General Gaming Article

General Gaming Article


Antec P280 Review

Posted: 20 Dec 2011 03:45 PM PST

From afar, there's little to distinguish the Antec P280 from such long-in-the-tooth predecessors as Antec's P183. The steel side panels are all black, without mounting holes for additional fans or windows to provide a look inside. There's no LED glow, either. The only exterior visual clues that reveal this to be an entirely new chassis are the front-panel connections, including two USB 3.0 connectors with an internal header, which are located above the case's front door.

 

The P280's front door doesn't, for once, hide the power and reset switches; Antec's engineers moved them up where they belong.

 

Remove the sound-dampening side panels, and you begin to discover just how modern the P280 is. Measuring 22.6 inches high, 11.4 inches wide, 24.8 inches deep, and weighing 26.5 pounds, this steel chassis is one of the most spacious we've built into this year. Unlike the P183 and its ilk, which kept the motherboard and PSU in separate compartments, the wide-open P280 supports motherboard form factors as large as XL-ATX. The cavernous interior is painted matte black, and the motherboard tray is endowed with one of the biggest CPU backplane cutouts we've ever seen. It also contains four cable-routing cutouts with rubber grommets, and an oversize cutout for an 8-pin auxiliary ATX power cable.

 

The fan controller inside the rear of the cases can power four two-speed fans.

Unlike Antec's previous P-series chassis, the P280 doesn't contain a removable hard drive cage. But this didn't prevent us from installing even extremely long videocards without needing to move anything else inside the case. Each of the case's six hard drive bays slide right out, and the drives are secured from beneath through thick silicone gaskets that eliminate noise and vibration. Thumbscrews secure each of the nine PCIe slot covers, and each of the three optical drive bays is outfitted with a plastic latch. Two 2.5-inch drive bays at the top of the hard drive cage can harbor SSDs.

Antec ships the P280 with three 12cm exhaust fans, two on top and one in the rear. We connected them to the handy fan controller that's built right into the case, plugging each fan into the controller, and then powering the fan controller with a single 4-pin Molex connector from our power supply. The controller can set each fan to spin at either low or high speed.

If you want more cooling, the P280 can accommodate two 12cm intake fans in the front, and there are two sets of clips for 12cm fans on the hard drive cage. You'll want to use them if your hardware puts out any heat. When we ran our test bed (an overclocked Core i5-750 and a GeForce GTX 590) at full load, CPU temperatures hovered around 70 C—a full 10 C hotter than the same parts running inside a Corsair 800D.

 

The P280 offers a spacious interior with all the modern amenities.

Antec's P280 is a modern rendition of an old classic. It's spacious, elegant, and a joy to build into. It could use a few more stock fans, but its classic looks, quiet performance, and roomy insides make this a good choice for builders with refined taste.

Nook Tablet Update Kills Root and Sideloading

Posted: 20 Dec 2011 02:48 PM PST

nookOwners of the Kindle Fire were certainly fired up when Amazon disabled root access in the newest firmware update, but Nook Tablet users have even more reason to be upset. The newest update to Barnes and Noble's device not only kills root access, but blocks the installation of third-party apps completely. 

Before the new 1.4.1 update, users had the option of installing Android APK files with a browser workaround. Despite Barnes and Noble's changelog indicating 1.4.1 brings only "minor system enhancements," users are not fooled. Anything that has already been installed on the tablet will remain active, but no new apps can be added for the time being. Without a new root method, shoehorning more apps into the Nook's closed-down software will be tough.

The update is being pushed automatically to Wi-Fi connected Nooks. Anyone that wants to avoid the update will need to stay off Wi-Fi, or use root access to block updates. Any Nook owners out there a little miffed? 

The Geek Traveler: Gadgets and Tips for Your Vacation

Posted: 20 Dec 2011 01:23 PM PST

It's oxymoronic to say that a vacation is stressful. But it is. And I'm not even talking about the sand that's waiting to creep into your shorts on the beach, the hotel room that's going to spring a leak, or the vast number of other disasters about to transpire throughout your travels.

I'm talking about the very, very beginning of your vacation: The part right after you've planned and purchased the tickets up until the moment you step off the plane at your intended (and final) destination. As a geek, you're probably wondering if there's a better way to go about "the routine:" The printing of the tickets, the writing down of the key details, the absurdity of the packing, the praying that your carry-on bag isn't too big, et cetera.

Well, there is. Technology benefits all, be it in the form of websites to help you during the planning process or gadgets to assist you in your travels. I've compiled a list of some of the must-have items in each category below: Consider this your top travel guide for all things tech. You won't want to leave home without it—or, at least, without saving a copy of this guide on your travelling tablet PC!

Planning

I'm not about to get into the 85 different websites out there that all attempt to shave $5 off your plane ticket in some creative fashion. (We'd be here all week). Rather, I'm going to assume that you've picked out your airline, selected your flights, and have pulled the trigger on your (usually) expensive ticket. Now's a great time to sign up for a free account at the web service TripIt, and here's why: Set it up correctly and the service will automatically go through your email to find confirmations of all kinds.

Why is that important? In doing so, TripIt automatically builds an itinerary of your trip – a kind-of one-stop-shop with all of the arrangements (and their critical details, like confirmations numbers and the like) displayed in a chronological order right there on the site. And, yes, TripIt has mobile apps for both Android and iOS: It beats writing down all the nuances of your itinerary in a moleskin notebook by far.

And while you're at it, don't forget to forward your flight information (and the website FlightAware) to your friends and loved ones, especially those tasked with picking you up at your destination airport. They can use the site to view your plane as it travels across the country in real-time – and what I like most about FlightAware is that they can also tap into the same functionality on their Android or iOS-based devices. It's perfect for helping them decide if they should make an hour detour to get some food or put the pedal to the metal, depending on how close your plane is to the airport.

If you're curious about the cuisine that'll be offered on your flight, it's worth your while to make a quick pit stop at Airlinemeals.net: A wonderful site full of user-submitted pictures to help you lament about your poor flight planning or rejoice that your carrier selection will come with more than just a bag of pretzels and an ice-filled soft drink.

