MMO Updates |
- Steam offers Lord of the Rings Online starter pack
- E3 2012: Crashing and burning in PlanetSide 2
- Enter at Your Own Rift: Why update 1.9 could be the best one yet
- Play Diablo 1 with World of Warcraft models in StarCraft 2
- E3 2012: Spacetime Studios demos another smash Legends hit
- Trion Worlds CEO pinpoints the failings of 38 Studios and Star Wars: The Old Republic
- E3 2012: Explore the lore of Neverwinter in two new trailers
- The Daily Grind: Do you leave cloaks and hats toggled on or off?
- Gambitious launching itself as a game-focused crowdsourcing center
- E3 2012: Razer reveals concept controller for MechWarrior Online
- The Game Archaeologist: The Anarchy Online bloggers
- Massively Exclusive: Eric Flannum talks Guild Wars 2 beta changes
- E3 2012: CCP says it wants 'EVE to be around in 10, 20, 30 years'
- Fallen Earth receives a State of the Game update
- Hyperspace Beacon: SWTOR's group finder and server transfers
- The Soapbox: Why solo players don't just play a single-player game
- Runes of Magic: Chapter V sparks to life in a new trailer
- E3 2012: Final Fantasy XIV relases new version 2.0 screens and art
- E3 2012: PlanetSide 2 trailer pulls you in three directions
- E3 2012: World of Battleships unmoors its trailer
- E3 2012: The Elder Scrolls Online previews characters, more in new trailers [Update]
- E3 2012: Wizardry Online unleashes a bevy of screenshots
- Massively Speaking Episode 203: Mugging for the camera
- Wargaming.net to unify all its titles in a 'single MMO battle realm'
| Steam offers Lord of the Rings Online starter pack Posted: 06 Jun 2012 09:45 AM PDT Filed under: Fantasy, Lord of the Rings Online, Free-to-play, Promotions  The LotRO Steam starter pack will outfit an adventurer with an exclusive mount, an XP-boost token that delivers 25% extra XP on monster kills up until level 65, and 1,000 Turbine Points to spend in the game's store. The deal also includes three zone quest packs -- North Downs, Evendim, and Misty Mountains -- which covers levels 21-50. Currently the starter pack is 50% off at $14.99, which makes the combined offerings a good deal if you lack the quest packs and want to shore up your leveling experience. [Thanks to Brian for the tip!]
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| E3 2012: Crashing and burning in PlanetSide 2 Posted: 06 Jun 2012 09:30 AM PDT Filed under: Events, real-world, MMO industry, New titles, News items, Free-to-play, Hands-on, MMOFPS, Massively Hands-on, First Impressions, Massively Event Coverage, PlanetSide 2, Sandbox  This is completely unnatural to my way of thinking, and so I'm going to blame it for the fact that my Mosquito lumbered around the skies of Auraxis like a drunken elephant, listing hard to starboard and eventually porpoising down for the ugliest landing in the history of ugly landings. But hey, any one you walk away from's a good one, amirite? Continue reading E3 2012: Crashing and burning in PlanetSide 2
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| Enter at Your Own Rift: Why update 1.9 could be the best one yet Posted: 06 Jun 2012 09:00 AM PDT Filed under: Fantasy, Game mechanics, Patches, PvP, PvE, Opinion, RIFT, Enter at Your Own Rift, Dungeons  But that's not all that's planned for the next game update, and there are two additions that I think could very well be gamechangers for RIFT. The first is a mentoring system, and the second is the addition of lower-level instant adventures. In this week's column, we'll look at both through last week's test event and explore why they could make update 1.9 the best one yet. Continue reading Enter at Your Own Rift: Why update 1.9 could be the best one yet
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| Play Diablo 1 with World of Warcraft models in StarCraft 2 Posted: 06 Jun 2012 08:30 AM PDT Filed under: World of Warcraft, Video, Miscellaneous, Diablo III  One of the delightful custom game modes that has become an Arcade chart-topper is an incestuous mix of all of Blizzard's major franchises: It's the first Diablo game ported into StarCraft II using World of Warcraft art assets for the 3D models. The gameplay doesn't match the original Diablo click-for-click, but the core mechanics and all of the sound files have been carried from one game to the next, including Deckard Cain's signature stay awhile and listen. StarCraft II shoutcaster Husky recently featured the game mode on his YouTube channel, and you can watch his 18+ minute preview/review embedded below. Continue reading Play Diablo 1 with World of Warcraft models in StarCraft 2
