General Gaming Article

General Gaming Article


Amazon Announces HTML5-Based Kindle Format 8

Posted: 21 Oct 2011 02:46 PM PDT

fireAmazon has made small tweaks to its Kindle e-book format over the years, but now the retailer has surprised the industry again by announcing a new HTML5 version of the Kindle format called Format 8. This approach leverages a toolset that already has wide support and allows a richer experience -- perfect for magazines and comics.

The new HTML5 Kindle format will essentially make books into webpages, with robust handling of images, fonts, and other adaptable content. Amazon has a full list of supported HTML tags, but video and audio tags are not among them, for now at least. So all this is great for the Fire, but what about eInk Kindles? Amazon says that the most recent generation of devices will gain access to Format 8 in the coming months. The Kindle publishing tool will make a copy in the old format for use on legacy devices. Tablets and PC clients will also have access to the HTML5 format. 

Some pundits expected that Amazon was planning a move to the open EPUB format, but this new format likely puts to rest that idea. Do you think the Kindle platform will benefit from Format 8?

Android 4.0 Includes Stylus Support

Posted: 21 Oct 2011 02:26 PM PDT

htcOne of the less reported features in Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich is going to be big for a certain subgroup of users. The new OS will support stylus input at the system level with features like pressure sensitivity, hover tracking, and detection of pen versus finger touch events. This should streamline implementation of this feature for OEMs, which seem to be chomping at the bit to roll it out.

Devices like the HTC Flyer and Samsung Galaxy Note both have the ability to use stylus input, but both are based on capacitive technologies and OEM modifications to Android. The Google API demos in the Android SDK even contains a TouchPaint app that can be used to test stylus input. Of course, all this is contingent on having the necessary hardware in a device. 

Both Samsung and HTC have been hoping other companies would adopt their stylus technology and internal APIs, but that's starting to look less likely. Although, with the HTC Scribe stylus running as much as $80, that didn't seem likely anyway.

Sprint Dropping Unlimited Tethering Data in November

Posted: 21 Oct 2011 02:12 PM PDT

4gIt looks like mobile broadband use is about to get a bit more pricey on what used to be the last bastion of unlimited data, Sprint. The carrier has confirmed rumors that it plans to move away from truly unlimited 4G data for its Wi-Fi hotspot and tethering plans. Most users will be subject to a 5GB cap starting in November

Unlike other carriers that have moved to tiered data, Sprint seems to be applying the new policy to existing and new customers alike. There will no longer be the separation of 3G and 4G data for mobile broadband cards, but users will get tiers of 3, 5, or 10GB total usage depending on how much 3G data their plan previously included (WiMAX was previously unlimited). 

Sprint has opted not to do overages in chunks like AT&T does, but rather to charge per megabyte. On-network overages will be billed at $0.05 per MB, and roaming will be $0.25 per MB. Sprint users feel free to rage down below.

Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus Wi-Fi Lands November 13th for $400

Posted: 21 Oct 2011 01:48 PM PDT

Samsung today officially announced the upcoming availability of its Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus tablet featuring the Peel Smart Remote TV appliation. The 7-inch slate will hit retailers on November 13th for $400, four days before Amazon's Kindle Fire tablet starts shipping. Those who want to get a jump start can put their pre-orders in beginning October 23rd.

The Peel Smart Remote TV application will allow users to instantly find and watch TV shows and discover new shows based on their preferences, all with the tap of a screen, Samsung says. It will display personalized programming recommendations in a content-driven GUI, negating the need to scroll through traditional channel-listing grids.

As for the hardware, the Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus measures 9.96mm thin and weighs 345g. It has a 7-inch LCD display with a 1024x600 resolution, 1.2GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, 3MP rear-facing camera capable of recording in 720p, 2MP front-facing camera, and Android 3.2 (Honeycomb).

Pricing is for the 16GB Wi-Fi version. Samsung didn't mention when it plans to ship a 32GB model or for how much (likely $500 if we had to guess).

Image Credit: Samsung

16 Memorable OSes and UIs From the Big Screen

Posted: 21 Oct 2011 01:45 PM PDT

Hollywood has a way with computer tech that makes an impression, whether we laugh out loud or cry with envy.

Hollywood has always had a way with the OSes and UIs it shows on the big screen. Sometimes they're so far-fetched, all you can do is laugh, other times they're eerily accurate portrayals of future technology, and then there are the few that just make you jealous with envy. Here are a few of our favorites that Hollywood has given use, but give us some slack on what constitutes an OS or UI...Hollywood isn't always clear about that. Be sure to add your own in the comments, too.

 

ECS X79R-AX Black Extreme and Deluxe Photo Gallery

Posted: 21 Oct 2011 01:26 PM PDT

We've seen a whole lot of teaser shots of soon-to-be-released motherboards built around Intel's X79 (Sandy Bridge-E) platform this week, culminating earlier today in EVGA's dual-socket Super Record 3 (SR3) mainboard. How do you follow something like that? You don't, really -- it's kind of like that scene in Great Balls of Fire! where Jerry Lee Lewis (played by Dennis Quaid) finished his crowd pleasing set by lighting his piano on fire and quipping to Chuck Berry, "Follow that, killer!" But just as Chuck Berry is a legend in his own right, ECS wants to remind everyone that it too knows a thing or two about motherboards.

ECS shared a handful of photos of its upcoming X79-AX Black Extreme and Deluxe motherboards, and while these aren't dual-socket boards, ECS figured it would hire a model to get people's attention instead (note that the model and motherboard are not to scale, though that would be pretty awesome if they were).

Both boards have a pair of DDR3 DIMM slots on each side of the CPU socket. You can also spot onboard power and reset buttons (Extreme), PCI-Express 3.0 ports, USB 3.0, and some other goodies.

Check out our photo gallery below.

Image Credit: ECS

Cool Site of the Week: Encyclopedia of Life

Posted: 21 Oct 2011 11:27 AM PDT

eolAs of 2010, scientists have managed to find and catalog 1.7 million different species of life. Sounds like a lot, right? Not when you consider that the very same lab geeks feel it's possible that there may still be another five million species out there that we haven't stumbled across yet. Before depriving anymore of those lifeforms of their habitats for the sake of a new strip mall or a few rolls of toilet paper, maybe we'd do well to get to know them a little bit better (you know, just in case the planet finally decides to rise up and rebel against us). To this end, we're declaring Encyclopedia of Life our Cool Site of the Week.

