MMO Updates

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• Final Fantasy XIV producer letter discusses the game's end and new beginning
• First impressions of PlanetSide 2 through the eyes of an FPS noob
• Guild Wars 2 is heading to China
• The Perfect Ten: Ways Guild Wars 2 beats the pants off of Guild Wars
• The Daily Grind: Are you tired of MMO mega-launches?
• Lord of the Rings Online explains crafting changes coming with Riders of Rohan
• Free for All: Blasting through Clone Wars Adventures' new Carlac content
• A Mild-Mannered Reporter: Things to steal from Guild Wars 2
• Ultima Online maps out remainder of 2012
• Choose My Adventure: How I fell in love with The Kingdom of Loathing
• SOE Live contest submissions due by September 8th
• Massively Exclusive: DK Online Paladin revealed
• Enter at Your Own Rift: What's in your bag?
• Black Prophecy closing down on September 26th
• Third End of Nations closed beta event starts September 7th

Final Fantasy XIV producer letter discusses the game's end and new beginning Posted: 30 Aug 2012 09:30 AM PDT Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Expansions, MMO industry, News items, Final Fantasy XIV, Dev Diaries In the 35th installment of Final Fantasy XIV's producer letter series, Producer Akihiko Matsui delves into details about both the grand finale for the game in its current version and the impending alpha testing for A Realm Reborn. The grand finale includes a final save maintenance for characters on November 1st, 2012. World servers will then be shut down on November 11th at 3:00 a.m. EST. At this point, the plan is to keep the game off-line until launch of the alpha. However, Square Enix is offering the chance for players to vote on whether or not to bring the servers back up in order to play together during the wait. The caveat is that all progress and changes will not be saved and carried over to the new version. The letter also discloses information about the upcoming alpha test. The test will be in four phases; the first will be restricted to Japanese residents only. Beta will not follow until Akihiko Matsui is personally 100% happy things are ready for that stage. For further details, check out the full producer's letter. Final Fantasy XIV producer letter discusses the game's end and new beginning originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 30 Aug 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Source: Producer's letter

First impressions of PlanetSide 2 through the eyes of an FPS noob Posted: 30 Aug 2012 09:00 AM PDT Filed under: Sci-fi, Game mechanics, New titles, Previews, Opinion, Free-to-play, Hands-on, Massively Hands-on, First Impressions, PlanetSide 2 Rather than give anyone the wrong impression, let me begin by saying that first-person shooters are far from being my thing. I don't pant in anticipation for the latest Battlefield or Modern Warfare game. I do, however, like my share of third-person shooters. Global Agenda and the Mass Effect series come to mind immediately. So what in the world would make someone like me interested in Sony Online Entertainment's latest craze, PlanetSide 2? RPGs are my thing, and I have always had respect for SOE as a developer. Despite some obvious mistakes the company's made when under the umbrella of large intellectual properties like DC Comics and Star Wars, SOE has handled its own IPs very well. It was also one of the first Western AAA studios to step into the world of free-to-play (with Free Realms, which continues to perform well). And now PlanetSide 2 proclaims that online FPS titles can not only provide exciting vehicle combat but do so in a persistent world. So when SOE invited Massively to join Game Designer Margaret Krohn on a guided tour of PlanetSide 2, I thought, "Why not? At least I'll get to shoot some people in the face." Continue reading First impressions of PlanetSide 2 through the eyes of an FPS noob First impressions of PlanetSide 2 through the eyes of an FPS noob originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 30 Aug 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

Guild Wars 2 is heading to China Posted: 30 Aug 2012 08:00 AM PDT Filed under: Fantasy, Launches, MMO industry, New titles, News items, Guild Wars 2, Free-to-play While talk is often about Eastern games migrating to Western audiences, today its about a Western game moving East: ArenaNet has formed a partnership with KongZhong Corporation to take Guild Wars 2 to China. This marks one of the largest licensing transactions ever for a Western game in the Chinese market. ArenaNet co-founder and president Mike O'Brien noted that the studio had its eye on the global market when designing the game and worked to appeal to a global audience. Developers' work has paid off as GW2 is highly anticipated in China, according to KongZhong CEO Wang Lei lei who further stated, "I believe Chinese game players will be impressed by Guild Wars 2 unique gameplay which will bring truly epic, cooperative gameplay back to the MMORPG genre." Guild Wars 2 is heading to China originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 30 Aug 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Source: Games Industry International

