MMO News

MMO News

Atlus Online Launches BattleSpace

Posted: 25 May 2012 05:20 PM PDT

Atlus Online has announced today’s commercial launch of BattleSpace, both on Atlus Online and Kongregate.

As a limited celebration event, players can earn 100 Honor Medals for reaching level 5 and a Ship parts gift package for reaching level 10. Players who spend Crowns will earn 300 Honor Medals (7000 Crowns) or the exclusive commander Godwin (21000 Crowns). In addition, the game’s servers will offer a 20% bonus commander EXP and 20% increased flight speed until June 11.

Atlus Online also publishes Pandora Saga and Megaten.

BattleSpace Trailer:

Source:

BATTLESPACE, FREE-TO-PLAY, BROWSER-BASED SCI-FI MMORTS FROM ATLUS ONLINE, CELEBRATES COMMERCIAL SERVICE LAUNCH WITH SPECIAL EVENTS, INCENTIVES

 

IRVINE, CALIFORNIA – MAY 25, 2012 – ATLUS ONLINE, a division of ATLUS dedicated to massively online gaming and entertainment, today launched commercial service for BattleSpace, their exciting new free-to-play, browser-based sci-fi MMORTS.  Continuing their partnership with Kongregate, ATLUS ONLINE confirmed that BattleSpace is also now available via the popular gaming portal.  To celebrate the official launch, ATLUS ONLINE is offering limited-time level up and Crowns events to encourage players to explore all of the rewards the game has to offer:

Players receive free in-game rewards for reaching each of the following level milestones:

  •  100 Honor Medals for level 5
  •  Ship parts gift package for level 10

For a limited time, players who use Crowns will earn bonuses with purchases:

  •  300 Honor Medals for 7000 Crowns
  •  Exclusive commander, Godwin, for 21000 Crowns

Players who opt not to participate in these events will still enjoy the server-wide benefits of 20% bonus commander EXP and 20% increase in flight speed till the 6/11 maintenance.

In BattleSpace, players take control of one of many different races vying for resources and dominance in an unclaimed galaxy overflowing with resources.  With real-time resource management, full-scale space wars, and limitless strategic possibilities that directly affect all allies and foes within the player-driven universe, BattleSpace delivers an accessible yet satisfyingly deep massively online strategy experience.  No download or installation requirements allow players to instantly command their own vast solar system and battle for control of the sector!

To register, play, and find more info about Battlespace, visit the ATLUS ONLINE game site at   http://battlespace.atlusonline.com.

APB Reloaded Launches Version 1.8.0

Posted: 25 May 2012 05:02 PM PDT

GamersFirst has announced the release of version 1.8.0 for APB Reloaded.

The update adds 14 new weapon skins in the Armas Marketplace, plus more through in-game progression. Also new is the Joker Mystery Box 3 (which includes the OCA Nano ‘Connoisseur’, a silenced automatic secondary weapon).

For Memorial Day weekend (May 26 through 28),  Premium Members will get a 20% bonus discount at the Armas Marketplace. Meanwhile, players who complete 10 Action District Missions every day for three days in a row (May 25 through May 27) will earn five Joker Mystery 3 Boxes and an entry to win a 4-slot Vegas G24 and Hot Rod Kit.

GamersFirst also publishes Fallen Earth and Sword2.

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APB Reloaded Gameplay Screenshot

Source:

New Content Bonanza Ignites APB Reloaded
Update 1.8.0 invades San Paro with new weapon skins, a new Joker Mystery Box and events with up to a 40% discount on purchases

Irvine, Calif., May 25, 2012 –Reloaded Productions, the wholly-owned creative development studio for GamersFirst, today announced the live release of version 1.8.0 for the Free2Play® online action game, APB Reloaded. Following the successful 1.7.0 update last month, update 1.8.0 introduces new Weapon Skins that give the citizens of San Paro the power to customize the look of their weapons, a new Joker Mystery Box, an exclusive reward for completing the 1.8.0 Challenge, and a hefty 40% marketplace discount.

Key Features of the Update Include:

1.      Weapon Skins – The Armas Marketplace is stocked with 14 new Weapon Skins and even more are available through in-game progression!
2.      Joker Mystery Box 3 – Gives players a chance at the new OCA Nano ‘Connoisseur,' and other cool prizes. The Nano is a never-before released unique, silenced automatic secondary weapon and is the most wanted prize for this box. In the spirit of San Paro, every box contains a prize!
3.      Memorial Day Double Discount Weekend– From May 26thto May 28th, Premium members can add an additional 20% to their existing 20% Armas Marketplace discount and get their favorite weapons and items, including the new Weapon Skins for 40% off!
4.      The 1.8.0 Challenge – Citizens that complete 10 Action District Missions, each day, for 3 days in a row (Friday – Sunday, 5/25/2012 – 5/27/2012 PDT) will be rewarded with five Joker Mystery 3 Boxes! Completion of this challenge also grants players an entry into a drawing to win the never before released 4-slot Vegas G24 and Hot Rod kit! 10 Lucky winners per server will be the first to cruise the streets of San Paro in this brand new ride.

