MMO News

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• City of Heroes launches free-to-play
• Luvinia Launch Tour
• Drakensang reaches 1 million
• The Lord of the Rings Online launches Rise of Isengard
• Act XIII arriving in Dungeon Fighter Online
• Flyff World Tournament means free prizes for players
• Eden Eternal previews October update

City of Heroes launches free-to-play Posted: 27 Sep 2011 02:24 PM PDT NCSoft has officially launched City of Heroes Freedom, the new free-to-play model for City of Heroes. Free players can access all content up to level 50 for free, with access to eight Archetypes, two character slots, and most Task Forces, Strike Forces, Trials, and Raids. Free players will not be able to access alignment changes, day jobs, mission architect, or live support unless they upgrade to a premium (subscription) account. The launch of the model coincides with Issue 21: Convergence, a patch which introduces a new starting experience, a new zone with a special public event, Signature Story Arcs, the Underground Incarnate Trial, and new powers and costumes. NCSoft also publishes Aion and Lineage II. City of Heroes Gameplay Screenshot Source: City of Heroes FreedomTM Blasts into a New Era Players Experience Super-Powered Choice, Rewards and Content on Their Terms NCsoft® and Paragon Studios™ are excited to announce the launch of City of Heroes Freedom™, the new gameplay model that offers existing and new players unparalleled access to acclaimed content found within the world's most popular super heroic MMO. Starting today, the Freedom model allows all players to reach level 50 at no cost, while providing players with the option to purchase new content a la carte to build a one-of-a-kind gaming experience. Kicking off this era of choice, reward and content is Issue 21: Convergence, which is ready for players as soon as they log in. Issue 21: Convergence and City of Heroes Freedom come packed with a whole new zone, Incarnate Trial, powers, costumes and more, including the new monthly Signature Story Arcs and the Paragon Rewards Program. "Our fans have come to expect great content and with City of Heroes Freedom we've clearly raised the bar by delivering the best gameplay we've ever developed, and giving players the choice to truly customise their gaming experience" said Brian Clayton, Executive Producer at Paragon Studios. "We aren't just flipping a switch and going 'Free-to-Play.' We're embarking on the biggest content and feature update to City of Heroes in its seven-year history." The launch of Issue 21: Convergence leads the charge of City of Heroes Freedom with a plethora of new content for eager participants. Below is what players will experience with City of Heroes Freedom today: ·         New Zone: First Ward, the training and testing grounds for some of Praetoria's most elite forces and sinister weapons, is where players will encounter all new threats, including the massive zone-wide event, the Seed of Hamidon. ·         New Epic Challenges: The Underground Incarnate Trial takes place deep below the streets of Praetoria, in the secret lair of the Devouring Earth. Those strong enough to break through their stronghold may reach the devastating Avatar of Hamidon for a final showdown of epic proportions. Up to 28 players can team up to fight new menaces and unlock great rewards. ·         New Power Sets and Costumes: Time Manipulation (free for VIP Players), Beam Rifle and Street Justice represent just the beginning of new powers coming to players with City of Heroes Freedom, while the Barbarian and the Circle of Thorns Costume Sets, as well as the IDF and Defense Costume Sets (free for VIP Players) add even more options to the millions of customisation options at a players' fingertips. ·         New Starting Experience: Puts new players right in the middle of the action, giving them access to all archetypes with no alignment restriction. During the new starting experience, players will have the opportunity to determine whether they ally with the forces of good, or harness the powers of evil. ·         New Missions: The debut of monthly Signature Story Arcs (free for VIP Players), enables players to play a key role in the main storyline as they fight alongside iconic heroes and villains and discover which of Paragon City's premier heroes will die! ·         New Rewards: The Paragon Rewards program is our way to thank players for investing in City of Heroes and provides new and unique in-game rewards designed around each player's unique tastes and play style. For more information on today's announcement, Issue 21 content and Freedom, please visit www.cityofheroes.com/freedom.

