General Gaming Article

General Gaming Article


The Game Boy: Why Transmedia Gaming's Totally Missing The Point

Posted: 17 Apr 2012 04:19 PM PDT

When I devote time to media – whether it's a game, TV show, book, or slice of delicious chocolate cake drowned in molten frosting lava – I tend to lose myself in it. I think about it constantly. My speech becomes laden with referential jargon, and probably by pure coincidence, my friends start punching me in the throat more frequently. That's the power of a great world, though. You have to drag me away from it kicking and screaming, and even when you do, I bring a few chunks of officially licensed astro turf along for the ride. 

But it's fun to be hopelessly and utterly absorbed in a place halfway across the galaxy from Real Life's day-to-day doldrums. Whether it's a million-mile-per-hour escape from reality or something that ends up hitting all too close to home, there's something downright magical about, say, wandering Fallout's wastes or selecting the "family" conversation option of every goddamn person in Mass Effect 3's entire galaxy. Things like that are, in large part, the reason I play games. 

So I think I'm probably qualified to talk about why transmedia's insidious, spindly web of Facebook games, apps, iOS spin-offs, art books, and delicious chocolate cakes drowned in molten frosting lava is doing it so very, very, very wrong.     

In truth, transmedia has always fascinated me. I've had more high-noon bookstore staredowns with videogame novelizations than I can count, with crowds of bystanders mumbling "Will they or won't they" until the book and I finally embrace in steamy liplock. To this day, I still have dreams about Metal Gear Solid 2's titular tome, its lingering looks and musky perfume now a stain on my very soul. OK, I'm exaggerating that part, but I can stump most Halo nerds because I read a couple not-completely-but-mostly-terrible novels in high school. 

Today, though, transmedia finds itself charmed out of its cramped niche jar by a robotic melody made up entirely of buzzwords. Brand synchronicity. Facebook integration. IOS F2P FPS GPS. Many of these social extensions claim to be "casual" experiences to help ease in new players as well, but – as soon as they start hurling "unlock items in the PC/console game," "download the app," and "pester all your friends to procede more quickly" at folks who haven't touched a game since Tetris – the whole notion of simplicity explodes into a dusty haze of confusion. There are so many layers to these things, and transmedia games – by virtue of hedging their monetary bets on transmedia – certainly aren't shy about them. I play games all the time, and these things overwhelm me. I can't even imagine what it's like for someone who thinks WASD is some sort of anti-drug organization. 


In truth, though, the corporate convolution of it all is only part of the problem. Do I want to, say, poke and prod at tiny, previously unknown corners of Dead Space and Mass Effect's universes while on the go? Sure. Sounds like a nice vacation within my vacation. Nowadays, though, that simply can't be a reward in and of itself. I'm beginning to think publisher execs believe gamers hate to actually play games, because everything dangles some oh-so-desirable carrot in front of our noses. Ghost Recon: Commander, for instance, will reward your tactical Facebook exploits with weapons in Ghost Recon: Future Soldier and Ghost Recon Online – and vice versa. 

The biggest offender, though, is easily Mass Effect 3. Its Galactic Readiness means that multiplayer and iOS spin-off Mass Effect: Infiltrator directly (and confusingly) impact single-player. No, you don't need to play either to get an optimal ending, but the game strongly encourages it without really explaining how to make up for it if you don't. Both Mass Effect and (to a lesser extent) Ghost Recon introduce a slimy strand of obligation to their proceedings. Hell, Mass Effect's Galactic Readiness degrades over time, essentially pressuring players into brittle bundles of nerves and stress over their game experience. 

I really shouldn't need to be saying this, but here goes: Gaming is a leisure activity. We don't play these things to be strong-armed into sacrificing our precious hours at the almighty alter of transmedia. You know what obligation is? It's a product of real life and all the ugly pressures I play games to get away from. I can't lose myself in a fantasy world if you're constantly punching me in the face with brass knuckles made from the real one. I want to love this magnificent place you've constructed, held on high by the carpel-tunnel-ridden claws of writers who poured their passion onto a page until they bled. I really, really do. But you make it so damn hard. 

And that's a crying shame, because – in theory – transmedia's a pretty rad idea. So please, publishers, stop breaking its bones to fit an obtuse monetary mold. For one, no one cares, so that's gonna hurt your bottom line a bit. But, more importantly, these worlds are at their best when both they and their players can do what they want, when they want. Believe it or not, people like to explore and discover. It lets us own an experience, world, or brand. (Or, put another way, do you think Star Wars Extended Fiction novels sell because they're good? Hah!) So quit suffocating us. It's time for a breath of fresh air.

Ivy Bridge-Sporting HP EliteBook Gets Benchmarked

Posted: 17 Apr 2012 11:04 AM PDT

Benchmarks were leaking all over the place leading up to the launches of the new AMD and Nvidia GPUs; Intel, apparently, runs a tight ship with a tight-lipped crew. Even though several signs point to an Ivy Bridge launch in less than a week, we've still heard next to nothing about how the new CPUs performs in the real world. Today, however, a review of an Ivy Bridge-sporting HP EliteBook 8470p laptop popped up online.

TheVerge pointed us towards LaptopReviews.com, where the full review is posted. The test notebook rocks an unidentified Core i7 Ivy Bridge proc, 8GB of RAM and a 128GB SSD. (LaptopReviews admits those hefty internals probably helped to boost benchmark scores by quite a bit, by the way.) Graphics were provided by the CPU's built-in Intel HD 4000 graphics, a new generation of the technology that will appear in upper-tier Ivy Bridge models.

Ivy Bridge's vaunted thermal and energy improvements seem to (mostly) live up to the hype. LaptopReviews reports that heat was no issue; the laptop never, ever got warm. It ran quiet, too. "Rarely was the fan heard, during any of the more extreme benchmarks that were run on it," the website reports. Battery life was also pretty good compared to previous EliteBook models, though not exactly mind-blowing.

