General Gaming Article

General Gaming Article


Report: Drop in Ultrabook Prices Imminent

Posted: 30 Nov 2011 08:27 PM PST

Despite affordability being an integral part of Intel's ultrabook vision, PC vendors are finding it difficult to honor the $1,000 price cap stipulated by the chip maker. If it's the price that's keeping you from buying your first ultrabook, you might not have to wait all that long now for a dip in ultrabook prices. Hit the jump for more.

Digitimes definitely has to be one of the world's leading sources of ultrabook news/rumors, having reported (read: speculated) extensively on the subject with plenty of help from its always anonymous friends within the industry. Now, the paper is reporting that a dip in ultrabook prices is imminent.

According to the report, which cites "Taiwan-based supply chain makers", Acer, Asustek Computer and Toshiba are expected to lower the price of their ultrabooks to below $1,000 by the end of 2011, with a further drop of 5-10 percent expected in 1Q12 as a result of a US$100 marketing subsidy from Intel.

Its sources blamed the high price of key components such as processors and SSDs for making it difficult for vendors to price their ultrabooks below the all-important $1,000 mark. A 13-inch SSD-toting ultrabook, for instance, has a total build cost of $940. This includes a $690 BOM (bill-of-materials), $100 OEM costs and $150 in marketing expenses, the sources revealed.

PCIe 4.0 to Double the Speed of PCIe 3.0

Posted: 30 Nov 2011 03:05 PM PST

pciAn announcement from the group that governs the PCI standard, known as PCI-SIG, has offered up the first details on the next-generation PCIe 4.0 standard. It's not going to be showing up just around the bend, rather PCIe 4.0 won't be a thing until around 2015. Before the final specs can be published, the group has to complete feasibility studies around 2013 or 2014. However, we do know that PCIe 4.0 will be shooting for some crazy performance numbers.

The PCI-SIG said that PCIe 4.0 is expected to hit 16 gigatransfers per second (i.e. 16 billion descrete packets of data). This is twice as fast as PCIe 3.0, which will be supported natively on Intel's upcoming Ivy Bridge chips. The first products running PCIe 4.0 will likely be servers and high-end gaming machines. It may be 2016 before it is in wide use.

The PCI-SIG also commented that the new standard could be useful in tablet and other small form factor devices where space and power is limited. These systems have increasing bandwidth processing concerns like any other, after all. 

Clearwire May Miss Debt Payment, Cause Trouble For Sprint

Posted: 30 Nov 2011 02:48 PM PST

sprintMobile broadband provider Clearwire is facing a tough decision as a massive debt payment comes due tomorrow and the company is scrambling to get network upgrades underway. The company is set to pay $237 million in interest, but despite having the cash, it may choose to skip the payment in order to spend more on building an LTE network to replace the current WiMAX one. If Clearwire can't work this out, its carrier partner Sprint could be hit hard down the line.

Clearwire in the last year has switched from a consumer-based retail model to a wholesaler model, but WiMAX also took a big hit as faster and more reliable LTE networks started deploying. In response, Cleawire and Sprint resolved to move to LTE, but that's not a cheap process. Sprint is already a big stakeholder in Cleawire because the carrier simply needs the spectrum for 4G. 

Most analysts believe that Clearwire will seek a 30-day grace period as it scrapes together some more cash to cover its own costs in addition to the debt payments. Skipping the planned payment could prejudice investors against Clearwire in the future. Sprint may also ride to the rescue as it has had to do in the past. 

Dell Pulling Back on CES Presence

Posted: 30 Nov 2011 02:32 PM PST

dellDell has been going all out at the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) the last few years, but this time it's going to be playing it much more cool. In fact, it will be ditching most of the heavy-hitting demos that have been the company's signature. This might be an indication that Dell is looking to tighten its belt as sales continue to slump.

Dell usually rents out an entire floor of the Palms Casino Resort  in Vegas to set up a massive showroom for press and attendees. So that's out this coming January, but Dell will also be backing off on large meetings and may just borrow time in a partner's keynote as their only announcement slot.

It might not be all doom and gloom, though. Some in the industry simply think that big events at CES are a waste of resources. So many companies are vying for attention that it's easy to be drowned out when you're just making PCs. 

The Game Boy: Dear Videogames, Shut Up

Posted: 30 Nov 2011 02:12 PM PST

Game characters talk too much. Unless, of course, they're J'zargo.

I like shirts. I enjoy owning them, wearing them -- pretty much everything you can do with shirts, really. Which is mostly just those two things. So I recently visited a custom T-shirt website, because why not? And then -- because I'm oddly proud of my exceedingly embarrassing geekiness -- I searched for Skyrim apparel. What I discovered made me laugh like a hyena that'd recently eaten a live clown. Then it made me deeply, deeply depressed. Mere days after the game had launched, there were shirts emblazoned with phrases like "You tried mercenary work? It might suit you" and "My cousin's out fighting dragons, and what do I get? Guard duty."

If you've played Skyrim for more than two seconds, those phrases probably haunt your nightmares -- perhaps uttered by deeply unsettling images of your disapproving father as a giant praying mantis. Why? Because Skyrim's all-too-talkative denizens bellow them every time you're within bellowing range. Dovahkiin shouts? The Voice? Those are nothing compared to these all-powerful, sanity shattering sentences. And that's a rather large problem.

Skyrim's blabbermouth inhabitants speak to a much larger issue within modern games: There's far too much telling, and not nearly enough showing. Ken Levine recently put it best when he said, "It's always very tempting to have people talk. We'll do a level review and either me or somebody else will have like an idea, 'this person will say this!', and generally that's the least effective way to get across information in a videogame." Because it really, really is -- and not just in the case of 80-trillion-hour behemoths like Skyrim.

