General Gaming Article

General Gaming Article


OCZ's Everest Controllers Are Actually Marvell Hardware With Indilinx Firmware

Posted: 12 Apr 2012 12:03 PM PDT

When is an Indilinx Everest SSD Controller not an Indilinx Everest SSD Controller? Pretty much all the time, as it turns out -- at least physically. OCZ purchased Indilinx back in 2011 and has shipped two generations of Everest-powered SSDs; the OCZ Octane sported the first attempt, while the new OCZ Vertex 4 rocks an Indilinx Everest 2 controller. Yesterday, it came to light that both variations actually use Marvell hardware, but with Indilinx-developed custom firmware.

Anand at AnandTech.com received a tip saying that the first generation Everest controller used the Marvell 88SS9174 hardware found in Crucial and Intel SSDs. Curious, he reached out to OCZ, who confirmed that both generations of the Everest controllers are built using Marvell tech. OCZ slightly overclocks the Marvell components and, as previously mentioned, uses its own firmware solution.

So, what does that mean? Not much, other than showing that firmware makes a big difference in SSD performance. It also explains how OCZ was able to pump out two generations of Everest controllers so quickly. Nevertheless, the company told Anand that it is currently developing controllers that don't use Marvell components.

Scientists Create First Working Long-Distance Quantum Network Prototype

Posted: 12 Apr 2012 11:17 AM PDT

Powerful quantum computing and instantaneous long-distance quantum communication (ala the Normandy's quantum entanglement communicator in Mass Effect) sound well and good, but in reality, that sort of technology will never blossom unless we figure out how to create working quantum networks first. Oh wait! We have. Yesterday, scientists from the Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics in Germany announced that they've created the first quantum link between two atoms located far away from one another physically.

Two rubidium atoms were prepared in two different labs, with each atom stationed in an "optical cavity" between a pair of reflective mirrors stationed half a millimeter apart. Each atom acts as a quantum bit; when it sheds a photon, the polarization of the photon contains the qubit information (read: quantum state) of the originating atom.

The scientists coaxed an atom into emitting a photon using a laser, then blasted the photon into an optical fiber that carried it to the corresponding setup in the second lab. When the atom in the second lab absorbed the photon, it took on the same quantum state as the original atom. Bam! Information transferred and stored.

The optical cavity is the secret sauce; atoms and photons are really, really small and would normally be way more likely to miss each other completely than smack into one another and become one. The reflective mirror walls of the optical cavity keep the blasted photon pinballing back and forth until it slams into the atom.

Even more exciting, the scientists were then able to entangle the two atoms on a quantum level despite the distance between them. When two atoms are entangled, any changes made to one occur in the second one, as well -- instantaneously and regardless of the distance between them. Or, as Einstein called it, "spooky action at a distance."

The research team envisions eventually creating a quantum network with the technology, using a series of similar optical cavity setups as "quantum repeaters" in a node-type structure. The full report is behind a paywall at Nature, but Scientific Computing has a great, detailed synopsis of the findings up for free.

MSI Unveils GTX 680 Twin Frozr III OC

Posted: 12 Apr 2012 10:13 AM PDT

It's a fact of life: all of the manufacturer graphics cards are built using the same core GPUs from Nvidia and AMD, so for a card to stand out, it needs to bring a little something special to the table. Some manufacturers go for sky-high overclocks; others go for unique cooling systems. MSI offers both with the newly announced GTX 680 Twin Frozr III OC.

As you might have guessed from the name, the big draw of the GTX 680 Twin Frozr III OC is MSI's third generation Twin Frozr custom cooling system, which rocks a pair of 80mm fans with grooved propeller blades along with several nickel-plated copper heatpipes. MSI claims that the Twin Frozr tech keeps the card 22 degrees (Celsius) cooler and 10.2 decibels quieter than a reference GTX 680 under full load. The Twin Frozr design has a decent reputation for keeping cards, well, Frozr'ed, so it'll be exciting to see how the GTX 680 Twin Frozer III OC actually performs.

Of course, you can't have the "the GTX 680 Twin Frozer III OC" without the "OC." The video card rocks a modest overclock at 1058MHz base and 1124MHz boost speeds. Memory speeds -- and pretty much everything else -- stick to reference specs.

Price? Availability? Your guess is as good as ours. MSI didn't talk specifics in its press release. Hey, MSI fans: Are you interested in this or holding out for a Lightning variant?

Multiple Fingers Point To An April 23 Launch Date For Ivy Bridge

Posted: 12 Apr 2012 10:08 AM PDT

The next generation of GPUs is already here, and all signs point to the next generation of CPUs gearing up to join the party sooner rather than later. AMD's Trinity APUs aren't expected to drop until sometime in May, but we're hearing more details about Intel's Ivy Bridge launch. It's basically accepted as fact that the chips are shipping at the end of this month; now, a specific date has surfaced.

An inside source narrowed down that week-long window to a single day, CNET reports: April 23rd. A separate report from DigiTimes says the same thing. Quad-core chips are expected to be the first Ivy Bridge CPUs to roll out, followed by power-efficient mobile processors. All the usual suspects -- including HP, Dell, Lenovo, Sony, Toshiba, Acer, and Asus -- are expected to unveil new or spit-shined laptops with Ivy Bridge CPUs starting in May.

Have you been living under a rock and now find yourself wondering what all the hub-bub is about? Check out some early benchmarks for the Core i7-3770K Ivy Bridge proc.

Court Rules Downloading Source Code is Not the Same as Stealing Physical Property

Posted: 12 Apr 2012 08:32 AM PDT

Former Goldman Sachs programmer Sergey Aleynikov is a free man after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in New York deemed that stealing source code isn't the same as stealing physical property, and therefore Aleynikov was wrongly charged under the National Stolen Property Act (NSPA). If Aleynikov is to be punished, it will have to be based on copyright law and other intellectual property (IP) legislation, the judge said. Let's retrace Aleynikov's steps.

Aleynikov found himself in hot water after downloading proprietary source code from Goldman Sachs' high-frequency trading (HFT) computers and then uploading the code to servers in Germany before hightailing it out of Wall Street in 2009, PCWorld reports via IDG News. He was subsequently convicted of espionage under the Economic Espionage Act (EEA) of 1996 and found to be in violation of the NSPA by a jury trial, landing him a 97-month prison sentence with a three years of supervised release and a $12,500 fine. The appeals court overturned the ruling.

"Because Aleynikov did not 'assume physical control' over anything when he took the source code, and because he did not thereby 'deprive [Goldman] of its use,' Aleynikov did not violate the NSPA," Chief Judge Dennis Jacobs wrote in the three-judge panel's unanimous decision, according to CNet. "We decline to stretch or update statutory words of plain and ordinary meaning in order to better accommodate the digital age."

Jacobs did acknowledge that the downloaded code was valuable and that "the enormous profits the system yielded for Goldman depended on no one else having it," but since the system "was not designed to enter or pass in commerce, or to make something that does, Aleynikov's theft of source code relating to that system was not an offense under the EEA."

Image Credit: wallpapers.jurko.net

 

Computer Sales Continue to Defy Post PC Era

Posted: 12 Apr 2012 07:12 AM PDT

Lest there be any doubt about how we feel about the so-called post PC era, Maximum PC Deputy Editor, Gordon Mah Ung, set the record straight several months ago. At the time, he (rightly) pointed out that traditional PCs (read: not iPads) still sell, a point that many pundits choose to ignore. Plain and simple, the numbers don't lie, and according to International Data Corporation (IDC), the PC market has once again returned to positive growth.

IDC says worldwide PC shipments rose 2.3 percent during the first quarter of 2012 compared to the same quarter one year earlier, besting the research firm's February projection of a 0.9 percent year-on-year increase. A variety of factors led to IDC's comparatively low projection, including the lingering hard drive shortage, a weak economy, competition from the burgeoning tablet market and other competing devices, and the big fat question mark that hangs over Windows 8 and its Metro UI.

"PC market growth remained limited in the first quarter as HDD supply and other factors limited demand," said Loren Loverde, IDC vice president of Worldwide Consumer Device Trackers. "Nevertheless, history has shown that periods of slower growth are followed by recovery as improving technologies make replacements as well as new purchases increasingly compelling. As a result, we expect PC shipments to pick up significantly by the fourth quarter and beyond as HDD supply and pricing are normalized, Windows 8 is launched, and replacements pick up.

"Slow growth in the U.S. shows that despite interesting and new form factors like all-in-one (AIO) desktop PCs and Ultrabook– class notebook PCs, the market remains conservative and focused on replacements. Commercial buyers are still cautious, while consumers are evaluating multiple products and may be waiting for the release of Microsoft Windows 8 later this year. The U.S. PC market is likely to remain constrained at least until the launch of Windows 8, which is expected in the fourth quarter of 2012. We expect vendors, retailers, and channel partners to be working very hard this year to focus their product lines and their general operations as they prepare for the year-end holiday season, because that alone will likely determine if there is any growth at all in the U.S. market in 2012."

