General Gaming Article

General Gaming Article


Wi-Fi Basics: A Beginner's Guide to the Wireless Web

Posted: 18 Oct 2011 02:42 PM PDT

Mind your Bs, Ns, and Gs as we break down the ABCs (and many Ws) of Wi-Fi

The popularity of home networks has increased dramatically over the last decade, a phenomenon which can be directly attributed to the increase in broadband availability, but credit is also due to the accessibility that Wi-Fi provides to consumers. Not only are Wi-Fi products easy to configure and relatively inexpensive to implement, but many home computing devices have wireless radios pre-installed.

While connecting to a wireless network can be as simple as a few button presses or taps, there is a lot that goes into making the bits magically travel through the ether. We're going to take a look at some of the building blocks that go into making your wireless network stable and fast, with an eye toward security and standards. We'll also cover some of the devices that can improve your wireless network and ways you can use your Wi-Fi while away from home.

Important Terms

In order to have an intelligent conversation about Wi-Fi, there are a couple of key terms that need to be defined up front. The first is the SSID (Service Set Identifier) or network name. The SSID is the door to connecting to a Wi-Fi network, and is often the only piece of information you will need to get connected.

More of a concept than a term is the idea of channels. Like any Radio Frequency based technology, Wi-Fi uses radio waves of different band-widths to transmit data. Channels define the range of wave-lengths that a transmitter uses. For example several of the Wi-Fi standards use the 2.4GHz frequency, which ranges from 2.4000-2.4835GHz. This frequency range is divided into 13 channels which includes substantial overlap. To make matters more confusing only certain channels are usable from a legal standpoint in different countries. The United States for example uses channels 1-11.

802.11 Standards

The term Wi-Fi refers specifically to the IEEE 802.11 set of standards for wireless networks. Different individual standards are designated by a letter following the 802.11, such as in 802.11g or 802.11n. In general all of the 802.11 standards operate on either a 2.4GHz or 5GHz radio frequency, though some can work on both bands.

802.11a and 802.11b are some of the oldest the Wi-Fi standards and operate on the 5GHz and 2.4GHz frequencies respectively. It could be said that 802.11b was the standard that popularized Wi-Fi, and many legacy devices still utilize this standard today. The biggest differentiators between these original standards from a practical standpoint are speed and range. 802.11a enables speeds of up to 54Mbit/s but the shorter wavelength isn't as effective at penetrating walls and other obstructions making it less feasible for home networks. 802.11b is limited to 11Mbit/s of throughput, but the 2.4GHz frequency handles signal degradation better.

802.11g combined the benefits of its predecessors, offering 54Mbit/s using a 2.4GHz radio. An additional benefit of using 802.11g is the backward compatibility with 802.11b client devices, though using an 802.11b device on an 802.11g network will reduce the data rate for all clients to 11Mbit/s.

802.11n is the current Wi-Fi standard, and supports the use of both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. This ability to use both sets of frequencies is known as MIMO (Multiple-Input Multiple-Output). The key benefits to using 802.11n devices are data rates up to 600MBit/s, and some additional security features. 802.11n offers backward compatibility, though for performance reasons these features are optional, and are not always enabled.

Device Types

Much of the confusion with Wi-Fi is due to the number of devices on the market and the range of terms that are used to describe hardware that perform the same functions. The simplest way to look at a wireless network is to realize that there are essentially only two types of devices, Access Points and Clients, both of which can come in a variety of form factors.

An Access Point is generally the core of your wireless network and is generally physically connected to a wired network as well. Configuration of your wireless settings such as the radio channel, security, and SSID is managed on the Access Point itself. Some examples of Access Point type devices are Wireless Routers or Wireless Range Extenders. While the differences between these monikers are subtle, they can be important to how your network is configured. In its purest form, an Access Point is simply a device that connects a wireless network to a wired network. A Wireless Router indicates that the device includes additional functionality from a networking standpoint that will allow various devices to talk to each other and share an internet connection. Range Extenders are a little hard to explain, but essentially combine features of both Access Point and Client to extend the range of your wireless network without requiring you to run additional networking cable.

Wi-Fi Client devices are any device that connects to the wireless network offered up by an Access Point. These could be laptop or desktop computers, tablets, cellular phones, printers, or even home theater equipment. Typically a Wi-Fi client will have some means of connecting to a specific SSID or list of SSID's, and the ability to configure security settings like an encryption key or passphrase. Clients can also create an ad-hoc or peer-to-peer network, which is made by two clients connecting to each other. This doesn't offer the same flexibility or power of an Access Point based network, but there are scenarios where a peer-to-peer network makes sense.


Use Cases

Ok, so now that you know the basics let's get our hands dirty by running through a few common scenarios where you would use a Wi-Fi connection and detail the basic steps to get things working.

The most common example is a basic home wireless network. Let's say you have two computers, one wired desktop and one wireless laptop. The first device you would need for your wireless network would be an Access Point. For cost reasons it makes a lot of sense to buy one device that will perform multiple roles, so we'll recommend some sort of wireless router.

Typically a wireless router will offer wired connectivity, so you should connect your desktop in to one of the Ethernet ports. Following the manufacturer's instructions you will want to enable the wireless interface, configure an SSID, and enable the wireless security features. You will want to make a note of your SSID and security key for later use. The laptop will then need to be configured to use the SSID and security key to communicate to the wireless router.

A second common example is using a public Wi-Fi hotspot, such as a coffee shop or library. This is a much easier scenario as generally there is no security key involved. Simply find the SSID for the Wi-Fi network you wish to connect with and away you go. Be aware that public networks should be treated as such, and using computer security features like antivirus and firewall software is highly recommended. It's also worth noting that public hotspots also have "terms of agreement" that must be agreed to, and you may want to give those a look before using the connection.

