General Gaming Article

General Gaming Article


Crucial's MX100 SSD Blazes a Trail at 550MB/s, Calls It 'Mainstream Performance'

Posted: 03 Jun 2014 11:48 AM PDT

Crucial MX100Refreshingly modest marketing

Color us impressed with Micron's marketing of its new Crucial MX100 solid state drive line. Rather than try and oversell the drive with exaggerated rhetoric and fancy pants nomenclature, Micron is billing the Crucial MX100 SSD as a drive that offers cost-effective mainstream performance. Indeed, while the drive's sequential read and write speeds of up to 550MB/s and 500MB/s, respectively, are no longer unique, they're still some of the fastest available in the SATA space.

Micron's Crucial MX100 is available in 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB capacities. Both the 256GB and 512GB models use Micron's new 16nm NAND flash memory, which is paired with a SATA 6Gbps controller and custom firmware. That combination results in up to 90,000 IOPS.

"The Crucial MX100 represents a significant step forward for the mainstream SSD market, delivering outstanding performance and robust features at an excellent price," said Jon Weech (PDF), senior worldwide product manager, Crucial. "This product truly broadens the storage consideration set and enables more users than ever to make the jump from traditional spinning hard drives to a solid state drive."

These are 2.5-inch 7mm form factor drives. Each one ships with Acronis True Image HD data migration software and is backed by a 3-year warranty.

The drives are available now for $80 (128GB), $110 (256GB), and $225 (512GB), which are MSRPs.

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NEC Brings 4K Ultra HD to MultiSync EA Series Starting with 24-inch EA244UHD

Posted: 03 Jun 2014 10:18 AM PDT

NEC EA244UHDNEC's first 4K desktop display

The newest company to hitch a ride on the 4K train is NEC, which just launched its first Ultra HD display. NEC's new MultiSync EA244UHD is a 23.8-inch LED-backlit monitor with a 3840x2160 resolution, which we know by now is four times the typcial Full HD 1080p space (a point monitor makers have been hammering into our heads ever since 4K panels first emerged on the market).

NEC isn't marketing the EA244UHD at the average user or even gaming enthusiast -- instead, the company is taking aim at the professional crowd (graphic artists, photographers, and the such). Like NEC's other professional grade panels, this one is compatible with the company's SpectraView calibration software.

The monitor sports an AH-IPS panel. Rated specs include 350cd/m2 brightness, 99.3 percent coverage of Adobe RGB with 1.07 billion displayable colors, 15,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio (1,000:1 typical), and 6ms response time. It also features two DisplayPort connectors, two HDMI connectors, two DVI-D inputs, integrated 3-port powered USB 3.0 hub (1 up/3 down), two 1W speakers, a headphone jack, and an adjustable stand with 13mm height-adjust, tilt, swivel, and pivot.

NEC's MultiSync EA244UHD will be available this month for $1,349 (estimated street price). It's backed by a 3-year limited parts and labor warranty.

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Newegg Daily Deals: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3-1600, Intel Core i7 3770, and More!

Posted: 03 Jun 2014 09:14 AM PDT

Corsair Vengeance DDR3-1600newegg logo

Top Deal:

One of the hard parts about getting older is that your memory tends to go. That gallon of milk you we were supposed to pick up at the store? It's still there, along with the eggs. If only our heads were modular, we could shove a stick of RAM into our noggins for an instant smarty-pants upgrade. Maybe someday. In the meantime, we can give our PCs memory upgrades, which will help with everything from gaming to Photoshop. If you're looking to do that, check out today's top deal for a kit of Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3-1600 Desktop Memory for $77 with free shipping (normally $90 - use coupon code: [EMCPEGP34]). This kit sports 9-9-9-24 timings and an aggressive looking heatspreader.

Other Deals:

Intel Core i7-3770 Ivy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.9GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 77W Desktop Processor for $280 with free shipping (normally $300 - use coupon code: [EMCPEGP29])

Gigabyte GA-Z97X-Gaming 7 LGA 1150 Intel Z97 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard for $165 with free shipping (normally $170 - use coupon code: [EMCPEGP89])

BenQ GL2460HM Black 24-inch 2ms (GTG) HDMI Widescreen LED Backlight LCD Monitor for $130 with free shipping (normally $150 - use coupon code: [EMCPEGP55])

Adata DashDrive UV128 128GB USB 3.0 Flash Drive for $45 with free shipping (normally $60 - use coupon code: [EMCPEGP67])

Asus Expands ROG Collection at Computex

Posted: 03 Jun 2014 08:54 AM PDT

Asus ROG ProductsEverything but the kitchen sink

Asus didn't make the trip to Computex unprepared, that's for sure. Instead, Asus unloaded a rather large collection of Republic of Gamer (ROG) products, including a new mouse, keyboard, a couple of new motherboards, monitor, gaming laptop, and several other items. There's even a console-like gaming PC in the mix -- it's not a Steam Machine, though it's ready to take residence in your living room or dorm.

