MMO Updates |
- The Firing Line: American aircraft and a real-life shooter
- BioWare stages SWTOR freeze mob event in New York City's Times Square
- This Week in MMO: Fable edition
- EVE Online's third novel dropping ship in January
- The Daily Grind: Is a tiered launch the way to go?
- Closed beta sign-ups begin for DUST 514
- Trion Worlds customer database hacked, 'no evidence' credit card info stolen
- Fiesta previews upcoming expansion with a new trailer
- The MMO Report: It's bigger on the inside edition
- Behind the Mask: The Force Unleashed
- RIFT answers some community questions in time for the holidays
- On the tenth day of giveaways, Perfect World gave to me...
- Display changes for graphics and levels in Star Trek Online
- RuneScape rings in the new year with 39 manhunts
- SOE shows off EQII Dungeon Maker video
- The Squall breezes into Champions Online
- The Guild Counsel: Guild life in SWTOR
- Star Wars Galaxies bequeaths a memory book to fans
- World of Planes updates include screenshots, fan video, and interviews
- EVE Online senior producer stepping down
- SOE releases new PlanetSide 2 faction video
- Final Fantasy's 1.20 patch brings class changes, achievements, and more
- Xsyon tweaks combat, releases new screenshots
| The Firing Line: American aircraft and a real-life shooter Posted: 23 Dec 2011 09:00 AM PST Filed under: Historical, Sci-fi, Game mechanics, MMO industry, New titles, PvP, News items, Opinion, Free-to-play, MMOFPS, DUST 514, World of Warplanes, The Firing Line  Also, would you believe a real-life -- and real, live -- online FPS featuring actual locations? Continue reading The Firing Line: American aircraft and a real-life shooter
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| BioWare stages SWTOR freeze mob event in New York City's Times Square Posted: 23 Dec 2011 08:00 AM PST Filed under: Sci-fi, Events, real-world, Launches, MMO industry, New titles, News items, Star Wars: The Old Republic  What's a freeze mob? Well, it's just what it sounds like, and fortunately for those of you who didn't get to see it live, there's a video of the shenanigans after the cut. Continue reading BioWare stages SWTOR freeze mob event in New York City's Times Square
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| This Week in MMO: Fable edition Posted: 23 Dec 2011 07:00 AM PST Filed under: Fantasy, Sci-fi, Video, Game mechanics, MMO industry, News items, Opinion, Champions Online, Star Wars: The Old Republic, TERA  Topics include Star Wars: The Old Republic's launch and post-launch reactions, Cryptic's SWTOR
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| EVE Online's third novel dropping ship in January Posted: 23 Dec 2011 06:00 AM PST Filed under: Sci-fi, EVE Online, Lore, DUST 514  EVE: Templar One should prove of particular interest to DUST 514 followers, as the novel reveals the backstory of the immortal soldiers who will make up the game. Gonzales also says that it will follow up on the events of his previous book, EVE: The Empyrean Age. Readers who want to beef up on the lore of both games will appreciate the explanations of how the immortals work and some of the many mysteries that have popped up in the EVE universe. Gonzales concludes the announcement of the novel's impending release with heartfelt appreciation to fans: "Your support over the years has been overwhelming, and I'll never forget it. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for everything." Currently the novel is available for pre-order through Amazon.com.
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| The Daily Grind: Is a tiered launch the way to go? Posted: 23 Dec 2011 05:00 AM PST Filed under: Launches, Opinion, The Daily Grind, Miscellaneous  We can only imagine BioWare decided to do this to prevent the massive server queues that have recently plagued triple-A MMO launches like RIFT's. While it may have toned down the intensity a bit, server queues are still a problem. After all, those who got in early didn't mysteriously stop playing on retail launch day. The traffic seems to be consistent, but it's the players' locations in the game world that seem to have benefited the most from the tiered launch. So we want to know what you think. Did BioWare set a new standard for MMO launches, or was this whole experiment a flop?  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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| Closed beta sign-ups begin for DUST 514 Posted: 23 Dec 2011 04:00 AM PST Filed under: Betas, Sci-fi, New titles, DUST 514  Dubbed Mordu's Private Trials, this closed beta test is currently only open to active EVE Online subscribers, and is only available on the Playstation 3, as the game will be exclusive to that platform. If you're an active EVE Online subscriber and you'd like to sign up, head on over to the sign-up page for your chance.
