General Gaming Article

General Gaming Article


Asus Z77/H77 Motherboards Getting Thunderbolt Support Via An Expansion Card

Posted: 18 Apr 2012 11:16 AM PDT

When you're talking the Z77 chipset, one thing springs to mind first and foremost: Ivy Bridge. Intel's upcoming CPU isn't the only newcomer to the game, though, as Z77 is the first Intel desktop chipset to support the company's high-speed Thunderbolt interface -- assuming a Thunderbolt controller is on the mobo, of course. Most of Asus' Z77/H77 'boards have lacked an integrated controller, but it looks like Thunderbolt compatibility is coming thanks to an upcoming expansion card.

Asus told VR-Zone that the majority of the company's H77/Z77 retail mobos will be able to accommodate the Thunderbolt expansion card, which is set to launch on the 27th of this month. It's no freebie, though; you'll have to lay out an unspecified amount of cash to acquire a Thunderbolt controller card. Once you have one in hand, it'll hook up to the TB_HEADER pictured above.

Here's the list of supported motherboards:

  • Maximus V Gene
  • P8Z77-V Deluxe
  • P8Z77-V Pro
  • P8Z77-V
  • Sabertooth Z77
  • P8H77-V
  • P8H77-M Pro

Image credit: VR-Zone

Microsoft's SkyDrive Ups Individual File Size Limits, Adds Twitter And ODF Support

Posted: 18 Apr 2012 10:45 AM PDT

Microsoft's Metro-ified vision of the future relies heavily on users being able to access files and user settings no matter what Windows 8 device they're logged into. The SkyDrive cloud service will (obviously) be a large part of that cohesion. Gearing up for that, the SkyDrive team announced a handful of new features for the service. It's not the unlimited storage space for docs and photos that has long been rumored, but the changes are good ones nonetheless.

First up, OpenOffice lovers will be relieved to hear that files saved using the Open Document Format are now supported by SkyDrive's Office Web Apps, meaning you can fully view and edit the files in-browser. (I just tried it out and it works great.) Another improvement is just as major, if not moreso; the individual file size limit has been boosted to 300MB, up from the previously paltry 100MB cap. Finally, users can now share files with Twitter from the Web interface, and if Windows Phone users Tweet pics, the links will now be shortened to a new "sdrv.ms" URL, replacing the previous massive link URLs.

Don't loss hope for unlimited storage space for docs and photos just yet, though: the SkyDrive team says they "have some really big things coming soon."

Thanks to TheVerge for pointing this out!

Details Of Ivy Bridge Overclocking Attempts Hit The 'Net

Posted: 18 Apr 2012 10:25 AM PDT

With the rumored release of Ivy Bridge just around the corner, we're finally starting to see some early benchmarks roll in from the lucky few who have managed to lay hands on Intel's new CPU a bit early. Yesterday, we highlighted a review of an Ivy Bridge-rocking HP EliteBook, prompting several commenters to say "Desktop overclocking numbers or GTFO." Fortunately, some of those very benchmarks have popped up on the Web in the past 24 hours. (That's good, because we didn't feel like going anywhere.)

The first tidbit comes our way via TechPowerUp, who noticed a nitrogen-cooled overclocking attempt by Chinese overclocker x-powerx800pro on the similarly Chinese Expreview website. The test bed included a Core i7-3770K, 4 GB of overclocked G.Skill RAM, and a Gigabyte Z77X-UD5H mobo. So how did it hold up? X-powerx800pro achieved a 6584.9MHz core clock thanks to a 104.52MHz bus speed with a 63x multiplier at 1.056V. (That's been CPU-Z verified, too.) A slightly different 6511.97MHz configuration blasted through the SuperPi 1M benchmark in 5.585 seconds, according to posted screenshots.

That's not quite the 8-plus GHz put out by record-setting AMD Bulldozer setups, but it ain't too shabby, either. Not many everyday users rock LN2 setups, though.

That's why the Ivy Bridge news over at Nordic Hardware is somewhat troubling, if it's true. The site reports that an overclocker using traditional air-cooling has been running into thermal issues around the 4.6 GHz mark, causing the proc to throttle back. According to the site, the chip tops 90 degree temps around that point, even when using "expensive after-market cooling."

Nordic Hardware doesn't name names, post screenshots or identify the setup being used, however, and it's always a good idea to take leaked pre-launch benchmark info with a decently sized punch of salt -- especially if it's not validated.

Cooler Masters Launches Sub-$100 Extreme 2 Power Supply Series

Posted: 18 Apr 2012 07:35 AM PDT

Cooler Master today unveiled a new line of power supplies that promise to deliver "world-class" reliability and performance without beating up your savings account. Coming in 475W, 525W, 625W, and 725W configurations, each of Cooler Master's new Extreme 2 PSUs costs less than a C-note; the entry-level model carries an MSRP that's half that much. Oddly enough, Cooler Master doesn't claim any 80 Plus efficiency ratings on any of the new models, though the company insists they're constructed with "higher quality components and process improvements" than what's found on the first generation Extreme Series.

"The Extreme 2 Series features world-class safeguards that consist of multiple over power protections which help prevent unfortunate home electrical issues from reaching your computer system's vital components. Ensuring a long operating life, Extreme 2 Series power supplies include highly durable capacitors with heat resistance of up to 105℃ (221F)," Cooler Master says. "These safety measures and quality components ensure that the power supply will remain operational for years to come. Should anything make it through these, users can rest assured knowing that our Extreme 2 Series is covered by a solid 3 year warranty."

