General Gaming Article

General Gaming Article


Budget-Priced Intel 330 SSD Details Leaked Online, Expected This Month

Posted: 03 Apr 2012 11:36 AM PDT

Sure, the prices of mechanical hard disk drives are going to stay above preflood levels. That sucks, but not all the news on the storage front is as bleak, or as expensive: a number of e-tailers have accidentally leaked details about a new, low cost line of Intel SSDs that are due to hit the streets very, very soon.

The incriminating bits have since been washed from the Web, but Engadget and The Register managed to snag details about the Intel 330 SSD line before they disappeared. Apparently, they'll rock 6Gbps SATA 3.0 transfer speeds and sequential read/write at 500MBps/450MBps, respectively, while being built around the 25nm NAND found in Intel 320 SSDs.

That's nice, but what about pricing and availability? Amazon UK's listing said the parts would be available on Friday, April 13 -- oooh, spooky! -- while U.S. retailer SabrePC offered up Stateside price points: $90 for 60GB, $150 for 120GB, and $235 for 180GB. That's not quite the mythical $1/GB point, but it's not too far off. Keep your fingers crossed that the details stay firm between now and the launch day.

IDC: HDD Output To Reach Preflood Levels, But Prices Will Stay At A Postflood Premium

Posted: 03 Apr 2012 10:55 AM PDT

Good news for all you mechanical drive freaks out there: the beleaguered and washed-out hard disk drive industry is on track to pull its head back above water in the second half of the year. Yay! Bad news for all you mechanical drive freaks out there: even though HDD output will fully catch up to previous levels, HDD prices are still going to stay above the "dirt cheap" range they were at before the Thailand floods.

The news comes courtesy of IDC, who says that "HDD vendors are taking advantage of this opportunity to reset prices and recover some of the excessive price erosion that began in 2009." Don't speak business-ease? Basically, HDD manufacturers will be taking a cue from the gas companies and keeping prices at a high level now that they know people will pay the premium. Hopefully they nudge down a bit from where they're at now, though. (We'd like to send our kids to college someday.)

John Rydning, IDC's hard drive guru, claims that the higher price points will let HDD manufacturers pump R&D cash into newfangled HDD technology, but the possibility of a more power-efficient hard disk two years down the line probably won't help to quell the hurt your wallet feels when you're trying to fill a NAS box today.

To be fair, though, HDDs were getting ridiculously cheap before the floods. What are your thoughts about the "reset HDD prices"? Is it a fair move, price gouging, or something in between?

EVGA Rolls Out Killer New Global Warranty Policy

Posted: 03 Apr 2012 10:34 AM PDT

If you were ogling that nifty-looking, waterblock-sporting EVGA GTX 680 Hydro Copper graphics card we highlighted yesterday but couldn't quite justify laying out the dough, maybe today's news will kick you off the proverbial fence: EVGA has unveiled an awesome new "Global Warranty Policy." Basically, anyone can return any covered EVGA graphics card from anywhere in the world going forward, regardless of whether or not they're the original owner.

Under the new Global Warranty, most new EVGA cards bought after July 1 of last year will be covered by a three year warranty based on manufacturing date. (Some recertified a 1 year warranty cards are excluded.) Since the warranty is based on the product's serial number, you won't have to worry about rushing to register your product or keeping a death grip on the original receipt. It also has another awesome benefit. From the press release:

The warranty is fully transferable. This means that if an end user transfers ownership of an EVGA product to another end user whether via a private sale, or via a second hand online site or auction site, the remainder of the warranty period also transfers to the new owner.

Now, some other graphics cards manufacturers also use a serial number-based warranty, but many won't honor the warranty if the card is bought from another country or moved overseas. EVGA is putting itself above that nonsense: "An EVGA product is covered under warranty, no matter where you live. If you purchase a product in another country, you will be served by your local warranty center."

EVGA promises new goodies for people who continue who register their new cards within 30 days, and five and 10 year extended warranties will also be available, but applicable only to original owners with registered cards.

All in all, this is an awesome move by EVGA. Hopefully other manufacturers hop on the bandwagon and begin standing behind their products without requiring buyers to file forms in triplicate! Check out all the nitty gritty details over at the EVGA website.

Battle For Megaupload Data Rages On

Posted: 03 Apr 2012 10:08 AM PDT

The Carpathia hosting company has already sunk over half a million bucks into keeping the user data stored on Megaupload's 25,000 servers, and that tally's rising by another $9k a day. Now, the company's looking to offset that cost by either: (A) selling 25 petabytes of data back to Megaupload; (B) get the court to help foot the maintenance bill; or (C) receive court protection from civil claims if it has to wipe the data to stop the bleeding. Unfortunately for Megaupload users on the up-and-up, the government and MPAA are blowing a raspberry at all three options.