As an astute traveler, you're no doubt aware of the various package discount sites (Jetsetter, Travelzoo, Livingsocial Escapes, SniqueAway, Vacationist, et cetera) that try to deliver a kind-of Groupon-like discount for potential passengers quick on the purchase. But if you're aiming to travel on the cheap, it's worth your while to check out a few online alternatives for booking inexpensive lodging. You've no-doubt heard of Airbnb: The website that allows you to turn a person's residence (or spare room) into your own personal hotel for a period of time. What you save on cost, you'll lose on lifespan if you end up making a mess of your host's actual abode.

If that's still a little bit out of your price range, the next step down the ladder is the always-popular CouchSurfing website. Your lodging on a polite host's couch, or floor, or what-have-you is completely free. That's a travel trait guaranteed by the site, which will boot hosts out of its network if they attempt to charge a price for the service they're providing. That said, it behooves you to go after the couches of verified members: CouchSurfing uses a verification process and user reviews to help you determine that potential hosts are just that, and not axe-wielding maniacs.

But if you want to keep your travel plans to just a party of one, well, why bother leaving your good ol' "Hotel Airport?" Alright, so you can't base an entire trip on Tom Hanks' lifestyle in the movie The Terminal (you'll never be allowed back into the security area, sans plane ticket, should you decide to leave and explore the city you're in). The site, "The Guide to Sleeping in Airports" is still a good one to keep in the back pocket just in case you find yourself stuck in an airport with a longer-than-expected layover for whatever reason.

And, as always, don't forget to use the power of crowdsourcing to help you plan things to do (or places to eat) at your final destination: Yelp, OpenTable, TripAdvisor, et cetera. Sites like these are the bread and butter of any journey to a new location!


Packing

Here we go. As a geek, just how are you going to get your laptop / gaming consoles / portable gaming handsets / tablet PC / cameras / My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic stuffed animals / all those other testaments to your inner tech enthusiast into your carry-on or stowed-away luggage? And what about those miscellaneous items like clothes, toothbrushes, and the lot?

While I can't tell you how to pack—you might be one of those adventurous types who packs using trash bags and duct tape, for all I know—I can at least give you a few suggestions for upgrading you travel gear if you just so happen to find yourself with a little holiday surplus of cash. And always roll the shirts: Never fold. Saves room.

If you can't envision a trip without your smartphone and a pair of huge cans to strap around your ears, you might want to consider going after the fabled boombox/luggage hybrid creation from Travelteq. You'll have to turn off your luggage until the flight reaches 10,000 feet, but you'll feel like a total boss at the airport when you're sitting, rocking, and guarding your luggage in one combined device.

Even though it's more design than tangible suitcase, I just have to taunt you with this one: the Pumpack, a piece of luggage that combines portable storage with the power of a tiny vacuum hand pump. You pack, you pump, and your luggage will (in theory) automatically compact down to allow for even more goods and clothes to be stuffed in during your trip. Cross your fingers this one makes it to market, folks.

For a more modern take on luggage compartmentalization, there's Balanzza's Truco: a carry-on sized suitcase that can be broken out into three separate baggage pieces. It's perfect for when you want to access items mid-flight without having to rifle through your entire carry-on luggage to do so.

While gimmicky, the Micro Samsonite Travel Scooter lets you drive around the airport using your clothes as a shield. The "Self-Weighing Luggage Set" helps you to skirt baggage overage fees before you get to the airport (and helps you avoid the awkward dance and mathematics involved with trying to weigh your bag at home). Gamers will appreciate the subdued Astro Gaming Mission Bag for the quick jaunts they take with their console to new and unexplored locations, and if these locations don't have access to a television… well, that's where the Gaems G155 takes over. Because nothing says seasoned traveler like some airport Halo, right?


Travelling

Now that your luggage situation is (hopefully) settled, the question remains: What do you place inside of it? What gadgets are going to enrich your travelling life above and beyond the experience that your non-geeky peers will face?

Don't shoot the messenger, but a device like Apple's Airport Express should be at the top of your list for one key reason: Hotel Wi-Fi usually stinks. You don't want to have to suffer through a single bar's worth of a wireless connection the one time that you need consistent, speedy access to the Web. With the Airport Express (or D-Link's DWL-G730AP, if you're that much of an Apple-phobe), you'll be able to take your room's wired Ethernet and transform it into a souped-up, portable wireless network for any of your travelling colleagues to tap into. Now if only you could charge other hotel guests for access…

Since I just opened the Apple can of worms, here's another one: Energizer's iSurge Travel Charging Station is a monster of a power adapter packed into a device that fits into an average-sized palm. You'll love this one if you're rocking an iPhone, as it blends three AC outlets, two USB ports, and a single docking station for your iDevice right into its tiny body—so long as you don't mind always being stuck with the top half of a wall outlet.

If you're looking to charge a variety of devices without carrying around a mess of cables, consider the Roll Up Travel Charger: A leather-wrapped combination of an iPhone, mini USB, micro USB, and Samsung-friendly charger in a debonair holder. It's perfect for the multi-device user as long as you aren't rocking, say, two mini-USB-only Android smartphones at once. And if you've bit the bullet and decided to carry your various portable devices' cords with you, perhaps you can make a new airport friend via the FlipIt USB Stealth Charger. You get to leech just enough power from an outlet that's already in use to charge your device, and you get to explain to a weary airport traveler why he or she needs to unplug his or her laptop for a second or two.

Of course, airplanes were meant for one thing: Rocking out, not flying. If you're willing to sacrifice sound quality for the sweet sound of silence, a set of active noise-cancellation cans like Bose's QuietComfort 15 headphones are in order. But if you'd rather try to block this sound by jamming something in your ear instead of engaging a battery-draining, white-noise-generating, doesn't-fit-in-your-pocket pair of ear speakers, check out Klipsch's Image S4 earbuds. No matter what you do, don't buy the Angry Birds earbuds: You'll be laughed right out of the cabin (at 30,000 feet).

Have I left anything out? There's always the good ol' laptop privacy screen, which will set you back an arm and a leg (or an old LCD monitor) to conceal your screen from your airplane neighbor. A Grid-It bag could be a perfect complement for holding your tablet PC, cords, cables, gum, and anything else that fits within one of the holder's elastic straps. The Corsair Flash Padlock 2 is a great for keeping your most trusted data safe within a pant or jacket pocket (take that, laptop thieves).

And, of course, don't forget your camera!