Our third use case is a little more advanced. Let's pick up where we left off with the home networking example, we have an existing network with a wireless router, but we need to extend the reach of the wireless network into another part of the house. The best solution is to run an Ethernet cable from your wireless router to a location that is central to the area you want Wi-Fi signal. An additional Access Point can be added to the network to provide better signal to a larger area. When adding a second Access Point there are some additional things to consider. You will typically want to configure the same SSID and security key, to allow your wireless devices to roam between Access Points. However, you need to make sure that the Wi-Fi channels are configured differently, and that your frequency use does not overlap. This will help prevent interference which could potentially degrade the usability of your wireless network.

Best Practices

Wi-Fi networking offers great flexibility over wired networks and the speed increases in the latest standards make it a very attractive solution, but there are tradeoffs. The biggest area of concern for people trying to get the most from their wireless network is signal strength. Wi-Fi signals are fairly robust, and will generally function throughout a good sized house, but sometimes there are simple solutions for improving your coverage.

The best rule of thumb for getting the best coverage from your Access Point is to centrally locate it in the area where you want to be able to get a signal. If your house is the primary area of use you should find a location as close to the center of the house as possible. If you want coverage in your back yard you might think about moving the Access Point closer to the rear of the house.

An additional thing to consider is the height at which you place your Access Point. Generally there are more physical obstructions the closer you get to the floor. Small furniture, electronics, even pets or other people have a negative effect on radio frequency. Placing your Access Point on a bookshelf or even mounting it on a wall can increase your signal dramatically. Of course adding variables like a house with multiple floors adds complexity, and your results will vary.

Our last recommendation is harder to troubleshoot, and can be painful to execute. Wi-Fi devices use radio frequencies that are open game for other wireless standards and devices like Bluetooth, cordless phones, or wireless peripherals like a mouse or keyboard. Interference is often caused when two wireless devices are attempting to operate using the same radio frequency. Most Wi-Fi Access Points allow for the user to change the channel used by the radio, which will sometimes help mitigate interference caused by other wireless devices.

Security

We would be remiss if we didn't point out that Wi-Fi networks need to be secured. There are many reasons for this ranging from protecting your personal information to not getting sued because of what an unauthorized user was doing with your network. The bottom line is security is worth being concerned about.

Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) was once the standard for Wi-Fi security, but has been frequently maligned and is not considered secure. Several tools exist that will analyze encrypted Wi-Fi traffic and provide the security key with little technical knowledge required.

Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) is a more secure solution than WEP, and is supported on most modern Wi-Fi devices. WPA also has vulnerabilities, but may be your best option if you're using an older Access Point.

WPA2 is the current standard for Wi-Fi security, and is required for new devices seeking Wi-Fi certification. WPA2 supports backwards compatibility with WPA clients, so there shouldn't be any client compatibility reasons to revert to WPA.

An additional security step that is commonly used is a hidden SSID. This isn't a full security measure, but can help prevent unauthorized users from seeing your network.

Our last security recommendation is to change the username and password used to log in to your Access Point itself. This will prevent unauthorized users or even viruses from modifying the configuration of your network.

Conclusion

Wi-Fi networks are pretty well here to stay, so you might as well get familiar with the various ins and outs provided by your current configuration. The convenience and flexibility offered by the standard is unparalleled, and the stability, speed, and security are improving by leaps and bounds. When configuring or troubleshooting your wireless network keep our best practices in mind.

For reviews of specific hardware visit our Networking section under Reviews. Also feel free to post your suggestions or ask your questions in the comment section below.

Google Will Soon Encrypt All Your Searches

Posted: 18 Oct 2011 02:37 PM PDT

googleIf the idea of sending your shady search queries into the ether makes you a little nervous, Google is coming to the rescue with a plan to encrypt searches. In the next few weeks, users that are signed into their Google account will automatically be directed to the HTTPS search page for secure searches.

Google says this change will be especially important to users that do searches from public Wi-Fi networks. SSL encryption has traditionally been used in banking and other financial sites, but it is increasingly being implemented in other ways. For instance, most email service how have SSL as the default view. 

Sites that get clicks from searches will still see a list of aggregated search terms that were big winners, but will not get information about individual clicks. Users that don't have a Google account, but want to be more secure can manually navigate to the HTTPS google site and search that way. 

Droid RAZR Unveiled: 1.2GHz Dual-Core, Water Resistant, $299

Posted: 18 Oct 2011 02:24 PM PDT

razrAs expected, Motorola has announced the new Droid RAZR Android phone for Verizon's 4G LTE network. The iconic name evokes images of something impossibly thin, and the Droid RAZR delivers on that count. The device is powerful, but only 7.1mm thick. That's thinner than the iPhone, and Motorola claims over 12 hours of talk time per charge.

The new RAZR runs on a TI OMAP4430 SoC clocked up to 1.2GHz, 1GB of RAM, and 16GB of internal storage. The 8MP camera is capable of shooting 1080p video, and there is a front camera as well. The screen is a first of its kind qHD resolution Super AMOLED. The phone itself is splash resistant and has a tough kevlar back. However, that form factor comes with a drawback; the battery is apparently non-removable.

The RAZR is running an Android 2.3 Gingerbread with is going to be the current version of the platform for all of 4 more hours at the time of posting. Moto has also locked the bootloader on this device. The Droid RAZR will be available for pre-order on October 27 for $299 on contract.

