The One About Premium Toolboxes

Edited Post: Release date of toolboxes changed to 4 Feb 2008. Removed repeat of "Recipe - Elite Bracelet of Sylphide" and replaced it with "Hilt of an Ancient Sword". Release of Tierra De Los Muertos has been shifted to 21 Feb 2008.

Originally we had planned to release Tierra De Los Muertos on 31 January 2008 but a large bulk of the community would have difficulty taking on this map since Tierra De Los Muertos' mobs have an AR/DR which ranges from 50~55.

In light of this, IMC proposed to us 3 boxes they were developing. These boxes would drop random elite recipes and ingredients, much like Andre costume type boxes.

Tentatively, these boxes are scheduled to be released on 4 February 2008, while Tierra De Los Muertos is scheduled to be released on 21 February 2008, alongside the Baron RNPCs - Kurt Lyndon & Edward Jameson and Premium item releases - Los Toldos Package, Otite perfume & Wheel of Destiny.

Enjoy a sneak preview of the contents that could potentially drop from these boxes:

1) Weapon Toolbox

Content Qty

Recipe - Elite Arondight	1
Recipe - Elite Finisher	1
Recipe - Elite Calabrone	1
Recipe - Elite Bracelet of Sylphide	1
Recipe - Elite Mystic Knife	1
Recipe - Elite Mantis Rod	1
Recipe - Spear of Jiz	1
Hilt of an Ancient Sword	1
Enchantment Chip Level 40	3
Enchantment Chip Level 84	1
Enchantment Chip Level 88	1
High Quality Wood	8
Piece of Sapphire	3
Piece of Emerald	3
Piece of Ruby	3
Red Jewel Fragment	3
Composite Steel	30
Solvent	5

1 Weapon Toolboxes : 900 GPoints

10 Weapon Toolboxes : 8000 GPoints

2) Armorsmith Toolbox

Content Qty

Recipe - Elite Plate Mail	1
Recipe - Elite Robe of Neptune	1
Recipe - Elite Striform	1
Recipe - Elite Studded-leather Armor	1
Recipe - Elite Robe of the Yeti	1
Recipe - Elite Robe of the Salamander	1
Recipe - Elite Chain Mail	1
Enchantment Chip Level 40	3
Enchantment Chip Level 84	1
Piece of Sapphire	3
Piece of Emerald	3
Piece of Ruby	3
Red Jewel Fragment	3
High Quality Cloth	10
Red Dye	1
Blue Dye	1
Yellow Dye	1
Mustard Dye	1

1 Armorsmith Toolbox: 900 GPoints

10 Armorsmith Toolboxes : 8000 GPoints

3) Craftsman Toolbox

Content Qty

High Quality Wood	10
Composite Steel	30
Soft Leather	10
High Quality Cloth	10
Recipe - High Quality Emerald	1
Recipe - High Quality Sapphire	1
Recipe - High Quality Ruby	1
High Quality Emerald	1
High Quality Sapphire	1
High Quality Ruby	1
Mega Ionium	5
Mega Aidanium	5
Mega Etretanium	5
Piece of Sapphire	3
Piece of Emeral	3
Piece of Ruby	3
Solvent	5
Mana Stone	5

1 Craftsman Toolbox: 700 GPoints

10 Craftsman Toolboxes : 5000 GPoints

*Disclaimer: The above information is accurate at this point in time, though it may be subject to changes.

The One About Rewind Mode

Was clearing out some of my old December 2007 emails and came across an email that one of the GE community, vonUtteresk Family of Cervantes, sent to me. It was regarding the EOY 2007 cosplay. He had caught sight of some Granado Espada cosplayer and sent me some of the photos he had taken. I must say a lot of effort went into the details of the costumes!

And of course, what would life be like without Catherine the Summoner:

Photo Source: http://s172.photobucket.com/albums/w35/vonUtteresk

As I was browsing his online album, I caught sight of an article he posted up on the forums last year in December which I thought was very endearing - Capybaras in the zoo! For the non forumers, enjoy:

So now we know that if we do not take care of the environment - years down the road, Capybaras will back with a vengeance:

And now, for the last rewind moment of the day - last year we produced some Granado Espada Chinese New Year Red Packets (Ang Paos) that was exclusive only to the internal staff of IAHGames:


This year, we decided we will give some of these away for a contest. Details will be out tomorrow!

P/S Tierra De Los Muertos has been postponed to 21 February 2008, Thursday instead. I'll explain why in a few days' time, once other details have been more firmed up.

The One About Chinese New Year & Valentines Day

It's that busy time of the year again where Christmas leads to New Year which leads to Chinese New Year and Valentines Day. There's been so much to plan for and lots of events in the lineup. To make matters worse, my personal assistant (otherwise known within the office as "GE Guru" or "The living, walking, breathing GE Wikipedia") just left in order to pursue other things in life, which left me in an relatively foul mood.

With 3 magazine articles due for submission today (amidst other project deadlines) and having not even started typing a single word, it came as no surprise to find myself waking up, stressed to the core at 4am, unable to continue sleeping and in the office at 6+ am to try to get some peace and quiet to start work before other distractions and interruptions came into play.

They always say that blogging is a form of escapism.

I concur.

Well, in any case, it helps me to de-stress and serves as a pleasant distraction from unpleasant deadlines.

So, here's me in escapism mode, bringing you teasers for a few of the Chinese New Year and Valentines Day Events that are upcoming!

First off, say 'Hello' to a new 'friend' who will be coming to Granado Espada to celebrate Chinese New Year with us:
You got that right. We are most likely going to have an early server maintenance on 4 February 2008, Monday, in order not to conflict with the Chinese New Year holidays and Feng Ling has given word that she will be gracing us with her presence!