Android App of the Week - Google Currents

Posted: 20 Dec 2011 12:19 PM PST

News readers are some of the most popular apps in the Android Market, but each of us has our own habits and preferences for how we take in news that interests us the most. Standalone feed readers or Google Reader clients offer more efficient methods of finding the topics that are worth our time, while apps like Pulse and News360 offer a reading experience that feels more like something you would find in a magazine. For those of us who find both sides of the equation appealing, the fine folks at Google have our back.

Google continues to aggressively develop for its own platform by offering Google Currents, a news reader along the same vein as Pulse and News360. Google Currents lets you pick and choose your content from suggested feeds or from your Google Reader library. The real benefit to Currents is the app's ability to break large chunks of web content into readable bite-sized pieces, perfectly formatted for consumption on your mobile device.

We would've liked to see Currents synchronize with Google Reader, marking items as read and such, but the app is designed more for casual reading than the hardcore triage process taking place in our RSS feeds.

Google Currents is available as a free download from the Android Marketplace, and works great on both Android phones and tablets.

Kindle Fire Update Breaks Root, Crushes Modders' Hearts

Posted: 20 Dec 2011 11:52 AM PST

As promised, Amazon has begun rolling out a new update for Kindle Fire owners, but there are some things you should know before you dive in. If you're a modder, be aware that the Kindle Fire 6.2.1 update removes root privileges on tablets that have already been rooted, and once it does that, you're unable to re-root it using the SuperOneClick utility with the new firmware installed.

Users over on XDA's forums have been taking the news pretty hard and aren't at all happy about the root-killing update.

"Yep, just got an updated pushed bo my device, and OneClick no longer works. Great. Seriously, I think I'm gonna return this thing. Get a Transformer, or even just get a BlackBerry PlayBook instead until something better comes out (that I feel is worth dropping a lot of money on)," XDA forum member 'prjkthack' commented.

What stinks even more is that the Kindle Fire will attempt to update itself automatically when connected via Wi-Fi, so by the time some users figured out what was going on, it was already too late. If you haven't received an update yet and don't want to lose root, you can either steer clear of Wi-Fi, or install CyanogenMod, details of which you can find on Liliputing.com.

So there's the rub. If, however, you don't give a rat's behind about root, go ahead and grab the update. It smooths out scrolling, makes it possible to remove items from the carousel so your significant other doesn't have to see what sites you've been surfing, and adds an option to require a password to turn on Wi-Fi to help prevent the little ones from making one-click purchases of Spongebob DVDs without your consent.

"X-Men: Wolverine" Movie Uploader Gets 1 Year Federal Prison Sentence

Posted: 20 Dec 2011 11:29 AM PST

Have you seen "Scared Straight?" Federal prison sucks. It's supposed to suck; you don't want to make life easy for mobsters and murderers like Al Capone, The Son of Sam, "Machine Gun" Kelly, Charles Manson, Jeffrey Dahmer and The Green River Killer when you send them to the clink to keep them from further harming the public. One unlucky pirate is going to find out firsthand just how crappy prison is, after a judge ordered 49 year old Gilberto Sanchez to a year in the federal slam for uploading X-Men: Wolverine to MegaUpload before the film's release.

According to Reuters, U.S. District Judge Margaret M. Morrow called Sanchez's upload – which occurred a month prior to the movie hitting the theaters – "very serious." So serious, apparently, that Sanchez deserves to spend the next 12 months with violent criminals and drug runners. Maybe it was the fact that he posted links to the file on two other websites that made his copyright infringement so egregious? After his prison term is up, he still has to spend another year under "supervised release" with severe limitations on his computer use.

Copyright infringement is bad. Uploading movies is bad. But is it bad enough to warrant a federal prison sentence?

Firefox 9 Now Final and Available for Download

Posted: 20 Dec 2011 11:26 AM PST

The cool thing about Mozilla's rapid release schedule for Firefox is that you never have to wait long for the next version to come out, which is a real boon if you want to play with the latest and greatest but aren't real keen on the thought of mucking around with beta code. And if you've been waiting around for Firefox 9 to go gold, your day has come.

On the flip side, having a rapid release schedule inevitably leads to less dramatic changes in between most builds. In this case, Firefox 9 brings a handful of new features and enhancements to the table, though nothing particularly extraordinary. Highlights include:

  • Added Type Inference for improved JavaScript performance
  • Added support for querying Do NOt Track status via JavaScript
  • Added support for font-stretch
  • Improved support for text-overflow
  • Improved standards support for HTML5, MathML,a nd CSS
  • Fixed several stability and security issues

The other changes relate to Mac OS X Lion users and included improved theme integration and the addition of two-finger swipe navigation.

Even though Firefox 9 is finished, Mozilla won't begin rolling it out until tomorrow. However, the finished code is just a click away -- hit the appropriate link below:

Release Notes
Firefox 9 for Windows
Firefox 9 for Mac
Firefox 9 for Linux

Are You Ready For Some Football? Super Bowl Will Be Streamed Live in the U.S.

Posted: 20 Dec 2011 11:07 AM PST

Football fans will have plenty of ways to tune into the Super Bowl and watch Tom Brady and Co. decimate the opponent (this editor might be a tad bit biased) in 2012. That's because for the first time ever, NBC and the NFL will stream the Super Bowl online at NBCSports.com and NFL.com through SNF Extra, giving viewers access to special features like DVR controls, various camera angles, in-game highlights, and other interactive bits, all in HD.

According to MSNBC, NBCSports.com and the NFL have been streaming games online for the past three years, but this is the first time it's been extended to playoff games. In addition to the Super Bowl, they'll also stream the Pro Bowl and NBC's wild-card playoff games.

"We don't want to limit ourselves to people not in front of the TV,," said Rick Cordella, vice president of NBC Sports Digital Media. "The playoffs are appointment viewing," he added. "People schedule their day around it."By adding multiple camera angles, HD-quality video, DVR controls along with social interactivity, our online streaming represents a compelling, second-screen experience that nicely complements NBC's on-air presentation."

Mobile users signed up with Verizon will be able to join the streaming fun too via the NFL Mobile app.

Nuance Buys Vlingo To Build A Better Siri-Killer

Posted: 20 Dec 2011 10:56 AM PST

The iPhone 4S may not have been the iPhone 5 that tech pundits were looking for, but that single little S – Siri – has turned the phone business on its ear. Voice capabilities, once relegated to the "neat little distraction" category, are now having buckets full of R&D dollars chucked at them as Apple competitors try to develop a Siri-killer. Today Nuance, the maker of Dragon Naturally Speaking, announced that it is buying Vlingo, maker of, well, the Vlingo voice control app, in a blatant bid to knock off Apple's sweet talker.

