General Gaming Article

General Gaming Article

Recording Industry Going After YouTube Downloader Site

Posted: 26 Aug 2011 12:28 PM PDT

tfLegal battles over alleged copyright infringement are nothing new, but the recording industry may be blazing new trails with its most recent action. More than two dozen recording labels have gotten together in Japan to sue the owners of a YouTube downloader site called TubeFire. They are demanding more than $3 million in damages.

TubeFire not only allows user to download the video files for a YouTube video, but to extract the audio track as an mp3. The suit, filed on August 19, claims that this process of copying, converting, and distributing the content is an infringement. The $3 million number was arrived at by estimating the number of downloads processed by TubeFire, then working out what the licensing fee would have been.

This case is unique because the content, infringing or not, is already available free on YouTube already. TubeFire says it has worked to prevent piracy, but that it will close temporarily while the case proceeds. Really, that's probably all the labels want. TubeFire is far from the only service that offers YouTube conversions. Do you think similar services are at risk as well?

Bad Jobs: Steve Jobs' Biggest Apple Flops

Posted: 26 Aug 2011 11:34 AM PDT

In Steve Jobs' two stints at Apple, the company made some great products. Their most amazing products. But no one's perfect. Not even Steve Jobs. And Apple produced a few pieces of total crap during his reign. Here're the worst.

Lisa

The Apple Lisa, named after Jobs' daughter, may have been the first computer to employ a GUI in 1983, but it cost $10000 and had a hulking, unsightly design. Few bought the thing. A year later, the cheaper Macintosh came out and rendered the Lisa largely irrelevant.

iMac USB Mouse

The mouse introduced with the iMac in 1998 is up there with Comic Sans and Clippy when it comes to inciting geek rage. Not only was it a single-button mouse, like all other Apple input devices before and after it, but it was round, like a hockey puck. And truth be told, it probably would have been more comfortable sliding a hockey puck around a desk all day.

iPod Hi-Fi

The iPod Hi-Fi wasn't a terrible device from technical standpoint. Reviewers generally praised the sound that emanated from its drivers. But it just didn't make sense for anyone at the time. Audiophiles had no use for music that came from an iPod. The average consumer didn't need a speaker that was so big. And all gadget freaks could do is look at the $350 price tag and shrug their shoulders. Introduced in February 2006, the iPod Hi-Fi line didn't last two years before being discontinued in September 2007.

Apple TV (1st Generation)

When the first Apple TV arrived in 2007, it had all the tools to be successful. Intel processor. 720p support via HDMI. Wi-Fi. Up to a 160 GB HDD. But then came the limitations. It could only stream H.264 or MP4 video. It could play trailers and video clips from iTunes, but you couldn't buy or rent movies or TV shows. Nor could you buy MP3s. Aside from photos, which used Flickr, streaming was facilitated entirely through iTunes on your computer. People weren't exactly going crazy to get their hands on an Apple TV, which led the company to release a revised version of the software which supported TV and Movie rentals, and even that only offered limited success. Eventually, Apple reconceptualized the Apple TV in many ways, producing the awesome little black box that still exists today.

Buttonless iPod Shuffle (3rd Generation)

Yes, we all get it, minimalism is great. However, there's a point when the quest for simplicity buckles back on itself and actually makes something more complicated. That's what happened with the iPod shuffle. Aside from the power/lock button, It had no buttons on it. None! You had to use headphones with a compatible in-line remote to operate the thing. You solely used the morse-code like system for flipping through tracks, which was kind of a pain in the ass. AND OH, if you wanted to use headphones that weren't Apple's terrible earbuds, you needed a special adapter. It was received with a mix of novel curiosity and mockery. The following generation of the iPod shuffle was the first time I've seen Apple so blatantly return to a former design. And they aren't shy about advertising the fact that the current one has buttons.

Final Cut Pro X

For years, Final Cut Pro has been a favorite among Hollywood filmmakers. The UI is clean and simple, but extremely powerful. When Apple released the revamped Final Cut Pro X, however, that love turned to hate. Unadulterated hate. Professionals hate the lack of power features and its resemblance to iMovie (which means aspiring professionals probably feel the same way). Casual hobbyists probably won't pay $300 for it. What we're left with is a program that tries to please everyone while addressing the nobody's needs. Or maybe it's trying to address everyone's needs while pleasing nobody. Who knows!

Ping

When Steve Jobs introduced Ping, it was supposed to be the greatest thing to happen to music discovery since radio. But not even half-baked, Ping was just raw and underdeveloped. It was a feed hiding in the most unusable section of iTunes (the music store), that let you recommend songs from the store, which only existed in the store. It also told everyone when you bought something new. No playlists from friends. No top lists. It kept the collective attention of the technorati for about 14 minutes. Eventually they "expanded" ping to let you recommend tracks from your library view, but you know what they say about pigs and lipstick.

Power Mac G4 Cube

One of the best things to happen during Steve Jobs' second run at Apple is that the company began to experiment with form. While the company has been firmly entrenched in a minimalist aesthetic during its most successful phase, Apple wasn't scared to play around with some weird ideas in the late 90s and early 2000s (see also: iMac G4). The Power Mac G4 Cube is an example of one of those experiments gone wrong. Often viewed as a precursor to the Mac Mini, and despite costing more than the cheapest PowerMac G4, the 8"x8"x10" Cube was positioned somewhere between iMacs and PowerMacs when it came to power and functionality. Starting at $1800 and frequently suffering from case cracks, the computer was bust, lasting only a year on store shelves. But hey, MoMA showcased it, so it wasn't all bad. I guess.

iPod Photo

In 2004, people wanted a video iPod. So what did Apple give them? An iPod capable of displaying low-res photos (220x176!!!). At $500, the 40 GB model cost $100 more than the regular 40 GB iPod, an eventually a 60 GB model popped up for $600. You won't see a lot of people fondly recalling the iPod Photo days like they did the Third Generation iPod (swoon).

What's your least favorite Steve Jobs Apple product?

Gizmodo is the world's most fun technology website, focused on gadgets and how they make our lives better, worse, and more absurd.