Actually, the government is fine with wiping the data, but doesn't feel as though it owes Carpathia liability immunity if it chooses to do so. U.S. Attorney Neil MacBride told the court that the government withheld its claims to the data way back in January, and Carpathia voluntarily chose to continue hosting the Megaupload servers, CNET reports. The government's trial against Megaupload has nothing to do with civil matters related to the data or payment arrangements between Carpathia and Megaupload, MacBride says. He asked the court to deny the requests for either compensation or immunity.

Meanwhile, the MPAA weighed in on selling the data back to Megaupload, Digital Trends reports. The group also filed documents with the court to try and prevent the sale:

A sale or transfer of the servers to Megaupload (or any of the defendants) would raise a significant risk that Megaupload will simply ship the servers, hard drives or other equipment — and all of the infringing content they contain — to a foreign jurisdiction and relaunch the infringing Megaupload service, which would result in untold further infringements of the MPAA members' copyrighted works. If so, the renewed criminal enterprise might be beyond any effective legal remedy.

All hope is not completely lost, however: MSNBC reports that the EFF is helping Kyle Goodwin, the man behind the OhioSportsNet high school sports site, try to recover his completely legal files from the servers. The duo filed documents asking the courts for their return.

So what do you think: will lawful users ever get their files back? Were your files bit by the Megaupload seizure bug? Go on and share with the group!

E.T. Would Approve of Canon's New EOS 60Da DSLR Camera for Astronomy Enthusiasts

Posted: 03 Apr 2012 07:43 AM PDT

Canon's new EOS 60Da DSLR camera is the long-awaited successor to the EOS 20Da and just the thing for photographers who prefer to stare at space than at flowers and other earthly objects. According to Canon, the freshly minted 60Da is optimized for astrophotograhy and is ideally suited for astronomers and hobbyists who want to snap photos of the night sky.

If you're into to such things, you'll be happy to know it has a modified infrared filter and a low-noise sensor with heightened hydrogen-alpha sensitivity. Sounds fancy, but the takeaway from all that lingo is that the 60Da is able to capture photographs of "red hydrogen emission" nebulae and other cosmic phenomena, Canon says.

"The EOS 60Da is a testament to the constant desire to meet the needs of every customer, including those in specialized fields," said Yuichi Ishizuka, executive vice president and general manager, Imaging Technologies & Communications Group, Canon U.S.A., "This new camera enables an accurate depiction of a part of our solar system which is hard to achieve with conventional cameras but should be enjoyed and celebrated."

The EOS 60Da wields an 18-megapixel CMOS sensor, which is a giant improvement over the 20Da's 8.2MP sensor. It also has an improved 3-inch Clear View LCD screen, flip-out Vari-angle display, increased ISO speeds up to 6400 (expandable to 12800), nine-point autofocus system, full manual controls, and RAW, JPEG, and RAW+JPEC image recording capabilities.

Stargazers will be able to get their hands on the 60Da later this month for $1,499 through select authorized dealers.

Image Credit: Canon

Less Than 3 Percent of Android Device Owners Have Unwrapped Ice Cream Sandwich

Posted: 03 Apr 2012 07:15 AM PDT

Summer is fast approaching, and if you're an Android fan, what better treat is there to celebrate the change in season than a delicious Ice Cream Sandwich? Certainly not Gingerbread, yet going by the numbers, that's what the large majority of Android users are chomping on. According to Google's updated Platform Versions website, only 2.9 percent of Android devices are rocking Android 4.0 or later (4.0.2 and 4.0.3).

Nearly two thirds -- 63.7 percent -- are still stuck with one of the Gingerbread builds, followed by almost a quarter -- 23.1 percent -- floating by with Froyo (Android 2.2). As we go back through the builds, the penetration rate drops rapidly with 6 percent of Android devices running Eclair (Android 2.1), and just 1 percent running either Donut (Android 1.6) or Cupcake (Android 1.5). Honeycomb (Android 3.0, 3.1, and 3.2) accounts for 3.3 percent of devices.

This is perhaps the biggest challenge that comes from wielding an open source operating system like Android. It's that dirty F-word that keeps getting thrown around: Fragmentation.

It's worth noting, as Electronista did, that most iOS device owners are now running iOS 5.1, the latest version of Apple's mobile operating system, and have been ever since a few weeks after launching. It's not that Apple devices are better, but it is a closed platform with just one major device in each category (iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad), so it's far easier to roll out updates to more users in a timely manner.

It's an apples and androids comparison, of course, but nevertheless, it doesn't change the fact that Android updates are typically slow to roll out en masse. On a positive note, ICS seems to finally be picking up some steam. The current 2.9 penetration rate is almost double the 1.6 percent rate from one month ago. By the time summer rolls around, we expect many more Android users will be enjoying ICS, and wondering when they'll be able to get their hands on Jellybean.