"Inspired by the introduction of services such as Apple's Siri and our own Dragon Go!, virtually every mobile and consumer electronics company on the planet is looking for ways to integrate natural, conversational voice interactions into their mobile products, applications, and services, " Nuance SVP Mike Thompson said in the press release announcing the deal. "By acquiring Vlingo, we are able to accelerate the pace of innovation to meet this demand."

As if that quote didn't lay things out clearly enough, the press release makes no bones about Nuance's continued plans to try and muscle in on the world of "intelligent mobile assistants." Funnily enough, Vlingo and Nuance were suing the hell out of each other in a nasty war over patent disputes before they laid down their litigation arms and agreed to this acquisition. Another funny thing to consider: TechCrunch claims that Nuance's voice recognition technology is the hidden power behind Siri herself.

If anybody can come up with a true Siri competitor, it'll probably be a Vlingo-Nuance combo. But do you think they can actually pull it off? Do you even care about "intelligent mobile assistants?"

Game Theory: Raging Mediocrity

Posted: 20 Dec 2011 10:51 AM PST

I remember 1994 well. OJ Simpson debuted a new kind of TV show running 24/7 on every network. Ace of Base proved that Swedish musical artistry didn't die with ABBA. And Id Software released its last game that didn't disappoint me.

I'm not saying that Doom II was Id's last game of any value, but that it was its last game that met expectations. Everything since then has marked Id's gradual slide into game design mediocrity—a slide that reaches its nadir with Rage.

Since Doom II, Id's game design sensibility has hardly progressed at all. The Quake games added almost nothing to the basic Doom formula, while Doom III milked every cliché in the design book, from monster closets to a tedious obsession with sudden darkness.

I'm not talking about the technology. A new Id game is a chance to see technology tools that push PCs to do wonderful things. But if you're writing a review of an Id game, and you're lingering over the wonders of curved surfaces, volumetric fog/lighting, or nice, smooth shadow maps, you're not reviewing the game, you're reviewing the engine. Each new Id release is the greatest tech demo ever, but as games, they just don't offer much.


Not even AMC's Breaking Bad product placement or fake light gun mode could save Rage from its own mediocrity.

With Rage, the Id formula finally comes completely undone. It's as though the developers studied other games with more depth and innovation (namely Fallout 3 and Borderlands), and then attempted to squeegee a thin film of those gameplay elements over their old formula. They didn't even nail their two strongest areas: The tech is impressive but glitchy, and the multiplayer is weak. Oddly, Rage's visual design is the most aesthetically unappealing Id has ever done. It's hard to recall a more lovingly detailed, ugly environment.

Something good will come of this. Quake III gave us Call of Duty; Doom III gave us Prey; and something worthwhile will come from Rage. It just won't come from Id.

MMO News

MMO News


PlanetSide 2

Posted: 20 Dec 2011 01:45 PM PST

PlanetSide 2 is a Massively Multiplayer first person shooter developed by Sony Entertainment Online that delivers truly epic, massive combat. Battles take place not between dozens of troops, but thousands; with air and ground vehicles slugging it out alongside squads of troops in open fields, tightly-packed urban centers or enormous structures.

PlanetSide 2 Preview

Publisher: Sony Entertainment Online
Playerbase: ??
Graphics: High Quality
Type: MMOFPS
EXP Rate: ??
PvP: ??
Filesize: ???

Pros: +Incredibly large scale combat +Vehicular Combat +Three Player Factions

Cons: -Limited information.

Overview

PlanetSide 2 Overview

Coming Soon….

PlanetSide 2 Screenshots

Coming Soon…

PlanetSide 2 Featured Video

Full Review

PlanetSide 2 Full Review

Coming Soon…

Screenshots

PlanetSide 2 Screenshots

Coming Soon

Links

PlanetSide 2 Links

Official Page


Christmas Events for Gamerage games

Posted: 20 Dec 2011 12:50 PM PST

SG Interactive (the Gamerage portal) has announced special holiday events for all of its games. These include:

* Grand Chase: Players will get a red or blue ball of yarn every time they beat a dungeon or win a PvP round. These can be spun into Christmas stockings, which will fill with rare item prizes.

* Pangya: Santa Boo will appear, starting December 21, and drop stockings over Pangya Island. These can be exchanged for gifts at Cadie’s Cauldron.

* Project Blackout: Players get an extra 30% experience and credits when playing on holiday themed maps including Burning Hall, Library, Luxville, and Saint Mansion. A Candy Cane melee weapon will be given out on Christmas day.

* Trickster Online: Players can get bonus Christmas gifts as a bonus when they make purchases in MyShop.

projectblackoutxmas

Project Blackout Gameplay Screenshot

Source:

SG Interactive is celebrating this holiday season with updates turning its online games into winter wonderlands, including extra experience points, chances to win premium items, and holiday-themed items and maps:

·         Grand Chase ChaosEach time players beat a dungeon or win a PvP round, they will receive a ball of red or blue yarn. Players can then spin the yarn into Christmas stockings, which after a short period of time will fill up with special prizes, including rare items! More prizes await players on Christmas Eve and Day. For more information, please visit the event page.

·         Pangya United – Starting on Wednesday, Dec. 21, a Jolly fellow named Santa Boo will drop Christmas stockings all over Pangya Island. Players can take these to Cadie's Cauldron to exchange them for various Christmas goodies.

·         Project Blackout – For the next two weeks, players will receive extra 30% of experience points and credits when playing in the holiday decorated maps including, Burning Hall, Library, Luxville and Saint Mansion. Players who log in on Christmas day will receive a special Candy Cane melee weapon. Also, for a limited time, players can purchase wearable Santa masks to pwn with the holiday spirit.

· Crossfire: Europe – An updated Christmas map and special in-game prizes have come to the battlegrounds of Crossfire: Europe. Players who play over the holidays will also receive 30 percent bonus for experience points and credits. By completing missions, players will receive Christmas Treasure boxes that contain goodies including the holiday-themed M4A1 rifle, Santa's Hat and the Killer Snowman.