Google+ Adds "Ignore" For Folks Who Prefer Shunning To Banhammers

Posted: 26 Aug 2011 11:21 AM PDT

Before today, if your annoying Uncle Ronnie acted like a moron on Google+ -- flooding your stream with tons of pointless posts and tagging you in every message, let's say – the only way to stop the madness was to block him entirely. And as we all know, nothing makes for an awkward Thanksgiving faster than blocking Uncle Ronnie on G+. Someone at Google must be related to Uncle Ronnie, too! Today, a kinder, gentler "Ignore" button rolled out on Google's social network.

Blocking another user results in a complete blacklisting on Google+; they're booted from your Circles (and extended Circles), you can't see their posts, and they can't respond to yours. Ignoring tones it down a bit. Olga Wichrowska, the software engineer who announced the new function, likens it more to being indifferent to a person rather than downright wanting nothing to do with them. According to Olga, the following actions occur when you ignore someone:

  • you won't see any of their posts in the Incoming stream
  • you won't get notifications about their activities
  • you won't see them on your Circles page

As opposed to a full-blow block, ignored users can still read and comment on your Stream posts. That way, Uncle Ronnie isn't out of your life entirely, but you won't have to read the oh-so-frequent status updates on his bathroom habits any longer.

Acer Chairman: Tablets Overrated, Ultrabooks Are The Future!

Posted: 26 Aug 2011 10:49 AM PDT

Ah, fads. Without those brief, yet intense, bursts of consumer excitement, the majority of us may have never heard awesome tidbits like the Pet Rock, bell-bottom pants, the Macarena, Tickle Me Elmo or Trapper Keepers. If you listen to Acer chairman JT Wang, one of our useful modern electronics is soon to join those fabled ranks. That's right, while the pundits are busy calling tablet PCs the best thing since sliced bread, Wang thinks the whole iPad deal is overblown. The future lies in Ultrabooks!

Wang told DigiTimes that the tablet craze is already starting to come back to earth, but they still seem sky-high to us. Wang (and unnamed DigiTimes sources) say that since slates are mainly used for blowing off steam, rather than actual work (cough, cough), consumers will be a lot less likely to replace them too often. So, the thinking goes, tablet sales will even out – or possibly drop off – once a certain level of market penetration is achieved.

On the other hand, Ultrabooks – like the $800 model Acer plans on launching later this year – should draw in consumers like gangbusters, Wang said (although we're paraphrasing a bit). He said several surveys conducted by Acer point to a high level of customer interest in the new ultrathin, high-powered laptops. While Wang admits that Ultrabooks won't make too much of a splash in 2011, presumably due to their late launch, he expects them to account for 25 to 35 percent of all notebook shipments in 2012.

Of course, Wang would have to say something like that after Acer hemorrhaged money in the second quarter. The company posted a $246 million operating loss – its first quarterly loss ever.

Cool Site of the Week: WhatFontIs

Posted: 26 Aug 2011 10:34 AM PDT

Gelett Burgess once quipped "I don't know anything about art, but I know what I like". For many of us, the same thing can be said of fonts. For a designer cranking on a client's project, an entrepreneur looking to sway her investors or a student buttressing his weak research with a little razzle-dazzle in his presentation, the right font can make all the difference--provided you know which one you're looking for. WhatFontIs exists, to help you souse out the font of your heart's desire, and it's our Cool Site of the Week.

WhatFontIs is a site that hosts a number of tools to help you find the perfect font to match to your message. If you run across a font you dig online or in a piece of print advertising, but aren't sure of what its name is, WhatFontIs can help. Simply upload a sample of the font in jpg, gif or png format or enter the url of where the font can be found. Within seconds, WhatFontIs will return with the name of your font, making it easy to look up in your rig's library or to purchase from a dealer for use.

If you're not sure of what you're looking for, the site also offers a daunting collection of 241,940 fonts for you to peruse. If you can't find a font that works for you via WhatFontIs, chances are that in the back of your mind you were planning on using Comic Sans all along.

Be sure to check back every Friday for another edition of Maximum PC's Cool Site of the Week.

Frozen Synapse Review

Posted: 26 Aug 2011 10:30 AM PDT

Simple and simultaneously brilliant gaming that you can't miss

For us, strategy games tend to be never-ending spirals of regret and woe. Don't get us wrong—we love the genre. But our approach to tactics usually goes something like this: "OK, now you go here and... oops. Everything we love is on fire." Put simply, mistakes happen. Frozen Synapse, however, allows us to make informed mistakes. In a nutshell, the game lets you see the outcome of your moves before you make them. It's an absolutely brilliant tweak, and—if you're a perfectionist—both a dream come true and your greatest nightmare.

The not-quite-turn-based, not-quite-real-time strategy encourages you to shove your every move under the microscope, painstakingly playing out every situation you can dream up. Your opponent, however, can do the same. Obsess, tweak, rethink, rewatch—sometimes for hours. Then give your stamp of approval to a plan, hit the "f'reals this time" button, and watch it fall to pieces in mere seconds. And it's amazing.


Lesson one of cover-taking. Incidentally, this is the only lesson.

To ensure that your poor brain doesn't overheat, Frozen Synapse's basic mechanics are actually incredibly simple. There are no tech trees, hero units, or supply lines to micromanage here. Typically, you're given a tiny squad of glowy green men, and that's it. Combat, then, is a piece of neon-colored cake. Using nothing but clicks and one drop-down menu, you tell your men where and when to move, aim, take cover, fire, and even ignore enemies. It's not brain surgery on a rocket scientist while aboard an actual rocket. Hell, your kids probably wouldn't have a problem picking it up. Mastering the game, however, is another story entirely.

Staying a step ahead of your opponent is absolutely crucial, but it never ceases to feel like you're about to step off a cliff. Committing to a plan is downright nerve-wracking. After all, you've run yourself ragged testing it. Thanks to your hard work, it's airtight. Foolproof. But most of all, it's yours. Then your opponent bulldozes it with brilliant strategy, dumb luck, or (usually) some combination of the two, and you're back at square one. For reference, square one is "Oh goodness, there are a million knives against my throat, and I'm going to lose in one turn." But you find a way to survive, and it's so damn satisfying.


Campaign missions throw in extra wrinkles—like civilians caught in the crossfire.

That balance of psychological posturing and swift, brutal chaos holds up quite well in both the single-player campaign and multiplayer. Single-player, while a bit confusing on the story side, does a great job of gradually easing you into deeper tactical waters, and multiplayer makes use of a Words With Friends–style "take as long as you want per turn" approach.

