General Gaming Article

General Gaming Article


MegaUpload Users Planning to Sue FBI Over Lost Data

Posted: 26 Jan 2012 02:58 PM PST

muAll the fire and brimstone rhetoric following the MegaUpload shutdown makes it seem like there was no legitimate use for the site. Despite that image, thousands of users were using MegaUpload to store and share their own files, which have now been lost. In response, Pirate Parties in several countries are putting together a list of affected users in preparation for a lawsuit against the FBI. 

When MegaUpload vanished, users lost access to their peronal files without any chance to retrieve them. "The widespread damage caused by the sudden closure of Megaupload is unjustified and completely disproportionate to the aim intended," the Pirates of Catalonia said in a statement. Along with Pirate Parties International, potential breaches of US law are being explored for use in the case. 

Of course, MegaUpload was a shady business by all accounts, and users should not have left anything irreplaceable on its servers. This does bring up the question of what a company's responsibility is when you store your files. If they lose it, should you be compensated? 

Google Music Now Lets U.S. Users Download All Their Uploaded Songs

Posted: 26 Jan 2012 02:35 PM PST

gmusicGoogle Music has allowed users to upload as many as 20,000 songs since it launched last year, but those tracks were stuck in the cloud. Only purchased songs could easily be downloaded to a local PC. Well, today that has changed, and U.S. users of Google Music are now able to pull down their entire cloud-synced music library of uploaded and purchased tracks.

An updated version of Google's Music manager desktop application will need to be installed to allow this new functionality. This could be a boon to users, many of whom spent days uploading all their tracks to Google's servers. The Music Manager software is an all or nothing approach that imports all the unprotected MP3s in a user's library. This change means that Google Music has instantly become a legitimate backup solution for your music collection.

Google also added a new feature that lets you share the official YouTube video for any Google Music song on Google+. Click the drop down next to a track to share the video to your circles. This is cool, but we're more amped about the full library downloads. What about you?

XFX Silently Strips New Radeon Cards of 'Double Lifetime Warranty'

Posted: 26 Jan 2012 11:58 AM PST

One of the big draws to buying an XFX brand videocard is the modder friendly warranty that lets users swap heatsinks and overclock ther GPUs without voiding the so-called 'Double Lifetime Warranty,' which is marketing speak for a lifetime guarantee that's transferable to a second owner (provided you registere your card within 30 days of purchase). Now we're hearing that this awesome backing won't apply to AMD's new Radeon HD 7000 series.

Hardware Canucks claims it received reports of XFX including "Warranty Void if Removed" stickers over the top of screws holding the heatsink in place, seemingly indicating the cards are no longer modder friendly. According to Hardware Canucks, you can ignore the warning if you live in the U.S., but not in other parts of the world.

More troubling are the revised warranty terms, which ditches the Double Lifetime Warranty in favor of a two-year guarantee. It's a little confusing, but here's XFX's stance:

Regarding our revised warranty policy:

1) XFX will transition to a Two-Year Limited Warranty for all new XFX Radeon HD 7000 series models. The standard two-year limited warranty is on par or better than warranties offered by other brands in the industry. While we have had an increasingly small percentage of warranty related occurrences after the two-year mark, we have eliminated the extension and transferable options for these models. Simplifying the operational requirements will allow XFX to commit our resources on developing and manufacturing the highest caliber and best selection of graphics cards available.

2) For the new XFX Radeon HD 7000 series Double D models, we will continue to provide an option to extend as these products are geared for our top-tiered enthusiasts and XFX will continue to offer this benefit on our top products.

3) Most importantly, all XFX Radeon HD 6000, 5000, and 4000 series models also offer the two-year limited warranty as standard, and will continue to be supported by the optional Double Lifetime Limited Warranty (with registration within 30 days of purchase). Restrictions and limitations may apply and specific details are available on our website.

The landscape is changing, folks, and XFX went from havng arguably the best warranty terms in the business to being an also-ran, especially after BFG went out of business.

EVGA and VisionTek also have true lifetime warranty options, though theirs aren't transferable either.

XFX Warranty Terms

Is Google+ Hip Enough for Teens? Google Aims to Find Out

Posted: 26 Jan 2012 11:21 AM PST

Google+ grew to over 90 million members in short order, and for the most part, it did it without the benefit of teenagers flocking from Facebook (not counting the ones who slipped through the cracks and were previously able to open an account). A change in policy now allows teens age 13 and over to join Google's social networking service, but will they find it fun enough to stick around?

Google promises to put forth an honest effort to keep teens engaged.

"Teens and young adults are the most active Internet users on the planet. And surprise, surprise: they're also human beings who enjoy spending time with friends and family," Google VP of Product Bradley Horowitz said in a Google+ post. "Put these two things together and it's clear that teens will increasingly connect online. Unfortunately, online sharing is still second-rate for this age group... " With Google+, we want to help teens build meaningful connections online. We also want to provide features that foster safety alongside self-expression. Today we're doing both, for everyone who's old enough for a Google Account (13+ in most countries).

