MMO Updates

MMO Updates


Guild Wars: What keeps fans coming back

Posted: 28 Apr 2012 10:00 AM PDT

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Guild Wars
Spring is in the air in Guild Wars! I can hear the pitter-patter of speed-enhanced feet coming from the Dragon Arena, the roar of the crowds watching Rollerbeetle races, and the endless grunts of unlucky players on the Nine Rings. It's a celebration -- the celebration of the seventh anniversary of Guild Wars, to be precise.

In and around the annual birthday cupcake hoarding that's going on for the duration of festivities, this year has a few other exciting tricks up its proverbial sleeve. For one thing, a new and limited-edition pet has been made available; the Hound of Balthazar can be unlocked for free by having a brief chat with Ceira, Sworn to Fire, in Embark Beach. For another, the bonuses from all weekend events are active for the anniversary, so players will have to go pretty far out of their way to not reap sweet, sweet rewards for any time spent in-game between now and May 8th.

Seven's a pretty nice number, don't you think? This is something of a special event, as ArenaNet's promise to get Guild Wars 2 shipped before year's end means that this'll be the last birthday that Guild Wars gets to have before the sequel comes along and grabs everyone's attention -- if, indeed, that's not already happening, what with the beta weekend that's going on right this moment. Even with Guild Wars 2 soaking up some limelight, though, Guild Wars is doing its creators proud and aging with grace and dignity. Let's take a look at some of the building blocks of the game's longevity.

Continue reading Guild Wars: What keeps fans coming back

MassivelyGuild Wars: What keeps fans coming back originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 28 Apr 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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    WRUP: Yes, it's the beta weekend edition

    Posted: 28 Apr 2012 08:00 AM PDT

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    I know, it's a WRUP topic that's actually about MMOs.  I'm ashamed of myself.  Next week, back to personal nattering, I promise.
    Yes, it's true, you can finally log in and play Guild Wars 2 for a little while. You still can't play two of the five races, but you can sit down at your computer this evening and emerge two days later, a bleary-eyed shell of a human being. And then when you get the full game, you can get bored within an hour. So maybe this whole beta weekend thing is a double-edged sword after all.

    Or maybe not -- this is going to be the first I've played of it.

    As you can probably guess, this week's WRUP involves a lot of skirmishes being fought by organizations for the second time, and I'm not talking about Business Fisticuffs II: Fisticuff Harder. It also contains the other Massively staff activities for the weekend as well as our opinions on the definition of pay-to-win. So jump on past the break to let us know what you're doing, and leave your own plans in the comments.

    Continue reading WRUP: Yes, it's the beta weekend edition

    MassivelyWRUP: Yes, it's the beta weekend edition originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 28 Apr 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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      The Daily Grind: Do MMO studios owe us item restoration?

      Posted: 28 Apr 2012 06:00 AM PDT

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      SHINIES!
      MMOs vary widely in their account and item restoration policies. In some games, like some of NCsoft's offerings, if you're hacked or you lose access to your account because your memory is toast, it's game over unless you happen to have your original account key. In games like Lord of the Rings Online, you're not guaranteed full reimbursement of your money or gear if a hacker strips you naked and leaves you dancing on a mailbox. BioWare won't refund guild bank items stolen by rogue guildies, either.

      In World of Warcraft, you'll almost always get your account back if you're hacked or you accidentally delete your favorite hat, but it might take an agonizingly long time. This week, Blizzard launched a new item restoration service that attempts to solve the second problem by simplifying the process of reclaiming lost trinkets (though not items stolen by hackers). I was surprised that Blizzard considers this a problem worthy of automation, but maybe it's more common than I thought.

      So now I'm wondering whether companies are actually obligated to restore items we've lost through our own goof-ups. Do you consider this a vital service of a support team, and would you quit a game if your items were truly gone for good?

      Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

      MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Do MMO studios owe us item restoration? originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 28 Apr 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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        TERA collector's edition gets unboxed

        Posted: 27 Apr 2012 07:00 PM PDT

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        The twist ending is that the box actually contains a copy of Tabula Rasa.
        If you're a big enough fan of TERA to pre-order the collector's edition, you probably can't wait to get your hands on it and look at what's inside. But maybe you can't wait on a very literal level -- you have to see what's in that box right now. You're in luck, as the collector's edition has been unboxed by the fine folks at Curse, giving you a chance to see (if not handle) the bonus additions before the game's full launch.

