MMO Updates |
- ArcheAge videos show off PvP
- Looking for the hit formula: NCsoft's Jeremy Gaffney on creating successful MMOs
- Enter at Your Own Rift: One-point-four
- En Masse delaying TERA launch to 2012
- Not So Massively Extra: Hi-Rez talks Gamescom plans and shows off first SMITE screens
- Marvel Universe reveals a mouthy merc
- Rumor: World of Warcraft's next expansion has been named
- The Daily Grind: What was your favorite experience as a healer?
- Going behind the scenes of Guild Wars 2's sound team
- Paragon Market details unveiled for City of Heroes Freedom
- The Game Archaeologist uncovers Shadowbane: The highlights
- MMObility: Shadow Cities confuses the heck out of me
- EVE is Real reaches first content milestone, Aurum gifted to active account holders
- One Shots: No job too big, no job too small
- Heatwave opens free trials for Gods and Heroes
- Fight for solitude in the newest DC Universe Online update
- Hyperspace Beacon: Illusion of choice
- The Soapbox: Rooting for the fail
- Silkroad Online's eighth expansion launches today
| Posted: 03 Aug 2011 10:30 AM PDT Filed under: Fantasy, Video, Game mechanics, MMO industry, New titles, PvP, News items, ArcheAge, Sandbox  Both clips center around PvP, and though ArcheAge will feature world PvP in certain areas, the game also boasts battlegrounds for those who prefer less randomness. The first video features a Mage/Bard/Archer player in a skirmish against an invading pirate guild. The second clip takes place inside a battleground and features the same class combo again. There's quite a bit more footage on this one, though, and the 13-minute running time gives us a pretty good look at what it's like to siege a castle. You'll find both videos after the cut. Continue reading ArcheAge videos show off PvP
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| Looking for the hit formula: NCsoft's Jeremy Gaffney on creating successful MMOs Posted: 03 Aug 2011 10:00 AM PDT Filed under: Interviews, MMO industry, Miscellaneous  Like many gamers, Gaffney is concerned with the growing aversion to risk-taking that studios exhibit as MMO gaming's gone more mainstream. "I worry, for example, that mass market equals mass budget equals risk aversion equals conservative design. The great thing about the early MMOs - games like Asheron's Call, Ultima Online, EverQuest and Lineage - was the fact they experimented; they weren't afraid to take different directions," he says. Even so, Gaffney is excited for the possibilities in the industry, simply because there are so many of them. Whether studios choose to develop for the mainstream or niche, console or mobile markets, using free-to-play or subscription business models, he sees avenues for success in all of them: "The common denominator will always be the gamer. And with gamers comes diversity, especially now." Gaffney's Carbine Studios is hard at work on an as-of-yet unnamed MMO which will be revealed at Gamescom later this month.
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| Enter at Your Own Rift: One-point-four Posted: 03 Aug 2011 09:30 AM PDT Filed under: Fantasy, Patches, Previews, RIFT, Enter at Your Own Rift  Yes, another patch. I think people are still in disbelief that Trion is able to pump out updates as rapidly as it has, and the current naysayer theory is that the company is merely polishing up content it wanted to get for launch but had to hold back for whatever reason. There's probably a kernel of truth to that, but it doesn't hold up from what we know. We know that Trion has parallel teams -- up to six of them -- working on live development, which includes world events and content updates. We know that some of the features we've seen in previous patches were a direct result of post-launch player feedback, so it can't all be capping off unfinished projects. Say what you will, but from where I'm standing, Trion's putting its actions where its mouth is by continuing a hot-and-heavy updating streak without showing any signs of slowing down. It's smart, too; by providing faster updates than most MMOs on the market and giving players incentive to stay, return, and try the game for the first time, Trion's firming up its position as an MMO that's here to stay -- not one that's going to fold up shop when future titles hit. So let's take a peek through the highlights of patch 1.4 as I offer my award-winning commentary on each of the points! Continue reading Enter at Your Own Rift: One-point-four
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| En Masse delaying TERA launch to 2012 Posted: 03 Aug 2011 09:00 AM PDT Filed under: Fantasy, MMO industry, New titles, News items, TERA  In a new press release issued this morning, En Masse says that TERA will release sometime in the spring of 2012. That should put to rest months of speculation as to whether the game would reach North American shores in 2011 (as well as whether it will be competing for launch customers with The Old Republic, which BioWare expects to release prior to the end of the year). En Masse publishing vice president Chris Lee comments on the launch delay, indicating that the extra time will result in a more polished product. "The game's action combat and depth has generated a lot of interest, and we are committed to making sure every aspect of the game lives up to our standard of quality," he said.