Horowitz emphasized the importance of circles to separate friends, acquaintances, and strangers. Google will do a little extra to drive this point home among teens, such as encouraging them to "think before post" with people outside their circles. In addition, by default only people in teens' circles can say hello, and blocking someone will always be a click or two away, Horowitz said.

There are other restrictions. If a stranger outside a teen's circles joins in, "we temporarily remove the young adult, and give them a chance to rejoin." More details can be found in Google's Safety Center.

Image Credit: Google

Android Tablets Catching Up to iPad's Market Share

Posted: 26 Jan 2012 10:48 AM PST

In terms of market share numbers, Apple's iPad has been dominating ever it came out nearly two years ago, and it still does right at this very moment. Give it a few more quarters, however, and the sheer number of Android tablets could thrust Google's open source platform into the No. 1 spot, overtaking Apple just as it did in the smartphone sector.

The percentage of Android tablets grew from 29 percent in the fourth quarter of 2010 to 39.1 percent in the fourth quarter of 2011, a slightly greater than 10 percent rise, according to data published by market research firm Strategy Analytics. Apple's iPad, meanwhile, conceded 10.5 percentage points, dropping from 68.2 percent to 57.6 percent during the same time period. The two platforms are now separated by 18.5 percent, compared to 39.2 percent one year prior.

"Global tablet shipments reached an all-time high of 26.8 million units in Q4 2011, surging 150 percent from 10.7 million in Q4 2010," said Peter King, Director at Strategy Analytics. "Demand for tablets among consumer, business and education users remains strong. Apple shipped a robust 15.4 million iPads worldwide and maintained its strong market leadership with 58 percent share during the fourth quarter of 2011. Apple shrugged off the much-hyped threat from entry-level Android models this quarter."

Just as with smartphones, Google's Android platform benefits from the number of players involved, and it's also getting a boost by an emerging trend towards lower cost devices initiated by Amazon's Kindle Fire and Barnes & Noble's Nook Tablet. Microsoft is also looking to make a splash, and though it only claims a 1.5 percent share of the overall tablet market, that number could spike once Windows 8 is released.

Blizzard Auctions World Of Warcraft Server Blades For Charity

Posted: 26 Jan 2012 10:39 AM PST

While Blizzard may taketh away with one hand, it giveth away with the other: disappointed Blizzcon fans are still smarting from news of the convention's 2012 cancellation, but hardcore WoW-heads now have reason to rejoice. Through the 30th, Blizzard is auctioning off hundreds of server blades used to house World of Warcraft in its infancy. All of the proceeds will be donated to the St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital.

Blizzard waxed poetic in its description of the server blades: For a time, these servers were doorways into a universe of magic, mystery, and unlimited adventure. People vanquished mighty foes, they formed bonds of friendship, and some even found love in the game worlds that ran on these servers. If you listen closely on a starry night, you can still hear the ghosts of the past running through their circuit boards, recounting tales of epic conquest.

You're even be able to pick out which familiar ghosts you're hearing, as Blizzard is identifying which realm the servers housed. If you have strong memories of your posse rolling five deep to stop Al'Akir, you can pick up an Al'Akir server. The vast majority of the 347 blades being auctioned seem to come from Europe or Russia rather than U.S. data centers, but hey, this is still super cool.

Details from the product listings:

  • Display is approximately 28" x 10.3" x 1.7" and weighs 18lbs.
  • Each case is exactly the same for all of the servers.
  • Plaques will show the Realm Name and Mo/Yr of start and end date.
  • The copy on the plaque reads: Blizzard Entertainment has carefully preserved and archived our retired server blades, releasing only a limited number for a noble cause. To us, this server blade is more than just hardware: within the circuits and hard drive, a world of magic, adventure, and friendship thrived. From fishing in quiet lakes to defeating Arthas in Icecrown Citadel, this blade was home to thousands of immersive experiences across the world of Azeroth and beyond. We thank you for the safekeeping of this important part of history.
  • The signatures are printed on the plaque not original and include the World of Warcraft team.

Go check out the server listings at eBay if you have a couple hundred bucks to spare. It's for a good cause!

AMD Radeon HD 7950 Graphics Cards Trickle into Pre-Order Status

Posted: 26 Jan 2012 10:23 AM PST

If every PC gamer had $550+ to spend on a graphics card, AMD's Radeon HD 7970 would be the hottest selling GPU around. Not everyone does, however, and for some people, AMD's upcoming Radeon HD 7950 presents a compelling compromise between owning a card based on Santa Clara's next-generation GPU architecture and pocketing a few extra bucks in the process. Your time is coming.

There are a couple of 7950 graphics cards already available for pre-order. Provantage is selling Gigabyte's GV-R795WF3-3GD for $481.58 and Bottom Line Telecommunications has XFX's listed for $514.96, the latter of which is estimating a February 16, 2012 release date.

Prices seem a little high, which isn't unusual for upcoming graphics cards on pre-order, and we suspect things will level out when more vendors jump in. This is purely speculation, but it seems likely 7950 cards will go for around $450, and maybe much lower with a mail-in-rebate.