Dubbed the ROG GR8, the console gaming PC is a full-on system with an Intel Core i7 processor, Nvidia GeForce GTX 750 Ti graphics, SupremeFX audio, GbE LAN, 4K UHD output, Miracast support, upgradeable storage, 802.11ac Wi-Fi, and more packed into an aggressively designed chassis.

If you need a bit more power, the Asus ROG G20 gaming desktop kicks things up a notch with a GeForce GTX 780 graphics card, though it still sports a compact case design and near silent operation.

Asus also rolled out its ROG GX500 gaming laptop. It features a 15.6-inch 4K Ultra HD display powered by an Intel Core i7 processor and Nvidia GeForce GTX 860M graphics. The laptop weighs less than 5 pounds (4.85 pounds) and measures a scan 0.75 inches thick.

You can check out everything else Asus unveiled here.

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Roccat's 'Tyon' Reveal is a Gaming Mouse with 16 Programmable Buttons

Posted: 03 Jun 2014 07:42 AM PDT

Roccat TyonThe first mouse with a dorsal fin switch

Roccat released a Tyon teaser trailer in May that was big on hype but woefully short on details. All Roccat was willing to divulge at the time was that Tyon was something intended for FPS gamers and that we'd have to wait for Computex for more information. Now that Computex is here, Roccat has made good on its promise by revealing Tyon in full form -- it's a unique gaming mouse with 16 programmable buttons, 31 distinct functions, and a dorsal fin switch.

Tyon sports Roccat's Easy-Shift[+] button, which is a dedicated button that allows you to program a second set of commands to each of the remaining buttons. As for the above mentioned dorsal fin switch, it's a two-way button placed and controlled mid-knuckle.

"The dorsal fin switch is a brilliant tactical design to move ever more vital functions away from the keyboard and to your gaming mouse," Roccat explains.

Roccat also equipped the Tyon with what it calls an X-Celerator, a single-axis analog thumb paddle that you can use to tilt left and right, pitch up and down, increase or decrease the throttle, and much more, depending on the type of game you're playing.

Other features include an 8200 dpi laser sensor, two-level light system, tracking and distance control, 32-bit processor, and 576KB memory to store macros and profiles.

The Tyon is "coming soon" and will be available in black or white. No word yet on price.

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Corsair Goes 80 Plus Platinum with HXi Series Power Supplies

Posted: 03 Jun 2014 06:05 AM PDT

Corsair HX1000iHigh wattage meets high efficiency

You don't want to match your high-end system build with a wimpy or generic power supply, trust us on this one. We've seen things, man -- things we can't ever forget (like smoke emitting from our rig). That's why we're a little excited to see Corsair announce its new HXi Series of power supplies with 80 Plus Platinum certification, which is only achieved when reaching greater than 92 percent energy efficiency.

The HXi Series is available in 750W, 850W, and 1,000W models, each of which offer fully modular cables, near-silent operation, Japanese electrolytic capacitors, and Corsair software monitoring and customization.

"When we launched the first PSUs in 2006, the HX Series redefined what a PC PSU should be, raising the bar for PSU quality and performance and making them a long-trusted favorite of PC enthusiasts," said Aaron Neal, product manager of PSUs at Corsair. "The new HXi PSUs build on that legacy with upgraded efficiency, fully modular cables, software monitoring, and some of the best voltage regulation, noise, and ripple specs in their class."

For those who take PSUs seriously, the Corsair Link software has your name written all over it. The software serves up real-time temperature, power usage, efficiency monitoring, and selectable single/multi-rail mode from the desktop.

Corsair's HXi Series is backed by a 7-year warranty and will be available in August for $170 (HX750i), $190 (HX850i), and $230 (HX1000i).

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MMO Updates

MMO Updates


Flameseeker Chronicles: The strange case of Guild Wars 2's reward system

Posted: 03 Jun 2014 10:00 AM PDT

Filed under: , , , , ,

Is it cold out there in space, Bowie?
Every now and then I'll hear someone say that Guild Wars 2 has no rewards. They'll say it's extraordinarily grindy, that there's nothing to work toward, and that ArenaNet is intentionally making things harder than they should be so that we'll all give up and buy gems. This is confusing and frustrating to me for two reasons: The first is that all of those things are demonstrably untrue. The second is that I can nevertheless see where those people are coming from to some extent, and it's been difficult to put my finger on why.