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| Trion Worlds customer database hacked, 'no evidence' credit card info stolen Posted: 22 Dec 2011 07:00 PM PST Filed under: Fantasy, MMO industry, Legal, RIFT, Miscellaneous  In a message posted on the Trion Worlds website, the company promises that it is both researching the intrusion and taking steps to increase security. As part of this, all RIFT players will be asked to change passwords and security questions, and their mobile authenticators will need to be reconnected. The company urges customers to watch their bank statements for questionable activity, and provides customers with resources to get a free credit report and putting a freeze on credit reports. To compensate customers for the issue, Trion is providing all RIFT players with three extra days of gaming time and a Moneybags' Purse that increases all money looted by 10% in-game. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]
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| Fiesta previews upcoming expansion with a new trailer Posted: 22 Dec 2011 06:00 PM PST Filed under: Fantasy, Trailers, Video, Expansions, Patches, Previews, News items, Free-to-play  The trailer for the expansion is embedded just past the cut, showing off some of the enemies and locales that players will be able to explore next month. From a mechanical standpoint, players can expect to face a variety of new enemies, reach a new milestone with an increased level cap, and explore an outdoor dungeon filled to the brim with the requisite shinies. Fiesta players will need to wait until next month to enjoy the additions, but you can get a preview of what's coming just past the break. Continue reading Fiesta previews upcoming expansion with a new trailer
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| The MMO Report: It's bigger on the inside edition Posted: 22 Dec 2011 05:00 PM PST Filed under: Sci-fi, Video, Culture, Game mechanics, New titles, Free-to-play, Browser, The MMO Report, Miscellaneous  The game will be F2P; ideally, players can wade through the game "without spending a penny," although naturally you can purchase faster mission completion and customization of your "home-space on the Tardis." Yes, it's bigger on the inside. The game launches in March of 2012, but for now, you can check out the entirety of The MMO Report's interview just past the break. Continue reading The MMO Report: It's bigger on the inside edition
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| Behind the Mask: The Force Unleashed Posted: 22 Dec 2011 04:00 PM PST Filed under: Super-hero, Classes, Opinion, Free-to-play, Hands-on, Champions Online, Behind the Mask  Enter the Unleashed, Champions Online's newest free archetype. No, you're not misreading me here; the Unleashed is not a gold archetype. If you make an account right now, you can play the Unleashed from the moment you enter the character select screen, without spending a dime. Since it's the ninth free archetype, you'd think that he'd be a stable, bread-and-butter class. However, the Unleashed is nothing but. His wackiness approaches the Impulse, but where the Impulse is kind of ineffectual, the Unleashed is deadly efficient. Interested in a sword-wielding knight who slings force blasts? Hit the jump and we'll see what Cryptic's take on a Jedi can do. Continue reading Behind the Mask: The Force Unleashed
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| RIFT answers some community questions in time for the holidays Posted: 22 Dec 2011 03:30 PM PST Filed under: Fantasy, Game mechanics, Previews, Endgame, News items, RIFT  Among the more interesting updates is the reveal that the team is looking at improving level 50 gear below the top tier; Hammerknell and Rank 8 PvP gear will remain as-is, but the gear along the way will get buffed up a bit. The issue of Ember Isle difficulty is also addressed, the developers explaining that the island was meant to be reasonable for existing level 50 characters, giving it a bit more punch than players just hitting 50 might expect. Check the full list of questions and answers for other updates -- there's a lot to digest, but you've got a holiday break to do it.
