Gameforumer.com

Gameforumer.com


Replay: Psi-Ops

Posted: 30 Jun 2012 06:20 PM PDT

FG_AUTHORS: Amit Teli

Replay: Psi-Ops

Gamers have always loved the idea of using the Force to destroy enemies, but developers have rarely nailed the feeling we've hoped for. Star Wars games have been notoriously hit and miss, but a 2004 Midway title did a damn good job of presenting the telekinetic powers we've always wanted. While it's obviously not an official Star Wars game, it features protagonist...

How Epic's Game Jams Led To Fortnite and Infinity Blade: Dungeons

Posted: 30 Jun 2012 06:14 PM PDT

FG_AUTHORS: Amit Teli

How Epic's Game Jams Led To Fortnite and Infinity Blade: Dungeons

Creating four Gears of War titles in six years takes its toll on a team. To ensure that the employees of Epic Games studio in North Carolina don't get burned out, director of production Rod Fergusson and the other heads of the studio have scheduled a time for complete freedom called "Epic Fridays" and the larger-scaled "Epic Game Jams".

Watch the video...

Console Games That Could Be Free-To-Play

Posted: 30 Jun 2012 11:14 AM PDT

FG_AUTHORS: Amit Teli

Console Games That Could Be Free-To-Play

Free-to-play began on the PC landscape and continues to flourish there. Free-to-play mobile games are released every day. The world of consoles, however, has yet to do any real experimentation in the world of free-to-play.

Almost every game could be functional in the free-to-play model. All you have to do is create a game where there is something desirable for the player to...

SEO NEWS: Google + Events

Posted: 29 Jun 2012 07:40 PM PDT

FG_AUTHORS: Amit Teli

SEO NEWS: Google + EventsIn SEO news, Google is at it again – this time it is their new product Google+ Events that is making waves. Google+ Events is taking the invitation service industry and turning it on it's ear so to speak. What Google is doing different is that they are splitting invitations up into three segments and adding the social element to it all. It's something no one else has don...

SEO NEWS: Niche SEO

Posted: 29 Jun 2012 07:29 PM PDT

FG_AUTHORS: Amit Teli

SEO NEWS: Niche SEO

In SEO news, there has been more discussion concerning the relevance and importance of some of the smaller search engines like Duck Duck Go and how they fit into the grand scheme of things. While they have a small market share, they do often tend to be very niche in some areas. The big question is, are they worth optimizing for, and if so, are there really any effective...

Walking Dead Episode 2 Review: Not Starved For Drama

Posted: 29 Jun 2012 06:09 PM PDT

FG_AUTHORS: Amit Teli

Walking Dead Episode 2 Review: Not Starved For Drama

Robert Kirkman envisions that his Walking Dead comic series will never end. The core of the story is about the perpetual existence of people in a world of moving corpses. The Walking Dead isn’t the quick slice of post-apocalyptic life that is on display in most zombie fiction – it’s a long form exploration of a zombie future. Events that occur in early...

Rumor: HP Ditching Windows RT Tablet Plans Due To Microsoft Surface, Others May Follow

Posted: 29 Jun 2012 12:00 PM PDT

FG_AUTHORS: Amit Teli

Rumor: HP Ditching Windows RT Tablet Plans Due To Microsoft Surface, Others May Follow Microsoft's Surface tablet sure looks nifty, but will it cost the company the support of its OEM partners? Several sources have said that OEMs are mighty, mighty displeased that Microsoft took a heavily hands-on role in the design approval of other companies' Windows tablets, only to soon thereafter introduce a kick ass-looking Windows tablet of its own. LG bowed out of the...

MMO Updates

MMO Updates


Rumor: Vivendi looking to sell Activision-Blizzard stake

Posted: 30 Jun 2012 10:00 AM PDT

Filed under: , , , , , , ,

Activision-Blizzard logo
Rumors are swirling about the possible sale of Activision-Blizzard after the departure of Vivendi CEO Jean-Bernard Levy this week. Vivendi owns 61% of Acti-Blizz, and Levy reportedly walked over a disagreement about splitting up the French holding company.

