MMO Updates

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• Some Assembly Required: A look at EQII's dungeon maker
• Aeria opens new server for Call of Gods MMORTS
• Minecraft guild creates massive world to help educate children
• A WoW player's guide to The Old Republic
• World of Warplanes reveals German tech tree, new trailer
• Trion plans RIFT's 2012 attack strategy
• The Daily Grind: What's your favorite zone redesign?
• The world (wide web) of Amalur grows as 38 Studios works on its MMO
• The MMO Report: Shut up, that's why edition
• Try Grand Chase: Chaos' Rufus character free from Massively
• Behind the Mask: Scarlet Weather Rhapsody
• Blizzard continuing to make big mechanical changes to Diablo III
• Star Wars: The Old Republic posts new video for future content updates [Updated]
• EVE reforms dev teams and preps a new patch for liftoff
• Electronic Arts stock drops because of SWTOR fumbles
• The Guild Counsel: Does running a guild have to be so hard?
• Ask Massively: Let's just look at more cats edition

Some Assembly Required: A look at EQII's dungeon maker Posted: 20 Jan 2012 09:00 AM PST Filed under: Fantasy, EverQuest II, Game mechanics, MMO industry, Free-to-play, Roleplaying, Some Assembly Required, Sandbox, Dungeons, Crafting So you're an armchair game designer, eh? Well, EverQuest II invites you to put your money where your mouth is -- at least as it relates to dungeon creation. While Sony Online Entertainment's venerable fantasy title is no stranger to player-generated content given its spectacular player- and guild-housing mechanics, this winter's Age of Discovery expansion upped the ante a little bit in the form of the new dungeon maker toolset. The system is a bit rough around the edges, but it's nonetheless a fantastic first iteration that adds a lot of fun and replay value to an MMO that was already chock-full of both. Continue reading Some Assembly Required: A look at EQII's dungeon maker Some Assembly Required: A look at EQII's dungeon maker originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 20 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

Aeria opens new server for Call of Gods MMORTS Posted: 20 Jan 2012 08:30 AM PST Filed under: Fantasy, Events, in-game, MMO industry, News items, Free-to-play, MMORTS Call of Gods may not be a household name when it comes to MMORTS titles, but the free-to-play offering from Aeria Games must be doing something right. The company has just announced the addition of a fifth server, as well as a list of server-wide events designed to bring fame and fortune to some of its players. Events include a ranked player competition, group boss fights, alliance quests and upgrades, special hero and gear customizations, and "mystical rewards" for the top five alliances. Call of Gods is a browser-based MMORTS, and you can learn more about it at its official website. [Source: Aeria press release] Aeria opens new server for Call of Gods MMORTS originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 20 Jan 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

Minecraft guild creates massive world to help educate children Posted: 20 Jan 2012 08:00 AM PST Filed under: Culture, Guilds, Free-to-play, Kids, Sandbox Yes, I know that Minecraft isn't technically an MMO, but with multiplayer servers, you can have up to 999 players connected simultaneously in the same space, which is ironically more than many MMOs. But I digress! Massively Minecraft (no relation) is a community of Minecraft players dedicated to the education of children on a massive scale through the popular indie sandbox. Created by virtual world vet Jokaydia, Massively Minecraft is "a Guild based learning community for kids aged 4-16 who are interested in developing digital media skills, exploring their creativity and developing online social skills." Of course, in an environment like that, there's an application process to get onto the multiplayer server's whitelist, so safety is a priority. You can learn more about how the Massively Minecraft community operates by visiting their website. [Thanks Tateru for the tip!] Minecraft guild creates massive world to help educate children originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 20 Jan 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

A WoW player's guide to The Old Republic Posted: 20 Jan 2012 07:30 AM PST Filed under: Sci-fi, Classes, Game mechanics, Opinion, Star Wars: The Old Republic, Guides Whether you're a longtime World of Warcraft player or someone who's just recently tried the game and fallen in love with it, you're probably aware that there are other MMORPGs out there. Recently, the game that's been getting the most press is Star Wars: The Old Republic. And if you've sat down and tried it out as a veteran on World of Warcraft, you probably had some idea of what was going on when you started playing, with the only initial speedbump being the lack of an auto-attack feature. But there's more to the game than combat and more things that might trip you up in the long run. So Eliot Lefebvre and Matt Daniel are here to help you out with a massive guide to coming into TOR when you're accustomed to the environment of WoW. Take a skip past the break to find out almost everything you'll need to know when converting from the world of Azeroth to the galaxy of Star Wars: The Old Republic. Continue reading A WoW player's guide to The Old Republic A WoW player's guide to The Old Republic originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 20 Jan 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