Android App of the Week: Twonky Beam Browser

Posted: 18 Oct 2011 12:40 PM PDT

Twonky is a name many readers of this site will find familiar. Twonky's media server provides DLNA functionality in high-end NAS appliances like the QNAP TS-459 Pro II, and is a great solution for those looking to serve media from their PC. Twonky Beam Browser is an application for Android devices that makes use of the company's experience with DLNA, but takes it to an entirely new level.

Twonky Beam Browser is built as a streaming video client, giving users the ability to view Internet-based content on their mobile device. The app includes links to the usual suspects such as YouTube, Vimeo, and ESPN. Where Twonky differentiates itself from other streaming video clients is the ability to use DLNA to push, or "beam," the video stream to a device serving as a DLNA Renderer, making the video available to a larger display such as an HDTV. Note that you will need a DLNA Renderer to use the Beaming function, and Flash video streams cannot be beamed to a DLNA Renderer.

Twonky Beam Browser is available from the Android Marketplace as a free download. You can learn about Twonky's other applications at Twonky.com.

Samsung Unveils Full HD Surveillance Gear, See the Freckles on Your Intruder's Face

Posted: 18 Oct 2011 11:58 AM PDT

Samsung is taking its surveillance game to the next level by introducing a new series of Full HD analog video products. Included in the new lineup is the HD-SDI 1920x1080 box camera, HD-SDI 1920x1080 dome camera, and a four-channel HD-SDI digital video recorder (DVR). Samsung's HD-SDI technology makes it possible to transmit uncompressed and non-packetized digital video signals with no loss of image data and zero latency, the company said.

The obvious benefit here is improved image quality, which is more than five times better than conventional analog technology, Samsung says. But it also offers a "more cost-effective and easier alternative to network-based systems, using standard coax cable."

Samsung's top-of-the-line SNB-7000 box camera features the company's advanced WiseNetII digital signal processing, Full HD resolution, up to 3MP of image quality, wide dynamic range (WDR), onboard video analytics, bi-directional audio, SD memory card slot, and true day/night (ICR) functionality.

Image Credit: Samsung

Battlefield 3 Torrent Leaked, But You Can't Play It

Posted: 18 Oct 2011 11:37 AM PDT

Can't wait for the October 25th launch of Battlefield 3? Neither can a lot of other people – and some of them aren't waiting. As can only be expected for such a high-profile title, a leaked copy of the PC version of the game has worked its way onto the Internet in the form of – you guessed it – a torrent. Aspiring pirates shouldn't rush out to download the torrent, though. You still won't be able to play Battlefield 3 even with those illegal disc images in hand thanks to EA's always-on DRM.

Remember that you'll need an active Internet connection and Origin account in order to play BF3, even in single-player mode. While those limitations really, truly suck for gamers on the up-and-up who actually shell out hard-earned dollars for the game, that strict DRM is currently preventing file sharers from enjoying multi-person mayhem prior to the game's release date.  Of course, it's only a matter of time before a crack becomes available, of course, but for now, Softpedia reports that the 9.96Gb files won't do anything other than take up space on your hard drive.

Fast Forward: Whither Apple, After Steve?

Posted: 18 Oct 2011 11:24 AM PDT

Apple is pronounced dead every 10 years or so, inevitably before another miraculous revival. Although Steve Jobs's recent resignation as CEO didn't provoke the same gloomy predictions as the company's previous setbacks, there was widespread moaning about Apple's future. Conspicuously missing was speculation about the ways in which Jobs's diminished role might improve Apple.

To some, any such speculation is heresy. So first, let me affirm that Jobs was perhaps our brightest entrepreneur. His marketing savvy was uncanny. His standards were extraordinarily high, and he attracted some of the best talent on the planet.

Like everyone, however, Jobs was flawed. One flaw was well known but was mainly an internal company matter. Another was less recognized but eventually will harm Apple's competitiveness.

The famous flaw was that Jobs was a hothead. At times, his behavior exceeded the allowances made for a "tough boss." His abuse could become unprofessional and wouldn't be tolerated at most companies if he were a middle manager. But this character flaw mainly affected the relatively few people immediately around him, so it was tolerable—unless his successors believe it was a key to his success.

His more relevant shortcoming was a blind spot for software development. Unlike, say, Bill Gates, Jobs never made his mark as a programmer. Apple's iOS is a restrictive platform that requires Objective-C, a programming language rarely used elsewhere. Mac OS is more open but heavily favors the same nonstandard language. This complaint may seem trifling now, because Apple's products are wildly popular. Over time, however, Apple's captive developers will defect to platforms offering more choices.

Apple executives proclaim that they will follow in Jobs's footsteps because his DNA is woven into the company. For the most part, I hope they are right. But there is always room for improvement.

HP's Not-Quite-Dead TouchPad Gets WebOS Update

Posted: 18 Oct 2011 11:21 AM PDT

"I'm not dead!" It's one of our favorite quotes in "Monty Python and the Holy Grail." We don't picture TouchPad owners shouting that from the rooftops, though. HP basically called the tablet (along with WebOS) dead in the water and tossed it on the shelves at $99 to clear inventory; after a fire sale like that, you can't expect much ongoing support. But surprise, surprise! TouchPad owners aren't quite dead to HP yet. The company has just released a WebOS update for the tablet.