Numbers-wise, the notebook delivered the goods, delivering a 4,520 score in PCMark 7, a 14,659 score in PCMark Vantage, a P3321 score in 3DMark Vantage, and 6.4 Windows Experience Index ratings in both Graphics and Gaming Graphics. LaptopReviews compares those results against PCs running current-gen CPUs. You'll need to check out their review to see the full numbers, but here's a hint: Ivy Bridge > Sandy Bridge.

Image credit: LaptopReviews.com

EA's Origin Allows Jerks Back Into The (Single Player) Game

Posted: 17 Apr 2012 10:31 AM PDT

Good news for the griefers, modders, trolls and all-around jerks that have been making life less pleasant for other gamers using EA's Origin gaming service: you can still pull your shenanigans on Steam! Kidding, kidding. But thanks to a change in policy from EA, you'll be able to get your single-player on in the games you purchase through Origin even if you've been banned from the service.

Before, a swatting from the banhammer (either for multiplayer cheatery or forum-based jerkery) resulted in you losing all of your gaming privileges, single player mode included. Obviously, paying full price for a game and then not being able to play it whatsoever totally sucks -- especially if you ended up blocked from playing primarily single-player games such as Mass Effect 3 for calling someone a poopy-head in an online forum. 

Now, banned players will still be able to play solo content, but they'll need to be in offline mode -- found in Origin's gear/setting tab -- in order to do so. (Or, you know, head to Steam or GoG instead.) It seems like a good compromise, but to be honest, EA should never have blocked banned players from single player content to begin with.

Watch Out, Google: Oakley's Developing Connected Glasses, Too

Posted: 17 Apr 2012 10:13 AM PDT

Google's Sergey Brin had better be careful; while he's busy staring ahead through rose-colored Google Glasses, famous glasses-maker Oakley is gunning for Google's back with a virtual glasses project of its own. Actually, according to Oakley CEO Colin Baden, Oakley's had its eyes on the technology since 1997.

Unlike Google's Project Glass, which is rumored to have a $250 to $600 price point when/if it eventually launches, Baden says Oakley's connected glasses would be a bit more expensive. Oakley's vision of interactive glasses includes self-standing functionality, the ability to sync with a smartphone via Bluetooth, and possible voice commands.

"There's a lot of interesting optical issues that come up when you're trying to create a positive experience when interacting with these devices," Baden told Bloomberg. "So the technology barrier to success is significant."

For that reason, initial units would be targeted towards athletic and military uses -- assuming the ever made it to market, that is. Oakley could get into the Google Glasses game not through actual product manufacturing, but technology licensing instead; Baden says that Oakley holds over 600 patents related to optical and HUD technology.

Image credit: Oakley.com, of an existing 3D Gascan Eyewear model. No, they aren't Oakley's Google Glasses!

Yield Problems May Drive Qualcomm, Nvidia Away from TSMC

Posted: 17 Apr 2012 08:18 AM PDT

Trouble with TSMC's (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company) 28nm process technology could force Nvidia and Qualcomm to seek out other foundries. In fact, Nvidia reportedly has already started sampling its chips on Samsung's 28nm process technology, representing a significant shift in behavior and a potential huge loss for TSMC, which is currently the sole provider of chips for Nvidia.

DigiTimes claims it's hearing from "industry sources" that both Nvidia and Qualcomm are actively exploring their options as TSMC struggles to keep up with capacity demands. Yield problems with the 28nm manufacturing process are reportedly hamstringing TSMC's ability to supply enough working chips. Qualcomm, which has been in talks with United Microelectronics (UMC) and Globalfoundries to pick up the slack, needs more chips than ever before thanks to the rising popularity of smartphones and tablets.

Between Nvidia, Qualcomm, and others, TSMC has seen its orders for 28nm process nodes jump by five times in the first quarter of 2012 compared to the fourth quarter of 2011.

Image Credit: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

Official Google Drive Offers 5GB of Free Storage, Launches Next Week

Posted: 17 Apr 2012 07:02 AM PDT

We'll try to avoid throwing around the term 'Dropbox killer' to describe Google's upcoming Google Drive service, which according to leaked information on the Internet is slated to launch next week, perhaps as early as Tuesday. Google Drive, even if it's awesome, probably won't decimate Dropbox unless Dropbox stands pat, but it will debut with more than twice as much free storage space.

According to a draft release obtained by The Next Web from a partner of Google, the Google Drive service will launch with 5GB of free storage for everyone. For the sake of comparison, Dropbox offers 2GB of free storage space by default, though it's possible to increase that amount up to 16GB by referring others (up to 23GB for HTC phone and tablet owners).

Google Drive will allow you to access synced files across a number of devices from any place where there's an Internet connection. That means you can type up a document at work on your desktop and make edits to it at home on your laptop or tablet PC. Standard fare stuff for cloud based storage services.

Like Dropbox, you'll be able to purchase additional storage space, though no information was provided regarding pricing. About the only other thing we do know is that the service will launch at http://drive.google.com.

Original Cloud Image Credit: Flickr (karindalziel)

Facebook Pledges Support for Controversial CISPA Bill

Posted: 17 Apr 2012 06:36 AM PDT

Many B-rated horror flicks end with the good guys destroying some kind of monster, literal (like a flesh eating beast from hell) or figurative (deranged serial killer), with the camera then panning down to the creature. Right before rolling to credits, an eye opens or a arm twitches to let the viewers know it's still alive, ensuring a sequel is in order. Such is the case with SOPA and PIPA, the controversial privacy bills that were essentially destroyed by an angry Internet mob, only we didn't really kill it completely.

Meet CISPA (Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act), the new version of SOPA and potentially the latest threat to consumer privacy, depending on who you ask. CISPA is a bill written by Rep. Mike Rogers (R-MI) and Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD) that seeks to allow companies and the federal government to share private information for the sake of cyber defense. If it were to go into effect, ISPs would be able to share customer records and communications with the National Security Agency, presumably to catch bad guys.