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| E3 2012: Spacetime Studios demos another smash Legends hit Posted: 06 Jun 2012 08:00 AM PDT Filed under: Fantasy, Events, real-world, Interviews, MMO industry, New titles, Free-to-play, Massively Interviews, Massively Event Coverage, Miscellaneous  Players who haven't experienced any of the Legend series will find it familiar, yet entertaining. Spacetime flagships that their company is entirely dedicated to gaming software on all platforms. Pocket Legends was their first foray into the market, and thus was born Star Legends and Dark Legends, each with its own style and flair. Arcane Legends delivers more of what the previous titles offer. I was able to sit down with Fernando Blanco, Director of Marketing, at E3 to see a demo for the game, which they showcased on two tablets -- including a Kindle Fire. It was quite impressive. Continue reading E3 2012: Spacetime Studios demos another smash Legends hit
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| Trion Worlds CEO pinpoints the failings of 38 Studios and Star Wars: The Old Republic Posted: 06 Jun 2012 07:30 AM PDT Filed under: Fantasy, Sci-fi, Interviews, MMO industry, Massively Event Coverage, Star Wars: The Old Republic, RIFT  Buttler talked about these games in light of the perceived crumbling of the AAA MMO segment. Citing different issues between the two companies and projects, he said that "process management" was 38 Studios Achilles' Heel: "38 Studios had a concept they couldn't deliver on... It was too big of a scope. It was too much. It just went broader and never narrowed. They never even came close to the finish line." In the case of SWTOR, Buttler sees BioWare fumbling where Trion's RIFT has stayed consistently strong: "I don't think [SWTOR's] business model was necessarily the issue, but I think it was content updates, and what to do in the game, and how you can play it without it becoming repetitive." So what is the key to success for an MMO? "You have to be able to keep people interested," Buttler concluded. "The key about an online game is that it's a live service. If you make it more like a packaged goods game, people will stay about as long as they stay with a packaged goods game."
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| E3 2012: Explore the lore of Neverwinter in two new trailers Posted: 06 Jun 2012 07:00 AM PDT Filed under: Fantasy, Trailers, Video, New titles, News items, Free-to-play, Neverwinter  The first video offers lore of the Vellosk peaks, sharing how area has fallen to shadow and one barbarian clan caught the attention of powerful warlords. The second clip is part two of the three-part "The Siege of Neverwinter" trailer series; where part one was truly a tease at under three-quarters or a minute, this next part shows more action, following a story of vengeance amid battle scenes. Check out both clips after the break. [Thanks to Paul for the tip!] Continue reading E3 2012: Explore the lore of Neverwinter in two new trailers
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| The Daily Grind: Do you leave cloaks and hats toggled on or off? Posted: 06 Jun 2012 06:00 AM PDT Filed under: Culture, Opinion, The Daily Grind, Miscellaneous  Hats and cloaks are two visual options that many MMOs allow us to toggle on and off. Some folks like 'em; some detest them. For me, I almost never like cloaks (they hide the rest of the body and armor), and I'll wear a hat only if it completes an ensemble or doesn't fully cover up the hair. But that's just me, and I want to hear about you. Do you toggle your hats and cloaks on or off, and why? This is what we'll discuss over breakfast scones. Pass the jam, please.  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!