How this affects Activision-Blizzard remains to be seen, but Bloomberg says that Vivendi is looking to sell its entire stake, according to "a person with knowledge of the situation." The Wall Street Journal says that Vivendi's board of directors is mulling whether or not to split the company, which could potentially affect Blizzard and its World of Warcraft and Diablo III titles.

MassivelyRumor: Vivendi looking to sell Activision-Blizzard stake originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 30 Jun 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

WRUP: Simon says edition

Posted: 30 Jun 2012 08:00 AM PDT

Filed under: ,

Simon.
Simon says touch your nose. Simon says touch your nose again without the attitude. Simon says forgive him for being so pushy. Simon says to do the hokey pokey. Simon says that you did it wrong; you should have put the other foot in first. Simon says have an existential crisis. Simon says harness your latent telekinetic powers. Simon says to create a new religion based on Mountain Dew. Simon says touch the top of your head.

Simon says that it's time for this week's installment of WRUP. Simon says that the Massively staff members need to explain what they'll be doing over the weekend. Simon says the Massively staff members also need to talk about whether or not they hold grudges against games. Simon says to nod knowingly. Simon says jump past the break to see the Massively staff's answers. Simon says let us know what you'll be up to in the comments.

Continue reading WRUP: Simon says edition

MassivelyWRUP: Simon says edition originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 30 Jun 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

The Daily Grind: What's the difference between an MMO trial and F2P?

Posted: 30 Jun 2012 06:00 AM PDT

Filed under: , , , , , ,

Warhammer Online
Back in olden times when I sampled my first MMO trial, free game try-outs were short affairs. You'd usually get to play for a week, and then you were done unless you subscribed (or forgot to strike your credit card info). But modern MMOs are abandoning time-limited trials with increasing frequency. Games like Warhammer Online, World of Warcraft, RIFT, and now Star Wars: The Old Republic all allow gamers to play indefinitely -- but only up to a certain level.

The "endless trial" model has led to some debate among the Massively staffers as we try to suss out what, exactly, sets an endless trial apart from any other F2P game and how we ought to refer to these sorts of titles on the whole. It'd be easy to say the restricted level cap is the red flag, but if we latch on to that definition, then any free-to-play title with a level cap locked behind a paid expansion -- like Lord of the Rings Online -- could itself be deemed an endless trial, albeit one with a very high (but not max) level cap for free players.

Chime in on our debate. What do you think represents the key difference between an MMO that's F2P and an MMO that merely features an endless trial? Is it level caps or content or something else entirely? Or is there not really any difference at all?

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's the difference between an MMO trial and F2P? originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 30 Jun 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

    Star Wars: The Old Republic posts the newest community answers

    Posted: 29 Jun 2012 07:00 PM PDT

    Filed under: , , , , ,

    Don't you want one as a vanity pet?
    Are you looking forward to playing a Cathar in Star Wars: The Old Republic? Or are you looking forward to playing a different species? According to the latest round of community answers for the game, the Cathar might be one of many new species unlocked if they perform well once players get their hands on the new race. Certainly there are some other species that players are clamoring for as well, and the team is investigating other options.

    The answers also go into the details regarding how a tiebreaker is determined in the game's Voidstar matches; a tie goes to whichever team cleared the most objectives in the least amount of time. If none of this round of answers puts your burning questions to rest, there's always hope for next week; head on over to the official question thread and post it for next week's questions.

    MassivelyStar Wars: The Old Republic posts the newest community answers originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 29 Jun 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

    Permalink | Email this | Comments

    Betawatch: June 23 - 29, 2012

    Posted: 29 Jun 2012 06:00 PM PDT

    Filed under: , , ,

    Betawatch - TSW
    This week, Betawatch says farewell to The Secret World, which launched its headstart program this morning and will open the floodgates to everyone on July 3rd. We've also secured a launch date for Guild Wars 2 (August 28th); the final beta event will be the weekend of July 20th. And sandbox fans can look forward to The Repopulation, which has just begun alpha testing.