For example, let's take a game that's essentially Skyrim's polar opposite, like Modern Warfare 3 or -- on the console side of things -- Uncharted 3. Both games are so heavily railroaded that, if you so much as briefly wobble off the tracks, everything explodes and dies. Sometimes literally. In Uncharted's case, especially, it's a byproduct of telling a very deliberate, pre-written story. If those spike-and-glass-and-bee-coated guard rails weren't in place, the whole illusion would fall apart. Expertly crafted scripts would be read out of order. The player could put a bullet in allies' one-liner-spewing robo-brains mid-sentence. And that'd make some weird fraction of a liner. A half-liner? Where's the fun in that?

In all of the above cases, dialog -- what the game's explicitly telling us -- is the first thing to break. And when you can see immersion's seams, it's not long until the stuffing's all over the floor and your cat eats it. Dialog, after all, is a limited resource. No matter how much fancy AI or procedural tech you have, you can't magically teleport voice actors back into the studio each time someone scales to the tippity top of a dialog tree. So typically, the character just goes on infinite repeat, and that's the game's way of saying, "Alright, you can go away now. Nothing to see here. Go on, then! Shoe!"

Obviously, good writing -- and, perhaps more importantly, well-placed writing -- can help remedy this to a certain extent. But even then, in order for it to be effective, incredibly restrictive design constraints are pretty much required. Take Portal, for instance. As far as writing and dialog go, it's nearly untouchable. But it's also a few hours long, linear as a maze designed by a Medieval jouster, and good for roughly one playthrough -- at least, storywise. Moreover, one of its best story moments arises not from prose that'd make Shakespeare throw down his quill and pick up some Ben and Jerry's, but from the power of ever-so-slight suggestion.


I'm referring, of course, to the Weighted Companion Cube. GLaDOS -- mostly in an attempt to mess with your head -- briefly imbues the Companion Cube with vaguely human qualities by saying things like "It would rather die in a fire than become a burden to you." The player's brain, however, does the rest. For me, slam-dunking my cuboid companion into certain fiery doom was utterly heartbreaking. Much moreso than, say, the death of what's-his-stubbly-face in Modern Warfare.

The very notion, of course, is silly. I mean, it's a freakin' cube. It can't speak -- let alone posses a well-developed personality. And yet -- during that five-minute-long segment -- Portal subtly pushed me into bonding with it. Not once did it outright say, "Your character wishes to share a long, passionate make-out session with this geometrical object just before the credits roll." It didn't need to.              

And let's not forget the likes of Ico and Shadow of the Colossus -- both of which are held up as de-facto examples of Games As Art because of the overwhelming emotions they evoke with nary a peep from their characters. Also, while we're in console territory, I may as well bring up The Darkness, which I can't seem to go a week without praising like a lovestruck teenager. There's a good reason for that, though: Snuggling up with main character Jackie Estacado's girlfriend on a couch and watching the entirety of "To Kill a Mockingbird" is one of the most convincing moments I've ever experienced in a game. It's one thing for a game to say, "These two characters are in love because of course they are." It's another thing entirely, however, to stick around until after the danger's passed and there's nothing good on TV.     

Hell, I only chose to slap a big "Berate Me" sign on Skyrim's back first because it's so completely brilliant when chatterbox citizens are nowhere to be found. The game's world is so meticulously constructed that -- when I'm off adventuring all by my lonesome -- I can't help but imagine motivations and stories for characters and environments I encounter. Bethesda's sprinkled each area with just enough information -- skeletons, books, half-eaten food, notes, etc -- that my brain practically leaps at the chance to connect the dots.

Ultimately, though, the game tells me I'm a Big Damn Hero with a Big Damn Destiny. So, somewhat ironically, I'm the same as everybody else. But -- through my adventures -- I've molded my character into a Nord who's equal parts just, prideful, and ruthless. He'll never even consider joining the Dark Brotherhood, but if he deems you a drain on society, he'll slice you until you resemble the Black Knight from Monty Python, watch as you hobble away in fear, and bathe you in flames until you don't even look human anymore. Because in his eyes, you never were. 

It's interesting: People love to rationalize events and create stories. Meanwhile, they hate being bossed around and forced into teeny-tiny boxes. So why are videogames so gleefully in love with getting it backwards? 

Samsung Unveils Exynos 5250 Dual-Core SoC in Korea

Posted: 30 Nov 2011 01:39 PM PST

Samsung Korea today announced what it claims is the industry's first next-generation ARM Cortex-A15 equipped 2GHz dual-core system-on-chip (SoC). Dubbed 'Exynos 5250,' this dual-core part is built using a 32nm manufacturing process and offers roughly twice the performance as that of existing 1.5GHz dual-core Cortex A9 products, Samsung claims.

Memory bandwidth is also doubled to 12.8GB/s, which helps the new SoC achieve a new maximum resolution of 2506x1600, paving the way for high resolution displays on upcoming tablets. It's also burly enough to drive 3D content, including high-end games and HD movies.

Other than that, details are in short supply, though we expect to learn more when Samsung issues an announcement in the U.S. In the meantime, you can view the Korean language press release here.

Image Credit: Samsung

How to Install & Configure the Windows 8 Developer Preview

Posted: 30 Nov 2011 01:08 PM PST

With Windows 8, Microsoft is reimagining the most basic premises of personal computers. CEO Steve Ballmer recognizes the drastic changes coming in Windows 8, even calling the platform one of the biggest risks taken by the industry giant. The UI changes and fundamental paradigm shifts that Windows 8 brings to the table are making a lot of power users eager to give the platform a trial run, even in its current state as a Developer Preview.