Really, Frozen Synapse only thaws into ugly gray mush when its random level generator decides to commit horrific crimes against balance. Occasionally, you may find yourself in an unwinnable uphill battle because the gods of wall placement didn't smile in your favor. It's frustrating, sure, but hardly a deal-breaker. That aside, Frozen Synapse is a fantastic step outside strategy gaming's typical box—not to mention an absolute steal at $25. There's no need to test and tweak the outcome of this one: Buy it and don't look back.

$25, www.frozensynapse.com, ESRB: not rated

Version Numbers And Rapid Releases Here To Stay For Firefox

Posted: 26 Aug 2011 10:10 AM PDT

Firefox's new rapid release schedule has stolen some of the limelight away from Chrome and dumped it back in Mozilla's lap, but the attention hasn't all been good. The quick-fire pace of new launches caused enterprise sysadmins to metaphorically grab their torches and storm the castle, while a rumor that Firefox would ditch version numbers entirely led to even more consumer angst. Two key Mozilla employees tried pouring water on the flames of discontent this week.

First off, Firefox flat-out isn't getting rid of version numbers; designer Alex Faaborg said the rumor got started because of some miscommunication amongst members of the dev team.

"Just in case this got lost amongst the many threads in progress: there are no plans to adjust the version number. It will remain in its current place in the about window, and we are going to continue with the current numbering scheme."

Meanwhile, Mozilla chairman Mitchell Baker acknowledged the difficulties – such as enterprise issues and broken add-on compatibility – that arise with a rapid release schedule, but said that the pluses outweigh the minuses. It used to be a year or more between major Firefox releases, Baker stressed, and that sort of time frame just isn't acceptable in the fast-past modern world.

"A browser is the delivery vehicle for the Internet.  And the Internet moves very, very  quickly," Baker said. "Philosophically, I do not believe a product that moves at the speed of  traditional desktop software can be effective at enabling an Internet where things happen in real time. If we want the browser to be the interface for the Internet, we need to make it more like the Internet. "

It's a compelling argument to be sure, but will it sway the hordes of upset administrators who are poised to dump Firefox and skedaddle back into Internet Explorer's slow-release arms?

'Tweet' Secures Spot in Merriam-Webster Dictionary

Posted: 26 Aug 2011 09:43 AM PDT

There's no way around it, "Tweet" is an official word, having now cracked its way into the Merriam-Webster Collegiate dictionary, according to an Associate Press report. The announcement comes after "Retweet" made it into the 12th edition of the Concise Oxford English Dictionary. Tech and social media terms are having their day in the sun.

As a noun, Merriam-Webster defines tweet as "a post made on the Twitter online message service," and as a verb, it means "to post a message to the Twitter online message service." Pretty straightforward, though it speaks volumes about the impact of social media in everyday language.

"Even if people had no interest or possible chance of getting a Twitter account themselves, they now have to know what 'tweet' means, and that's really why it's in the dictionary," said Peter Sokolowski, an editor with Merriam-Webster. "It's not just because the users of that service are so numerous, although they are. It's because even the non-users have to know what that word means because they'll encounter it so often in everyday use."

Merriam-Webster also added "m-commerce," "fist-bump," and several other terms.

So What Was Razer's Big Secret? A Gaming Laptop

Posted: 26 Aug 2011 09:03 AM PDT

When Razer launched their pcgamingisnotdead.com teaser site last weekend, I assumed it was going to be about some new high-end peripheral--the kind of thing the company's famous for. When they went a step further, and took out a full page ad in the Wall Street Journal I started to think this must be something more. You don't normally see that kind of promotion for just another mouse or keyboard, and besides, as Maximum PC's peripheral reviewer, I probably would have heard about something like that in advance.

Then, on Tuesday, I got a chance to see Razer's new product. And while I'm not sure it'll be the sole savior of PC gaming, it is something pretty unexpected. Meet the Blade, the first gaming laptop from Razer. This isn't just another gaming notebook, though--read on to find out why.

The Razer Blade (get it?) is gaming laptop, to be sure, but at first glance you can tell that it's a breed apart from the sort of behemeth desktop replacements you expect from brands like Alienware. The Blade still packs a 17-inch screen, making it quite large, but the whole package is remarkably thin (for a gaming laptop) and light. At 0.88 inches in height and 6.9 lbs weight, the Blade is thinner and slightly heavier than the MacBook Pro 17 inch model, which it otherwise resembles. From the unibody-style shell to the recessed keyboard, it's clear that Razer took some inspiration from Apple's flagship laptop.

The other unique feature of the Blade's construction can be found to the right of the keyboard: an auxiliary-screen-slash-trackpad and 8 bindable buttons that can be customized to display icons from whatever game you're playing. These elements seem taken directly from the Switchblade concept Razer showed off at CES this year. They look like they could be cool, but we'll have to see how the software support for them pans out before we can jump to any conclusions.

Internally, the Blade is powered by an i7-2640M dual-core 2.8GHz CPU, 8GB of memory, and an NVIDIA 555M discrete GPU. In other words, less power than what you'd get in a similarly-priced, less-portable gaming laptop from a different brand. I watched the Blade play current titles like Call of Duty: Black Ops at high settings with a good framerate, and Razer says it'll be ready to play Battlefield 3, but I can't help but wonder how future-proof this hardware is.

Finally, there's the price: you'll be able to buy the Blade by the end of this year for $2800. At that price, the Blade is an interesting proposition. Will gamers pay top-dollar for a laptop with a great form factor, but not top-end internals? Would you?

Hit the comments and let us know.

Pandora Grabs 3.6 Percent Share of U.S. Radio

Posted: 26 Aug 2011 08:47 AM PDT

Pandora didn't disappoint when announcing its first financial report as a publicly traded company. The popular streaming music service collected $67 million in total revenue during the second quarter, representing a 117 percent year-over-year increase. Advertising accounted for $58.3 million (118 percent year-over-year increase) and subscription revenue more than doubled as well (112 percent) to $8.7 million.

"Pandora is personalizing radio -- and consumers are enthusiastically embracing the dramatically better experience," said Joe Kennedy, President & CEO of Pandora. "At the same time, advertisers continue their adoption of Pandora's multi-platform ad solutions, resulting in our 6th consecutive quarter of year-over-year triple digit revenue growth. In addition to continued high growth in web revenue, Pandora's mobile advertising revenue for the first time comprised approximately half of total advertising revenue as we lead the way in the nascent but fast growing mobile advertising market. Pandora continues to grow our market share of U.S. radio as we fundamentally transform one of the last forms of traditional media."