"We are proud to fulfill our community's desire for wanting the option to customize the look of their weapons," said Myra Widodo, producer for APB Reloaded. "As always, we continue incorporating feedback from the APB community and our development team is burning the midnight oil to bring new content to the game"

Released in 2011, APB Reloaded melds player-on-player combat within the immersive world of a city on the edge of total chaos. Powered by Epic's Unreal 3 engine, APB Reloaded features a robust set of customization tools second to none, providing gamers the ability to create the exact look of their in-game avatar, character symbols, clothing and even customize cars they drive. To get up-to-date information on GamersFirst and APB Reloaded's Community and Fan Pages, check out the following links:

Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/apbreloaded
Development Blog – http://apbreloaded.gamersfirst.com/
Website– www.apb.com
Twitter – @apb_reloaded

Flyff Gold Announced

Posted: 25 May 2012 04:39 PM PDT

gPotato has announced that Flyff will launch a new “Flyff Gold” update this July.

Flyff Gold will present some major changes to the game’s systems and interface. To start with, players will notice that the home zone of Flaris has been improved with a new layout and improved graphics. A new black-and-gold user interface will let players customize their UI with sliding inputs, plus a six-action “revolver” for faster, improved combat. Players will also discover achievements that reward items found in the cash shop, a consignment marketplace, in-game social networking, weapon transformations, and better PvP rewards.

Starting this week, players can get a daily item until June 20, plus level up prizes until the launch of Flyff Gold. Players who come celebrate Flyff gold at FanimeCon will also get temporary tattoos with a free code for a three-day tiny Tanuki pet, plus more prizes for participating by sharing a photo of themselves wearing the tattoo.

gPotato also publishes Rappelz and Iris Online.

Flyff Gold Announcement Trailer

Source:

Flyff Gold Announced

Beloved MMO Gears Up for Big Changes

Sunnyvale, Calif. May 25, 2012 – Everything about Flyff is going to change. The launch of Flyff Gold on all English servers this July will mark a major evolution for the beloved MMO, introducing a fresh look, sleek interface, and brand new systems. The official Flyff Gold teaser page launched today with a look at the cool new clockwork style and a feature video showcasing the biggest changes.

Longtime fans and new players alike will immediately discover a brighter, cleaner Flaris home zone with sharper graphics and a broad new layout. That smooth style meets dynamic function thanks to a brand new black-and-gold interface which lets players customize their screen with sliding inputs and queue up to six actions in a rotating "revolver" slot for faster, more strategic combat.

Flyff Gold turns many popular player requests into a reality, from achievements that can be redeemed for item shop goodies to a set-and-forget consignment marketplace for easy trading. That's just the start of an extensive change list that will also introduce in-game social networking, weapon transformations, greater PvP rewards, and much more!

Preparations for Flyff Gold's official launch have already begun with game-wide Log-In and Level-Up events. Starting this week, players will receive an item the moment they log in and can get one item every day until June 20. Each character will also receive prizes as they level from now until the launch of Flyff Gold in July, so new adventurers can start their journey with great rewards right away.

20,000 lucky anime fans will get an additional chance to celebrate the announcement of Flyff Gold at FanimeCon, the largest anime convention in Northern California, between May 25 and May 28. Temporary tattoos with beloved Flyff characters have been added to every goodie bag, and each tattoo comes with a free code for a three-day tiny Tanuki pet. Plus, anyone who shares a picture of themselves wearing the tattoo will receive a prize for participating, and three random winners will get a full Rudolph Jewelry Set. Check out the details on the official Flyff Forum!

With a packed schedule of events for its thriving community and a full set of feature upgrades on the way, the future looks very bright for Flyff Gold. Check out the details at the official teaser page and get ready to go gold this July!

Heroes & Generals

Posted: 25 May 2012 04:28 PM PDT

Heroes & Generals pits you in the role of a soldier on the front lines, or as a general, calling the shots from behind. Both action and strategy are represented in Heroes and Generals, as players vie for control in a persistent online war. Experience AAA a quality shooter as you combat others in an FPS mode, and enjoy outmaneuvering your opponents with the in-depth strategy the RTS involves.

51681 320x240 heroes and generals 04

Publisher: Reto-Moto
Playerbase: ??
Graphics: High
Type: MMO
EXP Rate: ??
PvP: FPS and RTS
Filesize: ~2GB

Pros: +Unique blend of FPS action and RTS play. +AAA development team. +Persistent world for an FPS.

Cons: -May not appeal to fans of one or another genre. -Limited information available.

download nowcreate accountofficial site

Overview

Heroes & Generals Overview

Heroes & Generals is a unique blend of MMOFPS and MMORTS games. The game world is persistent, which is generally not done for an FPS game. Players may specialize their character to become a war hero on the front lines, or pursue the path of strategy as a general. The action content allows players to ride in vehicles and planes, in addition to being on foot. Both game modes are interconnected; what happens in the action mode carries over into the strategy mode, allowing players to keep tabs on things like supply-lines and production.

Heroes & Generals Screenshots

Heroes & Generals Featured Video

Click here to view the embedded video.

Full Review

Heroes & Generals Review

Coming Soon…

Screenshots

Heroes & Generals Screenshots

Coming Soon…

Videos

Heroes & Generals Videos

Heroes & Generals Debut Trailer

Click here to view the embedded video.

Links

Heroes & Generals Links

Official Game Page

System Requirements

Heroes & Generals System Requirements

Coming soon. . .