Luvinia Launch Tour Posted: 27 Sep 2011 11:56 AM PDT Luvinia Launch Tour Chip Smith, Outspark’s PR Manager, and "Mecha Rambo," one of Luvinia’s GMs, recently sat down with MMOHut to give us a tour of the new features in Luvinia’s open beta and launch. The Item Shop The item shop opened Thursday, September 22, giving players a chance to access special gear and boosts in the game for the first time, namely costumes and mounts (some of which are also obtainable in game). Costumes come in two pieces, head and body – Chip explained that they kept the costume slots limited to help players feel like they are buying a complete, unified costume, rather than having to buy several pieces to make a matching set. Both costume pieces range from the cute and playful (like civet costumes) to the serious and class-bound (like scout’s outfits), and go over the player’s current armor. Mounts are another main feature also available in the cash shop (players do get a permanent mount at level 10). Mounts come in three varieties, which can be upgraded with certain crafting materials. Mounts – and costumes, too – come in either 7-day or 30-day purchases in the shop. All of them can also be made permanent through the use of Planar Essences and a special synthesis box in game. These planar essences come sometimes from special events, and are otherwise available in the cash shop, but expect to see at least 100 of these required to make a mount permanent. Enhancement & Cards The tour also showcased how gear can be improved in Luvinia Online. Each item in Luvinia comes in one of five grades – gray, blue, green, purple, and orange, from most common to most rare. All items can be enhanced through the Enhancement system. With specific enhancement items, players can raise the stats of their gear, all the way to +20. There are four grades of enhancement (0-5, 5-10, 10-15, and 15-20) that require a different item to improve the gear. While enhancement can fail, items will not be destroyed , they’ll only be stripped of their enhancement level. Enhancements can also add a particle glow effect to your gear (including armor!) to make it stand out more. The most impressive part of the enhancement system is that it raises the stats of an item so significantly, a well-enhanced gear piece can be better than a higher level piece of better quality. Items can also be enhanced through the card system, enchantment that blends socketing with trading cards. As players quest and kill monsters, they have a chance of obtaining a card representing the monsters they’ve killed. These cards come with special stat boosts, and can then be placed in empty card slots inside a piece of equipment, to add their stats to the weapon for further customization. Cards can also be removed from items to replace them with new ones, although cards are destroyed in the process. Badges of Honor Also showcased was the badge and title system. Players can earn badges as they complete quests or events in game. These can be equipped through a special tab on the character screen, and may have several effects, including stat bonuses and special titles. These badges act as both an achievement system, letting players find and mark their progress overall, as well as granting another layer of character customization. It’s Your Time The game also features a daily calendar system. Each day, players can log in and complete a set of daily quests based on their level. These change every day, and grant experience based on a percentage of the character’s current level. Complete all the daily tasks, and you can gain an entire level, guaranteed. Players can also see their horoscope, part of the constellation system that will be fully implemented in a later patch to add more stat boosts based on the star sign of a character. Luvinia’s Game Plan Chip told us that the community feedback for Luvinia is strongly supportive of how much content the game already has (in fact, no player reached the level cap in either closed beta or open beta). Luvinia is developed by Shanda Games, a major game developer who is granting Outspark the first North American publishing rights to any of its games. The support, Chip assures us, is fantastic; content is already prepared for the next few months to raise the game’s level cap, introduce the secondary sub-classes, and enjoy holidays like Halloween and Christmas. Shanda has also helped offer Outspark a schedule of content to prepare for how fast players will consume content, so that players will always have something new to advance into. Luvinia Online launched officially on September 22, and is free-to-play along other Outspark titles. By Jaime Skelton Luvinia ScreenShots

Drakensang reaches 1 million Posted: 27 Sep 2011 11:43 AM PDT Bigpoint has announced that its browser-based RPG, Drakensang Online, has reached one million registered players since the launch of open beta. Drakensang recently launched its first big update, introducing Teganswall, a new area with new quests and challenges. The next major update is also being developed currently, expanding PvP features to include a guild system, arena battles, statistics, and a PvP-only server, along with an in-game buddy list. Bigpoint also publishes Battlestar Galactica Online. Drakensang Gameplay Screenshot Source: An army against evil: Drakensang Online and one million players ·         Drakensang Online sets new milestone after less than two months ·         Various new features expand game world and thrill the community Hamburg, September 26, 2011 – Bigpoint  (http://www.bigpoint.com/) celebrates a huge success story: With over one million players registered for Drakensang Online (http://www.drakensang-online.com) since the official launch of the Open Beta on August 8, 2011, it's not just the registrations that are on the rise, but the excitement too: With the first big update launched as well as many more to come, such as the community's highly anticipated PvP features, Bigpoint Berlin is keeping players on their toes with new adventures and challenges in the epic fantasy world of Drakensang Online. "Drakensang Online helped us prove, only after just a few short weeks, that it's possible to launch browser games with the same level of quality as traditional PC or console games," says Philip Reisberger, Chief Games Officer at Bigpoint. "Action RPG fans looking for an outstanding gaming adventure should definitely get in on this game now and experience the free-to-play Drakensang Online for themselves!" Since the launch of the first big update just a few short weeks ago, Drakensang Online players have had the chance to delve into "Teganswall" and discover not only many new quests and new items but also a completely new game region. The development team also plans on expanding the game with other PvP features, including a guild system, arena battles, statistics, buddy lists and a PVP-only server. "Our community keeps us supplied with a continual pool of ideas to further improve Drakensang Online," says Bernd Beyreuther, Head of Development of Bigpoint Berlin. "We already have a plethora of new content updates planned – and Drakensang Online is just in its infancy. As a developer, it's a great feeling to be able to develop the game world together with the game fans themselves." Drakensang Online's free-to-play and browser-based Open Beta is available to play on the official website http://www.drakensang-online.com/ in a variety of different languages such as German, English, French not to mention Spanish, Italian and Polish. Additional game information can be found on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/drakensangonline/) as well as Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/drakensang/).

