WHITE PAPER Cross The Ages - ARISE

The free-to-play multiplayer action RPG game from Cross The Ages “ARISE” which includes Unreal Engine 5 technology, is set to revolutionize the world of gaming. Its release is scheduled for late 2024, first on PC, then on Mac, and finally on other platforms.

This game immerses players directly in the richness of Cross The Ages (CTA) Lore, and offers them a playground that is centered on cooperation and alliances, and in which it is possible to evolve and project oneself over several years. Artellium is the name of the continent on which players evolve in ARISE. The gaming experience has been designed to be accessible, entertaining and innovative.

For freedom of choice and control over their own economy, players are at the forefront in ARISE. They will be able to gain resources, exchange them, and organize how they will have to protect them to avoid looting. It is a real call for the union of forces, alliances, and various defense strategies. Economic domination to position oneself in history is the sinews of war.

From the beginning of their adventure, players will be invited to create a character. This is the first step in a long series of decisions that will make up each player's gaming experience. Selecting a "land", or land, announces the real beginning of the game, and opens the door to a wide range of activities (e.g. dungeons, combat, resource quests, etc.). From careful management of the inventory, the learning tree, talents, and buildings to the harvesting of primary and secondary resources, through refining, crafting tools and potions, to the upgrading of weapons and the exchange of resources. Every aspect of life in ARISE is designed to engage the player in a rich and interactive world.

Achieving mission objectives, whether for dungeons in adventure mode or for battles in arena mode, allows players to recover weapons of all elements and equip their character in the element of their choice. The uniqueness of ARISE is that the character's element influences not only the damage inflicted, but also the damage received. The Gameplay also offers tactical freedom, which influences the growth of each weapon's skills and allows you to unlock higher stages and therefore evolve.

ARISE stands out for its combat system that revolves around weapons rather than characters. Each weapon has a single attack, three energy-consuming combos, and three spells with variable cooldowns, not to mention the ultimate, requiring thoughtful use to maximize combat effectiveness. Players can dodge to avoid damage and use potions to heal themselves, optimizing the survival strategies.

Weapon upgrading in ARISE is a demanding process that requires close collaboration between players. This will encourage specialization and teamwork. All resources and items in the game are the result of player effort, which constitutes proof of play and creates an economy entirely regulated by the action of the community. This interdependence forges a world where each player has a crucial role, whether in the collection of resources, the use, the upgrading of weapons, or the making of potions.

With the regular addition of new dungeons, each representing a specific point of interest in the Lore associated with a faction, a location, and an element, Arise promises to remain a living and evolving universe. Future major updates, including the introduction of capital cities, PvP dungeons, guild territories, and much more, are already in the works.

Whether you are a player PvE, a fierce competitor, a follower of PvP, a specialist in resource harvesting or trading, ARISE offers a space where everyone can find their place and shape their own path. With major updates planned over several years, ARISE is proving to be a world where adventure has no limits, except that of the players' imagination.

ARISE offers two distinct game modes for its dungeons:

• Exploration Mode

which will be accessible without prerequisites or preconditions and playable exclusively solo, it will give players the opportunity to immerse themselves in the dungeons at a pace of their own choosing. This approach, without time constraints, allows for a deeper appreciation of the environment, design and story, with specific rewards unlocked upon the first completion of a dungeon mission.

• Competitive Mode.

which introduces a more strategic and collaborative game dynamic, requiring a key, which once possessed by the leader offers a modification of life points, as well as damage. This key offers 3 levels of evolution, directly linked to the completion of objectives, the time allowed to achieve these objectives, and the random selection of dungeons according to their availability. This mode can accommodate 1 to 4 players.

The difficulty of the dungeons in this mode is adjusted by the level of the leader's keystone, thus affecting the resilience and offensive power of the enemies. Success is based on eliminating a set portion of the enemy forces and defeating the final boss, all under the pressure of a timer. Depending on performance, the keystone can evolve, promising more enticing rewards and a random change of the targeted dungeon for future explorations.

The innovation doesn’t stop there, Arise also introduces dungeon modifiers, such as the Ravix, which adds an extra layer of complexity and requires strategic adjustments from players. These modifiers, independent of the main element of the dungeon, vary weekly, offering a renewed experience and continuous challenges.

ARISE stands out for the diversity of its dungeons, divided into two main categories: Genesis Dungeons, larger and central to the game universe, and Classic Dungeons, which represent the common type. The three planned Genesis dungeons will remain inaccessible during Early Access, anticipating a later integration that promises to further enrich the gaming experience.

As ARISE players prepare to delve into the depths of these dungeons, whether solo or in teams, they can expect adventures filled with discovery, competition, and strategy, with each dungeon providing a unique backdrop for captivating stories and memorable battles.

Players begin by creating a character by selecting their element, which will influence their strengths and weaknesses. Initially, only characters from the Arkhante faction will be available, but new factions and appearances will be introduced gradually. The character's faction and element determine their effectiveness in combat and their use of weapons. The talent tree offers extensive customization of skills.

In addition, a learning tree allows you to progress in mastering different practical skills. ARISE therefore promises a rich and strategic gaming experience, where each customization choice impacts the player's adventure.

Each weapon is distinguished by its faction affiliation, element, type, and a unique set of abilities including three combos, three spells, and an ultimate attack. Combos consume energy, while spells and the ultimate attack require a cooldown.

The power of a weapon in ARISE is determined by its rarity and tier, with five rarity levels available (Common to Mythic) and seven tiers that can be upgraded at any time through the Forge. Weapons can be obtained through a variety of means, including completing dungeons, through the weekly lobby, player rankings, or by purchasing them from the shop. All weapons acquired are Tier 1.