 Encyclopedia of Life (EOL) provides visitors with a wealth of information concerning the diverse biological treasures our planet has to offer. At last count, EOL had cataloged over 750,000 different lifeforms with 448,007 images. Information on the site is gathered from experts, educators, museums, and citizen scientists who all share one thing in common: a passion for the stunning variety of life our planet has to offer. EOL's database is designed to be useable by both laymen and experts, so searching for 'Black Bear' or 'Urus Americanus' will bring you to the same page on the site.

Not looking for something dangerous and furry? No problem: EOL has you covered, as its database contains entries on every form of life under the sun. Need to know a few factoids about Brittle Waternymph or a tidbit concerning Actinopterygians? Simply type and ye shall receive. 

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

 

 

Google Engineer Says Company Will Release Ice Cream Sandwich Source Code

Posted: 21 Oct 2011 10:49 AM PDT

How many licks does it take to get to the center of a delicious Ice Cream Sandwich? Not even smarmy owls know the answer to that question – yet. Android developers will have a leg up on Tootsie Pop-packing birds sometime soon, as a Google engineer has confirmed that the ICS code will be released once users are able to wrap their hands around Ice Cream Sandwich-enabled phones and tablets.

"We plan to release the source for the recently-announced Ice Cream Sandwich soon, once it's available on devices," Android engineer Dan Morrill wrote on the "Android Building" Google group. That sound you hear? An exasperated sigh of relief from the open source community. Earlier this year, Google refused to release the source code for the tablet-optimized Honeycomb version of Android over fears that clueless developers would shove it onto phones, too.  Some were worried that it was the start of a new, proprietary trend for Android, but the release of the Ice Cream Sandwich source code (which was written for both tablets and smartphones) should lay those doubts to rest.

The recently unveiled ICS-packing Samsung Galaxy Nexus should hit the streets in November.

Microsoft Giving Windows Phones To Tech Gurus With Klout

Posted: 21 Oct 2011 10:27 AM PDT

Are you a mover and a shaker? What's that, you're not sure? If you were on Klout, there wouldn't be any doubt in your mind. The service keeps track of your activity across the social networks and assigns you a numerical score that lets you know, basically, whether you're hot or you're not. If you've got Klout, you might get a Mango-packing Windows Phone, too; Microsoft's giving away 500 of the devices – along with passes to VIP launch parties – through the Klout Perks rewards program.

The barrier to entry is nothing to sneeze at, though. You'll need to be 21 years old and have a Klout tech score of a whopping 55 or higher. You can see if you qualify by clicking this link. The first VIP party will take place in New York, and then move around the country to Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.

"Top influencers are trusted by their audience to share their real opinions and more and more brands are recognizing this power," the Klout blog post announcing the deal crows. "Klout Perks is quickly becoming the best way to launch new products."

What do you guys think of this social movers and shakers-focused marketing technique?

Report: Don't Expect Ivy Bridge Before March

Posted: 21 Oct 2011 10:08 AM PDT

Intel's spiffy Sandy Bridge processors haven't even been available for a year yet, and already their doomsday clock is ticking. Ivy Bridge, the slimmer, trimmer 22nm next generation version of Intel's 32nm Sandy Bridge processors, are barreling down fast. So fast, in fact, that you can already pick up motherboards built to accommodate Ivy Bridge's PCIe 3.0 support. But when is Ivy Bridge actually going to hit? Intel will only say "Early 2012," but one source claims to know a more specific time frame.

DigiTimes (and its as-always anonymous sources) says
that we can expect to see Ivy Bridge hit the streets by March at earliest. No January CES-timed launches this time around, folks. If the report is true, the inclusion of Intel's energy efficient tri-gate transistor technology has paid off: the same sources report that quad-core Ivy Bridge processors will use just 45W, 65W and 77W of thermal design power. Smaller dual-core processors, on the other hand, will allegedly run at 35W and 55W.

MMO News

MMO News


Dragon Nest prepares first official update

Posted: 21 Oct 2011 01:29 PM PDT

Dragon Nest’s first official (post-launch) update will go live on October 26, bringing with it Halloween events.

To begin with, a new end-game boss will arrive to challenge players: Cerberus. This guardian watches over Black Mountain Path, and drops level 32 epic gear, plus crafting materials for the newly craftable Cereberus armor sets. Ghoul Mode will be the newest PvP mode to arrive, introducing the “Town of Silence” map where teams of up to eight must survive as humans, or destroy as ghouls.

The week will also bring special Halloween events, including the ability to earn Halloween coupons (by hunting “Pumpkin Ducks”), which can be exchanged for helmet prizes.

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

dragonnest_cerberus_005

Dragon Nest Gameplay Screenshot

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The Hellhound Comes to Dragon Nest Next Week

A new nest encounter, PvP mode and Halloween-themed events to arrive soon

Just in time for the frights and chills of the season, Nexon America's Dragon Nest will receive its first post-launch content update next Wednesday, Oct. 26. A new end-game nest encounter will open up, along with a ghoulish new player versus player (PvP) mode and a variety of Halloween-themed in game events and items.

Cerberus, a monstrous three-headed canine and guardian of Hell, has been released from the Abyss. He now haunts the Black Mountain Path, and his presence is drawing adventurers from throughout the Northern Kingdom as they seek the beast's massive treasure hoard. Cerberus is known to drop level 32 epic quality armor and weapons, as well as materials used to craft the epic Cerberus armor and clothing. Additionally, defeating Cerberus on the new "Hell" difficulty level will yield level 32 epic quality accessories. Adventures in search of fame, fortune, and some of the most challenging achievements need look no further than this monstrous nest encounter.

Players who enjoy PvP combat also have a great deal to look forward to next week with the addition of Ghoul Mode. Played on the new map Town of Silence, players will be split into two teams. The Ghoul team will try to kill and convert all of the untainted players into Ghouls, thereby assuring victory for the undead horde. The opposing team must try and survive the ghoulish onslaught, either by defeating all of the ghouls in combat or holding out long enough for the clock to tick down to zero. Played with a total of either four, eight, 12 or 16 players, Ghoul Mode offers up an entirely new type of PvP challenge for players wishing to test their combat prowess and tactics against their fellow adventurers.