If Windows 8 is received well, PC shipments could pick up in a big way by the end of the year. Tying into the potential explosion of PC sales is the fact that Intel continues to push the Ultrabook form factor with 75 new devices on tap for a 2012 release, some of which will sport hybrid designs that can double as a touchscreen tablet.

As far as market share goes, Hewlett-Packard continues to lead the pack, accounting for 18 percent of all PCs shipped around the world. Lenovo is in second place with a 13.4 percent share after posting a remarkable 43.7 percent year-on-year growth rate.

Image Credit: Flickr (believekevin)

Verizon Succumbs to Peer Pressure, Starts Charging $30 Phone Upgrade Fee

Posted: 12 Apr 2012 06:44 AM PDT

Wireless carriers have a tendency to roll out the red carpet for new subscribers, but once you're part of the family, well, don't expect to receive special treatment. Highlighting this observation is the fact that Verizon Wireless is getting ready to implement a $30 upgrade fee for existing customers who upgrade to a shiny new subsidized smartphone with a renewed two-year service agreement. Apparently 24 months of data fees is no longer good enough.

VZW claims the $30 charge will help it to "provide customers with the level of service and support they have come to expect which includes Wireless Workshops, online educational tools, and consultations with experts who provide advice and guidance on devices that are more sophisticated than ever."

To be fair, this isn't unique to VZW, which is actually the last of the major U.S. carriers to implement one. T-Mobile charges $18 for the privilege, and both Sprint and AT&T charge a $36 upgrade fee, AT&T having recently doubled the charge from $18.

In other words, there's little-to-no chance VZW will reverse course the way it did with the proposed $2 "convenience charge" for one-time bill payments using a debit or credit card online or by phone.

The upgrade fee will go into effect starting April 22, 2012, so if you're eligible for and contemplating a contract renewal, now is the time to do it.

Image Credit: Flickr (Ian P. Miller)

Caine's Arcade: 9-Year-Old Builds Intricate Game Gallery Out of Cardboard

Posted: 12 Apr 2012 06:19 AM PDT

There's a new viral video making the rounds, and it's about a 9-year-old kid who built his own arcade out of cardboard boxes in his dad's used auto parts store in East L.A. The whole idea is full of win in so many ways that it's difficult to know where to begin, which is okay because the video pretty much speaks for itself, but there are some things definitely worth pointing out. Let's start with his age. It bears repeating that little Caine is just 9 years old. Instead of spending his summer vacation hanging out with other kids his age or holed up in his room playing video games, he was slicing and dicing cardboard in his dad's shop en route to one of the coolest DIY modding projects in recent memory.

Caine's Arcade is rudimentary, sure, but it's also extraordinarily detailed and leaps and bounds ahead of the cardboard computer case former Maximum PC Associate Editor and Contributing Writer, David Murphy, built as part of 'The $500 PC Build-Off' challenge. There are games of challenge, tickets that spew out of slits in the cardboard (with Caine pushing them through), prizes, and even a security system to make sure no one abuses the $2 fun pass, which is good for 500 plays, versus getting four plays for a buck. The kid even figured out a way to build a claw machine using not much more than rope. This kid is the real deal, and lest there be any doubt, he made business cards and designed a shirt with "Staff" on the front and "Caine's Arcade" on the back (the video explains he was reluctant to wear the shirt to school because the other kids didn't believe he had his own arcade).

His first customer happened to be Nirvan Mullick, an "award winning filmmaker," among other things, who was shopping a door handle for 1996 Toyota Corolla. He recorded the video that would go viral and also organized a flashmob to get the kid more customers. As mentioned, everything about this story is full of win, culminating in a scholarship fund Mullick setup for Caine on CainesArcade.com, which has raised over $110,000 so far.

Check out the video below:

MMO News

MMO News


Warhammer Online: Wrath of Heroes In-Depth Preview

Posted: 12 Apr 2012 04:58 PM PDT

By M. Hauschel

Offering players more action, less wait time, and intense matches, Bioware Mythic Studio distilled the best parts playing an MMORPG and MOBA style game and created Warhammer Online: Wrath of Heroes. "Fast, fierce, and fun" is the motto of the Wrath of Heroes. Taking the best of Warhammer and making it accessible to a wide range of players. I was given a chance to preview the upcoming free-to-play MMORPG, visit the studio, and chat with the creators behind the game.

WOH is a unique MMO that is ultimately hard to place into just one category. It does not follow the existing RPG, MOBA, or DOTA model. If you extract the best qualities of each existing style, you'll get Wrath of Heroes as the result.

Using a 6v6v6 pvp model, players are provided with more fast action and less time wasted on waiting for matches to start. During gameplay, whatever heroes you have unlocked can be used interchangeably during matches. Say you started as a mage, but nobody on your team chose a healer, after you die in the match you can choose to change your hero before you respawn. Giving players the option to have an ever-changing strategy during gameplay. Because of the complexity of this, it makes gameplay unpredictable. If one team is dominating at the start of the match, another team can change strategy and quickly become the top team. Which means less resignation happening during gameplay. Following MOBA, matches are fast, lasting just 15 minutes. Not only is the gameplay fast, so is the download. Making WOH accessible to the general public, the download is under a GB. The studio plans on keeping it under one GB to allow quick access to players.

Warhammer Online Wrath of Heroes

Mentioned earlier, Wrath of Heroes has some qualities of a RPG, but is not entirely a RPG. While there is no character progression within a match, what you gain with each match are mastery points. Rather than focus on gaining experience with individual heroes, you gain an overall account experience. With these mastery points you can unlock certain perks in the hero's mastery tree. Perks are additional abilities or add-ons onto the character that can be switched and if compatible with other heroes, used interchangeably among heroes. These perks can be added onto your character to make them more powerful. For example, there is a perk called Terrible Transformation; attached to hero, once activated your hero turns into a huge Rat Ogre, smashing everything in sight. Perks can be a game changer if used strategically. With the lack of items or equipment for characters in game, these perks are essential to make your collection of heroes as powerful as they can be.

There are three map styles to choose from, arena, capture the flag, and rune. Arena is a battle dome of a fast action. A close quarter with the two other rival teams, where you just wail on each until the time runs out. Capture the flag is a classic take on the teamwork game, where you work to capture the most flags. For each flag captured, it works as a multiplier for you team's overall score. The more flags you capture, the more points you'll receive for every kill you make. With one flag under your control, you're able to head to the map's center and secure the artifact. With a secure artifact, your team is able to gain more points over time. If you lose any of the flags you capture with a secured artifact in place, that artifact will be lost. The rune map, works similarly as a capture the flag, but with runes that can be picked up and moved around by individual players. Each team has a building that can house the runes. With each rune captured, it works as a point multiplier.

warhammer online wrath of heroes hero spotlight ikkrik trailer 91 1024x576

The Bioware Mythic Studio had the press play with, and against the staff. While the QA testers often outmatched us, having the 6v6v6 made the matches more playable and less of a complete slaughter. I decided to play with the Bright Wizard, Felicia, for the most of duration. If I had one criticism, the screen would often become overwhelming cluttered with animations during the battles. Having a mage standing back behind the action of the animations allowed clear and visible gameplay.

Mentioned earlier, Wrath of Heroes has some qualities of a RPG, but is not entirely a RPG. While there is no character progression within a match, what you gain with each match are mastery points. Rather than focus on gain experience with individual heroes, you gain an overall account experience. With these mastery points you can unlock certain perks in the hero's mastery tree. Perks are additional abilities or add-ons onto the character that can be switched and if compatible with other heroes, used interchangeably among heroes. These perks can be added onto your character to make them more powerful. For example, there is a perk called Terrible Transformation; attached to hero, once activated you turn into a huge Rat Ogre, smashing everything in sight until you are killed. Perks can be a game changer if used strategically enough. With the lack of items or equipment for characters in game, these perks are essential to make your collection of heroes as powerful as they can be.

woh22

For the casual gamer, if you have a limited amount to time to dedicate to a game, and don't want to focus on leveling up a character, MOH is a right fit for you. The focus is fast gameplay, packed with action. Following the Warhammer lore, and expanding the world, WOH offers exciting Heroes with complex characteristics. Join the fierce competitive action as WOH is currently in open beta.

Pax East Smite Preview

Posted: 12 Apr 2012 04:19 PM PDT

Continuing our F2P coverage of Pax East we had a chance to check out Smite, Hi-Rez Studio’s new third person MOBA. We had a chance to interview Todd Harris, Chief Operating Officer at Hi-Rez, about the game, and just what it’s going to bring to the MOBA genre. Check out our interview below!

Eden Eternal launches Diamond server

Posted: 12 Apr 2012 03:41 PM PDT

Aeria Games has launched a new server for Eden Eternal: Diamond.

Diamond will host a special event until May 11, rewarding players who reach level 40 with a Sabretooth mount and a 5-slot Pack expansion. Players who reach 65 will earn a Nightshade Scythe (Prime). Guilds will also earn extra milestone rewards during the bonus event.

Meanwhile, three existing servers are being merged into Sapphire, increasing security and improving events. Features will be hosted on both servers to offer special item rewards.

Aeria Games also publishes Grand Fantasia and the upcoming Lime Odyssey.

