Ragnarok Online

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Ragnarok Online
Developer(s)	GRAVITY Co., Ltd.
Publisher(s)	GRAVITY Co., Ltd.
Engine	AEGIS and Granny 3D
Version	Episode 12.1 (NA)[1]
Platform(s)	Windows
Release date(s)	KO August 31, 2001 HK /TW October, 2002 JP December 1, 2002 TH March, 2003 CN May 20, 2003[2] NA June 1, 2003 PH September, 2003 ID October, 2003 IN April, 2004 SG /MY April, 2004 AU December, 2004 BR February, 2005 SP /CHIL April, 2006 FR June, 2007
Genre(s)	MMORPG
Mode(s)	Multiplayer
Rating(s)	GRB: 12+ aDeSe: +13 CERO: B (12+) ELSPA: 11+ ESRB: T (Teen) OFLC (AU): M15+ SELL: 12 USK: 6+
Media	Download/CD
System requirements	Intel Pentium 500 MHz equiv. CPU, 128MB RAM, Internet access, DirectX 8, 8MB graphics card, sound card, 1GB+ hard drive space
Input methods	Keyboard, mouse

Ragnarok Online (Korean: 라그나로크 온라인), often referred to as RO, is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game or MMORPG created by GRAVITY Co., Ltd. based on the manhwa Ragnarok by Lee Myung-jin. It was first released in South Korea on 31 August 2001 for Microsoft Windows and has since been released in many other locales around the world. Much of the game's mythos is based on Norse mythology, but its style has been influenced by Christianity and Asian cultures. The game has spawned an animated series, Ragnarok the Animation, and a sequel game, Ragnarok Online 2: The Gate of the World.

Contents 1 Setting 2 Job System 2.1 Swordsman 2.2 Acolyte 2.3 Mage 2.4 Thief 2.5 Merchant 2.6 Archer 3 Class progression 4 Player vs. Player (PvP) 5 War of Emperium 6 Audio 7 Ragnarok Mobile 8 Kafra Shop 9 F2P server 10 Private servers and emulation 11 See also 12 References 13 External links 13.1 Reviews

[edit] Setting

Ragnarok Online is divided into a series of maps, each of which has its own terrain and native monsters, though many monsters are native to multiple regions. Transportation between maps requires loading the new map and monsters cannot travel from one map to another.

There are three major nations in Ragnarok Online, the first of which and where all players start is Rune Midgard. The Schwaltzvalt Republic, an industrialized neighbor to the North, was added in Episode 10^[3] and Arunafeltz, a religious nation modeled after a combination of Israel and Turkey is the subject of Episode 11.^[4]

A series of other, minor nations also exists, generally modeled after an ancient society in the real world, examples such as Amatsu, which is modeled after ancient Japan,^[5] and Louyang, which is modeled after ancient China.^[6]

Areas from Norse mythology are also included, such as Niffleheim, the land of the dead, and Valhalla, where players can become Transcendent Classes. New map content is constantly being added to game in the form of Episode updates.

[edit] Job System

Jobs are one of the most important aspects of Ragnarok Online, as the job a player chooses will have profound implications on his or her strengths and weaknesses, both in a party and outside of one. The job system includes a total of 39 different jobs, divided into 6 categories: Novices, Super Novices, First Job Classes, Second Job Classes, Transcendent Classes and Extended Classes. First classes consist of six basic archetypes; Swordman, Magician, Archer, Acolyte, Merchant, and Thief. Each specializes in certain skills, and uses class-specific weapons and gears. The list of job classes are as follows:

Novice
Novice
Super Novice
	First class
	Swordman		Acolyte		Mage		Thief		Merchant		Archer		Taekwon Kid		Ninja	Gunslinger
	Second class
	Knight	Crusader	Priest	Monk	Wizard	Sage	Assassin	Rogue	Blacksmith	Alchemist	Hunter	Bard / Dancer	Star Gladiator (Taekwon Master)	Soul Linker
	Transcendent
	High Novice
	Transcendent first class
	High Swordman		High Acolyte		High Mage		High Thief		High Merchant		High Archer
	Transcendent second class
	Lord Knight	Paladin	High Priest	Champion	High Wizard	Professor (Scholar)	Assassin Cross	Stalker	Whitesmith (Mastersmith)	Creator (Biochemist)	Sniper	Clown / Gypsy
	Third classes[7]
	Rune Knight	Royal Guard	Archbishop	Sura	Warlock	Sorcerer	Guillotine Cross	Shadow Chaser	Mechanic	Genetic	Ranger	Minstrel / Wanderer

[edit] Swordsman

The Swordman class is the most basic melee class in Ragnarok Online. Specializing in one-handed or two-handed swords, the Swordman class functions best using its skills such as "Bash" to deal direct damage to enemies. Also, the Swordman class makes the best "tank" of the first class characters, with its "Increase HP Recovery" and "Provoke" skills which allow it to heal itself over time and to taunt an enemy to attack them. The Swordman class progresses into either Knight or Crusader.^[8]

