Anarchy Online: Players Enter Pandemonium

Admin

Exciting news for fans of Anarchy Online's new expansion, Shadowlands!  It seems that the first group of players have entered "Pandemonium" - the seventh and final level in the Shadowlands.  Here is the official press release:

Oslo- Norway-18 December 2003. 14 weeks after release of the award winning expansion pack to the critically acclaimed Anarchy Online, the first group of travellers set foot inside the ultimate level of Shadowlands, Pandemonium.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
Pandemonium, the seventh level of Shadowlands, has been a closely guarded secret as Funcom vowed to show no photos or release any information regarding the level until the first players reached this milestone. Pandemonium is an extremely high level area and passage will only be granted after a hazardous journey through underwater challenges, poisonous fog, hell frozen over and unbearable heat. The game has been called one of the most difficult games in the MMOG genre. Each level is progressively more challenging with Pandemonium representing the toughest of the tough.

"The decision to keep Pandemonium under close wraps was to maintain the element of discovery for our players and make this an event to remember for those able to achieve this milestone." stated AO game Director <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Marius Enge. He went on to say that the Funcom crew cheered wildly as news of the feat was relayed to them.  "Pandemonium is the final level of Shadowlands and the epic battles that will take place there have been anticipated by our fans for quite awhile. We are thrilled that some have made it this far!"

Among the first to enter the chaotic land, were several members of "Synergy Factor". Orjan "Mathis" Tvedt, the Quality Assurance Manager, dropped in to salute one of the early Pandemonium explorers. Shuuji, of Synergy Factor, stated that she had played the game since August of 2002 and that she was happy to see the new challenges and improvements that she encountered after making it to the higher levels of Shadowlands. Several members of the "Storm" guild have also been spotted just inside the borders of Pandemonium. When asked how it felt to have achieved this goal, Stoechius of Storm, surveyed the land before him and stated "...We need to get past these mobs first, and then we'll feel better!"

At the time of this writing, the ultimate "boss" for the level had remained unscathed.