·         Trickster Online – Until Wednesday, Dec. 28, players can receive Christmas goodies, including the Snowflake Sleigh as a bonus when purchasing items in MyShop. For more information including seasonal limited items, please visit the event page.

WonderKing shutting down temporarily

Posted: 20 Dec 2011 09:51 AM PST

Wonder King, now published by Ignited Games, will be shutting down its doors on December 29 for an indefinite period of time.

Ignited Games wrote in their note to the community that working with the developers has been difficult, and that with limited new content and lack of support, the game is not up to their standards. Instead, the publisher will shut down the game temporarily until the developers have time to restructure and support new development for WonderKing.

The game will save all data to restore it when WonderKing returns, and players will be able to gain various compensation packages.

Ignited Games also publishes Wind Slayer 2 and DarkEden.

wonderking-water

WonderKing Gameplay Screenshot

Source:

To our valued players and community,   First of all, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to everyone for displaying your continuous support and affection towards WonderKing. Because we understand how valuable our community is to us, we do our best to inform you of any important changes that could affect you.   With the transition of WonderKing to Ignited Games, we imagined that we would be able to show our new community all the great things an experienced publisher had to offer. However, with some of the unforeseen developments of the past few months, we feel that this may be delayed.   As some of you may know, we have been working hard to resolve all the issues that we have faced with the developers. Even with all the obstacles we have had, we’ve continued to maintain our service and tried to provide the best services we could offer. However, we regret to inform you that we have no choice but to temporarily discontinue service for WonderKing due to unresolved issues with the developers, including the limited amount of new content without their full support.   The WonderKing developers are currently in the process of restructuring to support WonderKing, but it will take some time before their service can be back up to par with the support we agreed upon. Therefore, as much as it pains us to do so, we will be temporarily shutting down WonderKing for a few months until we begin receiving the high standard of support we adhere to here at Ignited Games. This has been an extremely hard decision for us to make, as we all have a deep love for WonderKing, but we believe it is the best course of action to take.   With heavy hearts, we hereby officially announce that the WonderKing Item Mall will be closed on December 5, 2011 at 6pm PST, and game servers will be shut down on December 29, 2011 at 12pm PST. Although the service will be down, all WonderKing user data will be kept to restore once the service is back up. We’ve prepared a number of compensation rewards for all WonderKing players. All reimbursed iCash will be given on December 5, 2011 at 7pm PST and we hope you understand that this is our best effort to benefit you.

Reimbursements:
CategoryDetailiCash Amount
Accounts with characterAll WK accounts with a character level 30 above500 iCash
Accounts with purchase historyAll WK accounts that have item purchase history1,000 iCash
Refund item purchaseItem purchase from 9/1/11 to 12/5/11 6PM (PST) will be refunded with iCashDepends
Item Purchase between 09/01 – 09/30 : 30% iCash refund
Item Purchase between 10/01 – 10/31 : 60% iCash refund
Item Purchase between 11/01 – 12/05 : 100% iCash refund
*All iCash given through this reimbursement will expire after 30 days. You can use the iCash on all of our Ignited Games.

We believe WonderKing will shine again once the developers work together to enhance and rebuild the game within their new company. In the meantime, please make sure to visit our website often for more updates and news! We are committed to keeping our community informed of any developments and to resolve this positively.   We truly apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused and hope to see you in one of our other games.   Thank you for all your patience and support.   The WonderKing Team

MMO Updates

MMO Updates


Hyperspace Beacon: Top five SWTOR launch day secrets

Posted: 20 Dec 2011 10:00 AM PST

Filed under: , , , , ,

Hyperspce Beacon: Top 5 launch day secrets
It's official: The year's most highly anticipated MMO is no longer anticipated. As of today, Star Wars: The Old Republic has officially launched in both North America and Europe (and our Australian friends have had it shipped from the US). Despite some earlier issues about the time of delivery, everyone who pre-ordered can play on launch day thanks to the 48-hour grace period and the adjusted shipping date for most retailers. I guess that'll teach BioWare not to release so close to Christmas.

Now that you have the game in your hands, what do you do? Of course, you enter in the code to your SWTOR account, but I mean, what do you do once you get into the game? First, if you have absolutely no clue which direction to go, you should read a couple of the class introductions in Massively's giant SWTOR pre-launch guide. Once you've decided on a class, hop past the break as I give you my top five things you must watch out for very early on in the game -- things that will make your launch day experience just a bit more interesting.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Top five SWTOR launch day secrets

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: Top five SWTOR launch day secrets originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 20 Dec 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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    Eligium enters closed beta today -- get your key from Massively!

    Posted: 20 Dec 2011 09:30 AM PST

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    Eligium werewolf
    Did you participate in our exclusive early access to Eligium last weekend? If you loved the game and can't wait to log some more playtime, you're in luck. Eligium's closed beta is starting at 8:00 p.m. EST today. We've got you covered on beta entry -- Frogster has given us 250 closed beta keys to share with you, our readers.

    Just head to our giveaway page and pick up your key. Register on the Eligium home page if you haven't done so yet, and then you can go to the redemption page to enter your key. That's all there is to it; you're set for download and launch!

    You'll have plenty of time to play and content to experience, as the closed beta lasts until January 18th and has a level cap of 45. Make sure you take some time while you're installing to check out the closed beta forum, and have fun in Eligium!

    GET YOUR KEY

    MassivelyEligium enters closed beta today -- get your key from Massively! originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 20 Dec 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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      World of Warplanes reveals American tech tree, new trailer

      Posted: 20 Dec 2011 09:00 AM PST

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      World of Warplanes - P12 Peashooter
      Today's a big day for World of Warplanes fans, as Wargaming.net is publishing a bit of info about some of the American fighters to be featured in its upcoming free-to-play aerial shooter. The initial tech tree features two branches full of famous aircraft like the P-51 Mustang, the F4U Corsair, and the F-86 Sabre.

      The American lineup also features a unique branch of carrier-based fighters that won't be available with the German and Soviet tiers that will ship with the finished game.

      World of Warplanes is currently in closed alpha testing and Wargaming.net tells us that the game is scheduled for a 2012 release. You can check out the American tech tree and a new teaser trailer after the break.