50673  420x310 edeneternal threefriendsjoining

Eden Eternal Gameplay Screenshot

 Source:

Aeria Games Launches New Diamond Server for Eden Eternal; Players Reap Rewards of Priceless Treasures!

SANTA CLARA, Calif. – April 12th –Aeria Games, a leading global publisher of free-to-play online games, has launched an all-new server for its vastly popular MMORPG, Eden Eternal. Known as the Diamond server, the new server will allow even more players to join its already monstrous user base.

 

All players logging in to the Diamond server through Friday, May 11th, will be eligible to receive hard-to-find item rewards. Players who reach level 40 within the specified time will receive a Sabretooth mount to snarl fear into the hearts of their enemies, as well as a 5-slot Pack expansion so their backpack can carry even more sweet loot. Players who attain level 65 will receive an ultra-rare Abracapaca pet—a pocket-sized alpaca guaranteed to make you squee. Additionally, the first 50 players to reach level 65 will receive a Nightshade Scythe (Prime), a jagged, cursed costume weapon which will not only make enemies soil themselves, but will also greatly increase the user's stats. Guilds can even join in on the hot-treasure-on-treasure-action, with all guild members receiving rewards for each milestone the guild successfully reaches.

 

The Diamond server launch also marks the merge of three existing servers into the Sapphire server. While allowing for increased security, the merge will also provide players with more events to join. Feature-focus events running across both servers will offer players on the current server the chance to win the aforementioned items and much more.

 

Published by Aeria Games, Eden Eternal is free to download on the PC and free-to-play. Gamers can learn more and play Eden Eternal by visiting http://edeneternal.aeriagames.com.

Pangya celebrates third anniversary

Posted: 12 Apr 2012 02:57 PM PDT

Pangya United is celebrating its third anniversary through April with several events for players to earn prizes and awards.

Players who log in each day until April 25 can earn daily prizes, including exclusive third anniversary outfits and other special gear. On April 14, 15, 21, and 22, from 8am to 2pm Pacific, players can also enjoy double experience and pang. In-game characters are also on sale for a limited time.

In-game, players can hunt down four kinds of candy boxes on the island, which can be exchanged for the third anniversary club set and outfit, other prizes, and community boxes earned by total candy submitted by all players. The players who collect the most boxes may win a limited Pangya USB drive with custom artwork.

And on April 20, a first-come-first-serve Third Anniversary Tournament will offer a three round competition with the top three players winning the Gold Duo Feather Club Set.

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

50672  420x310 pangya third anniversary

Pangya United Gameplay Screenshot

 Source:

Pangya United Celebrates Three Years with New Items and In-game Events

 

New clubs, new gear and bonus experience will help players tackle the challenges that await in the free-to-play golf MMO

 

Irvine, Calif. – April 12, 2012 – Pangya United is rolling out the green jacket treatment for its players to celebrate the third anniversary of the massively multiplayer online (MMO) golf game. Publisher SG Interactive is giving players the jumpstart they need with several vital boosts in experience and gold to enjoy the new in-game items and the multitude of festive events, including the Pangya Third Anniversary Tournament. Players can begin the celebrations by registering for free on the official Pangya site.

 

SG Interactive’s in-game events for Pangya’s third anniversary include:

 

Just Login Event: By logging in until April 25, players will receive daily prizes, including chances to win special gear and outfits exclusive to the third anniversary.

Double Pang and Double Experience Weekends: From 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. PDT on April 14 and 15 as well as April 21 and 22, players will receive double the experience and double the in-game currency to help them rocket up the ladder and unlock advanced items, such as golf club sets and player costumes.

Fruit Candy Box Scavenger Hunt: Players can find four kinds of candy boxes scattered around Pangya Island, which can be traded for gear, including the third anniversary club set and outfit. Community bonuses such as 2x events and item boxes will be unlocked after the total number of boxes found hit various milestones. Players who collect the most boxes will have chances to win limited, one-of-a-kind Pangya USB drives with custom artwork.

Third Anniversary Tournament: On April 20, the celebrations culminate in this tournament, open to 594 players on a first-come, first served basis. Various rewards will be handed out during each of the three rounds of gameplay. In the final round, the top 3 players will receive the Gold Duo Feather Club Sets.

Major Character Discount Sale: For a limited time, players will be able to tailor their appearance by purchasing any of the in-game characters at discounted prices.

SG Interactive also has a bonus set up to help get players new and old back into Pangya United. Existing golfers can “Ping their Pangya Friends” through the game’s official website to get inactive friends back in the game in return for special in-game prizes.

Pangya Unitedis a free-to-play, anime-style, casual online multiplayer golf game, providing seven different modes: Versus, Tournament, Battle, Ghost, Shuffle, Approach and Family mode. For more information and to play the game, visit http://pangya.gamerage.com. Fans can also “Like” the game on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/NAPangya.

 

 

Forge of Empires announces open beta

Posted: 12 Apr 2012 02:13 PM PDT

InnoGames has announced that Forge of Empires will launch its open beta on April 17 (German – April 19). layers can still enter and register for closed beta, with keys being given away daily.

Forge of Empires plans to release new PvP content and ages for players soon, in addition to the game’s existing strategy, solo player missions, city building, and social features.

InnoGames also publishes Tribal Wars and Lagoonia.

49205  420x310 forge of empires early middleage city pm

Forge of Empires Gameplay Screenshot

 Source:

Forge of Empires Starts Open Beta on April 17!

 

InnoGames announces date, is confident with closed beta feedback

 

Hamburg, April 12, 2012.Today InnoGames announced that its strategic browser game Forge of Empires will go into open beta on April 17. The German open beta will begin on April 19, other language versions, including French and Polish will soon follow.

A few thousand players already helped InnoGames put the final touches on Forge of Empires by delivering crucial feedback during a closed beta phase. Players eager to play the game now can still enter the closed beta by pre-registering on www.forgeofempires.com or visiting the InnoGames-Facebook page, where keys will be given out daily leading up to the open beta launch.

The team’s high expectations for Forge of Empires’ closed beta were exceeded by the overwhelmingly positive response from beta testers and media alike. Particularly the graphical quality, as well as variety and depth of the gameplay, were received positively. Many players enjoyed the possibility to approach the game in an entirely peaceful way. In the future, InnoGames plans to add a number of updates and features: Players can look forward to additional PvP-content and new ages.

Forge of Empires is a browser-based strategy game that allows players to create a city and develop it from the Stone Age and onward throughout the centuries. Players can create a vast empire through military campaigns and skillful dealings. InnoGames provides additional information in the game’s very own blog.

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

Divina announces Challenge 72 beta

Posted: 12 Apr 2012 01:51 PM PDT

Gamania has announced its first beta event for Divina – the Challenge 72 beta.

An invite-only beta (earned through registering at the official website) will grant a full 72 hours for players to get their first hands-on with Divina. Players who participate will have the chance to earn prizes, and will earn exclusive items should they return to the next PvP beta. The beta will run between April 20, 10am Pacific and April 23, 10am Pacific.

The beta will feature the Quick Change system (letting players swap between main and sub classes at any time), the Sidekick system, and the Creature Tome system.

Gamania also revealed class information for the Knight and Cleric today.

Gamania (beanfun) also publishes Lucent Heart and Bright Shadow.

50670  420x310 divina creepy head

Divina Gameplay Screenshot

 Source:

DIVINA TO LAUNCH ITS CHALLENGE 72 BETA EVENT ON APRIL 20

Exclusive Early Look at Gamania's Upcoming MMORPG

 

IRVINE, Calif. – April 12, 2012 – Gamania Digital Entertainment announced today that starting Friday, April 20, 10:00AM PDT, MMO fans can get their first hands-on experience with its upcoming free-to-play, 3D MMORPG, Divina, during the Challenge 72 beta event. Players will have 72 hours to explore Divina's features and game world while competing in exciting weekend challenges for cool prizes. In addition, those who participated in the Challenge 72 beta event will receive exclusive items if they return to the next PVP beta.

 

The Challenge 72 beta is invite-only with Gamania distributing a limited number of beta keys to those who've registered at the official website. This week will be the last chance for players to sign up before the invites have all gone out: http://us.beanfun.com/divina/signup/beta.aspx.

 

Divina is a colorful 3D MMORPG filled with thousands of quests, unique characters, intense open world Player versus Player (PvP) combat, and numerous fun features. Gamania has been steadily revealing information on the game – most recently the Quick Change, Sidekick, and Creature Tome systems – building up to Divina's PVP Closed Beta, planned for this year.

 

Features: http://us.beanfun.com/divina/overview/features.aspx

Quick Change System: Using Exchange Points (EP), players can instantly swap between a Main Class and Sub Class at any time – even in battle. The Quick Change system adds significant depth to combat, as complimenting classes must be carefully paired and Quick Changes used strategically – it can mean the difference between victory and defeat, especially during PVP battles.

Sidekick System: Adventurers are accompanied by a trustworthy Sidekick of their choice that can be evolved in unique ways through player interaction. Much more than a pet, Sidekicks are an essential companion in battle and gain levels, classes, attributes and skills just like a normal character.

