MMO Updates

MMO Updates


MMObility: Let's make a mobile game, part three

Posted: 17 Feb 2012 09:00 AM PST

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Worgolt title
Last week we continued our discussion about how to make a mobile game, and the Massively readers offered up some great input. I wish I had the space to write up every single comment, but instead I will pick some of my favorites and we can discuss it from there. Unfortunately, real life has pushed development on the game back just a bit. Dave Toulouse, my indie developer partner-in-crime in this series, not only has two games of his own to run, Star Corsairs and Golemizer, but is now dealing with my silly emails. So while last week's column got some great ideas in the comments section, we were really only able to switch out the artwork, name the game, and add a tad bit of lore.

Fear not, fair readers! I will break down the development that is still planned on being pushed into the game over the last week, and it's important to note that Dave and I plan on coming back to the experiment over time. I'd like to update the game and continue discussion since it has been so interesting so far! In the meanwhile, click here to go to the official game page!

Continue reading MMObility: Let's make a mobile game, part three

MassivelyMMObility: Let's make a mobile game, part three originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 17 Feb 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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    Turbine releases new DDO Web of Chaos images

    Posted: 17 Feb 2012 08:00 AM PST

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    Dungeons and Dragons Online - Lolth
    Dungeons and Dragons Online's new Forgotten Realms-themed expansion is on its way, but before it arrives on your desktop, Turbine will be upgrading the game via a prequel patch called Web of Chaos. Update 13 includes three new quests (the Lords of Dust, Servants of the Overlord, and Spinner of Shadows), as well as new veteran status that allows players to start their characters at level seven.

    The update features new items too, and we've got a preview of the patch in our DDO gallery below. Check it out for the latest screenshots featuring Lolth and the Drow.

    [Source: Turbine press release]

    MassivelyTurbine releases new DDO Web of Chaos images originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 17 Feb 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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      CCP revisiting EVE's new player experience

      Posted: 17 Feb 2012 07:00 AM PST

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      EVE Online is hard, or so goes the conventional wisdom. CCP's sci-fi sandbox has seen a lot of players roll up a spaceship avatar since 2003, and it's also seen quite a few of those players quit on account of the considerable learning curve.

      A new dev blog by CCP Legion outlines a broad-stroke plan to mitigate these difficulties, and Legion says that "we want to give the players a chance to experience the coolness of EVE even in the beginning and make them understand all the potential within the game. In short, we want to make the first days, weeks and months in EVE enjoyable and not just something you have to plow through in order to get to the good stuff."

      How is CCP going to do that without dumbing it down? That's still up in the air, but Legion says that the changes will focus more on teachable mechanics than step-by-step guides.

      In other New Eden news, CCP has released a new video called The Awakening, and it presents the first moments of a new pod pilot as he is born into his new life. View it in full after the break.

      Continue reading CCP revisiting EVE's new player experience

      MassivelyCCP revisiting EVE's new player experience originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 17 Feb 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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      The Firing Line: Derek Smart on Line of Defense

      Posted: 17 Feb 2012 06:00 AM PST

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      Welcome to a special interview edition of The Firing Line, folks. True MMOFPS titles are few and far between these days, though 2012 is shaping up to be a banner year for the genre thanks to games like PlanetSide 2, DUST 514, and possibly even Firefall. There's another massive FPS on its way, too, and even though it hasn't had quite as much press coverage as the aforementioned titles, 3000AD's Line of Defense project is worth a look.

      Join me after the break for a conversation with lead designer Derek Smart as he talks about what makes the game massive as well as what sets it apart from its competitors.

      Continue reading The Firing Line: Derek Smart on Line of Defense

      MassivelyThe Firing Line: Derek Smart on Line of Defense originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 17 Feb 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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        The Daily Grind: What MMO do you regret leaving?

        Posted: 17 Feb 2012 05:00 AM PST

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        Fallen Earth - mutt following a chopper
        I've played more MMOs than I can remember over the years, and nearly all of them have failed to capture my long-term interest. Most of the games in my also-ran box got a first look because of some quirky feature. Most of them didn't get a second look because -- aside from said feature -- they sucked.