If you want to take the plunge and give Windows 8 a try, there are some things you should know ahead of time. First, the current build of Windows 8 is intended as a Developer Preview. This is pre-beta software, meaning there will be bugs and even major missing features. We don't recommend installing Windows 8 as your primary system, but we do encourage you to take it for a spin and spend some time tinkering under the hood. And we recommend that you use good backup practices for any data you put on your Windows 8 system, as stability may be an issue.

Step 1 - Prepare to Install

Whenever you are looking to install new software, especially a new operating system, your first step should be to review the system requirements.

Fortunately, the system requirements for Windows 8 are identical to those for Windows 7. In fact, a baseline Windows 8 installation will consume fewer system resources than a baseline Windows 7 SP1 build. So if you're already running Windows 7, you're in good shape. Note, however, that there are special requirements for touch input.

Microsoft has provided both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of the Windows 8 Developer Preview installation media, both freely available from MSDN. For best results, you should verify that your media downloaded correctly using the hash provided by Microsoft. The .iso files provided can be easily burned to a DVD using native tools in Windows 7 or your preferred DVD software.

Step 2 - Install

There are a couple of different decisions that must be made before you begin any OS install. The first is whether you want the OS to coexist with another in a dual-boot scenario or if you are simply going to overwrite any existing OS installs. Dual-booting provides you with some flexibility to fall back to an existing platform, but also adds complexity in terms of drive partitioning. The other decision is the method of installation. The typical method for installing an operating system is using a bootable disc, which gives you the ability to install the Windows 8 OS to a second hard drive or partition. The Windows 8 Developer Preview will also allow you to install from within a previous Windows version, providing you the option to retain accounts, files, and settings (if installing from Vista or Windows 7). We'll walk you through both options.

The most common method for installing a new operating system on your computer is to boot from a setup disc, in this case a DVD. After inserting the disc and choosing to boot from your optical drive, the Windows 8 setup wizard will look very similar to the Windows 7 install. The first screen prompts you to enter your location information in order to configure your keyboard and other locale-specific settings (image above), and the second contains the button to actually begin the installation.

As with most Windows installations, Windows 8 displays Upgrade or Custom (advanced) options. One of the key differences in using the boot-disc installation is that the Upgrade choice is actually a dead-end. To upgrade from a previous install of Windows, you'll need to use the Windows-based setup utility.The next step in this exercise is choosing the drive or partition for your Windows 8 install (image above). As with Windows 7, you have the option to use empty drive space, reformat an existing partition, or install over an existing Windows instance. If you choose the latter option, system and user files will be placed in the Windows.old directory to be accessed later. Choose your option and hit next—the installer will take over from there.


Alternative - Setup From Windows

Using the Setup option from within a previous version of Windows is a relatively simple prospect. After inserting the setup disc, the installer will ask if you'd like to get updates to the installer itself, which is a nice benefit (image below).

You'll be asked a couple of simple questions—click the Install button at the end and setup will proceed. Once installation is complete, you will be prompted to configure Windows 8 for the first time.

Step 3 - Initial Configuration

Once you've successfully completed the install of the Windows 8 Developer Preview, there are still some configuration steps to take before you can start playing around with the system (image below). If you're the impatient type, the "Use express settings" button is your shortcut to the end result. We recommend choosing the Customize option, which allows you to step through each setting and verify that your machine is configured perfectly.

Assuming you chose the Customize button, the next screen you see asks for your sharing settings—basically, whether you want to share files or devices with other computers on your network. The next screen allows you to configure settings for automatic updates and system protection tools like SmartScreen Filter in Internet Explorer. The rest of the configuration process is fairly self-explanatory.

Now that the system is configured, it's time to get your account set up. There are a couple of options at this point that require some attention. Windows 8 will allow you to use local computer accounts, just like prior versions of Windows, or you can log in with your Windows Live account (image above). Using the Windows Live option will give you some additional features, like the ability to synchronize files and settings between multiple Windows 8 computers. If you used the Windows-based setup and selected the option to retain your user account information, you will be required to enter your old password in order to complete that process. Associating your existing account with Windows Live is completely optional, but if you forgo this choice you will miss out on some of the key new functionality in Windows 8.

Step 4 - Try it Out

Now that you've successfully navigated the installation process, it's time to play with the shiny new Metro UI. Resist the urge to jump straight to the Windows Desktop—Metro is the future of Windows (image below). Though the UI is designed to be extremely touch friendly, Microsoft has made an effort to make it usable for users with a mouse and keyboard, as well. You can activate Metro apps with a mouse click, rearrange tiles by clicking and dragging, and search by simply typing a word or phrase.

There are a few common gestures you should become familiar with. Placing your mouse in the bottom‑left corner of the screen will access the "Charm" menu (image below), which gives you quick access to Search, Settings, and Sharing. Placing your mouse on the far left edge of the screen will bring up a thumbnail of the last app you used. Clicking this thumbnail will return you to the app.

OK, the training wheels are off and you're on your own. Enjoy the ride!

Geek Gift Idea: 3D Printed Robot from My Robot Nation

Posted: 30 Nov 2011 11:49 AM PST

For the geek who has everything, from motherboard art to processor keychains, My Robot Nation today announced the official launch of what it claims is the world's first consumer friendly digital-to-actual 3D creation service. Chalk this one up as a rad and unique gift idea, for yourself or someone else. What this company does is let you create your own robot collectible online, then have it made in full-color and in 3D.