Characters of all levels will also get to enjoy the events of the season coming to Dragon Nest next week. Players can earn Halloween coupons by hunting Pumpkin Ducks in dungeons, and then redeem them for a variety of wearable pumpkin helmets. In the Dragon Vault, players who want to get into the spirit of the Halloween season will have a wide variety of new costumes to choose from.

Dragon Nest follows the story of a band of adventurers as they battle the corrupt dragons and their followers in order to save Verathea, the once pure and beautiful world created by the goddess Althea. Players enter this world, join their friends and battle hordes of evil creatures and boss monsters bent on destroying Verathea.

Dragon Nest is an online action RPG and is a recipient of IGN's Editor's Choice Award. Developed by Eyedentity Games, Dragon Nest is published by Nexon America in the United States, Canada, and Oceania. For the latest news and information on Dragon Nest and to download and play for free, visit http://dragonnest.nexon.net.

Cross Fire introduces Halloween update

Posted: 21 Oct 2011 01:04 PM PDT

A new update, all themed for the Halloween season, is now live in Cross Fire.

A new Search and Destroy Map, “Ankara,” along with a Kriss Super V Liquid Metal SMG and Bushmaster ACR Rifle have made their introductions in this patch. The game now also supports 1680×1050 resolution.

Several new limited-edition Halloween items are available, including a Witch’s Hat, Skull Helmet, Jackhammer Shotgun, and Melee Shovel. Ghost Mode, Zombie Mode, and Mutation Mode also award free Halloween items this weekend as part of the celebration.

Cross Fire is published by Z8Games, which also publishes Metin 2.

cross-fire-mutation-melee

Cross Fire Gameplay Screenshot

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FREE-TO-PLAY FPS CROSS FIRE GETS HALLOWEEN UPDATE

Including Two New Maps, New Halloween Weapons, Items, and Events!

Toronto, CANADA – October 20th, 2011 -G4BOX Inc., a North American publisher and distributor of interactive online entertainment media, released today a Halloween update for its free-to-play military shooter, Cross Fire. The free update features Halloween-themed weapons and equipment, a Halloween map, a new Search and Destroy map, a new display resolution, and more!   For current players, the Halloween update will download automatically upon launching Cross Fire. New players can download and play the game for free from: http://crossfire.z8games.com

Deck out your mercenary for a night of trick-or-treating with new weaponry including a Halloween-themed Gatling Gun, Jackhammer Shotgun, and Melee Shovel, or blend in amongst Cross Fire’s hordes of Zombies and Mutants with ghoulish new gear including a Pumpkin Mask, Skull Helmet, Vampire Mask, and Witch’s Hat. All Halloween items and equipment are available for a limited time only! The update also includes the new Search and Destroy Map “Ankara”, a Kriss Super V Liquid Metal SMG, a Bushmaster ACR Rifle, and a new 1680×1050 display resolution.

In honor of All Hallow’s Eve, Z8Games is also hosting a slew of events and challenges. Are you a Ghost Mode ninja? Perhaps you’re more of a Zombie hunter or Mutant-murdering machine? Play Ghost Mode, Zombie Mode, and Mutation Mode this weekend and earn free Halloween items! For a full summary of all the events and new content included in the Halloween Update, visit: http://crossfire.z8games.com/new_content.aspx

Cross Fire is a free online military first-person shooter for the PC platform. It includes a military ranking system, in-game friends lists, an integrated clan system, deep character customization options and social media integration via the Cross Fire website. More MAPS.  More GUNS. More MODES.  More HEADSHOTS. Join millions of players online today in the ultimate military FPS experience.

Cross Fire is part of the Z8Games platform of free-to-play games.

Cross Fire is free-to-download-and-play. Visit the Cross Fire homepage at: http://crossfire.z8games.com

For more information about G4BOX visit www.g4box.com.  For more information about the Z8Games lineup of games please visit www.z8games.com

Vindictus releases the Song of Doom

Posted: 21 Oct 2011 12:40 PM PDT

Episode 9: The Song of Doom has arrived on Vindictus’ servers, bringing with it new content and Halloween events.

Hero mode has been introduced, starting in the sewers of Rocheste (Episode 7), where players can earn powerful enchantments if they survive. Four new bosses – Shining Shakarr, Black Hammer, Lionotus (below), and Colru – also make their debut, along with a host of new level 61 armor.

In the spirit of the season, the daily quest will reward players for defeating thirty pumpkin-headed Fomors with a special title; trick-or-treat is available in Cohen; and a special quest for level 10 and above will grant a unique Halloween headpiece.

Vindictus is published by Nexon, which also publishes Dragon Nest and Combat Arms.

vindictus_lionotus

Vindictus Gameplay Screenshot

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The Song of Doom Arrives in Vindictus, Just in Time for Halloween

Episode nine introduces an additional hero mode dungeon, bosses, armor sets and enchants

Today Nexon America 's award-winning physics-based action MMORPG Vindictus receives the Song of Doom content update, which adds all new features, challenges, and Halloween themed events. Players will be able to experience an additional dungeon on Hero mode, uncover the mystery in the new area Albey Ruins, and fight four fearsome new bosses that hold the materials to crafting powerful new weapons and armor.

Players can now return to the sewers of Rocheste to battle the Lizardmen bosses from episode seven on Hero mode. Bosses like the mighty Ingkara have returned with a vengeance, and they now hold the keys to powerful item enchantments for mercenaries brave enough to defeat them.

Additionally, four new bosses await veteran players, including Shining Shakarr, Black Hammer, Lionotus and Colru. Each boss is terrible in their own unique way, and players will have to band together to defeat them. Some of the rewards available from the Hero mode and Song of Doom bosses include long forgotten enchantments that have been recently unearthed to give players the edge needed to secure victory. New armor and weapons for level 61 heroes are also available to help players conquer their greatest challenges yet.

As the season's mood grows more sinister, the landscape of Vindictus likewise evolves. Players who venture on the town's daily quest will spot Fomors appearing around Ainle with pumpkins on their heads. Defeating 30 of them will yield a distinctive title, and the end boss of the daily quest drops a special treat. Likewise, trick or treating in the town of Colhen for the strange traveler at the inn yields its own unique title. Additionally, players level 10 and above can accept a special quest from the strange traveler and battle Fomors in a race to destroy a giant pumpkin to receive a unique Halloween hat.

For more details and to learn more about the latest events in Vindictus visit: www.vindictus.com.

Where Have all the Factions Gone?