        Every once in a while I'll regret leaving an MMO, though, and none moreso than Fallen Earth. Though I played extensively at launch and for a month or so after, I inexplicably forsook the wastelands for the world of Atreia. Upon returning to the game a few weeks ago and reconnecting with some old friends, I had to stop and take a moment to wonder what the heck I was thinking back in 2009. What about you, Massively crew? Have you had any similar head-scratching moments after rediscovering a previous title, and do you regret leaving it?

        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: What MMO do you regret leaving? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 17 Feb 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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          The MMO Report: Chocolate makes you fat edition

          Posted: 16 Feb 2012 06:00 PM PST

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          The MMO Report
          This week on The MMO Report, Casey delivers a Valentine's Day rant before moving on to the latest news -- namely, The Secret World's release date rumors, Wakfu's PvP, and the sunset of sci-fi sandbox Earthrise. He also rounds up the latest Blizzard headlines, noting the lawsuit against Valve, World of Warcraft's recent sub losses, and the "valiant and pointless exercise" of rebuilding Azeroth in Minecraft.

          Finally, Uncle Casey's Mailbag provides a forum for the debate over just how we're supposed to pronounce "SWTOR." All this and more in the video behind the break!

          Continue reading The MMO Report: Chocolate makes you fat edition

          MassivelyThe MMO Report: Chocolate makes you fat edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 16 Feb 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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          The Summoner's Guidebook: I suck at last-hitting

          Posted: 16 Feb 2012 05:00 PM PST

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          Given all of the fansites dedicated to League of Legends, you might wonder what kind of content I have planned for The Summoner's Guidebook to set it apart. Fortunately, there are quite a few little niches to cover.

          Our focus with the column will be on the beginner to intermediate players and improving key elements of lower-level play. While I do recognize and admire the pro League scene, websites like SoloMid.net and Curse Gaming's new LoLPro.com have tons of advice to push your gameplay from the expert levels of play to the master and professional levels.

          This week, we're going to start with the basics of laning well. While there are dozens of guides on how to do this, I want to cover them in the Guidebook because their importance can't be stressed enough. Laning fundamentals are something you should practice in every game, even as you learn new strategies or tactics. If you can commit yourself to constantly improving in this area, you'll see dramatic leaps in your ability to play. These tricks are the hardest skills in the game to improve on, so getting better at them gives you a significant edge over most opponents. If you want to take the first steps to improve your LoL game, you'll have to read on.

          Continue reading The Summoner's Guidebook: I suck at last-hitting

          MassivelyThe Summoner's Guidebook: I suck at last-hitting originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 16 Feb 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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            Darkness falls on Forsaken World in latest expansion

            Posted: 16 Feb 2012 04:00 PM PST

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            Forsaken World: Nightfall logo
            Y'all better prepare your night-vision goggles because night is swiftly approaching Perfect World Entertainment's free-to-play title Forsaken World, and it's all thanks to the game's upcoming expansion, Nightfall. The recently announced update will take players to the far reaches of Eyrda with new quests, shinier shinies, and -- perhaps most interestingly -- the gift of flight. That's right, when Nightfall hits the live servers, players will be able to soar through the skies to experience "new bosses, dungeons, and events designed specifically for flying."

            But maybe you've got more of a PvP bent to your playstyle. Don't worry; PWE is on the case. Forsaken World's Immortal Rift, which previously played host to massive guild wars, is being repurposed as "an all-out land conquering system," which will pit guild against guild against guild in a knock-down-drag-out brawl for territorial dominance. But that's enough chatter from us, so how about you click on past the cut for the expansion's teaser trailer, then head on over to Forsaken World's official site to get in on the fun.

            Continue reading Darkness falls on Forsaken World in latest expansion

            MassivelyDarkness falls on Forsaken World in latest expansion originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 16 Feb 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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            Lord of the Rings Online offering PvMP players some Commendation

            Posted: 16 Feb 2012 03:30 PM PST

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            Nothing personal, bro.  I just need to upgrade my mandibles.
            Lord of the Rings Online has always had an interesting system of PvP, with players facing off against a specially designated group of players in the guise of monsters. It's also a system that's historically had some problems, ones that the developers are hoping to alleviate the new Commendation system coming with Update 6. While it won't fix everything, the new system outlined in today's developer diary should ensure that players will be able to focus their PvMP efforts toward PvMP rewards, making rewards more straightforward without forcing players into PvE to advance.