The over-the-air update brings several new features and improvements to the TouchPad. According to the HP Palm blog, you'll find the following after installing WebOS 3.0.4:

  • A new Camera app for photos and video
  • The ability to pair non-webOS phones to your TouchPad, so you can answer calls on your TouchPad. Pairing with non-webOS Bluetooth keyboards has also been streamlined
  • Support for OGG Vorbis music files
  • Online/offline messaging status support

Jon Zilber, HP/Palm's Director of Online Communications writes, says, "You'll also experience better performance, user interface improvements, and other enhancements such as support for accelerometer events in Adobe Flash Player, and more robust Skype video calling."

There's no reason not to check the free update out now if you're a TouchPad owner.

Stinky Apple Supplier Shut Down Due To Terrible Odor

Posted: 18 Oct 2011 10:48 AM PDT

An apple a day may keep those pesky, prodding doctors at bay, but apparently, the odor from an Apple supplier's factory is all it takes to keep nearby residents away. Catcher Technology builds those oh-so-sleek aluminum cases that give Apple's laptops their distinct look, but Chinese citizens near the company's Fenghuang City factory say they stink. In fact, things got so bad that officials recently temporarily shut the facility down.

Residents from the area told Computerworld that the smell exuded by Catcher's factory was an unappetizing mixture of "chemical fertilizer and burning plastic." Several people have reported difficulty breathing. The smell is reportedly so strong that it penetrates sealed windows.

On their end, Catcher Technology claims that the factory might be stinky, but it fully meets all air safety requirements. However, they aren't simply ignoring the problem; the company is working on improving its exhaust systems and taking other steps to reduce the odor. Meanwhile, the government's shutdown of the facility will remain active until state monitors can assess the situation and determine if the odor is damaging to the health of nearby citizens.  

Image credit: lonestar7766 on sketchfu.com

StarTech Drive Duplicator Copies Three Drives at Once, No PC Required

Posted: 18 Oct 2011 10:47 AM PDT

StarTech specializes in hard-to-find connectivity parts and the occasional gee-whiz device, the latter of which is what the company's new USB 3.0/eSATA to SATA Standalone 1:3 Hard Drive Duplicator Dock falls under. In case it's not obvious from the product title, this is a device that performs 1:3 sector-by-sector duplication from a single SATA drive onto three others all at the same time, and you don't need to plug it into a PC.

"IT professionals are always looking for ways to make their jobs more efficient and this new multi-drive duplicator allows them to accomplish just that," commented StarTech.com Senior Product Manager, Carey Cline. "The ability to perform a sector by sector duplication on up to three drives simultaneously, frees up the user's time to perform other functions while the back-ups are created in the background. The fact it acts as a standalone unit also means it doesn't use up resources on their computer system."

You can also use the device as an external 4-bay hard drive dock connected via USB 3.0 or eSATA. It supports up to 72MB/s transfer rates in duplication mode and up to 5Gbps or 3Gbps as an external dock, has a Secure Erase feature, dual 60mm cooling fans, integrated LCD display, and supports both 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch form factor drives. There's a SATA to IDE apapter included with the dock.

IT gurus interested in something like this can find it online for around $400, or 20 percent less than it's MSRP ($500).

Image Credit: StarTech.com

MMO News

MMO News


Firefall reveals the Dreadnaught

Posted: 18 Oct 2011 03:30 PM PDT

The fifth battleframe for Red 5′s Firefall has been revealed: the Dreadnaught.

The Dreadnaught offers heavy armor for defense, along with a powerful turret mode that lets the player take a stationary stance to mow down their enemies. They are also equipped with two force-fields: one of which will push enemies away and do plasma burn damage, while the other encloses the player (and any enemies within range) and prevents incoming damage or escape.

You can see these features in the trailer below:

OGPlanet to publish SD Gundam Capsule Fighter Online

Posted: 18 Oct 2011 11:41 AM PDT

OGPlanet – publisher of LaTale, Lost Saga, and Rumble Fighter – has announced their partnership with Bandai Korea to publish SD Gundam Capsule Fighter Online in North America.

The game will feature over 350 units, from Mobile Suit Gundam to Mobile Suit Gundam OO, each with its own set of weapons, style, stats, and customization. PvP will support up to 12 players across 30 maps, in four different game modes: Points, Tag, Stock, and Greed.

A teaser site is now online at http://sdgo.ogplanet.com/en/teaser.og, where you can also apply for beta.

sdgundamonline_teaserscreen

SD Gundam Capsule Fighter Online Gameplay Screenshot

Source:

OGPlanet Brings SD Gundam Capsule Fighter Online  to North America

Popular multiplayer fast-action shooter will launch this fall

Torrance, Calif.–October 18, 2011–OGPlanet, an innovative provider of multiplayer online games, announced they have signed an agreement with Bandai Korea to publish the popular multiplayer third-person shooter game, SD Gundam Capsule Fighter Online in North America. With its fast-paced, easy-to-learn gameplay, Gundam fans and newcomers alike will collect a wide variety of SDGundamOnline customizable units and battle in missions based on events from the series.

“Gundam is one of the most popular anime franchises ever, and SD Gundam Capsule Fighter Onlineis a perfect fit for our portfolio of games,” said Sangchul Park, president and founder of OGPlanet. “We’re thrilled to be working with Bandai Korea to bring this exciting game to all online gamers as well as the Gundam fans in North America.”

With over 350 planned units from across the Gundam universe, from the original Mobile Suit Gundam to the latest Mobile Suit Gundam OO, players have tons to collect. Each unit has unique SDGundamOnline2stats, weapons, movement and style, as well as options for customization so players can really stand out on the battlefield. Even create your own!

Each battlefield supports up to 12 players in PvP combat where players can put their units to the test in four modes of play: Points, Tag, Stock or Greed. Over 30 maps of varying size and difficulty offer a huge range of challenge and excitement. Improve your ranking by mastering all the different fighting styles.

