October 01, 2013

5th Upholders

What is an Upholder?

AQW is coming up on another birthday! That's means that we are once again offering the chance to become an AQW Upholder (The same way that the Founders got their chance at the birth of the game and the way 1st Upholders got their chance four years ago, 2nd Upholders got the chance three years ago, 3rd Upholders got their chance two years ago, and 4th Upholders got theirs last year at this time).

What Does a 5th Upholder Get?!

Normally, an Upholder gets a Character Page Badge and a rare Star Sword. This year, when you become a 5th Upholder you get FIVE rare Star Swords, (both are non-member so you can swing that sword forever, and 0 ACs so you can store it for free), an achievement badge on your character page and some CRAZY bragging rights.

Why Five Star Swords?

We always try to listen to your ideas... especially when you have SO MANY good ones! Last year, you wanted two versions of the Chaos Star Sword, and that worked out pretty well. This year, the theme is "Time and Space," so that's two star swords right there. Then we had a 3rd Naval Commander - the Legion Naval Commander - so we added a 3rd Star Sword due to popular demand. Then, because of those who LOVE the old look, we made some different versions. Now you've got LOTS! Five star swords for the 5th upholder!

Both of these relate back to the main storyline - the 13 Lords of Chaos Saga. You WILL face Drakath this year, but the outcome of that is up to you! Will you be wielding a star sword when the battle begins?

This is YOUR chance to grab some - or more - of the spotlight for yourself (even if you're already a Founder or a 1st Upholder, 2nd Upholder, 3rd Upholder, 4th Upholder, or ALL FIVE!)

Return of the Star Swords!

I'm sure you've also seen somebody with the 1st Upholder Golden Star Sword, 2nd Upholder Onyx Star Sword, 3rd Upholder Platinum Star Sword, or last year's Chaos Star Swords and said to yourself... "DANG! WHY did I have to miss out on that?!" You might have also said "MAN! Why did I delete MY Star Sword... and how can I get it back?!"

I've got good news for you, omni-Hero! This month, if you have a 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, or 5th Upholder, you'll be able to go into your Book of Lore, click on your badge, and access a shop containing your Upholder rewards! As we have time, we'll also add "normal hilt" recolors of the older star swords for those of you who love the classic look.

Sounds Great! How Do I Become a 5th Upholder?

It couldn't be simpler. Upgrade your account to become a Legend! 

1. If you are ALREADY a Legend and your membership expires ON or AFTER November 1st, 2013, then you're are ALREADY a 5th Upholder. Grats and thanks!
2. If you help support AQW by buying ANY membership ANY TIME during the month of October (from October 1st to October 31st, as long as it expires on or after November 1st) then you become a 5th Upholder!

I Think My Membership Already Makes Me A 5th Upholder. How Can I Check?

Also, easy. Just click the Manage Account link on the left under the ACCOUNT section.

As soon as you sign in you'll see when your membership expires. Here's mine:

Cool! When Do I Get My Super Sweet 5th Upholder Swords and Badge?

Badges and star swords will be awarded as you log in, starting today! You will find your 5th Upholder Badge in your Book of Lore in the Badges tab. Click on this badge and you will see that it comes with a shop. You will be able to grab your swords from that shop and start showing them off as well as your Character Page Badge. 

Only Memberships Count?

Yes. You can use Artix Points on the Portal site or any method in AQW to upgrade, but it MUST be an AQW Membership. AdventureCoins DO NOT COUNT TOWARD 5th Upholder.

Anything Else I Should Know?

Absolutely! We couldn't keep AQWorlds running without every single upgrade and AC that you buy. Nearly every penny you spend goes back into the game. Though some people prefer buying AdventureCoins and others prefer upgrading, anyone who spends real money on this game deserves to get as much as we can give them, because without their support... there wouldn't BE an AQWorlds for everyone to play!

You may not know this but AQW (like all AE games) is ENTIRELY supported by the players. We have no financial backers and nobody owns stock in the company. Clicking on ads and doing AExtras offers does bring in some money, but not nearly enough to keep AQWorlds free for everyone to enjoy. 

That's why we continue to reward the AQWorlds' Founders, who supported us in the very beginning. To make sure they know how much we appreciate that, we are continuing to give them free gear each year! And because we can attach shops to badges, for all those with us since Beta, we're going to add the gear from the Beta Rares shop to the Beta badge shop later this week!

I Love AQW! It's The Best Game EVER!

Without everyone who has supported AQWorlds over the years, we wouldn't be able to make these amazing games, or allow anyone on the internet to create an account and begin battling through AQW! I can't imagine having a better job, or better bosses (that's YOU)!

Thank you for battling alongside us, and for sharing your ideas and love of AQWorlds with us. You truly are the best gaming community on the internet! Thank you for the first 5 years of AQWorlds, and here's to another 5 years, 10 years, and beyond!