Weapons play a crucial role in attacking dungeons, whether in competitive mode or in exploration mode, making it easier to defeat creatures and complete dungeons at higher difficulty levels. To upgrade a weapon, players must fuse multiple lower-tier weapons and sacrifice specific resources, with increasing requirements for each upgrade level.

Additionally, weapons can be "awakened" to further increase their power, using TCG cards that match in faction, rarity, and element. A new concept, the module Special Rare (SR), allows a weapon to alternate its element, providing additional strategic flexibility. The fragments needed to create these special modules can be acquired through certain promotions or specific tokens.

With a complex and varied upgrade system, ARISE offers a deep and strategic gameplay experience, where collecting, upgrading, and customizing weapons play a central role in player success and progression.

Lands are distinguished by several essential characteristics. They are affiliated with one of the three factions of the game (Arkhante, Mantris or Rift) and linked to a specific location, which determines the associated dungeon to defend. Each land is also associated with one of the seven elements, and although the amount of secondary resources is the same for all, their distribution varies from one land to another.

A notable innovation concerns the lands acquired during limited sales, which have a CTA Token generator and a Trisel generator, in addition to the ability to generateenergy. This energy is crucial since it powers all actions on the land, from improving buildings to crafting items. The buildings present on the lands are specialized in refining, manufacturing, generating resources, or even offer interactions specific to the game, with the possibility of improvement in exchange for resources.

The recovery of resources generated by these lands is based on three principles which are:

• Proof of ownership,
• Proof of activity,
• The defense evidence.

These mechanics not only encourage active player engagement in the Lore of “Cross The Ages”, but also open the door to strategic interactions, where players can attack each other's lands to steal resources.

THE lands Genesis are distinguished by their rarity, their location tied to faction capitals, and their access to unique features. In contrast, non-Genesis lands, while sharing many characteristics with Genesis, are found in varied locations and are associated with classic dungeons, offering a more accessible but equally rich experience.

Each terrain is defined by its faction affiliation, element, and location. Players can interact with these terrains through two key mechanics: attack and defense.

Attack : To seize a piece of land, the player must take up the challenge of its dungeon. This test consists of defeating the boss and a majority of the enemies present in a limited time. Assaults can be carried out solo or in teams of up to four players, with difficulty adjusted according to the number of participants. The outcome of the attack depends greatly on the power and element of the weapons used. The power of a weapon is influenced by its level and rarity, while bonuses or penalties are applied depending on the elemental compatibility with the dungeon. In particular, an Eternal-type weapon is required to harvest valuable resources such as CTA Tokens and the Trisel, while weapons of lower categories allow you to recover Energy.

Defense :

This dynamic of attack and defense emphasizes the importance of strategy and resource gathering, inviting players to immerse themselves in a game that is both tactical and immersive.

ARISE promises a total immersion into the captivating world of Artellium through a free-to-play adventure that blends action-RPG and multiplayer. Powered by the powerful Unreal Engine 5, ARISE delivers an innovative, cooperative gaming experience where freedom of choice and economic control are in the hands of players. From character creation to conquering dynamic and strategic dungeons, to upgrading weapons and managing lands, every aspect of the game is designed to forge a living and evolving universe, encouraging specialization and teamwork.

We are at a pivotal time for the video game industry. In terms of innovation, the ARISE project stands out clearly from the rest, promising an unprecedented adventure that will span several years. Here is a detailed look at what players can expect from this epic saga, starting in September 2024 and going all the way to 2029.

September 2024 : Beginning of a New Era at Tokyo Game Show

The adventure will begin with a game demonstration scheduled for the Tokyo Game Show in September 2024. This first approach will allow players to discover the universe of ARISE, as well as the innovative game mechanics that characterize it. The first steps in this universe already promise to conquer gamers and the specialized press.

December 2024: Preview

Starting in December 2024, eager players will be able to try ARISE through Early Access. This new season will introduce the weapons and characters of Arkhante, offering a first glimpse of their richness and diversity for ARISE.

End of Q2 2025: Mid-Season Expansion

The end of the second quarter of 2025 will mark the arrival of a mid-season update, enriching the game universe, with new territories and dungeons to explore. This expansion promises to interest players in exploring new lands.

2025-2026: Mantris Season

The following year, ARISE will continue its development with the introduction of the Mantris season. This new Season will bring with it, a new arsenal of weapons and characters, as well as a major update introducing guilds, an element that promises to enrich the social and competitive experience of the game.

2026-2027: Towards New Horizons

The next season will spotlight Rift weapons and characters, alongside a major update focused on capital cities. Players will have the opportunity to explore new lands and dungeons, continuing to expand the horizon of ARISE.

2027-2028: Transportation Era

The 2027-2028 season will introduce a revolution in the way you travel the vast world of ARISE thanks to a major update to the transportation systems. This innovation will allow adventurers to move between new territories with unprecedented ease.

2028-2029: A History that continues to be written

Finally, to round out the 2028-2029 season, the ARISE epic promises to immerse players even deeper into the story and quests. A major update is planned. This new season will enrich the game with stories and missions that will test the courage and ingenuity of adventurers.

The Cross The Ages team ensures that each season will bring its share of new features, and expansion in the gameplay. Their goal is to create a dynamic and constantly evolving experience, which will appeal to different types of players in the long term.

ARISE promises to take players on a journey through fantastical worlds, populated by mythical creatures, epic battles, and immersive stories. All this while providing them with a sustainable income that will vary depending on their involvement.

The countdown to September 2024 is already underway, and excitement within the gaming community continues to build. Get ready to embark on an adventure that will redefine the codes of video games. For those interested in exploring Arise’s roadmap further, we invite you to consult the full white paper on the Cross The Ages website: Official White Paper.