Free Realms TCG Expansion !!

Sony Free Realms has announced officially the first expansion set to the hit card game based on the world of their mmorpg Free Realms !!

This definately has me excited as the TCG is what I do most in this game. They have done a good job with this aspect and to me it is the best part of the game, plus I love collecting things :)

Here is the official announcement...


Online Tournament Play Introduced

DENVER, Sept. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Online Entertainment LLC (SOE) today announced that Shattered Past, the first expansion for the Free Realms(TM) Trading Card Game, is now available within Free Realms. Developed at SOE's Denver studio, Shattered Past introduces more than 100 new cards to the virtual playmat and includes virtual rewards in every pack, all of which are redeemable within Free Realms.

"The Free Realms Trading Card Game continues to introduce new and unique gameplay elements to the exciting online world of Free Realms," said Scott Martins, director of development, SOE Denver. "Shattered Past, along with the recently launched print-on-demand feature Duelist On Demand, the new tournament play system and the soon-to-be released Quest Packs, reinforces the commitment we've made to the integration of the trading card game format in SOE's titles."

The Free Realms Trading Card Game Shattered Past expansion features:

New Cards - More than 100 new cards and 30 exclusive virtual reward cards not found anywhere else.
Exciting Gameplay - Shattered Past introduces new gameplay such as Crush Cards, Trickster, Score Manipulation, and more ways to smack down opponents.
Virtual Rewards - Every Free Realms Trading Card Game pack features a virtual reward card redeemable for fantastic items inside the world of Free Realms. Shattered Past offers all-new rewards such as exclusive pets like Duke the Doberman, a five-piece outfit to "Goth out" your Free Realms character, a Hip Hop Boom Box, pet clothing for dogs and cats, special character effects, illusions, and more.
New Starters - Shattered Past adds four new sphere-based starter decks that players can use to begin constructing new gameplay strategies.
Tournament Play - Daily, weekly and monthly tournament events will be held, with great virtual prizes for players to win.

Shattered Past is available for 400 Station Cash ($4.00 USD) per 11-card booster pack and 800 Station Cash per 40-card starter deck and can be purchased at www.freerealms.com.

The Free Realms Trading Card Game lets players pit cool characters like dragons and goblins against one another in fun, fast-paced combat. Half the game is collecting new cards so you are armed with the best lineup of attacks and defenses to prove your might in online play or tournaments. For more information, visit the official Free Realms Trading Card Game site at http://www.freerealms.com/tradingcardgame.

Free Realms is rated E10+ for Everyone 10 and up with content descriptors of Crude Humor and Fantasy Violence. To play Free Realms, visit: http://www.FreeRealms.com.

About Free Realms
Free Realms allows you to do what you want to do, when you want to do it, in a lush, living, 3D world, filled with rich landscapes and fun wildlife. Play as a ninja one minute or be a chef the next! From pet raising to mini-games like kart racing, or battling giant spiders and adventuring with friends - there's something for everyone! With scheduled content updates and special events planned there is always something new to see and do in the world of Free Realms. Visit http://www.freerealms.com/ for more information.

Free Realms - TCG Tactics

One of my favorite parts of the Free Realms MMORPG is the Trading Card Game. Growing up with Magic: The Gathering, I have always had a fondness for TCG's. I played M:TG for a while, then the Wheel of Time CCG and a plethora of others along the way as well. Something about collecting cards and building a mean deck to beat your oppenant to a pulp is fun for me :) So, with that, I'll be posting some Free Realms TCG tactics articles from time to time.

Deck Building:

There are three types of cards in Free Realms TCG: creatures, resources, and tricks. One of the questions you might ask when building a deck is, “how many of each of type should I use?” It’s a tough question, because there’s definitely no one right answer – particularly when a given deck might require a “custom mix.” Here’s the approach that suits me best; you can try it out and see if it’s right for you.

Creatures are by far the most important card type. You want one to play every single turn, if not two or three each turn as the game progresses. I rate creatures so highly that they make up more than half of every deck I build. In a 40-card deck, I usually use 22 creatures.
This next part is where my approach to deck building differs from many other players. Of those 22 creatures, I make six of them heroes. People have asked me, why would I want so many expensive heroes that don’t help me early in the game? My answer to them is, they do help me. Heroes have four gems, which makes them the best flip you can get in battle. Better still, heroes always mix gems of multiple colors. Most decks include creature power-ups of more than one color, and in most cases, a flipped hero can trigger any of them.
It’s not that I don’t want to actually play my heroes. In fact, that’s another reason I stock so many: I want to be sure I have one in my hand by my fifth turn so that I can play it. Heroes are good if you flip them. They’re good when you play them. Why wouldn’t I use that many?

