Wizard101: Difference between revisions

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Wizard101 is an MMORPG created by KingsIsle Entertainment. Players take on the role of students of Witchcraft/Wizardry to save the Spiral, the fictional universe in which the game is played, and battle enemies by casting spells using a turn-based combat system similar to collectible card games.

The game has a sister game called Pirate101.

The fictional universe of the Spiral is divided into twelve worlds, each of which has multiple areas. Players unlock these by either by: purchasing crowns, the game's premium currency, as each area costs a certain number of crowns to unlock, or purchasing a membership, which grants unlimited access to all areas for a limited time.^[1] When a wizard first starts the game, he or she will have to choose a school. Currently, there are seven magic schools to choose from. Ice, Storm, Fire, Death, Life, Myth, and Balance each complete with their own set of unique spells. Upon character creation, some areas of Wizard City are opened to access for free.

As the player progresses, more worlds become available. When wizards level up they gain new badge titles. Levels 1-4 is Novice, 5-9 is Apprentice, 10-14 is Initiate, 15-19 is Journeyman, 20-29 is Adept, 30-39 is Magus, 40-49 is Master, 50-59 is Grandmaster, 60-69 is Legendary, 70-79 is Transcendent, 80-89 is Archmage, 90-99 is Promethean, and 100 is Exalted.

There are also many hobbies in the Spiral including PvP, training pets so they can help wizards in battles, Fishing, Gardening, and crafting houses, furniture, gear, and spells.

The game holds a rating of E10+ from the Entertainment Software Rating Board for crude humor and mild fantasy violence.^[2][3][4]

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• Merle Ambrose - The headmaster of Ravenwood and founder of Wizard City; he comes from Avalon.

• Dalia Falmea - The Fire (or Pyromancy) Professor at Ravenwood, Dalia Falmea is seen as very smooth and polite towards her students. Her home world is unknown.

• Lydia Greyrose - The Ice Professor (or Thaumatergy) at Ravenwood, Professor Lydia Greyrose has a very cheerful and sweet personality but is also stern at times. She is an elderly fairy from Candyworld and has two evil half sisters. Greyrose gains an important role in the storyline upon the player's arrival to Khrysalis, being one of the Council of Light.

• Halston Balestrom - Hailing from Marleybone, Professor Halston Balestrom is an anthropomorphic frog and the Professor of Storm magic. He is seen as rather eccentric but does care about his students. He is friends with Sir Thurston Plunkett, which gives Balestrom a small role in the Morganthe storyline. As well as teaching Storm magic, Balestrom also instructs the students in science and potions.

• Moolinda Wu - An anthropomorphic cow from MooShu. Professor Moolinda Wu is the Professor for Life Magic or Theurgy. She is very calm, cheerful, and positive; she loves nature.

• Cyrus Drake - Professor Cyrus Drake teaches Myth magic and is the twin brother of Malistaire Drake. He is a very strict character who plays a significant role in the Malistaire storyline. As of the B.O.X.E.S Event it is known that he hails from Dragonspyre.

• Dworgyn - Originally the assistant Death teacher, Dworgyn takes charge as main Death teacher after he and most of the Death students were transported to Nightside by Malistaire. He is a hunchback with a lantern and has been working as a servant practically his whole life. His original homeworld was Darkmoor.

• Arthur Wethersfield - The Balance instructor at Ravenwood. Arthur is an anthropomorphic dog sporting a suit, a top hat, a cane, and a monocle. Arthur comes from Marleybone.

• Alhazred - An old Krok in Krokotopia, Alhazred is the Balance teacher whose classroom is beneath the Kroko-Sphinx. He is seen as very wise and kind due to his age. Alhazred is also the leader of The Order of The Fang, but gave the Krokonmocion to Queen Krokopatra. The player helps him reunite the members of the Order of the Fang.