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| Not So Massively Extra: Hi-Rez talks Gamescom plans and shows off first SMITE screens Posted: 03 Aug 2011 08:00 AM PDT Filed under: Fantasy, Sci-fi, Screenshots, Events, real-world, MMO industry, New titles, News items, Global Agenda, Not So Massively  Hi-Rez COO Todd Harris will also be talking up the future of Global Agenda, and senior designer Travis Brown will be answering SMITE-related questions as players get their hands on the initial demo version of the title. SMITE is built on the Unreal Engine 3, and Hi-Rez has released the first two screenshots of the game which we've got for you after the break.
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| Marvel Universe reveals a mouthy merc Posted: 03 Aug 2011 07:00 AM PDT Filed under: Super-hero, Classes, New titles, Free-to-play, Marvel Universe Online  As we have mentioned in a prior article, the man behind the pen of the great Ultimate Spider-Man reboot, Brian Michael Bendis, is set to write the story behind this first-ever Marvel MMO. Although few other details of this highly anticipated free-to-play MMO have been revealed, we now know that a very iconic mutant will grace your screen when you play the game. This, of course, is none other than the Merc-with-a-mouth himself, Deadpool. As the Editorial Director for Marvel.com, Agent M, announced, you will be able to don the secret identity of Mr. Wade Wilson. Will you be as indestructible and athletic as this wise-acre? We will have to wait and see. As more information is revealed, we will be sure to send it your way. [Updated with Agent M's exact title. Thanks, Agent M]
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| Rumor: World of Warcraft's next expansion has been named Posted: 03 Aug 2011 06:30 AM PDT Filed under: World of Warcraft, Fantasy, Expansions, Rumors  Today we may know the name of the expansion: Mists of Pandaria. According to MMO Champion, Blizzard filed a trademark with this title on July 28th, which is exactly in line with how the company has procured titles for the previous expansions. The trademark specifies that this is for "computer game software." The Pandarens are one of the more light-hearted races in the Warcraft franchise, with kung fu panda bears from a secret empire somewhere in Azeroth. Despite being fan favorites, the Pandarens have been rarely seen in WoW, while Blizzard has used them in a couple different April Fool's jokes in the past. We'll be keeping our eyes on Blizzard for any official confirmation.
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| The Daily Grind: What was your favorite experience as a healer? Posted: 03 Aug 2011 06:00 AM PDT Filed under: Classes, Game mechanics, Opinion, The Daily Grind, Miscellaneous  From games like World of Warcraft that require a dedicated healer to games like City of Heroes where your "healer" may have no direct healing spells, the third part of the holy trinity sees the least direct action but still tables a lot of responsibility. So what's your favorite experience from taking on the role of the walking band-aid? Were you stuck in a group with members who couldn't keep themselves alive at all if not for your healing? Or is there a particular game that always made healing feel more fun than any other task in the game?  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!
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| Going behind the scenes of Guild Wars 2's sound team Posted: 02 Aug 2011 06:00 PM PDT Filed under: Fantasy, Video, News items, Guild Wars 2, Free-to-play, Virtual worlds  This short video documentary chronicles some of the methods that the team uses to draw players into the game world via just the sound, just to make each little echo sound as immersive and natural as possible. It's a look at one of the more ubiquitous aspects of MMOs that most players don't think about, so if you're at all interested in the design going on behind the scenes of Guild Wars 2, jump on past the break. Continue reading Going behind the scenes of Guild Wars 2's sound team
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| Paragon Market details unveiled for City of Heroes Freedom Posted: 02 Aug 2011 05:00 PM PDT Filed under: Super-hero, City of Heroes, City of Villains, Business models, Previews, News items, Free-to-play  Not only will the shop offer players a variety of old pieces at a discounted price (the entire Magic costume set clocks in at roughly $5, with individual pieces available as well), the market will also allow players to buy new features such as dual inspirations, new power sets, and new costume slots. In a game where individual creativity and character customization are king, the idea of adding a dozen more character slots and new costume slots should appeal to pretty much every player.