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| Gambitious launching itself as a game-focused crowdsourcing center Posted: 05 Jun 2012 09:00 PM PDT Filed under: MMO industry, News items, Legal, Miscellaneous  Traditionally, Kickstarter backers receive only a few bonuses for funding a project, and if that project goes on to wild success after the initial funding, the backers are left out. Equity funding allows people to play a more traditional venture capitalist role, investing money in return for dividends on successful projects. While this option is available only in Europe at the moment due to legal issues, it's a new take on funding a game, and depending on future developments, Gambitious might make a name for itself in the indie gaming market.
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| E3 2012: Razer reveals concept controller for MechWarrior Online Posted: 05 Jun 2012 08:00 PM PDT Filed under: Sci-fi, Events, real-world, News items, Free-to-play, MMOFPS, MechWarrior Online  The demo unit on the show floor is unfortunately non-functional, as it's meant as a proof-of-concept rather than a retail product. Currently the team is looking at the best ways to implement the functionality needed, with the final product in flux as feedback is taken into consideration. If it sparks your imagination, however, you can certainly take a look at the trailer for the upcoming controller just after the break. [Thanks to Space Cobra for the tip!] Continue reading E3 2012: Razer reveals concept controller for MechWarrior Online
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| The Game Archaeologist: The Anarchy Online bloggers Posted: 05 Jun 2012 07:00 PM PDT Filed under: Sci-fi, Anarchy Online, Culture, Interviews, Free-to-play, Massively Interviews, The Game Archaeologist  That's why I was utterly surprised to see two brand-new bloggers hit the scene writing about Anarchy Online: Sephora's Closet and Donovan Drones. Both of these blogs came out of a community-wide effort to encourage new game writers in May, and I was so fascinated with their game du jour that I contacted each of them for an interview. What would drive someone to blog about Anarchy Online in 2012? What is there in the game worth writing? How many more words do I need to write until this paragraph doesn't look pathetically skimpy? Come with me and we'll find out! Continue reading The Game Archaeologist: The Anarchy Online bloggers
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| Massively Exclusive: Eric Flannum talks Guild Wars 2 beta changes Posted: 05 Jun 2012 06:30 PM PDT Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Game mechanics, Interviews, News items, Guild Wars 2, Massively Interviews  There's no doubt that the folks over at ArenaNet have been busy with preparations for the upcoming Guild Wars 2 beta weekend event. The team has doubled the number of servers available for the beta and instituted a number of changes to the beta content itself, as detailed in a recent blog post. Despite the bustle, Lead Game Designer Eric Flannum took the time to answer a few of our questions regarding changes in the upcoming beta. Continue reading Massively Exclusive: Eric Flannum talks Guild Wars 2 beta changes
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| E3 2012: CCP says it wants 'EVE to be around in 10, 20, 30 years' Posted: 05 Jun 2012 06:00 PM PDT Filed under: Sci-fi, EVE Online, Events, real-world, Game mechanics, Interviews, MMO industry, New titles, News items, DUST 514, Sandbox  The three of us chatted for about 30 minutes, covering a wide range of topics including EVE Online and its new Inferno expansion, DUST 514, and game money for real goods. In a nutshell, Inferno has been more of what the doctor ordered for the MMO genre's elder sandbox statesman. "We are on the cusp of breaking our all-time subscriber record right now," Olafsson told me, and that's no small feat for a polarizing title in a genre over which burnout and next-new-thing syndrome reign supreme. Continue reading E3 2012: CCP says it wants 'EVE to be around in 10, 20, 30 years'
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| Fallen Earth receives a State of the Game update Posted: 05 Jun 2012 05:00 PM PDT Filed under: Sci-fi, Fallen Earth, Game mechanics, Previews, News items, Free-to-play, Sandbox  Among the promised future additions are farms, meant to be the PvE equivalent of harvesters. The team wants to ensure that harvesters are providing enough of a reward for player effort to be worthwhile, so some more balancing is necessary, but the core idea is that the higher-risk actions of harvesters yield greater rewards than farms. There's also a promise of the development team trying to be more active with responses to players, something that should be a welcome start after a fairly quiet month.
