General Gaming Article

General Gaming Article


Internet Explorer Coming to Xbox 360, Will Leverage Kinect, SmartGlass

Posted: 04 Jun 2012 04:28 PM PDT

Kinect's launch in late 2010 was accompanied by a lot of fanfare and excitement, all of which seemed justified initially as the motion-sensing Xbox 360 peripheral quickly became a huge sales success. Then millions of Kinect owners began waiting en masse for some top-drawer titles to come along and proverbially slap Kinect's critics smack in the face. Sadly, those AAA Kinect titles, especially the much sought-after "hardcore" ones, never really arrived. But if you haven't given up on your Kinect and are looking for fresh excuses to use it, Microsoft has just the thing for you: Internet Explorer for Xbox 360 with Kinect-enabled voice and gesture controls.

"Internet Explorer is coming to Xbox 360 this year," Xbox Live boss Marc Whitten announced at Microsoft's E3 2012 press conference today. According to Whitten, who took the E3 stage to demo the browser, web browsing on TVs hasn't quite caught on "because the controller and remote are not great input devices for the Web, and because keyboards don't belong in the living room." But he thinks all that will soon change with the arrival of Internet Explorer for Xbox, which will let users surf the web using Kinect-enabled voice and gesture controls. That's not all, though. The browser will also tap into the just announced Xbox SmartGlass technology to deliver a unique browsing experience.

From the press release: Microsoft will launch Internet Explorer for Xbox this fall in all countries where Xbox and Xbox LIVE are available. Through the power of Xbox, the magic of Kinect and the intelligence of Xbox SmartGlass, you will be able to surf the Internet using your voice on your Xbox 360 and navigate using your mobile devices for an incredibly easy Web browsing experience on the television. Whether it is a new website you want to check out on the big screen, an HD video you want to share in your living room, or your favorite website you check daily and want to view in the 10-foot experience, you will have the power of the Web now on your TV.

Image Credit: Kotaku

What Is Xbox Smart Glass?

Posted: 04 Jun 2012 01:21 PM PDT

 

As expected, Microsoft just announced something called SmartGlass at E3. Less expected? Just how awesome SmartGlass turned out to be. What could have been just an Apple AirPlay imitation, is something more ambitious. Something that could change television forever. But what is it, exactly?

It's the lifeline that'll make your dumb TV smart.

SmartGlass is an app...

SmartGlass is a new app that turns your phone or tablet into another screen for your TV, another controller for a game, a companion feature for a show, a remote control for the Internet and more. More importantly, it'll work with iOS, Android and Windows, so you won't need to buy new hardware to fit into its ecosystem.

...that connects your phone, tablet or computer with your Xbox 360...

SmartGlass does more than just push video and audio around. It turns the Xbox 360 into the beating heart of a multi-screen media experience in your living room. A tablet, phone or computer running SmartGlass essentially becomes a second and third screen for your TV.

A concrete example: As Game of Thrones was being shown on the TV via Xbox 360, a SmartGlass-enabled tablet displayed a map of Westeros and other relevant information about the show. Content can either be pushed from the tablet/phone/computer to the 360, or from the 360 directly to the TV. SmartGlass connects all of those devices to make content engrossing on multiple levels. Your individual devices don't have to ignore each other, they'll work together to entertain you more.

...and works with games, movies, TV shows and the Internet..

But SmartGlass can be used with more than just movies and TV shows. Microsoft also showed how a gamer could use a tablet as a separate playbook while playing Madden on the Xbox. Even further, Microsoft will finally bring Internet Explorer to the Xbox, with SmartGlass turning your phone into mouse. Sure, it's silly to surf the web on your television with an old and gray keyboard and mouse setup—unless the keyboard and mouse are your phone and tablet.

...to make your living room a lot smarter...

Microsoft very clearly wants to make the Xbox 360 the center of your living room transformation. It's the hub that powers everything. But if the Xbox 360 is the heart and the brain, SmartGlass gives users the limbs needed for a full functional, self-sufficient media beast. Combined with the Xbox's growing dominance as a top-flight streaming box, and you've got yourself a potentially very powerful monster.

...and it's all because of the Xbox.

If you think about it, Microsoft's vision of the living room of the future is a throwback to what the company has already known and mastered: the PC. It's smartening up the living room by using the Xbox as the PC, the TV as the monitor, the phone and tablet as the keyboard and mouse, Kinect as its futureproof wild card technology. SmartGlass, then, plays the role of Windows, seamlessly connecting everything.