        So what's contained therein? You probably know already if you pre-ordered: a map, a handsome box, a compass, and of course, the game itself. But there are lots of specifics to cover, like the quality of the extra little collectibles. So if you're in the literally-cannot-wait crowd, click on past the break to see what it's like to open up a new copy of the game before you can do so in real life.

        Continue reading TERA collector's edition gets unboxed

        MassivelyTERA collector's edition gets unboxed originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 27 Apr 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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          Betawatch: April 21 - 27, 2012

          Posted: 27 Apr 2012 06:00 PM PDT

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          Betawatch - Tamer Saga
          Tamer Saga and Grimlands join Betawatch's closed beta list this week, while Pirate101 (arrrr!) and Dragon Crusade have been added to our alpha list. And if you were hoping to jump into Spirit Tales' open beta on Wednesday, you're out of luck: Koramgame has postponed that test until May 10th with a lengthy explanation.

          Want in on the Neverwinter beta? Prepurchasing Torchlight 2 through Perfect World Entertainment's portal will guarantee your spot.

          You're no doubt keeping a steady eye on both TERA, which has opened up its head start program in advance of launch next week, and Guild Wars 2, whose first beta event for prepurchasers began earlier today. EVE Fanfest attendees can now redeem their voucher codes for DUST 514 as well.

          Finally, reader Chet tipped us off to the rumor fact that Salem beta test invites are going out!

          Enjoy the full Betawatch roundup after the break.

          Continue reading Betawatch: April 21 - 27, 2012

          MassivelyBetawatch: April 21 - 27, 2012 originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 27 Apr 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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            MMObility: Killing the bland in Iruna Online

            Posted: 27 Apr 2012 05:00 PM PDT

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            Iruna Online screenshot
            Once again, Droid Gamers sent me a sweet tip regarding yet another Android-based MMO. This time around, it's Iruna Online, a real and actual MMO complete with open worlds, "millions" of other players, quests, equipment and monsters. In fact, the game reminds me in some ways of Final Fantasy XI. Iruna Online is not the first mobile MMO that has felt like the Square-Enix favorite, perhaps because they all share a similar art style. As I played, it struck me that the newer smartphones have enough power to run a game that looks as good as Final Fantasy XI, albeit with some graphics options turned down or off.

            The similarities basically end there, however. Iruna Online is one of the newer stock of mobile MMOs that show mobile massively multiplayer gaming is really here. It should not be shocking or surprising anymore. Just as in the PC market, we are going to see many titles stream from the Eastern market. Many of them will be duds, but many will also be very, very cool.

            Continue reading MMObility: Killing the bland in Iruna Online

            MassivelyMMObility: Killing the bland in Iruna Online originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 27 Apr 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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              Pathfinder Online goes diving into dungeons

              Posted: 27 Apr 2012 04:30 PM PDT

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              Now, if it were based off of Tunnels & Trolls, life would be much easier.  Or Bunnies & Burrows.
              For those of you unfamiliar with the Pathfinder game system, what you need to know is that it's based on the core rules of Dungeons & Dragons 3rd Edition. Needless to say, dungeons feature pretty heavily in the tabletop game. So Pathfinder Online has presented itself with a bit of a conundrum: How can it combine the traditionally instanced format of MMO dungeons with the open-world approach of the game? As detailed in the latest development blog, the team is aiming at something between the normal instancing methodology and more sandbox-style open regions.

              In short, while dungeons themselves won't be instanced, the entrances will be hidden in various locations. When a dungeon is generated, a player who finds the entrance will have that dungeon locked to him or her until the dungeon is cleared, at which point it will despawn and be replaced by another dungeon. It's an interesting idea, and it's well worth reading the full blog for a look at how this system might work in practice.

              MassivelyPathfinder Online goes diving into dungeons originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 27 Apr 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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              Star Wars: The Old Republic answers a new set of community questions

              Posted: 27 Apr 2012 04:00 PM PDT

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              No, rakghouls are probably not one of the new playable races.
              The Legacy update is live, the Rakghoul Plague is contained for the time being, and Star Wars: The Old Republic fans are eager for more content and more news. The latest set of community questions and answers doesn't really deliver any new content, but it does deliver tantalizing promises, such as the fact that players can expect to roster of playable races to expand this year. There are also promises of an overhaul to the Achievement system and more Legacy-wide rewards, potentially including datacrons.

              Not all of the news is good, however, with dual spec confirmed to not be included in the the upcoming patch 1.3 (but hopefully in the following patch). There are also a few in-depth answers about crafting and the necessity of finding a crafter for optimal item modifications. Players can also expect to see future spontaneous world events, although the team doesn't want to precisely replicate the Rakghoul Plague with a new skin. Take a look at the full list of questions, and if you want something answered that isn't there, submit it for the next round.