      [Source: Wargaming.net press release]

      Continue reading World of Warplanes reveals American tech tree, new trailer

      MassivelyWorld of Warplanes reveals American tech tree, new trailer originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 20 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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        Yes, someone made a SWTOR hip-hop song already

        Posted: 20 Dec 2011 08:30 AM PST

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        Richie Branson
        So you have the Star Wars: The Old Republic Collector's Edition, the lunchbox, the action figures, the pajamas, and the bedsheets*. The game launched 12 hours ago and you have two level 50s. What else would you possibly need to make your life complete? How about a hip-hop song based on your new obsession?

        Yep, there's now a hip-hop song all about SWTOR entitled Cold Republic, created by the already-established hip-hop artist Richie Branson. It seems Richie enjoys playing his Empire character Kazen on the Ven Zallow RP-PVP so much that he stopped playing just long enough to write and record a song about it.

        According to his website, he plans to create more SWTOR-related songs, using samples from the game itself.

        *Most of these items are not real.

        [Thanks Matt for the tip!]

        MassivelyYes, someone made a SWTOR hip-hop song already originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 20 Dec 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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          Massively Speaking Episode 179: Mesmeriffic

          Posted: 20 Dec 2011 08:00 AM PST

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          Guild Wars 2 Mesmer
          Massively Speaking Episode 179 returns this week with hosts Justin and Rubi discussing the week's MMO news, including Aion's move to F2P in Europe, Guild Wars 2's Mesmer reveal and closed beta date, SWTOR's grace period and launch, and Jef's ode to Star Wars Galaxies on its last day.

          Have a comment for the podcasters? Shoot an email to podcast@massively.com. We may just read your email on the air!

          Get the podcast:
          [iTunes] Subscribe to Massively Speaking directly in iTunes.
          [RSS] Add Massively Speaking to your RSS aggregator.
          [MP3] Download the MP3 directly.
          Listen here on the page:



          Read below the cut for the full show notes.

          Continue reading Massively Speaking Episode 179: Mesmeriffic

          MassivelyMassively Speaking Episode 179: Mesmeriffic originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 20 Dec 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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            World of Tanks 7.1 update to feature French armor

            Posted: 20 Dec 2011 07:00 AM PST

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            World of Tanks - French tank
            Wargaming.net has been trumpeting the 7.0 release for its World of Tanks MMO for a while now. Today the company dropped the first hint about what lies beyond with update 7.1, which it will feature the long-awaited introduction of French tanks.

            The new tech tree boasts 18 new French fighting vehicles (there's a pacifist joke in there somewhere) divided into light, medium, and heavy flavors. Wargaming.net also says that the French armor will "enrich the combat and bring all-new tactics into the game." We're not sure how the new tactics will work as of yet, but we'll bring you the very latest as the devs make it available.

            Finally, Wargaming.net says that French SPGs and tank destroyers are planned for a later update.

            [Source: Wargaming.net press release]

            MassivelyWorld of Tanks 7.1 update to feature French armor originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 20 Dec 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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              BioWare documents the beginning of your SWTOR saga

              Posted: 20 Dec 2011 06:00 AM PST

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              SWTOR
              The launch day of Star Wars: The Old Republic is upon us, and while most any interested parties are fully immersed in BioWare's mega-MMO, there are always those who are still on the fence about the game or haven't heard about it yet. To give a proper nudge in the right direction, BioWare's released an eight-minute documentary titled "Your Saga Begins" to give a broad overview of SWTOR's strengths and direction.

              The team spends the time making a case for why the game is not only special but how it should appeal to the Star Wars fan in all of us. Covering the bases of story, voiceovers, companions, exploration, graphical style, and more, the developers hit on all of the selling points of the game while giving first-time viewers a good reason to give this title a shot.

              Even if you're a veteran of the Mandalorian War, there should be a tidbit or two in this documentary that's new to you, whether it be the behind-the-scenes voice recordings or to see just how big and bushy some of the devs' beards have become. You can watch the full documentary after the jump -- and don't forget to check out our comprehensive guide to launch and beyond!

              Continue reading BioWare documents the beginning of your SWTOR saga

              MassivelyBioWare documents the beginning of your SWTOR saga originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 20 Dec 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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              The Daily Grind: Are you glad to see the end of the SWTOR pre-launch frenzy?

              Posted: 20 Dec 2011 05:00 AM PST

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              Star Wars: The Old Republic
              If you feel like all anyone's been able to talk about lately is the launch of Star Wars: The Old Republic, you're probably not alone. In a year that sometimes seemed to be The Year of the F2P Conversion, big AAA launches were few and far between.

              The launch of a game from BioWare with the Star Wars IP attached to it was bound to be a huge deal, and as today approached, both fans and developers pulled out all the stops on the hype-train. Now the big day is here and things will start quieting down a bit over time as players settle in to finally enjoying the game. Sure, there's sure to be ongoing discussion of the game as it develops post-launch, but the pre-launch excitement is wrapped up.

              So are you relieved to see this? Were you enjoying the festivities or just wishing they were over and done with already?

              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: Are you glad to see the end of the SWTOR pre-launch frenzy? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 20 Dec 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                Flameseeker Chronicles: Why must they starve then drown us?

                Posted: 19 Dec 2011 06:00 PM PST

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                Kamadan Wintersday
                Today's Flameseeker Chronicles title comes to you courtesy of one of Massively's livestream team members, echoing the wails of many news-starved fans of all things Tyrian. In a classic case of 'be careful what you wish for," we got the Guild Wars 2 Mesmer, two enormous Q&A sessions with the devs, a bit of closed beta news, and Wintersday and new costumes in Guild Wars 1, all in just a few short days.

                I need to lie down.

                While I do that, follow along after the jump for a rundown of all the excitement of last week.

                Continue reading Flameseeker Chronicles: Why must they starve then drown us?

                MassivelyFlameseeker Chronicles: Why must they starve then drown us? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 19 Dec 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                  Not So Massively: Cosplay is serious business

                  Posted: 19 Dec 2011 05:00 PM PST

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                  Not So Massively title image
                  It's been a busy week in the land of online games that aren't quite MMOs, with League of Legends releasing its long-awaited champion, Ahri the Nine Tailed Fox, in a massive Christmas-themed patch. Fans of the game also clashed with Rioters this week over the advice given in a new champion spotlight video for recently revamped champion Gangplank. Recognising the importance of cosplay to Firefall fans, developers announced a new cosplay programme featuring professional cosplay artist Crystal Graziano and Hollywood effects artist Steve Wang.