But the real key to SmartGlass is its openness. Bring your own tools, Microsoft is saying. It doesn't matter. Because however you control it, all that really matters is the Xbox. And that's all Microsoft.


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Corsair Vengeance K60 Gaming Keyboard Review

Posted: 04 Jun 2012 12:42 PM PDT

A straightforward, rock-solid keyboard for FPS gamers

CORSAIR IS aiming at the very top of the gaming keyboard market with its Vengeance line—two boards with exquisite build quality and luxury price tags. The FPS-oriented K60 may be the cheaper of the two, but it still comes in at more than $100 MSRP, and will never be accused of feeling cheap.

In fact, the primary draw of the K60 is its elegant, simple design. The keyboard's thin, heavy foundation has a brushed-aluminum face, and houses the mechanical Cherry MX Red switches in a unique non-recessed configuration that leaves no place for dust and crumbs to collect. The nicely spaced keycaps are rugged-feeling with a very light texture. We prefer the clicky Cherry MX Blue switches for typing, but the smooth Reds only require a light touch and provide an excellent, highly responsive gaming experience. Interestingly, Corsair seems to have opted to save money by using membrane switches for the function and navigation keys, giving the keys a non-uniform feel.

Aside from the build quality, the K60 is light on features. It includes a small selection of important media keys, including a nice metal volume wheel, and a much-appreciated Windows key lock switch that prevents you from accidentally minimizing your game. They keyboard's biggest gimmick is that it includes an alternative set of keys for the WASD and 123456 keys, with a bright red textured-rubber finish. These alternate keys do make it very hard to misplace your hand in the midst of a game, but we found them rather uncomfortable for typing, so we didn't keep them on for long. The spare keys (as well as the key-removal tool) are stored in a compartment inside the K60's detachable wrist-rest.

The simplicity of the keyboard extends to the operating system—it requires no drivers and has no customization software. Most other keyboards in this price range offer some amount of customizable bindings or hotkeys, but it's hard to hold their absence against the K60. This is a keyboard that's clearly all about the fundamentals: clean design, quality materials, and responsive gaming.

Toshiba Trots Out Industry's First Solid State Drives Built with 19nm Manufacturing Process

Posted: 04 Jun 2012 09:08 AM PDT

Toshiba Storage today announced a new line of high-performance, energy efficient solid state drives (SSDs) that are supposedly the first to take advantage of 19nm processor toggle multi-level cell (MLC) NAND flash memory chips. The new 'THNSNF' drives, as Toshiba named them, are designed for a variety of applications, from high-end and thin and light notebooks, to all-in-one desktops and embedded systems.

"Our customers are increasingly looking to SSDs as a storage solution across multiple products and markets because of the performance and reliability they deliver," said Joel Hagberg (PDF), vice president of marketing at Toshiba's Storage Products Business Unit. "The THNSNF series provides not only great performance, but also extremely low power consumption across a broad range of form factors and capacities. These are critical features for our customers as they design the next generation of PCs and embedded systems."

Available in 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB capacities, Toshiba's THNSNF drives feature read/write speeds of up to 524/461MB per second, along with 80,000 random 4K IOPS read and up to 35,000 random 4K IOPS write performance.

Mass production of these new drives is scheduled for August 2012, which means they should trickle into retail by the end of the year, if not sooner.

Image Credit: Toshiba

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Asus, Nvidia Lay Claim to First Windows RT (ARM) Consumer Device

Posted: 04 Jun 2012 08:48 AM PDT

There's a whirlwind of products being introduced at the this year's Computex convention, including one that Asus and Nvidia gleefully claim is the world's first Windows RT consumer device. They're talking about the Asus Windows RT Tablet 600, a nifty device built around Nvidia's ARM-based quad-core Tegra 3 platform that, when combined with the optional dock, transforms itself into notebook.

The Tablet 600 boasts a 10.1-inch Super IPS+ panel with a 1366x768 screen resolution. It has 2GB of memory, 32GB of built-in storage, 8MP rear-facing camera, 2MP front-facing camera, Wireless-N and Bluetooth 4.0 connectivity, and other odds and ends.

Capable hardware aside, Asus and Nvidia are promoting Windows RT hard with this thing, and in particular the built-in productivity tools. Microsoft's Office Suite comes pre-installed on Windows RT, giving Tablet 600 owners access to programs like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint at no additional cost.