Official Launch Date Announced for Runes of Magic: Fires of Shadowforge

Posted: 25 May 2012 12:26 PM PDT

New information has been released for Frogster’s upcoming update for Runes of Magic, titled Fires of Shadowforge.  The update is set to release on June 12.

The update releases a brand new race to the game: the Shadowforge Dwarves.  New dwarves begin in the Yrvandis Hollows in the Kingdom of Taffrock, which holds host to a challenging beginning instance “Outskirts of Taffrock.”

The capital city of Taffrock consists of five main zones:  Administration District, Crafting District, Arena Quarter, Trade Quarter, and Mining District.  The boss of Outskirts of Taffrock is called Dark Gargoylem, and has holed himself up with other nasties in the lower halls of the dwarven halls.

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Runes of Magic “Fires of Shadowforge” Gameplay Screenshot

Source:

Witness the Rise of the Dwarves in Runes of Magic: Chapter V – Fires of Shadowforge
Frogster Announces Official 'Chapter V' Launch Date; Provides Details on New Zones and Instances in Runes of Magic

With Fires of Shadowforge, the fifth chapter of the successful MMORPG Runes of Magic, set to release on June 12, a new race will be introduced to the world of Taborea. The Shadowforge Dwarves, with their homeland in the Kingdom of Taffrock, will begin their adventure in the new starting area, the Yrvandis Hollows. Here players will find the beginner instance, the Outskirts of Taffrock, particularly challenging.

Taffrock, the subterranean kingdom of the Dwarves, was created long before the Great Banishment and the historic battle between the demons and the peoples of Taborea. However, through a failed experiment, the Dwarves fell in to a prolonged slumber and slipped away into oblivion. Yet, when the royal scouts discovered them, they were awakened to new life, and the grandeur of their once forgotten kingdom unfolded once again. The magnitude of their architecture pays tribute to their ingenuity and craftsmanship, and allows Dwarves to explore five main zones: the central Administration District, the Crafting District in the east, the Arena Quarter in the north, the Trade Quarter in the west, and the Mining District in the south.

In the Outskirts of Taffrock, players find the entrance to the new beginner instance, where they face off against the final boss, Dark Gargoylem. He and his horde of aggressive spirits have entrenched themselves in the lower levels of the old Dwarven halls, and will be the first challenge that players of the new Dwarven race will pit themselves against.

For more up-to-date information, be sure to visit the official website at:
www.runesofmagic.com
Posted by Shri Krishna

Latest Gaming and MMORPG Updates

Latest Gaming and MMORPG Updates

Employees of 38 Studios hit with housing debt

Posted: 26 May 2012 04:54 AM PDT


[Source] I guess most of you would have read about 39 Studios closing, and that Project Copernicus (screenshots) will probably never see the light again despite a scheduled June 2013 release date (unless someone buy over the IP) of course. If the company closing down, along with subsidiary Big Huge Games is not enough, 379 employees were left jobless and some with mortgage debts.


You see, when 38 Studios was offered by the Rhode Island committee to move to the area with a USD 75 million loan assured back in 2010, many then-existing employees have to relocate to the area. 39 Studios offered a service to sell off their old homes for them. It seem this wasn't done for some employees, and now they have 2 houses to pay mortgage for.Talk about rubbing salt on the wound.


I am not really sure how this works, but blame can be put on both 38 Studios' management team and the Rhode Island council. There has always got to be Plan B to be placed in the locker, seeing that the company is basically using state and taxpayer money. Did Curt Schilling, the head honcho, weighed in the risks of such a business plan? He might be a good guy and boss in the staffs' eyes, but that doesn't mean he is competent in running a business, especially in such a volatile gaming industry.


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NYCC: What the Heck is Pokemon Rumble Blast, Anyway?

Posted: 26 May 2012 04:01 AM PDT

Once upon a time, getting about in a Zelda game was such a clear-cut process. You had your dungeons (anywhere from four to 12, depending) and you had the overworld that linked them all together. Aside from the occasional spin-off (Four Swords Adventures was broken into levels, and Majora’s Mask centered around the hub of Clock Town), that’s how it always worked. You’d wander around, maybe poke into a cave for a Heart Piece, clear away some scrub, fight some bad guys, and eventually work your way to the next subterranean puzzle labyrinth.

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is mixing things up, and — for the first eight hours of the game, at least — the results are pretty great. Skyward Sword’s design makes the distinction between overworld and underworld much muddier than in past games. Perhaps that’s appropriate, since this adventure divides its world into three layers rather than the usual two. Above the dungeons, you have the overworld; meanwhile, above it all is the realm of Skyloft, best described as an aerial take on Wind Waker’s sea. At the heart of Skyloft is a large city held aloft by (one assumes) ancient magic or technology or something, but the skies are littered with floating islands, and Link travels between them on the back of a huge red bird.

Red Blood Online (KR)

Posted: 26 May 2012 04:01 AM PDT


Later today, the latest 3D action MMO to hit Korea, Red Blood Online, will be entering its very first Closed Beta phase. With multi-target action combat as its main feature, along with a “Stage Automation” system where dungeon routes are not the same everytime players enter one (link). Below is a brief skill demo for the current 3 classes revealed, Warrior, Knight and Elementalist. Each class will have 3 different types of skill trees available,

According to early media reports from Korea and Taiwan, Red Blood Online will not be having a true open persistent world, but rather similar to Dragon Nest and Guild Wars where only party members can see each other once stepping out of town. Only 3 maps will be available at the start, including the beginner town of Ironshore.


