The Artix Pop Culture Contest has ended—and now begins the judging! Head to the Pop Culture Contest Album on the AdventureQuest Worlds Facebook page and Like your favorite entries up until Sunday, March 3rd, at 11:59pm EST.
Nearly 200 approved entries are in the Pop Culture Contest Album… but there can be only ONE Grand Prize Winner! Runner-ups will also receive additional prizes!
After all the Likes have been counted, we will announce the Pop Culture Contest winners on Tuesday, March 5th. So start Liking your favorite entries today—and tell your friends to Like your favorites, too (especially if your entry is in the Pop Culture Contest Album)!
Make Artix Entertainment-themed Pop Culture artwork! Draw, paint, or illustrate your favorite Artix characters in popular scenes from pop culture. Take your favorite meme, movie poster, TV character, or whatever and transform it into a hilarious parody Artix style!
Quest Requirements
Design must be inspired by a popular Pop Culture reference AND any Artix Entertainment Game (AdventureQuest, MechQuest, DragonFable, AQW, EpicDuel, HeroSmash, OverSoul, BladeHaven, Fat Panda, or Pony vs Pony)
You may use any form of media for your design (Pencil, Flash, cake mix, etc)
All artwork must be original and use Artix Entertainment characters. You can include other Pop Culture characters too, but the more AE-focused it is, the better your chance at winning!
Post a valid link to your picture in the Comments section below.
Only ONE Pop Culture artwork submission will be judged per AQW Character.
Your entry MUST include your AQW Character Name. How else are we ganna award you if you win?
Your entry MUST include what pop culture reference you are referring to.
You will be automatically disqualified if you do not follow all the rules.
We have the right to remove any entry that is unacceptable or inappropriate—so keep your entry safe for everyone to enjoy!
And, most importantly, have FUN!
Quest Rewards
Here’s your chance at wining something EPIC! The Pop Culture Contest prize will be based on the wining entry. An exclusive item JUST FOR YOU will be crafted based around the Pop Culture universe that you use. The prize will be just as unique as your entry! Additional AdventureCoin prizes will be awarded to the runner-ups.
Submissions to the Pop Culture Contest will be accepted until Sunday, February 24, 2013, at 11:59pm EST. Post a valid link to your picture in the Comments section below.
** Special Note **
Applicable entries previously received have been added to the Artix Pop Culture Contest Album on Facebook. We have taken note of how many votes each entry has received, which will be applied to the final tally once the contest ends on Sunday, February 24 at 11:59pm EST. This way it’s fair for everyone!! =D
Good luck, and may the most Popular Pop Culture entry win!
Here’s your chance at wining something as EPIC as you are! Pit your creative talent and amazing drawing skills against mainstream memes, cultural icons, ideas, jokes, perspectives, images, and media, all in Artix Entertainment style. Read more for full contest details, rules, and rewards!
OverSoul has been OverSaturated with new characters! Can you defeat and possess the LoveWeaver, Orc Peon, Orc Warrior, Orc Axeman, Orc Beserker, and 2 other mysterious fiends? In addition to new characters, Boss power has been adjusted, there is an Orc Fort Background, and Taurus that will be ranked up has a new skin!
Face an undead General as it leads an attack from atop a monstrous black dragon in the all-new Battle Tutorial. Up for a bigger challenge? Pounce upon the Hittin' the DoomKitten challenge fight, the nearly unbeatable furry fiend from DragonFable. Gear up in the Limited Time Shop Rare items, the limited-time TrophyHunter Armor Set, and the newest additions to the Player Suggestion Shop before heading into battle. There is no time to waste… especially with Limited Time items!
Get ready for Yeti! The Golden Yeti Tournament is about to begin, and those epic duelers with Omega Tickets are eligible to participate. If you have the ticket, all you need to do is duel! The Tournament will run for 2 weeks: points are awarded for all PvP victories; participants can check their progress on any of the Golden Yeti Statues scattered across Delta V; and the top 100 participants will receive a Golden Yeti and an achievement based on rank! Don’t forget to submit your best screenshots showing off Omega in our new contest at http://forums2.battleon.com/f/tm.asp?m=21126844&mpage=1&key=� .