    This was a week of beta teases from some of the other games we're awaiting. We had a look at City of Steam's alpha, Firefall announced half a million beta registrations, Cryptic's lifetime subbers are set to receive Neverwinter beta access, SOE chronicled how PlanetSide 2's beta access will shake out, and Phantasy Star Online 2 fans can brush up on their Japanese and jump into that title's open beta.

    Finally, CCP promised DUST 514 beta invites to players who purchase a special booster pack. The shooter's first beta weekend began yesterday.

    Immerse yourself in the full Betawatch roundup beyond the break.

    Continue reading Betawatch: June 23 - 29, 2012

    MassivelyBetawatch: June 23 - 29, 2012 originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 29 Jun 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

    Permalink | Email this | Comments

      The MMO Report: Classy edition

      Posted: 29 Jun 2012 05:00 PM PDT

      Filed under: , , , , , , ,

      Yes, it's pretty much like this.
      Don't call it a comeback; The MMO Report has been here for years. It's been on hiatus for a little while, sure, but it's back in business, and that means more MMO news with your host Casey Schreiner. This week opens a bit differently than normal, as Casey explains the positive outcome of Star Wars: The Old Republic's somewhat convoluted server transfers and some of the rage over comments on same.

      But it's not a show just about one game. This installment also discusses the reveal of PlanetSide 2's classes and their roles, the various exploits in EVE Online, the kick off of DUST 514's beta testing, and of course, the contents of Casey's mail bag. Also, for some reason, cats. Check out the full show just past the break, and stay tuned every week for a new installment of The MMO Report from G4TV and Massively.

      Continue reading The MMO Report: Classy edition

      MassivelyThe MMO Report: Classy edition originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 29 Jun 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

      Permalink | Email this | Comments

      Newest World of Warcraft novel gets a release date and cover preview

      Posted: 29 Jun 2012 04:00 PM PDT

      Filed under: , , , ,

      If someone had brought a Warlock or a Shaman, this could have been prevented.
      Jaina Proudmoore is one of the biggest lore figures in World of Warcraft despite the fact that her character history largely consists of trying to make reasonable compromises and being completely ignored. It's no surprise that she's the star of the newest novel based on World of Warcraft considering her prominence in the lore and her relationship to the war between the game's factions. Tides of War is written by Christie Golden and will be released in late August, setting the stage for Mists of Pandaria later this year.

      While Jaina has always tried to broker a peace between the Alliance and the Horde, the novel's plot revolves around Warchief Garrosh Hellscream launching an attack against Jaina's home in Theramore, demonstrating the same legendary thinking that's alienated several of the Horde's allies. Whether or not the erstwhile diplomat will be able to retain any hopes of a peaceful resolution remains to be seen, but with Mists of Pandaria promising to focus on the conflict between the two factions, it seems likely that players will be looking at silencing the last and loudest voice for peace.

      MassivelyNewest World of Warcraft novel gets a release date and cover preview originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 29 Jun 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

      Permalink | Email this | Comments

      MMObility: Google's Nexus tablet and Dark Legends' update

      Posted: 29 Jun 2012 02:00 PM PDT

      Filed under: , , , , , , , , ,

      Google Nexus tab picture
      Some weeks, mobile news just comes right up to my doorstep and invites itself in. This was one of those weeks. The mobile MMO market is still only a fraction the size of the standard one, but thanks in large part to browser-based games and smart studios like Spacetime Studios and Gameloft, we mobile fans still have a lot to choose from. In my opinion, mobile MMO gaming will slowly rise to the popularity of the standard mobile game market, especially given new tech like the new Google Nexus 7 tablet that we're going to talk about today.

      Still, mobile MMO fans have got to be diligent and need to know what to look for. They also need to be a bit flexible in their game choices, sometimes playing around with different styles of MMO like MUDs, browser-based strategy games, and games that are a bit more primitive in the graphics department. Luckily, Spacetime's Dark Legends just released a pretty game-changing patch, so I'll give you the skinny on that as well.