• Malistaire Drake - The former death professor of Ravenwood is the original villain of the game. After the death of his wife Sylvia, he changed forever, planning to bring her back from the dead by recovering the Krokonomicon and commanding the Dragon Titan to resurrect her. He was killed in battle against the players in Dragonsypre and joins Sylvia in the afterlife. Morganthe later revived Malistaire as Malistaire the Undying. Players battle Malistaire the Undying in Xibalba where he is subsequently hurled into the Spiral upon his defeat. After hurled from the Comet Xibalba, he lands in the world of Darkmoor and challenges the wizard again under the law of Kan Davasi. After his defeat, he once again returns with his wife Sylvia into the afterlife and leaves the wizard and the spiral in peace.

• Lord Nightshade - Lord Nightshade is an Undead Wraith that resides in Stormdrain Tower at the end of the Haunted Cave. He fell under Malistaire's influence and controls the Undead in Wizard City.

• Krokopatra - A Queen who is an anthropomorphic crocodile and the final boss of Krokotopia.

• Jade Oni - The final boss of MooShu who has inhabited the body of Emperor Yoshihito.

• Meowiarty - Meowiarty is an anthropomorphic cat and master thief who is in allegiance with Malistaire Drake ever since Malistaire sprung him from Newgate Prison in a plot to steal the Krokonomicon. He has caused problems around Marleybone which kept the police busy.

• The Coven - A group of at least six governing Ravens that want to bring a Winter Armageddon to Grizzleheim. They have committed plots throughout Grizzleheim ranging from taking advantage of the civil war between the Bears and the Wolves, planning to evoke the Everwinter Ritual. They even plotted to wake Ymir the Ice Titan in Nastrond to evoke the Everwinter throughout the entire spiral.

• Praetor Mako - The leader of the Piscean sharks who terrorize Celestia and the creatures living in it.

• Tse-tse Snaketail/Tim-tim Snakeeye - One of Morganthe's agents who causes trouble by manipulation and disguising as others.

• Sir Malory - Morganthe's brother who was part of a plot to corrupt King Artorius turning him into Pendragon who caused destruction and fear throughout Avalon.

• Morganthe's Warlords - Warlords of Morganthe encountered in Khrysalis: Kravenly the Hunter, Ghost Dog, Balor the Broken Fang, Santa Muerte, Lord Ombra, and Archmagus Lorcan. All are faced at some point in Khrysalis and all faced at once in Morganthe's Shadow Palace.

• Morganthe - A former death student of Ravenwood, Morganthe is the second main villain of the game encountered in the second storyline arc. After nearly destroying Wizard City with a forbidden magic called Shadow Magic, she was expelled from Ravenwood Academy. She became the Queen of the Shadow Web in Khrysalis and tried to fulfill the Grand Prophecy.

• Wizard City - A world populated mostly by humans that have become wizards and that has sprouted around the grandfather tree called Bartleby.^[5] This world is home to the Ravenwood School of Magical Arts. This is the first world where wizards visit and easily the most diverse world.^[5] The main area in this world is the Commons.

• Krokotopia - An Ancient Egypt-themed world populated mostly by Kroks (a race of humanoid crocodiles) and Manders as well as some Marleybone Canines that are excavating the ruins. The official Balance school can be found here along with its professor, a friendly Krok named Alhazred. The player gains access to the School of Balance along the main quest line when he or she gains access to the Krokosphinx. First, though, the player character must make his or her way through the main quest line of the Pyramid of Fire. The main area for this world is the Oasis.

• Marleybone - A Late Victorian era-themed world. Some famous sites of Marleybone are Big Ben, Scotland Yard, Wolfminster Abbey, and the Royal Museum of Marleybone. This world is populated mostly by humanoid dogs, cats and rats. The city has all the trappings of a modern society built upon scientific foundations. This world is also part of the Council of Light. The main area for this world is Regent's Square.

• Mooshu - A Feudal Japan-themed world populated mostly by Samoorai (a race of samurai cows), Onis (which resemble Indian Elephant-headed humanoids), Ninja Pigs, Sheep, and Goat Monks. Blooming cherry trees, carefully maintained gardens, and tall mountains can be found everywhere. Although this is a place of knowledge and tradition, there is a great mystery here. This world is part of the Council of Light. The main area for this world is the Jade Palace.