The listings don't reveal much about the specs. Gigabyte's card is said to have 3GB of GDDR5 memory on a 384-bit bus, a DVI port, HDMI, and a pair of mini DisplayPorts.

KDE 4.8 Released

Posted: 26 Jan 2012 10:06 AM PST

Looking for some hot new O.S. action but skeptical of the volcabularific new HUD interface being introduced to Ubuntu? That's the open-sourced beauty of Linux -- there are plenty of flavors available for the picky types out there. And now there's a new one, or rather, a new update of an old hand. KDE 4.8 has hit the Web, complete with a host of fresh features and abilities.

The Windows Switcher found in Plasma Workspaces has been tweaked to include six possible layouts, the KDE Power Management System Settings received an overhaul, and as usual, stability has been increased and bugs squashed with wild abandon. New touch-screen friendly features have begun being added to KDE Platform 4.8 for the pinch-and-zoom fans in the House That Linus Built. A bevy of KDE Applications also nabbed a spit-shine, most notably the Dolphin file manager, which has a new display engine that makes digging around a hard drive speedier than ever before.

Sound good? Check out the official announcement for more details about all the new stuff.

Gigabyte GTX 580 Super Overclock Review

Posted: 26 Jan 2012 09:32 AM PST

Will three fans enable Gigabyte to capture the single-GPU performance crown?

We found the Asus Matrix GTX 580 Platinum that we reviewed in the November 2011 issue to be pretty badass: It's a solid, factory-overclocked card that's impressively easy to push even harder. But it's also three slots wide and requires two 8-pin PCIe power connectors. Gigabyte's GTX 580 Super Overclock (model GV-N580SO-15L) takes Nvidia's GPU even further, pumping the core from a stock 772MHz all the way to 855MHz, and the card's 1.5GB of GDDR5 memory from a stock 1,002MHz to 1,025MHz (the Matrix GTX 580 comes out of the box with its GPU running at 816MHz and its memory at 1,002MHz). And the Gigabyte takes up only two slots and uses just a single 8-pin power connector.

Gigabyte, like Asus, provides software to help you overclock the card even more, but Gigabyte's card lacks the other engineering amenities that Asus provides, including voltage control, insta-max fan speed, and reset-to-factory-settings buttons. This renders Gigabyte's offering less forgiving when it comes to pushing the envelope. The Super OC ships with three cooling fans, which must be better than the two on the Matrix, right? Well, the card remained cool enough during our benchmarks, but we also found it to be noisier under load than the Matrix card.


Gigabyte's GTX 580 Super Overclock requires just two expansion slots and one 8-pin PCIe power connection.

With those thoughts in mind, let's discuss performance: Gigabyte's card edged out Asus's, but it was by no means a clean sweep: the Asus Matrix card won several benchmark categories, with Unigine Heaven being the most notable. Several other results—including Just Cause 2 and Metro 2033—were essentially ties. So the Gigabyte's performance is pretty good, but it's not quite as over-the-top as we had expected. Also, take a look at the difference in power consumption. This is where Asus's careful binning of GTX 580 GPUs comes in: The Matrix consumes much less juice than the Super Overclock, which likely will leave you more headroom for overclocking.

All these factors are reflected in the card's street price, which is $10 less than the Asus (and Gigabyte was offering a $20 rebate at press time). So the Super Overclock delivers fewer features and a little less performance and headroom, but also a lower price tag. You'll need to decide which factors are most important to you.

$520, www.gigabyte.com

AT&T Earnings Battered by T-Mobile Breakup Fee, Otherwise All is Hunky Dory

Posted: 26 Jan 2012 09:31 AM PST

The words of Neil Sedaka singing about how "Breaking Up is Hard to Do" must be ringing in AT&T's ears. The wireless carrier reported a substantial $6.7 billion loss for the quarter ended December 31, 2011, which is mostly attributable to breakup fees resulting from AT&T's failed attempt to acquire T-Mobile. That's a nearly $8 billion swing from one year prior when AT&T posted a profit of $1.09 billion.

Botched acquisition aside, AT&T performed relatively well. It sold a record 9.4 million smartphones in the fourth quarter, up 50 percent from its previous quarterly record and double the number it sold in Q3 2011. AT&T added 717,000 wireless postpaid subscribers, the largest increase in five quarters, and recorded its best-ever quarter for Android and Apple smartphones, including 7.6 million iPhone activations.

"We had a tremendous year in terms of execution, and we have excellent momentum across our growth platforms," said Randall Stephenson, AT&T chairman and chief executive officer. "This was a blowout quarter for sales. Our network performance is at a high level on voice quality and best-in-class mobile download speeds. Sales continue to be strong and business revenue trends are on a good track.

"Looking ahead, we start 2012 with the best visibility we've had in some time, and we're well positioned to deliver solid results — including continued revenue growth with margin expansion, solid earnings per share growth and strong cash flow." In short order, we will begin share repurchases to deliver significant value to our owners."

AT&T feels it's well positioned to deliver solid revenue and earnings growth in 2012.

MMO News

MMO News


MicroVolts releases Knox Pow Wow update

Posted: 26 Jan 2012 02:36 PM PST

Today brings a special new update for MicroVolts players who love the character Knox.