All four models boast a dual +12V rail design with up to 18A available on each of the two rails on the 475W model, up to 20A on the 525W, up to 24A on the 625W, and up to 28A on the 725W.

The Extreme 2 Series ships today for $50 (475W), $55 (525W), $75 (625W), and $95 (725W).

Image Credit: Cooler Master

Phishers Up to Their Old Ways Using New Tricks, ESET Warns

Posted: 18 Apr 2012 07:10 AM PDT

Give a man a virus and he'll wreak havoc on a single machine. But teach a man to phish and, well, he'll become a pain in the ass for potentially thousands of computer users. Unfortunately, phishing is a 'skill' every two-bit hacker acquires right off the bat, but not all of them move on to bigger and more insidious things. Some phishers concentrate on honing their craft in hopes of not only ensnaring the gullible and less computer savvy, but even sophisticated ones. Security firm ESET warns of a new phishing method that has popped up in the last few weeks.

Phishers are now using booby-trapped "htm" and html" attachments, the latest in an evolution of phishing scams that have evolved from asking users to type personal information directly in the body of an email to direct links to obfuscated links, and now the attachment of html code. Why go this route? ESET gives two main reasons:

  1. Executing the html code locally will not have your browser go to a website and thus the URL reputation filter will not be applied.
  2. Executing the html code locally for the browser means it is loaded from an Intranet rather than from the Internet. Settings are usually less strict for files started/loaded from an Intranet.

Despite the new method of phishing, some of the old telltale signs remain, like poor grammar and giveaways such as addressing a potential victim as "Dear Paypal Member" instead of addressing them by name, as legitimate organizations typically do.

"We have already started to see e-mails where the reader is instructed to save the e-mail to the local system first, often to the Desktop for convenience, and then to execute or load them from there. But when the files are executed or loaded from the local system, the last safety-net provided by the mail program is bypassed," ESET warns.

In case you needed one, let this be a reminder to always be wary/suspicious of email attachments.

Image Credit: Flickr (ivanpw)

Digital Storm Rolls Out Military Themed Marauder Rigs Starting at $799

Posted: 18 Apr 2012 06:16 AM PDT

Boutique system builder Digital Storm has just introduced a new line of Marauder gaming PCs that attack the pre-built market with a Vengeance. Specifically, the Marauder line marches onto the battlefield in a suit of armor provided by Corsair's Vengeance C70 computer case, a gnarly looking enclosure that happens to be the first chassis in Corsair's lineup to sport the Vengeance moniker.

The Marauder's arsenal consists of both AMD and Intel issued weaponry, depending on which of the four 'Levels' you choose from. Pricing starts at $799 for a Level 1 Marauder that ships with an AMD FX-4100 processor, 8GB of Corsair Vengeance memory, HD Radeon 7750 graphics card with 1GB of memory, 500GB hard drive (16MB cache), Asus M5 A97 motherboard, DVD writer, Corsair GS 600W power supply, and Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit.

"With this new line, we've set a new standard for the price versus performance ratio. Our engineers have always wanted to create a line of powerful gaming PCs that are within reach of every gamer," said Rajeev Kuruppu, Digital Storm's Director of Product Development. "With compete systems starting at $799, this is the very first time Digital Storm has offered such an affordable gaming PC."

A top-flight Level 4 configuration runs $1,299 and includes an Intel Core i5 2500K processor, Radeon HD 7870 graphics card with 2GB of onboard memory, 1TB hard drive (32MB cache), and Asus P8Z77-V motherboard, along with the same supplementary parts and features mentioned above.

Digital Storm is taking pre-orders now and expects to start shipping Marauder systems in mid-May. In the meantime, check out our photo gallery below.

Image Credit: Digital Storm

Gmail Outage Left Up to 35 Million Users Hanging

Posted: 18 Apr 2012 05:54 AM PDT

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, may we have your attention. All is right in the world this morning, and you may all commence firing off breakup emails, work communication, chain letters, and whatever else you might use your Gmail account(s) for. Google's popular email service is back up and running after suffering a severe outage that potentially affected up to 35 million Gmail users yesterday.

Google began investigating "reports of an issue with Google Mail" at 12:42 PM on Tuesday. The outage lasted more than an hour before Google's software engineers were able to get a handle on things and restore order in the GUniverse.

"We've determined that this issue affected less than 10 percent of the Google Mail users who attempted to access their accounts during the affected timeframe," Google states on its Apps Status Dashboard. "While we have resolved this issue with Google Mail, it's possible that some users may experience message delays because affected accounts weren't available to receive messages. The messages will be successfully delivered after account access is restored."

Massive outages like this one are fairly infrequent for Gmail. According to ZDNet, this is the first time Gmail has down for more than an hour so far in 2012; the last time that happened was at the end of October in 2011.

MMO News

MMO News


Wrath of Heroes Open Beta Gameplay – First Look HD

Posted: 18 Apr 2012 12:47 PM PDT

 

To Learn More About the Game Check out our Wrath of Heroes Page.

Wrath of Heroes is a 3D Warhammer themed MMO Battle Arena created by Bioware – the same company behind the P2P Star Wars, The Old Republic MMORPG. Wrath of Heroes sheds away the grinding, leveling, and gear-search from its predecessor, Warhammer Online, and lets players jump right into the action. Between multiple scenarios, players can change their hero at the start of the fight and upon each death, choosing from some classic Warhammer classes and combinations. Players are placed in teams of up to six and battle in three-team combat for victory and prestige. Wrath of Heroes just recently went into open beta.  To learn more about Wrath of Heroes check out the official MMOHut Wrath of Heroes page which includes a detailed review, tons of screenshots, and additional videos.