My Robot Nation was actually featured as an exclusive beta on the Google Chrome Web Store some time ago and has now graduated as a gold service. The Web-based creation process leverages proprietary online browser technology with WebGL 3D graphics, but more importantly, it puts 3D printing within reach of the average Joe or Jane. 3D printing, while fun and growing in popularity, is typically expensive and complicated because it requires investing in your own 3D printer, some of which can be a bear to assemble. My Robot Nation removes both barriers.

To ensure your robot is one of a kind, there are more than 9 billion possible combinations of body shapes, limbs, colors, decals, and attachments.

"At My Robot Nation, we believe that everyone is creative, and everyone can create – we all just need a fun and easy way to get started. YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter show us how creative everyone can be digitally – we're giving people an amazing new way to bring that creativity into the real world," said Sarah W. Stocker, co-founder of My Robot Nation. "Robots are only the beginning – the My Robot Nation platform is designed to be flexible and allow for the creation and customization of objects of any type. 3D printing is a revolution in creation – we want everyone to have access to it!"

To kick off its launch, My Robot Nation is offering limited edition holiday robot designs. Pricing varies by size:

  • 2 inches: $18
  • 3 inches: $24
  • 4 inches: $53
  • 5 inches: $100
  • 6 inches: $170

You can create your own robot here.

Spotify Unveils Third-Party Apps

Posted: 30 Nov 2011 11:10 AM PST

Spotify may be one of the more successful streaming music services around, but man, the company is tweaking and adding features like it has something to prove. Spotify's only been available in the U.S. since this summer, and since then, they've added mandatory Facebook registration for rookie users (which kind of sucks) and six months of free, unlimited tunes for newcomers (which is awesome). Last week, CEO Daniel Ek promised a big change was coming to Spotify, and today, he unveiled it: external devs can now create apps that link in to the service using "The Spotify Platform."

Six apps are available to launch the new service: Last.fm and We Are Hunted can suggest songs for your listening pleasure, while Rolling Stone, The Guardian, and Pitchfork provide "expert tips," whatever the heck that means. On a more functional note, the Songkick app will tip you off if one of your favorite artists is playing nearby, and TuneWiki will display the lyrics from the song you're listening to, perfectly synced to the music. You'll be able to add those apps – and more, in the future – via an "Apps" listing in Spotify's left-hand sidebar. It's not appearing in our Spotify just yet, though, so we can't offer up an opinion on whether the initial apps are full of win or weaksauce.

Do third party apps make Spotify a more attractive streaming service for you? Might you actually be tempted to whip up an account, forced Facebook integration and all?

ISPs May Institute Usage Fees To Counteract Streaming Video Surge

Posted: 30 Nov 2011 10:45 AM PST

If you've cut the cable and switched to streaming services like Netflix or Hulu to fill your Sons of Anarchy viewing needs, you might be in for a nasty shock before long: higher prices. No, Netflix isn't raising its rates again. It's your Internet connection itself that your wallet should be worried about! Reports say that major U.S. ISPs, including Time Warner Cable, Charter, Cox and AT&T, are experimenting with usage-based Internet fees – not just to quell streaming users' massive broadband needs, but also to make Netflix less attractive (and traditional cable more attractive) to TV watchers. Most of the largest ISPs sell digital TV services as well, remember?

According to Bloomberg, companies like Time Warner are losing cable customers on quarterly basis, partly because of dish-based alternatives, but mostly due to streaming services. Since streaming services require large amounts of bandwidth, the cable companies (who just so happen to also control your Internet tubes) figure they'll make the money back by charging heavy users higher Internet usage fees. And if users balk at the higher Internet costs, what do you know? They can always switch back to cable. Win-win for the ISP! According to the article, "Cable companies see usage-based billing as a way to limit the appeal of online services like Netflix and Hulu, and reduce the threat from new entrants like Amazon and Google." In addition, usage fees are considered by industry insiders as a great way to squeeze out some extra revenue for ISPs, as traditional cable services are losing growth momentum and incurring rising costs.

Thoughts?

MMO News

MMO News


Path of Exile

Posted: 30 Nov 2011 03:35 PM PST

Path of Exile is a competitive online action RPG set in the fictional continent of Wraeclast.

pathofexile

Publisher: Grinding Gear Games
Playerbase: ???
Graphics: Medium Quality
Type: MMORPG
EXP Rate: ???
PvP: ???
Filesize: ???

Pros: +Non class specific skill system +Gritty Realistic Art Style

Cons: -Not much is known about the game

This is a Preview Page. All info is subject to change upon full release.

Overview

Path of Exile Overview

In Path of Exile, the player has been exiled from their homeland to the corrupted and deeply hostile continent of Wraeclast. Alone, or with other exiles, they must develop their skills and discover powerful magical artifacts in order to survive the challenges of a cutthroat post-apocalyptic fantasy world.

Path of Exile Screenshots

Path of Exile Featured Video

Coming Soon

Full Review

Path of Exile Review

Coming Soon…..

Screenshots

Path of Exile Screenshots

Coming Soon….

Videos

Path of Exile Videos

Action Trailer

Links

Path of Exile Links

Eligium Official Site

System Requirements

Path of Exile System Requirements

Minimum Requirements:
OS: Windows XP/ 2000 / 98 / Vista
CPU: 1.0 GHz Intel P3 or equivalent
RAM: 512 MB RAM
HDD: 2 GB Free
Graphics Card: Nvidia GeForce 5500 or better

Recommended Specification:
OS: Windows XP/ Vista
CPU: 2.4 Ghz Intel P4 or equivalent
RAM: 1024 MB (1GB) RAM
HDD: 2 GB Free
Graphics Card: Nvidia GeForce 6600 or better

Castle Empire Gameplay – First Look HD

Posted: 30 Nov 2011 02:54 PM PST

To Learn More About the Game, Check out our Castle Empire Page.