                  Blizzard revealed its new Battle.net Battletag system this week, giving thousands of fans RealID flashbacks. The new system will allow cross-game communication between StarCraft, World of Warcraft, Diablo III and other titles without disclosing players' email addresses. Blacklight: Retribution's development continued at pace as the game adds European servers to its third round of closed beta. Brawl Busters saw its official release this week, and the first ever standalone MOBA, the 2009-released Demigod, finally made its way to Steam. Finally, Bloodline Champions hosted a new competitive online tournament and... a bakery contest?

                  Skip past the cut for details of this week's biggest news from the world of MOBAs and other big online games that aren't quite MMOs.

                  Continue reading Not So Massively: Cosplay is serious business

                  MassivelyNot So Massively: Cosplay is serious business originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 19 Dec 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                    Lord of the Rings Online releases new Armies of Isengard screenshots

                    Posted: 19 Dec 2011 04:00 PM PST

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                    Screenshot -- Lord of the Rings Online Update 5
                    Lord of the Rings Online's latest update, Update 5: Armies of Isengard went live last week, signaling the first major update since the Rise of Isengard expansion was released. The update brings five new Isengard-themed instances (as well as a group finder function) to the game and continues the epic story. Perhaps in order to draw in some unsuspecting souls, Turbine has released a new set of screenshots showing off the new content. To see the screenshots, click on through the gallery below. Then head on over LotRO's official site to get in on the action.

                    [Source: Turbine Entertainment press release]

                    MassivelyLord of the Rings Online releases new Armies of Isengard screenshots originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 19 Dec 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                      Star Wars: The Old Republic goes dark in preparation for launch

                      Posted: 19 Dec 2011 03:30 PM PST

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                      SWTOR
                      It's as if a million gamers cried out in... you know what? We've done that joke too many times, as has everyone else. We're officially declaring it off-limits for the remainder of this game's history. It's a trap, trust us.

                      And you thought that intro smelled bad... on the outside!

                      OK, it's all out of our system -- as is Star Wars: The Old Republic. As the game nears its official December 20th launch date, BioWare is bringing down both the servers and the website in preparation for the momentous event. From 7:00 p.m. until 12:01 a.m. EST, SWTOR will be inaccessible.

                      BioWare says that as the game comes back online at midnight, the studio will be adding "a large number of new servers" to facilitate the influx of launch players. Even so, the studio predicts that queues on popular servers will be present and urges players to consider rolling characters on lesser-populated realms.

                      Because of the recently instituted grace period, early access players have until 3:00 a.m. EST on December 22nd to register their product codes or be cut off from gameplay.

                      MassivelyStar Wars: The Old Republic goes dark in preparation for launch originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 19 Dec 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                      Wings Over Atreia: Free 2 pain

                      Posted: 19 Dec 2011 03:00 PM PST

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                      Wings Over Atreia header image
                      Say what?!?

                      For the second time in less than a month, NCsoft has shown wanton disregard for my already-prepared comments for the week, derailing the scheduled Wings Over Atreia with some out-of-the-blue announcement. And not just any announcement, but one that can have a profound effect on Aion in the coming months. What is this announcement, you say? Shall I help you out from that rock you've been slumbering under? Why, last Wednesday's bold free-to-play announcement, of course!

                      Now, before hyperventilation sets in -- either from glee or disgust -- note that there are set parameters to this specific conversion, including first and foremost that it is for the European market only. And while details aren't exactly pouring forth, there are a few tidbits to pass along, just enough to whet the appetite of future F2P Daevas or enrage current ones.

                      Breathe into the paper bag and join me past the break for a look at the details that have been revealed and some thoughts on those that have not!

                      Continue reading Wings Over Atreia: Free 2 pain

                      MassivelyWings Over Atreia: Free 2 pain originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 19 Dec 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                        TERA producer's letter discusses new launcher, development progress

                        Posted: 19 Dec 2011 02:00 PM PST

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                        Screenshot -- TERA
                        A new holiday edition producer's letter has been published on the official TERA site, and in it Chris Hager announces that he is currently using the studio's new launcher to log in to the game. Why is this such a big deal? Hager explains that it "represents a huge leap for us here at En Masse." He goes on to tell how, over the past year, the team has worked "directly and intimately with the Bluehole development team to... add features that appeal to western gamers."

                        But why is the new launcher so important? Because it's one of the features that the studio built from the ground up. Hager also notes that the game has been in alpha for "about 4 months" and that this week is the last week of alpha testing. He says the team is also looking forward to "the next step in TERA's journey toward launch next spring." Here's to hoping that next step is a beta test. For the full letter, just click on over to the official TERA site.

                        MassivelyTERA producer's letter discusses new launcher, development progress originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 19 Dec 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                        Massively talks Mesmer: Our exclusive interview with Guild Wars 2 designer Eric Flannum

                        Posted: 19 Dec 2011 01:00 PM PST

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                        GW2 mesmer
                        It's been days since we got the official Guild Wars 2 Mesmer reveal, but the excitement is still running strong through the fan community.

                        Here at Massively, we're just as excited about it, so we took some time to sit down with game designer Eric Flannum and chat about some of the background and design details of the eighth and final Guild Wars 2 class. Follow along after the jump to see what he had to say!

                        Continue reading Massively talks Mesmer: Our exclusive interview with Guild Wars 2 designer Eric Flannum

                        MassivelyMassively talks Mesmer: Our exclusive interview with Guild Wars 2 designer Eric Flannum originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 19 Dec 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                          On the seventh day of giveaways, NCsoft gave to me...

                          Posted: 19 Dec 2011 12:00 PM PST

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                          Darkmane Pacer
                          On the seventh day of giveaways, NCsoft gave to me... seven years of memories!
                          On the sixth day of giveaways, GamersFirst gave to me... six retail packs!
                          On the fifth day of giveaways, Trion gave to me... five subscription codes!
                          On the fourth day of giveaways, Nexon gave to me... four pet items!
                          On the third day of giveaways, Wargaming.net gave to me... three premium years!
                          On the second day of giveaways, BioWare gave to me... two warring factions!
                          On the first day of giveaways, Turbine gave to me... a lifetime VIP!