It's still unclear how much the Tablet 600 will cost or when exactly it will ship, but in the meantime, you can check out the video preview below:

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Sony Shows Off New Vaio Notebooks, First Ultrabook Model

Posted: 04 Jun 2012 08:29 AM PDT

Showing up fashionably late to the Ultrabook party is Sony, which is just now unveiling its first Vaio model in Intel's high-performance, ultraportable category of laptops. The Vaio T, as it's called, is a 13.3-inch Ultrabook with a flat brushed aluminum design and magnesium chassis. Sony also unveiled a number of other Vaio notebook models, but let's take a closer look at the Vaio T before moving on.

Combining the Ultrabook form factor with Sony's Vaio nomenclature sounds like a recipe for a wallet-busting price tag, but surprisingly, the Vaio T starts at a relatively affordable $770. The baseline model ships with an Intel Core i5 3317U processor (1.7GHz / 2.6GHz with Turbo Boost), Intel HD 4000 graphics, 320GB hard drive + 32GB MLC, 4GB DDR3-1333 RAM, and Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit. Not too shabby for a 13.3-inch model.

Moving on, Sony also unveiled its Vaio E Series featuring a new wrap-around design. These are available in 11.6-inch, 14-inch, and 15.5-inch form factors, the smallest of which features an AMD processor inside. The rest are built around Intel's 2nd Generation Core processors (Sandy Bridge), and all of them ship with discrete Radeon graphics. Pricing starts at $500.

Next up is the Vaio S Series available in 13.3-inch and 15.5-inch form factors. These purportedly offer the "best combination of mobility and performance" with standard voltage Ivy Bridge processors, Nvidia graphics, HDD and SSD options, and slot-load optical drives (Blu-ray optional). Pricing starts at $900.

Finally, there's the Vaio Z series starting at $1,600. These laptops are designed for "multi-tasking business professionals" and include a glossy carbon fiber Z Series Anniversary chassis to celebrate the Vaio line's 15th anniversary.

Image Credit: Sony

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Patriot Memory Launches EP Pro Series Flash Storage Cards

Posted: 04 Jun 2012 08:00 AM PDT

Patriot Memory's begun waving around a new flagship secure digital card line called the EP Pro Series. The new SDHC/SDXC flash storage cards were designed with high definition video and photography gurus in mind, the company says, and boast blazing fast read and write speeds that are nearly five times faster than the transfer speeds of standard SDHC cards.

More specifically, these are SDXC UHS-I Class 1 and SDHC Class 10 memory cards with read speeds of up to 90MB/s and write speeds up to 50MB/s. Several capacities are available, up to 128GB for SDXC cards and up to 32GB for SDHC cards.

"The EP Pro delivers the enhanced performance needed for multimedia enthusiasts who use advanced capture techniques such as burst photography and full 3D videography," said Meng J. Choo, Patriot Memory's Product Manager. With read and write speeds of 90MBs/50MBs, the EP Pro series is also capable of recording at next generation 4K resolution for truly stunning HD content creation."

Patriot Memory's new flagship EP Pro Series will begin shipping July 16, 2012. No word yet on price.

Image Credit: Patriot Memory

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Origin PC Crams Kepler Based GeForce GTX 680M GPU into EON15-S, EON17-S Gaming Laptops

Posted: 04 Jun 2012 07:05 AM PDT

The boutique system builders over at Origin PC are now equipping EON15-S and EON17-S gaming laptops with Nvidia's latest and greatest mobile graphics chip, the GeForce GTX 680M. Based on Nvidia's Kepler architecture, the GeForce GTX 680M is a high-octane GPU with 1344 CUDA cores, 4GB of GDDR5 graphics memory, and full support for Nvidia's battery-friendly Optimus technology.

Pricing starts at $2,091 for an EON15-S featuring Nvidia's flagship mobile GPU (or $1,567 for the lower end GTX 660M). A baseline configuration consists of an Intel Core i5 3320M processor, 4GB of DDR3-1333 memory, 8X DVD burner, 320GB 7200RPM SATA hard drive, 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi with Bluetooth, built-in media card reader, fingerprint reader, USB 3.0 ports, and Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit. Not exactly a barn burner, though there are plenty of upgrade options, if your budget allows.

Starting price for an EON17-S equipped with a GeForce GTX 680M is $2,122 (or $1,598 for one sporting a GTX 660M). Baseline specs are nearly identical, save for the larger display, which features a Full HD 1080p (1920x1080) resolution, same as the 15-inch model.

Both systems with GTX 680M GPU option are available now.

Image Credit: Origin PC

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Facebook Considers Lifting Ban on Kids Under 13 Years Old

Posted: 04 Jun 2012 06:48 AM PDT

Facebook's ban on kids under the age of 13 is sort of like most DRM policies; all it does is keep some of the honest ones out. Nevertheless, whether for legal purposes or a sense of moral responsibility, Facebook as seen fit up to this point to disallow, at least officially, children who haven't hit their teen years from joining the most popular social networking site on the planet. That might soon change.