The other 18 cards in my 40 card deck are devoted to tricks and resources. And here, the split between the two does change a bit for me from deck to deck. Most often, though, I’ll make more than half of them tricks: 10 tricks and 8 resources.

Resources are great cards, and can really define your strategy. But you’re also only able to play one each turn. If you have more than two resources in your starting hand, or ever have more than one in your hand after your first couple turns, then you probably have too many resources in your deck. That resource you’re holding that you can’t play could instead be a creature or trick that you can play. Through some trial and error, I’ve found that 8 resources in a 40 card deck usually feels right to me.

So that leaves 10 tricks. Like resources, you probably always want the choice to play one. But you might have more than one battle in a turn, and also fight battles during your opponent’s turn. That’s why it makes sense to me to have a few more tricks than resources.
I tend to keep my decks as close to 40 cards as I can, but if I were to push higher, I’d keep thinking about my “more than half” approach. I want creatures to be more than half of my deck, and tricks to be more than half of what’s left.

Give my mix a try and see if you like it. You may find it works for you too, or at least helps you hone in on what does. Once you have your own “standard mix,” it will make deck building much quicker and easier, so you can get back to action!


Thanks you for viewing my Blog, and check back daily for updates on Free Realms and Everquest.

Free Realms - Item Codes !!

Over the weekend there has been some new cool free item codes found to be redeemed in our beloved game Free Realms. After I post this I am going to log in and grab these freebies. Keep em coming guys for sure...Thanks to FreeRealmsInsider for these.

GMBZZ24B - Free Card Game Booster pack
SKELETAL - Skeletal Speed Helmet


To receive the TCG Booster pack in game, you must log into the Card Game Interface to receive the free cards.
And the Skeletal Helmet is claimed in the usual way, through the SC store on your action bar in game. With this freebie it seems like they are getting closer to fixing the race cart and demo derby professions. W00T !!

Also, the code for the Purple Sparkler Rod is supposed to be invalid after 7/12. However, I just redeemed the code ay my log in screen and it told me that 0 items have been redeemed, but when I logged into the game to claim my helmet, there was the Purple Sparkler. So if you still have not redeemed that code, you still can ...

SUMMERSPARKLER - Purple Sparkler Rod









Thanks you for viewing my Blog, and check back daily for updates on Free Realms and Everquest.

Free Realms Game Update

Pex announced a game update last night with some minor changes. Mostly to subscription based palyers.

Members Only - Quests and In World Minigames

TCG :
If you've reunited the cardie crew, Sam Potts has a new challenge for you!
Seaside :
Slinky thinks he's got a cute for the hiccups. Want to help him test it out?
If you can catch him, Wernald needs help by his house.
Durango Zoo :
Zannia Sugarzing is offering a sweet reward for anyone willing to help her out.
Snowhill :
Jonathon Forkpath is looking for the next hero to take up his place as "Protector of Snowhill"
Wugachug :
Wootmoot is looking for those with musical talent for additional help! (Special Members Only quest at the end of the quest line.)
General :
Miscellaneous bug fixes and improvements.

Personally, I'd like to know what the miscellaneous bug fixes and improvements are. What is it they are tweaking? Does it effect game play? Anyways, this is the update for today. On a side note, I think they should give more rewards for the card game when we beat the quests. Throw up like 10 cards and let the player choose 2 or 3 of them. This does 2 things...it allows players to build their own deck faster to immerse them more in the CCG and it makes it so everyone will not have the same rewards, thus the same exact deck. People will still purchase virtual packs, but for those of us who don't it allows us to get more into the CCG with building our own custom deck.





Thanks you for viewing my Blog, and check back daily for updates on Free Realms and Everquest.

Everquest Legends of Norrath 2009 World Championship

Sony Everquest announced the Legends of Norrath 2009 world championship. They are having qualifier events and the winners will go for the World Championship Title.




Gen Con Indy 2009 is fast approaching and it's time to determine who will be crowned the 2009 Legends of Norrath Champion!

SOE has scheduled four Legends of Norrath Championship Qualifier events. The first Championship Qualifier is scheduled for Saturday, May 16th at approximately 10:00 AM PT. Each of these two-day Championship Qualifier events will feature the best and brightest Legends of Norrath players, as they compete for their share of an approximately $3,800 USD prize pool and a seat at the Legends of Norrath World Championship Tournament at Gen Con Indy 2009!