              MassivelyStar Wars: The Old Republic answers a new set of community questions originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 27 Apr 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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              League of Legends announces full release of Spectator Mode

              Posted: 27 Apr 2012 03:30 PM PDT

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              Screenshot -- League of Legends
              League of Legends players, go make some popcorn and grab a drink because the game's spectator mode is almost ready to go into full release. After the game's next patch, players will be able to spectate League of Legends games in a variety of ways, and they can enhance the experience using a number of nifty features.

              If you just wanna watch your friend's game and see how he does, no problem. All friends' games will be watchable just by right-clicking their names on your friends list. There's a three-minute delay on the playback, though, so don't try any tricky business. If you're jonesin' for some high-level play, the featured games menu will let you watch the games being played by top-ranked League players around the world. If you wanna analyze their matches, you can rewind, slow down, and fast forward previous footage, allowing you to scrutinize every gank in excruciating detail. Riot Games was nice enough to put together some footage of the new feature in action, as well, so you can check that out right here for the full details.

              [Source: Riot Games press release]

              Continue reading League of Legends announces full release of Spectator Mode

              MassivelyLeague of Legends announces full release of Spectator Mode originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 27 Apr 2012 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                EVE Online's CSM 7 looks toward the future, opens communication

                Posted: 27 Apr 2012 03:00 PM PDT

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                Screenshot -- EVE Online
                EVE Online's CSM 7 took office earlier this month on April 4th, and the Council of Stellar Management is now officially in business. Today, the members of the CSM have released a letter outlining their plans and philosophies for the future. They first take the opportunity to announce their CSM officer choices, revealing Seleene as the CSM Chairman, Trebor Daehdoow as Vice-Chairman, Two Step as the CSM Secretary, and Hans Jagerblitzen as Vice-Secretary.

                The letter then takes a moment to address the upcoming CSM 7 summit, which will be taking place between May 30th and June 1st. The CSM members note that "the summit will be a major opportunity to provide community input as CCP develops [its] plans for the Winter Expansion," and they encourage players to make their voices heard. But how? Well, the letter states that "one thing that CSM 7 will be doing differently than past CSMs is directly communicating with the players as much as possible" through a variety of media, including in-game chat, the CSM member blog, Twitter, and monthly Town Hall meetings, the first of which will be taking place in-game on May 19th. So get out there, players. Now's your chance to make your voices heard and to shape the future of the EVE Online galaxy.

                MassivelyEVE Online's CSM 7 looks toward the future, opens communication originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 27 Apr 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                Strike like Lightning with PlanetSide 2's latest vehicle reveal

                Posted: 27 Apr 2012 02:00 PM PDT

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                Screenshot -- PlanetSide 2
                In PlanetSide 2, wars are not won by infantry alone. Sometimes you've gotta bring in the big guns, and sometimes you've gotta attach those big guns to even bigger tanks that can turn unwitting enemy foot soldiers into a fine crimson smear on the ground. For those times, Sony Online Entertainment has announced the latest Nanite Systems vehicle, the Lightning.

                The lightning is a lightweight 75mm tank that uses its mobility and obscene rate of fire to rain havoc upon the battlefield while avoiding enemy counterattacks. The one-man tank can fire up to six rounds in under three seconds, "allowing the driver to quickly adjust [his] aim after [his] first shot." The modular turret can be swapped out for a variety of other turret types for those times when you just want to mix it up a bit, and the Lightning's Skyguard turret is "the most effective ground-to-air weapon on the battlefield, as it's fitted with 40mm cannons with an elevation range of 80 degrees." To top it all off, the Lightning is one of the fastest ground vehicles, which makes it just as useful for tactical retreats as it is for vehicular manslaughter. The vehicle will be available to all three factions, so no matter which side you're fighting for, you can rest assured that you'll have some speedy firepower at your disposal.

                [Source: Sony Online Entertainment press release]

                MassivelyStrike like Lightning with PlanetSide 2's latest vehicle reveal originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 27 Apr 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                  Allods Online to add new features, anniversary gifts

                  Posted: 27 Apr 2012 01:30 PM PDT

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                  Allods Online
                  Allods Online is barreling down the road toward Patch 3.0.0.02 (the extra decimals denote quality!), with an array of fine features to anticipate. Chief among those is an overall improved questing experience. The patch will give players additional ways to track and find quests, not to mention a new "auto-move" feature that will whisk you away to your desired destination.

