MMO Updates

MMO Updates


Torchlight MMO might be a long time coming

Posted: 20 Sep 2012 09:30 AM PDT

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Torchlight MMO might be a long time coming
Even with Torchlight II newly released, people are already wondering what's in store for Runic Games in the future. A handful of questions about what comes next popped up in a recent Runic Games AMA, and Rock, Paper, Shotgun sat down with CEO Max Schaefer to talk about the future.

If there is to be a Torchlight MMO, it will look radically different from most MMOs out there today. "We don't just want to make the standard MMO in the Torchlight universe. We want to change up the genre and put a unique stamp on it," said Schaefer of the Runic dev team. While the possibility of a new and different sort of MMO in the Torchlight universe exists, that's not what the team has its sights set on yet. Schaefer said that the devs "might be so tired of making Torchlight that we're kind of burned out," and may very well choose to do something outside of the Torchlight world entirely for now.

MassivelyTorchlight MMO might be a long time coming originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 20 Sep 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New EverQuest II Sleeper's Tomb dungeon live, trailer released

Posted: 20 Sep 2012 09:00 AM PDT

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New EverQuest II Sleeper's Tomb dungeon live
EverQuest II's newest dungeon, Sleeper's Tomb, is now open for adventurers with both group and raid versions. This dungeon is just the first chapter of the game's Chains of Eternity expansion, which releases in November. The adventure begins for level 92 players by answering a summons from Erus Dal'viv, the Swordbearer, that will arrive via Norrathian Express.

Along with a new dungeon of foes to fight (included massive dragons), three demi-gods newly ascended to full godhood are appearing in Velious lands to battle any who dare to challenge them. Players can also acquire new dragonkin mounts from Sleeper's Tomb or purchase them from the cash shop.

Want a glimpse of what to expect when you enter the tomb? Watch the trailer after the cut.

[Source: SOE press release]

Continue reading New EverQuest II Sleeper's Tomb dungeon live, trailer released

MassivelyNew EverQuest II Sleeper's Tomb dungeon live, trailer released originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 20 Sep 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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    Rumor: Silhouettes of Aion's new 4.0 classes surface

    Posted: 20 Sep 2012 08:00 AM PDT

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    Rumor  Silhouettes of Aion's new 40 classes surface
    When NCsoft announced that Aion 4.0 would include three new classes, the only information provided was what two of the classes would wield -- everything else was speculation. Now, three silhouettes showing off these new weapons have surfaced.

    Two of the images follow suit with the announced weapon type; one is of a harp-like instrument and the other resembles a cannon-type gun. The third image looks to be more like a golem which the Daeva either rides in or possible wears as a suit. All three images can be viewed after the break.

    Are these really the first images of the mysterious new classes? We have contacted NCsoft for comment and will update the post when we hear back.

    Continue reading Rumor: Silhouettes of Aion's new 4.0 classes surface

    MassivelyRumor: Silhouettes of Aion's new 4.0 classes surface originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 20 Sep 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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    Torchlight II launches today

    Posted: 20 Sep 2012 07:00 AM PDT

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    YAY TORCHLIGHT 2
    Happy birthday to Torchlight II -- like, the actual day of its birth, not a commemoration of the date after the fact. Games have a rather longer gestation period than humans, but they can be every bit as cute and loveable when they come out. The game's already been available for pre-purchase on Steam, but now it'll also be available as a digital download from Runic Games, Perfect World, GamersGate, GameFly, and GameStop. Torchlight II is up for a mere $20.00, which is made possible by the digital distribution and is meant to make the game easily accessible to a wider community.

    If you're already a fan of the game or hop in and realize you love the music, consider picking up the soundtrack. You can get it totally free (and totally legally). We visited with the Runic Games folks at PAX Prime and got our hands on the game, so if you're looking for a vicarious introduction to the game before deciding to buy it, we can help.

    As far as post-launch plans, the Runic Games team confirmed in an AMA that its next project likely won't be another Torchlight sequel or the Torchlight MMO that has long been on the table.

    MassivelyTorchlight II launches today originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 20 Sep 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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      New PS3 bundle includes DUST 514 bonus content

      Posted: 20 Sep 2012 06:30 AM PDT

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      New PS3 bundle includes DUST 514 bonus content
      Depending on your interest in consoles, you may have heard of the new streamlined PlayStation 3 that was revealed at the Tokyo Game Show. What you may not have heard is that it will come out in a limited edition bundle that includes $30 of bonus digital content for DUST 514.

      DUST 514 is receiving some publicity because of this bundle, which certainly can't hurt the upcoming release of CCP's MMOFPS. Players who purchase the $270 console bundle will receive a copy of Uncharted 3 and a voucher to use in DUST 514. The voucher will give players content worth "more than $30" of bonus content, although what said content is has not been specified.

      MassivelyNew PS3 bundle includes DUST 514 bonus content originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 20 Sep 2012 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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      The Daily Grind: Do you pre-judge Korean MMOs?

      Posted: 20 Sep 2012 06:00 AM PDT

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      The Daily Grind - Do you prejudge Korean MMOs?
      Blade & Soul is currently one of the most popular games in Korea, and a subset of Western gamers have been looking forward to it for several years.

