when attempting new spells. Concentrate on your end goal and all will be as it should."

If you can help me fill in the words, that'd be lovely. Trying to read this gave me a headache LOL.

New PvP Pets in Pet Pavilion!

Visit the froggy in Pet Pavilion for new pets you can buy with tickets!

Be flashy walking around with a beautiful flamingo pet by your side

or a semi rotten yet beautiful death unicorns.

I wonder what talents they do have..... 

3-D Building Concept Art: Brandon Stoker And More

BRANDON STOKER

I was cruising across the internet and saw this. I was so intrigued by it! I saw 3-D models of the Pirate101 logo and the Storm Lord, so I visited the site. WOW!

3-D Model of the Pirate101 Logo. WOOT WOOT!

I'm so scared. He looks angry.

Ooh dragons! They rawk! RAWRRRR!

Final look of the Wizard101 logo. Looks amazing!

3-D Wizard101 Logo. So that's how it begins? Awesome!

Does this look familiar? This looks like the machine that destroys islands in Valencia.

Aquila robes?

Normally I would post just a couple picture and refer you to his site to see the rest of them. However, there was a few pictures there that were inappropriate for children. I was not comfortable with sending kids to a site that showed inappropriate pictures. So I posted what was game relatable and important for those who are too young to visit that site. Again, please be warned, I am not responsible if you see something there that makes you uncomfortable.

Credit goes to: http://brandonstoker.com/gray-shaded-wireframes

If you are an adult, you can view more of his pictures at:

http://brandonstoker.com/gray-shaded-wireframes

LOREN ASHLEIGH

I saw this picture of the Water Mole Ships from Loren Ashleigh.

http://lorenashleigh.wordpress.com/2012/11/13/concepts/

I realized.. HEYYYY I want a Water Mole Ship :O!

That's my new dream now. MHM!

JACOB WILLIAMS

Then I just couldn't stop googling. I kept seeing wonderful pictures. Then I found Jacob Williams' site.

Here are a few samples of his work.

All credit goes to: http://jacobcw3d.wordpress.com/

Please do visit his site because here's a LOT more pictures at his site.

He creates really beautiful work!

ARTURO PULECIO

Also this guy designs a lot of our clothes in Wizard101. I am stunned. He did all of that? WOW.

Like I said, dragons FTW!

There's TONS more pictures at: http://www.arturopulecio.com/#!wizard101/c14hj

All credits go to http://www.arturopulecio.com/#!wizard101/c14hj

Ship Showcase - The Ship of Raventhorn

So imagine my surprise when Cody suddenly said he was going to build a ship.. in Wizard101

in the spirit of Pirate101!

Yes he even made the pier. Those lanterns were my idea btw. Hehe! And then poof!

Here I am on the ship. We chatted about the sails. I remarked that he should've used the kimono shirts. He said he thought of it. And we both laughed because honestly? Sails made out of shirts? Too funny. It'd look very strange up there. Notice the pews he used so we can sit around and enjoy the view. We need seatbelts though. I mean I do like to speed around... :P

So love those lanterns and say, what's back there? Let's go check.

Ooh cannons! Good defense there.

Ah yes here we are. That looks interesting. Let's check it out!

Ooh there's stairs downstairs? 

Ahhh bottom floor! All of those wardrobes looks so good in here. I can imagine them to be cubby holes for the crew to sleep in. Awesome! All we need is a pillow, a blanket.. and a mattress :P

Waiiiiit, what's that red transport? Let's go through it.. *poofs*

Whoa, we're up on the very top floor, apparently it's the Captain's Lounge floor. We can look around and enjoy the view... of the Unicorn and the entire ship of course! And yes that's an pvp arena kiosk. Don't ask me, ask him. He's really into PvP. So figures he has a kiosk for it everywhere LOL.

Hope you enjoy the tour of the Raventhorn ship. I hope you build your own ship and show it to all of us. Am curious how yours turned out!