                  Next on the patch's agenda is the game's second PvP skirmish map: Deserted Farm. Deserted Farm will be a 6v6 skirmish where players will struggle to control a central flag. The twist to the map is that a pair of cannon can focus-fire onto this location, so obtaining one or both of these is mandatory for success.

                  Finally, 3.0.0.02 (the extra decimals are a secret code that tells you gPotato loves you) will add a new raid boss to the Kingdom of Elements. His name is Gen'ul, Lord of the Volcano, and he'll be very pleased to meet and then wipe the floor with you. Multiple raids can attempt to down him at the same time and then squabble over the huge treasure chest that he drops.

                  The Allods site has also been updated with details on the anniversary celebration and gifts.

                  MassivelyAllods Online to add new features, anniversary gifts originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 27 Apr 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                  Star Trek Online announces junior officer appreciation weekend

                  Posted: 27 Apr 2012 01:00 PM PDT

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                  Screenshot -- Star Trek Online
                  We all know how the story goes: Starfleet captain goes out on an away mission, kills some of the locals, and comes back home to a hero's welcome. Bah! What about the little guys? What about the poor redshirts who were callously thrown to the lions so that their captains could sit and watch from the comfort of space, huh? Well thankfully, Cryptic Studios is not blind to the contributions of Star Trek Online's junior officers, and the studio has announced a junior officer appreciation weekend in their honor.

                  From today, April 27th, until Monday, April 30th, STO players will be able to give back to their valued junior officers in the form of up to 50% bonus commendation experience for all duty officer assignments. In addition, captains can receive a free purple-quality duty officer "with a unique active roster power," and any duty officer packs opened during the course of the event will each contain a free additional green-quality or better duty officer, so if you're looking to pad out your junior officer roster after the redshirt massacre that happened last mission, now's the perfect time to do so. Just head on over to the STO official site for the full details.

                  MassivelyStar Trek Online announces junior officer appreciation weekend originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 27 Apr 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                  Storyboard: The growth of a plot tumor

                  Posted: 27 Apr 2012 12:00 PM PDT

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                  As I approach two years of this, I'm still waiting to run out of headers to assemble.
                  Everyone has had that friend. Heck, almost everyone has been that friend at one point or another. It's the guy who just found himself in a relationship, and suddenly every single topic of conversation jerks right back to that relationship. It starts out subtle, but eventually your friend will turn everything back to the topic of his relationship, up to and including a car crash. And while said friend isn't a bad guy, you start enjoying your time with him less and less because he's down to a single droning note that's no longer interesting.

                  The exact same thing happens in roleplaying. It's not usually about a girlfriend, although it can be. It's any aspect of a character's plot that grows until it's all-encompassing and grows into the plots of other characters as well. It's a plot tumor. It's a growth bigger than it has any right to be, and it's the sort of thing that can really drive you away from roleplaying whether or not you liked the plot in the beginning.

                  Continue reading Storyboard: The growth of a plot tumor

                  MassivelyStoryboard: The growth of a plot tumor originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 27 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                    The Firing Line: Five reasons to love Tribes: Ascend

                    Posted: 27 Apr 2012 11:00 AM PDT

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                    The Firing Line - Five reasons to love Tribes: Ascend
                    Oh, Tribes: Ascend, if only you were an MMO.

                    Actually, wait a minute. When I think on it, if Hi-Rez Studios' new free-to-play sci-fi shooter were an MMO, I probably wouldn't like it as much. There's something to be said for frequent updates and instant gameplay gratification, and Tribes provides those things (and more) in spades.

                    Continue reading The Firing Line: Five reasons to love Tribes: Ascend

                    MassivelyThe Firing Line: Five reasons to love Tribes: Ascend originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 27 Apr 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                      Some Assembly Required: Ten years warp by for Vendetta Online

                      Posted: 27 Apr 2012 10:30 AM PDT

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                      Some Assembly Required
                      If I were to start describing a game where players have zipped about one persistent universe as one of three factions in customizable ships vying for wealth and territory by mining, dodging hostiles, fulfilling missions, blasting one another to bits, docking at stations, blazing trade routes, and pirating for the past 10 years, you would say... Vendetta Online, of course! Perhaps the longest-running epic space-based sandbox MMORPG, the game hit a milestone last week that few others can boast: It turned 10!

