General Gaming Article

General Gaming Article


Go Galactic with Starbound's Mass Effect Edition Mod

Posted: 02 Feb 2014 05:08 PM PST

"I'm Commander Shepard, and this is my favorite mod on the Citadel."

Starbound is massively popular these days, inspiring mods aplenty. Like with many procedurally-generated or sandbox-inspired games lately, it's now rocking a Mass Effect makeover by way of a clever new mod. If you've ever wanted tiny Shepard as a Starbound avatar, things just don't get any better than this.

The Mass Effect Edition mod (via PC Gamer) for Starbound is available now, though you'll have to check it out in early access beta mode for the present. Create your very own Mass Effect character, and hop aboard the Normandy SR-1 to explore the cockpit, CIC, engine room, and more. The navigation has been altered to reflect the familiar galaxy map as well.

There's a whole shipload of surprises waiting for Mass Effect fans in this mod, including the "Omni-Blade" and even some familiar biotic powers to help lift up your enemies right up into the air. Like the Minecraft mod before it, it's clear a lot of love has gone into creating an authentic Mass Effect experience. If you're a fan of either game, you'll enjoy this clever mixture as well -- right down to the music included.

If you're willing to take the plunge, head over to the Chucklefish forums to get started by downloading the mod. Let us know what you think!

Round Two For Ouya Console with Overhauled Hardware and Storage

Posted: 02 Feb 2014 04:10 PM PST

Ding! Time for another round

If the first run of the Kickstarter-powered Ouya wasn't enough to inspire you to purchase one, perhaps new and improved hardware will change your mind. A brand new 16GB version of the Ouya is giving the console an overhaul to attract a new audience as well as win back detractors from the initial release.

After the Ouya released to nearly universal criticism, sporting bugs, only 8GB of onboard storage, and a cornucopia of other issues, Kickstarter backers and those who pulled the trigger on the deal were understandably disgruntled about the whole ordeal. Though the original Ouya console was only $99 in comparison to the exorbitant pricing of next-gen darlings PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, you essentially got what you paid for.

Now, the second Ouya console is running $129 for an overhauled rig, sporting a quad-core Tegra 3-T33 processor with 1GB of memory and 16GB of internal Flash storage with the ability to add additional storage. The outside's considerably shinier and vastly-improved as well, and you'll also get an HDMI cable with the console and one controller. Additional controllers are available for $49.99.

It's unsure whether or not an overhaul like this can revive the Ouya or its brand, but it'll be interesting to see if a system that seems to have failed its backers can rise from the ashes into something great. Are you planning on grabbing a new Ouya console? Check out additional details at Ouya's official site here. The matte is attractive alright, but is this enough to attract new buyers?

AMD Officially Releases Mantle API

Posted: 02 Feb 2014 03:54 PM PST

After much fanfare, Mantle is finally available

The much-anticipated Mantle API is ready at long last for its official launch, with an onslaught of drivers and patches enabling low-level API going live yesterday. Those looking to get their hands dirty with Mantle will need to install the Catalyst 14.1 beta drivers which can be downloaded over the next few days from AMD's official website.

Though initial reports from various testers do appear to be a bit rocky, you can try them yourself if you're looking to expand your PC gaming experience, especially if you're dealing with hardware on the lower end of the spectrum. Mantle's debut might be chugging along and gaining steam, but they have made the commitment to ensure the API is steadily evolving.

As reports on Mantle's performance roll in, we'll of course be following the story as it develops, as well as possible test results and opinion on the matter. In the meantime, if you've set your mind on giving it a test drive, be sure to get back to us with your assessment and results, especially in games like Battlefield 4, which is what it appears most are having issues with.

MMO Updates

MMO Updates


One Shots: Gnometizers

Posted: 02 Feb 2014 07:00 AM PST

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As a former, fully recovered World of Warcraft player, I always welcome the colorful yet chunky images from Azeroth in my inbox. But reader Jon crossed a line when he decided to serve up, and I quote, "a delicious side of Gnome" in this particular picture.

I, and many like me, have been lifelong Gnomes and choose such avatars in-game to show solidarity and to deliver the comeuppance that "tallies" deserve. This screenshot is just a sad reminder that we are often portrayed as the butt of jokes and thoughtlessly killed every single day just to amuse those who had a stronger growth spurt than we.

Oh, how I do hope that Troll choked on his first bite of Gnome pie and suffered through explosive intestinal distress shortly thereafter. That's the only way they'll learn.

Continue reading One Shots: Gnometizers

MassivelyOne Shots: Gnometizers originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 02 Feb 2014 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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    The Daily Grind: What MMO systems are too complicated for you?

    Posted: 02 Feb 2014 05:00 AM PST

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    In my experience, game designers are sometimes prone to creating systems in RPGs and MMOs that are, well, antagonistic to the extreme. Maybe they made sense to the dev who had it all mapped out in his or her head, but to the average player it's only a little more understandable than reading War and Peace in sanskrit.