                          We're carrying on with the 12 Days of Giveaways! Day seven has arrived, bringing seven years of history, development, and memories. That's right: Lineage II. While free-to-play games are a dime a dozen these days, it's much more rare to be handed a free-to-play game that already has seven years of content, polish, and updates behind it.

                          NCsoft has given us a great Lineage II item to celebrate those seven years and the transition to free-to-play: a Darkmane Pacer mount bracelet. We've got 12 of those to hand out to some lucky Lineage II fans. Even better, the Darkmane Pacer comes bundled with a sampling of awesome items from the rest of NCsoft's lineup: a digital copy of Guild Wars: Eye of the North, a Guild Wars mercenary hero, 30 days of City of Heroes VIP status, an Aion Collector's Edition upgrade, and a pack of five True White dyes for an Aion character. Enjoy the mount in Lineage 2 and treat your gamer friends to some holiday goodies or enjoy a sampling of the NCsoft lineup all for yourself!

                          In either case, enter by telling us about your Lineage 2 gameplay: Are you a longtime adventurer, a returning player, or just now setting foot in Aden for the first time? Let us know before the entry deadline: tomorrow, December 20th, at 3:00 p.m. EST. Check out the contest rules for eligibility, and best of luck!

                          CONTEST FAQ OFFICIAL RULES

                          MassivelyOn the seventh day of giveaways, NCsoft gave to me... originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 19 Dec 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                            CCP reveals DUST 514 dropsuits

                            Posted: 19 Dec 2011 11:30 AM PST

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                            DUST 514 - dropsuits
                            CCP returns with its weekly DUST 514 announcement via the PlayStation blog. This time around, the company gives us a sneak peek at some of the dropsuits available in its upcoming EVE Online MMOFPS sidequel.

                            What's a dropsuit?

                            Well, aside from the latest in sexy sci-fi outerwear, it's also standard equipment for New Eden infantry types and it comes "in a variety of shapes and sizes, each with a unique slot configuration, powergrid, and CPU that inform [customization decisions]." Slot types include light, heavy, sidearm, high, low, equipment, and grenade, and CCP mentions that dropsuits will define your role on DUST's battlefields (as will your choices for the aforementioned slots). Head to the official PlayStation blog for a bit more info as well as a selection of Caldari and Amarr dropsuit images.

                            MassivelyCCP reveals DUST 514 dropsuits originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 19 Dec 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                            Marvel announces official MMO title: Marvel Heroes

                            Posted: 19 Dec 2011 11:15 AM PST

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                            Marvel Heroes logo
                            The Marvel Comics MMO formerly known as Marvel Universe Online has finally been officially christened. Gazillion Entertainment announced in a press release today that, due to the central role that classic Marvel heroes play in the upcoming title, the game will be known as Marvel Heroes. And to back up the news, Gazillion has also released a new teaser image displaying everyone's favorite web-slinger. For the brand new Spider-Man art, just click on past the cut.

                            [Source: Gazillion Entertainment press release]

                            Continue reading Marvel announces official MMO title: Marvel Heroes

                            MassivelyMarvel announces official MMO title: Marvel Heroes originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 19 Dec 2011 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                              Analyst claims SWTOR could already have 1.5 million players

                              Posted: 19 Dec 2011 11:00 AM PST

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                              Screenshot -- Star Wars: The Old Republic
                              It's not exactly a secret that big things are expected of BioWare's recent entry to the MMO market, Star Wars: The Old Republic. Cowen & Company analyst Dough Creutz speculates that the game could have up to 1.5 million players already, even though the game doesn't officially launch for another day. This conclusion comes about based on the fact that EA had 140 servers running by last Saturday. If that's the population right now, we can assuredly expect that the game's official launch will see big numbers indeed. We'll just have to wait one more day to find out.

                              MassivelyAnalyst claims SWTOR could already have 1.5 million players originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 19 Dec 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                              Black Prophecy releases Episode 3: Rise of the Boids

                              Posted: 19 Dec 2011 10:00 AM PST

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                              Screenshot -- Black Prophecy
                              It's been a big week for sci-fi fans, but what about the fans who are less about space-knights and melodrama and more about blowing things into oblivion with big spaceships armed with big guns? Don't worry, gamigo has you covered with Black Prophecy's newest addition, Episode 3: Rise of the Boids. So wtf is a Boid, you may wonder. Well, according to this press release, "the Boids are a robotic race who have been waiting eons for a mysterious, universe-altering event to occur." Ominous.

                              On the gameplay side of things, Episode 3 raises the level cap to 50 while also adding "new story missions, one new warzone, a new open world sector for players level 40 and up, 11 new job missions and a brand new PvE raid system." That's right, a brand new raid system, which will allow large groups of players to band together to tackle the two newly added raids. And all of this comes with a few tweaks and fixes for various mishaps. For the update's official release trailer, click on past the cut, then head on over to Black Prophecy's official site to get in the game.

                              [Source: gamigo AG press release]

                              Continue reading Black Prophecy releases Episode 3: Rise of the Boids

                              MassivelyBlack Prophecy releases Episode 3: Rise of the Boids originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 19 Dec 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                                Leaderboard: Hybrid vs. specialist

                                Posted: 19 Dec 2011 09:30 AM PST

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                                Leaderboard
                                When it comes to that all-too-important decision at the character creation screen, you must decide off the bat whether or not you're going to mold your new hero into a finely tune specialized machine or to pick a class that sports as much flexibility and gas-saving technology as a hybrid allows. This decision has long-reaching consequences on your future journeys with the character, so choosing wisely means knowing yourself and your playstyle intimately.

                                But which is better, overall? Is it better to gun for a specialized class? After all, this allows you to be the absolute best you can be at a singular role, to get those high numbers and fulfill your purpose well. Specialists are prized in endgame activities, since being at the top of one's form is vital to helping your group succeed.

                                However, are hybrids ultimately better due to their jack-of-all-trades flexibility? Is having the option to switch between roles on the fly more crucial to individual and group success than being locked into one thing only? Hybrids also allow for more choice down the road, especially when you might be getting bored of a particular role and want to experiment with something else.

                                So which will top today's Leaderboard: hybrids or specialists? Hit the jump to cast your vote!

                                Continue reading Leaderboard: Hybrid vs. specialist

                                MassivelyLeaderboard: Hybrid vs. specialist originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 19 Dec 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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