"However, the bill expressly authorizes monitoring of our private communications, and is written so broadly that it allows companies to hand over large swaths of personal information to the government with no judicial oversight -- effectively creating a 'cybersecurity' loophole in all existing privacy laws," Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), a not for profit digital rights advocacy group and general defender of the Internet, explains in an FAQ.

According to the EFF, CISPA would allow companies to read your emails and share that information with the government, all without a warrant. Be that as it may, Facebook on Friday posted a blog post explaining why it supports the bill.

"A number of bills being considered by Congress, including the Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act (HR 3523), would make it easier for Facebook and other companies to receive critical threat data from the U.S. government," Facebook explains. "Importantly, HR 3523 would impose no new obligations on us to share data with anyone –- and ensures that if we do share data about specific cyber threats, we are able to continue to safeguard our users' private information, just as we do today.

"That said, we recognize that a number of privacy and civil liberties groups have raised concerns about the bill – in particular about provisions that enable private companies to voluntarily share cyber threat data with the government. The concern is that companies will share sensitive personal information with the government in the name of protecting cybersecurity. Facebook has no intention of doing this and it is unrelated to the things we liked about HR 3523 in the first place -- the additional information it would provide us about specific cyber threats to our systems and users."

The problem with that statement, which was bolded by Facebook, is that it forces citizens to trust individual companies to do the right thing with their private data. And what's even more scary about this, as opposed to SOPA, is that a number of companies have written letters of support for the bill, including AT&T, IBM, Intel, Microsoft, Oracle, Symantec, Verizon, and many more.

You can read the bill in its entirety by going here. If you decide you're against CISPA, the EFF lists a number of ways you can oppose it.

Microsoft Strips Windows 8 of Unnecessary SKUs, Announces Three Main Versions (Two for x86)

Posted: 17 Apr 2012 06:03 AM PDT

Microsoft is doing something with Windows 8 that it should have down with Windows 7 and Vista. It's paring down the number of SKUs to just three, one of which is designed for ARM processors, leaving the x86 crowd with just two versions to choose from. Every grade school teacher who has ever taught their students the K.I.S.S. (as in, Keep It Simple, Silly or Stupid) principle should be giving each other vindicated high-fives.

Forget about the gamble Microsoft is taking with the controversial Metro UI overhaul. Simplifying the SKUs is a great thing, and here's how it works. If you're rocking a PC or tablet with a x86 processor, whether it's 32-bit or 64-bit, your options are Windows Pro and just plain Windows 8. For most people, Windows 8 will be the right choice. So, who should consider Windows 8 Pro? Anyone who can benefit from:

  • BitLocker drive encryption
  • Hyper-V virtualization
  • Domain management and connectivity

None of the versions will ship with Windows Media Center, though it will be offered as an "economical" media pack add-on to Windows 8 Pro.

The other main version of Windows 8 is called Windows RT, previously known as Windows ARM or WOA (Windows on ARM). Windows RT will sport touch-optimized desktop versions of the new Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote.

Finally, let's talk upgrades. Windows 7 Starter, Home Basic, and Home Premium users will be able to perform an in-place upgrade to Windows 8 and Windows 8 Pro without issue. Windows 7 Professional and Ultimate users will only be able to upgrade to Windows 8 Pro; jumping to the plain version of Windows 8 will require a clean install.

More info, including a handy chart outlining all three versions, can found in Microsoft's official blog post here.

Microsoft Job Ads Hint at Web-based Skype Service

Posted: 17 Apr 2012 05:45 AM PDT

Skype is virtually everywhere. There are native Skype clients for almost all major platforms, from the PC to mobile devices to connected TVs. But what about the Web? After all, it too is an apps platform, and a powerful one at that. Even though a browser-based version of Skype doesn't exist at the moment, recent job postings by Microsoft have revealed that an effort to remedy this situation is already underway.

"Team at Skype is looking for passionate, team-oriented and self-motivated developers to help us bring Skype experience on to the Web," reads a recent Microsoft job ad. "You will have a chance to integrate existing Skype solutions onto the web with the support of the backend services build from the ground up using latest Microsoft technologies."

"Result of your work will be used by hundreds millions of thankful users worldwide.
You will work in dynamical environment with the team of true professionals participating in defining, designing, developing, testing and documenting one of the most popular applications of the modern world."

Microsoft wants someone well versed in developing "HTML5 UI's including rich interaction based on JavaScript." Does this mean that the upcoming "Skype for Browsers" will be based on WebRTC? Taking into account WebRTC's popularity among browser vendors, there seems to be a strong  possibility of that happening. However, it is too early to say anything with any degree of certainty.

HP Begins Shipping Z1 AIO Workstation

Posted: 16 Apr 2012 10:20 PM PDT

Hewlett-Packard today announced the availability of its Z1 user-serviceable all-in-one PC. Unveiled  in February at the HP Global Partnership Conference, the Z1 is said to be the world's first all-in-one workstation with a 27-inch diagonal display. Hit the jump for more.

Its 27-inch LED-backlit IPS display has a resolution of 2560x1440 and supports over a billion colors. With user-serviceability being the Z1's main selling point, it is ridiculously easy to snap open the screen and gain access to its neatly packed innards.

HP's site lists four models priced between $1,899.00 and $2,899.00. However, the basic model is unlikely to cut it for most of the Z1's intended users with its Intel Core i3-2120 (3.30 GHz, 3 MB cache, 2 cores) processor and integrated graphics.

In contrast, the topmost model has a Xeon E3-1245 (3.30 GHz, 8 MB cache, 4 cores) — as do the other two models — and NVIDIA Quadro 500M (1 GB) professional graphics. Further it has a 1TB 7200 rpm SATA hard drive. Specs common to all models include 4GB of DDR3 RAM, 2MP 1080p webcam, SRS-certified stereo speakers, four USB 2.0 ports, two USB 3.0 ports, FireWire, DisplayPort, and a 6-in-1 card reader.