                      Although its major retail distribution was in 2004, Vendetta Online marks its anniversary as the day it was spotlighted in Penny Arcade during the game's completely open and public alpha (which means it basically launched since everyone could dive in and play) and the population exploded! A truly multi-platform MMORPG, Guild Software's game can be played on Windows, Mac, Linux, and even Android, giving pilots the freedom to log in when and where they may, even to surreptitiously check the markets or maybe sneak an event in while at work via a smartphone. After all, who wants to miss an event just because employment gets in the way?

                      Luckily for those of us without an Android, Vendetta Online celebrated its decennial anniversary with some developer-run in-game events over the weekend. Always willing to join the party, Some Assembly Required strapped into a shiny new ship and blasted right into the thick of things in order to share in the festivities.

                      Continue reading Some Assembly Required: Ten years warp by for Vendetta Online

                      MassivelySome Assembly Required: Ten years warp by for Vendetta Online originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 27 Apr 2012 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                        Latest Gaming and MMORPG Updates

                        Latest Gaming and MMORPG Updates


                        [TGC 2011] Asura

                        Posted: 28 Apr 2012 07:10 AM PDT


                        A self-developed online game by one of Tencent’s studios, a new class was announced for Asura over at Tencent Games Carnival. Loosely translated as Deity Warrior, it looks like this class is a jack of all trades, being able to switch between the lance, sword and cannon whenever the yellow energy meter is full. He is also able to summon his loyal heavenly dog pet for the extra damage.

                        Yes, the game is inspired by Journey to the West, and if you had seen the series, this character resembles the deity Erlang, who has a third eye on his forehead, gave Sun Wukong a hard time and is also a relative of the Heavenly Empress. You may check out the other classes and videos here (link).

                        Find similar article at: http://www.mmoculture.com/2011/11/tgc-2011-asura-new-class-revealed.html

                        Queen’s Blade Online (KR)

                        Posted: 28 Apr 2012 04:38 AM PDT



                        [More info] As with most Korean games, there is usually a spokesperson if budget allows. They can range from actress to actors, singers to athletes and most recently, politicians. Well, the most common is still models, and developer Liveplex (Dragona fame) confirmed that China car show model, 艾尚真 (Ai Shang Zhen), will be representing Queen’s Blade Online in Korea. This will be the first time a Chinese model is collaborating with a Korean game developer as a product spokesperson.



                        While I was skeptical at first, a quick google proved that she is more than capable of the task at hand, seeing that she has no qualms showing off some skin in her modelling career. Hopefully her cosplay photos of Queen’s Blade Online’s character are out soon ^__^




                        Find similar article at: http://www.mmoculture.com/2012/04/queens-blade-online-kr-spokesperson.html

                        Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition’s Ver. 2012 Update Detailed

                        Posted: 27 Apr 2012 07:10 PM PDT

                        Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition Version 2012 is a very long title, no doubt, but what it is not is the name of yet another re-release of Street Fighter IV. As previously announced, it’s a huge patch being released — for free! — for the Arcade Edition of the game.

                        Arcade Edition was the third version of Street Fighter IV released following SFIV itself and Super Street Fighter IV, and is the only version this patch is being released for. It is said to be the final version of the game, and that seems to be proven by the large number of changes being made in this patch.

                        The entire roster has been tweaked. With almost 40 characters to update, the changelist is understandably quite large. Not every character has received an equal number of changes — Yun has been drastically altered while Cammy and Sagat each received only two alterations. The full changelist is now available here (PDF) for fighting fans to dissect.

                        The trailer above features a select number of the updates and provides a look at how they compare with Arcade Edition as it currently stands. You’ll be able to try the changes out for yourself when the patch is released on December 13 for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, and sometime after that on PC.

                        Any change to a fighting game — particularly one with as ardent a fan base as Street Fighter’s — is going to be greatly scrutinized. After taking a look at the changes, which have been in the works since at least August, let us know what you make of them in the comments below.

                        Find similar article at: http://www.1up.com/news/super-street-fighter-iv-arcade-edition-ver-12-detailed

                        What Can Wii U Do? Rayman Legends Offers Hints

                        Posted: 27 Apr 2012 04:40 PM PDT

                        Remember the Halo Reach sniper rifle shot heard (and bounced) around
                        the world? The one that ricocheted in such a crazy way that it
                        actually went through the head of the very fellow who fired it in the
                        first place
                        ? Bizarre as that situation may sound, it can serve as one of many crazy
                        ways to assassinate someone in Dishonored. During the tail end of
                        a recent hands-off demonstration, co-creative directors Harvey Smith and Raf
                        Colantonio briefly went quiet as a Bethesda staffer playing showed off a
                        particularly slick method of taking out multiple targets: Having the
                        player character, Corvo, slow down time before laying down a spring razor
                        trap and using his Blink ability to teleport a short distance
                        away just in time to see the trap detonate when time resumes
                        flowing at a normal rate. To get back to Reach’s unintentional
                        suicide, Smith explained, “Sometimes, when you activate Bend Time,
                        you can actually see the bullet in the air; you can actually then
                        Possess the guy who shot it and walk him around to the front. When
                        time resumes, the bullet kills him and he has this very shocked
                        expression on his face.”