GW2 showers players with loot and rewards. In an hour's normal play, I can fill my bags with items and come out of it with a tidy sum of cash; nearly everything in the game is designed to reward players for doing stuff, no matter what that stuff is. Some of it, like Edge of the Mists, is almost ludicrously generous. Even with the changes to the way Queen's Pavilion fights work this time around, it's possible to grab huge numbers of Champion loot bags if you land on an organized megaserver. So why does GW2 feel so stingy?

Continue reading Flameseeker Chronicles: The strange case of Guild Wars 2's reward system

MassivelyFlameseeker Chronicles: The strange case of Guild Wars 2's reward system originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 03 Jun 2014 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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    Vindictus running its Golden Time event

    Posted: 03 Jun 2014 09:00 AM PDT

    Filed under: , , , ,

    Looks more silver to me.
    It's the perfect time to play Vindictus if you've been on the fence. Not because of some huge update, but because the game is knee-deep in its month-long Golden Time event. During the event, each week brings a new set of boosts and promotions for players, just a little something extra to enjoy. This week is all about making the weary business of adventuring just a bit less weary, starting with a 50% discount to all repair costs.

    Players can also resurrect for free between 8 p.m. EDT and 10 p.m. EDT every day this week, and special items will be distributed to players who are logged in at 10 p.m. EDT on Saturday and Sunday. What does the next week bring? You'll just have to find out, but it should provide a nice encouragement to anyone playing the game. See? It's the perfect time for play.

    [Thanks to Soren for the tip!]

    MassivelyVindictus running its Golden Time event originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 03 Jun 2014 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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    WildStar launches with new trailer, patch, and free realm transfers

    Posted: 03 Jun 2014 08:00 AM PDT

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    WildStar
    It's the official launch day for WildStar, and Carbine's got a lot for you to digest this morning!

    We'll start off by pointing you to Executive Producer Jeremy Gaffney's speech to the community. "If we're going to play with the big boys, we have to earn the right to be one of the few MMOs that can not just draw gamers in, but can earn those gamers' loyalty over time," Gaffney vowed.

    There's a new patch for launch day that includes more optimization and the ability to roll both factions on a PvP server. Carbine's also allowing players to transfer to and from certain realms for free in order to alleviate population issues.

    Finally, the team posted a new launch trailer, which we've got for you after the jump!

    Continue reading WildStar launches with new trailer, patch, and free realm transfers

    MassivelyWildStar launches with new trailer, patch, and free realm transfers originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 03 Jun 2014 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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    Anarchy Online prepares 'huge' fall patch

    Posted: 03 Jun 2014 07:00 AM PDT

    Filed under: , , , , ,

    AO
    Funcom's Joel Bylos posted a producer's letter today for Anarchy Online, promising a major patch for the game later this year.

    Among other features, Patch 18.7 will include changes to the Martial Artist and the Trader classes and will begin to automate seasonal events. "In the 18.7 branch, we have placed out all seasonal spawns in the game world and we will start testing on the closed beta in the upcoming weeks to ensure the automated system works as intended," Bylos reported.

    The "huge" patch will be put on the test server this summer with a release date sometime before Halloween.

    MassivelyAnarchy Online prepares 'huge' fall patch originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 03 Jun 2014 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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    The Daily Grind: Do you mask your gender when playing MMOs?

    Posted: 03 Jun 2014 06:00 AM PDT

    Filed under: , , , , ,

    City of Heroes
    Last month, Polygon published an article about the invisible privileges some gamers enjoy without realizing it. The author, Jonathan McIntosh, included among those privileges the idea that men "probably never think about hiding [their] real-life gender online through [their] gamer-name, [their] avatar choice, or by muting voice-chat, out of fear of harassment resulting from [their] being male." Granted, he was specifically talking about gender; plenty of men online have every reason to hide aspects of their identities to avoid being harassed on the basis of their nationality or ethnicity or religion or handicap or sexual orientation or age, for example. But gender itself is generally pretty safe for straight male gamers compared to female gamers.

    We've asked before whether you roll characters that match the gender you identify with in the real world, but today, we're expanding that question: Do you go out of your way to hide your gender when you're playing MMOs? Do you avoid voice-chat, lie about your name, or alter your avatar choice, as McIntosh suggests, to avoid the potential for harassment? Or are MMO players just more socially well-adjusted than the typical gamer such that this is less a problem for us?