Brawl Busters releases Rumble in the Box

Posted: 18 Apr 2012 11:30 AM PDT

Rock Hippo Productions has released their latest content patch for Brawl Busters, titled Rumble in the Box. A new map and new features have been released as part of the update.

Riot Mill is the new map, in which players fight on a multi-tiered arena.  Players now also have the chance to receive a rare Lucky Key drop.  This key opens a Lucky Box with several rare and powerful items inside.  The game store has also released Wildcat items for every class.

Crews are also now available to players.  Crews allow players to team up and compete against one another and other crews to show off who the best crew is.  The level cap has also been raised to 25 in the patch.  Players can choose additional options for their matches now, from such things as time limits and kill amounts.

Rock Hippo Productions also publishes MicroVolts.

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Brawl Busters Gameplay Screenshot

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BRAWL BUSTERS GETS READY TO RUMBLE

Crews Debut And Gameplay Updates

Markham, Canada – April 18, 2012 – Rock Hippo Productions announced today their highly popular free-to-play multiplayer action-combat game, Brawl Busters, is ready to think outside the box with their newest update: Rumble in the Box! To check out the action packed online game, players can visit www.BrawlBusters.com/splash and join in the mayhem.

The new map, Riot Mill, is now open for brawling! Grind your opponents to a pulp on this multi-level arena like there’s no tomorrow.

From now on, players have a chance to get an elusive Lucky Key drop. Use these with a Lucky Box to acquire special items like Hero Sets and Golden Weapons that are not otherwise available for sale.

Ready for some serious shopping? The game store has been updated with beastly Wildcat costumes & weapon sets for every class. Will you beat out the competition like Kentucky?

It’s time to team up: the first phase of Crews is now available. Busters can gang up together, join other Crews, and check out Crew Rankings in the Busters Centre which is located on Brawl Busters website at www.BrawlBusters.com.

Last but not least, there’s more brawling to be done than ever before, as the level cap has been increased from 20 to 25! Players can also now refine their matches with a variety of additional customization options, including altering the number of kills required and match time limits.

Digimon Masters announces new Digimon and events

Posted: 18 Apr 2012 11:21 AM PDT

Joymax has announced the launch of their next content patch for Digimon Masters Online, which brings in Guilmon’s ultimate form, amongst other features.

Guilmon has been a favorite of fans, but has only been able to partially digivolve.  Now, players can unlock his fully evolved form, Gallantmon.  Also being released with the patch are Terriormon and CommanDramon.  To celebrate, from now until May 15, players can test their luck in the capsule coin system, where several of the best cash shop items will be made available, including the Soulmon hat.  GMs will also be playing hide-and-seek with players throughout the time, who will provide various items that can defeat the boss monster they summon.

Players are also encouraged to join the mentoring program for their chance to win various prizes.  New players can also help Frigimon find her lost Terriormon dolls for several different prizes as well.

Joymax also publishes Silkroad Online and Karma Online.

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Digimon Masters Gameplay Screenshot

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ULTIMATE DIGIVOLUTION BLASTS OFF IN DIGIMON MASTERS

Guilmon Arrives With Two New Friends And Events Galore

April 18, 2012— Joymax, leading online game developer and publisher, announced today the launch of their next content patch for their online massive multiplayer title, Digimon Masters. A fantastic universe where our world and the Digital World are closer than anyone would have imagined is about to change in ways never expected! Digimon Masters continues the story and heightened sense of urgency found in the Digimon anime. The April update not only brings Guilmon’s ultimate form, but new and familiar faces will be joining his side to fight against the ultimate evil, armed with a variety of contest items! Tamers who want to join in on the fun can sign up at the Joymax portal at http://www.joymax.com/portal

Guilmon, a fan favorite Digimon, was introduced during the March updates but was only able to partially Digivolve. Now, with tamers poised with their Digivices, Guilmon can now upgrade into his burst mode form: Gallantmon crimson mode! Only the most dedicated Guilmon owners will find a way to release the power locked inside.

 

Joining the fast paced fray is two new allies: the cuddly Terriormon hides nerves of steel behind his cutesy exterior, and he joins CommanDramon, who provides a solid addition to any team. Two new egg and valuable data accompany the discovery of the two new Digimon.

 

To celebrate the arrival of the new Digimon, numerous events will be taking place from now until May 15th. Try your luck with the capsule coin system; every draw is a winner, and some of the best cash shop items will be available for a limited time – you might be one of the lucky few who receive a Soulmon hat! This is one of the only ways to grab this rare item, so be on the lookout for coins everywhere.

 

GMs will also be playing hide and seek over the next month, so keep your eyes open for their clever hiding spots. Finding the GM will reward the player with a variety of items including Evoluters, Digiclones, and Reinforced Digi-Eggs, but be warned: those GMs who have been discovered will summon boss monsters that players will need to defeat or get wiped out!

 

Join the Digimon Masters mentoring program: Share the secrets behind a perfect offense on the forums and win several prizes, including Kudamon, Evoluters, and Reinforced Mercenary Digi-Eggs. New players aren’t left out of the update, as Frigimon has lost all her Terriormon dolls and needs Tamers to retrieve them for her. Return her precious plushies for prizes including VeeMon, Guilmon, Salamon, Reinforced Mercenary Digi-Eggs, and even Monster Cards.