The Lord of the Rings Online launches Rise of Isengard Posted: 27 Sep 2011 10:45 AM PDT The Rise of Isengard, a new major expansion for The Lord of the Rings Online, is now live and available for players. The expansion, available through purchase in the in-game store, expands the game’s major story through three new regions (Dunland, Gap of Rohan, and Isengard) and raises the game’s level cap to 75. A new 24-player raid is also introduced. The expansion also comes with a host of in-game changes and new concepts like quest phasing and public dungeons. The Lord of the Rings Online is published by Turbine, which also publishes Dungeons and Dragons Online. The Lord of the Rings Online: Rise of Isengard Gameplay Screenshot Source: TURBINE LAUNCHES THE LORD OF THE RINGS ONLINE™: RISE OF ISENGARD™ Third Major Expansion to the 2010 MMO of the Year Now Available Across North America & Europe Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and Turbine announced today the launch of The Lord of the Rings Online™: Rise of Isengard™, the next expansion to the award-winning free-to-play massively multiplayer online roleplaying game (MMORPG). Players across North America and Europe can purchase and play Rise of Isengard starting today by visiting http://www.lotro.com/isengard. "We're very excited to launch the first major expansion to LOTRO since going free-to-play," said Aaron Campbell, Senior Producer of The Lord of the Rings Online, Turbine.  "We can't wait for players to continue their adventures through Middle-earth and engage with epic locations such as Orthanc and iconic characters such as Saruman and Grima Wormtongue.  We're seeing tremendous excitement from our players as Rise of Isengard is already LOTRO's best selling expansion ever!" THE LORD OF THE RINGS ONLINE: RISE OF ISENGARD FEATURES: Ø  Explore Three New Regions! — The time has come for you to turn eastward, toward the vale of Isengard.  Where ancient forests once flourished, a corrupted waste of metal and wheels suffers under the thrall of the traitorous wizard Saruman.  Here, in the shadows of the tower of Orthanc, gathers an army of Orcs and Uruk-hai, toiling to make ready for war. Forge ahead into these devastated lands and uncover new quests, skills, and traits as you strive to thwart Saruman's ambition. -         Dunland – Adventure amidst the bright forests in the foothills of the southern Misty Mountains. Beware the Dunland Clans, rugged warriors tempted by the dark promise of power. -         Gap of Rohan – Battle over the legendary pass between Eriador and the plane of Rohan. This key strategic point must be defended against the ambitions of Sauron. -         Isengard – Explore Orthanc, one of the iconic Two Towers as it rises over the once beautiful Isengard valley. The once beautiful vale now desecrated beyond imagination by the Wizard Saruman the betrayer. Ø  Advance to Level 75! -         Face new challenges and continue to forge your own legend in Middle-earth with all-new epic quests, skills, and deeds as you fight new enemies on your journey level 75! Ø  Master the Legendary New 24-Player Raid! -         Face the ancient evil of Draigoch, one of the most powerful creatures in Middle-earth! Prepare for the ultimate challenge where nothing less than the strength of an entire force of 24 heroes stands the chance of victory. The Lord of the Rings Online is the ultimate adventure. This award-winning free-to-play massively multiplayer online role-playing game delivers an interactive experience brimming with life and filled with the familiar people, places and monsters from the most famous fantasy of all time.  For more information, visit www.lotro.com.

Act XIII arriving in Dungeon Fighter Online Posted: 26 Sep 2011 06:12 PM PDT Dungeon Fighter Online will be adding its next major update, Act XIII: Chaos Reigns, on September 28. The update will add the Altar of Infity, found in the Valley of Fallen Souls. Players will face off against 15 waves against enemies, and then face off against the boss Chaos Agares. All players who beat the boss have a chance to become the week’s “Chosen One,” a special title granted each Friday evening. Also introduced is a mentorship system (granting experience and gold bonuses to the mentor and apprentice), and 2nd Chronical sets for each class. Dungeon Fighter Online is published by Nexon, which also publishes Dragon Nest and MapleStory. Dungeon Fighter Online: Act XIII Screenshots: Source: To Infinity and Beyond Massive new dungeon opens its gates in Dungeon Fighter Online during Act XIII Update The Altar of Infinity will be opening up its gates in Arad this month during the Act XIII: Chaos Reigns Update in Dungeon Fighter Online. Nexon's arcade-style massively multiplayer online game will receive the Act XIII update on September 28. Players levels 30-70 will soon be able to explore the Altar of Infinity, which is Reaper Dreyfus' third structure in the Valley of Fallen Souls. While the new dungeon may be familiar to players who have battled through the Tower of the Dead and the Tower of Illusion, at the Altar of Infinity players will face 15 rounds of deranged beasts to test their body and spirit. Once players fight through the Altar they will ultimately face boss monster Chaos Agares. Any Dungeon Fighter who challenges the Altar of Infinity will have the chance to be selected by Chaos Agares to become the Chosen One, a title that will be bestowed upon the anointed ones each Friday at  5 pm PT. The Act XIII update will also feature a mentorship system which allows players to be both a Mentor (a high level character) and an Apprentice (a lower level character). By forming an Alliance, players can help each other's characters level up by battling through dungeons together as party-playing will grant both an EXP and gold bonus. A Mentor can have up to nine Apprentices under them, and after reaching the Alliance level ten, the Mentor and the Apprentice will receive rewards even when they are not party-playing with each other. Dungeon Fighters will also be able to experience even more power with the 2nd Chronicle Sets, which are exceptional items that can be acquired through specific quests, NPC Dorothy and from dungeons run on King's Road. Each character class will have an enhanced new set of items giving them the edge against evil and other Dungeon Fighters. To learn more about Dungeon Fighter Online or to download and play for free, visit http://dungeonfighter.nexon.net. You can also "like" DFO on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/dungeonfighteronline

Flyff World Tournament means free prizes for players Posted: 26 Sep 2011 05:32 PM PDT The Flyff: Fly For Fun World Championship is now taking place, with the US Flyff team heading up against Brazil in the next match on September 30. To celebrate, Flyff is offering free goodies for players to log in and support their team. Starting September 28, players will automatically receive a free item per day, each day they log in. They will also receive a prize for every level they gain until October 31. A week of double experience will also be offered. gPotato also publishes Tales Runner and Allods Online. Flyff: Fly For Fun Gameplay Screenshot Source: $100,000 Flyff World Championship: Prepare for Glory and Prizes! 16 Teams Represent Their Nations in a High Stakes eSports Tournament Sunnyvale, Calif. – September 26th, 2011 Thirteen weeks of competition have finally led up to the event 16 lucky teams have been waiting for:  the $100,000 Flyff World Championship (FWC)!  On September 24th the opening rounds were broadcast all over the world for friends, family, and the Flyff community to see.  Teams from around the world went head-to-head for the chance to win $100,000 in prizes including a trip to G-Star 2011, the biggest online gaming convention in Korea! US wildcard team SOD went up against Spanish home team HEROES in the first round of the FWC. Both teams sent their best eight players into the new, never-before-seen PvP arena for two sets of matches.  SOD emerged triumphant and now the US Flyff community hopes to send two champions to the next round as top-ranked Invictus guild prepares for their match against Brazil on September 30, 6PM PST. To watch the Invictus match live on September 30 at 6PM PST, go to the FWC livestream!  Recordings of matches will also be available on the official Flyff Youtube channel. Flyff players can log in to support their team – and get goodies for themselves, too! Starting September 28, anyone who logs in will automatically receive one free item per day. This could be anything from useful amplification scrolls to rare pets, including the ever-popular Mocomochi. Players will also receive a prize for every level they gain until October 31, and with one week of double experience in effect, it's never been easier to gain those levels quickly. Get in on the excitement and play Flyff today by visiting the official website!