More features are planned for the undated Closed Beta 2, including the Family system and pets. The Family system will be one of the core features as well, as it will determine the learning of high level skills, character growth, new quests and Family-exclusive dungeons.

Grand Expedition Yak, Mount Previews, Blue Posts, Arena Tournament Finals, Fan Art

Posted: 26 May 2012 01:07 AM PDT

Diablo 3 - Witch Doctor Video and Build Diversity, Arena Area Previews, Account Security, Blue Posts

Grand Expedition Yak Mount Preview
The Reins of the Grand Expedition Yak are sold for 60,000 gold before any discounts in a small village called The Grummle Bazaar, just outside of One Keg in Kun-Lai Summit. The mount is similar to the Reins of the Traveler's Tundra Mammoth in that it can hold up to three people, but has two vendors when you summon it.

The Traveling Trader vendor will repair your gear and sell you food, water, a 14 slot bag, and campfire materials. The other vendor is an Arcane Reforger, which allows you to reforge your gear wherever you can mount! The animations aren't done yet, as there is no mountspecial or jumping animation, but you can get a general idea of how it moves in the video below.





Dragon Turtle Mount Preview
Beta has had several different types of mounts added since we last previewed the models, so tonight we will start with the Dragon Turtle mounts. These are the Pandaren mounts and will be sold by the vendors at the Pandaren camps in Stormwind and Orgrimmar.




Water Strider Mount Preview
Moving on, we take a look at the Water Strider color variations. Currently, only the Reins of the Azure Water Strider is sold in game by the Anglers faction. It requires Exalted reputation and costs 5,000 gold before discounts.




Blue Posts
Originally Posted by Blizzard Entertainment
Arthas Fighting Guards in Orgrimmar?
Thanks for the report! We're aware of this issue and are in the process of applying a hotflix so that Arthas and company remain back where they belong. (Blue Tracker / Official Forums)

Compromised Battle.net Accounts and the RMAH
Take note of this if you ever plan to use the Diablo III Real Money Auction House!
Originally Posted by Blizzard (Blue Tracker)
Real Money Auction House
After the first compromise occurs on a Battle.net account, that account's access to the Diablo III Real Money Auction House will be restricted until an authenticator is attached. If the account is compromised a second time, access to the Diablo III Real Money Auction House will be permanently revoked.

Arena Junkies Invitational Tournament Finals
Arena Junkies, together with help from Curse and Alienware, is running the first ever Arena Junkies Invitational Tournament, featuring eight of the best 3v3 teams. These players will battle it out for glory and a chance at $5,000!

The eight teams were broken into two groups of four and will play in a Round Robin format. The top two teams from each group have advanced to face each other and vie for the spot in the Finals. The Finals will take place on Saturday May 26th at 3 PM EST.



Fan Art Update
The World of Warcraft Fan Art Section has been updated with three new pieces of fan artwork.

The Elder Scrolls Online – Combat explained

Posted: 25 May 2012 10:22 PM PDT


[Source] Most of us should have known that The Elder Scrolls Online is coming, taking place much earlier before the events of Skyrim. The news of this long-running franchise going into the MMO realm faced much backlash from the fans and gamers alike, and I can feel their pain. This brought me back memories of how Warhammer: Age of Reckoning was screwed by EA.



Nixing various features which made games such as Marrowind and Skyrim unique, the combat system will not be the same as, from the developer's mouth, latency is an issue. What sort of excuse is this? Not that I am promoting TERA or Dragon Nest, action combat is around since 2 years ago. In this new interview with PC Gamer, the combat is further explained, which is a bucket of crap for me personally.


Your first two slots are derived from your weapon. If I pick up a bow they're bow attacks and if I pick up a sword then they're sword attacks. If I continue to use that weapon over a period of time, I will get better with it, which will give me a wider variety of things that I can potentially do with my weapon attacks. So I can gain mastery of it by virtue of having it equipped, but I can still pick up any weapon in the game and be good with it. And that's true of anyone.

On top of that, if I continue to use that weapon over a period of time I will get better with it which will give me a wider variety of things that I can potentially do with my weapon attacks. So I can gain mastery of it by virtue of having it equipped, but I can still pick up any weapon in the game and be good with it and that's true of anyone. I think that's an essential part of it

Your next three slots are derived from your class. You will have over the course of your progression many abilities and spells that you will get, more than three. But you want to pick the three that you think will support your weapon loadout in an interesting way. 

So if I picked bow as my sort of principle weapon attack I might pick three abilities that are sort of snares. And that sort of creates a character that you might understand, like: 'Okay, cool, I want to slow up a guy and pick him off and continue to kite him, cause I feel like that's the gameplay I want to do.

And your sixth ability is your ultimate. It's also a class ability and I will have more than one available to me through my overall progression but I can only ever put one on my bar because it's really powerful. And you're going to want to pick the one that supports that overall.

