MMO Updates |
- F2P Vanguard made official with trailer and more details
- The Soapbox: The demise of the core gamer
- Flameseeker Chronicles: Waiting for Guild Wars 2
- Shadowrun Online fundraiser comes down to the wire [Update]
- The Daily Grind: What game would you totally play if someone paid you for it?
- Not So Massively: D3 patch 1.0.4, LoL nerfs, and Firefall e-sports
- TERA Argon Queen date and PvP details revealed
- Wargaming announces World of Tanks Generals
- Star Trek Online's player-created content receiving interstellar love
- PlayStation Plus members invited to DUST 514's 'precursor' release
- Exclusive: World of Warplanes reveals Japanese carrier fighter aircraft
- Wings Over Atreia: Easy button strikes again!
- BioWare teases SWTOR world event with news video
- World of Tanks was rejected by publishers as 'cheap Asian stuff'
| F2P Vanguard made official with trailer and more details Posted: 14 Aug 2012 10:00 AM PDT Filed under: Fantasy, Trailers, Video, Events, real-world, News items, Vanguard, Free-to-play  Vanguard soft-launched its free-to-play model last week, but now it's super extra real: everyone's favorite Saga of Heroes is now officially F2P. Everyone now has access to the game itself, six character races and seven character classes, and four character slots. Players who're in the game for free have certain other limitations, like a coin limit of two platinum and a quest count of 15, and no access to housing. Gold members paying the $14.99/month membership fee will receive 500 Station Cash per month along with full access to character races and levels, more character slots, guild-creation privileges, lower in-game fees, and a few other perks. Premium customers will also receive full customer support and no in-game pop-up advertising. Anyone with an ongoing Vanguard subscription will be converted to gold status until that subscription runs out. Anyone with a past or present Vanguard subscription will be able to access and play all of his or her characters, even if playing on a free account that normally would not have access to a specific race or class, as well as having 12 character slots available. Skip below the cut for a new trailer celebrating Vanguard's F2P conversion. Continue reading F2P Vanguard made official with trailer and more details
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| The Soapbox: The demise of the core gamer Posted: 14 Aug 2012 09:00 AM PDT Filed under: World of Warcraft, Real life, Culture, Opinion, Free-to-play, MMOFPS, Humor, The Soapbox, Miscellaneous, MOBA  The MMO audience seems to be undergoing a change. It's been slow enough to pass as a typical shift in the market, and it might be. I'm no analytical expert, and I certainly do not have access to the inside of every game studio. What I do have is at least 13 years experience as an MMO fan. I've not only covered them but been obsessed by them for that time. I have always been interested in new titles, movements, and changes in the market. It's a hobby turned job turned fascinating social investigation. I think there are generally three types of gamer: casual, core, and hardcore. Feel free to correct my terminology in the comments section or in an email, but let the discussion that ensues be proof that the shift is real. It seems as if the great mass of MMO fans -- not shooter fans or MOBA fans or fans of mobile, single-player games but fans of MMOs -- has split itself in the middle and pushed to both sides. The fandom has become more extreme, moving to hardcore or to casually hardcore. The core gamer is a thing of the past. Continue reading The Soapbox: The demise of the core gamer
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| Flameseeker Chronicles: Waiting for Guild Wars 2 Posted: 14 Aug 2012 08:00 AM PDT Filed under: Fantasy, Culture, Opinion, Guild Wars 2, Flameseeker Chronicles  There are two weeks left until the official launch of Guild Wars 2. That's a little nutso because a significant portion of my (and a great deal many other folks') energy in last few years has been dedicated to anticipating the game. Seeing it live will be something of an adjustment. I keep wanting to talk about memories of development and standing in lines at PAX and meeting devs and other fans as a way of describing my involvement with this game up 'til this point. I sometimes feel that that's odd, saying that the most exciting part of following Guild Wars 2's development has been the people I've met rather than the game that we're all congregating around. ArenaNet seems to agree with my take on things, though, if global brand manager Chris Lye can be trusted. He says of ArenaNet, "We're not a video game company; we're a community building company. We just happen to have one of the coolest ways to build a community, which is through a video game." Be it trite or not, I find that that kind of statement aligns nicely with the reason I, someone who plays MMOs largely for the sense of shared experience, have enjoyed Guild Wars 2 and its community so much. Continue reading Flameseeker Chronicles: Waiting for Guild Wars 2