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| Hyperspace Beacon: SWTOR's group finder and server transfers Posted: 05 Jun 2012 04:00 PM PDT Filed under: Sci-fi, Game mechanics, Patches, Rumors, Star Wars: The Old Republic, Hyperspace Beacon  Game launches vary in scale and scope. SWTOR's launch was huge! Over two million copies of the game were sold, and over 150 servers spun up the first week. That made some of features you'd find in older MMOs redundant. Group finders and server transfers are really not necessary when you have everything that you need at your fingertips. Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: SWTOR's group finder and server transfers
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| The Soapbox: Why solo players don't just play a single-player game Posted: 05 Jun 2012 03:00 PM PDT Filed under: Culture, Opinion, The Soapbox, Miscellaneous  When I play an MMO, I tend to play solo. This isn't because I outright dislike grouping -- I've said exactly the opposite before -- but when given the choice, I'll default to solo. I don't always have a reliable play schedule, I like having the freedom to start and stop projects at my whim, and most importantly, I like the option of just tuning out a bit and losing myself in a solitary romp every now and again. Some people get very bothered by this, though, and they really dislike the fact that there are solo players asking for more solo content. Sometimes it's rooted in a fear that solo content will interfere with group content, and sometimes it's because of the fear that no one will group if there's plenty to do solo, but the same argument gets brought up every time: "If you want to play solo, you should be playing a single-player game." Except they're not the same thing. Not by far. There are distinct benefits to playing in an MMO even if you prefer doing most content solo instead of in a group. Continue reading The Soapbox: Why solo players don't just play a single-player game
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| Runes of Magic: Chapter V sparks to life in a new trailer Posted: 05 Jun 2012 02:30 PM PDT Filed under: Fantasy, Trailers, Video, Lore, Patches, Free-to-play, Races, Runes of Magic  The Shadowforge Dwarves are set to become the first new playable race in the game since its launch, and the third overall. Chapter V will also incorporate two additional classes, a new starting area, and several high-level zones and dungeons. Excited about the Chapter V update? Set the following trailer on repeat and count down the hours until it releases on June 12th! Continue reading Runes of Magic: Chapter V sparks to life in a new trailer
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| E3 2012: Final Fantasy XIV relases new version 2.0 screens and art Posted: 05 Jun 2012 02:00 PM PDT Filed under: Fantasy, Galleries, Screenshots, News items, Final Fantasy XIV  E3 2012 is going strong, and you know what that means: screenshots for everyone! The folks at Square-Enix are jumping aboard the screenshot bandwagon with a bundle of new screens and artwork from Final Fantasy XIV's upcoming version 2.0 update. The new gallery of goodies shows off a number of the improvements coming to FFXIV in 2.0, such as the sleek new UI, fancy new character creation, improved real-time shading, and most importantly, the ability to frakkin' jump. Jokes about basic athletic ability aside, the new screens are delightfully shiny and should be a welcome sight both to current players and those waiting for 2.0 to get back into the game. The concept art also hints at a number of new vistas, monsters, and equipment pieces coming in 2.0 as well, so check out the full gallery below for all of the delicious new eye-candy. [Source: Square-Enix press release -- special thanks to everyone who sent this in!]  Massively's on the ground in Los Angeles during the week of June 4-7, bringing you all the best news from E3 2012. We're covering everything from PlanetSide 2 and SWTOR and ArcheAge to RIFT's and LotRO's upcoming expansions, so stay tuned!