Image Credit: Flickr (henofthewood)

Oracle, Google Fail to Reach Settlement in Java Patent Lawsuit

Posted: 03 Apr 2012 06:56 AM PDT

Google and Oracle sat down for a last-ditch, court-ordered settlement conference over the weekend, but their latest attempt at settling their longstanding patent dispute failed to yield any results even after six hours of parleying. With the latest settlement conference between the two companies proving just as sleeveless as those before it, their protracted patent dispute is now all set to go to trial.

"Despite their diligent efforts and those of their able counsel, the parties have reached an irreconcilable impasse in their settlement discussions with the undersigned," wrote U.S. Magistrate Judge Paul Grewal in an order Monday. "No further conferences shall be convened. The parties should instead direct their entire attention to the preparation of their trial presentations. Good luck."

The dispute, which revolves around Oracle's allegations that Google's Android operating system infringes on some of its Java-related patents, has been dragging on since August 2010. So reluctant have the two companies been to make concessions that last year a U.S. District Judge even lambasted them for being unreasonable and "asking for the moon."

But as Judge Paul Grewal remarked in his judgement, some cases just have to be tried. This is clearly one of those cases. The trial in this case is scheduled to begin on April 16, 2012.

Game Developers Diss Wii U's Graphics System, Prefer PS3 and Xbox 360

Posted: 03 Apr 2012 06:46 AM PDT

Barring any last minute surprises, Nintendo will be the first of the big three console makers to come out with a next generation living room game system. It's the Wii U, and it will ship with HD graphics support, a funky new tablet controller, and updated guts that, in theory, should have developers excited. It is, after all, a new toy to play with. So why are a handful of developers dissing the Wii U?

It's the subpar graphics, or at least that's what developers supposedly familiar with the hardware told GamesIndustry International. The developers, who wish to remain anonymous, said the Wii U is "just not as powerful" as the PS3 or Xbox 360, a pair of consoles that have been around the block for several years now.

A developer that GamesIndustry International says works at a major company stated, "There aren't as many shaders, it's not as capable." He did offer up that some things about the Wii U are better because it's a more modern design, "but overall the Wii U just can't quite keep up."

That doesn't bode well for Nintendo, though to be fair, the current Wii has sold like hotcakes despite being less powerful and feature-rich than either the PS3 and Xbox 360. It doesn't play DVDs or Blu-ray discs, it doesn't support HD resolutions, and it's online ecosystem is substandard at best. Yet, it sells, partly because of its price point.

It's possible the Wii U will debut at a tantalizing price point as well, though with a tablet controller thrown into the mix, it will be interesting to see how low Nintendo can go.

Image Credit: Nintendo

Leisure Suit Larry Creator Al Lowe Needs Your Help Rebooting Land of the Lounge Lizards

Posted: 03 Apr 2012 06:25 AM PDT

I was exposed to Leisure Suit Larry and his many sultry shenanigans before I should have been. Don't get me wrong, I wasn't fresh out of diapers clicking through adult humor I couldn't possibly understand, but as a teenager closer to 13 than 18 when I first set virtual foot in the Land of the Lounge Lizards, my parents probably would have pulled the plug on my home brewed IBM clone with an upgraded Intel 386DX processor if they knew what was going on. I'm glad they didn't.

The reason I bring this up is because somehow, someway, series creator Al Lowe and Replay Games managed to pluck the Leisure Suit Larry license from Sierra's deathgrip and are planning to create a 2012 "Reloaded" version with updated graphics and jokes. They've reassembled the original team that created the first Larry game, which means it will be nothing like the bastardized versions -- Magna Cum Laude and Box Office Bust -- that were created without Al Lowe's involvement, but only if enough funds are raised.

This is one of the newest projects on Kickstarter.com, an online funding platform for everything from indie films to, well, remakes of the original Leisure Suit Larry game. For this to happen, Al Lowe and company need to raise at least $500,000. That isn't chump change, but after just two days, they're nearly 20 percent there.

There's a cumulative reward system culminating in a $50,000 or larger pledge, and anyone who puts up that much will be flown to Las Vegas for a weekend to hang out with Al Lowe and game writer Josh Mandel (bail money not included). Rewarded pledges start at a much more pedestrian $15, which gets you a "heartfelt download link (via Steam or DRM free version)." Pledges of $100 or more receive an actual physical copy of the game, a CD of the soundtrack, softcover version of the game's art book, and a Leisure Suit Larry brand condom (still in its wrapper, thankfully), plus everything that's included in the lower pledge tiers, like access to the beta versions. Larger pledges gets your name pixelized in the game credits, or even your mug slapped onto an in-game character.

The game itself is being released for PCs and tablets and will include a modern point-and-click/touchscreen interface, fully voiced over characters, and ultra-high resolution graphics. It will also feature "more of the humor that's made Al Lowe a household name," which worries me. The Land of the Lounge Lizards probably isn't the way I remember it, but whatever, if the remake comes to fruition, I'll slick my hair back and don a polyester suit one more time. Whether or not I let my teen play the game, who's also much closer to 13 than 18, remains to be seen.

If you want to make a pledge, hit this link.