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| Shadowrun Online fundraiser comes down to the wire [Update] Posted: 14 Aug 2012 07:00 AM PDT Filed under: Betas, Sci-fi, Video, Free-to-play, Humor  If it hits $500,000 by 4:00 p.m. EDT today, the project will be fully funded, but if not, Cliffhanger stands to lose a substantial investment in the title. We thought we should mention this for those of you who are Shadowrun fans and would like to see this project succeed. The dev team has added the special offer of the game's soundtrack to those who pitch in $9 or more in these final hours. To help you make up your mind, Cliffhanger has posted a character creation video that shows off some of the possibilities for making your Shadowrun Online avatar. We've posted the video after the break. [Update: Shadowrun Online made its $500,000 and then some with plenty of time to spare!] Continue reading Shadowrun Online fundraiser comes down to the wire [Update]
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| The Daily Grind: What game would you totally play if someone paid you for it? Posted: 14 Aug 2012 06:00 AM PDT Filed under: Culture, Opinion, The Daily Grind, Humor, Miscellaneous  We've all got games that we like but can't quite justify playing with our limited free time. But what if you were getting a paycheck? What games would you be happy to play if you had a nice check to accompany each play session? Would you opt for a classic game that you used to play but left behind? Would it be a game you want to try but haven't been able to justify? Or would it be something you liked just enough to accept cash for?  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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| Not So Massively: D3 patch 1.0.4, LoL nerfs, and Firefall e-sports Posted: 13 Aug 2012 06:00 PM PDT Filed under: Betas, Video, Patches, PvP, News items, Free-to-play, Dev Diaries, Not So Massively, MOBA, League of Legends, Diablo III, Firefall  In the land of MOBAs, League of Legends revealed that some big buffs are on the way for Garen and Katarina and explained the recent hotfix that nerfed new champion Zyra. Dota 2 experienced some controversy this week when players discovered that a player-submitted weapon design had been lifted from MMO Aion. S2 Games released a new Heroes of Newerth development diary delving into new hero Rally and giving a look behind the scenes of the game's creation. Continue reading Not So Massively: D3 patch 1.0.4, LoL nerfs, and Firefall e-sports
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| TERA Argon Queen date and PvP details revealed Posted: 13 Aug 2012 04:00 PM PDT Filed under: Fantasy, Trailers, Video, Patches, PvP, News items, TERA  It's almost time to come face-to-face with the argon queen herself. On August 22nd, the Argon Queen update will hit TERA, bringing in new dungeons, skills, and PvP battlegrounds, as well as a 20-person raid. The new battlegrounds will allow teams of 15 to face off from across servers in a vicious fight for dominance. There are three bases to control, and in the midst of killing off other players and staking a claim, players will also have to keep an eye out for BAMs and normal mobs that have been thrown into the mix of things. Weekly rankings and sweet, sweet loot await the brave warriors who dare step into the battlegrounds. Seeing is believing, or something, so skip below the cut to check out a new and action-packed video. [Source: En Masse Entertainment press release] Continue reading TERA Argon Queen date and PvP details revealed
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| Wargaming announces World of Tanks Generals Posted: 13 Aug 2012 03:00 PM PDT Filed under: Historical, New titles, News items, War, Browser, World of Tanks  Wargaming.net is adding a new title to its free-to-play arsenal. World of Tanks Generals will soon raise its flag alongside the worlds of tanks, warplanes, and warships. The F2P, browser-based game will combine real-time strategy and collectible card gameplay to allow players to slip into the roles of nations in World War II. Tanks, artillery, and infantry will all be brought to bear alongside technology research and unit upgrades for strategic gameplay. The game will comprise several single- and multiplayer modes that will take players through historical events. The game will launch with the US, U.S.S.R, France, and Germany as playable nations, and will also be made into a card-based board game. [Source: Wargaming press release]
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| Star Trek Online's player-created content receiving interstellar love Posted: 13 Aug 2012 02:30 PM PDT Filed under: Sci-fi, Star Trek Online, Free-to-play, Dev Diaries  Assistant Producer Zero said that the Foundry has been a strong success for the game, boasting over 60,000 player-created missions so far. To date, Cryptic has added triggers, branching dialogue, costume customization, and Dilithium tips, but Zero says that is only the start. Cryptic's plans for the future of the Foundry include a bevy of tools such as new character behaviors, multi-select, patrols, 3-D image previews, and a more streamlined process for creating new missions. The team's also including several new props and maps from other areas of the game. Finally, Zero says the studio is looking into ways to promote excellent STO player missions even further.