The update centers around Knox, a popular character who gains two new outfits – Chief and Warrior, both designed after Native American garb. A new map, called “Bitmap,” has also made its debut, offering players the chance to play in a space designed after the developer’s office. The Capsule Machine has also been updated to offer new Katana melee weapons, three new rare rifles, and a new costume set for Pandora.

MicroVolts is published by Rock Hippo Productions, which also publishes Brawl Busters.

MicroVolts – Knox Pow Wow & Bitmap Screenshots:

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POW! MICROVOLTS LAUNCHES THE ALL-NEW KNOX POW WOW UPDATE

Players Will Discover New Parts For The Hip Hop Action Figure Knox, A New “Bitmap” Map, Trailer, And Much More

Markham, Canada – January 26, 2012 – Rock Hippo Productions Ltd. announced today the launch of its Knox Pow Wow update for the popular cartoon style third-person shooter, MicroVolts. This latest update features exciting new parts for the hip hop action figure, Knox, plus a peek inside the developers’ office with the new map: “Bitmap”! MicroVolts’ new trailer and screenshots highlight these exciting updates to the game and players can visit www.MicroVolts.com for all the details!

Knox, a super poseable hip hop action figure, uses his street smarts and heavy build to defend himself in the toy battlegrounds. As a constant jokester, comic relief is always a part of his gameplay but with Knox’s tough exterior comes a heart of gold. This new update centers around this favorite MicroVolts character and features all-new Chief and Warrior costume sets inspired by traditional Native American outfits! Players can also get excited about the new Katana melee weapons as well as the three new rare rifles and a brand new costume set for Pandora, all of which are available exclusively in MicroVolts’ Capsule Machine!

Another cool component of the update is the new map, “Bitmap”, based on the developers’ actual office space! This challenging new battlefield takes place on top of office desks, behind computer screens and various other office supplies. Players can finally become part of the developers’ world as they fend off enemies to reign supreme in this ultimate toy battle!

“Knox is a MicroVolts fan favorite, and players are going to love the new parts for this street wise, super flexible figure that always keeps his fans and opponents in stitches,” said Howard He, President and CEO of Rock Hippo Productions. “MicroVolters are like one big family so it’s also fun that they can now get a sneak peek into the developers’ office in the new “Bitmap” map.”

Players can get a glimpse of what’s in store with the latest trailer and screenshots featuring the Knox Pow Wow in full effect. Visit www.MicroVolts.com for all the details.

Wedding system announced for Luvinia

Posted: 26 Jan 2012 02:04 PM PST

Luvinia Online players will be able to share their in-game relationships in a new way with weddings, a new feature being released after Valentine’s Day. This special system will let players tie the knot, and enjoy a special wedding celebration with friends.

One of the game’s first weddings will be between GM_Refresh and GM_Mokobonbon, who will be posting in a daily wedding journal to track their wedding preparations and planning. Luvinia will also be giving away a wedding package in their special SHARE THE LUV promotion, which will run until Valentine’s Day.

For more information about the wedding system, check out MMOHut’s exclusive interview with GM_Refresh!

luvinia-wedding

Luvinia Online Gameplay Screenshot

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Luvinia Announces Weddings for Valentines

Fall In Love & Live Happily Ever After in the Land of Savejela

SAN FRANCISCO – January 26, 2012 – Following a spectacularly romantic Valentine’s Day in the fairytale world of Luvinia, a beautiful, brand new fantasy free-to-play MMORPG, players will be able to tie-the-knot and invite friends and family to breathtaking wedding celebrations. Now players can meet their soulmate, quest and craft together, battle and romance, then give their heart over in grand spectacle.

“We’re thrilled to offer the unique experience of marriage to our players” said Philip Yun, CEO of Outspark. “Our flagship franchise Fiesta was one of the first MMORPGs to introduce the marriage system and we know how interesting things can get when relationships are allowed to deepen in the game. Many thanks to developer Shanda Games for bringing this special feature to Luvinia fans.”
One of the first weddings will be for GM_Refresh and GM_Mokobonbon, favorites of the Luvinia community. Follow them as they post all the excitement of planning for the big day in their wedding journal weekdays 4pm PT on Facebook (www.facebook.com/outsparkluvinia), Twitter (www.twitter.com/#/luviniagame), and in the Forums (www.outspark.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=426).
For those seeking to win a dream wedding for themselves, or to gift to friends, Luvinia is giving away an extraordinary wedding package complete with cake, confetti, venue, decorations, wedding rings, attire and fireworks to the top referrer of the SHARE THE LUV promotion from now until Valentine's Day. Promotion details and the free game download are available on the Luvinia website at luvinia.outspark.com.

Rosh Online introduces new maps

Posted: 26 Jan 2012 01:51 PM PST

Rosh Online has opened up new content today in an update that introduces two new maps and a raised level cap.

Players will find that the level cap has been raised to 65, up ten levels from the previous cap of 55. Two new maps are also released today. Lupinel Chapel Catacomb is designed for players level 56 and above, while the first two floors of Sentryheil Tower are available at level 61. Enchanting has also been expanded, along with the introduction of new items in  the premium item shop.