MMO Updates

MMO Updates


EVE launches in Japan, adds multilingual search tool

Posted: 03 Apr 2012 10:00 AM PDT

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EVE Online - shieldship wallpaper
Japanese sandbox fans are saying domo arigato this morning, as CCP and Nexon have officially launched a localized version of EVE Online in the land of the rising sun.

Japan boasts the world's fourth largest gaming community, and CCP has added it to an impressive list of conquests that include English-, Chinese-, Russian-, and German-speaking markets. The company is handling all of the game-related conversion tasks via its in-house localization system, while Nexon is responsible for various marketing and support initiatives.

CCP has also added a multilingual search tool to the EVE client. The new functionality "helps weld the disparate language groups present in EVE into a more global and unified game experience -- truly demonstrating the impact and value of the single shard server model," says senior producer Jon Lander.

[Source: CCP press release]

MassivelyEVE launches in Japan, adds multilingual search tool originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 03 Apr 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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    Trion reveals Laethys lore from forthcoming Infernal Dawn patch

    Posted: 03 Apr 2012 09:00 AM PDT

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    RIFT - Laethys raid
    Last night we showed you some concept art from the Infernal Dawn raid coming with RIFT's 1.8 patch. Today Trion Worlds has released a new lore snippet that gives us a little background on Laethys, a dragon from the Plane of Earth and the primary challenge that players will face when the new content goes live.

    As it turns out, Laethys was the power behind the throne of a sprawling Ogre kingdom, and when her charges had bled their lands dry of wealth and riches, Laethys destroyed it and spirited them away to serve as her minions on the Plane of Earth. It's quite a touching story, complete with "child-skin books" and the decline of a great civilization. Click past the cut to read it in full, and look for RIFT's 1.8 patch "later this month."

    [Source: Trion press release]

    Continue reading Trion reveals Laethys lore from forthcoming Infernal Dawn patch

    MassivelyTrion reveals Laethys lore from forthcoming Infernal Dawn patch originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 03 Apr 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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      Massively Speaking Episode 195: Jokeception

      Posted: 03 Apr 2012 08:00 AM PDT

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      SWTOR
      Massively Speaking Episode 195 wonders if you were actually fooled by any of the pranks that MMO studios put out there, or barring that, if some of the pranks sounded so cool that you wish they were real. For Massively's part, we brought back One Shots as a joke, and then we brought it back for real just because that was the best laugh of them all.

      Have a comment for the podcasters? Shoot an email to podcast@massively.com. We may just read your email on the air!

      Get the podcast:
      [iTunes] Subscribe to Massively Speaking directly in iTunes.
      [RSS] Add Massively Speaking to your RSS aggregator.
      [MP3] Download the MP3 directly.
      Listen here on the page:



      Read below the cut for the full show notes.

      Continue reading Massively Speaking Episode 195: Jokeception

      MassivelyMassively Speaking Episode 195: Jokeception originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 03 Apr 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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        Prime World charges women less to play, 'protects' them in mixed groups [Updated]

        Posted: 03 Apr 2012 07:30 AM PDT

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        Prime World
        It's ladies night at Prime World, and drinks are on the house. The upcoming MOBA is offering unique incentives to rope in real-world women to play, including discounted heroes and special buffs if girls team up with guys. The game is connected to players' Facebook accounts, so females looking for special treatment need to actually be a member of that gender.

        Nival's
        Creative Producer Larisa Nuretdinova hopes this will expand Prime World's potential audience: "The idea is to introduce the MOBA genre not only to hardcore players who already love it, but to their friends who might be more casual, and of course to their sisters and girlfriends who may not be as hardcore."

        To encourage both sexes to group up together, Nival has devised a special defensive buff that is only activated when a female playing a female character is part of the team. According to Prime World's About page, "this bonus helps encourage beginning female players, who feel more helpful when fighting in a mixed group."

        Prime World offers six heroes for free, three of each gender; additional heroes can be purchased with actual money. It's here, too, that real-world women have an advantage, as Nival is offering a discount for the ladies who go shopping in the game.

        [Update: Kotaku reports that Nival later clarified that it is offering discounts for both genders purchasing the same gendered character.]

        MassivelyPrime World charges women less to play, 'protects' them in mixed groups [Updated] originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 03 Apr 2012 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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        The Secret World pre-order packages feature beta access, lifetime sub, and more

        Posted: 03 Apr 2012 07:00 AM PDT

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        The Secret World - creepy haunted mansion
        If you're like us, pretty much any news on The Secret World is met with some variation on "please Funcom, take my money!" Well, today the company is ready to do just that via the game's pre-order system.

        Pre-order customers will get automatic access to all of the game's beta weekends beginning on May 11th, and Funcom says that these weekends should run pretty much constantly through The Secret World's June 19th launch date. You'll also get a four-day head start, an in-game item that boosts your XP gain as well as an in-game t-shirt, combat pet, and a leg up on naming your character prior to launch.