OGPlanet has launched an SD Gundam® Capsule Fighter Online teaser site where more information, art, screens and movies can be found. The site is located at SD Gundam Capsule Fighter Online Teaser Site

Khun Phaen arrives in Atlantica Online

Posted: 17 Oct 2011 06:12 PM PDT

Atlantica Online is celebrating its third anniversary with special rewards for its players.

A new warlord mercenary, Khun Phaen, has arrived in Atlantica Online, and possesses the ability to use an orb and a sword, making him a powerful magical melee mercenary. He can be recruited through the new “Hunt for the Warlord’s Poem” event. Players can collect Poem Pieces through hunting Thief Acongs, opening the Third Anniversary Combatant’s Box or Warlord’s Hoard, and by continuing the play the game, up until November 16.

A new Grand Championship Battle Royale will offer a new PvP tournament (taking place on October 31) with a 100,000 NX Prize.  On October 30, Atlantica Online will also offer 24 hours of double experience (Game, Craft, and Workload) plus special auctions, giveaways, and sales.

Atlantica Online is published by Nexon, which also publishes Dragon Nest and Dungeon Fighter Online.

atlantica_20110923_174136232

Atlantica Online Gameplay Screenshot

Source:

Good Things Come in Threes for Atlantica Online

Players can acquire the powerful Khun Phaen mercenary as part of Atlantica Online's Three Year Anniversary celebrations.

Nexon America's strategic turn-based massively multiplayer online game, Atlantica Online has kicked off a series of three year anniversary celebrations with in-game events, items and NX giveaways, and a new mercenary. The anniversary-exclusive Hunt for the Warlord's Poem event allows players to hunt and craft their way towards obtaining the elusive mercenary Khun Phaen, while the Grand PvP Championship will fire up some competition. In addition, 24 hours of EXP bonuses and login rewards on October 30 will rev up the engine for the next chapter in Atlantica Online.

The debut of the warlord mercenary Khun Phaen is stirring up the Atlantica world with his powerful skills and exclusive ability to use an orb, in addition to a sword which grants him the highest levels of magical defense and intelligence of all melee mercenaries.

Players can recruit the legendary Khun Phaen as their mercenary by participating in the Hunt for the Warlord's Poem. The Poem Pieces can be collected through extended play time, hunting Thief Acongs, or earning the Third Anniversary Combatant's Box and the Warlord's Hoard. The event will be available through November 16.

The stakes are higher than ever in the Grand Championship Battle Royale. On October 31 players can compete in PvP matches against players from all servers where eight champions will bask in their glory winning up to 100,000 NX.

Last but not least, an anniversary calls for a grand celebration. Atlantica Day on October 30 will welcome players to enjoy 24 hours of special mercenary auctions, item giveaways, and exclusive sales. As an added perk, players will be rewarded for simply logging in, with 200% EXP bonuses on Game, Craft and Workload EXP all day.

MMO Updates

MMO Updates


EVE dev blog teases new player customs offices

Posted: 18 Oct 2011 10:00 AM PDT

Filed under: , , , , , ,

EVE Online - customs office import/export window
How does the prospect of a player-owned customs office in EVE Online grab you? Whoa, settle down there, Mr. flying-in-space troll, as we're not talking about Incarna-style player housing here but rather a new mechanic that seeks to add a bit more sand to New Eden's sandbox.

CCP Omen has the details in the latest EVE dev blog and in a nutshell, player customs houses exist to enable planetary taxation and to add a new wrinkle to the game's planetary interaction mechanics. You'll need to erect a customs office in orbit around a planet (note: there can be only one), and of course it can be attacked and destroyed by your fellow capsuleers.

For a list of materials, costs, and associated corporation functionality, warp on over to the official EVE dev blog.

MassivelyEVE dev blog teases new player customs offices originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 18 Oct 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aion's 3.0 update features extensive housing mechanics, mounts

Posted: 18 Oct 2011 09:00 AM PDT

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Aion - housing
Remember that really slick Aion "vision" trailer that NCsoft released in November of 2009? If you're a fan of the Daeva-centric fantasy MMO you've probably seen the nine-minute clip floating around the intarwebs (and marveled at its graphical upgrades, mounts, player housing, and various bells and whistles).

While NCsoft has already implemented some of the visual tweaks in a previous patch, the housing and mounts have remained conspicuously absent. Now, though, new info leaking out of Korea confirms that the features (and the rest of Aion 3.0) are indeed on the way. Housing will be available at level 21 and will boast many different styles, customizable interiors and exteriors (including color and elevation), functional wardrobes, and a variety of furniture items that will be produced by crafters.

Mounts will come in both flying and ground-based flavors, and will need to be hatched from eggs like most of Aion's other pets. Finally, it's worth noting that NCsoft has no official release date for 3.0, and the North American servers usually lag several months behind their Korean counterparts in terms of content updates.

MassivelyAion's 3.0 update features extensive housing mechanics, mounts originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 18 Oct 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New TERA video flies through Fyrmount region

Posted: 18 Oct 2011 08:00 AM PDT

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TERA - Fyrmount mob
TERA fans have been suffering through something of a news drought lately. Since announcing the game's Spring 2012 release date last summer, En Masse Entertainment has been relatively quiet when it comes to hyping the game and showing off any of its features.