There isn't a second to lose--the second wave of Limited Time Commemorative weapons is here! This second wave of weapons features two shoulder weapons which will combo for some amazing DoTs! Also look out for higher level versions of old weapons!
What could be better than a week of Snugglefest? Two weeks of Snugglefest—and now with shadowponies! Shadowponies want to join in the festivities, but an ancient evil from their past threatens to spoil the entire holiday! Head to Warlic’s Magic Mirror and get your get your Red Viking, Red Valkyrie, Rose Maiden, and Suave player faces. Engage in the Refer-A-Friend Challenge and get awesome prizes if we can hit 50,000 NEW, UNIQUE REFERRED PLAYERS by March 14th! Check out our Design Note post for details at http://forums2.battleon.com/f/tm.asp?m=21114271 .
In the great words of Crushcrush the slightly more odorous than usual Trollok, "We dun makey da server exploady good!" This is a pretty amazing feet for the record. Being more ordorous and smelly than normal Trolloks that is. They smell worse than a garbage juice, corpse socks & vegamite cassorole. In other news, basic combat is mostly working... other than the game server crashing every 5 minutes thing, the graphics and animation is looking pretty good! This is very simliar to the Oversoul stress tests where we just keep finding things that break, fix them, and try again endlessly until the game finally works. Our test area includes a small town and a cave full or purply glowly evil rock looking stuff. We do not know what is at the end of the cave because it is overflowing with monsters and there is no HEAL or REST in the game yet. Game of Bones - "You win... or you DIE (and respawn way back at the start)" Playing with no heals or rest is quite challenging. Especially since the monsters are currently set in a challenging way that, if you play perfectly, doing every single skill at the max best you can do, they still effortlessly kill you and dance on what remains of your crushed character.
(Actual in browser screenshot)
The default weapon is a 3d version of the default sword from DragonFable. Our writers worked endlessly through the night to appropriately name the item "Dragonfable Sword." Other weapons currently dropping from the Trollow, Skeleton, & Stone Monster include the King's Blade (looks like King Alteon's Sword), the Widow's Vemoncarver (I took the King's blade, tinted it green, and photoshopped a spider on it -- seriously), the Skullsword of Skelerizing, and yes.. OH YES... the Blinding Light of Destiny. Which is currently a ultra-teeny-tiny% drop off of the hardest of the monsters. Every single person in the game got it before I did. O_o.
Renactment
Artix: Ok... is this bugged? I have NEVER seen an item drop from this monster! Zhoom: How many times have you killed it? Artix: At least 150 times now! Zhoom: Hmmm, you just need to keep trying. *A new tester has joined the server* Tester: Hi guys! Oooh cool, a monster, can I help? Artix: Sure! *Kills monster, treasure chest drops Blinding Light of Destiny!* *Artix cannot roll, he just died* *Tester rolls a 99... wins Blinding Light of Destiny* Artix:... Zhoom: See, I told you items drops are working!
Stress Test! "Tenatively" Scheduled for next Wednesday
The servers are not online now, BUT!!!!! We are hoping to bring the server up for you guys for a little bit on Wednesday... and see what happens when we get a ton of people online. We are, however, having problems with older computers getting 3-4 frames per second. This is because our maps are not yet optimized. I am very concerned that a lot of players (even after taking the AlphaKnight Oath) are expecting this to be a playable game for this upcoming test -- which it is not. In fact, we should drop the official status of the game back to "Alpha" to help clarify this with a heavy emphasis on this is a network stability test, not a graphics, animation, nor any other type of Gameplay test. Maybe we can get Beleen to make a video that you watch prior to the tests explaining what we are testing?