        Clicking the pre-order button on TSW's website will kickstart the process, and it will also show you three optional packages that include extra character slots, name reservations, and even a lifetime subscription. If you're on a budget, the basic $49.99 pre-order comes with three character slots and one name reservation.

        Finally, Funcom has put together a pulse-pounding pre-order trailer, and you can view it after the break.

        [Source: Funcom press release]

        Continue reading The Secret World pre-order packages feature beta access, lifetime sub, and more

        MassivelyThe Secret World pre-order packages feature beta access, lifetime sub, and more originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 03 Apr 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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          CCP reiterates anti-pay-to-win stance for EVE microtransactions

          Posted: 03 Apr 2012 06:30 AM PDT

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          CCP's Tori Frans Olafsson
          CCP has been pretty quiet on the subject of microtransactions since last summer's Monoclegate and the ensuing Jita protests. EVE Online creative director Torfi Frans Olafsson recently spoke up about the trendy new business model, and while he acknowledged that it is popular, he also said that CCP is "very reluctant to do that in EVE because it's so established. It's like changing the DNA of a living organism after it's born. That didn't work in Blade Runner," he tells PC Gamer.

          Olafsson also repeats the anti-pay-to-win mantra that comes standard in just about every developer interview these days. He says that CCP will sell cosmetic items in EVE, including makeovers for your avatar, ship, and starbase. Given the fact that players will be purchasing weapons and gear in DUST 514 (which will interface directly with EVE's pre-existing economy), it will be interesting to see how CCP maintains that delicate balance.

          "I think we have to be very careful in introducing such mechanics into EVE. And I personally think that we shouldn't be doing it in the near future," Olafsson says. "Because it's such a vulnerable little flower in a vulnerable little ecosystem. You make minor changes to an ecosystem and you can introduce hostile things and the whole system breaks down."

          Check out the video interview after the cut.

          Continue reading CCP reiterates anti-pay-to-win stance for EVE microtransactions

          MassivelyCCP reiterates anti-pay-to-win stance for EVE microtransactions originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 03 Apr 2012 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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          The Daily Grind: Which MMO doesn't get the respect it deserves?

          Posted: 03 Apr 2012 06:00 AM PDT

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          Vanguard - Dread knight flying mount
          So 2012 is shaping up to be a great year for MMO fans. There are a ton of new and interesting titles coming out in the next little while, and even forgotten games like Vanguard are getting some love. Now that Sony Online Entertainment is devoting dev resources to Brad McQuaid's beloved (yet strangely abandoned) 2007 themepark, it's probably time to find another MMO to take over that Rodney Dangerfield slot in our collective consciousness.

          You know, the MMO that gets no respect.

          It's a fantastic game, yet no one plays it. And if its devs would just pay it a little bit of attention, it would knock the socks right off the rest of the genre. So how about it, Massively morning crew? Which MMO doesn't get the respect it deserves?

          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: Which MMO doesn't get the respect it deserves? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 03 Apr 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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            Not So Massively: April fool's edition

            Posted: 02 Apr 2012 06:00 PM PDT

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            Not So Massively title image
            It's that time of year again when we all forget to check our calendars and get suckered into believing outrageous April Fool's gags. This week's Not So Massively is a blend of yesterday's joke posts and the week's real news from games that aren't quite MMOs. League of Legends announced a joke 3-D mode, released the winners of the I Heart LoL contest, and delved into the game's North American playerbase as part of the ongoing world tour. Dota 2 added classic hero Lone Druid this week, and Firefall revealed its plans to scale up the beta soon.

            Heroes of Newerth launched a new art contest and released its new mobile ganker Blitz, while Bloodline Champions laid on the April Fool's mischief with its Catch the Ranid game mode announcement and plans for a tournament with cheeseburgers for prizes. Rise of Immortals joined in the festivities with the announcement of its new immortal Karapyss the Crabomancer.

            Blacklight: Retribution explained its datanode system and released a new troll face taunt, and Diablo III teased players with its joke Zergotchi authenticator. Diablo fansite Diablofans revealed changes to the upcoming game's Inferno mode and wrote a great April Fool's joke about releasing on the Wii. Path of Exile took a step closer to launch with a public stress test this weekend, and Torchlight II revealed the game's pets and announced that the latest build of the game will be playable at PAX East.

            Continue reading Not So Massively: April fool's edition

            MassivelyNot So Massively: April fool's edition originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 02 Apr 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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              Take a peek at RIFT's shiny Infernal Dawn concept art

              Posted: 02 Apr 2012 05:00 PM PDT

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              Concept Art -- RIFT
              RIFT players have been waiting on pins and needles for the upcoming patch 1.8, which will bring a brand-new raid known as Infernal Dawn to the world of Telara. Unfortunately, they're going to have to wait just a bit longer. Trion Worlds, in hopes of making the wait more (un)bearable, has released a new blog post on the official site that shines a spotlight on the art behind the Infernal Dawn instance.