      Continue reading MMObility: Google's Nexus tablet and Dark Legends' update

      MassivelyMMObility: Google's Nexus tablet and Dark Legends' update originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 29 Jun 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

      Permalink | Email this | Comments

        Darkfall's 'ultimate promotion' starts next week

        Posted: 29 Jun 2012 01:30 PM PDT

        Filed under: , , , ,

        Darkfalls Ultimate Promotion
        If you've been thinking about heading back to Darkfall, Aventurine wants you to know that now -- yes now -- is the time. The studio is running a so-called "ultimate promotion" for the game starting July 2nd and running until Darkfall 2.0 launches.

        Through the promotion, all current and previous subscribers will be granted several days of free play. These days are July 2nd through the 4th and the 9th through the 11th. In addition, the subscription rate is reduced to $9.95 a month; this rate includes a copy of the game for completely new players.

        Players also should find their experience in the game on fast-forward. Aventurine is jacking up the skill increase rate by 20 times, boosting the the global loot by four times, and making village control points go active every six hours instead of 12.

        [Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

        MassivelyDarkfall's 'ultimate promotion' starts next week originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 29 Jun 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

        Permalink | Email this | Comments

        MMO Blender: Eliot's self-made legend

        Posted: 29 Jun 2012 01:00 PM PDT

        Filed under: , , , , , , , , , ,

        Yes, I sort of had a Greek thing on my mind with this one.
        I like games that make your characters feel legendary, but sometimes I think they've gotten the whole formula wrong. The problem is that the only thing important about your character is what he or she has done, not what he or she is. World of Warcraft has a lot of quests and raids that seem to imply your character is a big deal, but how big a deal can you really be if you're learning all of your tricks at the local trainer?

        What about a game where your personal history has as much to do with your future development as anything else? A game where your accomplishments aren't just backstory but an integral part of your character's abilities? A game where every new encounter is a chance for your character to learn something unique? I'd love to see a game where your accomplishments are not a list of things that you've killed but a clear litany of skills learned and scars accumulated -- a game where the path to power isn't necessarily clearly marked.

        Continue reading MMO Blender: Eliot's self-made legend

        MassivelyMMO Blender: Eliot's self-made legend originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 29 Jun 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

        Permalink | Email this | Comments

          Storyboard: The social contract

          Posted: 29 Jun 2012 12:00 PM PDT

          Filed under: , , , , ,

          The non-MMO pictures just keep getting stranger.
          Have you ever thought about the fact that every single one of your characters is a murdering thief?

          Picture the scene for a moment: You have a group of people living in an isolated and rural community. Without warning, a man with heavy weaponry bursts in and starts hacking his way through every inhabitant of the community, smashing his way into locked houses. But he also stops at the body of each victim to gather any money or important belongings, slowly working his way through the community until there's nothing left but carrion and a few trinkets he didn't deem valuable enough to steal.

          On the news, this would be up there as a pretty shocking tragedy. In an MMO, this is a good chunk of the gameplay. And that brings to mind one of the major issues that faced by roleplayers hoping for verisimilitude: the horrible discrepancies between the social contract as we understand it and the one employed by the characters in the game. They're divergent sometimes, identical at other times, and universally ambiguous.

          Continue reading Storyboard: The social contract

          MassivelyStoryboard: The social contract originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 29 Jun 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

          Permalink | Email this | Comments

            Age of Conan survey respondents prefer PvE by a wide margin

            Posted: 29 Jun 2012 11:30 AM PDT

            Filed under: , , , , , , ,

            Age of Conan - Paikang village
            It may be early release day for The Secret World, but that doesn't mean Funcom is throwing in the towel on its other MMORPG projects. Case in point is Age of Conan, which is sporting a brand-new game director update as of this morning.

            Craig "Silirrion" Morrison presents the findings from AoC's annual summer survey, which amount to an unsurprising PvE-is-way-more-popular-than-PvP conclusion. The scores are weighted, so we don't get to see exactly how many players voted and what they voted for, but it's an interesting peek into the minds of AoC's community in any event. Morrison says that "overall, 70% of responders listed one form of PvE as their primary interest, with the remaining 30% listing a form of PvP."