Creature Tome System: Throughout the world of Divina, there are hundreds of monsters to be researched and collected in the Creature Tome. Once fully researched, players can activate special transformation abilities and gain both the monster's skills and appearance in battle.

Players can register for Divina's upcoming Closed Beta at the official website: http://us.beanfun.com/divina/signup/beta.aspx. All registered players will automatically be entered for the chance to win an invitation to the Challenge 72 beta event beginning April 20, 10:00AM PDT and ending April 23, 10:00AM PDT.

 

 

 

47525  420x310 tribesascendscreen1 may 9 2011

Tribes Ascend Gameplay Screenshot

 Source:

Tribes Ascend out of beta

Posted: 12 Apr 2012 01:25 PM PDT

Hi-Rez Studios has announced the official launch of Tribes Ascend.

Tribes: Ascend releases with nine playable classes, five game modes, and sixteen unique maps, along with its feature list, which includes jetpacks, skiing, vehicles, and team-based competitive gameplay. The game is available as a free-to-play shooter with a free download from the game’s official site.

Tribes: Ascend’s beta included over 575,000 beta participants, and racked up over 150 million player kills. The beta recently released the CTF map Raindance and the new Capture and Hold game mode. Custom Server functionality will also be available soon.

Hi-Rez Studios also publishes Global Agenda.

47525  420x310 tribesascendscreen1 may 9 2011

Tribes Ascend Gameplay Screenshot

 Source:

Tribes: Ascend Launches Today as Free-To-Play
Anticipated fast-paced shooter now generally available

ATLANTA. April 12, 2012. Hi-Rez Studios, independent developer of AAA free-to-play online games, today announced the official release of Tribes: Ascend. The fast-paced, sci-fi multiplayer shooter has completed Beta testing and is now a live PC game available for digital download.

Tribes: Ascend is the world's fastest shooter. The game features jetpacks, skiing, vehicles, team-based gameplay, and cutting-edge graphics using Unreal 3 technology. With this official release, the game is available for download directly from the developer at www.tribesascend.com

The Tribes: Ascend release build includes 9 playable classes, 5 game-modes, and 16 unique maps.

Recent additions include the CTF map Raindance, as well as a new game-mode called Capture and Hold. The Release build also includes a preview of the Custom Server functionality that will soon be available to players.

Hi-Rez Studios also released a summary of Beta statistics including:
· 575,000+ beta participants
· 150 million player kills
· Over 3 million Blue Plate Specials
· Over 3 million flag captures

"For the past 15 months, we've had a very passionate dev team working hard toward this goal", said Todd Harris, Hi-Rez Studios COO. "Along the way some publishers told us modern gamers couldn't handle an FPS that was fast-paced and skill-based. We believe otherwise. Players seem to agree since we've had well over 500,000 join our Beta. We're excited to now grow the community further with the official release."

Spirit Tales reveals Guild Island details

Posted: 12 Apr 2012 01:06 PM PDT

Spirit Tales and KoramGame have revealed new details about the Guild Island system.

During open beta, players will be able to build a private zone (guild island) for their guild, allowing them access to special buffs and unique guild-only content. Each island can be upgraded with special add-ons to make the island a unique get-away, including hot springs, statues, a throne room, guild warehouse, and buff vendor.

Spirit Tales will be showing off this feature during its live stream event tomorrow.

49629  420x310 spirit tales combat01

Spirit Tales Gameplay Screenshot

 Source:

Spirit Tales Introduces Guild Islands; A New Twist on Guild Gameplay

 

Sunnyvale, Calif. — (April 12, 2012) – KoramGame Ltd., a leading developer and publisher of free-to-play online games, today unveiled further details about the unique Guild Island system for Spirit Tales, an upcoming cute 3D fantasy MMORPG. Players will have the ability during open beta to construct a private zone specifically for their guild to access special buffs and content.
“Guilds have had a long standing tradition in most MMORPGs,” says Yann Wang, General Manager. “But never has there been a feature this extensive and dedicated to guilds. We’re convinced that our Guild Island system will not only add to the traditional guild experience, but also take it in an exciting new direction.”

 

With a Guild Island, members can either construct special add-ons that will make their guild truly one-of-a-kind, or forgo upgrades entirely and use their Guild Island as a simple getaway from the hustle and bustle of everyday MMO life. No matter what the use is, Guild Islands offer a fun new twist to conventional guild gameplay.

 

Key features include:

  • Hot Spring – Unwind with cleansing bath salts and receive powerful buffs
  • Statues - Immortalize prominent guild members by building glorious statues in their likeness
  • Throne Room - Discuss battle strategies with friends at this designated meeting hall
  • Guild Warehouse - Store additional equipment or add to the communal stash to help others
  • Buff Vendor – Access unique buffs that aren’t available anywhere else

To learn more about Guild Islands, visit: http://st.koramgame.com/2012/0412/article_19.html.

 

See a Guild Island in action by tuning in to the Spirit Tales live stream event on April 13. For more information, visit: http://forum.koramgame.com/thread-56526-1-1.html.

C9 begins PvP Tournament

Posted: 12 Apr 2012 12:32 PM PDT

Webzen has announced the start of its Global 2012 C9 (Continent of the Ninth) Championship Tournament.

The Tournament Registration Test is now open as the first step for players interested in battling in the Championship, and will run from April 14 until May 4. Players will first need to have a C9 beta key, which are being given out across multiple media websites and through the official game site.

Players must first accomplish an in-game mission to register for the tournament, whose registration opens on April 25. The test will introduce new content (including the Ultimate Fury Skills) and new PvP systems (Deathmatch and Relay Match). The final qualifying teams will be invited into the 2012 C9 Championship Tournament held during E3 2012, with a $10,000 grand prize.

Webzen also publishes Archlord and is developing Arctic Combat.

Global C9 PvP Trailer:

Source:

'C9' Marks the Start of the '2012 C9 Championship Tournament'

WEBZEN Inc. (WWW.WEBZEN.COM), the Next Generation of Free-to-Play Online Games, announced the start of the 'Tournament Registration Test' for their Action RPG 'C9 (Continent of the Ninth Seal). During the test, participants will be able to register for the 'online PvP tournament' prior to the '2012 C9 Championship Tournament'.

 

Starting from April 14th until May 4th, the 'Tournament Registration Test' will be open to users with a C9 beta key that will be given out through various partner game media websites beginning from the 12th.

 

During the test period, participants who wish to register for the 'online PvP tournament' must first accomplish an in-game mission. The registration for the 'online PvP tournament' will open on April 25th at C9's official website where more detailed information will be announced. Later on, after the 'online PvP tournament', the top final qualifying teams will be invited to the offline '2012 C9 Championship Tournament' held during E3 2012 in Los Angeles, where the top team will win a grand prize of $10,000 (USD).

 

The 'Tournament Registration Test' will reveal new contents including the 'Ultimate Fury Skills', currently the most powerful and dynamic skills, and also new PvP systems, 'Deathmatch' and 'Relay Match'.

 

Jihun Lee, Head of Global Publishing, said, "For the 2012 C9 Championship Tournament, we have opened the test to start the online events that will continue to the offline finals during E3 2012." Also he said, "We will focus on the localization for global users to launch the official service this summer."

Meanwhile, WEBZEN has started the 'Media Focus Test' today where game media will be able to gain early access to experience the new contents. The 'Media Focus Test' will continue until May 5th.

More information about the Action RPG 'C9' can be found at the official Facebook community (www.facebook.com/C9Webzen) and website (c9.webzen.com).

Karos Online shuts down

Posted: 12 Apr 2012 12:04 PM PDT

Tomorrow, April 13, NHN will shut down Karos Online “indefinitely.”

Instead, NHN is encouraging players to transition to Rosh Online: The Return of KAROS, published by Ignited Games. Ignited Games is welcoming new players with special welcome packages, benefits for veterans of Karos Online, and transferring Karos Points to iCash. Karos Online players will also be able to enjoy an updated client, with new content including new areas, monsters, and treasures.

NHN also publishes Alliance of Valiant Arms and Soldier Front, while Ignited Games also publishes Wind Slayer 2 and DarkEden.

16446  420x310 karos online mountain

Karos Online Gameplay Screenshot

 Source:

Dear Karos Online Players,

 

All of us at NHN have greatly appreciated the support and dedication you have shown to Karos Online. There have been many memorable experiences of friendship, fearlessness, and accomplishments while living, fighting and growing in the world of Karos Online. We have watched with delight as our community has grown and it is with a heavy heart that we must announce that the Karos Online service will be suspended as of April 13th, 2012.

 

Although the Karos Online service will be suspended indefinitely, NHN is pleased to share that Ignited Games, the publisher of Rosh Online: The Return of KAROS, will be welcoming all Karos Online players to join the Rosh Online: The Return of Karos community. With over 10 years of experience in global publishing, Ignited Games’ operation team provides constant support and entertainment for all its titles. We believe that you will find an exciting and rewarding experience continuing your adventures in Rosh Online: The Return of Karos which include many benefits such as:

 

- Special Welcome Packages to help settle in your new home

- Special benefits for veterans of Karos Online

- Existing Karos Points transferred directly to iCash

- Updated client

- New lands!