            The diary explains how Destiny, the previously intended PvMP currency, wound up being bloated and failed to serve its proper purpose. Commendations will be hard-capped at 100,000, and spending this currency will allow players to advance Creeps and acquire new equipment. The preliminary numbers are also included with the diary, with the understanding that there will be some tweaking after the system goes live. While players might be a bit miffed at having to use their Destiny quickly before it goes away, the new reward system will hopefully make advancing via PvMP far more viable.

            MassivelyLord of the Rings Online offering PvMP players some Commendation originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 16 Feb 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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            GamersFirst sees a management shakeup

            Posted: 16 Feb 2012 03:00 PM PST

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            Not pictured: management.
            GamersFirst is in the minds of gamers for its successful relaunch of APB: Reloaded, which went from a lightning-fast shutdown to a successful free-to-play title. The company is also developing new games based on original IPs for future release. But there's some rumbling going on behind the scenes at the company, as the company's parent corporation, K2 Network, saw the resignation of its CEO, Joshua Hong. Bjorn Book-Larsson, former COO and CTO, has been promoted to the CEO position, with Hong's future uncertain.

            The official statements claim that the transition of power was amicable and pre-arranged, but it also comes on the heels of worldwide layoffs from K2 and rumors of a power struggle behind the scenes. Rahul Sandil, the company's public relations chief, claimed that there was no truth to these rumors and that the plan was to move forward from simple localizations of titles developed in foreign markets. Sandil went on to confirm that APB: Reloaded continues to be a large-scale success for the company and that further development will be centered around work that Book-Larsson had already seen during his time as CTO and COO.

            MassivelyGamersFirst sees a management shakeup originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 16 Feb 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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            SOE's fifth annual G.I.R.L. competition beckons to future game designers

            Posted: 16 Feb 2012 02:00 PM PST

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            G.I.R.L.
            Ladies and gentlemen, start your essay-writing engines! Sony Online Entertainment is sounding the call for this year's G.I.R.L. Game Design Competition and is now accepting applicants looking to win a $10,000 scholarship and a 10-week internship at SOE.

            The program, which is in its fifth year, is designed to promote and inspire female involvement in video game development by helping a talented student through undergraduate studies. Applicants have to currently be enrolled in a gaming-related program, have a 3.0 or higher GPA, be a resident of the US, and be 18 years old or older. If you meet all those standards and have a hankering to apply, you'll need to submit two pieces of original concept art "inspired by" PlanetSide 2 or EverQuest II, captions to go with the art, and a 500-word essay about women in the gaming industry. Applications are due by March 29th.

            SOE Senior Vice President of Global Sales and Marketing Laura Naviaux hopes that this will be the biggest year ever for the scholarship: "Over the last few years, we have been nothing short of impressed with the hundreds of amazing submissions from talented students nationwide. Now in our fifth year, we can't wait to see the creativity that comes out of the G.I.R.L. program."

            MassivelySOE's fifth annual G.I.R.L. competition beckons to future game designers originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 16 Feb 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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            Cyclops joins Marvel Heroes' roster

            Posted: 16 Feb 2012 01:00 PM PST

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            Marvel Heroes
            Cyclops, aka Scott Summers, will be leaping off the comic book pages and into MMOs when Marvel Heroes eventually comes out. Until then, we'll have to content ourselves with scoping out his chiseled, spandex'd body and secretly wishing that we had his death ray eyes the next time we get stuck behind some jerk in traffic.

            Gazillion is happy to announce that Cyclops will be a playable character in Marvel Heroes. What he lacks in overall charisma and flying abilities, he makes up for with a facial cannon capable of ruining your day. Cyclops is the on-again, off-again leader of the X-Men, a group of heroes that is also confirmed to be a part of the game.

            You can check out a larger picture of Cyclops along with all the other revealed playable characters in Marvel Heroes in our new gallery below!

            Gallery: Marvel Heroes

            MassivelyCyclops joins Marvel Heroes' roster originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 16 Feb 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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            If it looks like an MMO, walks like an MMO, and quacks like an MMO...