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| E3 2012: PlanetSide 2 trailer pulls you in three directions Posted: 05 Jun 2012 01:30 PM PDT Filed under: Betas, Sci-fi, Trailers, Video, Free-to-play, MMOFPS, Massively Event Coverage, PlanetSide 2  It's a good opportunity to get a feel for the factions and the gameplay if you're interested in PlanetSide 2, so give the trailer a watch after the jump and let us know what you think! Continue reading E3 2012: PlanetSide 2 trailer pulls you in three directions
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| E3 2012: World of Battleships unmoors its trailer Posted: 05 Jun 2012 01:00 PM PDT Filed under: Betas, Historical, Trailers, Video, Free-to-play, Massively Event Coverage, World of Battleships, MOBA  The trailer is interestingly framed, flashing between shipwrecks on the bottom of the ocean floor and shots of the ships in combat and taking damage. Presumably the message is, "We're going to litter the heck out of the ocean with the steel corpses of your failures -- unless you're good enough, that is." World of Battleships will be joining World of Warplanes and World of Tanks under a unified battle realm. You can watch the smoky trailer action after the jump. Continue reading E3 2012: World of Battleships unmoors its trailer
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| E3 2012: The Elder Scrolls Online previews characters, more in new trailers [Update] Posted: 05 Jun 2012 12:45 PM PDT Filed under: Fantasy, Trailers, Video, News items, Races, The Elder Scrolls Online  At any rate, the sample characters run the gamut of what you would expect from The Elder Scrolls: big bearded dude with an axe, sultry elven spellcaster, cloaked assassin -- you get the idea. The video's short and doesn't serve as much except for eye-candy, but if you're voracious for new TESO tidbits, it's definitely worth a look. Just head past the cut for the full trailer, and be sure to check back later this week for a chat with the folks behind the upcoming title. [Update: We've also added another video, this one an interview of TESO's game director discussing and showing off the game, and the official site has updated with a new look and FAQ. Thanks to Paul for the tips!]
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| E3 2012: Wizardry Online unleashes a bevy of screenshots Posted: 05 Jun 2012 12:00 PM PDT Filed under: Fantasy, Galleries, Screenshots, PvP, News items, Massively Event Coverage  Sony Online Entertainment brought a big surprise to this year's E3 by announcing that it will publish Gamepot's upcoming super-hardcore MMO, Wizardry Online. Now that the event is in full-swing, SOE has released a slew of new screenshots from the title to show off the game's scenery and combat. For those of you not in the loop, Wizardry Online is an online continuation of Sir-Tech's renowned retro Wizardry series of RPGs. But Wizardry Online isn't your average DIKU-style title; the developers make no bones about the game's hardcore nature, which is a result of features such as permadeath, player-killing, and friendly-fire. Further details are scant at the moment, but Massively will be chatting with SOE later this week at the Expo, so stay tuned for more information on this punishing new title. In the meantime, enjoy the gallery below and check out all the new screens. [Source: Sony Online Entertainment press release] Massively's on the ground in Los Angeles during the week of June 4-7, bringing you all the best news from E3 2012. We're covering everything from PlanetSide 2 and SWTOR and ArcheAge to RIFT's and LotRO's upcoming expansions, so stay tuned!
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| Massively Speaking Episode 203: Mugging for the camera Posted: 05 Jun 2012 11:00 AM PDT Filed under: Podcasts, MMO industry, News items, RuneScape, Massively Meta, Massively Speaking, RIFT, Miscellaneous, Defiance  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 203: Mugging for the camera
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| Wargaming.net to unify all its titles in a 'single MMO battle realm' Posted: 05 Jun 2012 10:30 AM PDT Filed under: Historical, MMO industry, News items, War, Free-to-play, World of Darkness, World of Tanks, World of Battleships  The service is called, er, Wargaming.net Service. Once it is deployed, players will receive unified Wargaming.net IDs "that will provide instant access to all games and services, as well as any partner or fan websites." The company's latest press release also mentions something called a "single MMO battle realm," where tank, warplane, and battleship clans will assist one another in their quest for world domination. [Source: Wargaming.net press release]
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