A report in The Wall Street Journal suggests Facebook is currently testing mechanisms that would tie a child's account to that of their parents', giving mom and pop ultimate control over their friends list, applications, and other features.

Why do it? Cold, hard cash, of course. WSJ says the under-13 features could give Facebook a way to monetize minors, flipping parents the bill for games and other content. Perhaps another reason is that blocking kids is ultimately a losing battle, in terms of enforcement.

"Recent reports have highlighted just how difficult it is to enforce age restrictions on the Internet, especially when parents want their children to access online content and services," Facebook told WSJ.

Facebook speaks the truth, but let's not, uh, kid ourselves. This is about the money, and Facebook is under pressure to sustain profitability after forging ahead with its (lackluster) initial public offering (IPO). Mark Zuckerberg and company have investors to answer to, and by inviting game playing children to the fold, Facebook would gain another steady source of revenue.

Do you think Facebook should lift its ban on kids under 13?

Image Credit: tag-pictures.com

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Asus Unveils 'Taichi' Dual-Screen Notebook/Tablet Hybrid at Computex

Posted: 04 Jun 2012 06:26 AM PDT

Having trouble deciding between a notebook or a tablet? Asus invites you to splurge on both by announcing the Taichi at this year's Computex convention. The Taichi isn't unique for the fact that it's a hybrid notebook that pulls double duty as a tablet PC -- there are plenty of other products on the market that pull off the same trick -- but it's unlike anything else out there because it's the first hybrid with a double-sided IPS screen that we're aware of.

Flip open the lid and the Taichi is just like any notebook (one with an IPS display), Asus says. It has a full-size QWERTY keyboard with LED backlight and trackpad, 3rd Generation Intel Core i7 (Ivy Bridge) processor options, 4GB of DDR3 memory, solid state storage options, dual-band 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi, and front and rear facing cameras.

Close the lid and the other side reveals a second IPS display with multi-touch support. It shares the same hardware as the notebook configuration, which may not do battery life any favors, but imagine having an Ivy Bridge processor power your tablet. Way cool.

The Taichi will be available in both 11.6-inch and 13.3-inch configurations. No word yet on price or availability.

Image Credit: Asus

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MMO News

MMO News


SMITE Gameplay – First Look HD

Posted: 04 Jun 2012 03:09 PM PDT


To Learn More About the Game, Check out our SMITE Page.

SMITE is a third person MOBA  developed by Hi-Rez Studios – the same company behind Tribes Ascend. Most MOBAs such as League of Legends, Heroes of Newerth and Dota 2 use a top down view. However SMITE uses a third person camera much like LOCO. In SMITE users play as a god from various mythologies. To learn more about SMITE check out the official MMOHut SMITE page which includes a detailed review, tons of screenshots, and additional videos.

Renaissance Heroes Gameplay – First Look HD

Posted: 04 Jun 2012 02:51 PM PDT

To Learn More About the Game, Check out our Renaissance Heroes Page.

Renaissance Heroes is a FPS set in the 16th century and developed by ChangYou – the same company behind Sword Girls. Unlike some of the more recent shooters, Renaissance Heroes is set in the past with weapons based on Da Vinci drawings and Alchemy. The game plays a lot like Quake and Unreal Tournament. To learn more about Renaisaance Heroes check out the official MMOHut Renaisaance Heroes page which includes a detailed review, tons of screenshots, and additional videos.

Dragon Crusade

Posted: 04 Jun 2012 12:32 PM PDT

Dragon Crusade is an MMORTS that gives players a city in the world of Ashan. Choose one of the six races available, each of which has their on strengths and weaknesses. Your cities will also show the arms and architecture of your given race. You’ve the option to customize your heroes, mounts, and pets with a variety of equipment and skills. Conquer your opponents, but make sure your defenses are in check!

51911  320x240 dragon crusade 04

Publisher: Aeria Games
Playerbase: ??
Graphics: Medium
Type: MMORTS
EXP Rate: ??
PvP: Enabled
Filesize: N/A

Pros: +Customizable heroes and mounts. +Different races have different looking buildings and units. +Quests designed to help grow.