            Posted: 16 Feb 2012 12:30 PM PST

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            Screenshot -- Journey (thatgamecompany)
            Then it might just be an MMO! Indie gaming fans out there are probably already familiar with thatgamecompany, creators of hit PSN titles such as Flower, flOw, and the to-be-released Journey. Journey is going to be the studio's first experience with online interaction between players, but a new job listing from the studio seeking a scalability engineer states that the studio would "like to take it a step further with [its] next game." Taking online interaction a step further, you say? Why, they could be talking about an MMO!

            The job listing further corroborates this theory as it continues on to state that "while [thatgamecompany is] pretty experienced making games, [the studio has] never built a full scale online service available to hundreds of thousands of users." Hundreds of thousands of users, you say? Why, that sounds even more like an MMO! Of course, this is all pure conjecture at this point, but surely we're not alone in our belief that an MMO from the minds of the folks that brought us Flower and flOw would be pretty groovy. But the fact remains that Journey won't even be released until next month, so this next project -- whatever it may be -- is still far off the horizon, but stay tuned. Hopefully we'll know more about this new project before too long.

            MassivelyIf it looks like an MMO, walks like an MMO, and quacks like an MMO... originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 16 Feb 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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            RIFT players set record for most in-game weddings in one day

            Posted: 16 Feb 2012 12:00 PM PST

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            Screenshot -- RIFT
            It wasn't but yesterday that we ran our feature on the gaming achievements of the Guinness Book of World Records: Gamer's Edition 2012, but between then and now, a new MMO-related record has been set. As many of you know, RIFT recently added marriage to its plethora of features, allowing players to make the ultimate commitment in Telara. Well, the ultimate commitment besides joining a raiding guild, at any rate.

            A press release today announced that RIFT players banded together with the goal of setting the record for the most in-game marriages in a 24-hour span. We're not certain what the previous record was if there was one at all, but RIFT players managed to set the bar with a staggering 21,879 marriages performed between noon on February 14th and noon on February 15th. RIFT executive producer and Trion Worlds CCO Scott Hartsman is pleased with the outcome, stating in the press release that "Ascended Weddings were a great way to lift the veil on RIFT's new 'Gatherings' feature, social experiences that bring players together in new and interesting ways." He goes on to add that "[the studio] looks forward to expanding this great new gameplay element in the always-evolving world of Telara." So congratulations to all of the lucky couples. Enjoy your new ball-and-chain!

            [Source: Trion Worlds press release]

            MassivelyRIFT players set record for most in-game weddings in one day originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 16 Feb 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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              The Guild Counsel: How to break into raiding

              Posted: 16 Feb 2012 11:00 AM PST

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              SWTOR Hoth
              One question every guild needs to answer at some point is, "Will we be a raiding guild?" Many guilds answer that question with a loud "yes" even before they set foot in game, but for other guilds, it's something that bubbles up as members reach the level cap and raid content is within reach. Raiding tends to get a bad rap, but that's not surprising when you remember that raid videos are usually filled with yelling, swearing, finger pointing, and heavy metal music. It looks about as relaxing as boot camp in the winter.

              But it is possible to go from casual to raiding and still maintain a casual, low-key tone. In fact, it's even easier now to do that in many MMOs. In this week's Guild Counsel, we'll look at why we've entered a golden age of raiding, and we'll cover a few handy tips for guilds looking to make the leap.

              Continue reading The Guild Counsel: How to break into raiding

              MassivelyThe Guild Counsel: How to break into raiding originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 16 Feb 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                L.A.W's post-apocalyptic closed beta phase begins

                Posted: 16 Feb 2012 10:00 AM PST

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                L.A.W. - Dudes with guns, also burning trucks
                In our humble opinion, you can never have enough post-apocalyptic video games, and that's why we're pretty excited to see more of L.A.W (Living After War). Sure there's Fallout, Wasteland, and when it comes to MMOs, Fallen Earth, but the more the merrier.

                Luckily for us (and you), L.A.W is gearing up for its first closed beta phase, and the title is available for download at its official website. You'll need a beta key to participate, of course, and if you don't have one yet, you'll need to sign up for an alaplaya account.

                L.A.W is described by alaplaya as a PvP-centric MMOG with an RTS mode, and it "also features classic role-playing elements such as a guild system, dungeons, and extensive skill sets."

                [Source: alaplaya press release]

                MassivelyL.A.W's post-apocalyptic closed beta phase begins originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 16 Feb 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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