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Castle Empire is a 2D browser based strategy MMO published by Ubisoft – the same company behind Might and Magic Heroes Kingdoms and Ghost Recon Online. Gameplay wise – Castle Empire plays a lot like Ministry of War, Escaria, Damoria, Heroes of Gaia, and every other browser based strategy MMO. To be honest, it’s difficult trying to differentiate these titles as they’re all nearly identical in their core gameplay. Even though Castle Empire offers nothing unique, those who enjoy playing these browser based strategy titles may find something to like in Castle Empire – especially since the game is being published by a well known game company (Ubisoft). To learn more about Castle Empire check out the official MMOHut Castle Empire page which includes a detailed review, tons of screenshots, and additional videos.

Fiesta Online to launch new browser client

Posted: 30 Nov 2011 01:12 PM PST

Outspark has announced that Fiesta Online will soon be adding a new browser-based client in North America, as part of a major expansion.

The client is expected to be released sometime in the next few months, and will grant access to the same game and servers that are currently available with the downloadable client. The remainder of the expansion coming with the new client has yet to be detailed.

Outspark also publishes Luvinia Online and Seven Dragons.

fiesta-online-town-square.jpg

Fiesta Online Gameplay Screenshot

Source:

Fiesta Browser Client Coming Soon

Outspark and Ons On Soft bring the MMO party to the Web

SAN FRANCISCO – November 30, 2011 – Fiesta, the fantasy-based MMO RPG powerhouse from Outspark, will soon be donning a new way to bring the party to the players, all from the convenience of a web-browser. Players of the ever popular MMO will soon have more options for accessing their favorite game, providing easier access in more places which is a big help in today's busy and technology-rich environment.

Fiesta is a perennial fan-favorite MMORPG that boasts a player base of over 5 million users and continues to grow. To keep up with the growing demand and to stay on top of an ever changing market, both the developer, Ons On Soft, and publisher, Outspark, are making sure to keep the game fresh and accessible with new content and features. The browser version of the game will be arriving soon for North American audiences and is only one part of a yet to be revealed major expansion coming to Fiesta.

"With such a large fan following," says Philip Yun, CEO of Outspark, "We hear plenty of opinions on what players want. In preparation for more content coming in the future, we wanted to provide old and new players more ways to enjoy and play their favorite MMO."

While the browser version of Fiesta is currently still in development, Outspark is looking to release the new client this winter. The browser client allows players access to the same Fiesta servers that avid players currently play on with all experience, achievements, and items accrued during play being saved to the account in the just the same way as playing on the native client for the game. This means that players from either version can party with their friends to take on challenging world bosses, team up to take on dungeons or kingdom quests, or even challenge other players in the various PvP arenas available in the game.

Eden Eternal adds two races and more

Posted: 30 Nov 2011 12:42 PM PST

Eden Eternal launched its November patch last week, bringing more content to the MMORPG.

Two new races, the bear-like Ursun who specialize in crafting class glyphs, and the child-like Halfkin, who specialize in shoemaking, make their debut.  As a result, Eden Eternal has expanded the character creation limit from three per account to six per account.

The patch also introduced the Alpaca Coin system, letting players collect these coins through quests to redeem later for rare items, including Aeria Point items.

Eden Eternal is published by Aeria Games, which also publishes Lime Odyssey and Grand Fantasia.

Eden Eternal: November Patch Screenshots

Source:

Aeria Games Releases New Eden Eternal Content Featuring New Races, Extended Character Creation and Alpaca Coin System

SANTA CLARA, Calif. – November 30, 2011 — Aeria Games, a leading global publisher of free-to-play online games, has released a content update for its popular free-to-play MMORPG, Eden Eternal, which features a host of new items to further extend the game's already robust offerings.  The new items include two new races, expanded character creation and the all new Alpaca coin system which accompany the new races. Eden Eternal now features a total of 6 playable races with the ability to change classes, customizable player guild towns and intense dungeon combat.

Meet the New Races: Ursun and Halfkin

-          Several hundred years ago, all Ursun lived under the rule of the great King, but a struggle for the throne divided the kingdom into two warring factions. After failing to conquer the throne the Ursun made their way to the lowlands of Eden Eternal. The Ursun's are a bear-like race whose specialty is known to help enhance class-specific bonuses by crafting class glyphs.

-          The Halfkin race is cute and mischievous but has the great ability to embroider enchantments for the elusive fame trophies in-game. This youthful children-like race, possess the skills of being shoemakers and cordwainers.

Further adding to the diverse characters found in Eden Eternal, players also now have the ability to create more than three characters on one given account. The limit has been raised to six characters per account allowing players to create and play each of the races in the game.

The addition of the all new Alpaca Coin system serves as a new quest mechanic and allows players to collect special Alpaca Coins to redeem items that include rare and Aeria Point items.  The Alpaca is the signature animal in Eden Eternal and since the beginning has served as loyal mounts.

Eden Eternal is free to download on the PC and free-to-play. Gamers can learn more and play Eden Eternal by visiting http://edeneternal.aeriagames.com.

GamesCampus releases Tour Golf Online trailer

Posted: 30 Nov 2011 12:05 PM PST

GamesCampus has released its first preview trailer for the upcoming Tour Golf Online (check it out below).

Tour Golf Online is built on the CryEngine 3, and has been developed with the help of members of the Korean Professional Golfer’s Association. Some new golf courses are designed by Kyung Ho Pack and So Won Yoon. The game features realistic graphics, weather, equipment, and courses.