- New monsters!

- New treasures!

- Brand new server!

 

We encourage you to continue your adventures in Rosh Online and wish you all the best in the future! Please download Rosh Online client at DOWNLOAD

Become a Rosh Facebook fan at ROSH FACEBOOK

 

Thank you again for your dedication and support.

 

The Karos Online Team

 

Latest Gaming and MMORPG Updates

Latest Gaming and MMORPG Updates


Dark Souls PC Gets Saddled With Games for Windows Live Support

Posted: 11 Apr 2012 11:42 PM PDT

 Dark Souls PC Gets Saddled With Games for Windows Live Support

After a lot of hopeful wishing and petition-signing, Dark Souls has been officially confirmed for release on PC. That’s all well and good; the game and its predecessor have an ardent fanbase, with many of them feeling Souls was the best game released last year. Seeing a niche product like this brought to a new platform is a very encouraging sign for the series, though unfortunately those who decide to play the Prepare to Die Edition on PC will be forced to use Games for Windows Live.

As pointed out by GameSpy, the box art Namco Bandai showed for the game at a Las Vegas event today carried the GfWL logo, a fact that has not sat well with many PC gamers who would prefer to avoid Microsoft’s online setup whenever possible. (Microsoft ruffled some feathers when it tried charging PC gamers for the service like it does Xbox Live members, though it later realized the error of its ways.) Just as Namco Bandai was encouraged to bring Dark Souls to PC through a petition — which was praised by those at the company for raising awareness for the issue — it’s now being urged to release the game sans Games for Windows Live support by fans signing a new petition.

“GFWL is unpopular, difficult to use, inconvenient, has terrible online support (a key feature in Dark Souls), and is downright unpleasant,” reads the petition letter written by Big Mclargehuge, which I can’t help but suspect is not, in fact, the author’s real name. “After anxiously awaiting a PC release for this fantastic game it feels like a real slap in the face hearing Dark Souls will use Games for Windows Live. We recommend Valve’s Steamworks in place, as this DRM is much easier to use, less intrusive, more reliable, and more accepted among PC gamers. Please reconsider the use of GFWL, or offer the game on both services. Thank you for taking the effort to port this game, but for a lot of customers it’s Steam or no sale.”

 Dark Souls PC Gets Saddled With Games for Windows Live Support

In many cases I fit into that group of people who greatly prefers games to use Steamworks, though its absence didn’t stop me from playing the likes of Battlefield 3 and Star Wars: The Old Republic. I suspect that many of the hardcore Dark Souls fans with a PC capable of playing it will not be dissuaded by GfWL’s use, and those without a PS3 keen on playing it still will, though I do think there is a case to be made that the experience will be hampered by it.

Last year Microsoft admitted the service had a “rocky start” but claimed it would continue to improve thanks to feedback received from developers. Yet between the Games for Windows Marketplace being moved over to Xbox.com, where it’s been woefully underserved — you could be forgiven for visiting the site and being completely unaware it’s home to anything related to Games for Windows — and the lack of updates to Live, it feels a lot like it’s all been left to rot, only to be used by first-party titles and the occasional third-party game whose publisher decides against Steamworks or some other alternative.

While Microsoft has seemingly been very complacent, doing little to actually offer a reason to use GfWL, Steam has continued to grow. Valve has released a mobile app for Steam, improved its content delivery system, and shown off a new UI that will make Steam play nicely with television sets — all in the last year. On the other hand, the reason I most commonly hear GfWL’s name brought up is because someone is displeased it’s being used by a highly anticipated game or because it’s causing problems (like the locked Windows Live ID error I ran into when trying to play Arkham City on PC last year).

I don’t imagine the petition will reach anywhere near the 1 million signatures it’s hoping to get, especially when you consider the petition to bring the game to PC in the first place didn’t top 93,000. With the game’s release set for August 25, it’s not inconceivable that Namco Bandai and From Software reconsider their choice, but they had to know going with GfWL would be an unpopular decision. That suggests to me the likelihood of Dark Souls coming to PC and not requiring you to type in a Windows Live ID for online support is fairly low.

Hey, at least we can hope for Blighttown to be fixed, right?

Similar Article: http://www.1up.com/news/dark-souls-pc-games-for-windows-live

Related posts:

  1. Dark Souls is this Generation's Best 8-bit Game
  2. Xbox Live Gets an Official iOS App
  3. Mass Effect 3 Demo Shows the Absurdity of Xbox Live Gold

Guild Wars 2 – Counting down to pre

Posted: 11 Apr 2012 11:42 PM PDT

40fe5 gw2 Guild Wars 2   Counting down to pre

[Pre-purchase website] It is 10th April over here, and I think in less than a day the pre-purchase for Guild Wars 2 will begin. Guild Wars was one of the rare 3D MMORPG which my brother enjoyed playing (he actually plays MapleStory primarily) and he really can’t wait to join Guild Wars 2′s beta. I am really wanting to try out the WvWvW and “public raids”, since I am still skeptical about the sharing of loots if players are helping with the side monsters rather than hitting the boss.

I personally think this is good and positive skepticism, since ArenaNet promised much over the year and I really want the system to be flawless. There really should be a countdown timer somewhere on the pre-purchase website though. Well then, see you all in the beta since all pre-purchases get players in! And who the heck actually bought The Secret World over Guild Wars 2?

104ec gw22 Guild Wars 2   Counting down to pre

Similar Article: http://www.mmoculture.com/2012/04/guild-wars-2-counting-down-to-pre.html

Related posts:

  1. Guild Wars 2 – Pre
  2. Guild Wars 2
  3. Guild Wars 2 – Pre

Dragon Blade (CN)

Posted: 11 Apr 2012 11:42 PM PDT

ada18 db Dragon Blade (CN)

[More info] China’s number 2 MMO company, NetEase, is not shying away from naming Tencent’s upcoming Blade Soul China as its main competitor. First revealed late in March, Dragon Blade so far has garnered mixed reviews, some claiming it to be a Blade Soul clone while others managed to picked out small details which differentiate it from the NCsoft-developed title. Nevertheless, I personally feel it is always good the have strong competition. A new Dragon Blade gameplay trailer was revealed just around an hour ago, so do take a look.

The trailer left me with quite some thoughts. It seems like a mixture of Blade Soul in terms of design, TERA in open world non-target action combat, and perhaps even Aion at the ending sequence with the wings. And not forgetting the trademark loli race which is in almost all “big” 3D online titles now. Still, Dragon Blade looks promising, I am certainly not discounting it yet.

Similar Article: http://www.mmoculture.com/2012/04/dragon-blade-cn-new-gameplay-trailer.html

Related posts:

  1. Dragon Blade (CN) – NetEase reveals Game
  2. Queen’s Blade Online (KR)
  3. NetEase teases yet another new game

Dragon Age 3 Goes… French?

Posted: 11 Apr 2012 05:42 PM PDT

Dragon Age 3 might be going French on us, according to recent hints dropped by Bioware at PAX East. Lead Designer Mike Laidlaw said, "If we really have to go somewhere urban, let's 95559 thedas 300x224 Dragon Age 3 Goes… French?not go to Kirkwall," during a Dragon Age panel, "Let's go somewhere new. Maybe somewhere a little more… French."

This would suggest a move to Orlais, which is in the south west part of Thedas, to the west of Dragon Age and DA2 setting in Ferelden. The natives of Orlais have French accents.

Mike also said that Bioware has taken fan feedback on the series seriously, and some of the changes to Dragon Age 3 include the removal of follower equipment and possibly customisable armour.

Similar Article: http://www.totalpcgaming.com/latest-pc-news/dragon-age-3-goes-french/

Related posts:

  1. Dragon Nest goes to Russia
  2. Dragon Nest (KR)
  3. Dragon Seeker (CN)

Republique May Pave The Way For More Hardcore iOS Games

Posted: 11 Apr 2012 11:41 AM PDT

Ryan Payton left 343 Industries last year to found a new company called Camouflaj where he planned to work on games that spoke more to his values than what he was doing at the Halo 4 developer. We now know what the company’s first project will be, and as is the trendy thing to do these days, it is turning to Kickstarter to help get the game off the ground.

The newly-launched Kickstarter has revealed Republique, an iOS game combining survival horror and stealth that has been partially inspired by 1984. The video above features the very first trailer and a few minutes of Payton speaking about the game, which looks very promising based on the early footage and details.

“From the very beginning, we set out to design a game and write a story specifically for mobile devices,” Payton said, “because last year I decided I was going to stop complaining about the lack of ‘real games’ on mobile and start making one.”

He goes on to explain how he quit his job at 343i last year and liquidated his life savings to start Camouflaj. However, with the game’s production cost estimated at being over $1 million, Payton can’t be expected to fund the game himself. Partners have been found to cover half of that amount if enough interest can be garnered through this Kickstarter campaign, which is seeking the other $500,000. Although a percentage of the game’s net profits had to be promised to these partners (assuming the game gets made), it does seem like a smart way to go with the company’s debut title. As with other Kickstarters, the goal has to be reached for Camouflaj to actually see any of the money pledged, so keeping that number lower and more realistic improves the chances of the game happening.