Want to see a video?
I made a video of my screen with my iPhone and posted it on my Facebook page. If you want to watch it... you have to hit like and share. Deal? (Shameless Facebook plugging bribery!) Like, Share & Watch the video on Bookfaceheadthingysite!
BONUS!!! LOOKY WHO IS ON TV TONIGHT
Awesome, you clicked on the link to read the full post. You deserve a special reward for your awesomeness! Tune into TruTV and watch "Guiness Book of World Records Gone Wild" -- there is a guy who will be pogo-ing on a shovel chopping potatoes. He has been in the previews for the show all week... we think that after we defeated EbilCorp, the Board of Directors canned the Chairman and he assumed the identity of this other guy. Needless to say... all of us here at the lab will be watching tonight.
There are so many Artix Entertainment Game related "Harlem Shake" videos that it became mandatory to put them all in one place for your viewing and /facepalm'ing pleasure. Enjoy!
Find your SoulMate in OverSoul! Cupidtheus, the Valentine’s Character, has flown on over to OverSoul. And the highly anticipated Strom Character has finally reached its Legendary Evolution: Storm Trainee to Storm Squire to Storm Knight! Golbin has also been released, along with a revamped Card Screen.
All is fair in love and war, so put your heart on the line and join the Tournament of Heroes! Step into Battleon’s brand-new Battle Coliseum as backstabbing warriors compete to become Swordhaven’s General and win right to court King Alteon’s heir, Princess Brittany. Gear up in all new Heroes Heart Day Event Rares, permanent item rewards, and everyone’s favorite Heroes Heart Day items from years past. It’s up to you to ensure the best warrior for the job… and the kingdom of Swordhaven… wins the Tournament of Heroes!
Valentine’s Day is Epic! Last year’s Heartbreaker seasonal rares have returned along with a new Varium package with 4 new Azrael weapons: a physical and energy version of Azrael's Anguish sidearm, and Azrael's Annihilator auxiliary. Crafted by otherworldly engineers, these devastating weapons of warfare come equipped with active skill core. You’ll fall in love with these weapons as you become the most epic dueler in all of EpicDuel Omega!
Fall in love with HeroSmash! Super snuggly items have made the scene in this week’s Heroes Heart Day shop. Show your true love how super you really are!
Snugglefest is here! Unfortunately, not everyone can enjoy this celebration with their ‘shmoopy-doopy’ because… *dramatic pause*… they don’t have one! In the name of love, one revolutionary hero has endeavored to save our fair townsfolk from their single lives! Another Rare Item Hunt has been released, and check out the Red Viking, Red Valkyrie, Rose Maiden, and Suave player faces in Warlic's Magic Mirror!
The answer is "Violence! Lots and lots of Violence!" But what is the question? Oh, the question was "How can a goodie two-shoes like Artix throw the best bachelor's party ever for Rolith without breaking his life-long PG-13 honor code?" You probably think we are talking about the highly anticipated new Valentines-themed event in DragonFable... but in fact, we are talking about the actual, real life, Bachelor Party featuring WWE Hall of Famers, Midget Wrestlers from TruTV, and sword swinging bridesmades that inspired it.
Hit 'read more' for the full story of Rolith's Bachelor party (with pictures as promised!) then play the new release inspired by it in DragonFable this weekend!
A match made in DragonFable (Lover's Backstory)
If you know the gamers love story of Rolith and Alina, feel free to skip on to the main event. But if you are new to our gaming community here at Artix Entertainment, then you may become inspired at the tale of these two Artix Entertainment game developers who fell madly in love. Rolith is a programmer and Alina was a writer for our web-based fantasy game, DragonFable. They expressed their feelings for each other and became a couple at the convention, DraconCon. Uncertain if it was against AE policy to date a co-worker, they tried to keep it a secret. *laughs* EVERYONE on the staff knew they were going to end up together at least a year before. The real shocker was what happened at the following year's DragonCon. Rolith proposed both in real life AND in a special in-game proposal (spoofing the popular old-spice commercial.)
