The 4th Coming (abbreviated T4C), and also known in French as La Quatrième Prophétie, is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) originally produced by Vircom Interactive for Windows-based operating systems. Vircom opened the first server for testing before releasing server licenses. There are no known release notes for versions prior to the release of version 1.0. The 4th Coming was later purchased by Dialsoft, who sells server licenses and continues to develop the game under the official project name of T4C Next Chapter.[1][2]
| The 4th Coming | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Vircom Interactive (1997-2003) T4CV2 (2004-2007) T4CDEV (2009-2019) T4C Next Chapter (2020-2023) T4C (2024-present) |
| Publisher(s) | Vircom Interactive (1997-2006) Dialsoft (2006-present) |
| Director(s) | Sylvain Durocher Richard Lachance Marc Frega Greg Keel |
| Designer(s) | Jean Carrieres Francis Lahaie |
| Programmer(s) | Benoit Thomas Francois Leblanc Éric Langlois Carl Vachon Orcafleches Mestoph |
| Artist(s) | Mathieu Rivest Erik Ashley Jonathan Pelletier |
| Composer(s) | Erik Ashley |
| Engine | DirectDraw |
| Platform(s) | Microsoft Windows |
| Release | May 11, 1999 |
| Genre(s) | MMORPG |
| Mode(s) | Multiplayer |
Setting edit
The game takes place in the world of Althea, which spans three islands: Arakas, Raven's Dust, and Stoneheim. The game is set in a time when a prophesied "4th coming" is to occur.[3]
Gameplay edit
Players begin by creating a human character. After choosing a name and gender, a number of specific questions lead a basic distribution of attribute points. These questions have five possible answers: one of the five answers provides no benefit at the end of character creation, whilst each of the other four will increase different attributes. The final part of the character creation allows the player to roll attribute scores. This function is not limited, so a player may choose to use it again until they see fit, but the maximum value of the character's attributes is limited by the player's responses to the preceding questions.[4][5] Players then earn experience points and increase the level of their character through various means, including completing tasks given to them by NPC characters within the game. The game also features a magic system including magic weapons, as well as various spells, which are divided into several elemental classes, such as wind and fire.[6]
History edit
Vircom Interactive, a subdivision of Vircom, first published The 4th Coming in 1998. In May 2000 version 1.10 of T4C was published, adding a new interface, groups, private chat rooms, and other improvements.[7]
In June 2003, a deal was finalized between Pole, SARL of France and Vircom to give Pole exclusive operation rights for the European hosting of the game.[8][9] The game was played by over 500,000 registered players in 2002.[10]
In September 2003 Vircom original CEO and founder Sylvain Durocher filed a piracy complaint in Canada.[11]
In July 2006, Marc Frega (owner of Dialsoft) acquired The 4th Coming from emailing and messaging company Vircom. Dialsoft is now in charge of selling server licenses and continues to expand the game through the V2 project available to all servers who are willing to pay for it. Dialsoft allows other server versions to exist provided they maintain their server license.[12]
References edit
- ^ "The 4th Coming". Retrieved 29 April 2021.
- ^ "T4C Next Chapter". The 4th Coming. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
- ^ "The 4th Coming". Retrieved 29 April 2021.
- ^ "T4C Bible - T4C Bible". T4C Bible. Retrieved 18 May 2015.
- ^ "T4C Bible - T4C Bible". T4C Bible. Retrieved 18 May 2015.
- ^ "gamepressure - The 4th Prophecy". The 4th Coming. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
- ^ GameZone (4 May 2012). "The 4th Coming Releases New Interface!". gamezone.com. Retrieved 18 May 2015.
- ^ GameZone (4 May 2012). "Pole to Launch "The 4th Coming" in Europe". gamezone.com. Retrieved 18 May 2015.
- ^ "Licence T4C | the 4th Coming - Mondes Virtuels". Archived from the original on 2013-02-18. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
- ^ "RPG Vault: Black Moon Chronicles Q&A; #6". Archived from the original on 2011-07-13. Retrieved 2011-02-17.
- ^ GameZone (4 May 2012). "Vircom Files Piracy Complaint Over T4C Hackers". gamezone.com. Retrieved 18 May 2015.
- ^ "Dialsoft". Retrieved 29 April 2021.