$500,000 is, however, a large sum of money, especially for a new developer without someone like Tim Schafer attached to it. (And remember, Schafer was only looking for $400,000.) Ryan Payton is fairly well known among the hardcore audience, the target of this game, but it’s unclear at this point if his track record (before working at 343i, he played an important role at Kojima Productions and on Metal Gear Solid 4 in particular) is enough to help attract half a million dollar’s worth of interest.

Another important distinction between this and some of the biggest videogame Kickstarter successes thus far, like Double Fine’s adventure game and Wasteland 2, is that this is an iOS-focused project, whereas those were focused on PC gaming. By and large, iOS gamers are used to paying a dollar or two for their games, and occasionally a bit more in the case of something like Infinity Blade. While they are free to pledge $1 to Republique, it’s only once they’ve promised $10 that they’ll actually be receiving a free copy of the game or something more (like having their face or name in the game, visiting Camouflaj’s studio, or a signed poster).

 Republique May Pave The Way For More Hardcore iOS Games

I’m hopeful this Kickstarter does pan out. For as much as I enjoy many of the cheaper games available on iOS, I’m very much interested in seeing meatier experiences designed specifically for the platform, as opposed to ports of older titles that may or may not be suited to a touchscreen (Grand Theft Auto III, Final Fantasy Tactics, The Bard’s Tale), especially now that I’ve got an iPad of my own. Gamers pledging half a million dollars and the game going on to experience some degree of success — it doesn’t have to reach the same heights as Infinity Blade — could inspire publishers to see this sort of undertaking as a worthy venture.

Luckily the game itself, based on the trailer, looks very good, and that should help the Kickstarter’s chances. “You receive a desperate phone call from Hope, a young woman trapped within a shadowy totalitarian state,” a description on the Kickstarter page reads. “Using a stolen phone, she calls and begs you to hack into the nation’s surveillance system, assume control, and help her escape from the clutches of the omnipresent Overseer.”

You assist Hope by guiding her around, creating distractions, and ensuring she is not captured. The emphasis appears to be far more on stealth than it does any sort of combat, though Hope does tase an enemy at one point. There are several examples of distractions given; with a simple tap you can turn off lights, hack computers, wiretap phone calls, close doors, and call elevators. The relationship between the player and Hope is being heavily emphasized and is part of the reason motion capture is being used. There will be both voiceovers and real-time cinematics to advance the branching story, which will take 4-6 hours to complete and includes Metroidvania-style exploration.

Payton has clarified on Twitter that the game has “deep, non-linear, dynamic, sandbox gameplay” as opposed to what you would see in an FMV game. We’ll have to wait and see how that pans out, but in theory, it sounds like a big step beyond the vast majority of iOS games. If nothing else, it certainly looks better than most.

With 31 days to go and the Kickstarter being publicized for only a few hours, 476 backers have pledged $28,380 as of this writing. That’s a far cry from how much is needed to make this game a reality, but it’s also a solid start. With some development work already being done and potential backers able to see video of the game and not just some promises of what it will be, surpassing the $500,000 mark within the next month seems very doable.

Similar Article: http://www.1up.com/news/republique-hardcore-ios-games

Related posts:

  1. XSEED May Pave the Way For More Japanese Games on Steam With Ys
  2. Shadowrun Returns: Kickstarter Revitalises Classic RPG For PC & iPad
  3. Aeria Games acquires Ijji Games

MMO Updates

MMO Updates


WildStar Wednesday tours Algoroc

Posted: 12 Apr 2012 10:00 AM PDT

Filed under: , , , , , ,

WildStar
Who doesn't fancy a trip to the wild and lawless frontier to try and strike it rich? Blue crystal fever has spread in Carbine Studios' sci-fi title WildStar and galactic prospectors will have the opportunity to stake their claims in the new land of Algoroc. Complete with boomtowns, murders, slave-traders, rampaging killer security bots, and ancient ruins, this place sounds perfect, right?

Shake off those civilized shackles and prepare for a gritty adventure. Adventurous types can head towards Tremor Ridge, a small mining camp in the western part of the land. Though dangerous before, recent attacks by space pirates make the stay there just that much more exciting. Fancy a trip to a boomtown? Head east to Gallow where the the peace needs to be kept after the local lawman was brutally murdered. Or if you prefer ancient civilizations to current ones, an Eldan facility is being excavated in the western mountains -- just watch out for the security system that the archaeologists accidentally triggered!

MassivelyWildStar Wednesday tours Algoroc originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 12 Apr 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Celebrate the launch of Tribes: Ascend with a new weapon on us

Posted: 12 Apr 2012 09:30 AM PDT

Filed under: , , ,

Tribes: Ascend Spinfuser
To celebrate the launch of Hi-Rez Studios' Tribes: Ascend today, we're giving away a special in-game weapon that will help new players gain some ground, or act as a boost for current players who have yet to unlock the gun.

This special medium Spinfuser is equipped with three upgrades just for the Soldier class. You can check out the full image of the weapon, along with details on the upgrades, after the cut.

To claim your Spinfuser, simply grab a code from our giveaway page, use the in-game menu to select "Extras" then "Redeem Promotion." Enter in your code and you're all set!

GET YOUR KEY

Continue reading Celebrate the launch of Tribes: Ascend with a new weapon on us

MassivelyCelebrate the launch of Tribes: Ascend with a new weapon on us originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 12 Apr 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

    Forget guild housing -- Spirit Tales is bringing guild islands

    Posted: 12 Apr 2012 09:00 AM PDT

    Filed under: , , , , ,

    Spirit Tales
    With a plethora of free-to-play games to choose from, developers who come up with something unique will have an edge in attracting players. That's exactly what KoramGame Ltd. did with the guild island system in its upcoming title Spirit Tales. Why settle for just a house when you can own an entire private island?

    "Guilds have had a long standing tradition in most MMORPGs, but never has there been a feature this extensive and dedicated to guilds. We're convinced that our Guild Island system will not only add to the traditional guild experience, but also take it in an exciting new direction," says General Manager Yann Wang

    When guild members need a break from battling creatures and capturing magical pets they can relax in their very own customizable guild island where they can access special buffs and content. Amenities that can be constructed on the islands include: hot springs that provide power buffs; statues to immortalize guild members; a throne room meeting hall; a warehouse to store additional guild gear; and a buff vendor to access unique buffs.

    If you want to get a glimpse of guild islands live and in action, join the Spirit Tales live stream event on April 13th at 5 p.m. EDT. There will even be prizes!

    MassivelyForget guild housing -- Spirit Tales is bringing guild islands originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 12 Apr 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

    Permalink | Email this | Comments

    ArenaNet shows the making of Guild Wars 2's collector's edition statue

    Posted: 12 Apr 2012 08:00 AM PDT

    Filed under: , ,

    Guild Wars 2
    When Guild Wars 2's pre-purchase program started two days ago, scores of fans descended upon their local retailers looking to secure one of its few, highly desired collector's editions. For those fortunate enough to grab one, ArenaNet has posted an inside look at the centerpiece of the CE: the Rytlock Brimstone statue.

    While the team considered statues of each of the races, it decided that the Charr was the most iconic and worthy of star treatment. ArenaNet partnered up with Canada's Happy Worker to fashion the detailed statue that shows Rytlock with his flaming blade, standing over a field of skulls. The heavy statue is 10 inches tall and painstakingly hand-painted.

    If you're still attempting to hunt down a collector's edition of Guild Wars 2, head over to the pre-purchase page on the official site for the list of retailers in your country.

    MassivelyArenaNet shows the making of Guild Wars 2's collector's edition statue originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 12 Apr 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

    Permalink | Email this | Comments

    Fishing, Survival, and Dragons: The Trion Team talks about RIFT's Update 1.8 and beyond

    Posted: 12 Apr 2012 07:30 AM PDT

    Filed under: , , ,

    RIFT
    As the Carnival of the Ascended draws to a close, and the last of the pinatas and balloons are put away from RIFT's first birthday, Update 1.8 is just around the corner. It's full of new content, including the new raid zone Infernal Dawn, fishing and survival skills, and lots of game improvements. Massively took part in a roundtable discussion with Trion CEO and RIFT Executive Producer Scott Hartsman, Design Director Hal Hanlin, and Producer Adam Gershowitz, to get all the details on Update 1.8 and more. Read on for highlights!

    Continue reading Fishing, Survival, and Dragons: The Trion Team talks about RIFT's Update 1.8 and beyond

    MassivelyFishing, Survival, and Dragons: The Trion Team talks about RIFT's Update 1.8 and beyond originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 12 Apr 2012 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

    Permalink | Email this | Comments

      Star Trek Online adds Ferengi lock boxes and in-game store

      Posted: 12 Apr 2012 07:00 AM PDT

      Filed under: , , , ,

      STO
      Thought that the Cardassian lock boxes and those ever-present "So-and-so opened a lock box and got a Galor-class cruiser!" messages were the end of Star Trek Online's foray into pay-for-treasure items? Think again! As of today, STO players will begin to see Ferengi lock boxes dropping in the game.