Cons: -Similar to other games. -Limited information.

download nowcreate accountofficial site

Overview

Dragon Crusade Overview

Dragon Crusade lets you choose between one of six races: Dark Elf, Forest Elf, Azraen, Dwarf, Human, and Magi. Every race has different strengths and deficiencies. Each race also has a unique capital city, and different looking buildings and units. You can equip your heroes and develop their skills to become powerful leaders, or pit them against other heroes in the arena.

Dragon Crusade Screenshots

 

Full Review

Dragon Crusade Review

Coming Soon…

Screenshots

Dragon Crusade Screenshots

Coming Soon…

Videos

Dragon Crusade Videos

Coming Soon . . .

Links

Dragon Crusade Links

Official Game Page

System Requirements

Dragon Crusade System Requirements

Coming Soon. . .

 

Call of Thrones

Posted: 04 Jun 2012 12:11 PM PDT

Call of Thrones is based loosely on the Three Kingdoms era of ancient China, all in a browser-based 3D experience. Customize your character with various outfits. Choose one of four classes, and join one of three kingdoms. Engage in exciting turn-based battles yourself, or let the AI do the work for you. Level your skills and attributes, and become a legendary hero!

51906  320x240 call of thrones 08

Publisher: YeepGame
Playerbase: ??
Graphics: Medium
Type: MMORPG
EXP Rate: ??
PvP: Yes
Filesize: N/A

Pros: +3D Browser-based graphics. +In-depth guild, customization, and skill systems. +Pets and Mounts have importance.

Cons: -Slow paced gameplay. -Lack of unique elements. -Reliant on guilds versus solo.

download nowcreate accountofficial site

Overview

Call of Thrones Overview

Call of Thrones offers you a 3D MMORPG experience in your browser. You create a character from one of three different kingdoms, and select a class from four options. The class you choose determines what weapon you wield. There are several customization options available to help your character stand out, from initial creation to costumes. The game features an extensive skill system, as well as offering players a wide range of pets and mounts to develop as well. Combat is turn-based, so thought can be put into how to use your various abilities.

Call of Thrones Screenshots

Call of Thrones Featured Video

Click here to view the embedded video.

Full Review

Call of Thrones Review

Coming Soon…

Screenshots

Call of Thrones Screenshots

Coming Soon…

Videos

Call of Thrones Videos

Call of Thrones: Get a Pet

Click here to view the embedded video.

Call of Thrones: Under Siege

Click here to view the embedded video.

Links

Call of Thrones Links

Official Game Page

System Requirements

Call of Thrones System Requirements

Coming Soon. . .

 

Brick-Force Prepares For Final Open Beta

Posted: 04 Jun 2012 10:48 AM PDT

Infernum has revealed new details about Brick-Force’s upcoming open beta release.

Currently in VIP Open Beta, Brick-Force is set to launch its final open beta in “the next few weeks.” The final beta phase will open the game to all players, and introduce a newly redesigned interface that improves both the look and function.

Other updates will introduce the new “Build and Destroy” and “Defense” game modes, rebalance some game mechanics, debut new brick types and costumes, and implement an achievement system. The game’s browser version will also be ready for PC and Mac users with the next update.

51889  420x310 brick force new build game overview

Brick-Force: New Build Game Interface

Source:

Brick-Force – Build, Share, Play

New Innovations Coming To Brick-Force

Upcoming updates bring exciting new gameplay modes, interface redesign, and more Berlin, 4th June 2012: With E3 starting tomorrow, game publisher and developer Infernum is unveiling new details about the open beta and the final release of Brick-Force. An entire arsenal of innovations awaits the players: Very soon, the game will have a shiny new appearance thanks to the browser version, two new shooter modes, interface reworks and loads of improvements to game mechanics. Editors will be able to catch a first glance at these updates throughout the week of E3.

Within the next few weeks, the sandbox shooter will switch from the limited VIP Open Beta to the final open beta phase. From that point on, the online game will be open for all players, with the official release to follow soon after. The completely redesigned interface introduces visual as well as functional changes compared to the previous version.

Furthermore, two brand new features, requested by fans of "Brick Force" will soon create a whole new thrilling game mode: For the first time, "Build and Destroy" will enable the opposing teams to place bricks as well as destroy them within the shooter environment. At the same time, both teams fight each other in a classic Team Deathmatch. The second new feature will be the "Defense" mode. Brave square heads will have to fight wave after wave of different monsters. Besides these major changes, players can also look forward to improved balancing, new and sometimes interactive brick types, new costumes, an achievement system, new items and stats.

In addition, Mac users are in for some great news. The browser version is currently in the middle of its final preparations and will be available for PC and Mac-Users with the next update. Also, the development of the mobile versions for smartphones and tablet computers is well underway.