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| PlayStation Plus members invited to DUST 514's 'precursor' release Posted: 13 Aug 2012 02:00 PM PDT Filed under: Betas, Sci-fi, MMO industry, New titles, News items, Free-to-play, MMOFPS, DUST 514, Promotions, Sandbox  This latest testing phase marks what CCP is calling the "precursor" release for its sci-fi shooter sandbox. It features the first live server integration of DUST and its sister MMO EVE Online, and players will get to see CCP's orbital strike framework, instant battle matchmaking, and new environments. Those of you who prefer your shooters with a keyboard and mouse should be happy to note that the latest testing phase offers you the option to put down the PS3 controller and use your favorite peripherals. Finally, if you're not a PlayStation Plus member and you've yet to get a closed beta invite for DUST 514, fear not! You can purchase CCP's Mercenary Pack and receive unlimited testing access, in-game currency, skill boosts, and exclusive gear. [Source: CCP press release]
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| Exclusive: World of Warplanes reveals Japanese carrier fighter aircraft Posted: 13 Aug 2012 01:30 PM PDT Filed under: Betas, Historical, Video, Game mechanics, New titles, News items, War, Free-to-play  Producer Anton Sitnikau stated, "The inclusion of Japanese warbirds... [is] really going to provide players with a wide variety of tactical freedom in how they play the game and combat other players." Players will benefit from the speed, power, and maneuverability of these planes as well as an increased field of vision. For a glimpse of these machines, watch the exclusive trailer after the break. And for more info on World of Warplanes, read The Firing Line's interview with Producer Alexander Zelulin. Players wanting to get in beta can apply on the official site. [Source: Wargaming.net press release] Continue reading Exclusive: World of Warplanes reveals Japanese carrier fighter aircraft
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| Wings Over Atreia: Easy button strikes again! Posted: 13 Aug 2012 01:00 PM PDT Filed under: Fantasy, Aion, Game mechanics, PvE, Opinion, Free-to-play, Wings Over Atreia, Dungeons  Now fast-forward almost two full years, and another easy button has crept into Aion, this time relating to dungeons. Just two weeks ago I reported on the 3.1 update changes in instances, from lowering the minimum-level entrance requirements to swinging the nerf bat at some Balaur heads. Words, however, are still just words; how do the changes play out in-game? I grabbed myself a Beshmundir Temple group to check it out. Continue reading Wings Over Atreia: Easy button strikes again!
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| BioWare teases SWTOR world event with news video Posted: 13 Aug 2012 12:30 PM PDT Filed under: Sci-fi, Trailers, Video, Events, in-game, MMO industry, News items, Star Wars: The Old Republic  Apparently there's something of a scavenger hunt in the works. Darth Hater speculates that The Grand Acquisition Race event will begin on Nar Shaddaa's promenade and spread across multiple planets (pro tip: You'll need a spaceship to fully participate). BioWare has yet to specify a starting date or time for the festivities, but you can check out the teaser after the break.
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| World of Tanks was rejected by publishers as 'cheap Asian stuff' Posted: 13 Aug 2012 12:00 PM PDT Filed under: Business models, Culture, Events, real-world, News items, Free-to-play, Casual, World of Tanks  At GDC Europe today, Wargaming.net CEO Victor Kislyi revealed that Western publishers originally didn't accept the game because of its free-to-play business model. "They were very arrogant," Victor explained, adding that the game "was described as cheap, Asian stuff." The rampant success of World of Tanks and the free-to-play business model has since grown Wargaming.net from a studio with 120 employees into a global business with over 1,000.
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