Then of course, with every festive occasion is the IAHGames trademark Ecards! Here's the Chinese New Year Ecard featuring who-else-but-FengLing:


Likely there will be 2 Chinese New Year in-game events: one which is system generated (like the Christmas Event) and one which is [GM]-run. We are still awaiting approval from IMC regarding the system-generated event, thus I can't confirm it right now. But the [GM]-run will most prolly take place on 9 February 2008, Saturday.

On a side note, official elections are likely to be postponed to the beginning of March instead due to the system still being heavily bugged. Official announcements would be out at a later time.

Next up, Valentines Day Ecards! For the happy couples out there:

For those who miss that special someone:

And lastly for the friends who have been there for you through thick and thin:

And new costumes for "Valentines Day Dress Up Week"!

We had originally planned to open up Tierra De Los Muertos (Land of the Dead) during the first week of February but due to the inauspicious implications it had to be opened during Chinese New Year, the opening of Tierra De Los Muertos has been postponed. From what I understand, it is scheduled to be opened on *21 February 2008, Thursday, instead. At the same time, Otite Perfume, Wheel of Destiny and Los Toldos Package.

Los Toldos Package consists of:

1 Wheel of Destiny (1 day)

1 Otite perfume

90 Mystery powder

1 Ancient Territory Pass (1 day)

10 Soul Crystal

10 Triumph Filler

Cost of Los Toldos Package: 22,000 G-Points

Cost of Wheel of Destiny: 1,100 G-Points

Cost of Otite Perfume: 1,100 G-Points

Sigh. Ok. Escapism time has come to an end.

Now I just gotta generate some serious mojo for 3 inspiring 1,200 worded magazine articles.

THE TIME IS NOW!!!

Disclaimer: Above events might be subject to change.

*EDITED on 17 Jan 2008. Thursday: Tierra De Los Muertos and the item mall releases hasve been postponed to 21 February 2008, Thursday instead

The One About Christmas Recollection

I've procrastinated blogging this entry for a bit since I haven't had the inspiration to blog a really good entry. But I figured that if I procrastinated any further, it might come out only by next Christmas 2008.

... Recollections.

Finally had some free time to play Granado Espada intensively for 2 days over the Christmas break. I had been stuck at 8X forever on Cervantes. And so I was very happy to finally get my chracters up to veteran at 3am on Boxing Day! What made the experience even more pleasurable was that I was visiting WrathOfGod faction who were some of the most fun people I have ever hung out with in GE. Amidst the jokes and laughter, I was able to feel like an ordinary player once more. A feeling I haven't had in a long, long while, ever since Closed Beta Testing.

a) Squad Chat

It was such a wonderful feeling. Squadding up with some of them to train. I had the most interesting conversation with Sandman, a medical student in university (NUS), who taught me how to estimate your future child's height:

1. Girls are always disadvantaged by 13cm. So if you are female, add 13cm to your height.

2. Future height of child = (Height. of spouse + your height) / 2


So well... if it turns out to be totally off the mark, then Mr. Sandman is a scammer. ;p

b) Random 'Q&A Sessions'

Bumped into random people and had some of the most amusing 'Q&A' sessions.

Knightingale: hi hrin, is that really you?
Hrin: hi~ yep.
Knightingale: I was wondering... do you use Hrin potions?
Hrin: Ya sometimes. why?
Knightingale: ...coz tt's just weird lol
Hrin: lol
Knightingale: it gives hrin's buff!
Knightingale: you should buff yourself!

... I don't know how to respond to that.

c) Raid Bosses

I even had time to raid a boss! Although I couldn't help very much except to play the role of Florence Nightingale.


d) Colony War

Didn't take any screenshots since it was a quiet colony war (just before the wipe) but you can read more about it on Ninemoon's blog.

I received something called '5 raid points' for attending this war! LOL! Unfortunately, there were no items up for grabs at the cost of 5 raid points. :(

Well, maybe just a Hrin's potion?

e) Raid Point System

Speaking of raid point system (which probably many of you already have in place), WoG has a pretty good and fair system on how they allocate points to members for each colony war and raid attended. What I liked was the transparency it had where everyone could see everyone else's points. One of the most common problems I often hear about is that faction leader would give loots only to those he/she was closest to.

Another aspect I really liked about WoG Raid Point System was that, at the end of the day, the members actually get to keep the Elite drops for themselves by using their points to bid for items. There is another school of thought that all drops belong to the faction and the faction loans them out to members who need these equipment.

I'll probably speak to alkayel again to ask him for permission to publish their raid point system on the website to open up for discussion. It would be interesting to see how other factions' raid point systems are as well!

f) Surprise Christmas Pressie from WoG

Of all the Christmas pressies I received in 2007, this has to be my all-time fave Christmas present. A Le Blanc for my elementalist. I was really moved because it was so unexpected. This faction had never asked or demanded anything from me and was always extremely protective of me during my stay there. They were constantly gently reminding others not to keep asking me questions or demanding for things since the only time I get to play GE was in my free time and ensured that I had peace. Which was really sweet. Don't get me wrong. I do enjoy talking to players and answering their questions etc. But their protectiveness of me was just so heartfelt and sincere that I was so incredibly moved.


Many thanks WoG, for your warm hospitality and kindness during my stay there, for the gorgeous Le Blanc and most importantly, for bestowing upon me a long-lost feeling. :)

Although my stay with them is over, but my friendship will always be with them. :)

(Meanwhile, I'm currently in Pachelbel, visiting Osiris Faction.)