MMO Updates

MMO Updates


Captain's Log Supplemental: An exclusive interview with STO's Daniel Stahl

Posted: 04 Jun 2012 10:00 AM PDT

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STO Fed SB Header
Following up on our exclusive look at the new fleet starbases and fleet advancement system due to arrive with Season Six of Star Trek Online, we've asked STO's Executive Producer, Daniel Stahl, a few questions about how the starbases will work and how they might affect different kinds of players.

One thing seems certain: Season Six might very well contain the most drastic changes the game has ever seen. So join us as we ask Dan some of the questions that came up after reading about the new system!

Continue reading Captain's Log Supplemental: An exclusive interview with STO's Daniel Stahl

MassivelyCaptain's Log Supplemental: An exclusive interview with STO's Daniel Stahl originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 04 Jun 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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    Captain's Log: An exclusive look at STO's Season Six starbases

    Posted: 04 Jun 2012 09:00 AM PDT

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    STO Starbase
    So, you wanted to know what to expect with the starbases announced in Season Six of Star Trek Online? Well, aren't you lucky that you read Massively? Today, we've got for you the most up-to-date information Cryptic Studios has released regarding STO's new fleet starbase and fleet advancement system soon to be seen in the highly anticipated Season Six patch! That's right: Massively has the exclusive insight to the new starbases, and there's so much information that it will take two columns to cover!

    Beyond the cut, we'll highlight the new fleet advancement system as revealed by Cryptic Studios, and later today, a special supplemental edition of the Captain's Log will feature an exclusive interview with Star Trek Online's Executive Producer, Daniel Stahl, to answer some the questions generated by the announcement.

    So order more power to your inertial dampers and grab the rail because here it comes!

    Continue reading Captain's Log: An exclusive look at STO's Season Six starbases

    MassivelyCaptain's Log: An exclusive look at STO's Season Six starbases originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 04 Jun 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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      TERA offers instant streaming demo courtesy of Gaikai

      Posted: 04 Jun 2012 08:30 AM PDT

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      TERA offers instant streaming demo courtesy of Gaikai
      If you've been curious about TERA but are unsure of putting your money down or waiting for a lengthy download, then En Masse has a treat for you today. The studio has partnered up with cloud gaming service Gaikai to offer an instant streaming version of TERA's demo.

      Players can get right into the game with no download by visiting the new TERA demo page. Massively tested this out and confirmed that the game does indeed launch within seconds and allows you to test drive one of three pre-made characters in this action combat world. There is no cost associated with using this feature.

      VP of Publishing Chris Lee thinks this is a perfect way to spread the word of TERA: "Gaikai's powerful cloud streaming service gives players a chance to enter the action combat world of TERA almost instantly. Within seconds of accessing TERA through Gaikai, players will be immersed in the skill-based combat of a true action MMO where they will experience the depth of a traditional MMO alongside the visceral satisfaction of an action game."

      Gaikai offers tailored cloud-based gaming services for studios. We recently spoke with Gaikai's CO Dave Perry about his company's ambitions and goals within the MMO industry.

      [Source: En Masse press release]

      MassivelyTERA offers instant streaming demo courtesy of Gaikai originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 04 Jun 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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      Final Fantasy XIV producer's letter addresses player poll

      Posted: 04 Jun 2012 08:00 AM PDT

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      Final Fantasy XIV producer's letter addresses player poll, point by point
      Final Fantasy XIV Producer Naoki Yoshida has returned for another producer's letter, this time addressing the recent poll sent out to players across the world. Yoshida personally addressed points regarding combat, crafting, the synthesis system, and version 2.0.

      Yoshida observes two points of constructive criticism will be used as FFXIV continues to be revised: "Many of you said that combos are too restrictive... We also received many comments that character positioning is bothersome and difficult."

      In regards to the upcoming version 2.0, he notes that the most excitement seems to be swirling about the new classes and jobs, improved level design, additional maps, and the graphics engine update. "Interestingly," Yoshida writes, "Japanese players are the ones who're most looking forward to the new housing system -- a national trait, perhaps?"

      Yoshida also expressed concern that a good chunk of players do not read player blogs on the Lodestone, not to mention that a vast majority of them simply do not use the Lodestone to post their own articles. He hopes this will change with 2.0, as the Lodestone will be receiving a full renovation at that time.

      MassivelyFinal Fantasy XIV producer's letter addresses player poll originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 04 Jun 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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      MV Guide: June 4 - 10, 2012

      Posted: 04 Jun 2012 07:00 AM PDT

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      Diablo III
      MV Guide is a weekly rundown of the MMO gaming events planned on Massively TV.