Eden Eternal previews October update Posted: 26 Sep 2011 04:28 PM PDT October will feature another major update for Aeria Games’ latest free-to-play MMORPG, Eden Eternal. The patch will raise the level cap from 55 to 60, and introduces the new Templar class (third under the defensive tier), letting them use holy magic to heal or smite their foes. The patch also will introduce player housing, where players can rent a house and decorate with items (found through quests or purchased), as well as let others visit their house for stat buffs; new maps (Decay Swamp and Highlands, each with their own dungeon, plus Cyclone Basin and Viper’s Forest); a new daily event featuring pirate invasions in Aven; partial enchantments; and the ability to earn Alpaca coins in higher level areas. Aeria Games also publishes Grand Fantasia and Dream of Mirror Online. Eden Eternal Gameplay Screenshot Source: New Content Planned for Eden Eternal in Early October Prepare for Customizable Player Housing and the Templar Class SANTA CLARA, Calif.  – Sept. 26, 2011 – Aeria Games, a leading global publisher of free-to-play online games, is expected to release a new content heavy patch for Eden Eternal in early October that will pack features such as the new Templar class, raise in level cap and customizable player housing. Player housing is a new feature that will allow players to rent a house from one of the new Innkeeper NPCs and fully decorate their houses with various items they can purchase or earn through quests. Players now have the ability to hold "parties," which will allow players to visit their homes and earn various status boosts. Eden Eternal's level cap will also increase from level 55 to 60 and will give players the ability to change to the new Templar class. The Templar class is the third class under the defensive tier and they possess holy magic, which allows them to either heal or deal holy damage to enemies. The Templar class will be accessible to those at level 60 along with any level 55 Cleric or Knight. Also included in the upcoming content patch: ·        Uncharted Territories: The new content patch has a variety of new areas that are tailored for those who have hit high levels. The Central Continent will include two new level 55 maps named "Decay Swamp" and "Highlands," which both include 2 dungeons as well. The Southeastern Continent will include two new maps that are called "Cyclone Basin" and "Viper's Forest." ·        Pirate Invasion Event: Pirates will be invading Aven at random times in the day. Players must eliminate all pirates and the almighty One-Eye Roger will appear as the last boss. Participants will be rewarded but the top 4 players that deal the most damage to One-Eye Roger will have statues of their character on display in town until the next invasion. ·        Partial Enchantments: This new system will allow players to craft even better items than before. Players will be able to purchase various specialized enchants from a new merchant in Aven. ·        Alpacas Coins: Gold and silver Alpaca coins will be available through quests in higher level areas and the coins can be redeemed for various items. Just like all of Aeria Games' other titles, Eden Eternal is free to play. For more information regarding Eden Eternal, please visit http://edeneternal.aeriagames.com.

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MMO Updates

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• Digimon Masters open beta starts today
• Troy Online reveals update schedule
• ZT Online 2 open beta attracts 435K concurrent users
• Massively exclusive: Rusty Hearts prepares for the Awakening
• Vindictus European open beta begins tomorrow
• Turbine celebrates Rise of Isengard's launch with monsters and movies
• Square Enix says FFXIV greatly damaged Final Fantasy brand
• BioWare's Doctors: 'We have an aggressive post-launch plan'
• The Daily Grind: Should stores pull game boxes for games that are no longer for sale?
• Flyff World Championship offering prizes to players as the tournament continues
• New Dragon Nest videos show off Saint's Haven, new abilities
• Not So Massively: Dominion launch edition
• Funcom's Craig Morrison on SWTOR and MMO industry advances
• Eden Eternal update bringing new class, player housing, and more
• SOE gearing up for PlanetSide 2 dev chats
• Wings Over Atreia: Coming soon -- Crucible III
• One Shots: Watch where you throw that!
• Flameseeker Chronicles: The clock is ticking
• Lost Pages of Taborea: Beating the economy
• Lord of the Rings Online: Rise of Isengard patch notes are up!
• Guild Wars 2 wins Eurogamer's Game of the Show
• Custom video content available in EVE's captain's quarters

Digimon Masters open beta starts today Posted: 27 Sep 2011 10:30 AM PDT Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Sci-fi, News items, Free-to-play Di-Di-Di-Digimon, digital monsters, Digimon are the champions! Err... Ahem. Sorry. Joymax announced today that Digimon Masters, its newest MMO based on the popular monster-collecting franchise, has entered open beta. Players will be able to capture hundreds of Digimon from the first five anime series, and then pit them against one another in ruthless fights to the digi-death. The press release claims that players can expect "a deeper RPG experience, enhanced graphics, and adrenaline-pumping real-time combat." It's up to players to use their digital pets to save both the digital world and the real one from certain destruction. To get in on the action, head on over to the game's official site and register for an account. [Source: Joymax press release] Digimon Masters open beta starts today originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 27 Sep 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