World of Warplanes reveals German tech tree, new trailer Posted: 20 Jan 2012 07:00 AM PST Filed under: Historical, Screenshots, Trailers, Video, Game mechanics, MMO industry, New titles, News items, War, Free-to-play, World of Warplanes It's time for the next big World of Warplanes reveal, and this time around, Wargaming.net is focusing on its fearsome collection of German fighters. Following on the heels of its American fighters release, the company is showing off its German tech tree, a new screenshot gallery, and a new trailer. The tech tree boasts 19 flyable models which are broken into two groups -- fighters and heavy fighters. Notable aircraft include the Bf109 and the jet-powered Me262, both marvels of World War II-era German engineering. World of Warplanes' German fighters feature "fast altitude climbs and power dive attacks," and you can get a preview of each machine via the gallery below and the trailer after the cut. [Source: Wargaming.net press release] Gallery: World of Warplanes Continue reading World of Warplanes reveals German tech tree, new trailer World of Warplanes reveals German tech tree, new trailer originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 20 Jan 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

Trion plans RIFT's 2012 attack strategy Posted: 20 Jan 2012 06:00 AM PST Filed under: Fantasy, Previews, PvP, RIFT With 2011 locked in as a highly profitable year for Trion Worlds, the studio is eager to prove that it didn't pull off a one-trick-pony with RIFT by leaping into 2012 with guns blazing. Scott Hartsman emphasized that the studio's emphasis on having a responsive live team that quickly and decisively acts on player feedback is a key element in what makes RIFT special. "We want to make greater strides for 2012," he said. Hartsman also opened up about Trion's plans for 2012, starting with the Return to Telara free play weekend that's currently active. The team is preparing to unveil plans about major improvements to the PvP system, including ways to lower PvP wait time, improve the PvP soul system, increase rewards, and perhaps have a form of open-world PvP that isn't limited to factional combat. Other areas of improvement for the year he mentioned include giving players tools for social gatherings and tweaking the crafting system. Trion plans RIFT's 2012 attack strategy originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 20 Jan 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Source: MMORPG.com

The Daily Grind: What's your favorite zone redesign? Posted: 20 Jan 2012 05:00 AM PST Filed under: Fantasy, EverQuest II, MMO industry, Opinion, Free-to-play, The Daily Grind Revamps, redesigns, and restructuring are facts of life when it comes to MMORPG fandom, and if you play these games long enough, sooner or later you'll encounter a portion of your favorite game that has been altered significantly. Often these alterations take the form of class, skill, or ability changes, but occasionally a dev team will up and decide to remake part of the game world itself. Such was the case last month with EverQuest II's famed Freeport locale, and the sprawling capital city now features new textures, new quests, and seamless transitions between its various quarters (i.e., no more loading screens). The lengthy list of Freeport changes comprise one of the best revamps I've experienced in many years of playing MMOs, and I can't wait to see what the EQII devs have in store for Qeynos. What about you, Massively folk? What's your favorite zone revamp? Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind! The Daily Grind: What's your favorite zone redesign? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 20 Jan 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

The world (wide web) of Amalur grows as 38 Studios works on its MMO Posted: 19 Jan 2012 06:00 PM PST Filed under: Fantasy, Lore, Previews With Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning just around the corner and Project Copernicus waiting in the wings, 38 Studios is fattening its golden website for the upcoming feast. The studio has expanded the site devoted to the world that both of these games inhabit, and those looking for hints and portents of the studio's upcoming MMO would do well to seek lore within its pages. Describing the website expansion as a "treasure trove" of new info, 38 Studios has added new landing pages, navigation features, and information about one of the game's races: the Gnomes. The Gnomes are described as "an enigmatic people. They bestow wondrous gifts of knowledge, medicine, and magic to befriend the other kingdoms, yet seldom reveal their plans or intentions to outsiders." It's interesting to note that the Gnomes are divided up into three casts, which does tempt the mind into thinking the word "classes." Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning is the single-player RPG that's meant to fill the role of a prologue -- in both real-world and in-game time -- to the much larger Copernicus MMO. [Thanks to Sketchit for the tip!] The world (wide web) of Amalur grows as 38 Studios works on its MMO originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 19 Jan 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Source: Amalur.com forums