Towards that last point, Pandora claims its share of the total U.S. radio listening market now sits at 3.6 percent, exactly double what it was last year. That figure is based on 1.8 billion listener hours for the second quarter.
Posted by Shri Krishna

MMO News

MMO News

Land of Chaos Online celebrates first birthday

Posted: 26 Aug 2011 02:59 PM PDT

alaplaya’s Land of Chaos Online (LOCO) is celebrating its first birthday with prizes until August 30.

All players who log in will be able to get special anniversary gifts. In addition, all Hero Cards will be available for free from the AP Shop as trial cards, letting players try any previously released hero and have some birthday fun.

alaplaya also publishes Avalon Heroes and ARGO Online.

land-of-chaos-online-leader

Land of Chaos Online Gameplay Screenshot

Source:

alaplaya, the leading international free-to-play gaming portal, is proud to wish a very "Happy First Birthday" to LOCO – Land of Chaos Online. In the past year, hundreds of thousands of players have joined the battlefields of LOCO to experience its unique blend of action, real-time strategy, and RPG gameplay. To celebrate this milestone, alaplaya is throwing a party for LOCO players new and old across the world: starting today and running through August 30, special anniversary gifts will available in-game for all players and all Hero Cards will be available completely free of charge from the AP Shop.

"Time certainly does fly when you're having fun," said Hendrik Loga, Product Manager for LOCO – Land of Chaos Online. "We initially packed LOCO with all the entertaining and devious tactical opportunities we could, and our players have continually surprised us over the last year by coming up with tons of tactics and strategies that we never saw coming. It's been a great year, and we hope it's the first of many. Happy anniversary, everyone!"

In just one year, LOCO – Land of Chaos Online has taken the world by storm, with over 530,000 players registered across North America and Europe and over 850,000 in-game heroes created from LOCO's ever-growing roster. To learn how to join these larger-than-life warriors in their online struggles to rule the Land of Chaos, visit the official site at: http://loco.alaplaya.net/

Battlefield Heroes now available via Bigpoint

Posted: 26 Aug 2011 02:11 PM PDT

Bigpoint has announced that they have added EA’s Battlefield Heroes to the North American Bigpoint portal (http://us.bigpoint.com/games/battlefieldheroes/). Bigpoint also publishes Lord of Ultima through their portal, making this an additional EA game available through Bigpoint’s account and currency system.

Battlefield Heroes is a free-to-play third-person shooter based on the Battlefield series, but featuring more cartoonish graphics and ease of play, versus Battlefield Play4Free’s more realistic style.

Bigpoint also publishes Battlestar Galactica Online and Drakensang Online.

battlefield-heroes-fighting

Battlefield Heroes Gameplay Screenshot

Source:

Following the successful integration of EA's hit Play4Free title – Lord of Ultima – into our worldwide games portal earlier this year, we're pleased to announce that Battlefield Heroes has now been added as well. It's available to our community of players through www.bigpoint.com or http://us.bigpoint.com/games/battlefieldheroes/

Battlefield Heroes is a Play4Free third-person shooter that brings classic Battlefield gameplay to everybody. The game features cartoon-style graphics and gameplay that caters to players of all skill levels. Battlefield Heroes is easy to pick up and play but has robust character customization and engaging online features so gamers can spend hours building up their characters and conquering the world. With a variety of classes, vehicles, and avenues of attack, no match plays the same way.

Bigpoint is one of the largest browser-based online game portals in the world, with over 200 million registered users fueled by 250,000 new registrations per day. Unlike most online game companies, we leverage a global network of 1000+ media partners to distribute our games, which we localize in 25 languages. While we develop the majority of our own titles – like Battlestar Galactica Online, Drakensang Online, and DarkOrbit – we also publish other companies' games – this is what we're doing with EA's suite of free-to-play titles.

MicroVolts launches Arms Race

Posted: 26 Aug 2011 01:24 PM PDT

MicroVolts has launched its latest patch, “Arms Race,” which adds a new mode and map, as well as new gear.

The new mode, Arms Race, challenges each team to master all of 20 weapons before the opposing team does the same and upgrades their arsenal. The mode is supported by Toy Fleet, a map featuring steamboats to battleships and a deadly pool of water below. New equipment features an additional category of gear – parts and accessories. This lets players dress up their characters with new clothing for fun.

MicroVolts is published by Rock Hippo Productions, which also publishes Brawl Busters.

microvolts-gameplay-main

MicroVolts Gameplay Screenshot

Source:

MICROVOLTS FIRES UP THE FALL WITH THE RELEASE OF THE ARMS RACE PATCH

The New Patch Features The Arms Race Mode, A New “Toy Fleet” Map, And Much More!

Markham, Canada August 26, 2011 – Rock Hippo Productions Ltd announced today it has launched the “Arms Race” patch for its popular online cartoon style third-person action shooter, MicroVolts. The new patch includes a brand new mode, a new map and new weapons, parts and accessories. A new trailer and screenshots explore the new map and feature the characters sporting the new content that is now available to players. To check out the all the new features and to view the new screenshots and trailer, players can visit http://www.MicroVolts.com/

MicroVolters will have to amp up their competitiveness in new mode, Arms Race! Players have 20 weapons to conquer and must rapidly master each weapon to defeat their opponents before they are able to upgrade their arsenal. The toy war continues in the new map, Toy Fleet, where players will quickly find out that this is no ordinary kiddie pool! >From steamboats to battleships, MicroVolters will have to dodge enemy bullets without falling in the water!

In addition to the new mode and map, new weapons, Parts & Accessories have also been introduced. With summer almost over and back to school season upon us, the MicroWorld is celebrating both occasions! MicroVolters take one last strut down the beach in Naomi’s Grey Tank Top before pulling out Knox’s School Ready Hoodie to gear up for class. School yard bullies will be seeing red after being whacked by the Red Drawing Pencil!

“The MicroVolts community had a great summer and now it’s time to head back to school-but that doesn’t mean we can’t continue to have fun!” said Howard He, President and CEO of Rock Hippo Productions. “From the new Toy Fleet map to the fast paced Arms Race mode to all the new accessories, there will be plenty for MicroVolters to enjoy well into the Fall!”