                        Smith has previously described Dishonored as an action-stealth title in
                        terms of its overall genre, but he cites titles like Far Cry 2, Ultima Underworld, System Shock, Thief, and Deus Ex as examples of what he,
                        Colantonio, and the rest of the developers at Arkane are going for with their new creation: An
                        open-ended game driven more by systemic interaction than by
                        scripted spectacle. In other words, they want to simply provide a
                        suite of tools, and objective, and then let players go at it. Corvo has
                        a number of tools — including gear such guns, daggers, traps, grenades
                        and weird steampunk treasure detecting devices as well as more supernatural
                        abilities such as Bend Time, Possession, and Windblast — and his task is simply to find his targets and neutralize them. This can be as simple as
                        stabbing someone in the face; as odd as possessing fish and mice to
                        navigate through the sewers below until you find said target before
                        possessing him to make him jump out a window; or as elaborate and
                        non-lethal as arranging to have his identity stolen in order to condemn him to work in the very same salt mine that he owns.

                        Find similar article at: http://www.1up.com/previews?cId=3187043

                        Nintendo Adopts Retail Game Downloads for 3DS and Wii U

                        Posted: 27 Apr 2012 04:40 PM PDT

                        3DS eShop

                        After hinting that the capability was already in place to do so, Nintendo has announced plans to begin selling digital versions of retail games for 3DS starting with New Super Mario Bros. 2 this August. To date, the only games available through the system’s eShop are smaller experiences specifically designed for release through it; larger titles like Super Mario 3D Land and Mario Kart 7 are only found on game cards at retail.

                        The news was made official as part of a financial results briefing conducted by Nintendo president Satoru Iwata. With the company officially posting its first annual loss in the three decades it’s been in the videogame business, Iwata was fixated on outlining how things would be turned around in the year ahead. Aside from no longer selling the 3DS at a loss (which is expected to be the case by the end of September), delivering new software, and releasing the Wii U, a digital push is beginning — one that won’t rely only on selling games to those who regularly visit the eShop on their own.

                        In addition to selling games at retail as it always has, Nintendo will begin offering downloadable versions of its games at retail. Consumers will be able to purchase a 16-digit code than can be redeemed on the eShop for a digital version of the game. Nintendo was seeking a way not to cut retail out of the equation; back in January Iwata said, “There must be a solution other than positioning digital distribution as an enemy to wholesalers and retailers.” During this week’s briefing, he talked about needing to expand the digital business beyond those who are visiting the eShop. Although the connection rate of the 3DS is higher than that of the DSi and consumers are returning to the eShop more regularly, Nintendo thinks it can leverage retail as a way of introducing new consumers to the concept of digital software.

                        It’s unclear if every Nintendo-published game will be made available in this fashion. Iwata was not specific on the subject, but Joystiq was told by Nintendo that the “majority” of first-party games will be. That also goes for the Wii U, which Iwata announced will have have downloadable versions of its games available at their respective launches.

                        New Super Mario Bros. 2

                        Iwata specifically identified New Super Mario Bros. 2 and the new Brain Age, tentatively called Onitore, as two 3DS titles that are guaranteed to have digital versions. He also spoke about other games which 3DS owners may want to play on a daily basis, like Nintendogs and Animal Crossing, as a sort that would make sense to have easy access to right on the system without having to carry around game cards. This is one area where traditional game handhelds are lacking compared to phones and tablets — whereas every game you own on an iPhone or iPad is with the device wherever it goes, 3DS owners have to lug around their game cards. Vita solves this by having all of its games available digitally, although that is an imperfect solution as these games, sold through the PlayStation Store, rarely if ever go on sale. That means even people like myself with a desire to own digital versions of games still tend to purchase physical ones.

                        Nintendo believes it has found a way to resolve the pricing problem. While it’s suggested that the physical and digital versions be sold for the same price, thereby allowing consumers to choose which version they would prefer, retailers will be free to discount the downloadable game codes just as they do the physical games. In theory that means you won’t be charged extra simply because you want to have your game collection loaded right on the system, aside the cost of SD cards needed to store the games, of course.

