| Alter-Ego: What's in a name? Posted: 04 Jun 2011 10:00 AM PDT Filed under: Super-hero, Opinion, Consoles, DC Universe Online, Alter-Ego While it is incredibly tempting to go off on a tear about the major decision announced this week to reboot the entire DC Comics universe, starting 52 new comics at issue #1 and essentially retconning every hero and villain we've known to date, this week's column isn't about that. After all, this isn't a comics site, and we've already heard from the DC Universe Online developers that the continuity in the game is separate from that of the overall DC Universe. (Considering how much we heard that noted in the recent chats, we wonder whether Sony Online Entertainment didn't know this major shake-up was on the way.) As such, I suspect we will see the game's storyline remain essentially intact, at least until the point at which we finally take down Brainiac once and for all. After that, it's anyone's guess. Depending on how the reboot works, it might well shake up the game's direction if the new comics are doing well with readers. No, instead our superpowered game is getting its own different version of a restart in the promised upcoming MegaServer merges. While before we had multiple servers, each side will now have two -- one PvP and PvE for both PC and PS3 players -- giving us a total of four. Over this mad-scientist server-mashup, the issue of collisions looms. This week, we also found out that the merges will not only affect player names but league names as well, ensuring that there is plenty of confusion and concern on the part of the playerbase. Will MegaServers be the bane or balm of DC Universe Online's population issues? What precisely are the facts and fallacies? Whom will this affect? Join me behind the break as I take a look at the overall situation! Continue reading Alter-Ego: What's in a name?  Alter-Ego: What's in a name? originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 04 Jun 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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| WRUP: Nobody ever talks about what's actually wrong with addons edition Posted: 04 Jun 2011 08:00 AM PDT |
| The Daily Grind: What's your favorite mode of travel? Posted: 04 Jun 2011 06:00 AM PDT Filed under: Culture, Game mechanics, Opinion, The Daily Grind, Virtual worlds, Miscellaneous From the earliest days of video games, players have understood that there's a lot of ground to cover. Of course, you could always walk around like an animal, but most MMOs give you a variety of different ways to get from place to place. Aion lets you take to the sky on wings, City of Heroes lets you take to the sky on absolutely nothing if you like, and Guild Wars lets you just teleport wherever you want to go once you've visited at least once. Whether you're hopping on a flight path in World of Warcraft, fueling up your ATV in Fallen Earth, or setting off at warp speed in Star Trek Online, it's still the same core concept -- going from point A to point B in the fastest and most stylish fashion possible. So what's your favorite way to fly, drive, or ride around your game of choice?  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!The Daily Grind: What's your favorite mode of travel? originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 04 Jun 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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| Avatar breaks out the banhammer for Perpetuum cheaters Posted: 03 Jun 2011 08:00 PM PDT Filed under: Sci-fi, Game mechanics, MMO industry, News items, Perpetuum, Dev Diaries Rut roh! It's banhammer time in Perpetuum, the sci-fi indie sandbox from Avatar Creations. The latest Avatar dev blog has the (sparse) details courtesy of Dev Calvin. Apparently some players availed themselves of a game exploit that allowed for significant gains in robots, equipment, and other commodities. It's not as innocent as it sounds, though, as the dev blog makes clear. " The method that was used can by no means [be] interpreted as intended gameplay. A lot of technical preparation and effort went into the experimentation and execution," Calvin writes. The ill-gotten gains have of course been removed, and Avatar has also permabanned the offending accounts, which sends a clear message as to the type of zero-tolerance policy toward cheating on display in the world of Nia. Check out the official Perpetuum website for more reading material. Avatar breaks out the banhammer for Perpetuum cheaters originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 03 Jun 2011 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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| Trion Worlds and Syfy to debut Defiance at E3 2011 Posted: 03 Jun 2011 07:00 PM PDT Filed under: Sci-fi, Screenshots, News items, MMOFPS, Miscellaneous  Three years ago, Syfy announced that it would be teaming up with RIFT creator Trion Worlds to construct the world's first MMO that would actively intertwine with a live-action TV series. This project became Defiance, which will be making its debut at E3 2011. The groundbreaking project will create a shared universe for the game and TV series, with each influencing the other through actions the characters and players take. The game -- an action-based shooter that will be released on PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360 -- will be set in the San Francisco Bay Area, whereas the TV series will take place around St. Louis, Missouri. Both, however, take place on the same conflict-torn future Earth where humans and aliens coexist, though whether they do so peacefully or not remains to be seen. Lars Buttler, CEO of Trion Worlds, has this to say about the project: " This is essentially the convergence of the television and gaming industry into one fully-developed cohesive property. Syfy is creating a