              This raid will pit players up against one of the biggest bads in the world: Maelforge the Flame Sire. It's kind of a big deal, ladies and gents. So it's only fitting that the concept art reflects that, and boy does it ever. I mean, look up there. Do you see that bow? Holy crap, that's a badass bow. To see what other badassery awaits you in Infernal Dawn, just go check out the official post.

              MassivelyTake a peek at RIFT's shiny Infernal Dawn concept art originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 02 Apr 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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              Guild Wars 2 crosses the pond to answer questions for EU Fan Day

              Posted: 02 Apr 2012 03:00 PM PDT

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              Say
              Guild Wars 2's release is (hopefully) creeping closer and closer with each passing day, and now that the title has a few weekend beta events under its belt, enthusiasm for the game is growing. To help assuage the growing impatience for the game's release, ArenaNet brought some prominent members of the European community together for an EU Fan Day full of fun times and Q&As.

              The sheer volume of questions answered by the studio prohibits us from even attempting a complete summary in the span of this post, but if you're at all interested in the game, it's worth a read. PvP rank-specific emotes, guild features, and an unrevealed PvP map that "will be very nostalgic for GW players" are all on the table for discussion, so to get the full, juicy details, just head on over to the official Guild Wars 2 Twitter and check out today's posts marked with the hashtag #EUFanDay.

              MassivelyGuild Wars 2 crosses the pond to answer questions for EU Fan Day originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 02 Apr 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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              Be vewy vewy quiet; we're hunting demons: A look at Diablo III's Demon Hunter

              Posted: 02 Apr 2012 02:00 PM PDT

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              Screenshot -- Diablo III
              The world of Diablo III is a dark and dismal one indeed. Between the whole hell-leaking-into-earth thing and the utterly ludicrous number of undead monstrosities roaming the land, the denizens of Sanctuary have it rough. Thankfully, a number of survivors have risen up and established themselves as Demon Hunters who utilize grace, agility, and lots of explosives to rid the world of its demonic taint.

              For players planning to join the ranks of these Demon Hunters, Blizzard has released a brand-new video highlighting the many skills available to the class. If flurries of crossbow bolts, flaming shuriken boomerangs, and the dexterity of a lynx on crack appeal to you at all, then the Demon Hunter is probably right up your alley. But hey, you don't have to take our word for it; go check out the full video and decide for yourselves.

              Continue reading Be vewy vewy quiet; we're hunting demons: A look at Diablo III's Demon Hunter

              MassivelyBe vewy vewy quiet; we're hunting demons: A look at Diablo III's Demon Hunter originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 02 Apr 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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              EVE Online fixes boomerang exploit

              Posted: 02 Apr 2012 01:00 PM PDT

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              EVE Online
              Pilots looking to duck the long arm of the law in high-security space will need to find another way to perform their nefarious deeds, as EVE Online released a patch today fixing the so-called "boomerang exploit."

              CCP considered it an official and actionable game exploit to avoid CONCORD retaliation in high-security space by attacking a target right after the aggressor warps away or within the same grid in which the player earned a Global Criminal Countdown. Those who used the exploit prior to the fix could have found themselves dealing with a much scarier force than CONCORD: game masters themselves. Now, any player with a GCC will simply be unable to warp away.

              Other than keeping boomerangs in the hands of kangaroos where they belong, Crucible patch 1.6.3 contains a few localization fixes, the ability to add a station as a waypoint or destination through the API, and some pesky client crashing issues.

              MassivelyEVE Online fixes boomerang exploit originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 02 Apr 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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              Wings Over Atreia: Fools and tools

              Posted: 02 Apr 2012 11:00 AM PDT

              Filed under: , , , , , ,

              Wings Over Atreia
              In the immortal words of some child glued to a pleather seat in the back of an old station wagon in the dusty desert heat (and echoed by impatient Daevas everywhere): Are we there yet? Are we, huh, huh? Isn't it April 11th yet?!?

              Whoa, deja vu there for a moment. But with the launch of Aion's next big expansion just around the corner, very few phrases can capture the feeling in their air quite like that old standby. Many players are anticipating the move to free-to-play along with the introduction of new content (even if information on the upcoming changes has been less than prolific).

              To pass the time until the 11th, some Daevas are participating in the latest Aion event, the aptly named Fool's Day. More still are on the lookout for and latching on to every bit of information that comes out about the incoming patch. As for me, I'm a multi-tasker, so I am simultaneously checking out the event and utilizing my hooks to snag every bit of info I come across all while sharing said results with you!

              Continue reading Wings Over Atreia: Fools and tools

              MassivelyWings Over Atreia: Fools and tools originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 02 Apr 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                Latest Gaming and MMORPG Updates

                Latest Gaming and MMORPG Updates


                Latest STASIS Teaser Trailer Has Got Our Attention

                Posted: 03 Apr 2012 03:49 AM PDT

                Indie project and survival horror adventure game has been knocking around for over a year now, but the likelihood is that you've yet to discover it. Well, consider this your moment of discovery.