• Dragonspyre - Despite the setting of Dragonspyre, the humans that live in Dragonspyre all have Russian accents. Dragonspyre serves as the final world of the Malistaire Drake storyline. Once an advanced militant society, Dragonspyre had an esteemed Academy rivaling that of the Ravenwood School of Magical Arts in Wizard City. The inhabitants once held a special interest in Fire Magic. This led to the summoning of the Great Dragon Titan which contributed to the destruction brought upon the area. The main area for this world is the Basilica.

• Celestia - An ocean-based world. It is inhabited by Pisceans (a race of humanoid sharks), Lophians, and Crabs. Once a rich and populous world, Celestia was sunk by the Storm Titan during the fight against Morganthe's army when it took out both armies in the conflict. Some of their treasured cities were protected in domes during the sinking and the door to Celestia was closed until Sir Thurston Puckett and the Spiral Geographic Society rediscovered it. Besides the underwater levels, there are a few islands in Celestia. The main area for this world is the Celestia Base Camp.

• Grizzleheim - A world inspired by Norse mythology and inhabited by Bears, Wolves, Boars, Ravens, Wolverines, and Grendels. The player first visits early in the game, and can not return until level 20. The main area of this world is Northguard. It is similar to a Viking-Themed area.^[6]
  • Wintertusk - An expansion to Grizzleheim. Wintertusk is an island that is off the coast of Grizzleheim. The area of Nastrond is where Ymir the Ice Titan is kept asleep. The main area for this world is Hrundle Fjord.

• Wysteria - The player character is sent here to compete in a magical tournament against other schools to win the Spiral Cup. The main area for this world is Pigswick Academy. The Spiral Cup is stolen and the player must attempt to retrieve it.

• Zafaria - A world based on the Iron Age and South Africa before Colonization. This is where the ancient tribes buried Morganthe's Deck of Shadows, where a group of students, a teacher and the Olyphant prince are missing, and where humanoid Elephants, Gorillas, Lions, Jackals, Rhinos, and Zebras live. The main area for this world is Baobab Crossroads.

• Avalon - Merle Ambrose was born here and gained a reputation as a fierce wizard. It incorporates many elements from Celtic mythology (especially the elements from the Matter of Britain). It is a land of Knights, Dragons, Fairies, Witches, Goblins, Ogres, Giants, and Spriggans. This world is also part of the Council of Light. The main area for this world is Caliburn.

• Azteca - An Aztec and Mayan-themed world populated mostly by the Aztecosaurs (a race of humanoid dinosaurs consisting of the Parasaurolophus-like Parasaurs, the Pterosaurs, the Raptors, and the Triceratops-like Tritops), the Monquistans (a race of Conquistador monkeys which also appear in Pirate101), the Jaguars, the Caimans, the Quetzals, and the Avians. The main area for this world is The Zocalo.

• Khrysalis - An insect and Arachnid themed world that is filled to the brim with Morganthe's agents. It serves as the final world of the Morganthe storyline. Inhabitants of this world include Arachna, Burrowers (humanoid mice), Goliaths, Mantis, Bees, Hornets, Centipedes, Scorpions, and Millipedes. The main area for this world is Bastion.

The game offers a choice of either subscription or "Free-to-Play" with microtransactions. Free-to-Play customers can purchase access to different areas of content using in-game currency called Crowns. Such areas only need to be purchased once, but other actions in the game may be necessary before accessing them. Crowns also can be used to buy in game exclusive items and access PvP tournaments. The fee for PvP tournaments vary depends on whether the player has existing member subscription. Crowns can be purchased by a game card or from the online store.

If a player decides to begin a subscription, they are not only free to roam about all playable worlds during their timed subscription days, but are also able to participate in ranked PvP matches, Ranked Pet Derby races, the buying of Castles and Lands (or after reaching Level 15), advanced Crafting, Gifting capabilities, True Friends, faster Energy regeneration, larger backpack, larger friends list and faster Crafting timers. Also outside of the game, players will gain the ability to post on the Wizard101 Message Board.

Also, certain areas and dungeons in Wizard101 can be rented for a certain period of time such as the 6-hour rentals for Mount Olympus, Atlantea, and Tartarus in Aquila. PvP and Pet Derby can be rented as well. A certain amount of crowns per match or a certain amount per day(24 Hours).