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| On the tenth day of giveaways, Perfect World gave to me... Posted: 22 Dec 2011 03:00 PM PST Filed under: Fantasy, Sci-fi, Super-hero, Contests, Star Trek Online, Free-to-play, Champions Online, Giveaways  On the ninth day of giveaways, GamersFirst gave to me... nine SWG mementos! On the eighth day of giveaways, Enjin gave to me... eight guild-wide gifts! On the seventh day of giveaways, NCsoft gave to me... seven years of memories! On the sixth day of giveaways, GamersFirst gave to me... six retail packs! On the fifth day of giveaways, Trion gave to me... five subscription codes! On the fourth day of giveaways, Nexon gave to me... four pet items! On the third day of giveaways, Wargaming.net gave to me... three premium years! On the second day of giveaways, BioWare gave to me... two warring factions! On the first day of giveaways, Turbine gave to me... a lifetime VIP! Day 10 of Massively's 12 Days of Giveaways is all about Perfect World Entertainment. The developers pulled out all the stops, giving us a total of 10 different items from Star Trek Online, Champions Online, Rusty Hearts, and Perfect World International. Two winners will receive 1,000 Cryptic Points for Star Trek Online, and two more will receive 10 days of gold membership status in Champions Online. Three Rusty Hearts fans will walk away with a gift package containing items for triple XP as well as instant weapon and armor enchants. Finally, if you are a fan of Perfect World International, we've got three codes for a very rare Giant Bunny pet. Ready to enter? Check the contest rules below for eligibility, hit the comment button, and tell us which prize you'd like and why you should win. Enter by the deadline of tomorrow, December 23rd, at 6:00 p.m. EST, and good luck!  
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| Display changes for graphics and levels in Star Trek Online Posted: 22 Dec 2011 02:30 PM PST Filed under: Sci-fi, Patches, News items, Star Trek Online, Free-to-play  The other major improvement deployed to the test server is a change to the game's rank display. Previously, the game displayed levels by rank and grade -- a player would move from Commander 10 (level 29) to Captain 1 (level 30), which was evocative of the setting but a bit hard to process at a glance. So the display has been trimmed up and improved, with player level displaying as a rank followed by the level (the previous example would now display as Commander 29, then Captain 30). No actual levels have been lost -- it's just a change to ensure that new players have an easier time understanding the level differences.
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| RuneScape rings in the new year with 39 manhunts Posted: 22 Dec 2011 02:00 PM PST Filed under: Fantasy, Events, in-game, RuneScape, Free-to-play, Humor  During New Year's Eve, players are encouraged to be on alert as the clock strikes midnight 39 times in each of the time zones across the world. Every time this happens, a special moderator's in-game location will be made known through Facebook, on Twitter and in RuneScape itself. Those who can hunt down and find this mod in time will be treated to a special celebration. The first clock to strike midnight on New Year's Eve is in Tokelau on Saturday, December 31st, at 5:00 a.m. EST. RuneScape players may wish to note that not all 39 "midnights" occur on the hour (this helpful website lays out the precise order). [Source: Jagex press release]
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| SOE shows off EQII Dungeon Maker video Posted: 22 Dec 2011 01:30 PM PST Filed under: Fantasy, Trailers, Video, EverQuest II, Game mechanics, MMO industry, News items, Free-to-play, Sandbox, Dungeons  Sony Online Entertainment has managed to fit quite a few diverse gameplay options into the usual box, though, and the latest example is the new Dungeon Maker toolset. The Dungeon Maker was included in this month's Age of Discovery expansion, and it basically allows players to build their own instanced content and publish it for everyone to enjoy. There are over a dozen pre-set layouts that can be populated with obstacles and NPCs, the latter of which can be set to patrol and otherwise interact with adventurers. Players can explore player-made labyrinths with custom pre-set adventuring characters, and soon, with their own avatars. Since EQII is a progression game at heart, SOE has of course included a dungeon currency system wherein players collect marks for completing custom content and then spend said marks to acquire the building blocks for making additional dungeons. Check out the new Dungeon Maker video after the break for a few more details. Continue reading SOE shows off EQII Dungeon Maker video
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| The Squall breezes into Champions Online Posted: 22 Dec 2011 01:00 PM PST Filed under: Super-hero, Classes, Free-to-play, Champions Online  As its name suggests, the Squall is a weather-based superhero who takes on the role of an avenger. By wrapping the awesome forces of nature around his little pinky, the Squall can whip up hurricanes, slap down tornadoes, and throw a big ball o' wind at enemies that are really irking him. The archetype primarily focuses on mid- and long-range attacks to repel and disorient enemies, but he suffers when bad guys get up close and personal. The Squall archetype can be unlocked across an entire player's account for 920 Cryptic Points.