    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 mask your gender when playing MMOs? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 03 Jun 2014 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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      Not So Massively: World of Warships first video, Civ Online reviews, and slick trailers

      Posted: 02 Jun 2014 06:00 PM PDT

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

      Not So Massively
      Welcome back to Not So Massively, where every Monday we round up the highlights from the past week in the world of MOBAs, roguelikes, MMOTCGs, and other games that aren't quite MMOs.

      Continue reading Not So Massively: World of Warships first video, Civ Online reviews, and slick trailers

      MassivelyNot So Massively: World of Warships first video, Civ Online reviews, and slick trailers originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 02 Jun 2014 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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        Check out Wurm Online's new trailer

        Posted: 02 Jun 2014 05:00 PM PDT

        Filed under: , , , , ,

        Wurm
        If you can get over the fact that the narrator sounds a little like he collects torsos for a hobby, Wurm Online's newest trailer has a good overview of what makes this sandbox special. It shows (in fast-motion) the subjugation of a plot of land and the creation of a fortified home before quickly mentioning features like combat and PvP.

        Is this the one true sandbox MMO of sandbox MMOs? Give the trailer a watch after the break and let us know what you think.

        Continue reading Check out Wurm Online's new trailer

        MassivelyCheck out Wurm Online's new trailer originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 02 Jun 2014 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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        Gloria Victis team summarizes new patch, May updates

        Posted: 02 Jun 2014 04:00 PM PDT

        Filed under: , , , , , , ,

        Gloria Victis
        Gloria Victis updated its website over the weekend with a bit about what the dev team accomplished in the month of May. First and foremost is that the fantasy sandbox now features a basic crafting system. The game's map size also increased by about 30 percent. Additionally, the team "implemented many fixes of already existing systems," including an improved texture load process to combat low framerates.

        You can read all about the latest patch at the Gloria Victis website.

        [Thanks Mae!]

        MassivelyGloria Victis team summarizes new patch, May updates originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 02 Jun 2014 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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        Funcom planning to launch TSW's Tokyo this Wednesday

        Posted: 02 Jun 2014 03:00 PM PDT

        Filed under: , , , , ,

        Grab your passports! The Secret World fans will finally get to step into Tokyo this week. Creative Director Joel Bylos has told Massively that barring any hiccups, plans are to release Issue #9 The Black Signal on Wednesday, June 4th, 2014.

        Even with hiccups, the expansion is expected this week.

        Tokyo, the first new zone to be introduced to TSW, is so large that it will be spread out over three issues, breaking the city into two parts (Issues #9 and #10) and the Orochi Headquarters building (Issue #11). There are plenty of new mobs, new NPCs, new cut scenes, and new missions throughout the zone. Want to hear more? Keep your eyes peeled for Massively's full hands-on experience in Tokyo.

        MassivelyFuncom planning to launch TSW's Tokyo this Wednesday originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 02 Jun 2014 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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          The Stream Team: Celebrating Marvel Heroes' anniversary with a dev and gifts

          Posted: 02 Jun 2014 02:00 PM PDT

          Filed under: , , , , , ,

          Marvel Heroes is celebrating its anniversary this week, and Massively's MJ is inviting you to the party. Also attending is Ryan Collins (AKA Ryolnir), a font of knowledge for all things Marvel Heroes and the game's community manager. And what's a party without gifts? We'll have special codes available! Got questions about the upcoming Marvel Heroes 2015 or the Mac beta? Come get answers as well as gifts. Join us live at 4:00 p.m. EDT to enjoy some superhero action and maybe walk away with a special something just for coming.

          Game: Marvel Heroes
          Host: MJ Guthrie
          Date: Monday, June 2nd, 2014
          Time: 3:00 p.m. EDT

          Enjoy our Stream Team video below.

          Continue reading The Stream Team: Celebrating Marvel Heroes' anniversary with a dev and gifts

          MassivelyThe Stream Team: Celebrating Marvel Heroes' anniversary with a dev and gifts originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 02 Jun 2014 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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            Perfect World Entertainment posts strong Q1 2014 earnings

            Posted: 02 Jun 2014 01:00 PM PDT

            Filed under: , , , ,

            PWE
            Perfect World Entertainment posted its earnings report for Q1 2014, showing strong financials that include an increase from the same period in 2013. In Q1 2014, the publisher made $143.3M in revenue, $105.5M in gross profit, and had an operating profit of $28.5M.

            Perfect World CEO Robert Xiao said he was pleased with the results, commenting that, "Our total revenues came in line with the high end of our expectations, which was slightly softer than the strong fourth quarter of 2013. In the first quarter of 2014, we decelerated promotional activities for our client-based MMORPGs and remained focused on content development of our portfolio and pipeline."