Troy Online reveals update schedule Posted: 27 Sep 2011 10:00 AM PDT Filed under: Fantasy, Patches, News items, Free-to-play ALT1Games' Troy Online has been running steadily for just over a month now, and not long ago the devs dropped the news of a large-scale update coming to the game. A tentative schedule for this update was announced in a press release today, with portions of the update being carried out over the span of the next couple of weeks. The update of the week of September 22nd focused on fixing balance issues, while a new battlefield will be introduced on the 29th. October 6th will see convenience-centric updates, and October 13th's update will round things out with updates concerning the new battlefield system. For more details on these upcoming additions to the game, head on over to Troy Online's official site. [Source: ALT1Games press release] Troy Online reveals update schedule originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 27 Sep 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

ZT Online 2 open beta attracts 435K concurrent users Posted: 27 Sep 2011 09:30 AM PDT Filed under: Fantasy, MMO industry, New titles, News items, Free-to-play For the past couple of years, EVE Online and World of Tanks have been duking it out to see which game can outfox the other in the hunt for the MMORPG peak concurrent user record. As of this week there may be a new contender for the crown if ZT Online 2's open beta period is any indication. The game is a sequel to Giant Interactive's popular ZT Online martial arts title, and the recent open beta period featured an impressive 435,000 simultaneous players online. Gamasutra has the details, culled from a Giant press release, and the company also indicates that approximately 400 developers have worked on the title over the past three years. ZT Online 2 open beta attracts 435K concurrent users originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 27 Sep 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Source: Gamasutra

Massively exclusive: Rusty Hearts prepares for the Awakening Posted: 27 Sep 2011 09:00 AM PDT Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Patches, Free-to-play Open betas are always a heady time for players and MMO studios alike, and Rusty Hearts is proving to be no exception to this. The fast-pace action title has been in open beta for a little under a month at this point, but Perfect World Entertainment is already putting the final touches on its first major content update, Awakening. Perfect World promises that Awakening not only contains some ideas the developers thought would be good to get in the game, but several features that came as a result of player feedback. With a higher level cap, additional quests and dungeons, and weapons galore, Rusty Hearts players are going to have their plates full when the update hits on October 11th. For an exclusive sneak peek at all of the details of this exciting update, hit the jump and find out what's in store for a very rusty future! Continue reading Massively exclusive: Rusty Hearts prepares for the Awakening Massively exclusive: Rusty Hearts prepares for the Awakening originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 27 Sep 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

Vindictus European open beta begins tomorrow Posted: 27 Sep 2011 08:30 AM PDT Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, News items, Free-to-play, Vindictus European fans have been waiting quite some time to get their hands on Nexon's dungeon-crawling hack-'n'-slash title Vindictus, and after this month's closed beta, the wait is drawing to a close. An announcement on the game's Facebook page today proclaimed that Vindictus' pre-launch stage (read: open beta) begins tomorrow. So you've got one more night to hone your steel and reinforce your armor, European players. This time tomorrow, you're free to rampage through the lands of Vindictus, smashing skulls as you please. To sign up to participate in the festivities, just head on over to the game's official site. Vindictus European open beta begins tomorrow originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 27 Sep 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Source: Vindictus Europe Facebook page

Turbine celebrates Rise of Isengard's launch with monsters and movies Posted: 27 Sep 2011 08:00 AM PDT Filed under: Fantasy, Galleries, Screenshots, Trailers, Video, Lord of the Rings Online, Expansions, Free-to-play "The more we pretend that Middle-earth is safe, the blacker the enemy's shadow grows," an ominous voice proclaims at the start of the Rise of Isengard launch trailer. While Lord of the Rings Online's third expansion was officially slated to be released today, Turbine jumped the gun and got it out yesterday afternoon -- complete with patch notes. We'll be digging deep into Rise of Isengard this week on Massively, including broadcasting it on Massively TV and analysing the first few days of play in the next Road to Mordor column. To celebrate Rise of Isengard's arrival, Turbine is treating its fans to an inspirational launch trailer and several new screenshots demonstrating the fearsome might of Saruman's forces. You know the drill: screenshots below, trailer after the jump! Gallery: Lord of the Rings Online Core Gallery Continue reading Turbine celebrates Rise of Isengard's launch with monsters and movies Turbine celebrates Rise of Isengard's launch with monsters and movies originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 27 Sep 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

Square Enix says FFXIV greatly damaged Final Fantasy brand Posted: 27 Sep 2011 07:30 AM PDT Filed under: Fantasy, Events, real-world, Patches, Final Fantasy XIV Square Enix has had a rough year since the launch of Final Fantasy XIV, and CEO Yoichi Wada acknowledged it frankly in a press conference today. "The Final Fantasy brand has been greatly damaged," says Wada. "We'll continue with our reform work, which basically amounts to fully redoing the game, and hope to revive the FFXIV that should have been released." The game is still without a subscription fee, and the team is churning out continual fixes and updates as they strive to repair things and undo the damage. Patch 1.19 is the next round of fixes and additions planned by Square Enix. Square Enix says FFXIV greatly damaged Final Fantasy brand originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 27 Sep 2011 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Source: Gamasutra