 

Digimon are well known all over the globe as part of the famous Japanese TV animation series. Digimon Masters is the first ever 3D online game based on the Digimon universe with more than 1,000 characters featured from seasons 1 through 5 of the series. Not only is it faithful to the art design, Digimon Masters closely follows the original story that will satisfy both loyal fans of the series as well as the average gamer. The game seamlessly combines pet training simulation with role-playing elements to deliver a one of a kind gaming experience. Featuring real-time combat, Gamers will be thrilled with the challenges brought forth by real-time combat which requires quick thinking and good reflexes. Players can also become one of 8 Royal Knights. Royal Knights are Digimon who are in charge of each area in the Digital World. Leaders of a guild that conquers one of these areas can become a Royal Knight who has the right to impose taxes along with other perks and obligations.

 

To get the latest information and regular contests for amazing prizes, players are encouraged to follow the official Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/digimonmasters Players can also check out more details at http://twitter.com/dmojoymax/

League of Legends Patch 1.0.0.138 details

Posted: 18 Apr 2012 11:09 AM PDT

League of Legends patch 1.0.0.138 brought some significant changes to the gameplay.  Foremost, Hecarim has been released, who is a tank type jungler.  Hecarim gains attack strength through movement speed.

In addition to the new champion, multiple bug fixes have been put through.  Teemo may now fully utilize stacking attack speed to do severe poison damage-over-time to his opponents.  Text errors on Lux and Ziggs have been resolved.  Multiple buffs were also granted to lesser played champions such as Zilean, Sejuani, and Karma, to try and bring them into more League games.  Also fixed was an odd bug that allowed Mordekaiser causing minions to attack themselves.

The gold bonus from killing a champion on a killing spree has been increased to 600, to help comebacks from early losses more accessible.  Also, killing higher level champions than yourself will result in increased experience, while killing lower levels will decrease the experience gain.  In an attempt to make games more active early on, multiple defensive runes have taken a slight nerf, while several attack runes — mainly AP based runes — have been buffed.

Check out the patch video below for further details on what’s changed in the patch! League of Legends is published by Riot Games.

League of Legends Patch 1.0.0.138 Video


Dragons of Atlantis unveils Desert Nomads expansion

Posted: 18 Apr 2012 10:56 AM PDT

Kabam has announced details on the upcoming expansion for Dragons of Atlantis, titled Desert Nomads.  The update brings new abilities, a new mounted unit, and a brand new dragon and is set to launch on April 24.  Players can purchase the new dragon and its armor starting noew.

Each home built within the new outpost will provide a 25% bonus to population.  New skills are available to be taught to your existing units from the nomads, and most importantly, players can begin their quest to obtain a brand new dragon.  By sending a sufficiently leveled Amber Crest Dragon to attack a level 10 plain, players can obtain a Helio Dragon egg.  Once hatched and its armor pieces found, the dragon will prove valuable against other dragons, as it resists most environmental damage.

Kabam also publishes Kingdoms of Camelot and Glory of Rome.

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Dragons of Atlantis Gameplay Screenshot

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Kabam's Dragons of Atlantis Expands,

Adding Desert Nomads, a New Outpost and the Powerful Helio Dragon

 The Year of the Dragon continues! In the latest expansion to Dragons of Atlantis™ players are called to assist the beleaguered Desert Nomads by building a new Outpost in the arid Solarian Highlands. The expansion includes a new quest, outpost, unit and the powerful Helio Dragon, which possesses a massive resistance to the elements that makes it one of the most feared dragons in all of Atlantis.

Developed by Kabam™, the leading developer of hardcore social games, Dragons of Atlantis is available to play for free on Facebook, Google+ games and Kabam.com.

"The Desert Nomads expansion adds a new layer of depth and strategy to Dragons of Atlantis," said Nathan Germish, executive producer of Dragons of Atlantis. "A new dragon is always a game-changer – and the Helio Dragon brings powerful environmental resistance into the equation, helping keep combat fresh and unpredictable."

The Desert Nomads are warriors that travel Atlantis and are descendants of Solarians and will train those who seek their guidance. Skilled in survival and tactics, the Nomadic warriors can unlock new abilities for existing troops including the art of mounted combat. The Nomads have built settlements in the desert around the keeps of the vaunted Helio Dragon, the region's resident race of dragon. As a result of this new alliance with the nomads, every home built in this outpost will yield 25% more population that normal per level. Also tempered by the rough climates, Helio Dragons possess a fierce resilience to the elements—especially heat. As a result, they have varying degrees of resistance to the other elemental dragons, making them one of the toughest Dragon-on-Dragon fighters.

Players who wish to get first access to the Desert Outpost can now purchase the dragon egg and armor pieces. Starting on April 24, players who have a Forest Outpost can send their Amber Crest Dragon to attack a level 10 plain to earn the trust of the Nomads and begin driving the Anthropus from Nomadic lands. After fulfilling this quest, players can attack level 8 or higher plains to search for a Helio Dragon egg to unlock the new outpost and dragon. When the Helio Dragon is fully grown and its armor pieces are recovered, it will become a deadly force in combat against other Elemental and Great Dragons, giving its owner a distinct edge in battle. The Desert Outpost can also produce a new mounted unit, the Sand Strider, which will become available on May 1st.