      Every week, the Massively Stream Team logs in to play various MMOs live and in person, and we'd love for you to drop by the channel and visit. We have a combination of regular weekly games and new surprises each week, so you'll find a variety of titles to watch. During our streamed events, you can participate in the live chat, ask questions to learn about the game, or simply spend some time with Massively staff and readers. (Of course, streaming is subject to the whims of outside forces like server-side gremlins once in a while.)

      Follow along after the jump to see what's on this week's schedule, and let us know if there's a specific game you'd like to see streamed next week!

      Continue reading MV Guide: June 4 - 10, 2012

      MassivelyMV Guide: June 4 - 10, 2012 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 04 Jun 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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        The Daily Grind: What do you hope to learn from E3?

        Posted: 04 Jun 2012 06:00 AM PDT

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        E3 welcome banner
        So E3 2012 is a day away, and Massively is gearing up to stagger drunkenly around the Los Angeles Convention Center schmoozing with game devs. Oh wait, that's not us, but we are excited to see some of the MMOs on display at this year's con, including The Elder Scrolls Online, Neverwinter, Defiance, the Riders of Rohan expansion for Lord of the Rings Online, and dozens more.

        For some of us, it's our first E3. For others, it's old hat at this point. One thing's for certain, though: Gaming's Graceland has a lot to offer both vets and newbs alike. For today's breakfast topic, share your thoughts on this year's event. More specifically, what do you hope to learn from E3?

        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: What do you hope to learn from E3? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 04 Jun 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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          Aventurine to temporarily suspend purchase price for Darkfall

          Posted: 04 Jun 2012 05:00 AM PDT

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          Darkfall screenshot
          Over the weekend, sandbox fans were given something to look forward to -- the chance to play a game without having to buy it. Aventurine announced an upcoming promotion where the purchase price for the fantasy MMORPG Darkfall client will be removed temporarily, allowing players to experience the game by paying only the monthly subscription fee. There is also something in the works involving skill gains to run concurrently, but no further details have been released.

          Although the specific start date has not been announced, it is expected to begin in two weeks and last only until Darkfall 2.0 launches. Players wanting to get a head start on the big update may not want to miss this opportunity. For a look at some of the changes coming with 2.0, check out Some Assembly Required.

          [Thanks to Dengar for the tip!]

          MassivelyAventurine to temporarily suspend purchase price for Darkfall originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 04 Jun 2012 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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          Get a good look at Guild Wars 2's Gendarran Fields

          Posted: 03 Jun 2012 07:00 PM PDT

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          Guild Wars 2 - Get a good look at Guild Wars 2's Gendarran Fields zone
          Those of you not planning to tool around in Guild Wars 2's next beta weekend (there's got to be at least a couple of you, right? guys...?) will probably appreciate PC Gamer's latest round of video coverage. The website has posted several clips centered on questing and general shenanigans, so expect to get a look at evil pirates, firefighting tasks, and various and sundry activities in and around the Gendarran Fields zone.

          The clips are pretty short, so you may find that they're just about right for whetting your Tyrian appetite without spoiling all of the surprises. Check out the first two after the cut, then head to PC Gamer for the rest.

          Continue reading Get a good look at Guild Wars 2's Gendarran Fields

          MassivelyGet a good look at Guild Wars 2's Gendarran Fields originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 03 Jun 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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          MMO Week in Review: Have fun storming the legion

          Posted: 03 Jun 2012 06:00 PM PDT

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          MMO Week in Review - RIFT
          At the end of every week, we round up the best and most popular news stories, exclusive features, and insightful columns published on Massively and then present them all in one convenient place. If you missed a big MMO or WoW Insider story last week, you've come to the right post.

          Even in this age of microtransactions and mini-updates, the classic MMO expansion refuses to die, and this week Trion Worlds lengthened the lifespan of that tried-and-true content-delivery method with its announcement of RIFT's upcoming expansion, Storm Legion. In it, players will find themselves racing to level 60, dabbling in housing, donning capes, sampling new souls, rambling across new continents, and dipping into -- wait for it -- story-driven quest lines.

          Jump past the break for the rest of this week's top MMO stories.