television show that takes place in the fictional universe that the game is set in. The game and the show will constantly [influence] each other from the moment they simultaneously launch." If done properly, Defiance could bring a new level of persistence and player influence to the genre. Keep an eye out for more on this upcoming title as E3 draws ever closer, and be sure to head over to Hollywood Reporter for the full article. Trion Worlds and Syfy to debut Defiance at E3 2011 originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 03 Jun 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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| Betawatch: May 28 - June 3, 2011 Posted: 03 Jun 2011 06:00 PM PDT Filed under: Betas, Betawatch, Miscellaneous Welcome to Betawatch, Massively's weekly report on the state of MMO betas. In each installment, we'll report everything from the latest open betas, closed betas and even alphas in one convenient place. Plus, we'll make sure to include as much info on each game's current status, including projected release dates (if known) and links to the sign-up forms to get yourself into that beta you've been seeking. Eden Eternal's closed beta started yesterday, meeting with such an enthusiastic response that the developers opened the doors a little wider today. Want to see what the fuss is all about? Grab a beta key on us! Luvinia Online joins our closed beta list as well. Prius Online -- the MMO, not the car -- moved to open beta this week as well, introducing a hefty level cap increase, a new race, and much more for all to explore. Finally, we say goodbye to Faxion Online as the game moves from open beta to launch. Follow along after the cut for the latest Betawatch list! Continue reading Betawatch: May 28 - June 3, 2011 Betawatch: May 28 - June 3, 2011 originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 03 Jun 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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| RIFT confirms development of an addon API Posted: 03 Jun 2011 05:00 PM PDT Filed under: Fantasy, Patches, News items, RIFT It's been rumored for much of the day with implementation scattered throughout the test client, but it's been confirmed -- addons are coming to RIFT. In a post to the official forums, James Nichols explains that the game's addon API is currently being tested for implementation, with the hope that players will be able to customize the game's interface while still maintaining the high level of quality found throughout the game. A precise release has not been stated, as the API is still in its earliest stages of development. Fan reaction has been mixed, as addons have long been a contentious element of many games -- some players feel that they strip down complexity of play, and there are obvious comparisons to be drawn with World of Warcraft. At the same time, the promise to allow free customization and alteration to RIFT has many players excited and looking forward to the new feature. Either way, it's coming to the game, so only time will tell what the implementation will bring. [Thanks puremallace for the tip!] RIFT confirms development of an addon API originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 03 Jun 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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| Storyboard: Motivational seekers Posted: 03 Jun 2011 04:00 PM PDT Filed under: Opinion, Roleplaying, Storyboard, Miscellaneous Every character has a reason for adventuring. Call it what you will, depending on setting, but there's always a reason you're out in the midst of danger rather than sitting back at home with a nice cup of tea, even if that reason is "home isn't an option any longer." Motivation is one of the big elements informing the entire archetype discussion series of columns -- it's all about why a given character would do one thing and not another. Of course, the game itself doesn't have any way of integrating that motivation. Much like the issues with lore, the problems of reconciling a game's stated motivation with your character's actual motivation can be pretty thorny. Especially in this day and age of quest hubs and heavy storylines, it can sometimes feel like all the efforts to draw you into the game world are pretty severely curtailing your ability to enjoy it. After all, you've envisioned a set of reasons for your character's actions already, and by all accounts she shouldn't even be talking to a questgiver -- except that said questgiver is the only way she's going to keep advancing in the game. Continue reading Storyboard: Motivational seekers Storyboard: Motivational seekers originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 03 Jun 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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| Wasteland Diaries: F2P? Posted: 03 Jun 2011 03:00 PM PDT Filed under: Sci-fi, Fallen Earth, Business models, Game mechanics, Opinion, MMOFPS, Wasteland Diaries, Post-Apocalyptic There are some big changes coming to Fallen Earth in the very near future. Sector 4's Alpha County is looming on the horizon. There is a new skills-and-abilities system coming. We don't know when we're going to get it, but we are going to get it. But the biggest news is the game's new partnership with GamersFirst. GamersFirst is the company responsible for the rejuvenation of APB: Reloaded and its conversion to the free-to-play format (F2P). I've heard mixed reviews on what's going on with APB, but without any first-hand experience, I'll withhold judgment. Nobody has come out and said that Fallen Earth is going to convert to the F2P business model, but it's a pretty safe assumption at this point. Every GamersFirst title is F2P, so why would FE be any different? I haven't tried APB, so I'm in no position to judge the performance of GamersFirst on what has been done with that title. F2P can be a two-edged sword, and the FE community is strongly divided on this subject (at least on the forums). I am a member of the optimistic side, and after the cut, I'll tell you why I think this move could be a very good thing for Fallen Earth. Continue reading Wasteland Diaries: F2P? Wasteland Diaries: F2P? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 03 Jun 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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| One Shots: Gotta love the classics Posted: 03 Jun 2011 02:00 PM PDT Filed under: Fantasy, Galleries, Screenshots, Lord of the Rings Online, Free-to-play, One Shots We've seen plenty of impressive mounts this week on One Shots, but the classic appeal of a horse never fades -- especially when it represents the time and effort taken to acquire it. Massively reader Valerie owns a mount in Lord of the Rings Online that illustrates this nicely: There are no flying mounts in Middle-earth, unless you're Gandalf and are getting a lift from your friend the giant eagle. However, there are horses you can buy and a few special horses that are rewards for collections of deeds ("reputation"). This particular mount is the Steed of Eriador and required a lot of work throughout Middle-earth. The developers of so many games have a great time with the mount system, letting their creativity shine and giving their quirky senses of humor free rein. This is the week to show off your greatest, funniest, or hardest-earned mount. Send us a screenshot at oneshots@massively.com along with your name and the name of the game, and tell us a little about what your awesome ride is and how you came by it. Finally, don't forget to get the jump on next week's One Shots theme: unusual foes. Send us the funniest, most strangely designed, or scariest enemy you've taken on in an MMO and we'll share it here on One Shots! One Shots: Gotta love the classics originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 03 Jun 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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| Darkfall dev blog talks new dungeons, siege changes Posted: 03 Jun 2011 01:30 PM PDT Filed under: Fantasy, Darkfall, MMO industry, PvP, News items, Dev Diaries A while back we brought you word that Aventurine was looking for feedback on Darkfall's siege mechanics. Though the process is still ongoing, it seems as if the devs have gotten a good sampling from the community thus far according to this week's activity report. Your opinion is still needed, though, so head to the Darkfall Epic Blog and weigh in on the maximum number of clan attackers during sieges. This week's report also details a bit of the PvE-related goings-on, and the world of Agon is getting a new themed dungeon for each continent in the very near future. " All of them are huge and have different areas that you need to traverse. Doing this, however, leaves you with choices as to which way to go and which challenges to face," says the blog entry. There's a bit of PvP info as well, and the requisite teases for the new expansion. Read all about it at the official website. Darkfall dev blog talks new dungeons, siege changes originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 03 Jun 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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| The Road to Mordor: Making your alts work for you Posted: 03 Jun 2011 01:00 PM PDT Filed under: Fantasy, Lord of the Rings Online, Free-to-play, The Road to Mordor I have a confession to make. My name is Justin, and I'm a Lord of the Rings Online altoholic. I know. I have a problem! I'm weak! DON'T STARE WITH THOSE ACCUSING EYES! I always start out in games with the best of intentions: I'm going to stick with just one character, at least until I hit the level cap. I'll only make new characters to reserve names I like. I won't get class envy and wonder what's on the other side of the fence. I'll stay strong! I'll be an oak! And then I turn out to be a willow tree, blowing about in the winds of whimsy, and suddenly I end up with alts staggered all over the leveling track. It's all right; I've come to embrace my altoholic tendencies because it really is who I am as a gamer. I like to sample everything, to try out different approaches to the game, and if I don't end up with a maxed-out uber-raider, then I can live with it. If you follow this pattern and are prone to rolling up a lot of alts in LotRO, there are several advantages you can gain over the monogamous players out there. Today I want to take a look at how you can make your alts work for you, if only to give you an excuse to keep rolling them! Continue reading The Road to Mordor: Making your alts work for you The Road to Mordor: Making your alts work for you originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 03 Jun 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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| First Impressions: Gods & Heroes Posted: 03 Jun 2011 12:30 PM PDT Filed under: Betas, Historical, New titles, Previews, Opinion, Hands-on, First Impressions, Miscellaneous I've seen the gameplay in Gods & Heroes before. I've played games that were built on the same idea with similar lore, and I've definitely tried games that featured the same kind of quests. I've seen a lot, to say the least, so I really like it when a game surprises me a bit. I'll be really honest and say that I don't really even like the ancient Rome setting. It's not fantasy enough for me, sort of like MMOs set in World War II. Or Canada. Still, I was asked to take a look at Gods & Heroes, and so I did. Up to that point, I had heard a lot about it, but most of it was negative. It's buggy, they said. It's ugly, too. So you can imagine my surprise when I felt surprised when