GamesCampus also publishes Shot Online and Heroes in the Sky.

Tour Golf Online Trailer:

Source:

GAMESCAMPUS UNVEILS THE FIRST OFFICIAL TRAILER FOR TOUR GOLF ONLINE

Players Treated To A Sneak Peek At Some Of The Most Visually Stunning Courses Ever Seen In An Online Golf Game!

Sunnyvale, Calif. (Nov 30, 2011)- Leading online game publisher, GamesCampus.com (www.GamesCampus.com), today launched the first preview video of their upcoming title, Tour Golf Online.  The video introduces players to the world of Tour Golf, which was designed using the CryEngine3!  Basing their courses off of real-world greens as well as creating new fantasy courses, Tour Golf Online offers an extra boost of realism due to the involvement of KPGA (Korean Professional Golfer’s Association) members who are both testing and helping to design aspects of the golf courses that are the crowning glory of Tour Golf Online.

“Using the CryEngine3 has allowed our team to design courses with real golfers in mind.  We brought together real KPGA stars with the Games Campus team to test our engine.  The pro-golfers even had a chance to design parts of the courses!” said Kevin Kim, CEO of Games Campus.  “With stunning lifelike training areas, real world weather, and state of the art golfing equipment, players will experience golf in a truly lifelike fashion they won’t find anywhere else.”

Players will appreciate the first glimpse of the game, including an aerial preview of several courses, alongside a stunning example of the look and feel of CryEngine3 in action.  Whether your character falls into a hazard or makes the perfect shot onto the green, each shot is captured in realistic detail.  Line up for the perfect putt and celebrate alongside your character in perfect clarity.

Tour Golf Online puts the player in the shoes of a competitive pro-golfer on the tournament circuit. Through its development using Crytek’s CryENGINE3, Tour Golf Online aims to surpass all current golf titles by pushing the limits of graphics as we know them today with life-like climates, detailed environments and state-of-the-art golf clubs and gear. GamesCampus has worked to capture and replicate even the most minute details of the swinging motions of real world pro-golfers and are working on new golf courses designed by pro-golfers such as Kyung Ho Pak and So Won Yoon (Former KLPGA Tour Pro). Tour Golf Online’s innovative use of technology and forward-thinking concepts are sure to create a new standard in golf games.

Players can follow all the latest information on the Official Tour Golf Online Facebook at  http://www.facebook.com/TourGolfOnline

MMO Updates

MMO Updates


New power set, Central City map coming to DCUO on December 6th

Posted: 30 Nov 2011 09:30 AM PST

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DC Universe Online - Sorceror attacking
December 6th is shaping up to be quite a big day for Sony Online Entertainment. Not only is EverQuest II's latest expansion slated to debut, but so is the new Lightning Strikes content pack for DC Universe Online. The pack is free for subscribers and $9.99 for F2P folk.

There's plenty of bang for your buck too, and it all starts with a new power set (electricity) and continues with new gear, a new open-world map (Central City), and plenty of new DC Comics characters and missions to populate it. New faces include Livewire, Black Lightning, The Top, and The Trickster, and you can learn more about DCUO -- as well as download the client -- at the game's official web destination.

MassivelyNew power set, Central City map coming to DCUO on December 6th originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 30 Nov 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EVE trailer shows off new Crucible expansion

Posted: 30 Nov 2011 09:00 AM PST

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EVE Online - Crucible trailer
What do dubstep and EVE Online have in common? A new expansion trailer, for starters. Yes, Crucible is finally here, and so is CCP's return to a singular focus on internet spaceships. To celebrate, the company has released a slick new video, and the clip marks another return of sorts. All of the footage was captured in-game using real players, and the metagame stylings we've seen in some of EVE's more recent trailers is noticeably absent.

The video shows off most of Crucible's major bullet points including new visuals, captain's quarters, tier three battlecruisers, and a ton of balancing tweaks. See for yourself after the break.

Continue reading EVE trailer shows off new Crucible expansion

MassivelyEVE trailer shows off new Crucible expansion originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 30 Nov 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fiesta Online whips up a creamy browser version

Posted: 30 Nov 2011 08:00 AM PST

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Fiesta Online
With a current playerbase of over five million users, you'd think that Outspark would be plenty happy with Fiesta Online as it is. However, the publisher has decided that there are more steps it could be taking to widen the accessibility for this free-to-play title, and as such, the devs are preparing a new version of Fiesta Online that you can play in your browser.

Coming this winter, the Fiesta Online browser edition will access the full game that current players experience. Players will be able to log onto either the browser or standard client and interact in the same game.

Outspark says that this is only the first part of greater changes coming to the game. Outspark CEO Philip Yun says this is all about giving its customers more choice: "With such a large fan following we hear plenty of opinions on what players want. In preparation for more content coming in the future, we wanted to provide old and new players more ways to enjoy and play their favorite MMO."

[Source: Outspark press release]

MassivelyFiesta Online whips up a creamy browser version originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 30 Nov 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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    Jump into Mythos Global with a closed beta key from Massively!

    Posted: 30 Nov 2011 07:00 AM PST

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    Mythos
    Mythos -- now known as Mythos Global -- is on its third iteration and ready for closed beta testing. Will the third time truly be the charm? There's one way to find out: trying it for yourself.

    The game will begin closed beta testing tomorrow, and if you're anxious to get in for a first look (and some bug hunting) we've got a closed beta key ready and waiting. Head over to our giveaway page to snag your key, then visit T3Fun to make an account if you haven't yet.

    Once you're signed in you're set to go to the Mythos page and click "Apply for CBT". Enter your beta key when prompted, click "go," and you're all set! The beta period begins tomorrow, December 1st, and ends Monday, December 5th.