Dragons of Atlantis is a massively multiplayer social strategy game that encourages real-time collaboration between players via Alliances. Alliance players work together on common goals while fighting other Alliances for supremacy. Players raise their dragons from egg to fully-grown adults that can defend their city and attack enemy strongholds. After launching with a single featured dragon, the game continues to add special dragons including Elemental dragons based water, stone, fire, wind, ice, swamps, forests, and the powerful undead Wraith Dragon.

For more information on Kabam, visit our official site at www.kabam.com, and also our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/kabam.

Silkroad-R welcomes new players and launches design contest

Posted: 17 Apr 2012 04:56 PM PDT

Silkroad-R and Silkroad Online have launched new events for players.

In Silkroad-R, players can get a four-part gift package that includes the New Saint Knight Outfit (level 1), the Fairy Outfit (level 30), and a secret item for the player’s first Silk purchase.

In both Silkroad-R and Silkroad Online, players can design a new Fellow for the game in a contest that runs until May 16. Players must design these fellows within specific rules, and submit them to the Silkroad-R Facebook or Silkroad Online forums or Facebook. Each designer will be voted on by players, and the top three designs will be implemented into the game. Each designer will also earn their own winning Fellow.

Both games are published by Joymax, which also publishes Karma Online and Digimon Masters Online.

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Silkroad Online Gameplay Screenshot

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SILKROAD-R WELCOMES NEW PLAYERS WITH SPECIAL NEW FELLOWS

Players Pit Their Artistic Talent Against Each Other To Become Immortalized!

April 17th, 2012 – Joymax, leading online game developer and publisher, announced today a bevy of events for their sister titles Silkroad Online and Silkroad-R. Contests galore begin today alongside a special gift package and much, much more! To find out more about Silkroad-R or to enter either of the current events, visit the official site at http://www.joymax.com/silkroad-r/

Silkroad-R: New Players’ Gift Basket, Design A Pet

Welcome to your new home in Silkroad-R! Awaiting your auspicious arrival is a four part gift package that will help you on your way. Prizes include the New Saint Knight Outfit (given to all new players at level 1), the Fairy Outfit (earned by reaching level 30), and an extra, secret item that players will receive after their first Silk purchase. Veterans are not left out, as the “Design your fellow” contest begins today. Entries will be accepted today until May 16th, when a community vote will take place. If your creative idea is one of the three chosen, your pet will be added to the game!

Silkroad-R: Design a Fellow

Fellows are functional companions that help out players for better attack/defense, they always stay next to players. Their role in the game is understated but vital to the success of any player, and now is the perfect time to create the companion of your dreams! Design and submit a Fellow via the Silkroad-R Facebook from now until 15th of May. Once all the submissions have been examined, players will vote for their top 3 favorites from a list of 10, which will become available in the game shortly afterwards! Each designer will also be gifted their own Fellow. Join now at http://on.fb.me/silkroadr_newfellows

Silkroad: Design a Fellow

Players of the legacy title aren’t being left out of the fun either! Designs will also be accepted for a new Silkroad Fellow to be showcased in Silkroad Online. Players will be challenged to ensure their designs fall within specific rules, such as being focused on either attack or defense. Once all the submissions have been received from the Silkroad Online forums and the official Facebook, players will have the opportunity to vote for their new companions. Three lucky winners’ designs will be given to the Silkroad team and turned into a real Fellow inside the game for all players to enjoy, and winners will receive their design as a special thank you gift. Join now at http://on.fb.me/silkroad_newfellow

MMO Updates

MMO Updates


MMO Family: Mind your massively multiplayer manners revisited

Posted: 18 Apr 2012 10:00 AM PDT

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south park
In this week's MMO Family column, I want to dig deeper into something that came up as a result of the last edition, and that's the perception of younger gamers as generally being too immature, being too flighty, and lacking the social skills to be fun groupmates and guildmates in our MMOs. There were some great points all around, with some arguing that kids aren't good guildmates because of their age and others even arguing that some kids are more mature than adults.

Let's look at things a little differently this week. Suppose you are guilded or grouped with your son/daughter/little brother/niece/nephew/best friend's kid/etc. You can't blow him off because of your relationship to him or her, so what do you do to make sure he or she isn't that kid who drives everyone crazy in-game? I'm revisiting one of Lisa Poisso's past articles to see what rules of age etiquette we can come up with in this crazy age of gaming.

Continue reading MMO Family: Mind your massively multiplayer manners revisited

MassivelyMMO Family: Mind your massively multiplayer manners revisited originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 18 Apr 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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    TERA ramping up the early-level challenges

    Posted: 18 Apr 2012 09:00 AM PDT

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    TERA - sorcerer vs. bam
    We all know that TERA's combat does things a little differently from the MMORPG norm. According to a new update, though, that's not all there is to the game's unorthodox approach.

    En Masse Entertainment is highlighting something it calls improved early play, which in a nutshell means that fresh-face Arborean avatars won't be killing 10 rats or delivering 10 rat tails while serving time on the TERA equivalent of a newbie island. Instead, the game's playable prologue "starts you right in the middle of the action: a beachhead under assault by demonic forces. It's not just a cutscene," En Masse says. "You'll be fighting big-ass monsters within minutes, learning the controls as you go."

    The piece goes on to talk about how challenge in TERA is actually challenging thanks to new tactics and deadlier attacks from low-level critters. Read all about it on TERA's official site.