BioWare's Doctors: 'We have an aggressive post-launch plan' Posted: 27 Sep 2011 07:00 AM PDT Filed under: Sci-fi, Business models, Interviews, Launches, Star Wars: The Old Republic With the question of "When will Star Wars: The Old Republic ever launch?" finally answered, inquiring minds have turned to the future of the as-of-yet unreleased MMO. In an interview with Gamesindustry.biz, BioWare's Dr. Ray Muzyka and Dr. Greg Zeschuk covered many topics, including the studio's plans following December 20th. "We have a really aggressive plan post launch to build content and take the feedback to heart that we're getting from players and what they want for continued expansions, and use that feedback to build new content," Muzyka promised. The conversation also included a probing question about the decision to limit initial sales of the game. Muzyka says that stability and service are high priorities in the company: "You have to build the infrastructure to support a certain size launch and we're also thinking really long term at Bioware EA for this, there are going to be many, many consumers coming to the game over time and we're going to be expanding it out." Other topics covered include the funny exploits that players have discovered in beta, the challenges and joys of working on the Star Wars IP, and the issue of free-to-play business models versus subscriptions. In regards to the latter, Zeschuck isn't worried that SWTOR decided to go the sub route. "The trend for free-to-play doesn't supplant great top quality premium games that support a subscription," he said, while going on to laud the flexibility of F2P formats. BioWare's Doctors: 'We have an aggressive post-launch plan' originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 27 Sep 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Source: Gamesindustry.biz

The Daily Grind: Should stores pull game boxes for games that are no longer for sale? Posted: 27 Sep 2011 06:00 AM PDT Filed under: Opinion, The Daily Grind, Miscellaneous It's an ongoing joke among MMO fans: finding a shelf at your local Stuff Mart that contains Tabula Rasa boxes for sale or maybe a few copies of Realtime Worlds' version of APB. While doing some shopping this week, I came across a shelf of DC Universe Online boxes for $39.99, and while DCUO isn't free yet, it still set me thinking. Do stores have a certain responsibility to keep track of the status of these games and adjust their stock accordingly? I've heard both sides of the argument. On one hand, the retailer purchased those items for resale, and if the shop can sell them after the game has closed, changed hands, or gone free-to-play, more power to it. Maybe someone even wants to purchase one for nostalgia's sake. On the other hand, those shops are selling a nonfunctional product to potentially unsuspecting customers. Is the onus on the retailer to keep track, provide a warning to customers, and maybe even pull the items from the shelves? Or is it the customer's responsibility to make an informed purchase? Let us know what you think! 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: Should stores pull game boxes for games that are no longer for sale? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 27 Sep 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

Flyff World Championship offering prizes to players as the tournament continues Posted: 26 Sep 2011 08:00 PM PDT Filed under: Fantasy, Flyff, Events, real-world, Events, in-game, News items, Free-to-play, Promotions Think you're a pretty good Flyff player? We hate to be the bearers of bad news, but your opportunity to call yourself among the best is pretty well fading. The first Flyff world championship is currently ongoing, with the sixteen finalists now competing for the opportunity to be crowned the best team of players in the world. Two teams have already been eliminated, with livestreaming coverage of the events available on the official championship channel. But maybe you don't consider yourself one of the best in the world and don't usually care about these sorts of events. That's all right -- you've still got reason to enjoy it. Players will receive a special item every day just for logging in, as well as another item for every level they gain, from September 28th until October 31st. It's an all-around excellent opportunity for Flyff fans to enjoy the game, whether struggling for the top spot or just leveling for fun. [Source: Press release] Flyff World Championship offering prizes to players as the tournament continues originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 26 Sep 2011 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Source: FWC Livestreaming channel, FWC Archived channel

New Dragon Nest videos show off Saint's Haven, new abilities Posted: 26 Sep 2011 07:00 PM PDT Filed under: Video, Classes, Patches, Previews, News items, Free-to-play, Dragon Nest, Family Nexon's dungeon-crawling beat-'em-up MMO Dragon Nest is gearing up for its launch in just a couple of days, and the company has released a pair of videos to help pump up some excitement for the official release. The first trailer welcomes players to Saint's Haven, the new city to which players will be able to venture once the game officially goes live. The city provides players with a whopping 10 new dungeons as well as over 500 new quests. But what good are all those dungeons if you don't have the mad skills to clear 'em out? Don't worry, Nexon has you covered. Video number two focuses on all the fancy new abilities players will be granted when the game launches on the 28th. So whether you're a nimble Acrobat, a brutal Mercenary, or a zealous Paladin, you'll have plenty of new tricks up your sleeve to help turn the tide of battle. But less babble, more bashing, am I right? Head on past the cut for the full videos. Continue reading New Dragon Nest videos show off Saint's Haven, new abilities New Dragon Nest videos show off Saint's Haven, new abilities originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 26 Sep 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Source: MMOCrunch -- New Dragon Nest videos

Not So Massively: Dominion launch edition Posted: 26 Sep 2011 06:00 PM PDT Filed under: Betas, Video, Expansions, Game mechanics, Patches, PvP, News items, Free-to-play, Not So Massively Welcome to Not So Massively, our weekly roundup of the top news from popular multiplayer online battle arenas (MOBAs) and other multiplayer online games that aren't quite MMOs. Published every Monday, the column covers games such as League of Legends, Heroes of Newerth, Rise of Immortals, Bloodline Champions and more. League of Legends officially launched its new capture-point Dominion game mode today, following a short and successful beta and bringing fresh gameplay to a genre still largely dominated by standard DotA mechanics. And this week Heroes of Newerth released hilarious new tank hero Cthulhuphant, a highly mobile jungler with the ability to use enemy creeps as stunning projectiles. Diablo III has never really had a firm release date, but developers at Blizzard have been aiming for a 2011 release. This week we learned that release has been pushed back to a rough window of early 2012. Bloodline Champions also revealed details of a new avatar design contest this week, and Blacklight: Retribution released the first in a new series of dev diaries. Skip past the cut for details of this week's biggest news from the world of MOBAs and other online games that aren't quite MMOs. Continue reading Not So Massively: Dominion launch edition Not So Massively: Dominion launch edition originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 26 Sep 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