    GET YOUR KEY

    MassivelyJump into Mythos Global with a closed beta key from Massively! originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 30 Nov 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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      Neverwinter tempts your lust for glory with its first teaser trailer

      Posted: 30 Nov 2011 06:00 AM PST

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      Neverwinter
      Like any good Dungeons & Dragons session, Neverwinter's maiden trailer begins in a fantasy tavern, where locals and adventurers are mingling and swapping stories. Everyone is curious about a pitched battle that happened the night before on a bridge, but only one mysterious figure is able to tell them the truth.

      Hint: Die rolls out the wazoo.

      While brief, this teaser trailer is our first glimpse into Cryptic's latest MMO offering, and while it doesn't go into game mechanics, it does show off the engine, the fighting effects, and even tantalizes with a bit of voice-over. But it's your opinion that truly matters, so hit the jump to see the full reel and let us know in the comments what you think!

      Continue reading Neverwinter tempts your lust for glory with its first teaser trailer

      MassivelyNeverwinter tempts your lust for glory with its first teaser trailer originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 30 Nov 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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      The Daily Grind: Is in-game weather important?

      Posted: 30 Nov 2011 05:00 AM PST

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      Battleground Europe
      World of Warcraft introduced it early on, then largely abandoned it. Games like Battleground Europe, Fallen Earth, RIFT, and Lord of the Rings Online have it. PlanetSide 2 promises to have it.

      What am I talking about? Weather, of course (but you knew that because you read the title, you sly dog). Dynamic weather systems don't come standard in all MMOs, and even in the ones in which they appear, they aren't always noticed. For some, weather adds a layer of immersion that helps one pretend that one is in an actual world. For others, it's an annoying factor that reduces visibility and makes one wonder why the devs couldn't be putting their efforts to better use elsewhere.

      Storm clouds are sweeping in over this Daily Grind and a warm front of flames is predicted. What do you think? Are weather systems important (or at least welcomed), or are they just a waste of coding space?

      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: Is in-game weather important? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 30 Nov 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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        War of the Immortals unveils the Magus preview trailer

        Posted: 29 Nov 2011 07:00 PM PST

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        Blue dragons only go to the best classes.
        The closed beta for War of the Immortals is ending today, with the development team getting ready for the next stage of testing with an open beta. So naturally, the best way to celebrate the end of a testing phase is by unveiling a new class trailer. The latest class up for spectators is the Magus, the game's resident expert at magic designed to leave a crater -- and really, is there any other kind of magic worth mentioning?

        Needless to say, the class features the typical setup of a glass cannon, with light armor, weak melee, and an almost unbelievable talent for summoning hugely destructive spells on any number of targets. It may not be the most subtle class available, but it's certainly the go-to class for heavy damage. Take a look at the gameplay mechanics and some of the armor sets available for the Magus in the trailer just past the break.

        [Source: Perfect World Entertainment press release]

        Continue reading War of the Immortals unveils the Magus preview trailer

        MassivelyWar of the Immortals unveils the Magus preview trailer originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 29 Nov 2011 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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          City of Heroes aims at accessorizing with the new Gunslinger Set

          Posted: 29 Nov 2011 06:00 PM PST

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          I do not aim with my AoEs.  A man who aims with an AoE has forgotten the face of his father.
          Do you find yourself frequently dealing in lead in City of Heroes? Then perhaps your hero could use the accoutrements to match his or her habit of solving every problem with gunplay. The Gunslinger Set is a new featured item in the market, and it brings with it the usual assortment of costume pieces for making your perfect Western-themed hero, including a fine selection of new firearms for any would-be gunslinger looking to snipe at some criminals.

          The whole package is available for 400 points in the store, but if you'd rather buy items piecemeal the option remains as always. And if you've mostly been kept away from the game's subscription fee by the lack of proper gunslinging attire, you'll be happy to know that the game is also offering players a special subscription deal through the end of December, giving players extra VIP subscription time when purchasing a membership for six months or a year at a time.

          MassivelyCity of Heroes aims at accessorizing with the new Gunslinger Set originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 29 Nov 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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          Dark Age of Camelot celebrates 10th birthday with limited edition lithograph

          Posted: 29 Nov 2011 05:00 PM PST

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          Badger badger badger badger
          Mythic Entertainment's popular RvRvR-based MMORPG, Dark Age of Camelot, is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. In order to commemorate this momentous occasion, Mythic is selling a limited edition Dark Age of Camelot 10th anniversary lithograph. There will only be 300 prints available, each signed and numbered by artist Eric Polak, so if you want to get your grubby paws on one of these beauties, you'd better preorder now.

          MassivelyDark Age of Camelot celebrates 10th birthday with limited edition lithograph originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 29 Nov 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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          EverQuest II Age of Discovery launch date, new features revealed

          Posted: 29 Nov 2011 04:00 PM PST

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          Freeport Rain
          For months, EverQuest II fans have been patiently waiting for the launch date of the latest expansion, Age of Discovery. Fortunately, the wait is over: SOE has announced that Tuesday, December 6th is the official live date for EQII's free-to-play transition, the Age of Discovery, and the Freeport Reborn game update (GU62). Executive Producer Dave "SmokeJumper" Georgeson and EQII Associate Producer Emily "Domino" Taylor both took time to give Massively a tour of some of the new features, so read on for an up-close look at Beastlords, the new Freeport, mercenaries, and the dungeon maker, and check out some new screenshots in our gallery below!

