MMO Updates |
- EVE Online monument commemorates the summer riots
- WildStar's Bartle-inspired paths offer players unique and shared content
- Celebrate the launch of Veil of Alaris by winning a signed copy of the EverQuest art book
- Scott Hartsman: RIFT going F2P would be a 'large net negative' for the game
- Free for All: Some thoughts from the yellow pad
- A Mild-Mannered Reporter: Topical cannon
- The Daily Grind: When have you been Good Samaritaned?
- New video diary outlines designing comic series for Champions Online
- War of the Immortals shows off class preview trailer
- MapleStory Legends trailer introduces three new characters
- Dragon Nest launches Theater of War update for PvP
- Patch 1.20 bringing Final Fantasy XIV changes to dye for
- Rings and words of power: Going inside LotRO's Update 5
- Pix or it didn't happen: Calling for your SWG house screenies!
- The Game Archaeologist's excellent EverQuest Online Adventures: The blogger
- Hyperspace Beacon: What is this RP-PvP anyway?
- EverQuest: Veil of Alaris goes live today
- The Soapbox: Defining the WoW-killer
- EVE Online's Crucible expansion coming Nov 29th
- Bigpoint hypes Mummy Online's closed beta
- Runes of Magic reveals Souls of the Past trailer
- DCUO's GU6 finishes Fortress of Solitude raid, adds new gear
| EVE Online monument commemorates the summer riots Posted: 16 Nov 2011 10:00 AM PST Filed under: Sci-fi, EVE Online, Culture, Expansions, News items, Sandbox  As a nod to players' refusal to accept the status quo and force change, CCP recently altered the Jita monument that was the main focus of the summer riots. The statue now stands destroyed, and its plaque congratulating Heinky and Shin Ra of Burn Eden for solving a riddle contest several years ago has been changed to the text below: "This was once a memorial to the winners of a riddle contest sponsored by late entrepreneur Ruevo Aram. After standing proud for half a decade, it was destroyed in late YC113 by capsuleers who were staging a mass uprising against an intolerable status quo of intergalactic affairs. Today, the ruins of this once-great work of art stand as a testament to the fact that change is the universe's only constant."The change is currently only live on the test server, but will likely come to the main server on November 29th when the Crucible expansion launches. Thanks to Drew for the tip!
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| WildStar's Bartle-inspired paths offer players unique and shared content Posted: 16 Nov 2011 09:30 AM PST Filed under: Sci-fi, Classes, Interviews, MMO industry, WildStar  No matter what path you pick, Gaffney promises that there will be something meaningful for you to be doing at all times. The important part is that the game has a deliberate balance between path-specific activities and universal ones: "What we do is we take 70% of the world, and that's a mix of all the styles, and then about 30%, depending on the zone, swaps over and that's about you and about your path. So, as an Explorer you have your normal mix of stuff, but then an extra chunk on top of it that's all about exploring." People from different paths have many ways, reasons, and incentive to interact as they progress through the zones. Gaffney says that WildStar will "pile on the layers" to keep players involved and active. He also assured fans that all paths will have plenty to do in the endgame so that the journey doesn't come to a crashing halt.
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| Celebrate the launch of Veil of Alaris by winning a signed copy of the EverQuest art book Posted: 16 Nov 2011 09:00 AM PST Filed under: Fantasy, EverQuest, Contests, Giveaways  The developers have sent us a copy of EverQuest: The 10th Anniversary Collector's Edition, a large hardcover book filled with interviews, art, the original storyline, and much more. There's also one more little detail: our copy is signed by the original development team from 1999. That's right, just inside the cover are the signatures of the 18 people who first created the world of EverQuest. Of course, we're not keeping it for ourselves; we're passing it on to one of you. So what do you need to do to get your hands on this book? Simply leave us a comment here telling us about your earliest experience with EverQuest. It can be anything you like -- people you met, your overall thoughts and impressions as you entered the world, even a particular quest or battle that made you say, "This is it -- I love this game." Leave your comment before this Friday, November 18th, at 11:59 p.m. EST. We'll choose and contact our favorite over the weekend and send the book to the winner Monday. Ready? Head down memory lane, and good luck!  
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| Scott Hartsman: RIFT going F2P would be a 'large net negative' for the game Posted: 16 Nov 2011 08:00 AM PST Filed under: Fantasy, Business models, Interviews, MMO industry, RIFT  Embracing F2P, in Hartsman's opinion, would end up hurting more than helping in this situation: "One of the assumptions people make is you can just take a game and throw a switch and change the model. For starters, you'd have to decide that that would be a good thing, and I do not think it would be -- that would be a fairly large net negative for RIFT and the RIFT community." While Hartsman confirms that F2P attracts large amounts of users, he also says that it fundamentally changes how an MMO studio approaches the game itself. "Take a free-to-play game or a social game, where the business is all about -- the social games' word for it is, 'going whaling,'" he said. "The idea is you have a paying player subsidising the play of, potentially, dozens or hundreds of other users. And so you have to be willing to create a game that has the ability to make huge sums of money from relatively small numbers of people. Once you decide that you are going to enter the whaling business, it's a different mindset and a different set of goals you're designing for entirely."