Due to its young core audience, Wizard101 restricts player interaction when compared to other games in the massively multiplayer online genre. There are three different types of chat: Menu Chat, Open Chat and Text Chat. In Text Chat, what a player types can be seen by every other wizard in the area either from a word bubble on top of the speakers head or in the chat box. Private Chat is when a wizard wishes to speak in private to another wizard. This appears on the screen in a transparent box to the left. The age of the player directly correlates to the communication allowable. When typed, words that appear in white are words that everyone is able to view. Yellow words can only be seen by players who have their account set to "Open Chat". Open chat is obtained when a player has a credit card and they are 18 years or older. Red words are not allowed and can be seen by no one, not even the player themselves. If an adult chatter types yellow words, young wizards will see ellipses (...) in place of the word. Red words include not only profanity, but also words that would allow players to share real life information with each other including phone numbers, their ages, or real world locations.

Aside from the different levels of chat filters available depending on player age, duels between players are available only in a special player versus player arena designated for the purpose.^[7] The PvP arena can be found upon entry to Unicorn Way from the Commons in Wizard City, in some houses, as well as within Outer Yard in Avalon.^[8]

Rewards for combat or completing a quest are distributed automatically among the party, so players need not fight for spoils.^[9] Players may trade a special type of spell card called a treasure card, which is a spell card that can be rearranged by clicking the golden card icon in their spellbook and then can be used in battle when the player discards cards and then clicks draw. These cards can only be used once, and can be used by any school of Magic. This spell will disappear from the player's treasure deck once it is used. So far the players are currently unable to trade items between one another (it is possible, however, to trade items to one's other wizards on the same account, through the use of a shared bank).^[3]

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Parents must activate controls for players under 13, including setting levels for interaction with other players in the world.^[10] Three different levels of chat are available. At the most restricted level, players select from a menu of pre-defined phrases, and players using this option can only see menu chat from other players. At the next level, players may type what they want, as long as the words are available in the game’s dictionary. If a word is not present in the dictionary, or part of a forbidden phrase, such as asking another player’s age, it will not be visible.^[11] If players know each other outside the game, they can use a true friend code to allow less-restricted chat inside the game. However, it is still subject to some restrictions.^[12] Additionally, players choose names for their characters from a list that allows selection of a first name and a one- or two-part surname.^[11] The official game forums are filtered and moderated. Finally, at player request, KingIsle Entertainment added open chat for players aged 18 years and above, an age limit verified through credit cards,^[13] which allows everything except profanities to be said.

Other features have been designed with a pre-teens audience in mind, for example opponents in combat disintegrate or vanish, and there is no blood.

According to a press release published in May 2008, the development of Wizard101 began in 2005, upon the founding of KingsIsle Entertainment under the creative direction of J. Todd Coleman.^[14] The game entered open beta on August 6, 2008, and it launched successfully on September 2, 2008. On August 25, 2010, it was announced that Wizard101 would be released in foreign territories later that year.

Wizard101 launched a European Beta version on December 15, 2010 and then released the game on February 15, 2011, in partnership with Gameforge.^[15] This eventually included releases of the game in English, French, Italian, Spanish, German, Polish, Greek and Turkish.

It was announced on August 17, 2011 that KingsIsle and Taomee Holdings Limited had an agreement to launch Wizard101 in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau. This has been the company's biggest move since launching the game in Europe. Wizard101 Taiwan officially launched on April 27, 2012, with the others to follow. Until July 2013, those server stop updating for unknown reason.

According to KingIsle Entertainment's press releases, the game has experienced a steady growth in the number of players: 2 million in April 2009,^[17] 5 million in September 2009,^[18] 10 million players by June 2010,^[19] 15 million by January 2011, 20 million by July 2011,^[20] and 30 million by July 2013. As of November 2014, there are currently about 50 million players. In terms of reception, the game currently scores an average of 77.5% from ratings on GameRankings.^[16] GameShark reviewer Toni Dimayuga noted the game's overall ambiance and graphic setting as well as the overall fun nature of Wizard101 in the pro column, while the combat (in particular defeats) and the restrictive (at the time of the review) nature of chat were seen as the major minus points.^[21]

• Official website
• Wizard101 Central Wiki