So I might just pick Summon Frost Atronach. And a Frost Atronach's going to fall out of the sky and smash anyone he lands on, and then hang around and start beating on people. Yeah, that totally supports by rangery bow metaphor from earlier. That's the character I wanted to play. 

PvP designer Brian Wheeler interjects. "People also scream 'Oh my god that is awesome' when a Frost Atronach comes down." (seriously? Who are they trying to impress?)

The key is that those abilities, like the weapon, I can start with and use effectively initially, but in order to master I must play with over a long period of time. Which is very much like the Elder Scrolls games, and is our own way of interpreting that. (this is no way similar to the TES games)

And then I think the sort of depth of the system in a lot of ways comes from the fact that you are allowed to swap out those abilities in whatever way you want, as long as you're not currently in a fight. 

So if I'm finding that this build just isn't working and I'm getting countered over and over by sneaky rogues or fireballs, I can take the ability that I feel is going to help me in this scenario, and build a new character and try it out, and have this sort of deck building game… I'll have varying levels of expertise with them, but by trying out various builds and various decks I'm going to become a master of all of them eventually.


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What If EA Didn’t Have Exclusive Rights to the NFL?

Posted: 25 May 2012 05:42 PM PDT

Feature

1UP COVER STORY

Header

1UP COVER STORY | WEEK OF MAY 21 | WHAT IF?

What If EA Didn’t Have Exclusive Rights to the NFL?

Cover Story: Football runs rampant in a very different video gaming space.

F

ootball persists because its goals are simple even though the rules are complex. One team has four tries to move an egg-shaped ball to the end of a field and if they don’t move it at least a certain distance within those tries, they have to give it to the team trying to stop them.

The actual rules of the NFL are dense though. NFL football makes baccarat look like rock-paper-scissor in terms of complexity, and the literal hundreds of NFL video games that have popped up in the past decade certainly aren’t helpful for anyone who wants to learn about the intricacies of the sport. All Zynga’s NFLVille teaches you about the game is that Peyton Manning looks horrifying as a big-eyed cartoon character and that convincing Facebook friends to help you gain yards is surprisingly easy and addictive.

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Video Game Rumors from Another World

Posted: 25 May 2012 05:25 PM PDT

Feature

1UP COVER STORY

Header

1UP COVER STORY | WEEK OF MAY 21 | WHAT IF?

Video Game Rumors from Another Reality

Cover Story: Not only are these game rumors not true, they’re not even real rumors… at least, not in our world.

I

n another world — a more interesting world than our own — the rumors below rule Internet forums, spread like the plague through the school yard, and merit regular debunking by Snopes’ video game urban legends section (which doesn’t even exist in our reality; that’s how lame real life is). Please enjoy this glimpse into the playground lies of another universe’s video game fandom.

Spot Art

Parappa the Rapper‘s Brown Note

From the Chiptuned blog: “Parappa the Rapper’s next-to-last stage features the hero rapping through a medley against his instructors for the right to jump to the front of the line of a gas station restroom before disaster strikes, messily. Rumor has it that this rap battle contains a brown note in order to increase the realism of the sequence. Gamers with audio setups capable of rendering a wide range of sound frequencies play this sequence at their own risk.”

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The Popularity of Atari’s E.T. Shows No Signs of Slowing Down

Posted: 25 May 2012 05:06 PM PDT

Feature

1UP COVER STORY

Header

1UP COVER STORY | WEEK OF MAY 21 | WHAT IF?

The Popularity of Atari’s E.T. Shows No Signs of Slowing Down

Cover Story: But is it too little too late?

A

lamogordo, New Mexico — The dusty town of Alamogordo seems more like a relic of the highway culture of the 1950s and ’60s than it does a future player in the world of video gaming. Currently known by few outside of the town and airmen who passed through a term at nearby Holloman Air Force Base, most of what would be considered “downtown” is nothing more than gas stations, hotels, and fast food. It’s as though the town accepted its fate as a pass-through rather than a destination and grew-up accordingly. Even in the gilded age, when railroads ruled the vast expanses of America’s west, steam engines passed right by Alamogordo (the local water is very hard, and reacted corrosively with the tanks on the great bellowing machines). In spite of the rugged beauty of the surrounding southwestern wilderness, including White Sands National Monument, Alamogordo would probably be largely ignored and its place in time and relevance set in stone. But a certain consumer electronics company has decided to give Alamogordo its own footnote in the history of video games (should such a book ever be written). The Atari corporation, makers of the hugely successful video game adaptation of Stephen Spielberg’s film “E.T., The Extra-Terrestrial,” have decided that the sleepy town an hour north of El Paso will be home to a grand new distribution and shipping center for their games and consoles.

In July of last year, when Howard Scott Warshaw was asked by his superiors to develop an E.T. game before Christmas, he told them flat-out “no way.”

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Because We May Sale Makes Indie Games Cheap(er) for a Week

Posted: 25 May 2012 04:03 PM PDT

Because We May

Independent game developers have at their disposal a wide variety of methods for trying to boost sales. Some of these include banding together with other indie titles to generate publicity, as seen time after time with the Humble Indie Bundle and its many imitators. The latest such scheme doesn’t actually package unrelated games together or sell them at any price the buyer decides (as is the case with the HIB), but it is eye-catching in that there are a ton of indie games available right this very moment at heavily discounted prices.