It was an extreme honor that Rolith asked me to be his best man. They were married the next year in front of all of us that supported them... which of course meant they were married in real life, and in a special AQWorlds game event. The decision to marry them in AQWorlds turned out to be controversial, as players of the game DragonFable believed they should be married in their game. An issue this weekend's special release should more than remedy!
FYI: This entire post is 100% true
Someone at the office said, "Weird, the radio said there were a bunch of wrestlers in town for some 'unspecified' event this morning, I wonder what is going on."
Act 1: The HangGame-Over
Rolith had been worried for about a month straight. As best man I would be throwing his Bachelor Party. That last hurrah of being a single, free man before getting married. Normally these kind of parties are the things that you could not write about on the Design Notes -- but seriously, this is me we are talking about. Rolith knew I did not drink, nor smoke, nor do drugs, nor participate in anything innappropriate. (To most people "The worst Best Man choice ever.") So, by process of elimination, Rolith got the idea that his last night as a single man would be spent trying not to loose teeth, go to the hospital, or to the morgue. Alina met with me privately and made me promise that Rolith would not be missing any noticeable body parts for the wedding. You know, for the sake of the pictures. I said, "Promise, I will do my best."
After work, all of the "BACHELOR MANLY MAN SQUAD" formed up at my home: Rolith, his brothers and friends including Warlic, Cysero, Zhoom, Dage, Stryche, Roam, Galanoth and myself. I put on a cheesy Japanese monster wrestling movie called "Calamari Wrestler" -- which was actually about a giant squid who wrestled -- and frankly, Rolith was sorta hoping that was going to be the highlight of the night. I told him to pay attention, it would be relevant.
Then, we were picked up by a black vehicle and taken quite a distance away to a dimly lit industrial park. Light was only coming from a door in one building... we told Rolith that he had to go in first.
Act 2: LET ROLITH COMBAT... BEGIN!
Rolith walked in and was confronted with the full force of Hulk Hogan's Micro-Champtionship Wrestlers (MCW). Managed and led by former WWF wrestler Johnny G, the MCW crew had a show following their adventures on the TruTV channel. Everyone knew Rolith on sight and rushed to greet him, congratulate him and introduce themselves.
The warehouse was normally home to an ice skating ring, but this night it was huge and empty except for a full size wrestling ring, a set of bleachers, and us. Johnny G stood in the ring with his microphone and one-by-one announced his MCW wrestlers as they made their intros including Samson, Blixx, Meatball, Demo, and others who were new and not on their TV show. Keep in mind, this was not a public event... this whole happening was just for Rolith.
(This is a photo from the Bachelor Party)
THEN...
Johnny G announced WWE Hall of Famer Brutus the Barber Beefcake! Brutus was a famous wrestler from the '80s who carried giant shears. When he won a match, he would use the shears to cut off his opponents hair. He walked in, posed for a bit, walked up to Rolith, shook his hand, congratulated him, then saw me sitting next to him... grabbed me by the collar and threw me across the ring and took my seat next to Rolith.
THEN..........
Johnny G announced Nasty Boys' own Brian Knobbs. If you are not familiar with the Nasty Boys, they were tag team champions with a history of not... um.. being the good guys. Even though he had injured his leg and walked in on a single cruch, he grabbed the guy sitting on the other side of Rolith, threw him, and took his seat.
THEN...................
Johnny G announced that Rolith needed a manager! Who better to manage Rolith than Hulk Hogan's former Manager, Jimmy "The Mouth of the South" Hart! Sure enough, he came in wearing his eccentric red coat and screaming into his iconic bullhorn.
I am sure you guessed by now... Rolith is a huge fan of wrestling. You cannot imagine the look of shock and wide smile on his face as all of this is going on. All of our favorite part is how everyone focused on Rolith... as the fights started they dedicated their matches to him. He was king... actually.. more like a Champion.