Posted: 21 Oct 2011 10:43 AM PDT

It’s no secret that pretty much every single game that’s been released post World of Warcraft has shamelessly attempted to get a piece of that fat, steaming money-pie.  And just about every single one has failed.  Others succeed, but it’s clear that WoW set a new standard in terms of fundamental MMORPG design.  You make quests, you add some writing, you make sure areas are diverse, you have both PVE and PVP elements, and you have two factions.  Just about all of these are a step forward in terms of industry standard, and I’m surely not complaining.  Except for one; why only two factions?

world_of_warcraft_cg_05

Is it really necessary for games to be this boring?  Especially in PVP-centric games, having only two factions makes just about every single battlefield encounter woefully boring and uninspired.  Two sides gather on opposite ends, clash, the end.  Wouldn’t you rather see a third or fourth faction route the enemies while they fight amongst themselves?  Exploit conflict?  It’d make for a much more dynamic setting.  Yet still, almost every game sticks with two basic factions, and at worst, they’re little better than "good vs. evil" in aesthetic.  Angels versus demons?  Orcs versus humans?  Could it get any more boring than that?

In the past, games like Dark Age of Camelot had multiple factions.  I never played the game, but an ex-girlfriend of mine did, and she always raved about how interesting and fun it was.  Among the games I’ve played that had more than one faction?  Well, EVE Online, I suppose.  Although the factions in that game really aren’t as fragmented and important as you’d think, given that it’s possible to basically fly with and against anyone you like.  In EVE, there are as many factions as there are player corporations, and that, to me, is kind of cool.

When you think about it, wouldn’t World of Warcraft been so much cooler if they’d added a third, neutral faction, like the Goblin Cartels, or something?  Make it so players could join that faction from either side, so it doesn’t need to produce its own unique races and stand on its own?  That would have been awesome.  After all, not everyone likes being a part of the standard "us vs. them" arrangement of these games.  There are, in fact, more complicated situations to be seen in reality, and even online.  I just wish more developers would take a three faction approach as the minimum.

Or wait, why not take it one step further?  I’d just love to see more games in which guilds themselves can stake out and defend territory.  Not that I’d play them, mind you, since I’m a grown woman and have no desire to be crushed by hordes of young adults who have nothing better to do than play the game for hours on end.  Maybe that’s why I liked the EVE model so much – everyone leveled up at the same rate.  Why can’t more games do this?  It makes me sad.

Are there any games with a more complex faction system that you’d like to mention?  Or maybe there’s a game that you think could have a better system implemented?  Talk about it!  Throw around ideas!  Just try not to hit anyone with them.

By B. Olivia

Doom Commander returns to Global Agenda

Posted: 20 Oct 2011 10:37 PM PDT

Global Agenda agents, the time for Halloween events has arrived.

The Doom Commander has arrived at Oasis Checkpoint, where players level 30 must protect the “cage of souls” until October 31. Players can earn special Halloween gear during this Defense Raid, and completing the raid will grant a guaranteed reward.

Global Agenda is published by Hi-Rez Studios, which is also developing Tribes: Ascend and Smite.

dunecommader_halloweenobjective_globalagenda

Global Agenda Gameplay Screenshot

Source:

The Haunted Recursive Colony is once again upon us! Doom Commander and his minions are bringing terror to the Oasis Checkpoint to satisfy their hunger for souls! Only the Agents of Dome City can save the world from the clutches of this evil horde!

Level 30 Agents must protect the cage of souls at all costs from Tuesday, October 18th through Monday, October 31st.

Collect special Halloween flair as you fight off the horde, and successfully complete this Defense Raid for a guaranteed reward!

To help overcome Doom Commander, look out for some other orange names appearing throughout the event to fight alongside you!

MMO Updates

MMO Updates


Jump into the Tribes: Ascend beta with a key from Massively

Posted: 21 Oct 2011 10:00 AM PDT

Filed under: , ,

Kablooie
Tribes: Ascend has been making waves in our Not So Massively column, with plenty of fans anxious for a first look at it.

We've got something for those fans this morning. The team at Hi-Rez was kind enough to send us a handful of beta keys, and we're in a sharing mood. To get and apply your beta key, just visit our giveaway page to snag your key, then download the Hi-Command game installer. Launch the installer, then log in to your existing Global Agenda account (or create a new account via the installer). Click the "Tribes" tab, hit Enter, and follow the prompts to apply your beta key.

Enjoy the beta, and join us in thanking the Hi-Rez gang for the beta keys!

GET YOUR KEY

MassivelyJump into the Tribes: Ascend beta with a key from Massively originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 21 Oct 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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    The Sandbox interviews Repopulation developer

    Posted: 21 Oct 2011 09:30 AM PDT

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    The Repopulation - screenshot of a dude on a hill
    The latest episode of The Sandbox podcast is worth a listen if you're curious about The Repopulation. Developer Josh Hall is the guest of honor and he sits down with host Coolit for a lengthy chat about Above & Beyond Technologies' upcoming sci-fi title. "It's not a full-blown sandbox game where you're dumped in a barrel and have to figure out what to do. There are both elements of sandbox gameplay as well as the more rollercoaster-type designs that you're used to that are more structured," Hall explains.

    The themepark bells and whistles are front-loaded into the game in order to provide players with adequate tutorials. After that, Hall says, you're free to build your own nation, explore, and do whatever it is that tickles your creative fancy.

    Hall also gives a bit of detail on the size of the dev team ("four or five guys" at the moment) as well as some commentary on the Hero engine and various aspects of The Repopulation's gameplay. Head to the The Sandbox for the full show.

    MassivelyThe Sandbox interviews Repopulation developer originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 21 Oct 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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    Mabinogi prepping Merchant of Venice, offers three new levels of premium service

    Posted: 21 Oct 2011 09:00 AM PDT

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    Mabinogi
    It's a busy time for Mabinogi, which is still firmly in the grips of Shakespeare fever. The free-to-play title is preparing to launch its Merchant of Venice update on October 26th, and with it, a new commerce system.

    Mabinogi's commerce system offers players a way to experience the highs and lows of trading with a little danger thrown in for good measure. Players will start out with a limited amount of new currency, ducats, which can be used to buy and sell from trading posts. Newly minted traders will then have to transport the currency personally while coming under fire by bandits. Pull off enough successful trade routes, and awesome new weapons will become available to you!