Rosh Online is published by Ignited Games, which also publishes Wind Slayer 2 and  DarkEden.

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Rosh Online Gameplay Screenshot

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Daunting New Challenges Hit Rosh Online: The Return of Karos

Action-adventure MMORPG expands with new maps, enemies and increased level cap

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. - Jan. 26, 2012 – The fight for the fate of Asmara continues as free-to-play Rosh Online: The Return of Karos sees its first major content update. Brave warriors can now grow even stronger as the game’s level cap increases from 55 to 65, opening two new maps – Lupinel Chapel Catacomb and the first two floors of Sentryheil Tower – to experienced combatants in Ignited Games’ combat-action massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG).

Seasoned veterans seeking even greater challenges will find daunting quests and nightmarish boss monsters in the new maps. Lupinel Chapel Catacomb is open to players who reach level 56, while the first two floors of Sentryheil Tower are only accessible to players at level 61 and above. To aid these brave combatants, Ignited Games added a variety of new options for enchanting items and also expanded the game’s premium item shop with a host of new gear – such as a traditional Chinese outfit, in celebration of the new Lunar year.

In Rosh Online: The Return of Karos, players fight their way through quests, guild clashes, large-scale PvP action and castle sieges to bring peace to the fantasy world of Asmara. In addition to the traditional experience-point-based leveling system, Rosh Online features the Fletta system, which can be used to increase stats, give buffs, buy resources and enchant items. Furthermore, open world PvP adds a morality system to the game, providing an even deeper level of customization for online gamers.

Interested players can download the game for free at the official web page. They also can join the Rosh Online community for more information and gain sneak peeks into the game on the official Facebook page.

Project Blackout introduces new map

Posted: 26 Jan 2012 01:44 PM PST

Players of Project Blackout can now play on a new map: Machu Picchu.

Machu Picchu, designed after the Incan ruins of the real world, is created specifically for deathmatch modes. Featuring slopes and walls that offer plenty of tactical choices, players can fight for the hidden missiles being developed in the ruins by Aegis Inc.

To celebrate the new map, players will get a bonus 30% to experience until Wednesday, February 8, 8 pm Eastern (5pm Pacific).

Project Blackout is published by SG Interactive, which also publishes Trickster Online and Grand Chase.

projectblackout_machupicchu

Machu Picchu

Project Blackout Gameplay Screenshot

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Project Blackout Rolls Out New Deathmatch Map: Machu Picchu

Irvine, Calif. – Jan. 25, 2012 -Project Blackout, the fast-paced massively multiplayer online first-person shooter from SG Interactive, is going old school with the launch of “Machu Picchu,” a brand new map for deathmatch modes. The maze-like map based on the actual Incan ruins forces players to fight for the tactically advantageous high ground. To celebrate the launch of “Machu Picchu,” Project Blackoutplayers will receive an extra 30 percent EXP points until Wednesday, Feb. 8, at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT.

In the game, the mercenary corporation Aegis Inc. is developing a new missile in the Machu Picchu ruins of the Peruvian highlands. Reconnaissance from rival mercenary faction, The Corps, tries to intervene in order to stop the missile production. Gamers can choose to take arms for Aegis Inc. or The Corps in a bloody deathmatch over the weapons of mass destruction.

Project Blackout is a free-to-play online FPS that pits players against players in a wide variety of game modes, with fast-paced action, precision shooting, and twitch response times. The dazzling 3D graphics, stereo sound, and camera effects add to the realistic gaming experience.

To join the epic battle between Aegis Inc. and The Corps, register to play for free athttp://www.projectblackout.net. For the latest updates on Project Blackout, fans also can “Like” the game on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/ProjectBlackout.

Carte announces closed beta date

Posted: 26 Jan 2012 01:28 PM PST

GamesCampus has announced that Carte, its upcoming trading card game, will begin closed beta testing on February 23.

Carte features five nations, which players can choose from to embark on an epic storyline. Decks are built with 64 cards that offer attack, defense, and utility, plus hero cards that represent important storyline characters for each nation. More features of the game include guilds, PvP, and boss raids.

GamesCampus also publishes Heroes in the Sky and Asda 2.

carte-deck-choice

Carte Gameplay Screenshot

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GAMESCAMPUS’ CARTE ANNOUNCES CLOSED BETA DATE

Carte Builds Momentum Leading To Launch Later This Year!

Sunnyvale, Calif. (January 26, 2012)- Armies, Heroes, Signature Weapons, Storyline Events, all await you in a deck of 64 precious cards and the opportunity is coming soon! Leading online game publisher, GamesCampus.com (www.GamesCampus.com) tipped their hand with new assets and a countdown to closed beta for their first global online trading card game, Carte, due to launch in North America next month. Registration is now open and bonefide card carriers can dash over to http://carte.gamescampus.com and become among the first to experience all of the card-slinging action when Carte enters beta on February 23rd.