Day one of each Legends of Norrath Championship Qualifier will consist of multiple tournaments, organized according to Standard Constructed Match Play (best 2 of 3 games) Swiss tournament format. The top 16 players from day one of each Championship Qualifier event will move on to day two. Day two will consist of a single tournament that features the top 16 players from day one, organized according to Standard Constructed Match Play (best 2-3 games) Swiss tournament format. At the end of four rounds of gameplay, the top two players will face off in a single winner-take-all Match Play (best 2-3 games) final to determine the Championship Qualifier winner! This year, both of the top two players from each Championship Qualifier will win a trip to the Legends of Norrath World Championship Tournament at Gen Con Indy 2009!
Each Legends of Norrath Championship Qualifier has NO ENTRY FEE, so get your best deck ready today!

Legends of Norrath 2009 World Championship Qualifier Tournaments Dates:

* Scheduled for May 16-17, 2009
* Scheduled for June 6-7, 2009
* Scheduled for June 20-21, 2009
* Scheduled for August 1-2, 2009

Time: 10:00 AM PTEntry Fee: No Entry FeeFormat/Deck: Standard Constructed Match Play (best 2-3 games)


Posted at WarCry




Thanks you for viewing my Blog, and check back daily for updates on Free Realms and Everquest.

Sony and Blockbuster teamed up to offer free starter cards Free Realms, which usually sell for .99 cents. Limited supply so hurry to your local Blockbuster and grab them before they are all gone !!



Check back for daily Free Realms updates.

Also, the Free Realms TV commercial can be viewed here on the FR website. It's pretty short but shows parts of the world, some jobs, a battle, race cars, and some of the TCG, and some various pets.

Enjoy and check back often for FR updates and codes.

Free Realms TCG Updates

The Free Realms CCG is being now sold at a variety of different retail stores. Target, Blockbuster, Best Buy, Rite Aid, Toys-R-Us, and 7-Eleven.



TCG - "Target Exclusive" Special Value Pack - $1.99.
It includes 3 game cards, 1 virtual reward card, 50 Station Cash, and a $2 coupon for the Starter Pack.

You can purchase the Value Pack first, remove the $2.00 coupon, and buy the Starter Deck for $7.99 ($9.99 - $2.00 coupon)

TCG - Passport to Free Realms Starter Pack - $9.99.
Includes 40 game cards, starter guide with playmat, 1 month free membership, exclusive virtual black lab dog, exclusive virtual card player t-shirt, 3 jumbo health potions, and a raceway speed boost.

So for a total of $9.98 you get the 2 purchases.
Target Exclusive Pack and the Starter Deck.
43 game cards, 1 virtual reward card, 50 station cash, 1 month Free membership, exclusive virtual black lap dog, exclusive in game virtual card for a T-Shirt, 3 Jumbo health Potions, and the raceway speed boost.

Not too shabby.

Also they are selling starter these other items…
Starter Card - $0.99
"New Accounts Only" - includes 30 day membership, 250 Station Cash, and 1 magical potion.
1000 Station Cash Card - $10.00
Includes an exclusive red pirate hat for your in-game dog.

The Free month is only for new accounts...NEW Accounts only.
Othewise, I would go buy 12 of them for .99 ea. and keep using it on my account for a free year for only 12 bucks. Sony isn't that stupid.

Also, Best Buy has the Free Realms TCG 11 card-pack for 3.99.

Add to the fun of your Free Realms gameplay experience with this expansion pack of cards for the Free Realms trading card game. Each pack contains 10 game cards plus an online item card to help you expand your fun in online gameplay. The 11-card pack also includes 50 Station Cash for added excitement.

Product Features:
For use with the Free Realms trading card game.
Includes 11 cards that can be used to play the online card game.
Add to your collection with 10 game cards and one online item card.
Also includes 50 Station Cash

Be sure to visit again for more News, Info, and updates for all things Free Realms.