"We've been visiting customers around the globe, in industries from automotive to audio and video, and the response is overwhelmingly positive, with comments like 'it's insanely cool' and 'just the right size,'" said Jim Zafarana, vice president and general manager, Commercial Solutions Business Unit, HP. "Customers say they're impressed with the combination of accelerated performance and design that's not available on any other product in the market today."

 

MMO News

MMO News


Gamania Europe announces Soul Captor

Posted: 17 Apr 2012 02:13 PM PDT

Gamania Digital Entertainment (beanfun)’s European division has announced plans to launch a new title, Soul Captor, this summer.

Soul Captor will feature six classes (Warrior, Priest, Shaman, and Onmyoji, along with two unrevealed classes), and a special soul system where players can capture the souls of fallen monsters, and even use them as mounts. Players will also have an Anima companion that can use defensive, offensive, or healing skills; a Friend system will let players earn buffs and bonuses by building bonds with other players. The game will also feature an Achievement system, an Autopilot system, and both PvE and PvP modes. Sign up is available at  https://uk.beanfun.com/SoulCaptor.

Gamania also publishes Bright Shadow and Lucent Heart.

Soul Captor Trailer:

Source:

GAMANIA ANNOUNCES SOUL CAPTOR

- Brand new free-to-play MMORPG to be launched this summer

- Closed beta sign up has begun on official teaser site: https://uk.beanfun.com/SoulCaptor

 

Gamania Digital Entertainment announced today that it will launch Soul Captor this summer. Soul Captor is the latest free to play MMO title to arrive on Gamania's beanfun! platform and will offer gamers an epic fantasy adventure filled with challenging quests, comradery and magic.

 

Players will explore an alluring Eastern world full of fantastical creatures and are tasked with purging this world from a mysterious evil force. To get their adventure started, players can register to participate in the forthcoming closed beta test by visiting the Soul Captor teaser website ( https://uk.beanfun.com/SoulCaptor ).

 

Furthermore, four out of the six playable classes have been revealed today which are listed in detail below.

 

Spencer Chi, Director of New Game Development at Gamania said: "Soul Captor offers a unique gameplay experience, and we can't wait to open the servers for closed beta. We are confident that Soul Captor will further bolster the userbase of our beanfun! platform. Soul Captor is a key title that will pave the way for other games in our product pipeline and will further contribute to Gamania's growth in western markets".

 

Key Features:

 

- Unique and beautiful graphical style

- Soul System that allows players to capture and collect the souls of fallen monsters in the "Soulpedia"

- Captured souls can be used as mounts

- "Anima" companion system with on-the-fly defensive, offensive or healing capabilities

- In-game cut scenes and rich storylines

- Friends system that allows players to advance bonds with others and gain buffs and bonuses

- Comprehensive Achievement System

- Advanced Autopilot System

- Player vs Environment (PvE) and Player vs Player modes (PVP)

 

The World of Soul Captor

In the beginning of time, the God of Creation looked out into the chaotic realm, and used his divine power to inhabit a continent with the most beautiful flora and fauna the universe had ever seen. He created the humans in his own image to populate this world and named the continent the "Mortal Realm". Another continent teeming with life started to imitate the Mortal Realm. Strange creatures possessing abilities different to that of the humans appeared and slowly became known as the "Asura". Thus, the god of creation named this continent: "Dark Realm".

 

Cities were built above these realms where the gods; assigned by the God of Creation, could oversee their inhabitants. With the two worlds in harmony, the God of Creation left. However, his departure created a disturbance and the beasts from the Dark Realm started invading the Mortal Realm. As the force controlling the worlds started to dissolve, a mysterious darkness emerged. You enter this story as a divine oracle and begin your adventure by descending to the Mortal Realm in order to bring peace to the world.

 

The Classes

 

Warrior
Proud Warriors are resolute and courageous in battle, wearing heavy armor and wielding powerful weapons. They are very capable in close-ranged combat and are the backbone to any team. Warriors protect other team members from harm and can reduce damage that's being inflicted by enemies. They even have the ability to exchange some of their defense power in favor for more powerful attacks. This is why they can always be found at the front lines, inflicting fear into their enemies.

 

Priest
Priests are wise and warmhearted people. With their high will and intelligence, they can cast healing spells and protective charms to ease the burden of the entire party. Some spells also boost allies' overall defense or attack powers. Although Priests are known for their compassion, they can use their powers to attack enemies with deadly force when their cause calls for it.

 

Shaman
Shamans work as lone wolves to ambush the enemy. Their natural dexterity provides high defense against physical attacks and they are known to use sinister dark spells to topple their enemies. Shamans practice a line of secret rituals with mysterious healing abilities to remedy the sick, but their blood curses are often fatal.

 

Onmyoji
Onmyoji wear tall hats and snow-white robes with loose sleeves that conceal weapons and deadly gadgets. They are graceful, elegant, and use their magic to directly inflict damage with powerful spells and chants. Onmyoji also support allies by summoning totems from the 5 elemental energies at their disposal.

 

Plus two additional classes to be revealed at a later date!

 

For more information regarding Soul Captor or to sign up for closed beta, please check our website https://uk.beanfun.com/SoulCaptor . You can also like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/soulcaptorenglish, follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/SoulCaptorEN or +1 us on Google+ http://gplus.to/soulcaptorenglish to join the community and receive the latest news and gossip!

Aeria Games announces Waren Story

Posted: 17 Apr 2012 01:42 PM PDT

Aeria Games has announced the closed beta registration for their newest title, Waren Story.

Waren Story is a 3D fantasy MMORPG, featuring four classes (Warrior, Gunner, Archer, or Brawler), and action combat for both PvE and PvP. The game boasts to have extensive character customization options and a robust PvP system with several combat modes. Waren Story is client-based and will be free-to-play.

Aeria Games also publishes Last Chaos and Repulse.