[edit] Acolyte

The Acolyte class is the standard healing class in Ragnarok Online. It is the only of the first class characters with a healing spell. The Acolyte class also may buff itself or others with skills such as "Increase Agility," "Blessing," and "Angelus." Furthermore, the Acolyte class, through its "Divine Protection," "Demon Bane," and "Signum Crusis" skills functions as the anti-undead class. The Acolyte class progresses to either Priest or Monk.^[9]

[edit] Mage

The Mage class is the basic offensive spellcaster in Ragnarok Online. Specializing in elemental damage, the Mage deals damage to enemies by casting spells. The Mage class progresses into either Wizard or Sage.^[10]

[edit] Thief

The Thief class, like the Swordman class, is a melee range damage dealing class. However, unlike the Swordman, which uses its high defense to absorb attacks, the Thief class uses its skills to dodge enemy attacks. With the skill "Double Attack," the Thief class has a chance to strike twice with each attack whenever a dagger is equipped. The Thief class also may learn the ability to steal from enemies as well as go into a stealth-like state with the skill "Hiding." The Thief class progresses into either Assassin or Rogue.^[11]

[edit] Merchant

The Merchant class provides the backbone of the Ragnarok Online economy. Merchants may purchase a cart to carry additional items with them, as well as may open up street vendor shops with the "Vending" skill. The Merchant class also may purchase items from shops at a discounted rate, as well as may sell items to shops for higher prices, thanks to the "Discount" and "Overcharge" skills. Merchants also possess fighting skills, with the ability to take their cart into battle with the "Cart Revolution" skill, which deals additional damage if the cart is full of heavy items. The Merchant can progress into either Blacksmith or Alchemist.^[12]

[edit] Archer

The Archer, as its name suggests, specializes in attacking with a bow and arrow. Its skills allow the Archer to attack from further away, as well as to fire two arrows at once with the "Double Strafe" skill. The Archer skill "Improve Concentration" allows the Archer to temporarily increase its dexterity and agility stats as well as detect hidden enemies in a small area. The Archer class progresses into either Hunter or Bard for male characters and Dancer for female characters.^[13]

[edit] Class progression

All players start in the game's first class, the novice. Novices are, as their name implies, largely a tutorial class built for allowing new players to get the general feel of the game. Once reaching a level goal, players can change to one of six first classes, or choose one of the expanded classes, along with Super Novices. Upon reaching another level goal, first classes can then change into one of two second classes. Once the player reaches base level 99 and job level 50, they can elect to "rebirth" their character, and relevel as a transcendent class, which has more skills and a larger number of status points to work with, although the experience curve is much higher.

A player will change jobs multiple times over the course of playing, though the number of changes will be determined by choices made by the player.^[14]

[edit] Player vs. Player (PvP)

Player vs. Player in Ragnarok Online takes place on a series of maps identical to the game's major towns but devoid of all exits and non-player characters. Access to these maps is restricted to players level 31 and above and comes in two modes: Yoyo Mode and Nightmare Mode. The primary difference between the two modes concerns the penalties for dying; Yoyo Mode has no penalty for death, while Nightmare Mode has the experience point loss found in all non-PvP/town maps and the additional risk of the loss of a piece of equipment.^[15]

[edit] War of Emperium

Also known as the "Guild War," for two hours on any day of the week (depending on the server) an event called War of Emperium (commonly abbreviated "WoE") takes place. Guilds that have obtained the Seal of Approval skill may attempt to enter and gain control of a series of castles available in-game. On the fourth floor of each castle lies the Emperium; if a guild breaks another guild's Emperium, that guild gains control of the castle. If a guild can maintain control of a castle until the end of the War of Emperium it will retain control until the next War of Emperium and may gain a variety of benefits for victory, including access to special 'Guild Dungeons' if certain castles are controlled, which give the members of the holding guild a definite advantage in gaining experience and items.^[16] During War of Emperium hours, the castle maps are set in PvP mode and behave much the same as the standard PvP maps with a few exceptions, in particular the lack of damage indicators and a large decrease to the effectiveness of magic, skills, and ranged attacks. War of Emperium is the most popular feature of the game^[17] and most players participate in it at least once per week.^[18]

[edit] Audio

The background music of Ragnarok Online currently consists of over 100 individual tracks, composed, arranged, recorded and mixed by SoundTeMP and Hankook Recording Studio, with some tracks by NEOCYON and others. The game's music spans a wide variety of genres and musical styles, including trance, techno, jazz, rock, and orchestral. New tracks are added to the soundtrack as with every new area added to the game world.