The MMO Report: Shut up, that's why edition Posted: 19 Jan 2012 05:00 PM PST Filed under: Video, MMO industry, Opinion, Humor, The MMO Report, Miscellaneous Why does The MMO Report cover Minecraft? "Shut up, that's why," says Casey with a smile. In addition to chronicling Minecraft's newest FarmVille-esque update, the Beard meanders through the Dark Millennium Online cancellation rumors, The Secret World's Illuminati trailer, and TERA's upcoming May release date ("your cue to start claiming it's better than WoW, internet"). Finally, Casey touches on the patch delays suffered by Star Wars: The Old Republic, excusing the tardiness by suggesting the promised dates are more like guidelines, and besides, "Only a Sith deals in absolutes." All this and a quick dip into Uncle Casey's Mailbag can be found in the full HD video behind the cut. Continue reading The MMO Report: Shut up, that's why edition The MMO Report: Shut up, that's why edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 19 Jan 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Source: The MMO Report

Try Grand Chase: Chaos' Rufus character free from Massively Posted: 19 Jan 2012 04:00 PM PST Filed under: Fantasy, Contests, Free-to-play, Giveaways Everyone loves freebies -- here at Massively we love getting them, but we love giving them too. The latest in our lineup of Goodies From Massively is a new item courtesy of the development team over at Grand Chase: Chaos. The developers have brought back the Nightmare Circus event and given us three hundred keys for the Rufus character. Ready to give him a try? Head over to our giveaway page to grab a code, then download Grand Chase and create a character if you haven't yet. Once you've done so, visit the game's coupon redemption page to use the key you got from Massively, then check back in to Grand Chase to find your item in your inventory. Enjoy, and thanks to the Grand Chase: Chaos team for the goodies! Try Grand Chase: Chaos' Rufus character free from Massively originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 19 Jan 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

Behind the Mask: Scarlet Weather Rhapsody Posted: 19 Jan 2012 03:00 PM PST Filed under: Super-hero, Game mechanics, Opinion, Free-to-play, Hands-on, Champions Online, Behind the Mask Champions Online released two powersets recently, and I finally got time to sit down and crunch numbers on the new Wind powers. Wind has been live for a few weeks now, and the Squall archetype uses its powers to push enemies around the battlefield and rock the damage charts. Wind has been one of the most frequently requested powersets since Heavy Weapons hit the game, and I was excited to play around with the set. Does the Wind powerset meet the expectations players had for it? This week on Behind the Mask, I set out to find the answer to that question. Continue reading Behind the Mask: Scarlet Weather Rhapsody Behind the Mask: Scarlet Weather Rhapsody originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 19 Jan 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

Blizzard continuing to make big mechanical changes to Diablo III Posted: 19 Jan 2012 02:00 PM PST Filed under: Fantasy, Game mechanics, News items, Miscellaneous While there's still no release date set for Diablo III, it seems the release may be further off than some players were guessing, judging by the latest round of sweeping system overhauls. A new post by game director Jay Wilson goes over several major changes being made to the game, starting with the fact that Scrolls of Identify are gone. You have a short casting time to identify and item and that's it, with no need to carry around a separate item. The latest changes also remove the Mystic artisan, the Cauldron of Jordan, and the Nephalem Cube. The latter two were removed due to the inclusion of a Town Portal button, making trips back and forth far easier, while the Mystic artisan lacked a sufficiently defined role amidst other item modifications. There's also a major stat overhaul, which reduces the core attributes to Strength, Dexterity, Intellect, and Vitality. They're far-reaching changes, and only time will tell how much their impact might slow the game's release as the team tests the altered systems. Blizzard continuing to make big mechanical changes to Diablo III originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 19 Jan 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Source: Diablo III System Changes Via: Kotaku

Star Wars: The Old Republic posts new video for future content updates [Updated] Posted: 19 Jan 2012 01:00 PM PST Filed under: Sci-fi, Patches, Previews, News items, Star Wars: The Old Republic It's safe to say the past two days haven't been the best for the nascent Star Wars: The Old Republic, with its bugs, breaks, and bearish concerns. That doesn't mean that BioWare is packing it in and heading for the hills, however; the studio has just put out a new video detailing the content slated for the game in the coming months. Director James Ohlen lays out several new additions planned for the near future, several of which are features players had been asking for. PvP will see the addition of a new Warzone as well as an overall ranking system for avid PvP players to track personal progress. UI customization is also coming, starting with a fully resizable and reconfigurable layout. And the Legacy system is being rolled out in full, complete with the promise of new races being available as Legacy rewards for the factions. So if you're a Star Wars: The Old Republic fan and have been feeling a bit down with recent news, this might help perk you back up. [Update: A reader named Jon has tipped us off to an article on Gamesradar in which BioWare's Daniel Erickson confirms that the character in today's video is "definitely a Miraluka Sith," which suggests that the Miraluka may be ported cross-faction as part of the Legacy system rewards.] Star Wars: The Old Republic posts new video for future content updates [Updated] originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 19 Jan 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Source: SWTOR Future Additions video