Funcom's Craig Morrison on SWTOR and MMO industry advances Posted: 26 Sep 2011 05:30 PM PDT Filed under: Fantasy, Sci-fi, Age of Conan, Culture, MMO industry, New titles, News items, Opinion, Free-to-play, Star Wars: The Old Republic, Miscellaneous Funcom's Craig Morrison is one of the more outspoken MMO devs on the planet, and the Age of Conan game director has weighed in with a lengthy personal blog update that reflects on the state of the industry, the future, and the impending success of Star Wars The Old Republic. Morrison, who goes by the handle Silirrion on Funcom's various forums, touches on the freight train that is SWTOR as well as why MMO veterans have been getting the cold shoulder from development companies in recent years. Vets are "yearning for the next advance in technology at a time when the industry itself is still refining the experience offered by the first generation of games," he says. "The formula for an MMO is still pretty much the same, in terms of structure, as it was a decade ago, and that frustration at a perceived lack of progress is what fuels a deal of the complaints." Is there any hope for the future, though? Morrison seems to think so, but he's not holding his breath on a timeframe. "I also think that those advances the veterans yearn for will come, and the genre will become more dynamic and community focused again, but maybe not in the near future, and almost certainly not with the upcoming generation of games," he writes. Funcom's Craig Morrison on SWTOR and MMO industry advances originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 26 Sep 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Source: Morrison's blog

Eden Eternal update bringing new class, player housing, and more Posted: 26 Sep 2011 05:00 PM PDT Filed under: Fantasy, Classes, Patches, News items, Free-to-play Aeria Games announced in a press release today that Eden Eternal will be on the receiving end of a rather large content update sometime in early October. What gives this update such heft? Well, for starters there's the new Templar class, plus a level cap raise, and oh yeah, player housing. If five new levels, a new class, and houses aren't enough for you, get this: You can throw parties! In your house! House parties! Anyway, also included in the update are a variety of high-level areas, alpaca coins (which can be found in high-level zones and redeemed for various prizes), and a new pirate invasion event! Shiver me timbers and all that, matey. To get in on the swashbuckling, house-partying fun, just head on over to Eden Eternal's official site and sign up. [Source: Aeria Games press release] Eden Eternal update bringing new class, player housing, and more originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 26 Sep 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

SOE gearing up for PlanetSide 2 dev chats Posted: 26 Sep 2011 04:00 PM PDT Filed under: Sci-fi, PlanetSide, MMO industry, New titles, News items, MMOFPS, PlanetSide 2 PlanetSide 2 is in the news again this week, but to be honest we don't know all the details as of yet. Sony Online Entertainment has sent out a press blurb stating that it will be "brief[ing] the troops on anything and everything related to the art of PlanetSide 2." This includes a chat with senior art director Tramell Isaac (whom die-hard fans will recognize as the art director on the original PlanetSide) scheduled for Tuesday, September 27th. Tramell will be discussing "the original PlanetSide's legacy and influence on PlanetSide 2's art style, and how SOE's powerful ForgeLight engine will carry this vision forward." Thursday brings a PlanetSide 2 webcast (also with a focus on art direction). After that, fans can look forward to a Twitter chat on Friday, and the dev team will be fielding multiple questions relating to the upcoming sci-fi MMOFPS. SOE gearing up for PlanetSide 2 dev chats originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 26 Sep 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Source: PlanetSide 2 announcement Via: PlanetSide Universe

Wings Over Atreia: Coming soon -- Crucible III Posted: 26 Sep 2011 03:00 PM PDT Filed under: Aion, Patches, Opinion, Wings Over Atreia, Family Look Pa! It's rainin' patches! In the midst of Daevas gorging themselves on festivities and goodies galore, NCsoft tossed out another juicy bit of information that might have been lost in the frenzy: Patch 2.7 will release on October 19, 2011. "Wait a minute!" you say, with second-anniversary cake dribbling from your mouth. "Didn't Aion just have a recent patch?" Aye folks, that it did! This patch will actually be the third in only a five-month span. Color me hopeful, but it certainly looks like someone was listening when I requested more frequent content updates. And I have to say I am pleased! Giving players more options only helps stave off boredom and retain players. From new instances (3rd Crucible, Padmarashka's Cave) to reductions in DP costs and skill cooldown timers, there are enough little goodies to keep Daevas entertained until the -- dare I hope not too long in coming -- next update. So what does Aion have in store for us this time around? Join me past the cut for a look at the the upcoming changes. Continue reading Wings Over Atreia: Coming soon -- Crucible III Wings Over Atreia: Coming soon -- Crucible III originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 26 Sep 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

One Shots: Watch where you throw that! Posted: 26 Sep 2011 02:00 PM PDT Filed under: Fantasy, Galleries, Screenshots, EverQuest II, One Shots Today's One Shots comes to us from the land of the absurd -- a wonderful place. Massively reader Ehra enjoyed a bit of silly fun in EverQuest II: I decided to try out EverQuest II last week (having a great time, by the way), and the other day I was greeted to a server-wide message from GM Euronyma about a racing event that was beginning. I zoned into the Thundering Steppes expecting some good-natured, wholesome competitive sportsmanship and instead received a giant GM Ratonga throwing cows at players. Arguably better. We're leaving the One Shots theme up to you this week! There's no theme and no requirement; just send us your favorite screenshots and tell us why you love them. Add your name and a little bit about the image, send it in to oneshots@massively.com, and we'll feature it in this week's One Shots! Gallery: One Shots: 2011 One Shots: Watch where you throw that! originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 26 Sep 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