The promotion, Because We May, runs for the last week of May (May 24 through June 1) and features games from Steam, iOS, Google Play, the Mac App Store, and the official websites of computer game developers. There is a wide array of titles available with more still being added, and none of this accounts for games that are on sale right now outside of the promotion (like Infinity Blade II, Grand Theft Auto III, and many of EA’s titles).

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NYCC: Getting a Sense of Gaming’s Relative Place in the World

Posted: 25 May 2012 04:01 PM PDT

The oldest video game I’ve found at this year’s New York Comic-Con is from 1977. That’s the same years that Star Wars — whose merchandise dominates the show — made its theatrical debut. In contrast, I’ve seen comics and artwork dating back to the ’40s, maybe even earlier. There are movie goods based on The Wizard of Oz, which memory tells me dates from the ’30s.

Video games are newcomers on the stage of nerd culture, and shows like this are stark reminders of that fact. Games have a respectable showing here to be sure, but compared to the breadth and depth of comic- and film-related material, you can’t help but realize the curators of game history need to step it up.

Nowhere is this more obvious than in pricing. The most expensive game-related thing I’ve seen do far are those R2-D2 Xbox 360s with integrated projectors ($1200), and those are hand-made custom jobs. On the other hand, I saw an issue of the Gold Key Star Trek comics that I remember reading at my grandparents’ house 30 years ago and dismissing because it wasn’t Star Trek. Its asking price? $800 (you better believe I’m kicking myself for not hanging on to it).

And that’s only one of thousands of comics on sale here for three, four, even five figures. The original art for the cover of Wolverine #41 (which is only about 20 years old) is selling for $15,000. The really pricey stuff — graded comics from the Golden Age and associated art boards — isn’t even listed with a price. Like high fashion, if you have to ask, you couldn’t afford it anyway.

Not that there’s anything wrong with being a brash young medium. The game-related booths are by far the most energetic and interesting at the show. Not to mention the most popular. Still, perspective is interesting. Wouldn’t it be interesting if dealers were selling original Mario design sketches at trade shows 50 years from now?

Just kidding; Nintendo would never let that material out of its sight.

Also, that Penguin artwork above isn’t a scene from Arkham City. But don’t you wish it were?
Posted by Shri Krishna

MMO Updates

MMO Updates

The Firing Line: PlanetSide 2's Matt Higby on the MMOFPS revolution

Posted: 26 May 2012 10:00 AM PDT

Filed under: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Firing Line interviews PlanetSide 2's Matt Higby
Sony Online Entertainment has begun carpet-bombing media outlets with publicity relating to its upcoming PlanetSide 2 MMOFPS. The game has been in development for quite a while now, but up until very recently the devs have kept a low profile. Now the title's Twitter feed is exploding on a daily basis, awe-inspiring alpha gameplay videos are finding their way into the public eye, and interviews abound.

I managed to get creative director Matt Higby's attention for a few moments, and he's got some interesting things to say about PS2's upside. Would you believe that MMOFPS is about to become a new industry buzzword? Read on after the break.

Continue reading The Firing Line: PlanetSide 2's Matt Higby on the MMOFPS revolution

MassivelyThe Firing Line: PlanetSide 2's Matt Higby on the MMOFPS revolution originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 26 May 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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    WRUP: Kingdoms of Amalur was pretty cool edition

    Posted: 26 May 2012 08:00 AM PDT

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    Not my character, but you know I'm awful at taking screenshots.
    By now pretty much everyone has heard the bad news about 38 Studios. This makes me extremely sad for all of the people who have lost their jobs as a result, but it also makes me extremely sad for the future of Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning. Despite having been lackluster about the game before launch, I fell in love with the demo and then fell further in love with the main game. The game has a lot of neat ideas, and it's a franchise that could really benefit from a sequel to polish things up. Sad news all around, really.

    This week's WRUP isn't full of bad news -- it's just filled with the facts about what we'll be up to over the weekend. It's also filled with our opinions on judging all MMOs by the same standard instead of more varied criteria. So skip on past the cut to see our weekend plans, and let us know in the comments what you're going to be doing over the long weekend!

    Continue reading WRUP: Kingdoms of Amalur was pretty cool edition

    MassivelyWRUP: Kingdoms of Amalur was pretty cool edition originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 26 May 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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      The Daily Grind: Do you stay loyal to your MMO guild?

      Posted: 26 May 2012 06:00 AM PDT

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      Ultima Online wedding, my guild as honor guard, circa 1998
      When I joined a guild in Ultima Online in 1997, I had no idea I was going to still be in a version of that guild almost 15 years later. Heck, I doubt I even realized that MMOs would still be a thing 15 years later! But from chatting with my fellow Massively staffers and you lovely readers, I've realized that my experience isn't shared by most people. Guilds implode. New games emerge. People move on. Drama develops. Real life happens. That sense of loyalty just isn't always worth the trouble. Guilds often exist to help members meet their goals in a single game, and when those goals are met, that's it -- it's over.

      But I'll move to (and stay in) games past their expiration dates just to hang out with guildies. What about you guys? Are you loyal to a single guild or group of gaming friends, or do you drop from a guild when you drop out of a game, knowing you'll find new mates in the next big thing?