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| The Game Archaeologist uncovers Shadowbane: The highlights Posted: 02 Aug 2011 04:00 PM PDT Filed under: Fantasy, Culture, PvP, Shadowbane, Free-to-play, The Game Archaeologist  It's probably for the best, considering that Shadowbane was primarily PvP and I'm a PvE guy at heart. Plus, the title never really took off the way that publisher Ubisoft had hoped, spending most of its six years of operation lurking in the background of the MMO industry instead of sharing the spotlight. But still, six years! That's far longer than any of the titles we've been talking about these past couple months, and considering that Shadowbane won last week's poll to become this month's topic, there are obviously strong feelings lurking among you. What did Shadowbane try to do differently, how did it stay alive as long as it did, and what was its downfall? Hit the jump to find out! Continue reading The Game Archaeologist uncovers Shadowbane: The highlights
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| MMObility: Shadow Cities confuses the heck out of me Posted: 02 Aug 2011 03:00 PM PDT Filed under: Real life, Screenshots, Opinion, Free-to-play, Hands-on, Virtual worlds, Humor, MMObility  Sometimes a game comes along and makes me really scratch my head. It's rare, though, especially in this age of YouTube videos and newbie Q and A threads. Shadow Cities has given me more of a hard time than almost any other game in recent memory. The question is: is this a good thing or a bad thing? Click past the cut and we'll discuss it. Continue reading MMObility: Shadow Cities confuses the heck out of me
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| EVE is Real reaches first content milestone, Aurum gifted to active account holders Posted: 02 Aug 2011 02:30 PM PDT Filed under: Sci-fi, EVE Online, Business models, Culture, MMO industry, News items, Sandbox  CCP kicked off the campaign by offering in-game incentives based on the number of player uploads, and today the company has sent out a PR blast touting the fact that the first milestone has been reached. Players have uploaded over 1,000 pieces of content, triggering a gift of 1,000 in-game Aurum to every active EVE account (you'll recall that Aurum is the controversial new cash shop currency that surfaced with the Incarna expansion). So what will 1,000 Aurum buy your pod pilot at the Noble Exchange? As of today the pickings are somewhat slim. The only offering in that particular price range is a pair of black men's boots.
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| One Shots: No job too big, no job too small Posted: 02 Aug 2011 02:00 PM PDT Filed under: Galleries, Screenshots, One Shots, Earthrise, Post-Apocalyptic  This is the first base built in Earthrise since the Territory War feature was implemented. All structures and walls in the base are player made, as well as the armor and weapon my character has equipped. It has a such a nice view of the mutated wasteland!Now it's your turn to show off your items. This week's theme is Some Assembly Required -- a little nod to the newest addition to our column lineup. Some Assembly Required covers player-created content, so we want to see the best of what you've created. Whether you've built a farm or village in Wurm Online, a particularly impressive ride in Fallen Earth, or something even bigger and better in any MMO, we want to see! Grab a screenshot, tell us a bit about what it is, and send it to oneshots@massively.com. We'll be featuring the best of these all week.
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| Heatwave opens free trials for Gods and Heroes Posted: 02 Aug 2011 01:30 PM PDT Filed under: Fantasy, Business models, News items, Promotions  Following fresh on the heels of Gods and Heroes' recent content update, Heatwave Interactive announced today that it is beginning a free trial promotion. The free trial gives three days of access to all of the game's currently available content. Anthony Castoro, CEO of Heatwave Interactive, states, "The free trial unlocks the Gods & Heroes experience - it's our invitation for anyone passionate about mythology and legend to immerse themselves in this epic adventure of ancient Rome." If that sounds like your cup of tea, then you can access the new trial at the official site.