Flameseeker Chronicles: The clock is ticking Posted: 26 Sep 2011 01:00 PM PDT Filed under: Fantasy, Guild Wars, Opinion, Guild Wars 2, Flameseeker Chronicles Disclaimer: Today's Flameseeker Chronicles is more along the "observation and thinking aloud" line than the "guide or news" line, so your input is very welcome at the end. It's been well over a year since the Hall of Monuments was unveiled for Guild Wars 2, bringing with it a large and ongoing influx of new players. These are players who either tried Guild Wars 1 and it didn't stick for them, or players who never tried it in the first place but are here now to prepare for Guild Wars 2. New players are great -- a bigger community is often a win for everyone involved. But this new playerbase isn't exactly what we've been used to. Follow along after the jump and let's take a look. Continue reading Flameseeker Chronicles: The clock is ticking Flameseeker Chronicles: The clock is ticking originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 26 Sep 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

Lost Pages of Taborea: Beating the economy Posted: 26 Sep 2011 12:00 PM PDT Filed under: Fantasy, Economy, Opinion, Free-to-play, Runes of Magic, Lost Pages of Taborea Last week, I expounded on Runes of Magic's current economic situation. Prices are crazier than the obligatory car salesman's, only in reverse. That is to say, prices are extremely high for everything right now. It doesn't stop the game from functioning, but it does put a lot of gear and upgrading tools out of reach for new and free players. This week in Lost Pages of Taborea, I want to look at a handful of ways that you can continue to enjoy RoM until the storm blows over (if it blows over). Even though prices seem out of hand, you can still get equipped well enough from new quests to start running dungeons. The minigames have been rejuvenated into farming grounds, thanks to the introduction of crimson stats. And even though it is often scoffed at, arena gear is an option for those willing to grind honor points or materials. Continue reading Lost Pages of Taborea: Beating the economy Lost Pages of Taborea: Beating the economy originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 26 Sep 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

Lord of the Rings Online: Rise of Isengard patch notes are up! Posted: 26 Sep 2011 11:30 AM PDT Filed under: Fantasy, Lord of the Rings Online, Expansions, Patches, News items, Free-to-play Denizens of Middle-earth, the big day is almost here! Lord of the Rings Online: Rise of Isengard goes live tomorrow, and Turbine has prepared a fresh, pipin'-hot batch of patch notes for your perusal. So what do players have to look forward to? Well, there are three new zones -- the Gap of Rohan, Dunland, and (duh) Isengard -- as well as 10 additional levels of content. Lore-fiends will be able to play through one of the largest Book questlines to date, while those of a more pugilistic persuasion can square off with the gargantuan Draigoch in a 24-player raid. All nine classes have received updates as well, so no matter what you play, there are plenty of goodies in store. Free players can now take part in monster play, which should hopefully bring a bit more conflict to the Ettenmoors. Crafters aren't getting left in the cold, either, as the update introduces tier 7 crafting and a "slew of new recipes." For the full, unabridged patch notes, head on over to the LotRO official site and take a gander. See you folks in Isengard! Lord of the Rings Online: Rise of Isengard patch notes are up! originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 26 Sep 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Source: Lord of the Rings Online: Rise of Isengard patch notes

Guild Wars 2 wins Eurogamer's Game of the Show Posted: 26 Sep 2011 11:00 AM PDT Filed under: Fantasy, Events, real-world, Guild Wars 2, Massively Event Coverage Not many games can claim that they stood up to Batman and prevailed, but Guild Wars 2 fought off the Dark Knight and more to win the Editors' Game of the Show at this past weekend's Eurogamer Expo. Competing against such high-profile titles like Battlefield 3 and Batman: Arkham City, Guild Wars 2 came out as the clear favorite of the editorial staff at Eurogamer. Guild Wars 2 was picked from a field of 10 nominees for its scope and ideas. Eurogamer's Tom Bramwell handed out the high praise: "It was almost impossible to choose between some of this year's nominees, but Guild Wars 2 eventually won us over with its incredible depth and intelligent new approach to MMO design." Eurogamer Expo 2011 attracted over 34,500 attendees, who made up what the show runners claim is the largest audience for the convention yet. [Source: Eurogamer Network press release] Guild Wars 2 wins Eurogamer's Game of the Show originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 26 Sep 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Source: Gamesindustry.biz

Custom video content available in EVE's captain's quarters Posted: 26 Sep 2011 10:30 AM PDT Filed under: Sci-fi, EVE Online, Game mechanics, MMO industry, News items, Sandbox Chances are you haven't really fantasized about kicking back in your captain's quarters and watching a movie or three. After all, EVE Online is about blowing people up -- or preferably, scamming them and then blowing them up, amirite? Similarly, hanging out in the game's Incarna interiors is for imaginative carebears and inept internet spaceship pilots, according to some. Nevertheless, CCP has released a new dev blog detailing how you can go about customizing the infinite video loop that currently runs on your CQ's widescreen television. It involves converting your videos to the .BIK format and sticking them into the appropriate folder, and CCP Optimal outlines the technical details at the official EVE Online website. Custom video content available in EVE's captain's quarters originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 26 Sep 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Source: EVE dev blog

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