Carte is based on a real card game – the most successful trading card game of all time,” said Chris Ahn, Head of Marketing at GamesCampus. “Amazing illustrations bring every card to life, allowing players to build decks that shout their personalities in an unforgettable way.”

Starting in just four weeks, players will have the opportunity to leap into an exquisite world filled with lush story and encompassing lore. Players joining Carte will almost immediately gain a starter deck for each nation, so they can explore both the deck building possibilities and the underlying story expressed through the cards. Each nation in Arcadia has its own heroes, villains, and plots to be unveiled as the game progresses.

The continent of Arcadia is entering the bloodiest conflict it has ever seen, and the battles will play out on the card table of Carte. Each deck is led by a Hero card of the player’s choice, with heroes from the storyline such as the elf Serya Tasdelen or the Evil King Belial available. Players then build a 64-card deck around their hero, with cards representing not only the armies of their nation but also important storyline events or signature weapons.

In coming weeks, GamesCampus will be revealing the epic story that players are immediately pulled into when presented with their very first deck, as well as showing off a sneak peek at the various cards on the official Carte Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/CarteGlobal

Carte: Cogito Ergo Sumis a fast paced global online trading card game. Choose a Hero, build a deck and launch into exciting battles with fierce weapons and allies. Create and master endless strategies with an arsenal of spells and creatures to conquer your opponents. With an easy to learn system coupled with a user friendly interface, Carte is ready for new players as well as grizzled TCG veterans and everything in between.

For more information about GamesCampus.com or Carte, please visit www.carte.gamescampus.com

More game details revealed for Forge of Empires

Posted: 26 Jan 2012 12:22 PM PST

InnoGames, publisher of Tribal Wars and Grepolis, has revealed new details for Forge of Empires, its next strategy MMO.

Forge of Empires will offer quests that guide players through their most important tasks in building and managing their village, while still allowing players to choose directly how to build, research, or battle. Combat will use a hex-based system, granting players greater movement control in each battle. The research tree will let players explore historical technologies that can add more land, introduce new military units, and allow for more advanced structures.

Closed beta for Forge of Empires is expected to launch in a few weeks.

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Forge of Empires Gameplay Screenshot

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Closed Beta Draws Near For Forge of Empires

New Features Are Unveiled For InnoGames’ Upcoming Strategy Browser Game

Germany, January 26, 2012 – Today leading developer of online games, InnoGames, released additional information regarding gameplay elements in the brand new strategic browser game Forge of Empires, just weeks before a closed beta for the title is set to begin.

Players will be guided through the game’s most important tasks via quests that encompass researching new technology, constructing a variety of resource-gathering buildings and tactical battles, but what a player chooses to build, conquer or research is in their hands. All of these important aspects lead towards the game’s ultimate goal: lead a tiny Stone Age village through the various epochs, transforming it into a lavish and sprawling modern city.

In addition to impressive browser game graphics, InnoGames also revealed the combat system for Forge of Empires will be hex-based, allowing players increased control and strategic options for combat, alongside a research tree that moves players through history by discovering the greatest inventions of mankind. These technologies unlock the use of additional land to build upon, stronger military units, and advanced structures that produce a variety of resources.

Building on its experience with successful strategy games Grepolis and Tribal Wars, the company is convinced of the game’s success. “Forge of Empires is InnoGames’ most elaborate in-house production so far”, says Eike Klindworth, Co-founder of InnoGames. “Our requirements in terms of graphics, gameplay and technical quality of the game could not have been higher. As with Grepolis and Tribal Wars, we aim to provide a satisfying and enduring experience for players – the gameplay allows for a huge number of tactical options that will keep even advanced strategists engaged for a long time.”

On www.forgeofempires.com, InnoGames has already posted screenshots and artwork from the game.

With about 75 million registered players, InnoGames is one of the world’s leading developers and providers of online games. The German-based company has scored major successes with games such as Tribal Wars, The West and Grepolis.

Star Supremacy announces War Version update

Posted: 26 Jan 2012 11:56 AM PST

Star Supremacy has announced details for its next game update, “War Version.”

The update will add two features – Domination War and Alliance War. In the Domination War, alliances who occupy a certain number of fortresses and nodes on a planet will be selected as dominator, rewarding the alliance members and naming the planet after the alliance. The Alliance War will allow alliances to go to war directly with each other, gaining three times the Honor Points from alliance battles against declared enemies.

Star Supremacy will also hold an Alliance recruiting event until February 7, rewarding bonus items to alliances who recruit a certain number of members and those that reach certain levels.

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Star Supremacy Gameplay Screenshot

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Star Supremacy New Expansion, War Version, Launches Next Month!

Suzhou, China – January 26, 2012 – Star Supremacy’s next expansion since “Colony Starship”, which was released early this month, will be “War Version”. The new War Version will bring new features to the game, Domination War and Alliance War. To prepare for this expansion, Barbily will be launching an Alliance Recruiting event.

More information below:

Soon, in the next month, Star Supremacy will launch its newest expansion update: the new War Version! It is now still under development but there are two main gameplays that we would like to share with you.