                        This all sounds like great news. It’s very much a welcome option, and the sort of thing that will encourage 3DS owners to bring the system with them wherever they go. And the possibility for downloadable games to go on sale alongside their physical counterparts is one way the digital setup of the 3DS can trump the Vita.

                        One of the drawbacks is similar to purchasing digital games on other platforms — you won’t be able to share them with others. Iwata specifically stated downloaded games will only be playable on the hardware it was purchased on. For some that may be a deal-breaker, and it continues to highlight the need for Nintendo to develop an account system similar to Xbox Live and PlayStation Network.

                        Nintendo digital business expansion slide

                        But at least it will be an option to download games when they’re first released. Sony has embraced the practice to some extent on PlayStation 3 and entirely on Vita; Microsoft, on the other hand, remains stubborn on the subject. Speaking with MCV, Xbox Live UK product manager Pav Bhardwaj recently indicated retail games will continue to be made available through the Games on Demand service only once several months have passed since their release at retail.

                        “It comes down to choice,” he said. “The customer has the choice of going to retail on day one if they really want to buy a particular title, or to wait a couple of months and buy it full price from the Xbox Live Marketplace.”

                        He’s right that it is a choice, but it’s hardly an optimal one. It’s a choice in the same way, “Would you like to eat pizza or a pile of garbage?” is a choice. A real choice would be allowing consumers to decide whether they want to buy a retail or digital version of a game at launch — having to wait months hardly makes the digital route an attractive option. Bhardwaj claimed the current model is successful, and there are people willing to pay full price for a downloadable game six months after it’s released at retail, leading him to ask, “So why change something you don’t need to?”

                        Nintendo, on the other hand, talked about providing consumers with a choice, and based on these early details, its plans appear to do a good job of that. Offering codes at retail gives even those without a credit card (or those hesitant to use one online) the opportunity to buy digital games. Assuming the prices are competitive with retail games and there isn’t much of a concern about being able to redownload games if the need should arise, I could see myself buying many of my 3DS games this way. Wii U downloads will be a more complicated matter with the system not being equipped with a hard drive; downloading games that fill up a DVD onto an SD card may not be particularly ideal. But, once again, more options are certainly better than none.

                        Find similar article at: http://www.1up.com/news/3ds-wii-u-retail-game-downloads

                        Republique Adds PC and Mac Versions as Kickstarter Deadline Looms

                        Posted: 27 Apr 2012 04:40 PM PDT

                        It has now been a few weeks since the Kickstarter for République, the debut title from Ryan Payton-led studio Camouflaj, was first announced. After a strong start, pledges began to come in more slowly and it was looking as though the game’s lofty $500,000 goal would not be reached. The project has now been readjusted in a way that may help it to pick up the remaining money it needs before the May 11 deadline.

                        Money pledged to a project on Kickstarter is only handed over if its target is reached. $500,000 is a lot for any Kickstarter, particularly one that involves an iOS game. The biggest videogame projects so far, like Double Fine’s adventure game and Wasteland 2, have been PC games. It’s unclear what the market really is for an iOS game geared toward the hardcore. The high-end price for games on the platform in most cases is only about $7; République was asking for at least $10 before backers would be rewarded with a free copy of the game.

                        After several weeks, the Kickstarter had not yet reached $100,000. In response to this and fan feedback imploring Camouflaj to port the game to computers, PC and Mac versions were announced yesterday. Given the nature of the game, it seems like a fine fit on computers just as it is on touchscreen platforms like iPhone and iPad. But this won’t be a simple port — as the video above talks about, the developers want to tailor these versions of the game to the system. The press release notes it will feature new gameplay, controls, and story elements designed to take advantage of “the unique strengths of the PC and Mac platforms.”

                        “Kickstarter is great because it gives us a direct connection to those interested in our game and allows us to have a dialogue with them,” said Payton, who is a former employee of 343 Industries and Kojima Productions. “The community told us they want République for PC and Mac, and we’ve listened. This is a big win for everybody.”

                        Republique

                        I had been hopeful the success of the iOS game’s Kickstarter would lead to a wave of hardcore titles being created for iPhone and iPad. The inability of République to garner $500,000 in pledges doesn’t bode well for that happening, although it’s still possible the game turns out to be a huge success and leads to that result anyway. The Kickstarter failing to attract the desired amount of cash is hardly an indication the market for hardcore iOS games does not exist; it could simply be that those gamers are unaware of Kickstarter, unwilling to donate for a game they won’t see for more than a year, or looking for something different than this particular game.

