Yesterday, Netherlands-based publisher Daum Games released a trailer for Pearl Abyss’ Action-MMORPG, Black Desert Online, which showcased the second part of the game’s Valencia update. The update introduces an entire new desert-based zone for players to explore called Valencia.
Little word has been given on the content that will be included in the update, but it’s nice to see Black Desert Online’s gorgeous world unfolding before our very eyes. So far, this second Valencia update will include a new bounty hunting system in Valencia’s World PvP. It will also include a new Jail system, where players with bad karma ratings will be sent to a sulphur mining camp and will have to work their way to freedom. Many players are eager to see how the Jail system will be implemented, as XL Games introduced a similar system in their MMORPG ArchAge with mixed results.
Black Desert Online first launched in Korea in 2014. Overseas, it is perhaps best known for its incredibly intricate character creation system, as well as its emphasis on Player vs. Player combat. Black Desert deviates from most MMORPGs with its active combat system. While MMOs like World of Warcraft task players with queuing individual abilities on a hotbar, Black Desert’s combat more closely resembles that of an action game like Devil May Cry, with combos and setups that players can use to best monsters and other players in fights.
Black Desert Online is already available to play in Korea, Japan, and Russia as a free-to-play game, while an early 2016 release is slated for North American and European regions as buy-to play game. Daum Games released a closed beta for Black Desert earlier this month that ended yesterday, but we can likely expect to see more betas before the game’s release next year.