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| The Guild Counsel: Guild life in SWTOR Posted: 22 Dec 2011 12:30 PM PST Filed under: Sci-fi, Guilds, Launches, Opinion, Star Wars: The Old Republic, The Guild Counsel  If you're interested in some first impressions from a guild perspective, or if you're wondering how to make a guild now that the game has launched, read on for a look at guild life in SWTOR. Continue reading The Guild Counsel: Guild life in SWTOR
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| Star Wars Galaxies bequeaths a memory book to fans Posted: 22 Dec 2011 12:00 PM PST Filed under: Sci-fi, Star Wars Galaxies, Giveaways  And this isn't a brief "So long and thanks for all the fish" pamphlet, either. The memory book is a whopping 253 pages of information and screenshots documenting the title's eight-year run. Former players and MMO historians can expect to read up on the game's timeline, planet, species, professions, space, ships, housing, cities, the Galactic Senate, the trading card game, the Galactic Civil War, and "The End." The book immortalizes the near-total Rebel victory in the game with these parting words: The explosions marking the Empire's end could be seen across the galaxy in the skies above the planets, and the celebrations that followed were unmatched. Peace reigned as Star Destroyers and dark lords became memories of another era, of a time long past, of galaxies long gone.You can view or download the entire PDF on the official site.
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| World of Planes updates include screenshots, fan video, and interviews Posted: 22 Dec 2011 11:30 AM PST Filed under: Historical, Trailers, Video, Game mechanics, MMO industry, New titles, News items, War  At any rate, there is some cool stuff to see if you're into World War II-era aviation. First up is a fan-made (and developer-endorsed) video that we've embedded for after the break. Then there is the new screenshot gallery on the official WoP website. Lastly there are a couple of noteworthy forum threads including a beginner's guide and the second interview in a series focusing on alpha testers who are real-world pilots. [Source: Gaijin press release] Continue reading World of Planes updates include screenshots, fan video, and interviews
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| EVE Online senior producer stepping down Posted: 22 Dec 2011 11:00 AM PST Filed under: Sci-fi, EVE Online, MMO industry, News items, Sandbox  Taking over for Zulu is Jon "CCP Unifex" Lander, who has been playing EVE since 2005 and heading up CCP's Carbon technology team since 2009. Lander spends his introductory post outlining the challenges in the offing for CCP's sci-fi sandbox, and he also mentions that the dev team currently numbers close to 200 people. In a nutshell, it looks like EVE is heading back to basics, as Lander says that the team "will be concentrating on those features we already have in the game after eight years of development." Finally, all capsuleers who have an active subscription on December 31st will have their character names and images launched into space aboard a high-altitude balloon (yes, really). Head to the official website for more.
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| SOE releases new PlanetSide 2 faction video Posted: 22 Dec 2011 10:30 AM PST Filed under: Sci-fi, Trailers, Video, Game mechanics, MMO industry, New titles, PvP, News items, MMOFPS, PlanetSide 2  Higby provides voiceover commentary for the game's three factions, and the dialog plays against various rotating schematic-type images of armor, equipment, and gear from the game's three factions. Unfortunately there's no new information here at all, and SOE has basically summarized the past several months worth of faction-related text updates in a two-minute video clip. That said, it's better than nothing, and you can check it out after the break. [Source: SOE press release] Continue reading SOE releases new PlanetSide 2 faction video
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| Final Fantasy's 1.20 patch brings class changes, achievements, and more Posted: 22 Dec 2011 10:00 AM PST Filed under: Fantasy, Classes, Game mechanics, MMO industry, Patches, News items, Final Fantasy XIV  Flowery language aside, the update does seem rather substantial given that it features a refined party search mechanic as well as the ability to purchase items directly from the market ward's item search. There's a new achievement system too, and it's stuffed with upwards of 300 tasks to complete, many of which lead to exclusive gear and items. Last but certainly not least, there's an extensive amount of class reform contained in the patch, and you can read the finer details on that at the official FFXIV forums. [Source: Square-Enix email blast]
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| Xsyon tweaks combat, releases new screenshots Posted: 22 Dec 2011 09:00 AM PST Filed under: Fantasy, Galleries, Screenshots, Game mechanics, MMO industry, Patches, News items, Xsyon, Post-Apocalyptic, Sandbox  In that time, Notorious Games has been hard at work, and the company has just published a partial listing of all the improvements made to the post-apocalyptic sandbox (as well as a few new screenshots). Tweaks include new twitch-based combat, an enhanced creature system, an expanded construction system that allows for buildings and towns, and various UI improvements. Xyson: Prelude is now available for a $39.99 client fee (which includes one month of free game time) and a $14.99 monthly sub. Have a look at some of the player-created content in our gallery below. [Source: Notorious Games press release]
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