The Perfect Ten: Ways Guild Wars 2 beats the pants off of Guild Wars Posted: 30 Aug 2012 07:00 AM PDT Filed under: Fantasy, Guild Wars, Opinion, Guild Wars 2, Perfect Ten As a gamer who went through all of the original Guild Wars campaigns and spent the better part of a year or so doing it, I reluctantly came to the conclusion that while it was a fine game and pretty to behold, it wasn't for me. I felt it was too grindy and at times way too difficult, and I couldn't connect with it the way I did with other MMOs. That's why I'm celebrating Guild Wars 2's launch: This is the game I wanted from ArenaNet from the get-go. It most certainly carries the torch of the franchise, particularly in its lush world-building and incredible vistas, but it does the most important thing a sequel should do: preserve the good, add bold new ideas, and drop the dead weight. At risk of offending those who hold the original Guild Wars as a sacred cow (blasphemooey?), I present the top 10 ways Guild Wars 2 most definitely beats the pants off of its predecessor. Continue reading The Perfect Ten: Ways Guild Wars 2 beats the pants off of Guild Wars The Perfect Ten: Ways Guild Wars 2 beats the pants off of Guild Wars originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 30 Aug 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

The Daily Grind: Are you tired of MMO mega-launches? Posted: 30 Aug 2012 06:00 AM PDT Filed under: Fantasy, Culture, Launches, MMO industry, New titles, Opinion, Guild Wars 2, Free-to-play, The Daily Grind So Guild Wars 2's launch has come and gone, and regardless of what you think of the game, there's no denying that it was an earth-shaking event as far as MMORPGs go. Tons of people are playing it; even more are thinking, talking, and blogging about it. Frankly, it's hard to get away from the game if you're a genre fan. So it went with Star Wars: The Old Republic earlier this year, and so it will go with the next supposed savior of the genre, whatever that might be. Personally, I'm just glad that both of these titles have finally debuted and that there are no more mega-launches on the near horizon. What about you, dear readers? Do you need a break from heavyweight MMO launches, or are you already anticipating the next big thing? 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: Are you tired of MMO mega-launches? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 30 Aug 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

Lord of the Rings Online explains crafting changes coming with Riders of Rohan Posted: 29 Aug 2012 06:00 PM PDT Filed under: Fantasy, Lord of the Rings Online, Expansions, Game mechanics, News items, Free-to-play, Crafting One of the major issues facing crafters in Lord of the Rings Online is that gathering professions don't line up with crafting professions. Leveling up a non-gathering skill takes more resources than you gather while leveling up the appropriate gathering skill. The newest developer diary explains how Riders of Rohan addresses this problem with new "processing" recipes that allow you to turn a resource into shavings, which can subsequently be turned back into the original item. That's not the only change coming to crafting with the new expansion. Players can expect two full sets of armor for the crafting, one at level 80 and one at level 85. There are also new crafting instances, new crafted relics, and a new rank added on to craft guild reputations. If you like to get your hands dirty with crafting in Lord of the Rings Online, swing on over to the developer diary for the full details. Lord of the Rings Online explains crafting changes coming with Riders of Rohan originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 29 Aug 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Source: Riders of Rohan crafting diary

Free for All: Blasting through Clone Wars Adventures' new Carlac content Posted: 29 Aug 2012 05:00 PM PDT Filed under: Sci-fi, Screenshots, Video, Culture, Game mechanics, Previews, Opinion, Free-to-play, Casual, Free Realms, Kids, Free for All, Family, Clone Wars Adventures, Miscellaneous, Dungeons I love the Clone Wars animated telvesion series on Cartoon Network. So when I heard that Sony Online Entertainment was making the Clone Wars Adventures MMO using the Free Realms engine, I was more excited than a tween with an unscratched Station Cash card on Christmas. Finally I would be able to play in the world of the Clone Wars without having to venture into the lower digit channels! Recently SOE released (somewhat quietly) a new area to explore and conquer. In the Carlac zone, players are tasked with defeating piles of Death Watch baddies and Pre Vizsla. Tune in past the break, where I'll defeat Pre myself! Continue reading Free for All: Blasting through Clone Wars Adventures' new Carlac content Free for All: Blasting through Clone Wars Adventures' new Carlac content originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 29 Aug 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