                The teaser trailer doesn't actually show off much, but it does set a tone for the upcoming adventure game. Set on board a spaceship (station?) it seems there's a series of rooms to explore, puzzles to solve, a creepy girl reciting Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep and lots of empty space. The last one is a given, though, being set in space an' all.

                With inspirations from Dead Space and BioShock, you can already tell that Stasis will have the setting and attitude down pat, but it's the retro isometric viewpoint and claustrophobic atmosphere that really draws us in. It's definitely one to keep an eye on, so be sure to check out the official Stasis website or gameplay videos on its YouTube channel.

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                Closure Review: A Brilliant Light in the World of Puzzlers

                Posted: 02 Apr 2012 09:49 PM PDT

                See the child. Hear her beckon forth, surrounded by the carcasses of men harboring murderous intent. Men you ended. Their last breath whispering about the sweetness of a child, or the satisfaction of killing the interloper that you are. Save the child, who you thought was yourn, but she reveals herself to be Mei lost in the world of dust, not the daughter you left behind twelve months ago. The voice in your pocket sputters forth. The man named Henry asks, take her, take the lost child Mei, take her to the mall. Give her medicine left behind by those who never set foot in Haventown, those who drop foodstuffs and medicines from above and never look back. Not since The Event. The Event that scraped the loam off the earth and turned it into the dust that hugs and holds and kills all who wander within. The dust that chips and gnaws at your very stamina. The Event that dominates I Am Alive.

                So you go, ever pressing on to find wife and child. Gone a year, but now you return, to climb and cobble and carry on. You cannot ignore Mei’s bleat for aid, but other survivors of the Event not so much as settle but subsist their meager existences in the dust covered Haventown. A man yearns cigarettes to pass on. Another man in an amusement park needs medicine to heal the leg that’s been crushed by another uncivilized man. Haventown also starves for supplies. Bottles of water, cans of fruit cocktail, a single inhaler, a handful of painkillers, these all turn into precious manna from heaven through scarcity. Give the emergency kit to the woman with the ankle sprain? What these bemoaning folk have to give, besides gratitude and perhaps a precious shotgun, is the Retry. Haventown harbors death by trial, not saves. It does not yield to the checkpoint that others call for. It takes away a Retry from your knapsack for every fall, stab, or shot you suffer. Deplete your store of Retries, and your journey resumes at the beginning of your current episode. A practice that leeches away minutes of your life. A practice that mocks you by depleting Retries and then flings you back to 45 minutes ago. What is worth more, the rat meat that can heal you, or the Retry that you get for giving rat meat to the gurgling man below? Every survivor, like the woman bound by handcuff to a bench, pleads for help while you mind debates.

                Find similar article at: http://www.1up.com/reviews?cId=3186940

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                Tribes : Ascend

                Posted: 02 Apr 2012 08:24 PM PDT

                fac00 tribes Tribes : Ascend
                (Closed Beta signup) I will have to admit I never really played this genre of game until I tried Mars Wars (link), which is now dead and of course, a poor man’s PlanetSide clone called by some. And yes, I never played the original Tribes as well. But Mar Wars really got me hooked, making me clock around 6 hours a day on that game. It will just be natural for me to eventually try out Tribes: Ascend and PlanetSide 2.

                IGN posted an awesome footage of the game, and it is being narrated by a staff over at Hi-Rez Studios, the developer of the title. It loos seriously amazing, and I love to see hundreds of players swarm over the maps and seeking kills. The traditional room-based MMOFPS is just… too tiny for me. I think I am getting a little claustrophobic in terms of land size in games.

                Tribes: Ascend is Free to Play with players able to purchase the game one a one time fee fro some perks and a VIP status. There will be a Cash Shop as well in the future. Closed Beta begins November 4.

                01468 tribes Tribes : Ascend

                Find similar article at: http://www.mmoculture.com/2011/10/tribes-ascend-igns-developer-footage.html

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                NetEase teases yet another new game

                Posted: 02 Apr 2012 03:49 PM PDT

                015f0 titanic NetEase teases yet another new game

                After officially announcing Heroic 3 Kingdoms (link) and Dragon Blade (link) in recent weeks, China’s no.2 online gaming company is not resting its laurels just yet. You see, the previous 2 games are both used to counter specific “threats”, with Heroic 3 Kingdoms up against Tencent’s League of Legends and the incoming Dota 2 (no publisher announced yet).

                For Dragon Blade, it will be up against Tencent’s Blade Soul. From the looks of it, this new game will most likely feature naval warfare, with the cryptic words stating about an “ice mountain”, which Titanic hit before sinking. ZBut which game will it be up against and its actual genre? Stay tuned to find out!