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| Free for All: Some thoughts from the yellow pad Posted: 16 Nov 2011 07:00 AM PST Filed under: Business models, Culture, News items, Opinion, Humor, Free for All, Miscellaneous  Well, not exactly. I did find some pretty cool games, played with my favorite titles, and overall daydreamed my way through life. A pretty typical week, really. If you'd like to hear about a few of the cool things I found, thought, and played last week, click past the cut. Continue reading Free for All: Some thoughts from the yellow pad
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| A Mild-Mannered Reporter: Topical cannon Posted: 16 Nov 2011 06:00 AM PST Filed under: Super-hero, Polls, City of Heroes, City of Villains, Culture, Opinion, Free-to-play, A Mild-Mannered Reporter  But that having been said, there are also things that I naturally find more interesting than others. PvP is a fine example. I've stated before that I have zero interest in the game's PvP scene beyond an academic curiosity, although I definitely do want the players who are interested to be happy. (They aren't, in case you weren't aware.) And if there's one thing I'm being reminded of recently, it's that there's a certain charm to letting things go out of your hands and letting the readers pick out what you're doing. Continue reading A Mild-Mannered Reporter: Topical cannon
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| The Daily Grind: When have you been Good Samaritaned? Posted: 16 Nov 2011 05:00 AM PST Filed under: Culture, Opinion, The Daily Grind, Miscellaneous  I was bowled over, then, when a high-level character did an MMO version of a drive-by shooting. Only instead of bullets, he fired a couple large backpacks my way without any demands or even really expecting gratitude. He simply saw a lowbie who could use a helping hand, and became the Good Samaritan for me that day. So when have you, for lack of a better term, been "Good Samaritaned" by a player who went out of their way to help you even though you were a stranger to them?  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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| New video diary outlines designing comic series for Champions Online Posted: 15 Nov 2011 07:00 PM PST Filed under: Super-hero, Previews, News items, Free-to-play, Champions Online  As players of the game are no doubt familiar with, the comic series place a heavy emphasis on keeping the trappings of a comic book alive, which was one of the major goals in designing the arcs. Whiteout, the second arc, will see players encountering a new alien threat in the north, one that comes crashing down around players' ears. You can watch the full video just past the break. Continue reading New video diary outlines designing comic series for Champions Online
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| War of the Immortals shows off class preview trailer Posted: 15 Nov 2011 06:00 PM PST Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Trailers, Video, Classes, Previews, News items, Free-to-play  Players can choose between Berzerker (melee DPS), Champion (tank), Duelist (melee DPS), Enchantress (support), Heretic (healer), Magus (ranged DPS), Ranger (ranged DPS), and Slayer (melee DPS). The Ranger, Enchantress, and Duelist are all new additions compared to the game's obvious predecessor, Battle of the Immortals, bringing in a more support-oriented set of abilities to battle. Take a look at the full preview of the classes and their abilities just after the break, and if the gameplay looks interesting to you, look on the horizon for more information on the beta. [Source: Perfect World Entertainment press release] Continue reading War of the Immortals shows off class preview trailer
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| MapleStory Legends trailer introduces three new characters Posted: 15 Nov 2011 05:00 PM PST Filed under: Fantasy, Trailers, Video, MapleStory, Classes, Patches, News items, Free-to-play  The next content update coming to Nexon's popular sidescroller MapleStory, known as MapleStory Legends, brings three new playable characters to the mix. The Cannoneer's name should be self explanatory: He carries a massive cannon with which to blast enemies to kingdom come. Mercedes rocks a pair of crossbows and specializes in ranged combat, while the Demon Slayer boasts a pair of devilish wings that can be used both for flight and for combat. To take a look at these new classes in MapleStory Legends' debut trailer, just click on past the cut. Continue reading MapleStory Legends trailer introduces three new characters
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| Dragon Nest launches Theater of War update for PvP Posted: 15 Nov 2011 04:30 PM PST Filed under: Fantasy, Trailers, Video, Patches, PvP, News items, Free-to-play, Dragon Nest  The new updates adds a 3v3 option to ladder matches, allowing smaller and more close-knit groups the option to take part in serious competition. There's also the addition of a free-for-all match type, with players able to take on everyone for supremacy. And then there's the new Protect Mode, challenging both sides to keep one player designated as the Captain alive while slaughtering the other side's similarly important Captain. Take a look at the trailer for the update just past the cut to give you an idea of what the modes will look like in play -- it's not new dungeons, but if you're fond of facing off against other players, it's even better. Continue reading Dragon Nest launches Theater of War update for PvP
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| Patch 1.20 bringing Final Fantasy XIV changes to dye for Posted: 15 Nov 2011 04:00 PM PST Filed under: Fantasy, Patches, Previews, News items, Consoles, Final Fantasy XIV  Under the new system, there will be ways to create specific variants of equipment with improved stats, but color will no longer be linked to the final stats for the item. Items currently possessing multiple color variants will still have multiple variants, but the main differentiation won't be whether they're brown or black. It's not an earth-shattering change, but it's certainly one that will make Final Fantasy XIV fashion police much happier.