      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 you stay loyal to your MMO guild? originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 26 May 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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        Betawatch: May 19 - 25, 2012

        Posted: 25 May 2012 06:00 PM PDT

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        The test is coming, it's plane to see.
        This week in Betawatch, the biggest news is that the game everyone expected to be in beta isn't around. Guild Wars 2 is not running a beta weekend this weekend, meaning that anyone hoping to spend their long weekend in Tyria is going to have to go with the classic version. We also say farewell to Star Supremacy in wake of its launch.

        However, for those who love testing unreleased games, it's not all bad news. World of Warplanes has announced its closed beta kicking off at the end of the month, and MechWarrior Online is heading into its closed beta this week. While you won't have a chance to get your paws on The Secret World just yet, we do have a nice new shiny set of impressions from the beta to help tide you over.

        Jump on past the break to see the full list of what's still in testing!

        Continue reading Betawatch: May 19 - 25, 2012

        MassivelyBetawatch: May 19 - 25, 2012 originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 25 May 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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          Some Assembly Required: City of Heroes' Mission Architect

          Posted: 25 May 2012 05:00 PM PDT

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          Some Assembly Required
          The few. The proud. The quest writers.

          At the best of times, the fruits of their labors guide us along in our progression of a local or global story, immersing us in the world. Even the nefarious "kill 10 rats" versions can be mini stories that pull players in when done well. But how many of us have ever had a "I could do better than that" moment or have simply wanted to live out a personal story or share in a customized grand adventure with our friends? Someone wished upon the right star because with features like the Mission Architect in City of Heroes you can do just that.

          I am just going to come right out and say it -- the quest builder is one of the greatest boons ever for player-generated content in MMORPGs. Besides housing, it is the feature du jour for the creative crowd; I honestly can't see how any game can actually go without one. During this latest round of Choose My Adventure, I had the opportunity to check out the system in City of Heroes and revel in the creativity of others as well as try my hand at developing missions. And I tell you, it is addicting.

          Feel like trying your hand at shaping some stories for heroes (and villains) to star in? Stick with me, kid, and you'll be directing your own missions in no time.

          Continue reading Some Assembly Required: City of Heroes' Mission Architect

          MassivelySome Assembly Required: City of Heroes' Mission Architect originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 25 May 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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            The MMO Report: Pre-E3 edition

            Posted: 25 May 2012 04:30 PM PDT

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            The MMO Report
            Heads up, ladies and gents; it's time for a special pre-E3 edition of The MMO Report. That's right, the biggest event in the industry is rolling out the proverbial red carpet next week, and MMOs have plenty on the slate for the big event. G4's fabulous Casey Schreiner has a look at some of the big pre-E3 MMO news, as well as a taste of what players can expect from the convention.

            For your appetizer, we have a look at the three factions of ZeniMax's upcoming title, The Elder Scrolls Online. You can wash that down with a tall glass of Trion Worlds' MMO-television crossover game, Defiance. That should be sufficient to prepare you for the main course of PlanetSide 2's delicious MAX suit reveal, as well as a few more post-meal treats. So what are you waiting for? Pull up a seat and check out the full video below.

            Continue reading The MMO Report: Pre-E3 edition

            MassivelyThe MMO Report: Pre-E3 edition originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 25 May 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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            MMObility: Command and Conquer's new twist on the MMORTS

            Posted: 25 May 2012 04:00 PM PDT

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            Command and Conquer screenshot
            I've had my fill of MMORTS games. I love them, and I mean love them, but after being asked to look at the 567,386th title from the genre, I am getting a wicked case of tunnel vision. Sometimes I wish I could hit a switch and see these games with the eyes of a brand-new player, to truly judge their quality without any preconceptions. That's not possible, unfortunately.

            Luckily, once in a while there comes along a title that feels fresh or does enough with design to seem new and clever. Command and Conquer Tiberium Alliances stands out from the crowd with its interesting combat and a casual approach to hardcore gaming. I have to admit that, at first, I was a bit bummed at having to take a look at yet another epic strategy game that would probably not feel that epic, but my mind was changed after a solid week of playing.

            Continue reading MMObility: Command and Conquer's new twist on the MMORTS

            MassivelyMMObility: Command and Conquer's new twist on the MMORTS originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 25 May 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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              R.A. Salvatore: Project Copernicus would "blow you away"

              Posted: 25 May 2012 03:00 PM PDT

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              Screenshot -- Project Copernicus
              The future isn't looking particularly bright for 38 Studios and its in-development MMO Project Copernicus, but the game's writer, esteemed fantasy author R.A. Salvatore, took to the comments on a post on Daily Kos to tell everyone how great the game would have been.

              Salvatore claims that the game is "much further along than is being reported," and that he wishes he could show us some of it (though sadly, he cannot). He goes on to state that the developers behind Copernicus were "an amazing team of [developers]... pushing the envelope in their respective fields," and that "the environments, the animations, and the game-play would blow you away." Unfortunately, it's looking like we'll never get to judge the veracity of Salvatore's words for ourselves, but the statements do help to shed a bit of light on what might have been.