EVE reforms dev teams and preps a new patch for liftoff Posted: 19 Jan 2012 12:00 PM PST Filed under: Sci-fi, EVE Online, Patches, Humor, Dev Diaries The dream is over. EVE Online's dev teams -- formerly known as Team Best Friends Forever and Team Pink Zombie Kittens -- are breaking up. Fortunately, this is because there are so many devs at this point that CCP is reorganizing its devs into three new teams: Team Super Friends, Game of Drones, and Five 0. Along with the news of the team reorganization, CCP brings us word of an upcoming patch arriving January 24th. The update will include a rebalance of null ammo and assault ships, buffs to modules, better search options, new calendar notifications, and the ability for alliances to join faction warfare. Even if you don't play EVE, these patch notes are both highly entertaining and informative, especially if you enjoy seeing devs unhinged and dispensing advice for mosquito repellant. EVE reforms dev teams and preps a new patch for liftoff originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 19 Jan 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Source: EVE Online

Electronic Arts stock drops because of SWTOR fumbles Posted: 19 Jan 2012 11:30 AM PST Filed under: Sci-fi, Economy, MMO industry, News items, Star Wars: The Old Republic Electronic Arts' stock appears to be in a bit of trouble following Star Wars: The Old Republic's launch. The company's shares fell by almost 3% to $17.75 US this morning after a stock analyst working with Brean Murray Carret & Co. "cut his price target on the stock to $22 [US] from $28 [US]." In a note to his clients, analyst Todd Mitchell wrote that he felt some "creeping concerns" regarding The Old Republic's performance so far; he added that "initial sales appear to be below expectations, and casual observation of early play is causing us to rethink our churn assumptions." Now we just get to sit back with some popcorn and see whether BioWare can get its business together in time to make a recovery, so take a seat. [Thanks to Chum for the tip!] Electronic Arts stock drops because of SWTOR fumbles originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 19 Jan 2012 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Source: MarketWatch

The Guild Counsel: Does running a guild have to be so hard? Posted: 19 Jan 2012 11:00 AM PST Filed under: Guilds, Opinion, The Guild Counsel, Miscellaneous When you hear people describe the role of guild leader, you often hear descriptions like "herding cats," "constantly busy," or "running the crazy house." Guild leaders are often easily identified because they're the ones running around at a frantic pace, trying to micromanage every last detail. It's no surprise that few people actually want to be guild leaders because the way the role is described, you're almost expected to take on a second job. But sometimes guild leaders make things harder than they need to be. Part of that is from a desire to take on too much, but part of that is because there have traditionally been certain things we all assume have to be done. Whether you're a brand-new guild leader or someone who's been running the show for years, it's worth stepping back and questioning whether we really need to be doing all of the things we're doing. Let's put on some Bob Marley and look at a few ways to cut down on the busy work. Continue reading The Guild Counsel: Does running a guild have to be so hard? The Guild Counsel: Does running a guild have to be so hard? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 19 Jan 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

Ask Massively: Let's just look at more cats edition Posted: 19 Jan 2012 10:00 AM PST Filed under: Culture, Expansions, MMO industry, Patches, Opinion, Free-to-play, Ask Massively, Miscellaneous If I haven't mentioned it before, looking up cats on Wikipedia is dangerous for me because I love cats. I know that the above is a small group of feral cats, but my first instinct is to try to individually cuddle each and every one of those cats. Really, if I could afford more cat food, I'd basically have a home stuffed to the brim with rescued cats. So let's just all look at cat pictures and possibly get up from the computer to say nice things to your own cat. Or dog, if you just have a dog. I don't have the same degree of affection toward dogs. But you're not just here for cute animals, are you? You're here for this week's installment of Ask Massively. This week, we're answering yet another question about Star Wars: The Old Republic and the terminology of expansions. If you've got a question you'd like to see answered in a future column, leave it in the comments below or send it to ask@massively.com. Questions may be edited slightly for brevity and/or clarity. Continue reading Ask Massively: Let's just look at more cats edition Ask Massively: Let's just look at more cats edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 19 Jan 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

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