                        This is not to say no one is interested in the game. At the time of yesterday’s announcement, the Kickstarter had $95,000 in pledges. Over the last day that has shot up to a total of $120,048 from 3,213 backers. With two weeks still to go, there remains plenty of time for computer game players to take notice and pledge enough for the game to reach its goal. If that happens, the iOS versions will be released during summer 2013 and the PC and Mac versions “shortly after.”

                        Camouflaj is not talking about the possibility right now, but presumably with work already being done on the game (unlike many other Kickstarters), alternative funding will be found if the goal is not reached. The game is going to cost upwards of $1 million to make, so it’s not as if Kickstarter was being relied on entirely to get the game made.

                        Kickstarter pledges can be as a little as $1, although to reap any rewards, the minimum is $10 in this case (that gets backers a free iOS copy of the game). There is now more of an incentive to bump that pledge amount up slightly higher; those wanting a PC or Mac copy have to pledge $15, and $20 is required for those who want a PC/Mac and iOS copy. That should help to drive up the average being donated — already almost 550 people have opted for one of the latter two options. With the game looking very promising at this early stage, hopefully those pledges continue to come in and Camouflaj can create the game it envisioned from the start.

                        Find similar article at: http://www.1up.com/news/republique-adds-pc-mac-versions

                        Diablo 3 Launch Events

                        Posted: 27 Apr 2012 04:36 PM PDT

                        Diablo 3 will launch on Tuesday 14 May to quite some fanfair. Here's the lowdown on the Diablo 3 Oxford Street HMV launch event, London:Diablo 3 Launch Events

                        Blizzard developers Julian Love and Leonard Boyarsky will be on-had to sign copies, including Collector's Editions, "attendees will have a chance to participate in organized activities and win great prizes," reads the Blizzard events page. That's not to be sniffed at: Oxford Street HMV midnight launches have a history of giving away some very tasty prizes, from rare and sought-after in-game goodies to expensive electronics.

                        Blizzard will host similar events across Europe in Berlin, Stockholm, Paris, Warsaw and across the world in the U.S., Southeast Asia, Korea and Taiwan.

                        Find similar article at: http://www.totalpcgaming.com/latest-pc-news/diablo-3-launch-events/

                        Dead or Alive 5 Brings the Concept of Desperation Moves Into Real Life

                        Posted: 27 Apr 2012 10:36 AM PDT

                        Remember the Halo Reach sniper rifle shot heard (and bounced) around
                        the world? The one that ricocheted in such a crazy way that it
                        actually went through the head of the very fellow who fired it in the
                        first place
                        ? Bizarre as that situation may sound, it can serve as one of many crazy
                        ways to assassinate someone in Dishonored. During the tail end of
                        a recent hands-off demonstration, co-creative directors Harvey Smith and Raf
                        Colantonio briefly went quiet as a Bethesda staffer playing showed off a
                        particularly slick method of taking out multiple targets: Having the
                        player character, Corvo, slow down time before laying down a spring razor
                        trap and using his Blink ability to teleport a short distance
                        away just in time to see the trap detonate when time resumes
                        flowing at a normal rate. To get back to Reach’s unintentional
                        suicide, Smith explained, “Sometimes, when you activate Bend Time,
                        you can actually see the bullet in the air; you can actually then
                        Possess the guy who shot it and walk him around to the front. When
                        time resumes, the bullet kills him and he has this very shocked
                        expression on his face.”

                        Smith has previously described Dishonored as an action-stealth title in
                        terms of its overall genre, but he cites titles like Far Cry 2, Ultima Underworld, System Shock, Thief, and Deus Ex as examples of what he,
                        Colantonio, and the rest of the developers at Arkane are going for with their new creation: An
                        open-ended game driven more by systemic interaction than by
                        scripted spectacle. In other words, they want to simply provide a
                        suite of tools, and objective, and then let players go at it. Corvo has
                        a number of tools — including gear such guns, daggers, traps, grenades
                        and weird steampunk treasure detecting devices as well as more supernatural
                        abilities such as Bend Time, Possession, and Windblast — and his task is simply to find his targets and neutralize them. This can be as simple as
                        stabbing someone in the face; as odd as possessing fish and mice to
                        navigate through the sewers below until you find said target before
                        possessing him to make him jump out a window; or as elaborate and
                        non-lethal as arranging to have his identity stolen in order to condemn him to work in the very same salt mine that he owns.

                        Find similar article at: http://www.1up.com/previews?cId=3187042

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