    Nexon has also introduced a few new levels of premium service for players looking to enhance their Mabinogi experience. These optional services grant players additional inventory, free gifts, XP bonuses, and exclusive missions. As players wait for the launch of the update, Nexon is extending its free premium service for everyone to enjoy.

    MassivelyMabinogi prepping Merchant of Venice, offers three new levels of premium service originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 21 Oct 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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    Glyph Wakfu's Feca class a break, it rocks

    Posted: 21 Oct 2011 08:30 AM PDT

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    Wakfu
    With the nation of Sufokia on the horizon for Wakfu, it's easy for players to think, "They can't possibly top this!" But they can. Oh yes, they can. With the update will also come the newest class to the game, the Feca.

    Feca disciples utilize a mixture of protective shields and glyphs to protect themselves and lay down elemental law on enemies. They may not top the damage charts, but their durable nature and flexible spellcasting system allows Feca to fit in anywhere that's needed.

    Feca glyphs take a little bit of preparation to get going, but once they're up and running, they provide helpful area effects. Feca's water abilities focus on support, the fire branch is all about offense, and the earth branch is defensive in nature.

    It seems as though the Feca are geared toward jack-of-all-trades players, so if that fits the bill for you, you may be interested in reading more on this class in the latest Wakfu dev diary.

    MassivelyGlyph Wakfu's Feca class a break, it rocks originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 21 Oct 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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    KingsIsle teasing new Wizard101 content

    Posted: 21 Oct 2011 08:00 AM PDT

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    Wizard101 - Waterfront teaser
    Our friends at KingsIsle Entertainment have tipped us off to an exciting bit of news regarding Wizard101. Unfortunately we don't know quite what that news is just yet. Why the posting then? Well, that's where you lot come in.

    Take a look at the image above and put on your thinking caps. KingsIsle let slip the fact that this picture is the first in a series of three to be released over the next week or so, and there's some sort of message hidden in each image. As we understand it, all three will be needed to decipher the full message, which ultimately has something to do with some "mysterious upcoming new content."

    [Source: KingsIsle press release]

    MassivelyKingsIsle teasing new Wizard101 content originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 21 Oct 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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      EVE CEO: 'We are back in the spaceship business'

      Posted: 21 Oct 2011 07:30 AM PDT

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      EVE Online - internet spaceships
      CCP's damage control tour continues, and the latest stop is Eurogamer. CEO Hilmar Petursson recently sat down for a lengthy interview with the website and offered up what should be music to the ears of disgruntled EVE Online veterans.

      "We're really focused on making kick-ass EVE expansions in the more traditional way that we've done so many times in the past. What becomes of the store and Incarna is something that's not a big priority right now," he said.

      Petursson also has some interesting things to say about his own accountability during EVE's turbulent summer and the role of the player-run Council of Stellar Management. "I'm starting to get feedback from players that they worry the CSM is too pre-occupied by a certain playstyle. That might mean we may need to change the structure, but definitely the CSM has worked as a feedback tool greatly throughout the years," he explained. Head to Eurogamer for the full report.

      MassivelyEVE CEO: 'We are back in the spaceship business' originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 21 Oct 2011 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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      Our interview with Final Fantasy XIV's Naoki Yoshida

      Posted: 21 Oct 2011 07:00 AM PDT

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      Spot all the references!  The one on the left may evade you.
      There are big changes on the horizon for Final Fantasy XIV, as revealed last Friday. After a year of free play, the game is bringing its extended free trial to a close and setting the stage for further large-scale improvements, culminating in the preview of "version 2.0" that will change the face of the world and the game forever. It promises to be a year filled with new content, time-limited events, and plenty for players to enjoy as the new version approaches.

      We were fortunate to have a chance to talk with the man at the head of all the changes, Naoki Yoshida, about the changes already put into place and the ones on the horizon. Past the break are Yoshida's opening remarks regarding the state of the game and the community as well as our questions, which covered everything from class balance to the end of the very extended free trial period.

      Continue reading Our interview with Final Fantasy XIV's Naoki Yoshida

      MassivelyOur interview with Final Fantasy XIV's Naoki Yoshida originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 21 Oct 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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        The Daily Grind: Do single-player games influence your MMO choices?

        Posted: 21 Oct 2011 06:00 AM PDT

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        No, no, I... am... Batman!
        OK, I admit it. I'm not playing many MMOs this week (Heresy! Burn the infidel! Etc.). I'll log a couple of merc matches in Global Agenda and maybe complete a faction quest or two in Age of Conan, but almost all of my gaming time is going toward Rocksteady's glorious Batman sequel.

        Arkham City is so good, in fact, that it's made me patch my long-neglected DC Universe Online client just in case I feel like soaking up some more Gotham City atmospherics while I'm away from my Xbox 360. And how sad is that, seriously?

        Anyway, since this is the Daily Grind and not the daily-random-game-related-rambling, I'll cut to the chase in favor of the traditional question: Do single-player games influence your MMO playing?

        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 single-player games influence your MMO choices? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 21 Oct 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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          DC Universe Online announces Legendary subscription plan

          Posted: 20 Oct 2011 08:00 PM PDT

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          Screenshot -- DC Universe Online
          DC Universe Online's PlayStation 3 players are getting a new payment option for their DCUO fix today. Due to the game's imminent conversion to F2P, Sony Online Entertainment is introducing the Legendary subscription model. The Legendary model is DCUO's premium membership plan, and the only thing that has changed so far is the name.

          However, new features will be applied to the subscription once the game transitions to free-to-play, though no details have been released regarding what those features may be.

          MassivelyDC Universe Online announces Legendary subscription plan originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 20 Oct 2011 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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          The MMO Report: Purple tie edition

          Posted: 20 Oct 2011 07:30 PM PDT

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          The MMO Report
          This week on the MMO Report ("where raids kill marriages dead"), Casey Schreiner covers Blizzard's charity-driven auctions for World of Warcraft server blades, The Secret World's plans for factional PvP, Star Wars: The Old Republic's new European release date and NYCC video, and CCP's ongoing mea culpa. He also jokingly suggests that the upcoming F2P browser-based Transformers MMO is "pretty much a standard MMO with no unique features other than the fact that you can transform into your own mount." Fighting words indeed!