Waren Story Official Trailer

Source:

Aeria Games Announces New Upcoming MMORPG, Waren Story, Featuring Intense Warfare and Stunning Animation

 

Closed Beta Registration Begins for All-New Free-to-Play 3D Fantasy Game

 

SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Apr. 17, 2012 – Dust off your old vendettas and inject some blood back into your feuds. If you have a friend you've been wanting to go medieval on, the time is now.

 

Aeria Games, a leading global publisher of free-to-play online games, announced today that closed beta registration has begun for Waren Story, a new 3D fantasy massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG). Featuring an epic adventure and intense PvP warfare, the game's striking scenery and imaginative detail will sweep players away to an exotic medieval world.

The continent of Waren is divided, and a dark force is stirring in its polluted western lands. Players must choose the path of Warrior, Gunner, Archer, or Brawler and then explore the unique array of devastating skills each class has to offer. These heroes will engage in deadly battles, slay nightmarish beasts, and recruit powerful allies in their quest to restore order to this troubled land.

 

"Waren Story brings a unique combat and skill system to an immersive fantasy adventure that will appeal to core gamers" says Producer Lucas Gunn. "With riveting animations and massive PvP battles, this MMORPG will challenge players to overcome obstacles at every step of their journey."

 

Players prepare for battle through character customization options with a unique array of weapons and armor at their disposal. As these heroes traverse an endless series of monster-infested plains, they will face a menagerie of dangerous and fascinating creatures. However, the combat here is only the tip of a very long sword; the game's robust PvP system takes full advantage of its riveting animation, offering a variety of thrilling combat modes. In Waren Story, there's no such thing as the daily grind—each minute in each battle is an entirely new experience, as players battle equally skilled—and equally deadly—fellow players.

 

Waren Story will require a client download and with all Aeria Games titles, it will be free-to-play. Interested players can lean more and sign up to participate in the upcoming closed beta test at: http://warenstory.aeriagames.com. Players who 'Like' the Facebook page will stay informed of the latest news, updates, and contests as the game nears its official launch.

Juggernaut reveals new Companion

Posted: 17 Apr 2012 01:10 PM PDT

Mail.Ru has released a new companion for Juggernaut: Alicia the Elf.

This “lithe heroine” focuses on strength and agility. Brought up in seclusion and trained to find happiness only through combat, Alicia is known as “Queen of the Night” with her own kind. Now, she seeks to find the perfect companion to fit her skills in combat; those who win her over will be rewarded with her loyalty.

Mail.Ru also publishes RiotZone and Farm Kingdom.

Juggernaut: The Assassin

Source:

JUGGERNAUT UNVEILS SECOND COMPANION CHARACTER

Alicia The Elf Now Sworn to Battle

Hamburg, April 17, 2012. Leading publisher Mail.RU Games announced today the arrival of a new companion in their successful Free-to-play role-playing game, Juggernaut. Players get their first glimpse at this highly desirable companion and all her various animations via new artwork and a video at http://youtu.be/k2bZtsqq0vk. The challenge of recruiting this lithe heroine is now yours, by marching straight over to www.juggergame.com where players can register and play for free.

 

Pale Elves: beautiful, untouchable, valuing strength and combat skill over all other aspects. According to the custom in Irtita, girls are brought up in seclusion. For the first two hundred years, they see neither boys nor grown men, and give themselves over to war games and weapons training under the watchful eye of experienced instructors. Eventually, they leave their maiden kingdoms and go searching for their chosen one. They search for happiness, crossing swords with men again and again, as only someone that can defeat an Elf in combat can hope to receive her blessing and companionship.

 

Alicia herself took up this task; known as the Queen of the Night amongst her own people, she searched for a true challenge in lands far and wide. Only upon discovering the secret of the Juggernaut heroes, who are transformed by the armor they wear into gods, did her despondency at ever finding a true partner worthy of her combat gifts lift. Now the only question remains: is that you?

 

Whoever answers the challenge and defeats Alicia in battle can count on her eternal loyalty, and her swift blade. After the sun sets, the moon and the stars give this ethereal Queen of the Night her most amazing powers!

Forge of Empires begins open beta

Posted: 17 Apr 2012 12:56 PM PDT

Open beta has begun for Forge of Empire’s English-language version.

Other languages are soon to follow, with the German open beta set to launch on the 19th, and French, Dutch, and Polish promised “soon.” So far, over 100,000 players have pre-registered for the open beta.

Forge of Empires is a browser-based strategy game with emphasis on single-player missions, exploration, and competitive PvP. The game features extensive city building, technology learning, military campaigns, haggling with other leaders, and trade routes. The game’s combat system is turn- and hex-based.

Forge of Empires is published by InnoGames, which also publishes Tribal Wars and Grepolis.

50758  420x310 forge of empires openbetalaunch2

Forge of Empires Gameplay Screenshot

 Source:

Forge of Empires Opens Doors to All in Open Beta

InnoGames receives positive feedback, more than 100,000 pre-registrations

 

Hamburg, April 17, 2012. InnoGames just launched the strategic browser game Forge of Empires in an open beta. The German beta will begin on April 19; other language versions, including French, Dutch and Polish will soon follow. The team’s high expectations of Forge of Empires’ closed beta were exceeded by the overwhelmingly positive response from preview testers and media alike. Particularly the graphical quality, as well as variety and depth of the gameplay, were received positively. 100,000 players pre-registered for the start of the open beta thus far.

 

Forge of Empires is a browser-based strategy game that allows players to create their own city and accompany it from the Stone Age onward throughout the centuries. Players can research new technologies, build impressive historical buildings and enlarge their sphere of influence through military campaigns and skillful dealing. On top of this, one must foster a healthy culture for citizens and establish trade and production of various resources.

 

Besides an ever-growing number of PvP-elements, Forge of Empires contains a long-term single player campaign which offers months of entertainment. A turn-based battle system on a hex-field and other tactical facets to the game will keep strategists challenged and a unique research tree enhances player control in the title. InnoGames provides additional information in the game’s 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.

Star Supremacy launches on LeKool and expands to more publishers

Posted: 17 Apr 2012 11:46 AM PDT

LeKool has announced the official launch of its published version of Star Supremacy.