    MassivelyTERA ramping up the early-level challenges originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 18 Apr 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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    Soul Captor Online announced

    Posted: 18 Apr 2012 08:30 AM PDT

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    Soul Captor Online
    There's a new cel-shaded sheriff coming to town -- and the only question is whether the place will be big enough for a contender this cute and cuddly. Gamania is pleased to trumpet the upcoming arrival of Soul Captor Online, a free-to-play title that revolves around the acquisition and manipulation of monster souls.

    In Soul Captor Online, players will be accompianied by an Anima, a customized spirit creature, that will help them in their journeys. When the player and Anima defeat a monster, the monster's soul can be sucked out to be used for buffs, enchantments, and even mounts.

    The revealed classes so far in Soul Captor are a diverse bunch: Warrior, Priest, Shaman, and of course, the Onmyoji (mage). There is a pair of unannounced classes hiding in the shadows as well.

    Currently, Soul Captor is accepting sign-ups for beta. Check out the tongue-in-cheek trailer after the jump and let us know what you think!

    Continue reading Soul Captor Online announced

    MassivelySoul Captor Online announced originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 18 Apr 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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    Funcom giving away in-game prizes, studio trips via The Secret World Facebook tie-in

    Posted: 18 Apr 2012 08:00 AM PDT

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    The Secret World - all your personal info are belong to us
    There's something decidedly ironic about a conspiracy-laden game rife with (fictional) secrets and sensitive information taking to Facebook to advertise itself. Funcom's new The Secret World MMO is doing just that, though, thanks to a tie-in game called The Secret War that kicked off last night.

    Docholidaymmo.com reports that the new Facebook game grants in-game prizes for The Secret World (in the form of cosmetic gear, potions, and starter weapons). Funcom is also giving away eight trips to its Montreal development studio as well as a chance to get your name embedded in The Secret World's retail client. Still not enough for you? How about chances to win access to the title's upcoming beta weekends?

    You'll need to head to the official Secret War site and link your Facebook account (or your fake Facebook account, according to the report). After you've done so, each of your Facebook friends who are playing the game will go into your pool of agents and may be assigned towards the ultimate goal of world domination.

    The Secret World is now available for pre-order and it launches June 19th.

    MassivelyFuncom giving away in-game prizes, studio trips via The Secret World Facebook tie-in originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 18 Apr 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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    DC Universe Online releases Game Update 12

    Posted: 18 Apr 2012 07:00 AM PDT

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    DCUO
    It's super-patch day for the folks over at DC Universe Online, as SOE is bringing Game Update 12 to the live servers. The patch's biggest addition to the game is an overhaul of the bank UI. Now the bank will be easier to use, clearer to understand, and have a separate area for shared inventory.

    Game Update 12 is definitely about convenience. SOE's adding the option to purchase additional character slots for those whose altoholic natures have pushed the limits of the character select screen as far as it'll go. The update is also adding teleporters to give players an additional 15 seconds of leeway when trying to get into a Boss Alert after the door closes.

    As expected with any big update, this patch has plenty of bug and balance fixes as well. SOE is anticipating a four-hour downtime to deploy GU12 to the servers.

    MassivelyDC Universe Online releases Game Update 12 originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 18 Apr 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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    The Daily Grind: Would you ever pay to beta test?

    Posted: 18 Apr 2012 06:00 AM PDT

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    Ultima Online
    You might have read the title of today's Daily Grind and found yourself laughing uproariously, startling any small children or cats in the area. "Me? Pay for beta?" you chortle. "Why, that's the most ludicrous thing I've heard all day, and I've already been to The Onion!"

    But I'd like you to stop and actually consider it for a moment. Historically, people have paid for beta access; back in the late '90s, players shelled out a few bucks to get a copy of the Ultima Online beta CD. Even today, many pre-purchases and pre-orders involve exchanges of funds so that a beta key might be reserved.

    But what if MMO studios today came right out and blatantly started charging you to be a part of the beta process? Would you do it? What game would need to be involved, and for what price would you capitulate? Let us know in the comments, and please leave all "I'm already paying for a beta; it's called [Name of Launched Game]" snark at the door!

    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: Would you ever pay to beta test? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 18 Apr 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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      The Game Archaeologist and the veteran of Kesmai

      Posted: 17 Apr 2012 07:00 PM PDT

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      Air Warrior ad
      Aaand we're back! Did you miss me? No? Not even a little bit? Aww, you know how to make me feel all kinds of appreciated!

      Even though it's been quite some time since we finished up our two-part series on the Kesmai company and its incredible (and little-remembered) role in powering up the MMO genre, I wanted to return to take the topic for one last spin. A fellow blogger, Wilhelm "The Ancient Gaming Noob" Arcturus, backs his nickname up by providing memories and stories from gaming eras well before many Massively readers' time. Since he actually played several Kesmai titles back in the day and lived to tell the tale, I wanted to pick his brain before we moved on to other titles.

      So join me in welcoming Wilhelm and his magical clockwork nostalgia retrieval system!

      Continue reading The Game Archaeologist and the veteran of Kesmai

      MassivelyThe Game Archaeologist and the veteran of Kesmai originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 17 Apr 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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        Diablo III punches things up with a new Monk video and the end of beta

        Posted: 17 Apr 2012 06:00 PM PDT

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        No wolves howling at the moon?  What madness.
        Diablo III is still putting together more previews as the game ramps up for its launch on May 15th. The latest reveal is for the Monk, a melee class that takes a very different approach from the already revealed Barbarian. Rather than attacking with massive weapons and overpowering rage, the Monk uses careful combo attacks, swift movements, and inner energy. Unleashing a Monk's spiritual power after a long chain of melee attacks can produce all sorts of effects, from area damage to dashing out of combat quickly.