A Mild-Mannered Reporter: Things to steal from Guild Wars 2 Posted: 29 Aug 2012 04:00 PM PDT Filed under: Super-hero, City of Heroes, Game mechanics, Launches, Opinion, Free-to-play, A Mild-Mannered Reporter Whether you play NCsoft games or work for NCsoft, it's hard to ignore that this is the week Guild Wars 2 launches to the general public. And if I know the folks at Paragon Studios, which I sort of do but not really, they are scouring the game right now to figure out what can be yanked from the game and adapted for City of Heroes. This is not an insult. City of Heroes has always done a great job of taking ideas from other games and blending them into the core engine, creating a game that takes some good snippets from other games and puts an interesting spin on each individual element. Granted, some of those adaptations work better than others, but it's the core concept that works so well here. So I wouldn't be surprised to see some elements from Guild Wars 2 leading into updates for CoH. But to save a little time for the team at Paragon Studios, I've gone ahead and figured out what could be nicked for the game. (Or for a sequel. Just saying.) You can all take a look at it now and thank me later. Continue reading A Mild-Mannered Reporter: Things to steal from Guild Wars 2 A Mild-Mannered Reporter: Things to steal from Guild Wars 2 originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 29 Aug 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

Ultima Online maps out remainder of 2012 Posted: 29 Aug 2012 03:00 PM PDT Filed under: Fantasy, Events, in-game, Patches, Previews, Ultima Online, Sandbox If you don't mind being spoiled when it comes to your favorite isometric sandbox, then you might want to head over to Ultima Online's official site, where Producer Bonnie Armstrong has spilled the beans about the game's immediate and long-term future. Armstrong begins by laying a foundation for the game's updates, starting with Publish 78 any day now, Publish 79 around Christmas-time, and Publish 80 for early next year. She also revealed a lengthy list of features that the team is thinking about implementing for UO, including high-res art, a better UI, new sea creatures and encounters, and a battleground shard. Specifics about each publish's contents are still up in the air, although Armstrong says the team will post them soon enough. For Ultima Online's 15th anniversary, Armstrong says that Mythic is bringing back the Return to Britannia promotion for all of September. This means that any former UO subscribers will be welcome to come back and play free of charge. The team will be distributing anniversary rewards during the month as well. Ultima Online maps out remainder of 2012 originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 29 Aug 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Source: Producer's Letter

Choose My Adventure: How I fell in love with The Kingdom of Loathing Posted: 29 Aug 2012 02:00 PM PDT Filed under: Screenshots, Video, Business models, Culture, Opinion, Free-to-play, Browser, Casual, Humor, Choose My Adventure, Guides, Livestream, Miscellaneous, Sandbox Well, it's time for me to say goodbye to The Kingdom of Loathing. It's more accurate to say that it's time for you to say goodbye to the KoL diary that I've been keeping over the last several weeks. Perhaps we can meet in-world to discuss the game further? Before you go, allow me to recap what I learned from my time with this odd browser-based MMO. I guess it'd be easiest to tell you what kind of player I am and why this game fits my playstyle so well. That way you can ask yourself if it sounds like the right fit for you, based on a comparison of our two personalities. No matter what conclusion you come to, you should still try the game. I don't know how someone could not want to try any new game he came across, but that's getting into my preferences. Even then, there is no denying the convenience of a free-to-play, browser-based, multi-platform sandbox MMO that also offers years of content and a very unique fanbase. It all started several weeks ago... Continue reading Choose My Adventure: How I fell in love with The Kingdom of Loathing Choose My Adventure: How I fell in love with The Kingdom of Loathing originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 29 Aug 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