Created by Barbily Games, Star Supremacy is a space strategy simulation, free-to-play and browser-based. Players can enjoy a faction-specific storyline, build an empire (and an army), and conquer the universe. LeKool also publishes Call of Gods, Rich$tate, and Lord of Ages.

Barbily has also announced its opening of Star Supremacy to other publishers, with the expectation the game will launch on Gamesamba, Aeria Games, BOA Compra, and Tencent.

46496  420x310 star supremacy shipbuilding

Star Supremacy Gameplay Screenshot

 Source:

Star Supremacy Official Launchs
Los Angeles, CA – April 17, 2012 – LeKool games one of the leading global publishers of free-to-play online games are delighted to announce the Official launch of Star Supremacy.

Experience the next generation of browser based gaming with this Space war themed game. The battle for supremacy is about to begin in space.

The Game will be launched on 16th April 2012 at 7:00 PM PST time.

Star Supremacy, is a revolutionary strategic space simulation game, the player fights for dominance of the universe, following a unique storyline for each faction, you build a empire to conquer planets, build new facilities, and exciting combat units to discover and build, with your battle squadrons spread out through the vastness of space with the mission to settle new planets and mine their raw ores.

The player builds up an industrial infrastructure, constructs weapons factories and strong defensive fortifications, to get a strong offensive capability. Build a guild and conquer the universe together. The game offers unlimited possibilities for combination for weapons and ships, so the battles are never dull. Engage in amazing PvP and NPC battles and prove your supremacy.

Features:

  • Animated Battles
  • PvP, PvE & Arena Battles
  • Guild Quests & Upgrades
  • Total warship customization option, so 2 warships are never same
  • Team up with other players from around the globe
  • Different race with different storyline progression

Lekool is a fast growing browser game and social game developer and publisher. The company has published some of the most popular web games of 2012 like Call of Gods, Rich$tate, Senatry, Ninjawaz, EDragon, mccq (Chinese 3D game), Business Tycoon Online, Lords of ages and Legends of Xian and has achieved great success. It also has an interactive and engaging gamer community.

For more information about Lekool, please visit http://www.lekool.com/home

 

Star Supremacy Redefines Sci-Fi Browser-Based Gaming as it Opens Itself to Publishers

Suzhou, China – April 16, 2012 – Barbily Games is now inviting free-to-play gaming publishers to see its leading sci-fi browser-based MMORTS, Star Supremacy. Star Supremacy has had continued success and has just recently launched into closed beta over at LeKool. The reviews over at LeKool have been positive with players making their return just to play the “space version” of Caesary. Kongregate has also garnered many positive reviews with players saying they wished there were more games like Star Supremacy on Kongregate’s platform of MMORTS games. Star Supremacy is expected to be co-published on more gaming portals soon including Gamesamba, Aeria Games, BOA Compra, and Tencent as Barbily continues to open itself up to gaming publishers globally. What is the main goal for Star Supremacy? Thomas Watson, PR Manager for Barbily says “Star Supremacy is an awesome game with huge potential. As a gamer, I make sure we are a company that excels in customer service as well as content and events. It’s such a great game that needs more players. We want to keep growing. Pretty soon, you will be finding Star Supremacy on various game portals. That’s our goal.”

To bring Star Supremacy to your community, you can go to www.barbily.com.

Reminder: When the Likes on Star Supremacy Facebook page reaches 500, 1000, everyone of Star Supremacy will receive gifts. What is more, when the page reaches 30,000 likes, 3 randomly selected players will win a gaming headset—Ear Force X11 Amplified Stereo Headset with Chat!

More events are still to come. If you think you have an idea for an event in the game or community, give Barbily your thoughts here. For those who have a facebook, Star Supremacy now has a facebook game application that you can play at http://apps.facebook.com/ssupremacy

For players who are new to the game and want a novice gift pack, there are still codes left to give out. Check out the giveaway page here for sites giving out any available codes.

For more information, please visit our official website at http://www.ssupremacy.com

or follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/Star_Supremacy and Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/StarSupremacy.

 

 

MMO Updates

MMO Updates


En Masse highlights shiny TERA launch features

Posted: 17 Apr 2012 10:00 AM PDT

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TERA - Mistmoor party
TERA is soldiering on toward its May 1st North American street date. En Masse Entertainment (the game's American publisher) has quite a few features lined up to distract you from the brouhaha going on outside the game's lush fantasy world, and the firm has updated its website accordingly.

You'll find info on TERA's staged invasions, public quests, and economic system archived in the lengthy new post. The update also recaps the game's reputation system, its dungeon roster, and a few of the more interesting class tweaks to boot. Head to the official TERA site for all the goods.

MassivelyEn Masse highlights shiny TERA launch features originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 17 Apr 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wargaming.net releases World of Warplanes video dev diary

Posted: 17 Apr 2012 09:30 AM PDT

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World of Warplanes - Video dev diary #1
Anxious for an update on World of Warplanes? If so, Wargaming.net has just the thing in the form of a new video dev blog that features gameplay footage and talking head interviews with various project principals.

The clip resides on Wargaming.net's YouTube portal (and we've also got it for you after the cut, below). It's entirely in Russian, but fortunately it's also packed with sub-titles for the rest of us. Much of the info is a recap if you've been following the game for some time, but there are some interesting tidbits regarding aircraft prototypes (i.e., avatars that are quite different from the usual Mustang, Spitfire, and Sturmovik suspects found in most flight sims).

The dev diary also tells us that while WoWP will initially ship with 20 planes per nation, the roster will gradually expand up to 100 aircraft for each faction.