        This reveal coincides with the announcement that the Diablo III beta will be coming to a close on Tuesday, May 1st. Character information will be wiped at that time, and players will be able to post on the official forums only in the event that they have pre-purchased the game or they have an active account for another Blizzard game. If the Monk reveal makes you anxious to play one and you're in the beta, you'd better get on that quickly or be prepared to wait for launch.

        MassivelyDiablo III punches things up with a new Monk video and the end of beta originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 17 Apr 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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        Aion gives Pando Media Booster the boot [Updated]

        Posted: 17 Apr 2012 05:00 PM PDT

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        Pando Dragon Booster still works with the game, but it's not recommended.
        If you've never heard of Pando Media Booster before, then you probably haven't downloaded one of several free-to-play games. It's meant to improve download speeds and speed in streaming clients, but in practical terms it's frequently cited as a resource hog that cripples performance on many computers. Aion was one of the many games that used the program following its transition to free-to-play, complete with the usual complaints, but as of now, the game can be played without the booster.

        As of this afternoon, the game can be downloaded directly from the master NCsoft launcher without using any third-party workarounds. If you had already downloaded and installed the game, you can feel free to safely shut down and uninstall Pando Media Booster without any impact on your gameplay. Considering the horror stories that have periodically circled around the program, Aion players will likely be happy to learn it's no longer associated with the game.

        [Update: NCsoft has contact us to clarify that the removal of Pando Media Booster from Aion is only temporary: "We temporarily removed Pando Media Booster so that we can test a variety of server-side adjustments regarding download completion rates and further refine the service we provide our players. We will bring Pando Media Booster back once we've optimized our service to provide the best download rates possible." Sorry for the confusion!]

        MassivelyAion gives Pando Media Booster the boot [Updated] originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 17 Apr 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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        Star Wars: The Old Republic hosting a weekend trial while plague expands

        Posted: 17 Apr 2012 04:30 PM PDT

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        The Magnificent Seven Physicians?  Minus three.
        If you're one of the few souls that hasn't yet tried Star Wars: The Old Republic just yet, this weekend is your next chance. With the Rakghoul Plague racing across the galaxy, BioWare is inviting potential new players to take a look at the game from April 19th at 1:01 a.m. EDT until April 23rd at 3:00 a.m. EDT. As in previous weekend events, players will be able to pick up their trial characters and continue leveling them in the event that they purchase the full game afterward.

        Of course, if you're already in the game, you're probably less concerned about new players and more concerned with the aforementioned plague. Darth Hater has assembled a guide for players including the latest updates to this ongoing world event running until April 24th, which should be more than enough to help players unlock rewards and see all there is to see during the outbreak. Just be prepared -- there are probably going to be a lot of new people over the weekend not fully versed in containment procedures.

        MassivelyStar Wars: The Old Republic hosting a weekend trial while plague expands originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 17 Apr 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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        Walk softly and carry a big stick with City of Heroes' new Staff Fighting powerset

        Posted: 17 Apr 2012 04:00 PM PDT

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        Screenshot -- City of Heroes
        In the high-fantasy-laden MMO space, staves have long been relegated to the realm of things-for-spellcasters-to-hold-while-finger-wiggling, but what happened to the good ol' days of just bludgeoning the daylights out of someone with a big stick? Well, thanks to City of Heroes, those days are back courtesy of the new Staff Fighting powerset, though there's no word as to whether it will also allow you to walk softly.

        What it will allow you to do, though, is fight in one of three different forms (Body, Mind, or Soul), each of which provides you with a unique stacking buff that can then be consumed to execute the powerful Eye of the Storm and Sky Splitter abilities. The new powerset is available for the Brute, Scrapper, Stalker, and Tanker archetypes, and would-be kung-fu masters can pick it up from the Paragon Market for 800 Paragon Points.

        MassivelyWalk softly and carry a big stick with City of Heroes' new Staff Fighting powerset originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 17 Apr 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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        Alganon delays expansion, plans double-XP weekend

        Posted: 17 Apr 2012 03:00 PM PDT

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        Alganon
        Citing "unforseen circumstances," the team at QOL has announced that Alganon's Rise of the Ourobani expansion will be delayed until the fourth quarter of this year. "After evaluation of the project, it was decided that more time was needed in order to do some critical bug fixes as well as to spend more time on certain areas and features of the expansion in order to do the best work possible," the devs wrote in the April newsletter.

        Rise of the Ourobani will feature the playable titular race, a brand-new continent to explore, a Warden combat companion, PvP, and flying mounts. To soften the blow of the expansion's delay, QOL has released several sneak peek pictures and videos.

        Even though the expansion is a ways away, players have a reason to log in now, as Alganon is preparing a double-XP weekend from April 20 through the 23rd.

        You can watch Rise of the Ourobani flying mounts in action after the break.

        Continue reading Alganon delays expansion, plans double-XP weekend

        MassivelyAlganon delays expansion, plans double-XP weekend originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 17 Apr 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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        Massively Speaking Episode 197: The audio plague

        Posted: 17 Apr 2012 02:00 PM PDT

        Filed under: , , , , , , ,

        SWTOR
        Massively Speaking Episode 197 reviews a big week for MMOs, with several launches, updates, and live events going off all over the place. We had to hit the big red Massively Alarm three times during this time, prompting the MassivelyBusters to jump out of their beds, slide down the pole, and take the NERF-1 out to the scene of the action. Then we farmed spores, molds, and fungi with Elisabeth Cardy.