1. Domination WarAfter occupying certain numbers of nodes and space fortresses on a planet, an alliance will be selected as the dominator of this planet. The planet will be named after this alliance. Mysterious rewards will be sent to every member of the alliance.

2. Alliance War

In this feature, alliances are allowed to declare wars on other alliances. Members of alliances get 3 times the Honor points from any battle if the alliances they are in are in Wars. More unique and powerful items will be added in the Honor shop and only Honor points can be used to buy these items.

Military ranking will be applied to Ships' attributes. Thus, the highest ranking, General of the Air Force, will be no longer appearing as just an eyes-catching title.

In order to get ready for this new War Version expansion, we will launch the "Alliance Recruiting" event. Hope that more and more alliances, no matter old and new, will rise up and join the Star Supremacy War!

Event Rule

During server time 20th Jan to 7th Feb 2012, any old and new alliances members and leaders will receive free bonus items as long as their alliances reach the following requirements:

Old Alliances (which are created before 00:00 20th server time) If…

->Alliance level reaches 10

->Has over 40 alliance members

Alliance members will receive

->Adv Trade Token X 1

->Large Resource Card X 3

Alliance leader will receive

Level 60 pink weapon —- Sonic Cyber

New Alliances (which are created during server time 20th Jan to 7th Feb 2012) If…

->Has over 30 alliance members

->Every member is over level 15

Alliance members will receive

->Adv Trade Token X 1

->Large Resource Card X 3

Alliance leader will receive

->Adv Trade Token X 2

->Titanium Chest X 2

->5.000.000 Credits

Star Supremacy New Expansion, War Version, Launches Next Month!

Suzhou, China – January 26, 2012 Star Supremacy’s next expansion since “Colony Starship”, which was released early this month, will be “War Version”. The new War Version will bring new features to the game, Domination War and Alliance War. To prepare for this expansion, Barbily will be launching an Alliance Recruiting event.

More information below:

Soon, in the next month, Star Supremacy will launch its newest expansion update: the new War Version! It is now still under development but there are two main gameplays that we would like to share with you.

1. Domination War

After occupying certain numbers of nodes and space fortresses on a planet, an alliance will be selected as the dominator of this planet. The planet will be named after this alliance. Mysterious rewards will be sent to every member of the alliance.

2. Alliance War

In this feature, alliances are allowed to declare wars on other alliances. Members of alliances get 3 times the Honor points from any battle if the alliances they are in are in Wars. More unique and powerful items will be added in the Honor shop and only Honor points can be used to buy these items.

Military ranking will be applied to Ships' attributes. Thus, the highest ranking, General of the Air Force, will be no longer appearing as just an eyes-catching title.

In order to get ready for this new War Version expansion, we will launch the "Alliance Recruiting" event. Hope that more and more alliances, no matter old and new, will rise up and join the Star Supremacy War!

Event Rule

During server time 20th Jan to 7th Feb 2012, any old and new alliances members and leaders will receive free bonus items as long as their alliances reach the following requirements:
<!–[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]–>
<!–[endif]–>

Old Alliances (which are created before 00:00 20th server time) If…
<!–[if !supportLists]–>Alliance level reaches 10
<!–[if !supportLists]–> Has over 40 alliance members

Alliance members will receive
<!–[if !supportLists]–> Adv Trade Token X 1
<!–[if !supportLists]–> Large Resource Card X 3

Alliance leader will receive
Level 60 pink weapon —- Sonic Cyber <!–[if !vml]–><!–[endif]–>

New Alliances (which are created during server time 20th Jan to 7th Feb 2012) If…
Has over 30 alliance members
<!–[if !supportLists]–>Every member is over level 15

Alliance members will receive
<!–[if !supportLists]–>Adv Trade Token X 1
<!–[if !supportLists]–>Large Resource Card X 3

Alliance leader will receive
<!–[if !supportLists]–> Adv Trade Token X 2
<!–[if !supportLists]–> <!–[endif]–>Titanium Chest X 2
<!–[if !supportLists]–> <!–[endif]–>5.000.000 Credits

Glory Destiny Online

Posted: 26 Jan 2012 10:37 AM PST

Glory Destiny Online is a MMORPG developed by X-Legend and published by Koramgame. The game has a cute and casual style of both gameplay and looks. You can play as 3 different races as 6 different classes, each with unique spirit transformations! When in a spirit form, you will be able to better strike at the weak points of your foes and gain access to additional treasures.

glorydestinyonline_ss5

Publisher: KoramGame
Playerbase: Low
Graphics: Medium
Type: MMORPG
EXP Rate: Medium
PvP: ??
Filesize: ~1200 MB

Pros: +Very Clean UI +Crisp Graphics +Spirit form gameplay elements

Cons: -Very similar to other games -Some UI functionality quirkiness -Combat mechanics cumbersome

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Overview

Glory Destiny Online Overview

Glory Destiny Online allows players to play as 3 different races as 6 different classes, each with unique spirit transformations.

Classes:

Fighter – A melee dps class that excels at close range, direct combat and uses gloves swords and katanas as weapons.

Shaman – A heal and support class that benefits other party members with elemental spells and uses wands and staffs as weapons.