Continue reading Wargaming.net releases World of Warplanes video dev diary

MassivelyWargaming.net releases World of Warplanes video dev diary originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 17 Apr 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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    Turbine shows off new DDO expansion beasties

    Posted: 17 Apr 2012 09:00 AM PDT

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    Dungeons and Dragons Online - dire carebear
    Those coy devils at Turbine have released another batch of screenshots hyping the upcoming expansion pack for Dungeons and Dragons Online. As you're probably aware, the Menace of the Underdark update will transport players from Eberron to the Forgotten Realms. As such there are certain iconic D&D monsters that simply must make an appearance.

    Chief among these are the drider, the dire bear, the green dragon, and the draegloth. We've got these and a few more available for your perusal in our DDO gallery below, so give them a good look before you head to the game's official site for more info on the expansion. And hurry up already, the new content is coming June 25th!

    [Source: Turbine press release]

    MassivelyTurbine shows off new DDO expansion beasties originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 17 Apr 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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      Aeria announces new Waren Story MMO, releases trailer

      Posted: 17 Apr 2012 08:30 AM PDT

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      Waren Story - character concept art
      "The continent of Waren is divided, and a dark force is stirring in its polluted western lands." So says the latest press release from Aeria Games, which trumpets the firm's new Waren Story MMO. Naturally the dark force and the polluted lands call for plenty of heroes, and players can saddle up as one of four classes (Warrior, Gunner, Archer, or Brawler) to take on the forces of evil in Aeria's latest free-to-play offering.

      The company says that players will "traverse an endless series of monster-infested plains" while exploring an "exotic medieval world," but Aeria hasn't released many details in regard to Waren Story's mechanics.

      There is a brief trailer available, though, so click past the break to check it out.

      [Source: Aeria Games press release]

      Continue reading Aeria announces new Waren Story MMO, releases trailer

      MassivelyAeria announces new Waren Story MMO, releases trailer originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 17 Apr 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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        Korean court confirms guilty verdict in TERA criminal trial

        Posted: 17 Apr 2012 08:00 AM PDT

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        TERA - Castanic concept art
        Multiple news sites are reporting a verdict in the long-running NCsoft vs. Bluehole Studio litigation regarding stolen Lineage III assets. According to the sites, the Korean Supreme Court has confirmed the guilty verdict in the criminal trial originally reached in 2009. The body also doled out "tougher punishment" in the form of prison time and probation for a former Lineage III department head and a team manager.

        ThisIsGame.com points out that there could be more bad news coming for the team that turned Lineage III assets into TERA, as the outcome of a $5.7 million civil suit is still pending.

        MMO Culture has published a timeline of the TERA legal proceedings, though neither website cites a source for its information. We'll update the story with more details as they become available.

        MassivelyKorean court confirms guilty verdict in TERA criminal trial originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 17 Apr 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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        Hyperspace Beacon: Outbreak

        Posted: 17 Apr 2012 07:00 AM PDT

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        Hyperspace Beacon: Outbreak
        A year ago at PAX East, I spoke to Community Manager Stephen Reid about events in Star Wars: The Old Republic. He asked and answered a popular question at the time: "Will [SWTOR] have events where we randomly spawn NPCs for players to fight? No, but we will have events." He couldn't elaborate, but it did leave me wondering what that could possibly mean, especially when later at PAX East, Lead Writer Daniel Erickson said that SWTOR would not break the fourth wall by holding holiday-type events.

        Earlier this year, Update 1.1: Rise of the Rakghouls brought us a new flashpoint called Kaon Under Siege. A ship crash landed in the heart of the Tion Hegemony, taking the Rakghoul virus off the planet Taris and spreading it to a new world. Both the Republic and the Empire sought to find the source of this outbreak. Like all flashpoints, Koan Under Siege is instanced and separate from the rest of the open world.

        Relatedly, and quite surprisingly, BioWare started its first world event without announcing it on the official website or even letting anyone know that it was happening. On Sunday morning, everyone who was stopping by Carrick or Vaiken station could overhear an announcement that the planet Tatooine had been quarantined due to an outbreak of the Rakghoul virus.

        So started my investigation...

        Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Outbreak

        MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: Outbreak originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 17 Apr 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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          The Daily Grind: Do you play classes you don't like?

          Posted: 17 Apr 2012 06:00 AM PDT

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          Lord of the Rings Online - view from the rez pad
          I recently returned to Lord of the Rings Online in anticipation of the Rohan-themed expansion pack due later this year.

          As I was looking over my character page and deciding which of my toons I should take to 75, I reluctantly decided to abandon my highest level avatar. You see, he's a Guardian, and despite the fact that I'm basically throwing away 58 levels and some pretty decent gear, I simply can't bear the thought of playing what is absolutely the most boring class in any MMO, ever.

          Why did I roll one, then? Mainly because my launch-day guild was going for class balance, and no one else wanted to play a tank. And that's my long-winded way of leading into today's Daily Grind question. Do you play classes you don't like (and if so, why)?

          Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

          MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Do you play classes you don't like? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 17 Apr 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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            Not So Massively: PAX East, D3 unlocks, and MOBA news

            Posted: 16 Apr 2012 06:00 PM PDT

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            Not So Massively title image
            With just less than a month until Diablo III hits the shelves, Blizzard released another 275,000 beta keys into the wild. The share meter on the game's social media microsite also reached 30% this week and unlocked the first three pieces of exclusive content. Meanwhile, Path of Exile celebrated an incredibly successful pre-order campaign, netting over $200,000 in just six days and selling 13 of its $1,000 diamond packages.

            In the land of MOBAs, League of Legends looked back on PAX East this week and celebrated some of the incredible costumes that fans turned up in. Dota 2 fixed a few behavioural problems with bots, added the ability to skip straight to kills in a game replay, and brought back the popular Random Draft game mode. Bloodline Champions revealed its new bloodline Dryad, and Rise of Immortals revealed its new crystalline tank immortal Shard. Heroes of Newerth released its third ranged agility hero in a row this week, the unfortunately named Artillery.