Act 4: THE CAKE IS A LIE
A cake was wheeled out. It was an abnormally large cake. MCW female wrestler Jersey Jess popped out of the cake (fully dressed!) holding a Championship Wrestling Belt & A special wrestling outfit for Rolith. The wrestling outfit was a "onesie"... you know, one of those one-piece outfits. With the help of Mido's wife a giant Ban Hammer (Rolith's weapon) was embroidered onto the front of it.
(Yup... this actually happened)
It was explained to Rolith that he had a manager, a costume, and he had a Championship belt... but now he was going to have to DEFEND IT! To do this, he was going to have to learn to wrestle!!!!
Instructed by Tanaka, Knobbs, and Brutus the Barber Beefcake... and in front of all of his best friends... Rolith got his first lesson in Wrestling.
(Rolith was not the only one to learn "the ropes". I got to hop in the ring too!)
Rolith and our group learned how to take a bump, handle the rope, lock up, and more. Dage, being the youngest and most (I need a word that means if you bend someones spine that much they still do not care and just sorta bounce back up)... well, he took a lot of killer body slams... then DEMANDED more! (Bonus Story: During the training, Brutus the Barber Beefcake's really expensive glasses fell in the ring and we accidentally broke them.)
(Dage requests ANOTHER body slam... good luck killing Dage, he is already undead!)
BEST NIGHT EVER!
Rolith had the time of his life! Any injuries he may have suffered from the event will be our secret. (So Alina does not beat ME up.) The final match of the night featured a new upcoming wrestler known as "The Lawyer." He is pretty amazing and I would not be surprised if he makes his way to being a prominent wrestler soon. The most amazing thing, was even though we were such a small crowd, these guys put on a half dozen matches at 100% energy. It is one thing to perform for a stadium full of people... but they did this for the 8 or so of us. It was unbelievable.
(There were some additional surprises that night... for example, the Chairman showed up... and left with a little haircut, via Brutus the Barber Beefcake, HAHA!)
Rolith did ask, "This was AMAZING! Seriously!? How the heck did you set this up?" I put my hand on his shoulder and told him, "Awww, I would do this for anyone who dedicated their entire life to my game studio, met and married the love of his life here, and still takes my calls at 3am in the morning, when I am being spawn camped in some MMO, and need a friend I can rely on to save me. By the way, can I post pictures of you in that onsie?" Rolith replied, "NO."
Whoops.
I hope you enjoyed the story and photos. This was one of those pretty special one-in-a-life-time events. One of the things I love about our community is that we can share things like this with you. I mean, you know we do not look like our characters in real life, and you are not the sort of person to judge us or make hurtful comments. I just hope the next time we do something this fun and crazy -- that you are a part of it!
On that very topic! What are you wraiting for!?!?!?!
I was supposed to work on a lot of important things today... but then dawned on me. Tomorrow is Valentines day! Sure, we have our big special "Heroes Heart Day" events coming in all of the games Friday. But with the big V-day coming tomorrow, how can you tell that special someone how you really feel? What could possibly win over the ones whom our hears desire? Answer: Chibi art. How? Easy. Right click and save these images. Choose your target of love and blast them with them. Email them, text them, post them on their Twitter. Maybe you have a friend who is also allergic to the color of pink. Post the Beleen one on their Facebook wall until they cry and delete their account. Remember, LOVE is the most powerful force in the universe. Have a Happy Valentines Day!
QUESTION: Which is your favorite? Larger size versions of these cards can be found on AQWorld's FaceBook page.
A new contest approaches! It’s time to pit your creative talent and amazing drawing skills against mainstream memes, cultural icons, ideas, jokes, perspectives, images, and media, all in Artix Entertainment style! Here’s your chance at winning an exclusive item based off your unique contest submission!
