The story of AegisRO2
How this fan project brought the 2007 game back. Looking for the game's own story? Read The Story.
A world worth bringing back
When an online game goes offline, its whole world vanishes. That was the fate of Ragnarok Online 2: The Gate of the World. After a short, troubled launch in 2007 it was scrapped and later replaced by a completely different game, Legend of the Second. The coastal starter islands, the whimsical monsters and the soundtrack by Yoko Kanno survived only in old videos and the memories of a few players.
AegisRO2 is a non-commercial fan project to bring that world back. The 2007 game runs again on our own Aegis Engine game server.
The server, then the client
Bringing the world back meant having a server to run it and a client we could repair. The 2007 client was rebuilt from recovered source code. Faster loading and a redesigned interface made that old world easier to return to.
A world you can read
English and Korean are available in the game settings. On 8 October, 5,186 NPC talk texts were translated again from the Korean originals, and the titles, stories and objectives of 339 quests received new English texts.
The maps that came before
The 13 maps from December 2006 returned as extra zones. The Old Maps Guide opened them to players on 29 September, and the remaining portals followed. The client also lets you switch to the 2006 look.
Tools to build with
Our World Editor opens the old maps and builds new land. On 30 September, Heatherby Grassy Valley became the first map it generated to run in the game, on our test server. Today the editor has brushes, road and fence pens, area fills and finished building interiors.
Players made the difference
The alpha opened on 28 September. Players requested access, entered through the launcher and sent reports. Those reports led to repairs to quests, combat, items and movement; 86 previously unavailable quests opened on 7 October.
More ways to play
Skill points replaced skill books. One character could learn every job, keeping separate progress for each. The test server then opened on 12 October to try the new stat rules and combat. The Acolyte replaced the Clown there, and job skills were rebuilt.
Back together on the main game
On 16 October the test-server changes and characters joined the main game. Everyone received a stat and skill reset, and accounts could hold six characters. The Recruit returned as a rifle soldier the next day, monsters began wandering and chasing better, and controller support brought a cross hotbar and window navigation with the D-pad.
A dated timeline
- — The December 2006 maps return as extra zones.
- — Faster loading brings characters and scenery into view sooner.
- — The redesigned interface arrives.
- — The alpha opens, with access requests and a Windows launcher.
- — The Old Maps Guide opens the restored maps to players.
- — Heatherby Grassy Valley runs in the client on the test server.
- — Players can choose Korean in the game options.
- — 86 previously unavailable quests open.
- — Skill points replace skill books.
- — NPC talk and the quest log receive new English texts.
- — One character can learn every job.
- — The test server opens for the new stats and combat.
- — The Acolyte replaces the Clown on the test server.
- — Test-server changes and characters join the main game; six characters per account.
- — The Recruit returns as a rifle soldier.
- — Monsters wander and chase better.
- — Controller support arrives, with the cross hotbar.