Rock Hippo invites all their Canadian fans to come and see MicroVolts on exhibition at Fan Expo in Toronto, Canada this week, August 25-28! Visitors can participate in the special promotion for in-game currency as well as come grab some cool gaming swag at Booth 1445.

MicroVolts features fast paced, third person shooter action and pits players against each other in a secret battle that has been waged and going unnoticed right in our own backyard for years. No one knows for sure when or where the first toy declared war but rumor has it that the uprising began with four original limited edition figures, code-named MicroVolts. Battle lines were drawn when Naomi, Knox, Pandora, and C.H.I.P.-the prototypes-were soon joined by an endless number of modified versions. Now, toy figures around the world are engaged in an all-out war for valuable battery resources and supremacy of the Micro World. All we can do now is stay out of their way and wait for a champion to be declared! Featuring a ton of weapons, inventive character designs, and a huge list of customization features, MicroVolts is destined to invigorate and re-energize the Free2play space.

Game modes include Free for All, Team Deathmatch, Item Match, Capture the Battery, and many more featuring various toy-concept maps. For more information about MicroVolts visit www.MicroVolts.com

Age of Empires PvP (1v1) Gameplay

Posted: 26 Aug 2011 12:39 PM PDT

To Learn More About the Game Check out our Age of Empires Online Page.

Age of Empires Online is a 3D strategy MMO published by Microsoft – the same company behind Neosaurs. Age of Empires Online is the next installment of the legendary “Age of Empires” series. Unlike other AoE games, Age of Empires Online isn’t a game you can jump into right away and begin playing against others. Players must first complete a bunch of quests before they can begin facing off against other opponents. The video above highlights a random 1v1 skirmish game against another player. Unfortunately the match making system needs quite a bit of tweaking. To learn more about Age of Empires Online check out the official MMOHut Age of Empires Online page which includes a detailed review, tons of screenshots, and additional videos.
Posted by Shri Krishna

MMO Updates

MMO Updates

Blade & Soul Assassin abilities on display in new video

Posted: 26 Aug 2011 10:00 AM PDT

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Blade & Soul - assassin video
Say what you will about NCsoft's mysterious Blade & Soul import, but it certainly brings its share of eye candy to the table. MMO Culture has posted a new video featuring the martial arts MMORPG, and the clip centers on the nimble Assassin class and its deadly array of combos and fighting abilities.

The video runs under two minutes and is basically a series of one-on-one combat vignettes. If your Korean language skills are up to the task, you might be able to decipher the various intertitles and subtitles that accompany the presentation. If not, you can still get a feel for how the class is going to play thanks to the footage, which you can view in its entirety after the cut.

Continue reading Blade & Soul Assassin abilities on display in new video

MassivelyBlade & Soul Assassin abilities on display in new video originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 26 Aug 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SOE releases new War of Zek trailer for EverQuest II

Posted: 26 Aug 2011 09:30 AM PDT

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EverQuest II - army of Zek
When poet and philosopher George Santayana wrote that only the dead have seen the end of war, it's doubtful he had Rallos Zek in mind. Sony Online Entertainment, on the other hand, has made quite a good living off of the fictional warlord god, and EverQuest II's latest game update bears both his name and the famous quote as its tag line.

The War of Zek debuted on the live servers yesterday, and despite some equipment and AA bugginess, managed to bring a bunch of interesting tweaks to EQII. Today SOE has released a teaser trailer to hype the newly updated game, and it's heavy on high-end content including Zek himself, as well as a cadre of raid-geared players hellbent on bringing him down. Check it out after the cut, and don't forget that EQII has also reinstated its 14-day free trial.

Continue reading SOE releases new War of Zek trailer for EverQuest II

MassivelySOE releases new War of Zek trailer for EverQuest II originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 26 Aug 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Massively's exclusive TERA lore: A day in the life of Gernakul the Dracoloth

Posted: 26 Aug 2011 09:00 AM PDT

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TERA - dracoloth
Welcome, TERA fans, to another installment of Massively's exclusive A Day in the Life lore series. The recent news of TERA's spring 2012 launch delay may have dampened your spirits (or perhaps bolstered them if you're of the release-it-when-it's-ready mentality), but En Masse is here to tide us over with another interesting story snippet from the world of Arborea.

This time around we're treated to the tale of Volorius, a devan soldier who makes a pact with an unlikely ally named Gernakul. Gernakul is a dracoloth, and as you can tell from the screenshot above, he's not to be messed with. Aside from decimating a camp of heavily armored soldiers and snacking on a overconfident sorcerer, Gernakul is possessed of a treacherous and nasty disposition, as Volorious soon learns. Read about his fate after the cut.

Continue reading Massively's exclusive TERA lore: A day in the life of Gernakul the Dracoloth

MassivelyMassively's exclusive TERA lore: A day in the life of Gernakul the Dracoloth originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 26 Aug 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple releases Star Legends: The Blackstar Chronicles to the app store

Posted: 26 Aug 2011 08:30 AM PDT

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Star Legends
It's been a long time winding its way through the Apple approving process, but Star Legends: The Blackstar Chronicles is now available for iOS devices. The game, which is free with optional microtransaction purchases, is a universal app, so it will play on the iPod Touch, iPhone and iPad.

Apple users have had to wait significantly longer to get their hands on Star Legends than Android players, as the Android version was released much earlier this month. Spacetime Studios promises gamers that a "majority" of the content of the game is completely free-to-play, and characters can reach the level cap without having to pay a dime.

If you're interested in our impressions of this sci-fi blastathon, check out our Rise and Shiny Recap of Star Legends!

Gallery: Star Legends

MassivelyApple releases Star Legends: The Blackstar Chronicles to the app store originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 26 Aug 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Massively Exclusive: Funcom details Age of Conan adventure pack options [Updated]

Posted: 26 Aug 2011 08:00 AM PDT

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Age of Conan - Turan concept art
Well, Age of Conan fans, we've finally got ourselves a launch date for the much-anticipated Savage Coast of Turan adventure pack. The new content will be rolled out in two phases, and the regular launch date is set for September 8th, while an early access period will begin on August 31st.

Funcom has given us the details on all of the purchasing options, and the Savage Coast will be available in a variety of flavors depending on how soon you'd like to start playing and what side dishes you'd like along with your main course.