            Xiao focused on the expansion of the company's mobile lineup as a cause for hope for the future as well as the Chinese Dota 2 beta test and Neverwinter launch later this year.

            MassivelyPerfect World Entertainment posts strong Q1 2014 earnings originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 02 Jun 2014 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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            Life of Rome aims to put roleplaying front and center

            Posted: 02 Jun 2014 12:00 PM PDT

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            Life of Rome
            Life of Rome is described as a third- and first-person MMO set in a persistent Rome where players choose between playing as a Roman or a Barbarian with a heavy emphasis on roleplay and a community-driven political system.

            While major RP-based storylines will be run by the developers at UK-based Breakout Studios, players can affect the game through long-term political, economic, or military goals. The game uses the Unity engine with Photon Networking and is currently in early alpha stages with no release date announced.

            [Thanks to Rob for the tip!]

            MassivelyLife of Rome aims to put roleplaying front and center originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 02 Jun 2014 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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              MMORPG News

              MMORPG News


              Elder Scrolls Online: Settling into Month Three

              Posted: 01 Jun 2014 06:09 PM PDT

              Settling into Month Three

              With the two-month mark since release hitting soon, an old feeling is beginning to creep in when it comes to The Elder Scrolls Online. I'm still enjoying the game though I've had less time to play recently. While there are always players on when I log in, I can't help but notice that some players are gone. Guilds are quieter or inactive, and my friends have stopped playing the game. ut the pace here seems to have been a bit quick.

              WildStar: Launch Day Arrives with New Trailer

              Posted: 01 Jun 2014 07:37 PM PDT

              Launch Day Arrives with New Trailer

              WildStar is arguably one of the most keenly anticipated titles to hit live service in 2014 and today marks the official start of the game. All players who have purchased a copy of WildStar are now invited to come on in to Nexus. To celebrate the momentous decision, Carbine Studios has released a brand spanking new trailer Check it out before starting your WildStar journey!

              General: Beasts of Prey: A Survival Sandbox MMO

              Posted: 01 Jun 2014 07:32 PM PDT

              Beasts of Prey: A Survival Sandbox MMO

              Beasts of Prey is a new, upcoming indie MMO currently preparing to begin its first wave of early access entries on June 5th. To celebrate the imminent influx of players, Octagon Interactive has released a brand new trailer. Check it out!

              General: SOE G.I.R.L. Scholarship Winner Announced

              Posted: 02 Jun 2014 04:08 PM PDT

              SOE G.I.R.L. Scholarship Winner Announced

              The seventh G.I.R.L. (Gamers in Real Live) winner has been announced by Sony Online Entertainment. The winner will receive a $10,000 scholarship and will work as a paid intern for ten weeks at the Sony Online Entertainment headquarters in San Diego.

              Prime World: Talents Overhauled, Balance Addressed and More in New Patch

              Posted: 02 Jun 2014 01:39 PM PDT

              Talents Overhauled, Balance Addressed and More in New Patch

              Prime World has been updated with the v9.15 patch that brings a boatload of big changes into the game including the fourth talent set, a rebalance of some of the game's heroes, changes to the talent system creation process and much, much more.

              Gauntlet: Celebrities to Participate in Live Stream Event

              Posted: 02 Jun 2014 01:33 PM PDT

              Celebrities to Participate in Live Stream Event

              Gauntlet fans will want to tune into a special live stream of the game this Thursday, June 5th. During the event, several celebrities will take part in game play that will spotlight the first ever footage shown. The star-studded event includes Wil Wheaton, Adrianne Curry, Pooch Hall, and classic arcade Gauntlet world record holder Dwayne Richard.

              Albion Online: Destiny Board - The Route to a Powerful Character

              Posted: 02 Jun 2014 07:33 AM PDT

              Destiny Board - The Route to a Powerful Character

              Albion Online's Destiny Board is a player's route to a powerful character, built exactly the way they want. Based on feedback from the last test, we've made many improvements to the Destiny Board and how players progress through it.

              Guild Wars 2: Feel the Rush!

              Posted: 31 May 2014 08:00 PM PDT

              Feel the Rush!

              So I finally beat Liadri, the Concealing Dark last week. I needed a specialized build and had to remap my keybinds for efficiency. It took me somewhere around 20 tries - 10-ish each on my necromancer and engineer - which isn't that many to hear some people talk about it, but it was still a thrill when I finally got her down. My hands were literally shaking at the end, and it took me nearly a minute to calm down to the point where I could type again.

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