            He also takes a moment to tease AoC's forthcoming adventure pack, which is as-yet unnamed and supposedly set somewhere in the Hyborian south. Full details are at the official website.

            MassivelyAge of Conan survey respondents prefer PvE by a wide margin originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 29 Jun 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

            Permalink | Email this | Comments

            EVE Online's Alliance Tournament X starts tomorrow

            Posted: 29 Jun 2012 11:00 AM PDT

            Filed under: , , , ,

            EVE Online screenshot
            Huge player numbers are the name of the game for CCP this weekend. Fifty thousand pilots are poised to take part in EVE Online's massive player-run Delve war. It's also time for Alliance Tournament X, which starts on Saturday, June 30th, at 11:00 a.m. EDT. The tournament will be streamed and will include live commentary.

            The first-round matchup will be Agony Empire vs. Exiled Ones, with 15 more pairings following at 20-minute intervals. The pre-qualifying rounds will continue on Sunday as well as the following weekend. For a full listing of events and information on streaming, check out the official schedule.

            [Source: CCP press release]

            MassivelyEVE Online's Alliance Tournament X starts tomorrow originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 29 Jun 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

            Permalink | Email this | Comments

              General gaming

              General gaming


              I Know that Song from Somewhere...

              Posted: 29 Jun 2012 05:06 PM PDT

              Feature

              1UP COVER STORY

              Header

              1UP COVER STORY | WEEK OF JUNE 25 | VIDEO GAME MUSIC FESTIVAL

              I Know that Song from Somewhere...

              Cover Story: Rare instances when licensed tracks made a positive impact in video games.

              A

              nyone modestly familiar with cinema is aware of the common use of licensed music to compliment the unraveling action on-screen. Wes Anderson is one director whose frequent use of a vast smattering of audio genres has become possibly his most significant trademark. The revenge and arrest of Max Fischer near Rushmore's climax accompanied by the rollicking bliss of The Who's "A Quick One While He's Away," is a prime example of how the use of established music with a moving picture can enhance both. But licensed music, whether for monetary reasons or otherwise, has seen little use stylistically in the gaming medium. Despite this, there are a few examples that prove that licensed tracks can be utilized just as prominently to define a game's tone or punctuate a point of narrative importance.

              The Rolling Stones, "Paint It, Black" -- Twisted Metal Black

              Total Immersion: Gaming's Best Diegetic Music

              Posted: 29 Jun 2012 04:12 PM PDT

              Feature

              1UP COVER STORY

              Header

              1UP COVER STORY | WEEK OF JUNE 25 | VIDEO GAME MUSIC FESTIVAL

              Total Immersion: Gaming's Best Diegetic Music

              Cover Story: Game music is great, but it's even better when it's actually part of the game.

              Y

              ou may not be familiar with the term "diegetic music," but you know of the concept: Diagetic music refers to a melody that appears within a multimedia work not simply as a part of the score but as a sound whose origin lay within the context and environment of the story. So when Luke Skywalker blows up the Death Star and you hear a triumphant swell of strings and tympanis, that's not diegetic, because Luke does not (to our knowledge) have the London Symphony Orchestra in the cockpit of his X-Wing. But when he wanders into Jabba's palace and sees horrible computer puppets dancing around to agonizing electronic music, that is diegetic, because the song and music originate with the Max Rebo Band skulking repulsively in Jabba's lair. Got it? Got it.

              Diegetic music doesn't play into video games as often as you might think, but in a way that helps to make its appearances all the more meaningful. Besides really obvious instances, like Parappa literally rapping his way into Sunny's heart while baking cakes and using the bathroom, the following instances of in-game music stand out to us for the way they lend a little something extra to the works in which they appear. Maybe they build atmosphere, or perhaps they accompany a crucial moment on which the plot pivots. In any case, these diegetic game music selections transcend the status of mere soundtrack by becoming an integral part of the game itself.