            Continue reading Not So Massively: PAX East, D3 unlocks, and MOBA news

            MassivelyNot So Massively: PAX East, D3 unlocks, and MOBA news originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 16 Apr 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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              RIFT community team livestreaming Infernal Dawn tomorrow

              Posted: 16 Apr 2012 05:00 PM PDT

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              It's not really a raid unless there's a ten-minute diversion when the tanks both go out for a smoke.
              If you're playing RIFT, odds are good you're looking forward to the next major content update -- and if you're also a raider, so much the better. But it's one thing to read about all of the neat things that will be going on in a new raid and another thing entirely to actually see them. That's why the community team is hosting an official livestream of the new Infernal Dawn raid that's getting released this week.

              The run will begin at 11:30 a.m. PDT, moving through the entirety of the raid and showing off all of the bosses without spoiling the fights themselves. The community team will also be explaining the lore behind the area and the bosses and answering community questions when possible. So if you've got the time around noon tomorrow to check it out, head over to the game's Facebook page and get ready for a guided tour of the newest raid.

              [Source: Trion Worlds press release]

              MassivelyRIFT community team livestreaming Infernal Dawn tomorrow originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 16 Apr 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                Champions Online alerts players to a new trailer

                Posted: 16 Apr 2012 04:00 PM PDT

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                I'm getting an urgent alert.  The Hot Pockets are almost done.
                If you haven't played the content in the latest Champions Online update, you haven't been playing the game. After all, the update launched last Friday. But maybe you're a free player and you're still on the fence about whether or not the game is worth playing with all of the system overhauls and new mechanics. In the hopes of targeting that critical but indecisive user base, the development team has put together a new trailer for the On Alert update.

                All right, so perhaps a trailer isn't the best place to show off detailed mechanical shifts in depth unless you really enjoy watching math. But it still shows off a bit of the new group challenges and the new Alert system, and the update's information hub can fill you in on the more numerical shifts. Check out the trailer just past the break, and if it sparks your interest, you can log into the game and start playing with the new systems now.

                Continue reading Champions Online alerts players to a new trailer

                MassivelyChampions Online alerts players to a new trailer originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 16 Apr 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                  New Dark Age of Camelot video shows off relic raid test-run

                  Posted: 16 Apr 2012 03:00 PM PDT

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                  Screenshot -- Dark Age of Camelot
                  Realm-vs.-realm combat pioneer Dark Age of Camelot is seeing a number of changes to the relic raid system in the upcoming patch 1.112, and last Wednesday the devs gathered a bunch of guillible cannon fod-- err, brave adventurers to help them test out the new updates with an all-out relic raiding brawl.

                  Mythic figured that an event of such magnitude shouldn't go unnoticed, so the studio recorded the ordeal and put together a lovely little video full of an incredible amount of death, destruction, and general RvR chaos. Which faction will reign supreme in this rumble for the relic? Well, there's only one way to find out: Go see for yourself!

                  Continue reading New Dark Age of Camelot video shows off relic raid test-run

                  MassivelyNew Dark Age of Camelot video shows off relic raid test-run originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 16 Apr 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                  Captain's Log: Interview with Star Trek Online's Executive Producer, Daniel Stahl

                  Posted: 16 Apr 2012 02:00 PM PDT

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                  Image
                  Next in this series of interviews conducted on my visit to Cryptic Studios in Los Gatos, California, last month is a chat with Daniel Stahl, Executive Producer of Star Trek Online.

                  I first asked Stahl to give me an overview of his responsibilities as Executive Producer, as there are many people who are either new to STO (or even to gaming overall) who may not have a clear understanding of his role entails.

                  He stated his job is "similar to making movies." He has several direct reports, the first being the software person or the person responsible for the team of people who actually create the code for the game. The second is the Content Lead, who is responsible for new missions, new features, and anything to with player experience. Finally, the Quality Assurance team also reports to him.

                  Continue reading Captain's Log: Interview with Star Trek Online's Executive Producer, Daniel Stahl

                  MassivelyCaptain's Log: Interview with Star Trek Online's Executive Producer, Daniel Stahl originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 16 Apr 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                    Leaderboard: Hobbits vs. Gnomes

                    Posted: 16 Apr 2012 12:00 PM PDT

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                    Leaderboard
                    We shorties have been looked down upon our entire lives, so it's not without some sympathy that I champion the cause of the shorter races in MMOs. Happily, there are a lot of them, and they have their ardent supporters, with the added bonus of seemingly irritating the "Tallies" around them.

                    Yet out of all of the diminutive races in online games, two seem to stand out as the kingpins of the Shortie Empire. The first is Hobbits, the classic heroes of Tolkien's novels as well as Lord of the Rings Online. With their genial attitude, disregard for shoes, and fondness for multiple breakfasts, they've endeared themselves to millions and influenced the development of the RPG genre. The second is Gnomes, the tenacious inventors of the underworld who seem to pop up in every MMO that isn't afraid of a steampunk fringe.

                    So if a Hobbit and a Gnome fell into a pit together and there was only one breakfast to be had, which would go hungry and which would be satisfied? In other words, which race rules more than the other? Vote after the jump!

                    Continue reading Leaderboard: Hobbits vs. Gnomes

                    MassivelyLeaderboard: Hobbits vs. Gnomes originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 16 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                      En Masse releases TERA launch cinematic

                      Posted: 16 Apr 2012 11:00 AM PDT

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                      TERA - launch cinematic high elf girl
                      It must be getting close to TERA's launch day because we can't go five minutes without a new reveal, beta review, game update, or video. En Masse's latest PR drop is a new cinematic called Beginnings that gives Arborean newbs some insights into the fantasy world they're about to inhabit.

                      The clip shows off all seven playable races and makes a great jumping-off point for delving into TERA's lore and backstory. It sets up the conflict between the Valkyon Federation and the soulless argon army that threatens it, and the clip also hints at why players are gathering on the game's newbie Island of Dawn. See for yourself after the cut, and then check out the latest round of new launch features on the official site.

                      Continue reading En Masse releases TERA launch cinematic

                      MassivelyEn Masse releases TERA launch cinematic originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 16 Apr 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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