                Find similar article at: http://www.mmoculture.com/2012/04/netease-teases-yet-another-new-game.html

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                NetEase teases yet another new game

                Posted: 02 Apr 2012 09:49 AM PDT

                9601f titanic NetEase teases yet another new game

                After officially announcing Heroic 3 Kingdoms (link) and Dragon Blade (link) in recent weeks, China’s no.2 online gaming company is not resting its laurels just yet. You see, the previous 2 games are both used to counter specific “threats”, with Heroic 3 Kingdoms up against Tencent’s League of Legends and the incoming Dota 2 (no publisher announced yet).

                For Dragon Blade, it will be up against Tencent’s Blade Soul. From the looks of it, this new game will most likely feature naval warfare, with the cryptic words stating about an “ice mountain”, which Titanic hit before sinking. ZBut which game will it be up against and its actual genre? Stay tuned to find out!

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                The ’90s Game Price Comparison Charticle

                Posted: 02 Apr 2012 09:49 AM PDT

                nope

                Posted: 03/31/2012 by  Dub_Z

                you were either getting games a year after they came out, still in the shrink wrap, or in bargain bins, and just have no idea whats going on.

                 

                I got big-box Earthbound at K-Mart on Clearance for $35… that doesn’t mean it didn’t sell for triple that at first.

                 

                all PS1 games were standard $39.99-49.99. Time Crisis and Point Blank with the Guncon were $74.99. Strider 2 was $29.99 in 2001. prices like that were rare. RE2 Dual Shock was released at a lower price because it was a re-release, and it dropped in price quickly because everyone already had RE2 and not everyone had Dual Shock controllers yet.

                 

                the cheapest SNES game was $29.99 for Mystic Quest… all 1st party Nintendo games were $59.99 from day 1… Street Fighter II, the week it came out, was $74.99 – i bought it. Final Fantasy VI was $74.99 the week it came out, and stayed that way. it had the price tag on it for x-mas.

                 

                Chrono Trigger was $84.99 when it came out, on day 1. i pre-ordered it. it had an FX chip in it, and all these SNES carts changed price depending on how many megs they were, and were higher price for 3rd party games because they had to pay Nintendo for the licensing rights to use them.

                 

                if they were JRPGs then localization costs increased the price even more, stores ordered only a few, and may mark it up above suggested retail. that’s why KB Toys sold Phantasy Star IV for the Genesis for $99.99

                 

                N64 games were all $59.99 or more. Turok was $74.99 the day it released. cartridges, megs, licensing.

                 

                Neo Geo games were several hundred dollars.

                Find similar article at: http://www.1up.com/news/90s-game-price-comparison-charticle

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                Minecraft Update 1.2.5 Brings Relaxed Cats

                Posted: 02 Apr 2012 09:49 AM PDT

                Mojang has ann0unced the latest updates and tweaks to make it into Lego-simulator Minecraft, though some of the new features probably aren't high on your list of must-have additions. Check out the patch notes below.

                An interesting point was made by Minecraft's Jens Bergensten in the blog post announcing the patch details, discussing the importance of keeping Minecraft easy to play. A lot of you will play on servers with friends, and that's an important element of Minecraft according to Jens, which is why they've made connecting to a direct IP easier.

                Jens discusses both the short and long term goals for Minecraft too, enhancing the game for modders and the bukkit build of Minecraft – which is why the patch has been released earlier to better help this branch of Minecrafters get up and running with as minimal fuss as possible before the patch goes live officially.

                You can get the client patch here or the server download here, or head over to the Mojang blog for more details on Minecraft Update 1.2.5. Alternatively you could just wait until 4 April when the new patch becomes official and can be downloaded through the Minecraft client.

                Minecraft 1.2.5 Patch Notes:

                • Added shift clicking support in furnaces
                • Added method to easily acquire blocks you have selected in the world in Creative mode using the 'pick block' key
                • Made the Direct Connect dialog remember the last IP for the current session
                • Fixed issues detected certain links in chat
                • Fixed wild ocelots behaving like tamed cats
                • Fixed various chat crashes
                • Made cats less eager to sit on things
                • Made cats less patient
                • Fixed world generation failing under certain circumstances
                • Fixed issues turning off sound under certain circumstances
                • Removed all ghost entities under the command of Lord Herobrine
                • Fixed crash when pasting certain characters in chat
                • Fixed slash '/' key not behaving correctly in certain environments
                • Fixed command matching being too greedy (for example: typing '/stophammertime' no longer stops your server)
                • Fixed not being able to click coloured links
                • Fixed potential issue with village door detection (which could cause too many villagers)
                • Made using a stack of bowls on Mooshrooms not consume the whole stack of bowls
                • Made punching a TNT block with flint and steel in hand destroy and drop a TNT block (right-clicking will activate the TNT)

                More Minecraft:

                Find similar article at: http://www.totalpcgaming.com/uncategorized/minecraft-update-1-2-5-brings-relaxed-cats/

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