Join us after the cut for a look at the Savage Coast menu, and check back with Massively later today for an exclusive new Savage Coast content reveal. Please note that as of press time, Funcom has not provided us with prices for the following options.

[Update]: Funcom has released pricing options as well as confirmed that both subscribers and free-to-play gamers will need to pay for the Savage Coast content. It's also worth noting that the pack is only available through the in-game store.

Continue reading Massively Exclusive: Funcom details Age of Conan adventure pack options [Updated]

MassivelyMassively Exclusive: Funcom details Age of Conan adventure pack options [Updated] originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 26 Aug 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Secret World's business model to feature subs and cash shop

Posted: 26 Aug 2011 07:30 AM PDT

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The Secret World - boss fight
Funcom has taken the wraps off its business model for The Secret World, and the upcoming horror-conspiracy MMORPG will ship with a traditional subscription model. That's not all, though. In a post on the official forums, community manager Oliver "Tarib" Kunz says that the game will also feature microtransactions and a cash shop.

The blurb mentions Funcom's desire to steer clear of "pay-to-win" scenarios by limiting the item store to clothing and convenience items. "Character power in The Secret World will be determined by how well you play the game, not how much money you are willing to put into it," Kunz writes.

MassivelyThe Secret World's business model to feature subs and cash shop originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 26 Aug 2011 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BioWare: The Old Republic will be "one of the biggest launches ever in the history of gaming"

Posted: 26 Aug 2011 07:00 AM PDT

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Star Wars: The Old Republic
While Star Wars: The Old Republic looks to be on track for a holiday release, BioWare's Dr. Greg Zeschuk admits to being "daunted" by the size and scope of the project. "This game's launch is going to be one of the biggest launches ever in the history of gaming," he said.

When talking with Eurogamer, Zeschuk said that the studio is trying to make sure that everything is "solid" enough before it pulls the trigger and releases the game, but is trying to get it out the doors as fast as it can. Currently, the game is being tested by thousands of players daily, a number which is expected to increase dramatically once September's expanded testing cycle hits. "It's literally live right now," he said.

Whether The Old Republic will stand or fall, it won't be for a lack of preparation on BioWare's behalf. Zeschuk paints a picture of the hectic work being done behind the scenes: "It's one thing to get the game done, another to ensure you can login thousands of people a minute. It's a different sort of requirement. The things you need to get done to ship this are very different from a standard game. A standard game, this is like five of them, right? Our job is really simple: making sure it's great when it comes out."

MassivelyBioWare: The Old Republic will be "one of the biggest launches ever in the history of gaming" originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 26 Aug 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Daily Grind: What are you looking forward to at PAX Prime?

Posted: 26 Aug 2011 06:00 AM PDT

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Special thanks to our own Larry Everett for the header image. Sorry, no joke in this alt text.
It's something of a tradition here at Massively when there's a major convention just around the corner to ask our readers what they're looking forward to seeing. We like to know what other people are interested in, after all, and while we can certainly attest to our own excitement, that's nothing compared to what you'd like to see. Heck, if you're not quite sure what there is to look forward to, we've even got a handy-dandy guide to all of the stuff promised to be on display.

So what are you looking forward to for this incarnation of PAX Prime? There's a heavy MMO lineup, ranging from current darlings Guild Wars 2 and Star Wars: The Old Republic to the much-discussed newcomer WildStar. Which of the many exhibitors are going to have you watching the news, or possibly traveling all the way out to Seattle? Or are you just not all that interested in all the proceedings?

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: What are you looking forward to at PAX Prime? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 26 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Champions Online gives players a full pack of jets

Posted: 25 Aug 2011 08:00 PM PDT

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You remember the Rocketeer, right? Everyone remembers the Rocketeer.
Even in superhero games, people still have a deep love of jetpacks. There's something innately wonderful about the idea about strapping on a backpack and slipping the terrible dominion of gravity. That's why Champions Online has introduced a new option for travel powers for players of all types -- the jet pack. And as you would expect, it allows you to take to the skies with style and rocket-powered precision as you soar along.

It probably comes as little surprise that the pack is available in the C-Store. That being said, it's only the actual appearance of the packs is for sale -- all users have access to the Jet Pack travel power, which uses the costume parts. So if you have the urge to strap a rocket to your back and take to the air, your time is now -- and if you're not quite convinced, why not check out the video just past the break?

Continue reading Champions Online gives players a full pack of jets

MassivelyChampions Online gives players a full pack of jets originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 25 Aug 2011 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The MMO Report: Gamescom wrap-up edition

Posted: 25 Aug 2011 07:00 PM PDT

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We love Uncle Casey
This week on G4TV's The MMO Report, host Casey Schreiner talks about RIFT's half-year anniversary, Guild Wars 2's crafting videos, WildStar, and several other topics that act as a bit of a wrap-up from last week's Gamescom in Germany.

In Uncle Casey's Mailbag, we get treated to Casey's opinion on the BioWare same-sex-marriage exclusion in Star Wars: The Old Republic and are warned about being put on the National Sex Offender Registry for comments that came in from last week's show. You sickos!

Check out the video in its entirety after the cut.

Continue reading The MMO Report: Gamescom wrap-up edition

MassivelyThe MMO Report: Gamescom wrap-up edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 25 Aug 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Secret World offering players beta access via the Secret War

Posted: 25 Aug 2011 06:00 PM PDT

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First rule of any horror game: never go to New England. Ever.
In spring of next year, players will get to enter The Secret World and start facing off against all of the horrors lurking just beneath the surface of modern life. But if you're intent on delving into the game as soon as possible, you probably want to be in the beta more or less yesterday. Funcom is giving players a chance to do just that after they sign up for the beta via the Secret War ARG, which will let players explore the factions and start to rise in ranks... and, of course, secure a beta spot.

Following the registration process, players will be taken to a portal that offers a personality test to determine which of the three major factions fit their outlooks. (Or said players can pick outright.) From there, the game is on... but in the shadows, as always. You don't need to do anything else, but you can start taking part in your society's efforts to recruit others, and players who reach the highest rank in the chosen society will be granted automatic access to the beta when it goes live. Sounds mysterious and underhanded -- just the sort of thing you'd expect from a game about the dark days ahead.