              Aerosmith Can't Catch a Break

              Posted: 29 Jun 2012 03:43 PM PDT

              Feature

              1UP COVER STORY

              Header

              1UP COVER STORY | WEEK OF JUNE 25 | VIDEO GAME MUSIC FESTIVAL

              Aerosmith Can't Catch a Break

              Cover Story: The surprisingly long chronology of the famous band's roles in video games.

              T

              om Hamilton, Joey Kramer, Joe Perry, Brad Whitford, and Steven Tyler -- Aerosmith, one of the most prolific American rock bands that's still around today. Believe it or not, Aerosmith has been around video games in one way or another for almost 20 years. For a group of rapidly aging rockers who didn't really project a love of video games, they were oddly willing to be in them. Sure, tons of popular music acts have their songs licensed for use in games, but as an in-the-flesh band, Aerosmith has had more game appearances than you'd think. It's just that none of them were very dignified.

              Battlefield Premium Success Likely to Result in More CoD Elite Imitators

              Posted: 29 Jun 2012 03:11 PM PDT

              Battlefield 3

              When Battlefield 3 was rumored to be getting a Call of Duty Elite-style service last month, it was not difficult to foresee more franchises following suit, particularly if this one did well. As we learned today, Battlefield Premium is safely in "doing well" territory, having amassed 800,000 users in its first two weeks on (virtual) store shelves.

              Premium was launched earlier this month for $49.99. It entitles buyers to five Battlefield 3 expansion packs, two of which are already available. Premium members also get early access to these expansion packs (they're sold separately to non-Premiums), new camos for soldiers and weapons, new assignments, priority when waiting in server queues, and more. Controversy over whether non-paying members should be forced to wait longer to join servers aside, $50 is a good deal for those planning to buy all of the expansion packs. At $15 a pop, even those who received Back to Karkand for free from purchasing the game's Limited Edition would be saving $10 as the remaining DLC would cost a total of $60 to purchase individually.

              Zuntata and the Future-Proofing of Game Music

              Posted: 29 Jun 2012 12:42 PM PDT

              Feature

              1UP COVER STORY

              Header

              1UP COVER STORY | WEEK OF JUNE 25 | VIDEO GAME MUSIC FESTIVAL

              Zuntata and the Future-Proofing of Game Music

              Cover Story: A look at how Taito's house band remained ahead of the game music curve.

              U

              sually, when video game developers create music for their games, composers score a set of pieces, create some demos, and record the final playlist using studio musicians or company sound programmers. Publishers will even occasionally allow them to commission entire orchestras or established popular bands to add to a game. But unless a company has an in-house musician on the payroll, very little collaboration happens. This practice used to be less common, as publishers would boast claims over luminaries such as Nobuo Uematsu or Koji Kondo, but today, most companies send out contracts to freelance composers, reducing the process to a simple business transaction. And while this can still result in some inspired pieces of video game music, true musical ambition is almost always hampered.



              Bubble Bobble Theme

              Interview: Reinventing Rock Band

              Posted: 29 Jun 2012 11:55 AM PDT

              1UP COVER STORY

              Header

              1UP COVER STORY | WEEK OF JUNE 25 | VIDEO GAME MUSIC FESTIVAL

              Interview: Reinventing Rock Band

              Cover Story: How Rock Band Blitz is keeping music games alive beyond the age of plastic.

              R

              ock Band Blitz may not be exactly what you expect from a game called "Rock Band." For one thing, it's a solo joint. Secondly, it's strictly controlled with a standard controller -- no plastic instruments needed. Different though it may be, though, it's also an interesting, addictive take on the music genre, a back-to-the-basics experience. Harmonix's Matthew Nordhaus, the game's Project Director, was kind enough to answer a few of our questions about Blitz's plan to push the music genre forward by taking it back to its roots.

              1UP: For me, the most striking thing about Blitz is that it's a Rock Band game without the instrument controllers. I can understand the move away from a bundle approach, but why the change? Why no support for players' existing guitars and drums?

              Total Pageviews

              statcounter

              View My Stats