"The memory of RAGNAROK" Ragnarok Online Original Sound Track is a best-of soundtrack album featuring background music in addition to remixes and vocal arrangements of certain pieces. The game's official theme song, "You & I," is also included. It was developed by SoundTeMP and released by Gravity in 2006. The album features vocal arrangements of certain pieces, performed by Lee Seung-Yeon, Lee Jeong-Hee and Seo Ji-Hae. The album's booklet features text in Korean, Chinese, English, and Japanese.^[19]

[edit] Ragnarok Mobile

Gravity Co. Ltd. released 8 separate games for the mobile phone allowing players to experience the game on the road. Each version focuses on the main aspect of the acolyte, thief, merchant, mage, archer, and swordsmen class based on the version of the game they have. Players are able to advance their characters using the attributes STR, AGI, VIT, LUK, INT, and DEX. Though not placed in the server, players control their character and complete a series of quests or tasks. As players earn zeny, (the in-game currency), they are able to send the zeny to their real accounts. Along with that, a ranking is present where characters are ranked by the amount of zeny the character has.^[20]

[edit] Kafra Shop

As Microtransactions have become an increasingly favored revenue stream over monthly subscriptions for online multiplayer games, the Kafra Shop (an Item Mall) was added to iRO (International Ragnarok Online) on June 19 2007. Users are able to purchase Kafra Credit Points with U.S. dollars as a currency for the special items limited to the Kafra Shop.

This service appears on most other localized servers of Ragnarok Online such as jRO (Japanese Ragnarok Online), idRO (Indonesian Ragnarok Online), pRO (Philippine Ragnarok Online) and kRO (Korean Ragnarok Online), using the currency of the respective countries for points instead of U.S. dollars, of course. In addition, upgraded forms of normal equipment can be rented using Kafra Points.^[21]

[edit] F2P server

There are official "Free To Play" servers where players can play Ragnarok Online free of charge, with a few differences in game play. Major differences are the limited use of the Kafra Teleport service, upgrading weapons and armor never have a "safe zone" in which you cannot break the Weapon/Armor, items have had their costs changed or been removed entirely from the game, the Acolyte skill Teleport has been modified, and prices on certain NPC items received a moderate increase. Changes vary from server to server.

The use of free servers has resulted in a higher reliance on the Kafra Shop item mall for revenue stream. Many localized versions of Ragnarok Online have implemented free servers during 2007-2008.^[22]

There are also numerous free and illegal servers which have altered the game so drastically that it is hardly recognizable with things like new gears, levels, and clothing/hair dyes and styles. Though mostly considered "free to play", many of these free servers rely on donations for items only obtainable through donations. Since this offers a huge advantage to those who donate over those who dont, most players are compelled to pay for items. Though many servers have most items available with out paying for them.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Private servers and emulation

This section is missing citations or needs footnotes. Please help add inline citations to guard against copyright violations and factual inaccuracies. (September 2008)

Ragnarok Online's official server software is called Aegis, which is used by iRO, kRO, euRO, phRO, bRO and other local versions. Several server emulators have been developed for use in hosting private servers. Regardless of the legalities, many private servers are active today, and it is debatable whether or not their existence has created a loss of revenue for legitimate official servers. With many official servers changing over to a Free-to-Play with cash shop revenue model, their future viability is called into question. Although many private servers have no donate-for-advantage models, some players feel more secure in the environment. Server emulation follows the development of the Korean version, thus they often contain more recent updates than other local versions, although quality is often far below that of the official servers.

One of the main differences between official and private servers is that the rates are often modified in private servers to make it faster for the players to level, or to obtain specific items. Sometimes private servers also modify original content, add new items, and implement a donation system to make money out of these custom items. There are servers that implement a new job by deleting an original job (e.g. Padawan, Jedi). Adding or deleting maps is also very common in private servers, as well as relocating NPCs (Non-Player Characters) to a common area. In addition, there are some private servers that try to imitate official servers by staying as true as possible to the original game.

While the legality of private servers may be debated, it is against the Ragnarok Online EULA to be a founder or owner of a Private server (commonly referred to as a "p.server"). On the iRO (International Ragnarok Online) game policy page of their website it is listed as a felony, and if the owner/founder is currently a member of the iRO community and playing on a Pay to Play server (or P2P), it will result in their ID being deleted.[1]

Two of the Ragnarok Online private server emulators include eAthena and Aurora.

[edit] See also

• Ragnarok, a Manhwa that served as basis for the game
• Ragnarok The Animation, an Anime based on the game
• Gravity Corp.
• Ragnarok Online 2, a sequel to the game
• Ragnarok Battle Offline, a doujin brawler
• Ragnarök Online DS, a Nintendo DS game based on the MMORPG

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Ragnarok Online Official Site

[edit] Reviews

• Ragnarok Online at GameFAQs
• Ragnarok Online at Metacritic
• Ragnarok Online at MMOHub
• Ragnarok Online at MobyGames