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| Rings and words of power: Going inside LotRO's Update 5 Posted: 15 Nov 2011 03:30 PM PST Filed under: Fantasy, Lord of the Rings Online, Interviews, Patches, Previews, Free-to-play, Hands-on  As Update 5 goes up on the test server for the remainder of the week, we got in touch with Turbine to talk about the details of this mountain of content heading our way, including an epic confrontation with Rise of Isengard's big baddie himself, Saruman. It wouldn't be a conference call without a few notable surprises as well, and Adam Merskey, Aaron Campbell, Jeff Libby, and Joe Barry were eager to share what the team has been working on for the first update after the expansion. It's time to wave goodbye to the Rangers, stop putting off instance runs, and take the fight to the bearded dude himself. It's time for Update 5. Get all the skinny after the jump! Continue reading Rings and words of power: Going inside LotRO's Update 5
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| Pix or it didn't happen: Calling for your SWG house screenies! Posted: 15 Nov 2011 03:00 PM PST Filed under: Sci-fi, Galleries, Screenshots, Culture, Star Wars Galaxies, Massively Meta  If you'd like to pitch in and make sure that SWG's amazing housing mechanics aren't lost to time, just email screenshots of your favorite homes and player-run cities to MJ (mj@massively.com). If you haven't got screenies, a waypoint or coordinates (and the planet and server name) will work just as well, assuming you've unlocked the building(s) for visitors. She's also open to taking a personal tour! The December 9th edition of the column will feature the highlights along with a gallery of all the submissions. As MJ herself posted: "Don't miss out on being a part of this housing extravaganza! Something so great deserves to be savored for a long, long time to come."
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| The Game Archaeologist's excellent EverQuest Online Adventures: The blogger Posted: 15 Nov 2011 02:00 PM PST Filed under: Fantasy, Interviews, Everquest Online Adventures, Consoles, The Game Archaeologist  Today I want to welcome Rick "Stoney" Stonebrook to our neck of the Massively woods. I remember finding Stoney's EQOA blog over a year ago and being so impressed that there was someone out there regularly updating a blog about this low-profile MMO. Stoney agreed to an interview about the game from a player's and blogger's perspective, so here goes! The Game Archaeologist: Please introduce yourself and your blog! Why did you start blogging about EQOA? Stoney: Well, I'm 24 and have lived in a lot of places in the past few years. I adopted the name Stoney when I started the blog, eqoa.wordpress.com, in October 2010. The purpose for the blog was simple: compile as much information about the game as I could find using various search engines such as Google, Yahoo, and YouTube. I hadn't played since 2005 and wasn't familiar with any new content. I had always wanted to return to the game. Thus the blog's goal evolved from a collection of memories to an effort to get people to return. Continue reading The Game Archaeologist's excellent EverQuest Online Adventures: The blogger
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| Hyperspace Beacon: What is this RP-PvP anyway? Posted: 15 Nov 2011 01:00 PM PST Filed under: Sci-fi, Game mechanics, New titles, Opinion, Roleplaying, Star Wars: The Old Republic, Hyperspace Beacon  I understand that many people are turned off by the idea of mixing roleplay with PvP. I completely understand that. When the term RP hits people, images of Goldshire and naked Night Elves come to mind immediately. In truth, however, roleplay is really just telling a story through an interactive medium, in this case an MMO. For instance, if in the course of playing SWTOR you find yourself asking, "What would my character do in this situation?", then you have just brushed up against roleplay. In RP-PvP, players enjoy a very similar experience. Today, let's talk about mixing story and PvP. Players have found diverse ways to integrate the two. Beyond the break, I have examples of how you may find ways to do it yourself, even if hardcore roleplay isn't your thing. Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: What is this RP-PvP anyway?