          After a quick dip into the mailbag, Casey ends on a serious note by pointing out his swanky purple duds are his way of showing support for bullied LGBT youth among the gaming populace. The next time you hear a slur in a game, Casey advises, you should demand to know why the hater's "intellect is in a constant state of debuff."

          All that and more embedded after the break!

          Continue reading The MMO Report: Purple tie edition

          MassivelyThe MMO Report: Purple tie edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 20 Oct 2011 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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          Marvel Universe Online's newest addition is... not U.S.Agent

          Posted: 20 Oct 2011 07:00 PM PDT

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          U.S.Age -- I mean Captain America
          When Cable was revealed as the newest Marvel Universe Online hero, another mysterious character was teased in silhouette form. No, guys, it's not U.S.Agent. We know, we're just as shocked as you. In fact, it's his less-popular counterpart, Captain America. What a disappointment.

          All jests aside, it's now official: Cap is the newest addition to the MUO roster, bringing the total count up to four. So what do you think, Marvel fans? How is the roster shaping up so far, and who do you hope will be added next?

          MassivelyMarvel Universe Online's newest addition is... not U.S.Agent originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 20 Oct 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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          Behind the Mask: Mind over matter

          Posted: 20 Oct 2011 06:30 PM PDT

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          Champions Online
          I have been hounded a bit lately for more coverage on the free aspects of Champions Online and the options available to free players. Fortunately, even before I wrote last week's article on the penultimate freeform tank, I was planning to cover the Mind archetype next.

          The Mind is the Silver answer to a dedicated support character, and it is perhaps by accident that she is also the most interesting and powerful archetype in the game. She combines team support, healing, survivability, DPS, and self-sustainability into one neat package that is literally unrivaled by any other archetype, free or otherwise.

          Unlike other archetypes, the Mind is too complex to be summarize by one article. She's an exceptionally varied creature with many options. Because the essential advantages in her build are pretty loose, she can get all of her key powers with a minimum of sacrifice. Hit the jump and I'll show you how playing the Mind is more like playing a freeform character and less like playing an archetype.

          Continue reading Behind the Mask: Mind over matter

          MassivelyBehind the Mask: Mind over matter originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 20 Oct 2011 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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            Captain's Log: More on the economy

            Posted: 20 Oct 2011 06:00 PM PDT

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            Screenshot - Star Trek Online
            Captain's Log, Stardate 65303.9...

            Hello, computer (and players)! As I discussed last week, heated discussions surround Star Trek Online's change to a F2P hybrid model and planned game mechanics updates. While new updates are being pushed to the Tribble server for testing and feedback, many aspects are in a state of flux as such feedback is collected, evaluated, and implemented. The biggest area affected is the economy. While everyone has his own thoughts on the matter, Cryptic is leaving no feedback forum post unread -- the players will help shape these changes.

            Last week, we saw the push of another patch that seems to have made some giant strides toward solving some of the biggest concerns, including significant reductions in prices for most items and the return of free ship tokens for most ranks. Stephen D'Angelo, acting Executive Producer and Emergency Executive Producer Hologram (EEPH), explained: "Based on how rapidly we're getting data and revising the game, we're still probably two more weeks away from having the economy in a state that is close to good enough." Since he said a lot more in his recent dev blog post, I thought I should take some time to expound on it.

            Ensign, warp 10! Let's take a look at what else the EEPH had to say and break it down...

            Continue reading Captain's Log: More on the economy

            MassivelyCaptain's Log: More on the economy originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 20 Oct 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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              CCP talks flying in space, says EVE is a healthy subscriber-based game

              Posted: 20 Oct 2011 05:30 PM PDT

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              EVE Online - space station
              GameSpot has a new interview with EVE Online lead designer Kristoffer Touborg, and though it's a bit dated (it was conducted at last week's GDC, and obviously prior to yesterday's layoff announcement), it still features some interest nuggets relating to EVE and its immediate future.

              In terms of CCP's bread-and-butter spaceship gameplay, Touborg confirms what all the company dev blogs have been saying lately, which is that EVE's flying-in-space elements are once again the top priority. "The number of people working on things related to flying in space has probably tripled, so we are ready to start delivering a load of content," he says.

              The interview also touches on EVE's payment model, and specifically, why CCP has resisted the urge to jump on the free-to-play bandwagon. "We are a really healthy, subscriber-based game," Touborg says. "Does that mean we will be a subscriber-based game in five or 10 years? Maybe not, but as it currently stands, we have 400,000 subscribers, and there's really no reason to turn that bucket upside-down."

              MassivelyCCP talks flying in space, says EVE is a healthy subscriber-based game originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 20 Oct 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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              Play Golden Age in style with a gift pack from Massively!

              Posted: 20 Oct 2011 05:00 PM PDT

              Filed under: , , , ,

              Golden Age
              We've heard very little this year about Golden Age, the upcoming MMORTS from Aeria Games. Apparently that's because the folks at Aeria were busy working hard to prepare the game for beta testing, because closed beta is here!

              What's that you say? You're not in the closed beta? Well, fear not, because this is the most open closed beta ever. Aeria Games tells us that the closed beta is "open to everyone at this point," and we've got something to make your experience even more fun: goodie bags!

              Simply create a Golden Age beta account, log into the game, and click the "mall" button at the bottom of your screen. Select the "redeem code" option, enter your key, and your items will arrive in your in-game mailbox. What are the items? Follow along after the jump, then grab your code and enjoy some Golden Age goodies from Massively and Aeria Games!

              TO THE GIVEAWAY

              Continue reading Play Golden Age in style with a gift pack from Massively!

              MassivelyPlay Golden Age in style with a gift pack from Massively! originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 20 Oct 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                Star Trek Online's Path to F2P highlights crafting changes

                Posted: 20 Oct 2011 04:30 PM PDT

                Filed under: , , ,

                Screenshot -- Star Trek Online
                The Path to F2P continues for Star Trek Online, and this episode focuses on the recent update to crafting, which is now available on the Tribble server. Crafting basics remain unchanged: Players scour the galaxy for anomalies in order to gather samples, and then return to Memory Alpha or Qo'noS to craft those samples into useable items.

                Crafting is separated into tiers, with each tier composed of two (or in the case of tier five, three) levels of quality. For instance, tier one consists of Mark I and Mark II gear, while tier two consists of Mark III and Mark IV. As it stands, Marks I, III, V, and VII are crafted using samples only, while Marks II, IV, VI, VIII, IX, X, and XI require Refined Dilithium on top of the samples. As such, the Marks that require Dilithium will be of considerably higher quality than those that do not. For the full details on the new crafting system, head on over to the full post at STO's official site.