      As with the Cardassian boxes, the Ferengi boxes can only be unlocked with a special key that must be purchased in the C-Store. The contents of the boxes contain a mystery prize that ranges from the D'Kora Marauder Class starship to combat pets to Lobi Crystals. Gold lock boxes have a higher chance of delivering a better prize.

      In addition to the proliferation of lock boxes across the galaxy, STO's Ferengi are opening a store on Drozana Station that will sell a variety of fun items in exchange for Lobi Crystals. The store will offer Ferengi shuttles, photonic tactical bridge officers, costume pieces, and pets.

      MassivelyStar Trek Online adds Ferengi lock boxes and in-game store originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 12 Apr 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

      Permalink | Email this | Comments

      The Daily Grind: Has F2P piqued your interest in Aion?

      Posted: 12 Apr 2012 06:00 AM PDT

      Filed under: , , , , , ,

      Aion - instance run
      I used to know a thing or two about Aion. Covering the game was my first assignment for Massively, in fact, and throughout the spring of 2010, that's exactly what I did.

      The high-level grind (and an incurable case of wanderlust) ultimately did me in, though, so I waved goodbye to Atreia aside from the occasional dungeon-running guild reunion. Now that the game is back on everyone's radar -- complete with some shiny new features like player housing -- I'm patching my NCsoft launcher, frowning at the forced Pando Media Booster installation, and preparing to dust off my 55 Sorcerer.

      What about you, early-birds? Is free-to-play and a ton of new content enough to (re)kindle your interest in Aion?

      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: Has F2P piqued your interest in Aion? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 12 Apr 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

      Permalink | Email this | Comments

        Dark Legends goes live for mobile devices and Chrome

        Posted: 11 Apr 2012 07:00 PM PDT

        Filed under: , , , , , ,

        He bit her right in her main catsup artery.
        So you like vampires? It's kind of a thing these days. Maybe you like vampires so much that you really want to play around with some vampiric content on your mobile device. That's for the best, as Spacetime Studios has released Dark Legends today. Building off the success of the studio's previous mobile/browser titles (Pocket Legends and Star Legends), the newest game allows players to take on the role of a bloodsucking monster of the night.

        The game is currently available in the App Store for iPad/iPhone users, the Google Play Store, and the Chrome app store. Like previous offerings, it's free-to-play, and you can log in from separate devices to play both on the road and at home. Unlike previous games, this one is definitely not aiming for the family market, being a fair bit more overtly violent and bloody. Still, if you feel the urge to rampage through dark alleys while you are walking through said alleys in real life, Dark Legends has you covered.

        MassivelyDark Legends goes live for mobile devices and Chrome originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 11 Apr 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

        Permalink | Email this | Comments

          Ranked PvP to be cut from SWTOR's Legacy patch

          Posted: 11 Apr 2012 06:30 PM PDT

          Filed under: , , ,

          SWTOR ranked PvP cut short
          Despite extensive testing on the private test server, BioWare has decided to not include ranked PvP warzones in the latest patch for Star Wars: The Old Republic.

          Although Update 1.2: Legacy will still go live tomorrow with a brand-new warzone, Novare Coast, the new reward and leveling system for level 50 players will sadly be missing. In an announcement on the official site, Lead Game Designer Daniel Erickson stated, "After careful consideration, it is clear that to make Ranked Warzones the feature we all want it to be is going to take a bit more time. I apologize for any disappointment this may cause and ask for your patience as we work to make sure the Ranked Warzone Preseason launch is polished and fun."

          Erickson did not reveal when we will see see ranked warzones on the live servers, but he did say that the team will roll out the feature in phases, starting with full-team (eight-player) queuing. He also noted that players can still earn the highly anticipated War Hero armor in Update 1.2 through other means.

          [Thanks to Marc for the tip!]

          MassivelyRanked PvP to be cut from SWTOR's Legacy patch originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 11 Apr 2012 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

          Permalink | Email this | Comments

          Free for All: Looking for the near-perfect MUD-like browser MMO

          Posted: 11 Apr 2012 06:00 PM PDT

          Filed under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

          Browser screenshot
          I need your help. If you are a reader, then I need you to open your memory boxes and take a look around at the bottom. Shuffle around where all the remnants of favorite past MMOs settle and see if you can find me something. If you are a developer who is reading this, then you might indeed have some special insight into my issue.

          I need a game. A special game. It must fit a certain mold that is very particularly fitted to my very specific needs and wants. It's a tall order, to say the least.

          Now, I understand how to use Google. At least once a week I am asked something along the lines of "Where do you find these weird games you cover?" I am always tempted to link the questioner to Google and walk away, but generally I tell him it is a combination of different efforts: some searching, some tipping from readers, and more than a smidge of good luck. Also understand that I have a lot of good titles keeping me busy, but I tend to become sort of obsessed with little projects along the way. So what do I need this week?

          I need a semi-graphical, browser-based MUD-like MMO that features great customization for characters, text, and interface, that's what.

          Continue reading Free for All: Looking for the near-perfect MUD-like browser MMO

          MassivelyFree for All: Looking for the near-perfect MUD-like browser MMO originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 11 Apr 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

          Permalink | Email this | Comments

            Abduct yourself a UFO Online beta key from Massively!

            Posted: 11 Apr 2012 05:30 PM PDT

            Filed under: , , , , , ,

            Technically, UFO just refers to an unidentified aircraft.  So, really, this could just be a game about looking up in the sky and not being sure what kind of plane that is.  And then shooting someone.
            You've seen our first impressions -- does that make you want to get in on UFO Online? For a lot of people, that's not quite possible yet, seeing as how the game is still in closed beta testing. However, as in the past, the team at Massively has you covered. Thanks to the folks over at gamigo, we've got 2,000 keys for the second closed beta test, and we're handing them out to whoever wants one.

            If you're up for some tactical browser action, go ahead and click the button below, grab a code, then enter it in the appropriate spot on the front page of the official site. After that, you should be golden. Luckily, unlike many other betas, this one doesn't make you worry about a cumbersome client download since the entire game plays in your browser. So grab yourself a key, and please, go gentle with your probing of the game. It's still in testing.

            GET YOUR KEY

            MassivelyAbduct yourself a UFO Online beta key from Massively! originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 11 Apr 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

            Permalink | Email this | Comments

              RIFT unveils changes to queued quest reward system

              Posted: 11 Apr 2012 05:00 PM PDT

              Filed under: , , ,

              Screenshot -- RIFT
              RIFT's patch 1.8 is just around the corner, and the patch is bringing not only a new raid and new activities but a few quality of life improvements as well. Community manager James "Elrar" Nichols stopped by the forums today to give players a heads up on the changes coming to the game's queued quest rewards system. What are queued quest rewards? Pretty much what they sound like. Completing certain quests and dungeons will bring up a queued quest loot button that players can press at their convenience to receive the loot and XP from the activity.

              This has led some players to keep these rewards queued so that they can claim them all at once for massive XP gains. In light of that, Trion Worlds is changing the way these rewards work by causing them to be automatically granted to the player upon completion. Of course, players will still have to choose their reward for quests that grant the option, but there will now be a limit on how many rewards you can have queued at any given time. Players are advised to claim all pending queued quest rewards before patch 1.8 hits because the team can't guarantee that doing so will be possible after the patch. For the full details, head on over to the full forum post.

              MassivelyRIFT unveils changes to queued quest reward system originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 11 Apr 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

              Permalink | Email this | Comments

              Blizzard highlights the Barbarian in Diablo III's newest video

              Posted: 11 Apr 2012 04:30 PM PDT

              Filed under: , , , , , ,

              Jump around.
              There are some classes in every game meant to explore arcane mysteries, to sneak through trials with subtlety and focus upon finesse and careful action. The Barbarian of Diablo III is not one of those classes. No, the Barbarian is the class for when you want to just smash everything until it stands no taller than dust, and then smash yourself some dust for good measure. It's the latest reveal for the game, and as expected, it comes with an accompanying video.

              In lore terms, as a Barbarian you play one of the last members of a proud nomadic people whose tireless defense of Mount Arreat ultimately failed, leaving the Barbarians to wander disillusioned and hopeless. Meanwhile, in game terms, you'll focus on savage melee attacks, thundering war shouts, and a variety of extremely powerful weapons and armor. So go ahead and pound on your mouse until you get past the break to view the Barbarian in all his bloody, savage, not-quite-housebroken glory.

              Continue reading Blizzard highlights the Barbarian in Diablo III's newest video

              MassivelyBlizzard highlights the Barbarian in Diablo III's newest video originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 11 Apr 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

              Permalink | Email this | Comments

              EVE Online offers video cards for PLEX

              Posted: 11 Apr 2012 04:00 PM PDT

              Filed under: , , , ,

              Screenshot -- EVE Online
              Are you in the market for a video card? Are you an internet spaceship pilot? If you answered yes to both of these questions, then boy are you ever in luck. As you may have already heard at Fanfest 2012, CCP and NVIDIA have teamed up to bring EVE Online players a new initiative that will allow them to trade in their PLEX for new video cards.