El_Rue, Pop Culture Winner from 2012 Art Contest
Your Quest
Make Artix Entertainment-themed Pop Culture artwork! Draw, paint, or illustrate your favorite Artix characters in popular scenes from pop culture. Take your favorite meme, movie poster, TV character, or whatever and transform it into a hilarious parody Artix style!
The Pop Culture Contest begins today, February 12, 2013. Submissions will be accepted until February 24, 2013, at 11:59pm EST. Judging will take place during this time, and whichever entry receives the most Likes will win!
Quest Requirements
Design must be inspired by a popular Pop Culture reference AND any Artix Entertainment Game (AdventureQuest, MechQuest, DragonFable, AQW, EpicDuel, HeroSmash, OverSoul, BladeHaven, Fat Panda, or Pony vs Pony)
You may use any form of media for your design (Pencil, Flash, cake mix, etc)
All artwork must be original and use Artix Entertainment characters. You can include other Pop Culture characters too, but the more AE-focused it is, the better your chance at winning!
Only ONE Pop Culture artwork submission will be judged per AQW Character.
Your entry MUST include your AQW Character Name. How else are we ganna award you if you win?
You will be automatically disqualified if you do not follow all the rules.
We have the right to remove any entry that is unacceptable or inappropriate—so keep your entry safe for everyone to enjoy!
And, most importantly, have FUN!
Quest Rewards
Here’s your chance at wining something EPIC! The Pop Culture Contest prize will be based on the wining entry. An exclusive item JUST FOR YOU will be crafted based around the Pop Culture universe that you use. The prize will be just as unique as your entry! Additional AdventureCoin prizes will be awarded to the runner-ups.
Good luck everyone, and may the most popular Pop Culture entry win!
The world of OverSoul is evolving! The first world map now has landmarks, and 5 new Characters have been spotted roaming about. The Taurus card has been revamped and its Legendary from is now obtainable in the Labyrinth Shop!
Cultural celebrations taking place in real-life are now in-game! Celebrate Carnaval of Terra da Festa and embark on the first-ever Special Event to feature daylight, nighttime, and English/Portuguese translations. After you have /danced the night away, slither on over to Yokai Island to commemorate the Year of the Snake in Akiba’s Chinese New Year. New items, quests, monsters, NPCs, and more await your arrival! Become part of history in the making and Festa On to victory!
Omega has finally arrived, and OMG it is epic! Get ready to experience a whole-new EpicDuel, loaded with new items, new Character Creation, customizable weapons, Omega Achievements, Frysteland expansions, improved NPC AI, and more! Because of your suggestions on the forums, we have also implemented many balance adjustments, and currently working on a mid-week release based around Azrael and improvements to the core system.
A new Rosefort quest in the Rosewood (Book 3) is waiting for you! Hidden Rose weapons shop in the quest, and meet Magus Hansa face to face. Play through past HHD as the Storybook is now available through the Book of Lore. There is also a book on the how magic works in Lore, and you can festoon yourself in DC Carnaval Capes just in time for Carnaval!
A new quest approaches! Can you discover it in Soluna City? Shadowscythe are coming into the city, and there's a reward, too: an energy blade that StarCaptains can merge with an item (if you have enough Valor Badges) to increase its power. Or, everyone can buy the powered version with NovaGemss. Also the House Trophy front arms will come out later today!
It’s super cold in HeroSmash! A cold front brought in freshly fallen snow from the North... along with super big Radioactive Snow Brawlers, too! Help us test this Beta Smashmas War, and you may even find some RARE monster drops. And that’s super cool!
Can you survive the a-pork-a-lypse? Cysero created a transformation armor so marvelous it is beyond porktacular, so lush it is beyond tropigcal, and so stupendous it can only be Ep-Pig. But the armor has gone missing! Help Cysero unmask the one responsible for stealing this armor and hogging all the glory! Another clue to the Rare Item Hunt has been revealed, and the SnowStar throwing star has been added to the Limited-Time Shop!