                MassivelyStar Trek Online's Path to F2P highlights crafting changes originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 20 Oct 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                Ask Massively: Several reasons edition

                Posted: 20 Oct 2011 04:00 PM PDT

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                Congratulations!  You read the alt text.  If you want a joke that no one else will get without reading the alt text as well, use the word 'gorgonzola' in your comment.
                Ladies and gentlemen, I do not subscribe to the notion that there is a singular explanation for everything. Consider the above image. Why was it selected as a header? There are several reasons! For starters, it was the first result in a search on Wikimedia Commons for "several." And... well, actually, I guess that's pretty much it. But I'm going to go ahead and add Dadaist discontent to the list of reasons because that usually sums this up fairly well.

                Anyway, I can promise this week's answers in Ask Massively involve a larger number of reasons than does our header image. This week, the questions at hand are the reasons why players might choose to play on the test server and the reasons we're still knee-deep in elves, dwarves, and dragons. As always, if you'd like a question answered in a future edition of the column, just mail it along to ask@massively.com or leave it in the comments.

                Continue reading Ask Massively: Several reasons edition

                MassivelyAsk Massively: Several reasons edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 20 Oct 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                  Perpetuum adding distress beacons, relaxing trial restrictions

                  Posted: 20 Oct 2011 03:30 PM PDT

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                  Perpetuum - PvE fight
                  If you've ever wanted to prank-call a mob in an MMORPG, Perpetuum just might be your game. The sci-fi sandbox from Avatar Creations has unveiled a new distress beacon mechanic that basically allows the player to lure a few of the game's alien forces into an ambush.

                  The new gameplay adds a bit of PvE flavor to what is otherwise a PvP-focused title (or at least, a title in which the vast majority of the playerbase PvPs in some fashion), and Avatar is also adding new module tiers, which may be looted from the officers and commanders who respond to the distress beacon calls.

                  Finally, Avatar's latest Perpetuum dev blog brings some good news for those of you looking to partake of the game's free trial. Most of the trial's restrictions are being lifted, and you'll now be able to do just about everything in the game with the exception of founding your own corporation and sending money to other players. Check out the game's website for all the details, and don't forget to have a look at the distress beacon video after the break.

                  Continue reading Perpetuum adding distress beacons, relaxing trial restrictions

                  MassivelyPerpetuum adding distress beacons, relaxing trial restrictions originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 20 Oct 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                  The Perfect Ten: Best starter MMOs

                  Posted: 20 Oct 2011 03:00 PM PDT

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                  Perfect Ten
                  I think it's tremendously easy for experienced MMO players to completely forget what it was like getting started in this genre. It's natural to assume that everyone around you cut their teeth on the same games and in the same ways you did, even though this is completely ridiculous when you give it any real thought.

                  The truth is that MMOs are often very intimidating to the newcomer, and a bad first impression can push a player away for life. You have to contend with a typically busy user interface, you have to master keys and mouse buttons all over the place, you have to learn the lingo, you have to pick up skills on how to survive, and you have to do all of this almost all at once or risk feeling completely lost. This is why many MMO studios place such a priority on an excellent, welcoming tutorial experience.

                  I can relate to the newbie because my first MMO was Anarchy Online. I've never felt so out of my depth than when I played that back in 2002, and I don't think I ever quite understood it all before I left. My second MMO, City of Heroes, was far more friendly to my newbish soul, and it was smooth sailing from there on out.

                  For today's Perfect Ten, I want to highlight MMOs that I feel would be the best for a completely new player to experience. These are titles that combine a welcoming beginner journey, intuitive controls, a helpful community, and enough similarities with other video games to help the transition.

                  Continue reading The Perfect Ten: Best starter MMOs

                  MassivelyThe Perfect Ten: Best starter MMOs originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 20 Oct 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                    The Secret World's Dragon Week continues with new video, interview

                    Posted: 20 Oct 2011 02:30 PM PDT

                    Filed under: , , , , , , ,

                    Screenshot -- The Secret World Dragon
                    Dragon Week is in full swing over at The Secret World, and today players get a double dose of Dragon with a new video and an interview with Ragnar Tørnquist. The video highlights a previous trailer's character -- referred to hereafter as Milkshake Girl -- and her initiation into the Dragon. Poor Milkshake Girl's idea of chaos prior to the Dragon was "a messy apartment," but disorderly living spaces have nothing on the Dragon concept of chaos, as the video points out.

                    The interview focuses entirely on, surprise, the Dragon faction and the lore behind it. Tørnquist is reluctant to give away any juicy gameplay details, however, and refuses to reveal what faction-specific abilities the Dragon will have access to. But if you're a lore junkie, read on: Tørnquist discusses the hierarchy of the Dragon, the organization's modus operandi, the central characters of the faction, and the group's relation to the Templar, Illuminati, and the Council of Venice. So head on over to IGN for the full interview, jump past the cut for the video, and remember, Dragon Week isn't over yet. Check back tomorrow to see what else Funcom has in store.

                    Continue reading The Secret World's Dragon Week continues with new video, interview

                    MassivelyThe Secret World's Dragon Week continues with new video, interview originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 20 Oct 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                    EVE Online adding implants to killmails

                    Posted: 20 Oct 2011 02:00 PM PDT

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                    EVE Online title image
                    When a ship is destroyed in EVE Online, half of its fitted modules are destroyed and half are dropped as loot. When EVE was young, the list of modules destroyed and dropped in a kill was sent in an in-game mail to both the victim and the player who got the killing blow. Today the killmail is stored in a players' character sheet rather than clogging up his inbox, providing a record of all the ships he's killed and those he's lost in combat. When you destroy a player's escape capsule, however, all you're left with is a blank killmail and a tasty corpse floating in space.

                    In a new devblog, CCP Masterplan describes the introduction of one of EVE's most requested features: implants on pod killmails. When an escape pod is destroyed, a list of all the expensive implants installed in the corpse's head will be added to the currently blank killmail, letting players put a much more accurate value on successful kills. This comes as good news to corporations and alliances judging their war performance using killboard valuations.

