Name Change
Apr 15, 2008
The team at Vitrium, the company that most recently took over Horizons: Empire of Istaria have changed the name of their game simply to Istaria.
Throughout the vast world of Istaria, from its two continents to its various islands, a war rages between the allied races of the living and the army of unrelenting undead known collectively as the “Withered Aegis”. Through sheer will and hardy determination, fantastical communities of humans, elves, dwarves, gnomes, half-giants, dryads, satyrs, fiends, cat-like saris, reptile-like ssilk, and even dragons have carved out a prosperous living from the deserts of central Istaria to the jungles of Lesser Aradoth, despite the ever-present danger of undead raids. Whichever of these races you choose to play and whether you elect to follow the path of the audacious adventurer, the coveted crafter, or a combination of the two, know that your actions will impact Istaria’s uncertain future.
Horizons is a sword and sorcery style fantasy MMORPG featuring over 900 square kilometers of land to explore and settle. Horizons is unique among other MMOGs in that players can build various structures (both permanent and temporary) throughout the game world and can determine the outcome of large-scale events which, in turn, can shape the world and dynamically change the storyline. Horizon’s focus is on PvE combat and questing, but PvP is available in a controlled environment called the Isles of Battle and players must pay a fee to be teleported there.
Horizon’s economy is entirely player-driven. Everything useable in this MMO except a few specialist items and the most basic of equipment is crafted by players and sold either directly by players or by consignment shops. Whatever a player crafts, certain resources must be gathered first through, for instance, ore mining, tree cutting, or animal skinning. Players may also pick from available plots of land, purchase them, and build upon them (or have someone else to the building) if they wish.
Latest Features [More Features]
- Ownership Change Interview
- Horizons, a game that has changed ownership a number of times in the last year has changed again, This time though it's a company of mostly former Tulga Games folk running the show, fronted by CEO Rick Simmons who takes the time to talk to Carolyn Koh ab...
- Interviews created on 9/17/07
- Special Report, Part II
- In the second part of Carolyn Koh's special reports on Horizons the EI Interactive takeover, she looks at payment issues, the vulnurability report and more.
- General Article created on 12/21/06
- The EI Catastrophe, Part I
- When EI Interactive purchased Horizons, most thought it would be business as usual. Not so, as Carolyn Koh reports.
- General Article created on 10/27/06
- Sold: What The Deal Means
- We spoke to the new owner, Ed Andercheck of EI Interactive, and the old CEO, David Bowman of Tulga Games.
- Interviews created on 7/21/06
- Interview: Kelly Heckman
- We interview the Online Community Manager for Horizons.
- Podcast created on 7/9/06
Latest Screenshots [More Screenshots]
Recent Forum Activity
- Chronicles of the Gifted Winter Festival Contest
- 11/15/08 @ 6:52PM by shadowmage
- General Discussion
- Banners flying everywhere!
- 11/15/08 @ 6:49PM by shadowmage
- General Discussion
- November's Developer's Desk:
- 11/15/08 @ 9:38AM by RedwoodSap
- General Discussion
- I Think The Question We're All Asking Is...
- 11/2/08 @ 11:54PM by Ravik
- General Discussion
- do people still play this
- 10/31/08 @ 12:19PM by Sweede
- General Discussion
- October Live Update
- 10/30/08 @ 6:59AM by shadowmage
- General Discussion
- So whats up with Istaria now?
- 10/28/08 @ 12:23PM by shadowmage
- General Discussion
- istaria
- 10/4/08 @ 1:02PM by shadowmage
- General Discussion
- Developer's Desk: October
- 10/2/08 @ 8:06PM by shadowmage
- General Discussion
Istaria: Chronicles of the Gifted
- Developer: Virtrium
- Genre: Fantasy
- Status: Final
- Platforms:
- Website: http://www.istaria.com/
- Retail Price: Free
- Monthly Fee: 12.95
Latest Istaria: Chronicles of the Gifted News
Ownership Change Interview
Sep 17, 2007
Horizons, a game that has changed ownership a number of times in the last year has changed again, This time though it's a company of mostly former Tulga Games folk running the show, fronted by CEO Rick Simmons who takes the time to talk to Carolyn Koh about the change and what it means.
Billing Issues Not Resolved
Sep 10, 2007
Virtrium has announced on the Horizons community forums that they have been unable to resolve lingering billing issues with EI. They have apologized to players, and have prepared a guide for players who need assistance resolving issues.
Rebirth of Horizons
Aug 21, 2007
GamersInfo.net is reporting that Horizons, an MMO which has spent a significant amount time in development limbo, is poised to make a comeback under the new management of Virtrium.