          Continue reading EverQuest II Age of Discovery launch date, new features revealed

          MassivelyEverQuest II Age of Discovery launch date, new features revealed originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 29 Nov 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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            Blizzard's Jay Wilson discusses the creation of Diablo III

            Posted: 29 Nov 2011 03:00 PM PST

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            Screenshot -- Diablo III
            The big title on Not So Massively's current waiting list is, of course, Diablo III. It may be a bit before we get a solid release date out of Blizzard "Soon" Entertainment, but in the meantime, the company is keeping the hype training running steadily. Today we have a new interview from the folks over at PC Gamer, during which Diablo III's game director, Jay Wilson, talks about the challenges of building a new game based on the Diablo pedigree while also ensuring that the title has a soul of its own.

            For example, while many have decried the game's "more colorful" environments, Wilson states that "if you make something, you can't just copy. You have to infuse it with your own personality, your own interests, your own opinions, your own desires. If you don't, then it will be soulless." For the full interview, just click on through to PC Gamer.

            MassivelyBlizzard's Jay Wilson discusses the creation of Diablo III originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 29 Nov 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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            The Game Archaeologist celebrates Dark Age of Camelot's 10th anniversary

            Posted: 29 Nov 2011 02:00 PM PST

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            Dark Age of Camelot
            Last month was a historic occasion for MMOs, as Dark Age of Camelot joined the exclusive Decade Club, turning 10 years old and making most of us sit down heavily and wonder, "Has it really been that long?"

            It has indeed. You may wish to invest in a calendar. While it might be a tad tardy, I got the chance to interview the ever-busy Mythic about this milestone... and here it is!

            The Game Archaeologist: Could you please introduce yourself, your role on the team, and the faction for which you live, breathe and sleep?

            Stuart Zissu: I am Stuart Zissu, producer on Dark Age of Camelot. Asking which Realm I prefer is like asking which child is my favorite, I love them all! They all have their advantages and disadvantages, and each one brings something different to the table. With that said, my first level 50 was an Albion Enhancement Friar (before Enhancement Friars were "viable").

            Continue reading The Game Archaeologist celebrates Dark Age of Camelot's 10th anniversary

            MassivelyThe Game Archaeologist celebrates Dark Age of Camelot's 10th anniversary originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 29 Nov 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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              Funcom releases Age of Conan 3.1 update, Dreamworld tweaks

              Posted: 29 Nov 2011 01:00 PM PST

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              Age of Conan - Night on the Turan coast
              In case you missed it (and we did, since it was 3:00 a.m. and we do occasionally sleep), Funcom posted the latest Age of Conan patch notes on the boards earlier today.

              Yep, the 3.1 update is here, and while the bulk of the new code is devoted to Dreamworld engine tweaks, there are also quite a few class-related changes to peruse. Players have also been reporting various issues due to running custom user interfaces, and various fixes and workarounds have also begun showing up in the official 3.1 feedback thread. As always, more info is available at the official AoC website.

              MassivelyFuncom releases Age of Conan 3.1 update, Dreamworld tweaks originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 29 Nov 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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              Hyperspace Beacon: PvP with Taugrim

              Posted: 29 Nov 2011 12:30 PM PST

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              Hyperspace Beacon: PvP with Taugrim
              Many of you reading this have asked about PvP in Star Wars: The Old Republic. And while I may know game mechanics and have a good understanding of how PvP works, I am by no means an expert at that style of gameplay. Lucky for you (and me), I work with one of the best PvPers at Gamebreaker. On top of that, he's been playing TOR beta for a couple of weeks now and already has some incredible insight into the game's PvP scene.

              Let me introduce to you Ed Park aka Taugrim. Ed joined the Gamebreaker team as an expert on Trion's RIFT, and he has been doing video guides for PvP for about seven years. Ed has a habit of proving people wrong in his videos, which is one of the main reasons I like turning to him for PvP advice. He told me about the melee cleric in RIFT and how many people said the playstyle wasn't viable in PvP. Consequently, he released videos showing (with incredible commentary, I might add) how he successfully plays that class in PvP.

              But we didn't come here to talk about RIFT -- we came to talk about SWTOR. After the break, catch my interview with Taugrim in bite-sized chunks. Enjoy!

              Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: PvP with Taugrim

              MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: PvP with Taugrim originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 29 Nov 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                The Soapbox: The absurdity of the NDA

                Posted: 29 Nov 2011 12:00 PM PST

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                Admiral Ackbar
                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 Star Wars: The Old Republic's NDA dropped. Now the entire world (officially) knows the skinny on BioWare's new themepark, and I'm hard-pressed to think of a more anti-climactic NDA death. Even if you weren't following the game over the past few months, you knew exactly what to expect -- provided you weren't a Star Wars or a BioWare virgin.

                This complete lack of surprise is one reason why the whole MMORPG NDA thing is a joke, and TOR is just the latest in a long series of punchlines.

                Continue reading The Soapbox: The absurdity of the NDA

                MassivelyThe Soapbox: The absurdity of the NDA originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 29 Nov 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                  DragonSoul enters open beta

                  Posted: 29 Nov 2011 11:00 AM PST

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                  Screenshot -- DragonSoul
                  We haven't heard much from Neonga AG regarding its upcoming Asian-themed MMO, DragonSoul, since the beginning of the month. Well, apparently the team has been hard at work, because the title entered open beta today. So if you want to experience the game's much-boasted political system, or if you just want to kill some mobs, make some friends, and do some quests, just head on over to the game's official site to get started. There won't be any character wipes between now and launch, so if you want a leg up on the competition, this is your chance.

                  [Source: Neonga AG press release]

                  MassivelyDragonSoul enters open beta originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 29 Nov 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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