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| Fight for solitude in the newest DC Universe Online update Posted: 02 Aug 2011 01:00 PM PDT Filed under: Super-hero, Patches, News items, PvE, Consoles, DC Universe Online  Brainiac is back on the offensive in the latest DC Universe Online update, and this time his sights are set on Superman's Fortress of Solitude. Players must join forces with Superman and his reluctant ally Lex Luthor to fend off Brainiac, lest he use the Fortress' Kryptonian technology to destroy the Earth. Why Superman has Earth-destroying technology in his Fortress, we're not too sure. Just in case someone really pisses him off is our guess. The Fortress of Solitude is an eight-man raid which will reward successful players with Marks of Distinction, which players can use to purchase powerful new gear. The update also includes new high-level armor sets, including sets for heroes featuring Superman's logo, and sets for villains emblazoned with a 'Z' for "Zod." New hard-modes are also making an appearance, in the form of the Batcave and Hive hard-mode alerts. All this new content is available now, so jump right in and fight for some peace and solitude!
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| Hyperspace Beacon: Illusion of choice Posted: 02 Aug 2011 12:00 PM PDT Filed under: Sci-fi, Game mechanics, New titles, Opinion, Star Wars: The Old Republic, Hyperspace Beacon  First off, the spoilers mentioned here will be about the DragonAge and Mass Effect series of games. If you have not played through either one of those games and do not want to know how some of that story turns out, then you may not want to read this article. Secondly, SWTOR is a wonderful game. I have played it on a couple of occasions, and I believe it exhibits some of the qualities that have been missing from many of the current MMOs -- specifically, story. By no means do I want to discourage anyone from playing or pre-ordering this game, so if you're on the fence about this game, you may not want to read on because this article is not for you. Surely, fans of BioWare have played games like Mass Effect and DragonAge, and I hope you have played Knights of the Old Republic. These games really define what BioWare is and the types of games it can make. However, given some of the most recent announcements, I have to wonder if some of the staples that made these BioWare games great are going to be missing in Star Wars: The Old Republic. Have BioWare games gone from having choice to just the illusion of choice? Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Illusion of choice
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| The Soapbox: Rooting for the fail Posted: 02 Aug 2011 11:00 AM PDT Filed under: Opinion, Humor, The Soapbox, Miscellaneous  I'm going to start this with a strange admission: I love MMOs. I love them as a lumpy, imperfect collective; I love specific ones immensely, and I love being a fan of the genre. I feel that I have to clarify my stance when I sometimes -- often -- see people who apparently follow MMOs quite closely become a neverending fount of bile and venom toward these games. Apparently, not all MMO fans love MMOs, and that perplexes me. Odd as that may be, whatever, I can accept that we live in a topsy-turvy world. What I really don't get are the folks who hate specific games so greatly that their entire bodies and minds have been honed into a dedicated game-loathing entity. Mention that title anywhere on a forum, a blog, or in a post, and these people come out to scream through clenched teeth how this MMO sucks beyond the telling of it and that we are all fools, fools for getting anywhere near it. They aren't just content to say their piece and be done with it, oh no; their vitriol literally knows no end. They will rant, they will attack, they will laugh with derision, and above all else, they will root for the fail. Their greatest desire in life is for this specific game to die so that they can rend their clothes and let out a blood-curdling victory howl. And I don't get it. I feel like an alien in their presence, perplexed at their rage and fixation. Why do people root for MMOs to fail with such intensity? What motivates them and what do they hope to achieve? Continue reading The Soapbox: Rooting for the fail
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| Silkroad Online's eighth expansion launches today Posted: 02 Aug 2011 10:30 AM PDT Filed under: Fantasy, Events, in-game, Expansions, Game mechanics, MMO industry, News items, Silkroad Online, Free-to-play  The level cap has been bumped from 110 to 120, and each Silkroad class features brand new skill sets inspired by various Chinese and European arts. The expansion has also added upwards of 60 new quests to the game's ancient Chinese setting, and new hunting grounds for 111th level characters have also arrived. New dungeons are available for low- and mid-level characters, as are over 100 new monsters and new mob AI that a Joymax press release says will "provide a more active, tactical experience." Finally, events including the Forty Thieves collection contest and the Famous event (wherein players are gifted items based on individual stat and ability increases) will be happening all through the month of August.
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