Free Realms Trading Card Game in Stores This Week

http://pc.ign.com/articles/979/979221p1.html

May 4, 2009 - DENVER, COLO. - Sony Online Entertainment LLC (SOE) and The Topps Company Inc. (Topps) today announced that the highly anticipated Free Realms Trading Card Game hits stores this week. Developed at SOE's Denver studio in close collaboration with Topps, it integrates a trading card game format with the exciting online world of Free Realms, featuring more than 180 game cards as well as more than 50 virtual reward cards redeemable for exciting items in the online game. "Free Realms is poised to be a tremendous success for us," said John Smedley, president of SOE. "Now, we're taking the next step and putting the trading card game in stores nationwide. This week, you'll be able to walk into many of your neighborhood retail stores and pick up one of the best trading card games I've ever played." As Topps continues to explore fun and interactive ways for their young consumers to get involved, Free Realms becomes the latest in a roster that includes Topps Town, Topps 3-D Live, and BabyBottlePop.com, which link physical products to innovative online entertainment destinations. Michael Eisner, whose Tornante Company and Madison Dearborn Partners, LLC. acquired The Topps Company, Inc., in October 2007, said, "It's been exciting working with Sony Online Entertainment on this endeavor, which has resulted in the development of a multiplatform product that is likely to spark the imaginations of trading card game fans everywhere." The physical Free Realms Trading Card Game features: More than 180 Cards – The premier release of the Free Realms Trading Card Game features more than 180 cards, as well as 50 exclusive virtual reward cards not found anywhere else, and 16 physical exclusive cards with codes that unlock the equivalent card in the online game. Exciting Gameplay – Developed by SOE's Denver studio, the minds behind Legends of Norrath, the Free Realms Trading Card Game brings the lively and colorful world of Free Realms to the familiar and fun format of the trading card game. Virtual Rewards In Every Pack – Every Free Realms Trading Card Game pack features a virtual reward card redeemable for fantastic items inside the world of Free Realms, such as exclusive pets like the Toyger, the tiger-striped housecat, cool virtual clothing like the Rocker outfit, pet clothing, special character effects, and more. The Free Realms Trading Card Game arrives in stores this week and is available in two formats. New players can pick up the Passport to Free Realms Starter Pack for $9.99 USD (plus applicable taxes). The Starter Pack features a 40-card starter deck, one full color playmat with rules, and a virtual reward card redeemable in the Free Realms online game for an exclusive virtual Black Labrador dog, an exclusive card player T-shirt for your character, three jumbo health potions, an exclusive virtual Cardie Racer and a one-month membership with full access to Free Realms (a $4.99 USD value). Players looking to enhance their existing decks can purchase the $3.99 USD (plus applicable taxes) booster pack, featuring 10 game cards, one virtual reward card that can be redeemed for an exclusive in-game item, and 50 Station Cash, the virtual currency for the Free Realms online game. For more information, visit the official Free Realms Trading Card Game site at http://www.freerealms.com/tradingcardgame. About Free Realms Free Realms allows you to do what you want to do, when you want to do it, in a lush, living, 3D world, filled with rich landscapes and fun wildlife. Play as a ninja one minute or be a chef the next! From pet raising to mini-games like kart racing, or battling giant spiders and adventuring with friends – there's something for everyone! With scheduled content updates and special events planned there is always something new to see and do in the world of Free Realms. Visit http://www.freerealms.com/ for more information. About Sony Online Entertainment Sony Online Entertainment LLC (SOE) is a recognized worldwide leader in massively multiplayer online games, with hundreds of thousands of subscribers around the globe. SOE creates, develops and provides compelling entertainment for the personal computer, online, game console and wireless markets. Known for its blockbuster franchises and hit titles including EverQuest, EverQuest II, Champions of Norrath, Untold Legends, and PlanetSide, as well as for developing Star Wars Galaxies, SOE continues to redefine the business of online gaming and the creation of active player communities while introducing new genres on various entertainment platforms. Headquartered in San Diego, CA, with additional development studios in Austin, TX; Seattle, WA; Denver, CO; Tucson, AZ and Taiwan, SOE has an array of cutting-edge games in development. About The Topps Company, Inc. Founded in 1938, Topps (www.topps.com) is a leading creator and marketer of sports and related cards, entertainment products, and distinctive confectionery. Topps entertainment products include Major League Baseball, NFL, NBA and other trading cards, sticker album collections, and collectible games. The company's confectionery brands include "Bazooka" bubble gum, "Ring Pop," "Push Pop," "Baby Bottle Pop," and "Juicy Drop Pop" lollipops. In June 2008, Topps unveiled Topps Town (www.toppstown.com), the first online virtual sports community for kids, bringing together the popularity of trading cards with the exploding world of web-based social networking.

http://www.freerealms.com/