I logged in. Granted, there was plenty of blandness in certain areas of the game, but the estate system and NPC groupmates made me think that this team might just have something. Click past the cut and I'll tell you more. Continue reading First Impressions: Gods & Heroes First Impressions: Gods & Heroes originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 03 Jun 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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| Luvinia Online begins closed beta signups, releases teaser trailer Posted: 03 Jun 2011 12:00 PM PDT Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Trailers, Video, New titles, News items, Free-to-play  Outspark announced today that beta sign-ups for its upcoming free-to-play fantasy MMO Luvinia Online have begun. The game is already live and " highly successful" in China, and Outspark hopes to duplicate that success in the west. Philip Yun, Outspark's COO, claims the game is " a big labor of love," and touts it as an " action-packed 3D MMORPG [that] is brimming with all the monsters, allies, and challenges that you expect from an Outspark title." The game itself seems to be more or less standard fantasy fare; " The world of Luvinia beckons players into a realm where humans, orcs, gnomes and dwarves once co-existed in peace; however, destiny never stands still," claims the press release. Information on the game's mechanics is sparse, but we do know that there are three class archetypes -- Warrior, Rogue, and Mage -- with " 12 subclasses for specialization." Presumably, this means four subclasses for each archetype -- but you never know! Some archetypes get all the love. The game also boasts both underwater and interstellar travel, with " over 50 cities to visit and 130+ maps to explore." If your interest is piqued, you can head past the cut for a short teaser trailer, then sign up for the closed beta at the official site. Continue reading Luvinia Online begins closed beta signups, releases teaser trailer Luvinia Online begins closed beta signups, releases teaser trailer originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 03 Jun 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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| SWTOR reveals plans for E3, advanced class powers, and a new tie-in comic book Posted: 03 Jun 2011 11:30 AM PDT Filed under: Sci-fi, Classes, Events, real-world, Lore, New titles, PvE, Star Wars: The Old Republic BioWare descends on the Los Angeles Convention Center on June 7th, but its exact plans regarding the Star Wars: The Old Republic show were held close to the chest -- until now. Thanks to the community team in Austin, we now have a good glimpse at what will be shown at the Electronic Entertainment Expo. An ancient threat grows restless on the planet of Belsavis; the entire galaxy is at stake; and both the Republic and the Empire will suffer. A group of heroes is deployed to Belsavis to counter this terrible evil in the next revealing trailer for SWTOR called Eternity Vault. Visitors to E3 will witness two in-game plotlines. First, a showdown of patriots and a usurper who has laid claim to the throne ignites the planet of Alderaan. Second, players take on sand people on one of the most iconic planets in the Star Wars universe: Tatooine. Also, The Old Republic birthed a new tie-in comic book. Alexander Freed, a lead writer at BioWare Austin, penned this latest tale titled the Lost Suns. The comic book features a spy named Theron Shan, who is combing the galaxy for clues to what the Empire has been doing since the Treaty of Coruscant. Freed expounds on some of the hidden secret on the official site. Lastly, more detail has been revealed about the Advanced Classes on the official site, including specific powers for each tree. For a complete breakdown of revealed powers watch the Hyperspace Beacon on Tuesday. For the rest of the gory details be sure to visit the official SWTOR website and don't miss our live coverage from E3 all next week. SWTOR reveals plans for E3, advanced class powers, and a new tie-in comic book originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 03 Jun 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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| Massively Exclusive: Joel Bylos talks The Secret World's endgame (and a bunch of other stuff) Posted: 03 Jun 2011 11:00 AM PDT Filed under: Fantasy, Horror, Interviews, MMO industry, New titles, News items, The Secret World Funcom is ramping up the publicity for The Secret World this week, and Massively's getting in on the action via an exclusive interview with lead content designer Joel Bylos. Earlier we told you how TSW's devs are hard at work putting a supernatural (and conspiratorial) twist on some of the world's most well-known cities, and we recently sat down with Bylos to talk about everything from using Google Maps to navigate Funcom's version of New York, to the nature of the term "open world," to the use of random game objects by the player. Bylos also has some interesting things to say about The Secret World's sandbox elements and its endgame, and you'll find all that and more after the cut. Continue reading Massively Exclusive: Joel Bylos talks The Secret World's endgame (and a bunch of other stuff) Massively Exclusive: Joel Bylos talks The Secret World's endgame (and a bunch of other stuff) originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 03 Jun 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Windows tablets have so far failed to capture the imagination of consumers, and are unlikely to do so anytime before the release of the next iteration of Microsoft's otherwise popular operating system. But not everyone is willing to wait until the release of Windows 8, least of all TabletKiosk, which has just introduced the most powerful tablet PC in the world. 