              That's right, players will be able exchange 20 PLEX for a shiny new GeForce GTX 560 video card, courtesy of NVIDIA. The supplies are limited to 100 video cards for now, and players are limited to a single video card purchase per account. The folks at CCP note that the reason for the limited quantities is because they are "proceeding carefully... to enable [the studio] to evaluate any impacts of this unique and innovative offer on the EVE economy, and understand any challenges arising from this form of exchange of game world currency for real world goods." So get to it, space cowboys, and earn yourself a new shiny.

              MassivelyEVE Online offers video cards for PLEX originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 11 Apr 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

              Permalink | Email this | Comments

              TERA's new launch features section adds economic changes

              Posted: 11 Apr 2012 03:30 PM PDT

              Filed under: , , ,

              Screenshot -- TERA
              TERA's May release date is less than a month away now, and En Masse Entertainment is filling the days leading up to the big event by unveiling a series of new launch features. Today's piece is focused on a number of adjustments that have been made to the game's economic system.

              For starters, the trade broker has been vastly improved with "robust search features," while private stores have been abolished in order to make the broker the true hub of the game's economy. Enchanters will be pleased to know that the penalty for failing an enchantment has been removed, so while an enchantment can still fail, it won't weaken the target piece of equipment in the process. And to top it off, the currency demoninations have been changed up to prevent players from having to deal with astronomical amounts of gold. The full details, as well as previous new launch features, can be found over on the game's official site.

              MassivelyTERA's new launch features section adds economic changes originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 11 Apr 2012 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

              Permalink | Email this | Comments

              Win a trip to Turbine by making a LotRO fifth anniversary fan video

              Posted: 11 Apr 2012 03:00 PM PDT

              Filed under: , , , ,

              LotRO
              With the fifth anniversary of Lord of the Rings Online a little over a week away, Turbine has sprung a most excellent contest to reward the hardiest Hobbits and most fanatical Fellowshippers in the community. By creating and submitting a fan video, one lucky player will win a trip to visit Turbine's studio in Boston, Massachusetts.

              Entering the Who is the Biggest LotRO Fan Contest is pretty simple. To do so, you'll need to head over to the contest site, download a package of assets, and then create your own fan video celebrating the game's big milestone. Each player can submit one entry, due by May 4th, which is then judged on creativity, composition, and appropriateness to theme.

              While there will be 500 TP daily winners in the contest, the big grand prize is a trip for two to Boston, a three-day stay in a hotel, a tour of Turbine's offices, a lifetime membership to LotRO, and 1,000 TP.

              MassivelyWin a trip to Turbine by making a LotRO fifth anniversary fan video originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 11 Apr 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

              Permalink | Email this | Comments

              Tribes: Ascend releases tomorrow, mass casualties predicted

              Posted: 11 Apr 2012 02:30 PM PDT

              Filed under: , , , ,

              Tribes: Ascend
              We apologize for giving you only a few hours' notice to call your boss or parental unit and inform him or her that you'll be "sick" tomorrow, but any edge you can get for an early start to Tribes: Ascend is better than none. That's right, Hi-Rez Studios' frantic FPS is releasing first thing in the morning, and you're invited to join the fight.

              With jetpacks, skiing, and a strong lineage dating back to the original 1998 game, Tribes: Ascend has a lot going for it. The free-to-play title promises to bring back all of the frantic action that fans loved with a few new twists, such as a capture and hold game mode and the return of the classic map Raindance. Players will log in tomorrow to new social options as well and can test out unowned weapons in a special target practice area.

              Wondering if Tribes: Ascend is right for you? Check out Jef's Firing Line column in which he attempts to convince you that this will suck you in and keep you entertained for a long time to come. If you're antsy, you can play tonight, as the game is currently in open beta.

              You can watch a new dev diary featuring the Raindance map after the jump!

              Continue reading Tribes: Ascend releases tomorrow, mass casualties predicted

              MassivelyTribes: Ascend releases tomorrow, mass casualties predicted originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 11 Apr 2012 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

              Permalink | Email this | Comments

                Aion: Ascension launches and class begins

                Posted: 11 Apr 2012 02:00 PM PDT

                Filed under: , , , , , , , , , ,

                Aion screenshot
                And we have lift off! Aion Ascension has launched at last, and finally, some of those tidbits we were teased with in the notorious Visions Trailer are in-game. Housing! Mounts! New Zones! Choirs of winged Daevas singing!

                Not only are these much anticipated features available, but the new Truly Free business model has now made its way to another NCsoft title. Edward Chang, Director of Product Management at NCsoft, states,
                "We started converting current players to the new business model late last week in preparation for today's launch and we couldn't be happier with the response, tripling concurrency in a matter of hours. We spent a considerable amount of time focused on optimizing Aion Ascension for the Truly Free business model, and early feedback from the community indicates that we made the right decisions."
                What more could be added to this good news? How about a free introductory course of helpful hints to offer Daevas a little boost! It just so happens we have the syllabus for Ascension 101 right here, penned by none other than Producer Adam Christensen. Read on for Adam's very own tips and tricks for the 3.0 patch. Don't worry -- there won't be a quiz at the end!

                Continue reading Aion: Ascension launches and class begins

                MassivelyAion: Ascension launches and class begins originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 11 Apr 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

                Permalink | Email this | Comments

                  A Mild-Mannered Reporter: Positive charge

                  Posted: 11 Apr 2012 01:00 PM PDT

                  Filed under: , , , , ,

                  A Mild-Mannered Reporter header by A. Fienemann
                  PAX East this past weekend was indeed filled with revelations, but none of them had to do with City of Heroes or any other NCsoft game, really, so I can't even complain about one getting all the love while the others were ignored. And while I could probably try to spin a thousand words out of wanting to insert a Rock Band Blitz-style minigame into the game under discussion, I have the feeling I'd get some odd looks and a rejected column.

                  What I did have opportunity to consider, however, is how pretty much the only thing I've brought up in regard to the Paragon Market has been the many, many choices made regarding it that I consider debatable. The Super Pack and the numerous power sets both have been targets for negativity, and I honestly haven't said anything corresponding about the positives. This seems unfair on many levels. Sure, I think the implementation is sometimes dicey, but there are a lot of parts of the market that are great, and I happily doff my hat to the team for them. So instead of burying the shop, let's praise it.

                  Continue reading A Mild-Mannered Reporter: Positive charge

                  MassivelyA Mild-Mannered Reporter: Positive charge originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 11 Apr 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

                  Permalink | Email this | Comments

                    Choose My Adventure: Dark Age of Camelot, week five

                    Posted: 11 Apr 2012 12:00 PM PDT

                    Filed under: , , , , ,

                    DAoC
                    As I headed into my final week of playing Dark Age of Camelot, I found myself thinking about Warhammer Online more often than not. That shouldn't be surprising, really, as both games were made by Mythic and share a focus on RvR. I suppose it's because I finally hit a point in the game when DAoC started to emulate experiences I had in WAR, and thus a comparison between the two began to unfold.

                    While I'm sure plenty of folks who played DAoC went on to WAR, I'm curious whether there are many like me who went through the games in the reverse order. I may not be a veteran DAoC player after a few weeks in the game, but I certainly have a mountain of experience in WAR, and it intrigues me to be able to identify the connections between the two.

                    So as I plundered the battlefields of DAoC this week, I started to examine the game through the lens of a WAR vet to see whether I could spot the traits each game had in common and which traits each game handled better than the other.

                    Continue reading Choose My Adventure: Dark Age of Camelot, week five

                    MassivelyChoose My Adventure: Dark Age of Camelot, week five originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 11 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

                    Permalink | Email this | Comments

                      Why I Play: EverQuest II

                      Posted: 11 Apr 2012 11:00 AM PDT

                      Filed under: , , , , , , ,

                      EverQuest II screenshot
                      Because.

                      Remember back when this answer was lobbed at you as the definitive answer (often by moms tired of incessant "why"s or as a precursor to "I said so!")? But since I am not your mom -- and more importantly, the boss isn't about to pay me for a one word article -- let me elaborate, though, I warn you, you may regret it; once I get going I may not be able to stop! Seriously, they had to restrain me from taking over Why I Play. Obviously I broke free mwuahahahaha!

                      Simply put, I love EverQuest II. I log into it daily. Sometimes I don't leave for more hours than I am willing to admit. I can hum the guild hall music from memory. I have a list of things I want to do so long I can't possibly get it all done. All this after taking a multi-year break. Yes folks, I left the game for a long time -- a move I am still kicking myself for. But certain features pulled me back, and let me just say, I am so glad I came back.

                      So why do I play EQII? Where to begin...

                      Continue reading Why I Play: EverQuest II

                      MassivelyWhy I Play: EverQuest II originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 11 Apr 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

                      Permalink | Email this | Comments

                        Total Pageviews

                        statcounter

                        View My Stats