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| EverQuest: Veil of Alaris goes live today Posted: 15 Nov 2011 12:30 PM PST Filed under: Fantasy, EverQuest, Expansions, News items  It's been a long time coming, but EverQuest's 18th expansion, Veil of Alaris, is now live. Players can now progress all the way to level 95 while adventuring through a variety of new zones. Guilds can now purchase customizable guild plots and guild halls, allowing them to display their uniqueness through their residences. And of course, there are a wealth of new quests to complete, new monsters to kill, and new loot to pillage. For the full set of notes on what's new with the expansion, head on over to the EverQuest official site, and don't forget to check out our own Karen Bryan's exclusive tour of the expansion.
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| The Soapbox: Defining the WoW-killer Posted: 15 Nov 2011 12:00 PM PST Filed under: World of Warcraft, Fantasy, Sci-fi, Business models, MMO industry, New titles, Opinion, Guild Wars 2, Free-to-play, Star Wars: The Old Republic, The Soapbox  I haven't written much about World of Warcraft. There are many reasons for this. For one, Massively rarely pays WoW more than the bare minimum lip service (due to the game's being fairly exclusive to our WoW Insider sister site). For another, I don't look at Blizzard's behemoth all that fondly, and the sum total of my time in Azeroth amounts to about 20 hours spread over six weeks. As it does for everyone else who makes a living off of MMORPGs, though, WoW looms over my shoulder like a billowing dust cloud after a titanic explosion, reaching relentlessly for the heavens and effectively blotting out the sun. There's really no way to measure how influential this one game has been on not just MMORPGs but gaming in general. There are the population numbers, of course, and even though WoW has been shedding subs in bushels of late, it could continue to do so for the better part of a year and still dwarf the second largest subscription title by a considerable margin. That kind of success cannot be planned, nor do I believe that it will be replicated. WoW was a happy accident for Blizzard, a perfect storm of polish and timing the likes of which the MMO industry will not see again. Continue reading The Soapbox: Defining the WoW-killer
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| EVE Online's Crucible expansion coming Nov 29th Posted: 15 Nov 2011 11:15 AM PST Filed under: Sci-fi, EVE Online, Expansions, Game mechanics, MMO industry, Patches, News items, Sandbox  "Crucible evolves the graphics, interface, and game mechanics with over three dozen updated and improved features based on feedback and challenges put forth by its players. This is EVE re-forged," CCP says on the expansion's teaser page. The web portal also provides a handy collated list of the aforementioned developer updates, and in spite of what was unquestionably the rockiest summer in the sci-fi sandbox title's eight-year existence, the future is looking pretty bright.
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| Bigpoint hypes Mummy Online's closed beta Posted: 15 Nov 2011 11:00 AM PST Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Game mechanics, MMO industry, New titles, News items, Free-to-play, Browser  The company is now accepting closed beta registrations for The Mummy Online, and prospective players can look forward to a two-faction affair (Raiders or Cultists) and class-based progression with the usual focus on PvE, gear, and special abilities. PvP-specific areas are also included, and Bigpoint's press release says that players will battle across cinematic environments "based on the existing terrain of Egypt." Head to the official site to sign up for beta and learn more about the game. [Source Bigpoint press release]
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| Runes of Magic reveals Souls of the Past trailer Posted: 15 Nov 2011 10:30 AM PST Filed under: Fantasy, Trailers, Video, MMO industry, Patches, News items, Free-to-play, Runes of Magic, Dungeons  Players will be able to advance from 67 to 70, and they'll also be able to explore Tergothen Bay, a royal coastal town near the foothills of the Redhill Mountains. The trailer is short, but it shows off a few of the big nasties awaiting players in the region's new dungeon. It also touches on the lore behind the new content, and specifically how the demon Sismond continues to manipulate the citizens of Taborea. Check it out after the break. Continue reading Runes of Magic reveals Souls of the Past trailer
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| DCUO's GU6 finishes Fortress of Solitude raid, adds new gear Posted: 15 Nov 2011 10:00 AM PST Filed under: Super-hero, Game mechanics, Patches, News items, Free-to-play, DC Universe Online, Dungeons  The content pack is available as a free download for players of all access levels, and the highlight of the pack is the third and final chapter in the Fortress of Solitude raid series. GU6 is titled The Deadly Double Cross, in large part due to the betrayal of General Zod and the precarious position inside the Fortress of Solitude Sunstone Matrix that players will find themselves in as a result. Raid encounters aren't the only thing new in the update, though, and GU6 adds plenty of new gear (including Kryptonian military weapons forged from the Sunstone crystals). Head to the official website for more game details, and don't forget the patch note discussion on the official forums. [Source: SOE press release]
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