              MassivelyR.A. Salvatore: Project Copernicus would "blow you away" originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 25 May 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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              Spacetime Studios' Cinco Barnes talks Dark Legends design

              Posted: 25 May 2012 02:00 PM PDT

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              Google Plus hangout screenshot
              If you have wondered about what was going on in Spacetime Studios' Cinco Barnes' head while designing Dark Legends, wonder no more. I was asked to sit in on a Google + hangout, essentially a public video conference call, with Cinco, Carter Dotson from 148apps and Heidi Duran from GirlGamer. The event was moderated by Ashley Esqueda from G4TV. Cinco fielded some questions from us and fans of the game.

              Want to see some cool concept art? Need to know if the energy mechanic in Dark Legends was created just to make fast cash? Have you heard about Spacetime's newly announced title Arcane Legends, but have no idea what might be involved with the game? Have you wondered about the images in the opening video, the appearance of top hats, and the possibility of obtaining all of those great costumes through in-game means? You can find out the answers to these and other important questions in the video, embedded just after the cut.

              Continue reading Spacetime Studios' Cinco Barnes talks Dark Legends design

              MassivelySpacetime Studios' Cinco Barnes talks Dark Legends design originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 25 May 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                Latest RuneScape behind-the-scenes video details cryptic clue fest, evolution of combat

                Posted: 25 May 2012 01:00 PM PDT

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                Screenshot -- RuneScape
                It's time yet again for another RuneScape behind-the-scenes video, and this time we get to take a look at the newly announced Evolution of Combat changes that players are surely awaiting with bated breath. Jagex's developers say that they want to keep players from having to navigate through multiple interfaces in order to cast spells, change combat styles, and so forth. To this end they plan the addition of an action bar that will allow players easy access to spells, emotes, items, and anything else they want to keep at their fingertips.

                The video also touches on an upcoming very special cryptic clue-fest in honor of the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. A mysterious royal visitor is on her way to the city of Varrock, and it's up to players to help ensure that everything is in tip-top shape when she arrives. Players will be responsible for assisting Varrock's Tourist Office in keeping supplies for the grand celebration sufficiently stocked. For the full details on both of these exciting upcoming features, head on past the cut and check out the behind-the-scenes video for yourself.

                Continue reading Latest RuneScape behind-the-scenes video details cryptic clue fest, evolution of combat

                MassivelyLatest RuneScape behind-the-scenes video details cryptic clue fest, evolution of combat originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 25 May 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                Flyff getting revamped with Flyff Gold

                Posted: 25 May 2012 12:30 PM PDT

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                Screenshot -- Flyff
                The world of gPotato's long-running free-to-play MMO Flyff is about to change in a big way. In a press release today, the studio announced the upcoming July launch of Flyff Gold, which will add a whole slew of features and revamps, many of which have been requested by the community. According to the press release, players can look forward to "a fresh new look and dynamic interface," as well as features such as "achievements redeemable for item shop goodies" and a "set-and-forget consignment marketplace for easy trading," plus much more.

                To celebrate the update's imminent release, gPotato is beginning "game-wide log-in and level-up events" that will reward players for, as the name would imply, logging in and leveling up. These events make for the perfect time for new players to jump into the game and get some shiny loot in preparation for the Flyff Gold release. For more details on the game's upcoming additions, you can go check out Flyff Gold's teaser site.

                [Source: gPotato press release]

                MassivelyFlyff getting revamped with Flyff Gold originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 25 May 2012 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                  PlanetSide 2 unveils the Mechanized Assault Exo-Suit

                  Posted: 25 May 2012 12:00 PM PDT

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                  Screenshot -- PlanetSide 2
                  Heads up, PlanetSide 2 fans; today, Sony Online Entertainment has released some new battlefield intel for you on the game's "most heavy-duty class": the Mechanized Assault Exo-Suit, or MAX. PlanetSide 2's MAX suit "serves as a mobile weapons platform, capable of unleashing a serious beating," and will prove incredibly valuable to players in the field.

                  Thanks to the game's modular weapons system, MAX suits can be customized to deal with specific threats, or they can be outfitted with a more generic loadout to provide all-around support on the warzones. Each faction's version of the MAX suit will come with abilities specific to that faction. Add to that a nice, hefty layer of armor plating, and you've got a force to be reckoned with in any battlefield situation. For a first look at the formidable exosuits, check out the gallery below.

                  [Source: Sony Online Entertainment press release]

                  Gallery: PlanetSide 2

                  MassivelyPlanetSide 2 unveils the Mechanized Assault Exo-Suit originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 25 May 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                    Editorial: Learning from the 38 Studios disaster

                    Posted: 25 May 2012 11:00 AM PDT

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                    Curt Schilling getting tattooed
                    The closure of 38 Studios and Big Huge Games yesterday sparked a series of interesting events that make me both sad and proud to be a part of the greater gamer community. Job offers were overflowing from current game companies looking to snatch up some of 38's talented designers and a Twitter hash tag was even created to spread the word and get new jobs for those affected by the layoffs. I am proud of the outreach and camaraderie of the game development community, but the hate being thrown at Curt Schilling isn't going to solve anything.

                    The most important thing we can do at this point is to tape off the crime scene, look at the evidence, and figure out what went wrong.

                    Continue reading Editorial: Learning from the 38 Studios disaster

                    MassivelyEditorial: Learning from the 38 Studios disaster originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 25 May 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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