      Given the lukewarm reception for TERA and Aion, though, it's not hard to imagine B&S facing an uphill battle in terms of public perception. I'm not sure why that is, exactly, but there's a definite anti-Korean bias among western MMO players regardless of the actual quality of an imported game. TERA has a terrific combat system and cutting-edge visuals, for example, while Aion is as feature-rich as any MMO that has been released since 2004 (it's also dialed its level grind down to World of Warcraft-style easy mode).

      So, how about it morning folks? Do you pre-judge Korean MMOs? And if so, how come?

      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: Do you pre-judge Korean MMOs? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 20 Sep 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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        Free for All: Dragon Nest's Boswell discusses birthdays, rental items

        Posted: 19 Sep 2012 06:00 PM PDT

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        Dragon Nest screenshot
        I first got my grubby gamer paws on Dragon Nest at E3 2011. I stood in line to take my turn asking the devs questions, said no to an offer for free booze (it was early, after all!), and was thrown into an impromptu team with another writer who obviously had no single idea about how to play the game. Back then, I was blown away by how stylized and fun the game was.

        It's still a fun title. If you ever have the hankerin' for beating up some fantastically animated goblins, minotaurs, and other various dungeon scum, download this free title and jump in. It utilizes basic FPS controls, but you have to actually time attacks thanks to a key hotbar that is packed with interesting abilities. The presence of the hotbar and "standard" powers make Dragon Nest an action game set in a standard MMO-combat universe. If you can get comfortable with the setup, you'll be in for many hours of wrist-destroying mayhem!

        I sat down with Benjamin Boswell, Associate Production Manager for Dragon Nest at Nexon America, to ask him about the game as it reaches its first birthday.

        Continue reading Free for All: Dragon Nest's Boswell discusses birthdays, rental items

        MassivelyFree for All: Dragon Nest's Boswell discusses birthdays, rental items originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 19 Sep 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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          Why I Play: Free Realms

          Posted: 19 Sep 2012 05:00 PM PDT

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          Free Realms screenshot
          Free Realms has been going really strong, as far as I can tell, since the beginning. I definitely remember the distinct buzz that came from the beta, and I remember bloggers and podcaster friends proclaiming that the game was going to go gangbusters. We MMOers often forget just what sort of impact certain titles have made on the market. As soon as these special titles are released into the world, we become used to them and often take them for granted.

          Free Realms has always been one of those special titles. But think about it: We hear from it regularly but often forget to notice just how packed with players it can be and how much variety in gameplay it offers. In fact, Free Realms is probably one of the least appreciated sandboxes in the world of MMOs right now because it has been so successfully integrated into the MMOsphere.

          Yes, I said sandbox. Yes, I'm serious. I'd go so far as to say that Free Realms is almost a perfectly designed sandbox, although some of its design is not for everyone. Like Mabinogi, another underappreciated open world of a game, Free Realms might turn off the typical sandbox aficionado, who might not like its graphics or young audience. That's unfortunate because the world of Free Realms is more vast that many of us think.

          Continue reading Why I Play: Free Realms

          MassivelyWhy I Play: Free Realms originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 19 Sep 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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            Enter at Your Own Rift: Fall colors... and more mead!

            Posted: 19 Sep 2012 04:00 PM PDT

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            Enter at Your Own RIFT Fall colors and more mead!
            It wasn't that long ago that if you ever asked me what my favorite season was, I'd respond without hesitation, "Spring!" Being a Midwesterner means that spring is the rescue of winter doldrums and the march to summer. However, the past few years have swayed me to a different answer. I honestly feel that autumn has so much more to offer.

            Maybe it's that my favorite holiday, Halloween, lies smack-dab in the middle of it. Perhaps it's the fragrant smells and gorgeous sights of leaves turning. Definitely it has something to do with bonfires, hot apple cider, hayrides, and fleece jackets.

            So even while the last vestiges of 80-degree weather clings to my state, I'm already eager to dive head-first into a pile of leaves. Barring that, I'm more than content to revel in RIFT's newest festival, Autumn Harvest. Now with 100% more MEAD!

            Continue reading Enter at Your Own Rift: Fall colors... and more mead!

            MassivelyEnter at Your Own Rift: Fall colors... and more mead! originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 19 Sep 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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              Choose My Adventure: Illuminati takes the lead

              Posted: 19 Sep 2012 03:00 PM PDT

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              Choose My Adventure Illuminati takes the lead
              It is a tale told by an Illuminati member, full of sound and fury, signifying... something?

              The stage was set. An air of conspiracy permeated the theater as trappings of The Secret World hung from the balustrade and peeked from the corners to taunt the audience. Discerning eyes could spot a triangle here, a cross there. A soft buzzing could be heard, an undercurrent of sound. But something was missing. The show couldn't go on without... aha! The star!

              The final task before starting this Choose My Adventure production was the selection of just who will bask in the spotlight. As director, you took on this task. Would it be a martial artist from the Orient or a proper English knight? Would the stage ring out with the sound of shots or metal upon metal? After much deliberation, you finally found the one. With her hair aflame, a sword in her hand, and a rifle within reach, the young Illuminata was perfect for the lead role.