Archer - A ranged dps class that uses long distance sharp shooting skills with bows and corssbows as weapons.

Warrior – A melee or defense close-range class that can act as a tank for a party using a warhammer and shield or a polearm as weapons.

Sorcerer – A magic dps class and healer that uses Yin and Yang spells with wands and staffs as weapons.

Assassin - A mysterious killer that plays as a close range dps using katanas daggers and swords as weapons.

Glory Destiny Online Screenshots

Glory Destiny Online Featured Video

Full Review

Glory Destiny Online Full Review

Coming Soon…

Screenshots

Glory Destiny Online Screenshots

Links

Glory Destiny Online Links

Official Game Site

System Requirements

Glory Destiny Online System Requirements

Minimum Requirements:
OS: Windows XP / Vista
CPU: Intel Pentium 4 3000 MHz / AMD Athlon 64 3000+
RAM: 1 GB
HDD: 3 GB Free
Graphics Card: GeForce 6200 / ATI Radeon Х1050

Recommended Specification:
OS: Windows XP / Vista / 7
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo 3000 MHz / Intel Core Quad 2400 MHz / AMD Athlon 64 6400+ or better
RAM: 2 GB or more
HDD: 3 GB or more
Graphics Card: GeForce 6600/ ATI Radeon X 1300 or better

Luvinia Launches Happily Ever After Dream Weddings

Posted: 26 Jan 2012 09:59 AM PST

Today, Outspark announced an exciting new marriage system for their brand new free-to-play fantasy MMORPG, Luvinia, which is expected to launch just after Valentine’s Day. It’s been months since MMOHut first reviewed the game, but recently caught up with GM_Refresh on the tour of Luvinia’s new map region, Zendo Hunter’s Camp, and had a chance to ask him about LUV & Marriage – as well as get a chance to share some exclusive screenshots!

Luvinia is now getting a marriage system at the best time of the year. Is there any reason players have had to wait until this date?

When the game first launched, our focus was on creating fantastic social experiences that would build a warm and inviting community around meaningful friendships. Since then, deep bonds have formed and players have started to enjoy romantic courtships. We thought what better timing than to offer dream weddings around Valentine’s Day.

Will there be a special couple to be the first to share their vows in Luvinia?

The first to get married? We’re leaving that honor for the community as it will be in the wee hours of the morning once the game emerges from scheduled maintenance. I am excited that I’ll be getting married in a GM ceremony on launch day and there will be many exciting events for all to attend. We’ll be posting our plans weekdays at 4pm PT on Facebook at www.facebook.com/outsparkluvinia for those who want to follow.

What kind of courtship will players have to go through before they get married?

For players who wish to get married in Luvinia, they’ll need to form a 2-person team in order to receive Marriage Quests at the Marriage NPC in Aurora. Once they obtain and use the item “Love Vine” they’ll become engaged lovers, then they’ll be allowed to register for and book a wedding venue. The groom will need to buy a pair of wedding rings and dress up before the ceremony. The bride will enjoy dressing too. When the couple is finished with their vows and exchanging rings, they will be announced husband and wife. The bride and groom can then hug and kiss. They’ll be able to party with their invited guests and from that moment on they’ll have the title “Newlywed.”

luvinia-marriage-4

How expensive will it be to tie the knot?

Players have the option to pay for the weddings using either Gold or Planar Essence both of which can be obtained in game. The cost varies depending on factors including but not limited to the amount of decoration, different types of rings and wedding dress. Planar Essence can also be earned in our Share The Luv promotion where those who refer 3 friends receive 10 non-tradable Planar Essence and the top referrer, from now until Valentine’s Day, will also win a complete wedding package with cake, confetti, fireworks, venue, rings and more. Details are at luvinia.outspark.com.

Let’s talk weddings – what will Luvinia offer to the special couple to make their ceremony event special, for both the couple and their guests?

There are tons of beautiful and interesting items available in-game to make one’s wedding special. From different wedding rings to invitation cards, balloons, fireworks and decorations, players will be able to pick and choose what will appear in their wedding venue. The shopping aspect of the wedding for the couple will be an incredibly fun experience. The couple can also be joined by up to 100 friends and family for the ceremony which can be customized with special events like the Wedding Cake Collection where guests can collect wedding cake slices as items and redeem them for SP and Gold, Wedding Bouquet Monsters, where guests can kill Bouquet Monsters to obtain SP and Gold as rewards, and Wedding Candies, provided by NPC Emcee which can be used to receive time buffs such as higher EXP, critical hit points, etc.

luvinia-marriage-5

What kind of boosts will married players get?

They don’t really get boosts but they do get the title of “Newlywed” upon the completion of Marriage Quest and wear certain rings that unlock special effects around the character.

Will there be an option for same-sex marriages?

Yes, there will not be any gender restriction.

What if love goes sour – will players be able to say their “I don’ts”?

Definitely, there will be Collaborative Divorce and Forced Divorce.

Are there any other special relationships that players can enter besides marriage?

Players can be engaged before the real marriage.

We’re looking forward to seeing what comes from this next chapter in the beautiful fairytale world of Luvinia!

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