    The customization systems of Final Fantasy VII and VIII always come to mind when I think about this. VII's materia was easy to grok, allowing me to clearly understand what effects I wanted to equip and giving me a path to leveling them up. Then came VIII's junction system, which allowed scads more customization but was just a jumbled mess of incoherent ideas and a generally bad approach. Don't get me wrong, I don't want a Fisher-Price MMO; I feel the more complex the system, the clearer the instruction and design needs to be for us to navigate it.

    So what MMO systems are too complicated for you? How would you make them better?

    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 MMO systems are too complicated for you? originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 02 Feb 2014 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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      SOE lifts EQN Landmark alpha NDA

      Posted: 01 Feb 2014 05:30 PM PST

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      If you want to know what's happening in EverQuest Landmark's alpha, just ask. SOE has just lifted what is quite possibly the shortest NDA ever -- it lasted less than 24 hours. Here's the official statement from SOE:
      "Technically the alpha is holding up very very well, better even than expected. So, based on the requests of our alpha players, (and in spirit of transparency) we've decided to lift the nda immediately."
      That means testers are free to talk about their adventures, share screenshots, and even stream the new sandbox even in this alpha state. So for all you Founders out there, tell us: What do you think of the game right now? And what is your favorite thing about Landmark?

      MassivelySOE lifts EQN Landmark alpha NDA originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 01 Feb 2014 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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      Norrathian Notebook: Look out Landmark, here I come!

      Posted: 01 Feb 2014 02:00 PM PST

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      Norrathain Notebook:  Lookout Landmark, here I come!
      Hello, fellow EverQuest Next Landmark fans! This is likely the last time you will get to see me say boo about Landmark's alpha now that it has been announced and is starting up. Once I get my email, I will be officially and totally gagged.

      Many of you know that I was gifted a Trailblazer Founder's Pack for Christmas by someone who knows and loves me (or conversely, just wants to get me out of the way... which says what exactly if I gifted a pack right back?), so this period of time before I receive and open my invite is my last opportunity to speak about the game before the NDA descends upon me. As such, I am taking full advantage of these hours to speculate to my heart's content, squeal in excitement about the upcoming adventures, and ruminate on all I know about and all I hope for in this sandbox! And then by the time you read my thought, I will be [redacted] and possibly [redacted], with a little [redacted] thrown in.

      Continue reading Norrathian Notebook: Look out Landmark, here I come!

      MassivelyNorrathian Notebook: Look out Landmark, here I come! originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 01 Feb 2014 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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        The Mog Log: No one likes FFXIV's Pharos Sirius

        Posted: 01 Feb 2014 12:00 PM PST

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        No, not even you like it.  Stop lying.
        Every night, I sit down at my computer and I play the high-level roulette game in Final Fantasy XIV.

        There are five possible results. Amdapor Keep and Wanderer's Palace are the "win" results, the super-easy runs that can't even scrape dents into my armor. Copperbell Mines and Haukke Manor take a little more doing and a bit more attention on my part, and my shiny white Paladin armor is looking a bit scuffed up by the end. But they're still not bad. They're certainly doable.

        But there's always that 20% shot that I'm getting thrown straight into horror. The camera pans in to show a ruined lighthouse filled with crystals and a couple birds, and as soon as the cinematic ends, people are already asking "can we vote to abandon?" This seems to be the consensus: that it's not even worth trying to do Pharos Sirius start to finish. And when you look at the dungeon as a whole, it's not hard to see why no one likes it.

        Continue reading The Mog Log: No one likes FFXIV's Pharos Sirius

        MassivelyThe Mog Log: No one likes FFXIV's Pharos Sirius originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 01 Feb 2014 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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          The Stream Team: Exiled in WildStar

          Posted: 01 Feb 2014 10:00 AM PST

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          With a literal spring in her step, Massively's MJ returns for more Exile exploits in WildStar. Can her next adventures possibly top the parade of live veggies from last time? It's definitely worth finding out! She's working to get off the Arkship and out in into the vast unknown of the open worlds. Join us live at 1:00 p.m. for a look at beta life with the Exiles.

          Game: WildStar
          Host: MJ Guthrie
          Date: Saturday, February 1st, 2014
          Time: 1:00 p.m. EST

          Enjoy our Steam Team video below.

          Continue reading The Stream Team: Exiled in WildStar

          MassivelyThe Stream Team: Exiled in WildStar originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 01 Feb 2014 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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            MMORPG News

            MMORPG News


            EverQuest Next: Landmark: NDA Lifts Within Hours of Alpha Start

            Posted: 02 Feb 2014 12:27 AM PST

            NDA Lifts Within Hours of Alpha Start

            Sony Online Entertainment President John Smedley has announced via Twitter that the NDA for EverQuest Next: Landmark has been lifted. This allows alpha testers to post impressions, videos and more across the 'Net.

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