                    MassivelyEVE Online adding implants to killmails originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 20 Oct 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                    Free Realms clocks 20 million players over two-and-a-half years [Update]

                    Posted: 20 Oct 2011 01:30 PM PDT

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                    Free Realms
                    Sony Online Entertainment's most glorious shining star in its MMO library has another merit badge for its sash today. Free Realms just toppled the 20 million player mark, which includes all registrations since the game launched in 2009. This number reflects both PC and PlayStation 3 users.

                    John Smedley is, of course, as pleased as punch: "This benchmark is an honor and a true testament of SOE's success with free-to-play games."

                    It turns out that the PS3 was a godsend for the already hot title, as over three million additional console and PC players jumped on board the Free Realms train following new platform's release. While SOE didn't comment on how many of those new players stuck around after the entire system was taken offline for the better part of a month, this milestone speaks well to the game's popularity.

                    The company is not releasing information as to how many of those 20 million are still actively playing the game.

                    [Update: Clarified numbers on console players added after the PS3 launch.]

                    MassivelyFree Realms clocks 20 million players over two-and-a-half years [Update] originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 20 Oct 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                    Guild Wars 2 audio team heads to nuclear power plant for sound recording

                    Posted: 20 Oct 2011 01:00 PM PDT

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                    Charr-nobyl?  Too soon?
                    The ArenaNet sound team has been busy, with its latest project being a field trip to an inactive nuclear power plant.

                    Yep, you read that correctly -- the team took a two-hour drive to the Satsop Nuclear Power Plant to record some audio for Guild Wars 2. Why? Well, while the new ArenaNet offices have some fantastic sound facilities, you can't beat a huge concrete-and-metal building complete with 450-foot-wide cooling towers for some great sound effects. Audio Director James Ackley took his team and a pile of gear to the plant to record all sorts of sounds, including "tone sweeps, train-bys, monster sounds, and even Maclaine's best Eddie Van Halen impression on Rob's guitar," all enhanced to make the most of the unusual acoustics.

                    The new blog entry has plenty of details on the trip as well as a three-minute video showing off some of the highlights of the trip. Check it out at the ArenaNet blog!

                    MassivelyGuild Wars 2 audio team heads to nuclear power plant for sound recording originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 20 Oct 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                    City of Heroes' Cord 'Thinktank' Carney details Dr. Kane's Mansion

                    Posted: 20 Oct 2011 12:30 PM PDT

                    Filed under: , , , , ,

                    Screenshot -- City of Heroes
                    Halloween is almost here, and of course that means that many MMOs are gearing up for seasonal events. One of those MMOs is Paragon Studios' City of Heroes. A new addition to the festivities this year is Dr. Kane's Mansion, and World Designer Cord "Thinktank" Carney has taken time out of his busy schedule to talk a bit about the creation of City of Heroes' Halloween event and Dr. Kane's Mansion.

                    One of the key challenges, Carney says, was balancing the event so that it's accessible to new players brought in by the game's free-to-play transition as well as ensuring that it isn't a cake-walk for veterans. Also of note is the task of making the event feel dynamic and alive by providing a variety of NPCs you can speak to, a multitude of triggered events, and so forth. For the full article on the making of Dr. Kane's Mansion, head on over to the official City of Heroes site.

                    MassivelyCity of Heroes' Cord 'Thinktank' Carney details Dr. Kane's Mansion originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 20 Oct 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                    Wish granted: Nadirim launching next month

                    Posted: 20 Oct 2011 12:00 PM PDT

                    Filed under: , , ,

                    Nadirim
                    After 1001 Arabian Nights of beta testing, the Middle-Eastern-flavored Nadirim is finally launching on November 7th. The game will launch with three classes and a unique world full of mystical elements including djinns and flying carpets.

                    Nadirim is Twisted Tribe's first MMO, and the company is placing high expectations on its future. "We wanted to create a game that stands out among browser games and we are on the right path. We'll be rolling out features and expansions throughout the year. We're focused on bringing players a magical gaming experience," said Twisted Tribe's Balazs Sipocz.

                    As it is both a free-to-play title and fully playable within a browser, Nadirim is accessible as can be for the curious adventurer looking for a change of scenery. The beta process resulted in several changes and additions to the game, including PvP duels, better combat mechanics, and a bigger open world experience.

                    Twisted Tribe is holding a contest to reward players for inviting friends into the game, and will be handing out in-game currency as prizes. If you're curious about what Nadirim is like, make sure to watch our Rise and Shiny recap of it from August.

                    [Source: Twisted Tribe press release]

                    MassivelyWish granted: Nadirim launching next month originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 20 Oct 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                      Spiral Knights adds Shadow Lair boss content

                      Posted: 20 Oct 2011 11:00 AM PDT

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                      Spiral Knights - little sword guy
                      Darkness! Danger! Death! All await you in the latest Spiral Knights content update from Three Rings. More specifically, the game features new Shadow Lair boss zones, which in turn feature big baddies with names like Lord Vanaduke and Snarbolax (yep, that's really his name, Snarbolax).

                      Players who recover iron lockboxes have a chance to find shadow keys which can then be used to unlock one of several express elevators that lead right into the depths of the Shadow Lairs. The bosses themselves will provide "trickier, tougher boss fights [and] will challenge even the bravest, boldest, and best-equipped knights, presenting the greatest challenges the game has seen so far," according to a new Three Rings press release. There's more info available on the official Spiral Knights forums, and you can download the game via the official website.

                      MassivelySpiral Knights adds Shadow Lair boss content originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 20 Oct 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                      Digimon Masters launching October 25th

                      Posted: 20 Oct 2011 10:30 AM PDT

                      Filed under: , , , , , ,

                      Digimon Masters - screenshot with boy and giant pet
                      Digimon fans, your wait is almost over. Joymax has just announced that the Digimon Masters Online MMO is scheduled to release on October 25th (which is next week, if you're keeping score at home).

                      The game features "a deeper RPG experience, enhanced graphics, and adrenaline-pumping real-time combat," according to the latest Joymax press blurb. DMO will purportedly satisfy fans of the original Digimon television series too, as it features more than 1000 characters who appeared on the show during the first five seasons. Joymax says that Digimon Masters is faithful to both the original art design and the series' storyline, and you can learn more about the pet-centric RPG title at its official website.

                      [Source: Joymax press release]

                      MassivelyDigimon Masters launching October 25th originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 20 Oct 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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