The One About V3.0 Trailers & Interviews

So tomorrow's D-Day and I'll be waking up at 6am to go down to the office to get things coordinated. Good thing Kaioujin and Lorenza will be going down early with me too. Gosh, what would I do without their incredible support?!

I popped by the Creative Dept earlier and was relieved that the relevant V3.0 stuff such as the splash page and re-skinning of the website had already been prepared and ready for launch tomorrow. At least that's one thing off the checklist! :D

Here's the V3.0 trailer for your enjoyment!



And the Behind the Scenes interviews with some of the IMC folks (game developers of Granado Espada)

The One About IAHGames iCash Cards

The atmosphere in the office is getting really tense especially since 2 major milestones are happening on the same day tomorrow: the launch of EA Sports™ Fifa Online 2 Cash Shop and the launch of V3.0 The Zeia. This is the first expansion launch that we are cutting it this close to the edge, yet it is important that we launch it soon lest V3.3 gets delayed. As compared to V3.3, V3.0's content is not as substantial, thus V3.3 patch is the one we are really looking forward to.

If you haven't already done so, please download the full client from here. The manual patch, unfortunately, will only be arriving by the end of today. Yes! It is that close to the edge and we will really need all the support from you guys in helping to distribute it around to your friends.

In a roomful of sighs and this sense of foreboding that has descended on us, thankfully, meepoktah has been our pillar of strength and jokes and he tries to lighten the atmosphere. As you can see, I need to destress so I am here blogging. We all have our different outlets, as you can see...

Well anyway, I missed out the 3rd milestone - which is the launch of the IAHGames iCash Card. Currently, it is only available in Singapore, though it is likely to be expanded to the region soon. The top up guide and the finalized FAQ will be up on the web pretty soon, most likely tomorrow. Here's a sneak peek at what it looks like:


Meanwhile, a quick FAQ about what the IAHGames iCash Card is all about.

What is IAHGames iCash?

The new IAHGames iCash Card is a game value card that can be used across all the online games operated by IAHGames. Currently it supports both the award winning Granado Espada as well as the popular EA Sports FIFA Online 2.

How and where can it be used?

The IAHGames iCash card contains a set of game codes that that can entered online into the IAHGames Passport system. Simply scratch away the foil that covers the code on the card and enter the codes (Top-up Code: 15 digits number starting with “00” and Password: 6 digits number), you will be given a choice of which game to top up to. Follow the instructions on the screen and you will be getting your game value in 3 short steps.

Where can I purchase iCash cards from?

Currently, the IAHGames iCash card is only available in all 7-elevens in Singapore. It will be available soon in other game retail shops.

What are the various denominations available and how many C-Points or Gpoints will I be able to get for each denomination?

IAHGames iCash cards are available in S$5, S$10 and S$60 denominations. You can check the amount of game value you get from each type of card:


Can I still use Granado Espada GVCs to top up Gpoints?

Yes! The Granado Espada Game Value Cards (GVC) are still available for sales and can still be used for all top-ups to Granado Espada.

I have bought only one card but I would like to top up for two games. Can I split the value in any ratio I want?

Right now, the game codes on each IAHGames iCash Card can only be used to top up once into any ONE game. This method of topping up is being developed right now and we’ll inform the gamers when it’s ready.

There was an error when I topped up my game account. Where can I get help from?

Please submit a ticket under ‘General’ category over here , giving the details of your error and we will send a reply to your registered email address as soon as possible.

What are the reimbursement policies for IAHGames iCash? Will I be able to refund/exchange if I bought the wrong items or selected the wrong game to top up? Can I transfer some IAHGames iCash to my friend's account?

All IAHGames iCash Cards are considered used once the foil covering the Top-up codes and Password are removed either partially or in whole. There will not be any reimbursement or refund to all top-ups through the IAHGames Passport system. Please do note that all game value top-ups are NON-transferable and NON-refundable.

The One About The Fantazzztic Linksys Ads

The power of Elite Le Noirs and Constellation Weapons.

Within one day of posting those prizes up, the submissions for Fantazzztic Ads Awards came flooding in!

I was looking through some of the Blood Donation Week submissions (since it is the first theme to end) when something else caught my eye. The film submissions thread for Linksys Week.

I had been rather apprehensive and worried about the Linksys Week initially, since I thought that it might be difficult for people to come up with ad concepts using Granado Espada. I even considered that during the Linksys Week, I might give a couple of ideas or ad directions in my article for the web.

And then I watched this and ended up in tears...

...BECAUSE I WAS LAUGHING SO FRIGGIN HARD!!!

Kudos to exebolt Family (Rembrandt/Giovanni)! I guess my worries were uncalled for. Another of his Linksys Ads had a rather interesting concept and good execution as well:



The concept has a lot of potential, perhaps it might be made stronger by giving it a stronger branding such as,'Learn the Linksys Dance!' and giving some of the 'dance steps' some interesting names. But of course there is a delicate balance between overkill of words VS visual impact. Ads are ultimately, very subjective, since beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.

Nevertheless, exebolt's ingenious creativity and incredible sense of humor is just so WINrar. Never in my wildest imaginations would I be able to come up with such innovative ads for Linksys routers! I can't wait to see what other ads the rest of the community will produce for the Linksys Week, which IMO is THE most challenging week of them all.

The One About A Pleasant Distraction

Needless to say, it has been an absolutely dreadful month and an awful start to the New Year 2009. What with all the recent server disruptions and technical issues at all kinds of odd hours every 2 days, the entire team has become extremely discouraged and exhausted. More puzzling to us was... WHAT IS WITH ALL THIS BAD LUCK?! To the extent that Meepoktah even suggested that we go to our various temples and churches to pray over the weekend... @.@

Hopefully the Chinese New Year will bring in some peace and happiness - we're planning something like a Top 10 Best Selling Items to be on sale during this period with auspicious numbers ending with 888. Our dear Meepoktah a.k.a "King of All Things Auspicious & Superstitious", will be planning this project.

Meanwhile, the V3.0 client just came in 2 days ago and we have been feverishly testing it. Thankfully, bugs are pretty minor and if nothing major crops up, we should be on schedule to launch V3.0 The Zeia next Thursday. Even if there are delays, it isn't likely to be more than 1~2 weeks. Hmmm... but then again, with this dark cloud over us... maybe I should take back those words... (oh man, I am becoming so meepoktah)

Anyway, here's the tentative first week content launch schedule:
Thereafter, there will be patch updates every 2 weeks till we go into V3.3 in April'2009 (tentative schedule). These fortnightly patch updates are mostly cash item updates since most of the other content like the new maps and 2 RNPCs Selva and Nar will be released in the first week. Ania was supposed to be released in V3.0 but due to some fatal flaws in her character development, IMC has cancelled her recruitment till V3.3.

Despite the incredibly black mood that has descended, my day brightened overwhelmingly this evening when much to my surprise, a box of flowers with a pearl necklace was delivered anonymously to me in the IAHGames office!

Well, whoever you are, thank you for your lovely flowers. The beauty of the flowers coupled with the beauty of the thoughts and actions behind it are very much appreciated and treasured... :)

Hey wait a sec, I just noticed a card. What does it say?

"Dear Mistress, I look forward to my evenings with you."

EH!?!? Did I promise one of you an evening that I can't remember?!