MassivelyThe Secret World offering players beta access via the Secret War originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 25 Aug 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Guild Counsel: I'm just a number

Posted: 25 Aug 2011 05:00 PM PDT

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EverQuest II undead invasion
Sometimes it seems that numbers dominate MMOs. We play in worlds that are filled with stat-based items, resists, crits, parses, rankings, heck, even little tech issues like framerate and latency often come into play. After a while, you start to wonder if you've somehow turned into Cypher from the Matrix, able to see things in the steady stream of green numbers. But the most worrisome of all the numbers comes up when members of your guild feel like one. There are several ways that this issue can manifest itself, and it always leads to people feeling alienated and frustrated, and at its worst, it can lead to a complete breakdown of a guild.

In this week's Guild Counsel, let's crank up the Bob Seger, look at some of the ways that members end up feeling like just a number, and focus on how to avoid it.

Continue reading The Guild Counsel: I'm just a number

MassivelyThe Guild Counsel: I'm just a number originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 25 Aug 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ask Massively: You're missing the best part of the appearance tab news edition

Posted: 25 Aug 2011 04:00 PM PDT

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I keep thinking I'll get tired of using this image when I want to make a point about WoW, but I don't. I really don't.
I've made no secret of the fact that I've long since fallen out of love with World of Warcraft, but I think people are missing the best element of the whole addition of an appearance tab. Sure, it's something that players have been asking to get for years on end without receiving a response, but the best part is that its addition essentially invalidates every single answer we've received to date about why it can't be done. That amuses me to no end.

This week's Ask Massively has nothing to do with that news, however; instead, it covers the excitement of upcoming games, the lack of upcoming games, and the relevance of functions within games. I'd promise a zebra as well, but he had places to go. As always, you can leave your questions for a future installment in the comment field or mail them along to ask@massively.com, whichever you prefer.

Continue reading Ask Massively: You're missing the best part of the appearance tab news edition

MassivelyAsk Massively: You're missing the best part of the appearance tab news edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 25 Aug 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Captain's Log: Class spotlight - Science

Posted: 25 Aug 2011 03:00 PM PDT

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Star Trek Online medical patch
Captain's Log, Stardate 65150.3...

Hello, computer (and players)! McCoy, Crusher, Bashir, the EMH and Phlox are all known for their amazing medical skills throughout the many series of Star Trek. While some of these Doctors were the most beloved characters in all of the franchise, Science officers seem to be a rare item in the Star Trek Online universe. Although Science is the least commonly played career, many who do venture into the field have rewarding gaming experiences due to the different sub-careers they can spec into.

This week's Captain's Log introduces the first installment in a three-part series that will span the next few months -- each entry will focus on a different class and provide some great information that you will be able to reference the next time you roll a new character. Whether you prefer to provide support through healing, debuffs, or powerful expose attacks that leave your enemies vulnerable to vaporization, this spotlight on Science captains has something for everyone. Continue past the jump for information of some of my favorite skills for Science officers.

Ensign, warp 10! Let's get those medical tricorders ready for use...

Continue reading Captain's Log: Class spotlight - Science

MassivelyCaptain's Log: Class spotlight - Science originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 25 Aug 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lore-masters master the healing arts in LotRO's newest dev diary

Posted: 25 Aug 2011 02:30 PM PDT

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LotRO screenshot
Riding in the wake of the previous Champion, Captain, and Burglar-focused dev diaries, Turbine is today treating players to a sneak-peek at what's to come for the mystical Lore-masters in the upcoming Lord of the Rings Online: Rise of Isengard.

Tim "Raskolnikov" Lang mentions that many Lore-masters were rather pleased with the recent Ost Dunhoth armor set's set bonuses, which boosted Lore-masters' healing abilities. In light of this, the team has decided to use this update to focus on improving the Lore-master's healing in order to allow the class to better fill the role of off-healer. In order to accomplish this goal, the team is consolidating a number of skills, such as the various Warding Knowledge abilities. Leechcraft, Tend the Sick, and Ancient Knowledge of Cures have also been consolidated into Knowledge of Cures, a single skill that performs all three functions. The Lore-master's trait lines got a once-over as well, particularly the The Keeper of Animals tree. For the full details on what awaits this unique and flexible class in Isengard, head on over to the official site for the full diary.

MassivelyLore-masters master the healing arts in LotRO's newest dev diary originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 25 Aug 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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One Shots: A cold glow

Posted: 25 Aug 2011 02:00 PM PDT

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RIFT screenshot, One Shots
Today's One Shots image takes us to the mountains of RIFT, thanks to Timothy:
Perhaps my favorite location in RIFT, the cold mountains of Iron Pine Peak are warmed by the glowing sun whose light pierces through these towering and frosty pines. Moments like these make me thank God for HDR lighting.
We're looking at the best MMO environments all this week. Do you have a favorite landscape, particularly eye-catching weather effect, or hidden jewel in an out-of-the-way location? Snap a screenshot of your favorite MMO area, tell us a bit about what and where it is, and send it to oneshots@massively.com.

Next week we'll be revisiting another old favorite of One Shots: bug week. Whether it's unwanted guests in cutscenes, funny graphic glitches, or a prank you played on a buddy, we want to see. Send them in and we'll feature them in next week's One Shots!

Gallery: One Shots: 2011

MassivelyOne Shots: A cold glow originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 25 Aug 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Massively's guide to PAX 2011

Posted: 25 Aug 2011 01:30 PM PDT

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PAX 2011: Massively's guide
What can be said about PAX Prime in Seattle, Washington that hasn't been said already? Everyone knows that it is the largest public gaming event in North America. Attendance totaled 67,600 last year, not including press and exhibitors. And this year, even more gamers will descend on the Washington State Convention and Trade Center. The latest and greatest games -- released and unreleased -- will be available for public consumption. Developers will mill around the showroom floor, answering your questions. Not to mention that no one will look at you funny because you play video games!

This year, MMORPGs really stand out in the crowd. Seattle native NCsoft has a huge presence at the convention, borrowing a theater just to showcase its games. BioWare comes armed with its heavy-hitter, Star Wars: The Old Republic. And free-to-play titles like Firefall, Lord of the Rings Online, and Wakfu promise to strut their stuff at this year's PAX.

Punch past the break as Massively outlines the must-see booths for MMO fans. And don't forget the panels, including a couple of MMO spotlights for PAX Dev, the gathering of fans and developers at Sheraton Seattle Hotel on the 24th and 25th.

