As you may recall, the Open Beta phase of Ingle Games' Magic World Online (MWO) MMORPG began last month. While the gift codes that were sent out for the beginners are certainly a good way to start things off, don't think for a moment that's the only thing the devs have up their sleeve.

Ingle has recently released details on some the new features they've been testing over at MWO OB, including the Official Position System, the Marriage System, Hero Island, and The Evil Zodiac Instance.

Tying the knot: MWO's Marriage System

Can love blossom on the battlefield? Certainly! And if you and your significant other decide to take your relationship to the next level, there's the prospect of MWO's new Marriage System to help officiate your newfound bonds. The newlyweds also get a 10 to 20 percent experience point boost when they're near each other, so intimacy is definitely a must.

   
 

Ingle plans to demonstrate this new system this week with the wedding of GMs John and Jane. All OB players are invited to the pair's union, which is expected to take place this Tuesday, a 7:30 pm, at the Sun City, Empire, in Server Genesis. To create a character for this server, you will need to follow these steps:

• Add Jane as your friend, and PM her your in-game name at MySpace (www.myspace.com/mwofans), or..
• Add Kane as your friend and PM him your in-game name at Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1155297894)
• Be sure to include the following comment when you sign up: "I wish to attend GM’s wedding and my IGN is [character name]."
• You can also apply for the position of the Bridesmaids, Groomsmen, fireworks-setters, although slots for each are limited.
  

If all goes well, you should receive a Wedding Invitation Card (posted above). The card can be exchanged for a value-equivalent Betrothal Gift. For the shrewder players, the event will also enable you to set up booths beside John's house in Empire Uptown.

At around 6:00 p.m. PST, John will come around the booths to do a bit of window-shopping to furnish his new home, and your shop just might get lucky. He'll be doing this until 7:00, so be sure to put out your best wares and prices. The GM Wedding event is also expected to be recorded.

Hail to the King, baby: The Official Position System

While getting a position as a Knight sounds cool, it just doesn't have the same ego trip when compared to a king. After all, MWO's Knight challenge is a group effort, with all sharing the rank upgrade. MWO's Official System gets frenzied after this point however, with players now clamoring to earn Honor and Reputation Points to see who gets to the next Baronet challenge.

From there, it's a steady climb through the  Baron, Vicomte, Earl, Marquis, Duke, Infante, Dey, Archduke ranks, and finally, King.

Only the strong survive: Hero Island

Looking for a new place to test your mettle? Then you will want to try out MWO OB's new Hero Island, a small land mass accessible only by teleporting from the docks in either Palm Beach or Beveley Hill.

Be warned however - this island is a longtime training ground for demons, their favorite punching bags being the next unsuspecting explorer that sets foot in their domain. Namely, you.

One particular fire mage says that despite being level (42), carrying 3 legendary gear, and having 300+ dodge, he was still fair game for the island's fast and savage wildlife. He tried again with a level 50 summoner and a level 45 ice mage, although their fate was no different than the fire mage's earlier.

It's a tough place, and anybody who can walk away (preferably with all their limbs intact) from the battles here will be deserving of the title "hero."

Thirteen flavors of pain: The Evil Zodiac instance

Perhaps the meanest addition to grace MWO OB is its new Evil Zodiac Instance, which actually consist of 13 gruelling instances for you and your team. How tough is it exactly? As of now, the furthest any team has ever reached before wiping was the fourth instance. While they're still trying to figure out how to defeat this particular encounter, the team did provide for some guidelines on defeating the bosses for the first three:

• The 1st Zodiac: The monster captain has an additional ability to make the boss immune to physical attacks, so you must get rid of it quickly.
• The 2nd Zodiac: You have to kill the captain first and then you and your teammates take off all armors and weapon when the boss has around 5% HP left.
• The 3rd Zodiac: You will have to combat your own shadow. As a tip, remove your equipment to lower your defense, and you can quickly defeat your evil doppelganger.
  

To access MWO's Evil Zodiac Instance, you and your group will first need to have the “Gods' Tears” item. Your entourage will then meet up with Terrence at at Magocean Village (304, 96) and Walt at Blaze Cliff (363, 335), both of whom will guide you to the instance location. Those interested in signing up for MWO's Open Beta run to participate in these new features will want to visit the official game site.