Frogster, TERA's European publisher, has stepped up to the plate this morning by releasing a new fly-through video that takes viewers on a journey around Fyrmount. What's Fyrmount, you say? It's a volcanic region intertwined with the destinies of the Castanic race according to Frogster's press release. Young Castanics are sent to the hellish region "to be pushed to their limits" and are only accepted into adult society if they find something of value and return with it.

Check out the video after the cut and head to the official TERA website for more info on Castanics and the game itself.

[Source: Frogster press release]

Continue reading New TERA video flies through Fyrmount region

MassivelyNew TERA video flies through Fyrmount region originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 18 Oct 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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    The Soapbox: Bad beta

    Posted: 18 Oct 2011 07:00 AM PDT

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    The current circus for betas.  Featuring giant robots and Jedi.
    Disclaimer: The Soapbox column is entirely the opinion of this week's writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of Massively as a whole. If you're afraid of opinions other than your own, you might want to skip this column.

    So the beta for Star Wars: The Old Republic is currently taking place. And while you may be under an NDA and not allowed to say anything, I can freely say that I am not under an NDA without fear of reprisal. I can tell you that despite the fact that almost every other writer on staff seems to be in the beta -- I'm not in it.

    And truth be told, I'm not sure if I would be logging in even if I were part of the beta. Not because I don't want to play the game -- no, I preordered as soon as the option was available; I've been watching the news and looking forward to release for quite some time now. I've liked what I've played, and I know I'm going to buy it. But the fact of the matter is that betas are just plain terrible, for several reasons.

    Continue reading The Soapbox: Bad beta

    MassivelyThe Soapbox: Bad beta originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 18 Oct 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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      The Daily Grind: Do you care about the lore of non-playable races?

      Posted: 18 Oct 2011 06:00 AM PDT

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      Guild Wars grawl
      The Guild Wars 2 development team has spent much of the past year releasing information about its game, and it's not all class reveals and gameplay demonstrations. Much time and attention has been given to the lore and design of the so-called "lesser races," such as the Skritt, the Quaggan, and most recently the Grawl.

      ArenaNet's not the first developer to place so much emphasis on the all-around development of a race fans can't play, but is it worth it? Does knowing the history, beliefs, and behavior of the other inhabitants of a game world draw you in and interest you, or is it mere window-dressing for the main part of the game?

      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: Do you care about the lore of non-playable races? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 18 Oct 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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        SOE opens beta registration for EQII Age of Discovery expansion

        Posted: 17 Oct 2011 09:00 PM PDT

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        EverQuest II - Ratonga watching a passing ship
        The Age of Discovery is coming to Norrath, and Sony Online Entertainment has just released the beta registration info for EverQuest II's eighth expansion.

        SOE's press blurb says that applications will be reviewed beginning on October 27th, with the expansion closed beta period beginning on November 14th. While Age of Discovery will not feature any new overland areas, dungeon-based content, or zones, it does boast the long-awaited debut of the Beastlord class as well as the Dungeon Maker player content system. Mercenaries, tradeskill apprentices, and item reforging round out the new stuff, and SOE expects to release the content toward the end of November.

        MassivelySOE opens beta registration for EQII Age of Discovery expansion originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 17 Oct 2011 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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        John Smedley talks EverQuest, DC Universe Online, and future projects

        Posted: 17 Oct 2011 07:00 PM PDT

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        EverQuest - inspiring passionate jigs in statues since '98.
        It's impossible to deny the huge influence that EverQuest has had on the face of MMOs, something reflected by its recent induction into the GDC Hall of Fame. According to John Smedley, however, the game is in no way experiencing a decline. In a recent interview, he compares the game to several older gaming franchises such as Dungeons & Dragons, noting that he hopes to keep the game vibrant and updating for several years to come.

        Smedley also touches briefly on EverQuest Next, saying that he hopes the team can deliver something akin to the re-envisioning of the Star Trek franchise in the 2009 film. He goes on to discuss the change in DC Universe Online, the possibility for future projects on the upcoming PS Vita, and other projects further on down the line. It's an interesting look at what's next for a game that's defined the MMO since its launch.

        MassivelyJohn Smedley talks EverQuest, DC Universe Online, and future projects originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 17 Oct 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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        Not So Massively: Livestreaming edition

        Posted: 17 Oct 2011 06:00 PM PDT

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        Not So Massively title image
        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.

        With over 200 viewers tuning in to watch last week's Path of Exile beta livestream, this week we'll be continuing the new tradition with our third Not So Massively livestream. Tune in to the Massively livestream channel on Friday, October 21st at 6 p.m. EDT to catch me and a few of the Massively staff playing incredibly popular MOBA League of Legends. Riot recently released a new champion spotlight on Teemo, one of the older champions and definitely the cutest.

        This week, Bloodline Champions revealed details of upcoming bloodline Metal Warden along with an interesting photo contest to win one of several Metal Warden pre-order packs. Firefall developer Mark Kern showed off the Forge level editor this week and discussed the team's daunting goals for content scale. Rise of Immortals released a Halloween themed update along with new immortal Talia, and Blizzard announced a massive Diablo III beta key sweepstakes.

        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: Livestreaming edition

        MassivelyNot So Massively: Livestreaming edition originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 17 Oct 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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          Cable joins the Marvel Universe Online roster

          Posted: 17 Oct 2011 05:00 PM PDT

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          Marvel Universe Online -- Cable
          Marvel Universe Online's roster keeps growing steadily, with newcomer Cable being announced as the latest playable character at New York Comic Con this weekend. The gun-wielding, telepathic, telekinetic son of Cyclops joins Wolverine and Deadpool as the game's third announced character.