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

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



        Read below the cut for the full show notes.

        Continue reading Massively Speaking Episode 197: The audio plague

        MassivelyMassively Speaking Episode 197: The audio plague originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 17 Apr 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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          Flameseeker Chronicles: Simplicity itself

          Posted: 17 Apr 2012 01:00 PM PDT

          Filed under: , , , ,

          Guild Wars 2 concept art
          ArenaNet is designing Guild Wars 2 to appeal to bucketloads of people. The studio's got the PvP and competition, the high-end dungeon challenge, the super-cooperative and dynamic PvE content, the compelling and branching storyline, the flashy (and occasionally sensibly flashy) armors -- there's a lot going on. Part of what makes that possible is the use of very approachable systems.

          These simple systems pop up all over the place: the straight-forward lists of boons and conditions that affect players, the common capture point mechanic over which more intricate PvP objectives can be layered, and the relatively small pool of skills from which to assemble a build. The beauty of their simplicity is that the simplicity itself isn't a limiting factor -- you can't do only simple things with them.

          In this way, simple systems have a low entry barrier and a high complexity capacity. That means that more people can enjoy the game with relatively little skill and that there's a lot of room for time, dedication, and finesse to lead to outstanding results. Anyone can play, but not everyone can (or will) master elements of the game.

          Continue reading Flameseeker Chronicles: Simplicity itself

          MassivelyFlameseeker Chronicles: Simplicity itself originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 17 Apr 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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            The Soapbox: The curious case of Vanguard

            Posted: 17 Apr 2012 12:30 PM PDT

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            Vanguard - magic hour duo
            Disclaimer: The Soapbox column is entirely the opinion of this week's writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of Massively as a whole. If you're afraid of opinions other than your own, you might want to skip this column.

            "Yaaay!"

            "FU-- yeah!"

            "Finally."

            "WOW! This is the best MMO news I have heard in a long time!"

            These are just a few of the comments that greeted our recent announcement of Vanguard's upcoming free-to-play conversion. The reactions were overwhelmingly positive, and Sony Online Entertainment's open-world fantasy themepark was lavished with praise by a wide cross-section of Massively readers. This makes me wonder where all these folks have been since the game's launch in early 2007. It's not like Vanguard shut down and is being resurrected, you know? More importantly, I wonder whether free-to-play can actually save the game from the scrap heap of shuttered SOE MMOs.

            Continue reading The Soapbox: The curious case of Vanguard

            MassivelyThe Soapbox: The curious case of Vanguard originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 17 Apr 2012 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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              SOE trumpets EverQuest's F2P success

              Posted: 17 Apr 2012 12:00 PM PDT

              Filed under: , , , , , ,

              EverQuest - a living legend
              How's that free-to-play experiment working out for EverQuest? Pretty well, according to Sony Online Entertainment's latest press release. The company has just published a few facts and figures relating to the recent conversion of its long-running fantasy themepark. Some of the more interesting nuggets include a 125% spike in item sales, a 150% uptick in unique log-ins, and over three times as many account registrations when compared to the subscription model.

              SOE has also released a handy video recap for EverQuest newbs. The game has been around since 1999, after all, so have a look at the Living Legend clip after the break to catch up on 13 years of MMO history.

              [Source: SOE press release]

              Continue reading SOE trumpets EverQuest's F2P success

              MassivelySOE trumpets EverQuest's F2P success originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 17 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                SWTOR's official website receives a facelift

                Posted: 17 Apr 2012 11:00 AM PDT

                Filed under: , ,

                SWTOR: New website
                At approximately 2 a.m. EDT, the Star Wars: The Old Republic website dropped offline for 11 hours to receive a much-needed facelift. The previous site had used the same look for nearly four years, focusing on a pre-launch presentation. But at noon EDT, a fresh new site was revealed to the world.

                According to the SWTOR community team post, this new site, which was rebuilt from the ground up, will provide "the latest game updates in an easy to navigate way." The team expounds on what we should expect from the new site later in the article, "In addition to all of the latest news and information that is released, we're also going to give you much more information about in-game content." The first example of this is the breakdown of each of the 17 flashpoints.

                Although the new site falls back on a more traditional look, the community team assures us that this will help to increase the site's overall functionality and allow for additional features such as guild support, skill trees, character profiles, and more.

                MassivelySWTOR's official website receives a facelift originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 17 Apr 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                Fansite details DUST 514 newbie experience

                Posted: 17 Apr 2012 10:30 AM PDT

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

                DUST 514 - merc battlefield concept art
                Fansite DUST514.org has the best introductory info dump we've seen to date regarding CCP's upcoming DUST 514 MMOFPS.

                The sci-fi shooter is, of course, set in EVE Online's New Eden universe, but how exactly does the new player experience look and feel? That question is answered at length on the site's latest blog post. Dropsuits and dropsuit fittings are covered in detail, as is DUST's complex skill system.

                Also noteworthy are the tidbits relating to missions and PvP. DUST, like EVE, starts newbs off in high-security space, where there are plenty of NPC corporations willing to hand out mercenary contracts. These aren't just bot matches, though, as you'll go up against other players who have chosen to work for competing corporations. The blog also delves into DUST's version of blueprint originals and blueprint copies as they relate to gear acquisition, not to mention a host of other interesting topics.

                MassivelyFansite details DUST 514 newbie experience originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 17 Apr 2012 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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