          Continue reading MMO Week in Review: Have fun storming the legion

          MassivelyMMO Week in Review: Have fun storming the legion originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 03 Jun 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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            EVE Evolved: Hulk hunting in highsec

            Posted: 03 Jun 2012 04:00 PM PDT

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            EVE Evolved title image
            As it's a sandbox game, a big part of what makes EVE Online special is the interesting things players make and do within the game world that developers didn't anticipate. It's ultimately the players who collectively shape the game world, in extreme cases even overturning some of the developed game mechanics. Most players think of high-security space as a safe place to mine and run missions, with CONCORD police keeping a watchful eye on players and destroying any ship that breaks the law. But in EVE you're never truly safe anywhere but inside a station. With the right ship setup, it's possible to kill a target in the few seconds before the police ships arrive to turn you into a smoking wreck.

            In 2008, GoonSwarm alliance launched its infamous JihadSwarm campaign aiming to suicide gank every mining barge in high-security space. The imaginary safety bubble that miners had lived in for years burst, and highsec mining temporarily became one of the game's most dangerous professions. When Helicity Boson later kicked off the first Hulkageddon event, pirates competed to see who could destroy the most mining barges, and miners in high-security space were prime targets. Hulkageddon went on to become a regular event, with achievements to be won and billions of ISK in sponsored prizes. Recently, Hulkageddon V took an interesting turn when Goonswarm Federation pledged to keep the event running permanently by paying players 100 million ISK for every 10 tech 2 mining barges they kill.

            In this week's EVE Evolved, I look at Hulkageddon from both sides of the fence, with tips on how to suicide gank mining barges and how to stay safe when mining.

            Continue reading EVE Evolved: Hulk hunting in highsec

            MassivelyEVE Evolved: Hulk hunting in highsec originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 03 Jun 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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              One Shots: Orrery is an awesome word

              Posted: 03 Jun 2012 02:00 PM PDT

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              One Shots
              Today's One Shots is going to make you smarter because it's got an orrery in it. What's an orrery? It's a 3-D clockwork planetarium that mimics the solar system, and there's an amazing one in this lovely Guild Wars 2 beta screenshot by Brazokie. In fact, Brazokie sent in six stunning pics along with this cry for help (kidding!):
              I have too many! They are all pretty! Please pick one, or two, or three...
              Well, I've picked two plus two more from our stash of One Shots submissions, and they're all in full color behind the break!

              Continue reading One Shots: Orrery is an awesome word

              MassivelyOne Shots: Orrery is an awesome word originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 03 Jun 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                Rise and Shiny: The Pride of Taern

                Posted: 03 Jun 2012 12:00 PM PDT

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                The Pride of Taern screenshot
                I have to be honest. Well, you should hope I would have to be honest each week, but let's just say that I often need to cull the many thoughts I have about some of the games I find, simply for sake of space. I try to avoid using too many general terms or categories about MMO gaming because there are always exceptions to every rule. In this case, however, I have to be very general.

                There is a certain subsection of MMOs that seem to come from some foreign land; they have an odd name, possibly host broken-English text on their websites (loose instead of lose is one of the earmarks), and are hard to figure out. I'm possibly the most open-minded and schooled dude you could meet when it comes to MMOs. I'm proud of that, but when I see one of these odd ducks, I cringe. I know I'm in for a week of suffering through bugs, figuring out the very basics of the game, and trying to find an ounce of fun to report on. Also (and this is the bad part), they always seem to come from places that are blond and cold. Like Norway. Or Sweden. You know, the places really great, dark death metal comes from. It turns out this game is from Poland, but that's still very cool.

                So when I found The Pride of Taern, I thought I was in for another week of busted English, horrible gameplay, and not an ounce of fun. At this point, however, I've had a freaking blast.

                Continue reading Rise and Shiny: The Pride of Taern

                MassivelyRise and Shiny: The Pride of Taern originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 03 Jun 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                  The Repopulation seeks Kickstarter funding

                  Posted: 03 Jun 2012 10:00 AM PDT

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                  Yeah, this place could use some repopulating.
                  Sandbox fans are probably feeling the pinch on their wallets of late with the surge of Kickstarter projects. The Repopulation is joining the trend with a project that's just kicked off to secure funding for further development. That means incentive rewards, stretch goals, and of course, new information about the game as it moves through development. The funding goal is set at a fairly modest $25,000 and includes several noteworthy incentives for backers.

                  In the lower tiers of funding, players can enjoy such benefits as extra cash in the game when it goes live, early access to the game, and special tokens to unlock unique rewards. Players who have plenty of money to donate can move on up to having character names attached to game objects and custom-generated content. It's a nice set of rewards, and if you're interested in the game's future, you've got plenty of time before the Kickstarter closes.

                  [Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

                  MassivelyThe Repopulation seeks Kickstarter funding originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 03 Jun 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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