          Also teased is another hero whose silhouette should be distinctive to any comics fan (or anyone who went to the movies anytime this summer). Who could this mysterious avenger possibly be? Follow on past the cut and find out for yourself.

          Continue reading Cable joins the Marvel Universe Online roster

          MassivelyCable joins the Marvel Universe Online roster originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 17 Oct 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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          BioWare says gamers find it hard to go back to other MMOs after playing SWTOR

          Posted: 17 Oct 2011 04:30 PM PDT

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          Star Wars The Old Republic - some dudes fighting or something
          As Star Wars: The Old Republic's release date looms larger on the calendar, BioWare co-founders Ray Muzyka and Greg Zeschuk are starting to be seen with increasing frequency on the PR circuit. The latest sighting comes courtesy of The Gaming Liberty, and the dynamic doctor duo offers up some interesting commentary on SWTOR and the logic behind setting up BioWare's new customer service center in Ireland rather than Canada or the U.S.

          There's a "fair, reasonable tax and regulatory structure the government here [in Ireland] has provided for us which creates an entrepreneurial environment [...] which is a big bonus," Muzyka explains.

          The interview also touches on lore inspirations for both The Old Republic and the classic single-player Knights of the Old Republic RPG, as well as the team's confidence in its new massively multiplayer product. "One of the most common things we're already hearing is that people seem to find it hard to go back to other MMOs once they play The Old Republic," Muzyka said.

          MassivelyBioWare says gamers find it hard to go back to other MMOs after playing SWTOR originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 17 Oct 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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          Leaderboard: GW's Gwen vs. EQ's Firiona Vie

          Posted: 17 Oct 2011 04:00 PM PDT

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          Leaderboard
          Like breakfast cereals and discount tire retailers, MMO companies have a long tradition of cultivating mascots to promote their games. Typically, said mascot is on the cover, shows as much cleavage as the ESRB allows, and is shooting rainbow magic from her navel. Or something.

          Today, Leaderboard is pitting two of the more well-known MMO mascots against one another, sort of like Top Model if Top Model contained three-dimensional characters. In the left corner is Guild Wars' Gwen, an orphan, refugee, warrior, and storybook princess all rolled into one. In the right corner is Firiona Vie, the Vanna White of EverQuest box art.

          Firiona may be flaunting a bit more skin than battle protocol requires, but it's certainly served the purpose of getting players to pick up the box and wonder whether true Elfy love lies within. Gwen's recent marriage to Keiran Thackeray unfortunately takes her off the market to those hoping that a sentient computer would digitize and throw them into a video game in the hopes of (ahem) mesmerizing her with charm.

          It's Elfish mage vs. human mystic, blonde bombshell vs. goth cutie in today's knockout poll! Hit the jump to cast your vote.

          Continue reading Leaderboard: GW's Gwen vs. EQ's Firiona Vie

          MassivelyLeaderboard: GW's Gwen vs. EQ's Firiona Vie originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 17 Oct 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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            Flameseeker Chronicles: A closer look at the Grawl of Guild Wars 2

            Posted: 17 Oct 2011 03:00 PM PDT

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            Grawl, take one
            I was pretty excited to see this week's addition to the ArenaNet blog for a couple of reasons reasons. First, I'm a big fan of Jeff Grubb's style of storytelling. It's clear, informative, and entertaining, with just enough of Jeff's wry sense of humor to surprise a laugh out of me now and again.

            Second, it's about the Grawl! This is a race that I really underappreciated in the past, just like the blog entry said. The Grawl came to my attention only when I was giggling as my miniature Grawl talked to himself while running behind me, raging at multiple Grawl Udolytes in hard mode, and cracking up while watching one of my favorite fan videos.

            I want to take a closer look at the Grawl, but there's more -- it was an exciting week in Tyria, so follow along after the jump and let's get started!

            Continue reading Flameseeker Chronicles: A closer look at the Grawl of Guild Wars 2

            MassivelyFlameseeker Chronicles: A closer look at the Grawl of Guild Wars 2 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 17 Oct 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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              Wings Over Atreia: Socket this

              Posted: 17 Oct 2011 02:30 PM PDT

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              Wings Over Atreia header
              Ooo them's fightin' words!

              Any time you bring up the subject of manastones, it's like twisting a hot serrated knife in the collective bellies of Aion's community. It isn't the manastones per se, with their little tempting pluses to different stats, but rather it's the actual process of socketing them into gear that brings pain, frustration, and despair to the masses. If you operate under the premise that a game is a form of entertainment to be, oh I dunno... entertaining (dare we hope fun and enjoyable also?), then you have to wonder what exactly transpired to bring about this particular feature. Seriously, who kicked the dev's dog to make him retaliate with a thing like manastone socketing?

              Despite NCsoft's initial attempt to assure players that manastone socketing isn't that bad (that Shugo obviously works on consignment), the company appeared to about-face by recently offering no-fail supplements in the cash shop for a limited time. While socketing is a repeat headache for many Daevas, this particular move brought the subject (and the whole pay-to-win argument) to the forefront of community discussion. However, what really drew me back into the fray was the fact that I finally got myself a Stormwing armor drop and -- masochist that I seem to be lately -- I actually tried to socket it. I couldn't even get the first one in let alone the other four! Seraphim Lords help me if I have to do another six-slotter!

              So what's with this game mechanic? Why is it even in Aion? This week, Wings Over Atreia theorizes on the motivation behind this arguably flawed feature and offers some healthier alternatives.