SOE Live contest submissions due by September 8th Posted: 29 Aug 2012 01:30 PM PDT Filed under: Culture, Events, real-world, MMO industry, News items, Miscellaneous This year's Fan Faire, er... SOE Live is happening in October, and Sony Online Entertainment is looking to send a few lucky folks on a free trip to Las Vegas for the festivities. The annual shindig is a chance for fans to rub elbows with developers, celebrate SOE's extensive suite of online titles, and collect a bunch of in-game exclusives that those of us stuck at home will never get. Contest hopefuls will need to submit an original video featuring EverQuest II's new SOEmote facial recognition technology. The grand prize winner will receive an all-expenses-paid trip for two to Bally's Casino resort along with admission to the SOE Live events. Further details and contest rules are available on the EQII website. Contest submissions are due by September 8th! [Source: SOE press release] SOE Live contest submissions due by September 8th originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 29 Aug 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Source: Contest rules

Massively Exclusive: DK Online Paladin revealed Posted: 29 Aug 2012 01:00 PM PDT Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Trailers, Video, Classes, New titles, Massively Interviews, Dev Diaries Magic and meatshields are practically a staple in the fantasy genre. In this way, the upcoming free-to-play MMO DK Online is no different; Aeria Games recently revealed its take on these roles with the Sorceress and the Warrior classes. Today, the company introduces a righteous avenger to the mix, the Paladin. Massively brings you an exclusive look at this new class with a dev blog, an interview, and a trailer showing off some of the holy fighter's moves. Continue reading Massively Exclusive: DK Online Paladin revealed Massively Exclusive: DK Online Paladin revealed originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 29 Aug 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

Enter at Your Own Rift: What's in your bag? Posted: 29 Aug 2012 12:00 PM PDT Filed under: Fantasy, Opinion, RIFT, Enter at Your Own Rift I have a little confession to make. When it comes to random clicky items, unusual vanity pets, eccentric appearance items, and other quirky stuff in RIFT, I'm completely obsessed. During world events, while everyone else is eyeing the essences and new mounts, I'm scanning the appearance outfits and the clicky-effect items. I'll even do quests and content that I'm not necessarily interested in if the reward is something out of the ordinary. Clickies and odd items are great ways to lighten the mood when your group or raid has hit a wall, and they're a good way to liven up downtime in game. There's nothing like the sudden appearance of fireworks or the instant transformation of your raid leader into foliage. For this week's Enter at Your Own Rift, I'm diving into my RIFT bags and bank vault to highlight a few of my favorite clickies. Share some of yours! Continue reading Enter at Your Own Rift: What's in your bag? Enter at Your Own Rift: What's in your bag? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 29 Aug 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

Black Prophecy closing down on September 26th Posted: 29 Aug 2012 11:30 AM PDT Filed under: Sci-fi, MMO industry, News items, Free-to-play, Black Prophecy Apparently Black Prophecy was in the red, as Reakktor Media has posted a closure notice on the free-to-play sci-fi title's official website. Today marks the last day that players will able to purchase in-game currency, and Black Prophecy will close its doors for good on September 26th. If you've purchased KK$ any time in the past six months, gamigo will be sending you an email credit voucher that may be applied to other titles in its portfolio. The closure post also mentions upcoming send-off events, and we'll keep you informed on those as we learn more. [Thanks to Wesley for the tip.] Black Prophecy closing down on September 26th originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 29 Aug 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Source: Announcement

Third End of Nations closed beta event starts September 7th Posted: 29 Aug 2012 11:00 AM PDT Filed under: Betas, Sci-fi, Events, in-game, MMO industry, New titles, News items, Free-to-play, MMORTS What's that? You were wondering when Trion was going to host its third End of Nations closed beta event? Well, wonder no more, MMORTS fans. Mark Friday, September 7th on your calendar because that's when participants can log back in and try out new features like elite companies. These are basically private armies that may be purchased and deployed for a specific purpose, according to Trion's latest press blurb. The beta event runs through Sunday, September 9th at 11:59 p.m. EDT, so you've got a full three days to kick the tires and light the fires when it comes to large-scale MMORTS action. If you don't have a beta key yet, check the Trion Facebook page and Twitter account, or purchase the Founder's Edition. [Source: Trion press release] Third End of Nations closed beta event starts September 7th originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 29 Aug 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

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