Join the Fight: Novus Prime Update
by Estim20, HSM Editor
Think about the most frequented games on Home for a moment. Go ahead, take a few seconds and conjure up what you consider the most popular, well-traversed games in the history of Home. You have only a few seconds.
What games are on that list? Most of us likely pictured a select few games when pressured. We’re talking about the likes of the Sodium series and Novus Prime. Some might include Granzella’s recent foray into gaming, Great Edo of Nippon. You may also include Midway’s triple threat of arcade goodness. These games are high profile and all (excluding Midway) about pulse-pumping action. They show us what Home is capable of and have become the new direction for Home as a whole.
It isn’t difficult to see why either; the most popular elements on Home tend to be interactive, allowing users to participate in a series of challenges. Think of how popular Irem once was, prior to its removal. Consequently, think of its spiritual successor, Granzella. Both offer (offered in the case of Irem) the opportunity to comb the ocean floor for hidden treasures and Granzella offers the fantasy of samurai tackling mythical creatures such as giants and demons.
Trust me; you haven’t lived until you sliced a living umbrella in twine.
The ever-familiar entrance.
Now think for another moment. Why are these games frequently mentioned on most users’ lists? Is it because we’re gamers at our core? Midway’s green tickets are constantly on the top ten (even top five) and people still chase the leaderboards in Sodium 2. Clearly something’s working in their favor if people continue to play them time and again.
Obviously the reverse may be considered as well. Why do some succeed while others, such as Slap Happy Sam and Conspiracy, fail to attract a regular crowd? I mentioned Slap Happy Sam in a previous article and the last time I visited it, it was literally empty. For a simple, easy-to-play concept, it captured our collective attention only so well.
As such, some games captured lightning in a bottle but others either appear as ghost towns or, in the case of Conspiracy, removed entirely with purchased and rewarded costumes the only remnants outside our memories. Ultimately they beg the question: why is there such a discrepancy between these spaces? What are some doing right that others failed to implement? Is there something that can help keep games on the forefront of people’s minds?
There is one immensely important factor tying Sodium, Novus Prime and Midway together that explains the attraction. In fact, we have Midway 3 to remind us what that factor is: updates.
Gamers may be a dedicated bunch but there appears to be a limit for how often people visit a game on Home before they received their fill. Without updates (think of DLC for off-Home games as a relative comparison) to improve or add to the experience, we will inevitably play all there is to play in them. Expectations differ from disc-based games (particularly RPGs), and we generally view Home games as lacking hours of gameplay.
Naturally, game developers answered the call for more content and steadily churned them out on a regular basis. Both Sodiums enjoyed immense success with updates to the scorpion game and new tracks to race upon – the leaderboards didn’t hurt. Midway recently updated with an all new, third area with Marla greeting new and old customers with the promise of more prizes. Those green tickets won’t leave the monthly top ten any time soon, just you see.
As for Hellfire’s Novus Prime, on May 23rd, Home users will experience further updates to the space fighting simulation with more bonuses and clothing to show your love for the game.
From the blog, we see Novus Prime’s bread and butter when it comes to item releases. Items you purchase in the store, whether they are equipment or clothing, offer a bonus in-game. Clothing is the focus this time around, with the pulse cannons, disruptor pistols, handheld arc drills and avatar projection systems.
From the blog: “Novus Prime gets four new game-enhancing virtual items this week with the Alpha Squadron Arsenal. Deck out your pilot’s jacket with the menacing Twin Pulse Cannons for an added XP bonus and fill your hands with the stylish new Disruption Shot Pistols, complete with animated barrels and permanent in-game Nebulon boost!
Blend into your surroundings and boost your XP by 5% with the holographic Avatar Projection System outfit, and harness the destructive power of the Handheld Arc Drill to increase your Nebulon gains even further. Head over to the Novus Prime space station to get your hands on the Alpha Squadron Arsenal today!”
The two hand items offer Nebulon gain bonuses, and you can now make your avatar feel more like a mole or a space marauder deep in the uncharted areas of the galaxy. The two other sets offer XP bonuses. Between the two, the avatar projection systems look the most interesting because it has a meta-feel to them. The concept of an avatar dressing as an avatar is surprisingly meta, considering the circumstances.
There is potential here for greater world-building, clarifying and adding to the Novus Prime universe even further. The avatar project system outfits are the most unique out of the bunch, followed by the hand drills. The consistency with the designs and keeping them in touch with the armor provided in Novus Prime helps immersion and gives you the feeling that you are part of a larger universe.
This does provide an incredible benefit to the game, as it has for Sodium. People become more invested in a game when they can become lost in it. Look at RPGs and again, Sodium. If developers can convince players they are playing in a universe and what they’re doing is having an effect, they will become more involved. Novus Prime has a prime opportunity to develop a storyline with what they have.
(Pro Tip: Next time Hellfire Games has a party in Home and NovusPrime is in attendance, get him to tell the backstory behind the game. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed. ~ Terra)
Either way, what this update means for players is two-fold. On the one hand, we have greater assistance in leveling up and getting equipment. These will help new players immensely and give frequent players more reason to continue when they wish XP would increase at a greater speed. Such assistance cannot be understated. If the main barrier for some players is not gaining enough of either XP or Nebulon, perhaps this will tip the scale for them and get them playing.
On the other hand, no new maps, vehicles or weapons have been announced. Those who are playing fewer games of Novus Prime due to that lack may not be entirely encouraged to continue. Updates are clearly welcome and for Hellfire Games to manage to offer new clothes and, thus, bonuses on a regular basis should be commended. However, it could also take a cue from Sodium and offer a new mission periodically to spice things up. (Note: they did mention at Saturday’s party that new levels are in the works. ~T)
Either case, if you desire a Novus Prime fix and can’t wait for further updates, this shall be right up your alley.
I just really started to play Novus for the first time recently because some friends told me to give it a shot. I find that I like it but agree some new maps and missions would be a welcome change. Nice write up Estim.