Continue reading Massively's guide to PAX 2011

MassivelyMassively's guide to PAX 2011 originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 25 Aug 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Perfect Ten: How to deal with burnout

Posted: 25 Aug 2011 01:00 PM PDT

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Perfect Ten and GI Joe
I remember the first time I got hit hard by the powerhouse slugger known as "burnout." It was during my second stint in World of Warcraft, oddly enough, which by then had extended to a year and a half of solid play. I was clocking in three to five hours of game time on a daily basis (this was my pre-children era, obviously) and enjoying the cruise up through The Burning Crusade's content.

Then one day, out of the blue, I realized I was sick of it. A cold trickle flowed down my spine as I couldn't conjure up any feelings of excitement, pleasure, or interest in this game. All of the accomplishments and achievements I had worked so hard to get became absolutely meaningless to me in the space of a couple minutes.

I logged out, canceled my account, and then fell into a several-day funk when I was thrashing about as I tried to figure out how to fill this now-gaping void in my free time. Slightly pathetic, yes, but no less real for it.

In retrospect, I see how I stacked the deck for such an enormous crash, and many years after it, I now have a much better handle on how to deal with burnout than I did back then. In today's Perfect Ten, I want to pass along my meager wisdom and experience about how to deal with this event... because it happens to most of us, sooner or later.

Continue reading The Perfect Ten: How to deal with burnout

MassivelyThe Perfect Ten: How to deal with burnout originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 25 Aug 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Behind the Mask: I'm the king of the world (or the hill)

Posted: 25 Aug 2011 12:30 PM PDT

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Champions Online screenshot
For the third week in a row, I'm covering Champions Online's PvP, and this week I'll be talking about the new King of the Hill gametype that was available for playtest last week on PTS. As of this writing, KOTH is not live yet, and I suspect it won't be until after the anniversary event. Still, this is sort of a sneak preview of the gametype, and I'll be sharing my experiences, some potential strategies, and some of the issues raised by the playtesters with the new mode.

For the first time ever, I actually had a chance to play with a lot of the PvP regulars. For whatever reason, whenever I play in PvP I do not see many of the big name PvPers. It was good to see some familiar forum faces and match myself against them for the first time. How did I fare? Well, hit the jump and you'll find out.

Continue reading Behind the Mask: I'm the king of the world (or the hill)

MassivelyBehind the Mask: I'm the king of the world (or the hill) originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 25 Aug 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Massively Exclusive: Lucent Heart unleashes guild vs. guild

Posted: 25 Aug 2011 12:00 PM PDT

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Lucent Heart GvG
With Lucent Heart's Scaena expansion fast on the way, the developers have yet to run out of new and exciting features to share with the game's players. This week, it's all about pitting guild against guild in mortal conflict. Who will rise? Who will fall? And most importantly of all, who will be pwned and who will be leet?

It seems as though Gamania is angling this expansion toward as wide an array of player types as possible, with not only GvG combat satiating the PvP crowd, but Scaena's custom dancing tools pleasing the fluff nuts and new bosses and zones appealing to the PvE questers.

Today we have several exclusive pictures showing off Lucent Heart's guild vs. guild combat, as well as an in-depth look into this system from the developers after the jump!

Gallery: Lucent Heart Core Gallery

Continue reading Massively Exclusive: Lucent Heart unleashes guild vs. guild

MassivelyMassively Exclusive: Lucent Heart unleashes guild vs. guild originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 25 Aug 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Secret World trailer focuses on factions, PvP

Posted: 25 Aug 2011 11:30 AM PDT

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The Secret World - templars
The hype machine for The Secret World is swinging into high gear following the recent announcement of the conspiracy-laden MMORPG's spring 2012 launch date. The latest reveal is a brand-new trailer that focuses on the game's PvP elements.

The first third of the two-minute clip is a bit of a recap for those of you who haven't kept up with the game to this point. There's a hidden world, take the red pill, dark days are coming, etc. The final two thirds of the clip features some new looks at PvP footage as well as more glimpses of the game's gorgeous visual palette. We also get a brief rundown on the three warring factions, and the Dragons, Templars, and Illuminati all come across as worthy adversaries in terms of both style and substance. Check out all the details and make your choice after the cut.

Continue reading New Secret World trailer focuses on factions, PvP

MassivelyNew Secret World trailer focuses on factions, PvP originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 25 Aug 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Massively teams up with Raptr and Bounty Hounds Online for piles of gaming prizes

Posted: 25 Aug 2011 11:00 AM PDT

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Bounty Hounds Online screenshot
SUBA Games, the company behind Bounty Hounds Online, has been offering some pretty exciting contests for the game's beta testers.

The latest one is on an even bigger scale, and Massively has joined forces with Raptr and the Bounty Hounds Online team to give players the chance to win NOX headsets, a Razer mouse and keyboard, and piles of in-game currency for BHO. The event is divided into three contests, so you've got several different ways to win. There's a contest for captioning a screenshot, one for hours logged via Raptr, and one for pure random luck.

You can get all the details on the Bounty Hounds Online forums. The contest lasts until September 5th, so get your entries in and good luck!

MassivelyMassively teams up with Raptr and Bounty Hounds Online for piles of gaming prizes originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 25 Aug 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gaijin releases World of Planes screenshots and trailer

Posted: 25 Aug 2011 10:30 AM PDT

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World of Planes - Me 109
World of Warplanes isn't the only free-to-play World War II aviation title spooling up on the flight line, as Gaijin has just released a new trailer and a bevy of screenshots for World of Planes (yes, that's the actual name).

If the new assets are anything to go by, World of Planes will be pretty stiff competition. Despite an intertitle that says the in-game footage is from an alpha build and not representative of the final product, the clip is pretty impressive. We're treated to a bird's eye view of a squadron of Dauntless divebombers making their way towards a Japanese ship convoy, and there are a couple of obscure aircraft on display (including the Brewster Buffalo and a Rufe, which is basically an amphibious version of the more famous Mitsubishi Zero).

Gaijin seems to have an eye for detail as well (note the operating dive brakes on the Dauntless and the exposed wing rib on an Me 109 above, and in the screenshot gallery below). You can learn more at the game's official website, and don't forget to check out the four-minute trailer after the cut.

Gallery: World of Planes

Continue reading Gaijin releases World of Planes screenshots and trailer

MassivelyGaijin releases World of Planes screenshots and trailer originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 25 Aug 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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