              Now, it's opening night. A hush falls. The curtain rises. All eyes turn to the stage as you start to wonder, "What on earth did I get myself into?!"

              Continue reading Choose My Adventure: Illuminati takes the lead

              MassivelyChoose My Adventure: Illuminati takes the lead originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 19 Sep 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                New interview sheds light on Black Desert's open world

                Posted: 19 Sep 2012 02:00 PM PDT

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                New interview sheds light on Black Desert
                Last week we told you about a new MMO called Black Desert. There was a trailer, it was gorgeous, etc. Today we've learned a little more about the Korean import thanks to an interview at Steparu.com.

                For one thing, all those beautiful vistas in the trailer are part of a seamless world. For another, the combat is action-focused and features the ability to dodge and block. There's also something called horse-drifting, which the devs say is part of a battle and movement system inspired by Red Dead Redemption.

                The game is class-based; current archetypes include Fighters, Sorcerers, Beasts, and Tamers, though the names will likely change going forward. Black Desert also looks to feature optional PvP as well as bind-on-equip items that don't drop if you're killed by another player. When can you get your hands on all these fine features? Not for a while, it seems. The devs say they're shooting for a Korean beta sometime in 2013.

                MassivelyNew interview sheds light on Black Desert's open world originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 19 Sep 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                Black Prophecy schedules shutdown party

                Posted: 19 Sep 2012 01:00 PM PDT

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                Black Prophecy schedules shutdown party
                Black Prophecy is counting down the days until its execution, and chances are the governor is not going to call. With the shutdown of the space MMO scheduled for September 26th, Reakktor Media announced that it will be throwing a Shutdown Party the night before on the 25th.

                The studio urged players to "hang out with old friends and the Black Prophecy GMs as we see this ship off on its final voyage" during the fiesta. The party will feature PvP fights and in-game prizes, although those prizes will be short-lived.

                The celebration will take place next Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. EST on the EU servers and 9:00 p.m. on the NA one. The shutdown will happen at 3:00 a.m. on the following morning.

                MassivelyBlack Prophecy schedules shutdown party originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 19 Sep 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                Fourth and final End of Nations closed beta event starts October 4th

                Posted: 19 Sep 2012 12:00 PM PDT

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                Fourth and final End of Nations closed beta event starts October 4th
                Trion's fourth and final End of Nations closed beta event kicks off Thursday, October 4th, at 11:00 a.m. EDT. The festivities run through Sunday, October 9th, and an NDA drop is in the cards as well.

                New features for the fourth beta weekend include the Full Boar map, the Panzer Hulk unit, and the 56-player Deep Freeze map. A new tutorial mode is on tap as well for those of you who might new to testing the forthcoming MMORTS. If you haven't received a beta invite yet, be sure to sign up on the game's official website.

                [Source: Trion press release]

                MassivelyFourth and final End of Nations closed beta event starts October 4th originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 19 Sep 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                  PlanetSide 2's Higby talks member benefits, pay-to-win

                  Posted: 19 Sep 2012 11:30 AM PDT

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                  PlanetSide 2's Higby talks member benefits, pay-to-win
                  PlanetSide 2 creative director Matt Higby took to the official forums recently to address concerns about potential pay-to-win aspects of the title's monetization scheme. "As much as I want to give you the definitive answer that PlanetSide 2 is not pay-to-win, it turns out it's actually a fairly personal question and people define what exactly pay-to-win is in their own way," Higby wrote.

                  He also went into details about the nature of the cash shop, saying that PS2 will not restrict characters from any type of gameplay based on paying money. "No weapon, vehicle, attachment, continent, class, or certification is unavailable to you as a free player. Everything and anything that can affect gameplay is available to unlock through gameplay."

                  Higby also spent some time discussing what SOE will sell (cosmetics and advancement-related convenience booster items) as well as the state of the game's membership benefits. Currently SOE plans on members receiving offline certification points, 50% XP and resource boosts, increased resource pool caps, and priority login preference.

                  MassivelyPlanetSide 2's Higby talks member benefits, pay-to-win originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 19 Sep 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                  Smedley: 'People who don't play games have no business in this business'

                  Posted: 19 Sep 2012 11:00 AM PDT

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                  Smedley - 'People who don't play games have no business in this business'
                  Sony Online Entertainment president John Smedley is a die-hard gamer. This isn't news if you've followed SOE for more than a few minutes, as Smed has always been outspoken about what he's playing and why. He's also renowned among game journos for being a fun interview, usually to the consternation of his PR handlers.

                  Case in point is a new sit-down with Edge, ostensibly to promote SOE's upcoming PlanetSide 2 MMOFPS (we say ostensibly because the actual content of the interview is being parceled out in future installments).

                  For part one, Smed rips into clueless industry executives, saying that "people [who] don't play games have no business in this business. It should be the gamers-only club, I think. I can't stand people [who] don't know what they're talking about when it comes to playing these things."

                  MassivelySmedley: 'People who don't play games have no business in this business' originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 19 Sep 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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