              Continue reading Wings Over Atreia: Socket this

              MassivelyWings Over Atreia: Socket this originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 17 Oct 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                Browser-based indie MMO Star Corsairs goes live

                Posted: 17 Oct 2011 02:00 PM PDT

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                Screenshot -- Star Corsairs
                Indie developer Machine 22 is at it again. Following the 2006 release of Golemizer, the one-man studio has now released Star Corsairs, a sci-fi title focusing on real-time starship battles. Players can explore the depths of outer-space, craft upgrades for their starships, do battle with alien species and other players, and form alliances to conquer entire space systems.

                The game is free-to-play and browser-based, meaning that anyone can play it on almost any machine (as long as you're not running a Commodore 64, in which case you're on your own). More details on the game can be found at the title's official site, or you can jump past the cut for Star Corsairs' release trailer.

                [Source: Machine 22 press release]

                Continue reading Browser-based indie MMO Star Corsairs goes live

                MassivelyBrowser-based indie MMO Star Corsairs goes live originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 17 Oct 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                  Wizardry Online launches open beta in Japan while eyeing the west

                  Posted: 17 Oct 2011 01:00 PM PDT

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                  Wizardry Online
                  Gamepot's hardcore do-or-die Wizardry Online took a big step in its development last week as the title went into open beta in Japan. Over 100,000 players stormed the castle gates to get a peek at this permadeath MMO, and Gamepot had to add several additional servers during the first day to handle the influx of adventurers.

                  Gamepot's Shuhei Ueda says that seducing Japanese players is just the first step in the company's plans: "For Gamepot, it is truly amazing to see so many enthusiastic fans of the Wizardry franchise participate in the open beta testing, and now live service, of Wizardry Online. Bringing this innovative and legendary series to a new platform has been a rewarding process and we're looking forward to continuing our world-wide rollout to fans around the globe."

                  Work continues on an English version of Wizardry Online, which Gamepot hopes will make it across the Pacific sometime in 2012. The studio is also seeking out a publisher for North American and European markets. While you wait, you can read up on our first look at Wizardry Online from this past summer's E3.

                  [Source: Gamepot press release]

                  MassivelyWizardry Online launches open beta in Japan while eyeing the west originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 17 Oct 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                    The Secret World kicks off Week of the Dragon

                    Posted: 17 Oct 2011 12:30 PM PDT

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                    Screenshot -- The Secret World
                    Take a seat, Templars and Illuminati -- it's the Dragons' time to shine. Over at The Secret World's official site, Funcom has announced this week as Dragon week, meaning that as the week goes by, we'll be granted new information and assets focused on the Seoul-based secret society. The game's director, Ragnar Tørnquist, says, "Revealing new things about the Dragon is exciting for us, as the very nature of the Dragon is to stay hidden and create chaos behind the scenes to reach their ultimate goal." So it should be interesting to see what kind of tricks the organization has up its sleeves.

                    Whether you're a Dragon initiate looking to find out more about your chosen secret society or you're a member of the Templars or Illuminati ready to build a dossier on your opposition, keep your eyes open in the coming week as the shady secrets of the Dragon are brought to light. In the meantime, though, check out the gallery below for six new Dragon-centric screenshots.

                    MassivelyThe Secret World kicks off Week of the Dragon originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 17 Oct 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                    CCP readying new EVE bug reporting tool

                    Posted: 17 Oct 2011 12:00 PM PDT

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                    EVE Online - Gallente cruiser in hangar
                    Bug reporting is rarely sexy, but it's one of those necessary evils that comes with the territory when we're talking about complex pieces of software like EVE Online. Bug reporting has also been something of a pain for CCP customers prior to this week, and hopefully that will change with tomorrow's update.

                    CCP Redundancy has the details via the latest EVE dev blog, and the long and short of it is that there's a new crash-reporting tool scheduled to go live on October 18th. The tool has been tested internally and is just now ready for prime time, and Redundancy hums a few bars relating to the whys, the hows, and the privacy concerns. You can read all about it at the official EVE website.

                    MassivelyCCP readying new EVE bug reporting tool originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 17 Oct 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                    Midwestern Conference on Health Games to feature MMO presentation

                    Posted: 17 Oct 2011 11:30 AM PDT

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                    Midwestern Conference on Health Games logo
                    Academic conferences aren't normally hotspots for MMO players, but you may find a few at this year's Midwestern Conference on Health Games in Indianapolis. One of the talks scheduled for October 28th is called Benefits of Massive[ly] Multiplayer Online Games for Gifted Students, and Steven Moore, husband of presenter Dr. Beth Moore, wrote in to give us the skinny on his wife's research.

                    "Benefits of MMO games will be presented with a focus on the social/emotional health of gifted students. Gifted students need opportunities to build social skills and collaborate with others, enhance leadership abilities, roleplay, and problem solve --all of which MMOs provide the framework [for]," Moore says.

                    MassivelyMidwestern Conference on Health Games to feature MMO presentation originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 17 Oct 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                    Turbine addresses LotRO forum security concerns

                    Posted: 17 Oct 2011 11:00 AM PDT

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                    Lord of the Rings Online - horse at sunrise
                    While it's not quite a conspiracy unmasked, Turbine has officially acknowledged a bit of a security issue with its Lord of the Rings Online-related web applications. Last week we reported on the temporary closure of the game's official forums, and today Turbine has issued a press release that touches on the situation.

                    As you would expect, it's all very hush-hush in terms of details, and the release recommends password changes for all LotRO players. While the game itself remains open for business, there is no time table for the restoration of forum services. "We are continuing to investigate and the forums will not reopen until this work is complete," Turbine says.

                    MassivelyTurbine addresses LotRO forum security concerns originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 17 Oct 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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