General Gaming Article

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• Comcast Plans To Raise Subscriber Bandwidth Caps, Add Additional Data Options
• EVGA Recalls Some GTX 670 Superclock Cards
• Valve Gives Steam Users The Gift Of Remote Game Downloads
• MSI Cooks Up Norris Edition Gaming PC, Forgets to Add Chuck
• RunCore Rolls Out InVincible Solid State Drive with Self Destruction Mechanisms
• Eurocom's Ultranportable 'Monster 1.0' Laptop Now Available to Purchase
• Adata Gooses XPG Xtreme Series RAM to 2133MHz, Rolls Out 8GB and 16GB 2133X Kits

Comcast Plans To Raise Subscriber Bandwidth Caps, Add Additional Data Options Posted: 17 May 2012 11:36 AM PDT Comcast has fallen under fire recently for the way it handles its Xfinity app on the Xbox 360 console; basically, the company doesn't count the bandwidth against subscribers' monthly data cap. It sounds great for Comcast customers, but critics -- including Netflix's Reed Hastings -- say the practice is a violation of Net Neutrality. Perhaps to silence the screams for blood, Comcast announced today that it plans on increasing its data cap and trying out some new data management approaches. The current Comcast policy entails a hard 250GB bandwidth cap. Top it too many times and Comcast could cut you off. That looks like it's changing in the future. Comcast VP Cathy Avgiris described the possible "flexible data usage management approaches" on the company's blog today. One approach involves the data cap being raised to 300GB, with additional bandwidth available at the example rate of $10 for 50GB. (That's obviously subject to change.) The second trial approach is basically the same, but customers with more expensive Internet packages receive even higher bandwidth caps. If you're not in a trial market, Comcast will "suspend enforcement of our current usage cap as we transition to a new data usage management approach, although we will continue to contact the very small number of excessive users about their usage." Unfortunately, there's no word on when the trials and changes are actually going to take place.

EVGA Recalls Some GTX 670 Superclock Cards Posted: 17 May 2012 11:04 AM PDT Ruh-roh! Being an early adopter of technology often means putting up with headaches while a product's kinks get worked out, and it seems that's holding true for at least some early GTX 670 buyers. EVGA apparently forgot to quality test a small batch of GTX 670 Superclock cards and is recalling them as a result. HardOCP's Kyle Bennett heard the first whispers and asked EVGA what was going on. Here's what the company told him: EVGA has isolated this problem to an early batch of GTX 670 Superclock cards (P/N: 02G-P3-2672-KR) that were not properly screened during QA/QC procedure. We have already been working with our partners to retest this particular batch. In the meantime, our R&D has also done numerous tests, burn in and component quality verification to confirm that the EVGA GTX 670 Superclock is a well designed product. The rep didn't mention whether there were specific defect concerns or a way to identify potentially untested cards. Several threads in EVGA's GTX 600-series subforum mention GTX 670s crashing shortly after installation; maybe the cause is related? In any case, those forum users report that the RMA process is painless, and EVGA told Bennett that they'd be replacing customers' recalled GTX 670 Superclocks with GTX 670 FTW cards to help make up for the headache. Is your EVGA GTX 670 Superclock acting up? The company told HardOCP that customers should contact Jacob Freeman at jacobf@evga.com to get the RMA ball rolling. Follow Brad on Google+ or Twitter

Valve Gives Steam Users The Gift Of Remote Game Downloads Posted: 17 May 2012 10:33 AM PDT If your trigger finger starts itching for a new FPS frag fest while you're out-and-about and away from your PC, Steam now offers the gaming equivalent of calamine lotion: remote game management. Yup, Valve's made it possible to install new games on your PC while you're "busy" at work. Yay instant gratification! The feature's been in beta testing for a couple of weeks, but Valve made it official and pushed the function out to all Steam users yesterday. It's super simple: just log in to your account using Steam's website or its mobile apps and start managing your game library, including installations. If Steam detects that you're buying a game from a remote location, it'll even ask you if you want to install the game on you home PC immediately. Of course, the Steam client will have to be running on your home PC in order for all that magic to happen. Follow Brad on Google+ or Twitter

MSI Cooks Up Norris Edition Gaming PC, Forgets to Add Chuck Posted: 17 May 2012 06:39 AM PDT MSI's 'Gamer's Choice Edition GTX 680 Norris Edition' is a high-end gaming PC, but it's not an official Chuck Norris system, because a gaming PC implies eventual obsolescence and Chuck Norris would never allow that to happen. There are millions of PC gamers in the wild, because Chuck Norris allows there to be, and as far as we know, there's only one Norris Edition system, an obvious reference to the martial arts master and Internet sensation. So we've established that MSI's latest system is missing Chuck, but otherwise the recipe includes plenty of promising ingredients. It starts with a liquid cooled (Corsair Hydro Series H100) Intel Core i7 3770K processor (Ivy Bridge) overclocked to 4.4GHz. There's also an MSI brand GeForce 680 GTX graphics card (N680GTX Twn Frozr 2GD5/OC), an MSI Z77A-GD65 motherboard, 16GB of DDR3-1866 memory, 120GB Corsair Force GT solid state drive, 2TB Seagate hard drive spinning at 7,200 RPM, and Corsair TX650 power supply. All this comes wrapped in Corsair's Graphite Series 600T mid-tower chassis. According to overseas reports, like this one at Golem.de, MSI's Gamer's Choice Edition GTX 680 Norris Edition PC launches on May 20, 2012 for an introductory price of 1,899 euros (about $2,413). On May 31, the price jumps to 1,999 euros (~$2,540). No word on whether Chuck Norris will allow this system to launch in the U.S., and if so, how much it would sell for in the States.

RunCore Rolls Out InVincible Solid State Drive with Self Destruction Mechanisms Posted: 17 May 2012 05:04 AM PDT RunCore's latest solid state drive offering is an oxymoron in the tech world, or perhaps the company was being ironic when naming its new SSD line 'InVincible' when 'Impenetrable' might have been a better choice. Naming scheme aside, the neat thing about RunCore's InVincible line is that the drives feature a pair of self-destruction modes, including one that wipes out data by overwriting the entire disk -- otherwise known as zeroing out -- and one that's, um, a bit more permanent. "A less subtle method is the physical destruction of your SSD by applying an over-current to the NAND flash memory and thereby physically destroying these," RunCore explains. "The RunCore InVincible product series is catering to embedded computer systems requiring high-speed serial switched fabric interconnects for rugged design implementation and more flexible power ranges. Delivering optimized storage options particularly in mission-critical fields such aerospace, military and general industrial applications." RunCore uploaded a video of the self-destruct feature to YouTube (see below), and these folks aren't fooling around. Within seconds of activating the physical self-destruct mode, the InVincible SSD starts to smoke. The chips inside end up burned and cracked. No word on how much these suicidal drives cost or when paranoid data hoarders will be able to purchase them.

Eurocom's Ultranportable 'Monster 1.0' Laptop Now Available to Purchase Posted: 17 May 2012 05:02 AM PDT Technically speaking, Eurocom's new Monster 1.0 laptop isn't an Ultrabook, nor is the company claiming it to be. Instead, Eurocom introduces the Monster 1.0 as a mobile system that "packs the performance of a gaming beast into a 4-pound ultraportable design." So it's an ultraportable, which means it isn't quite as svelte as an Ultrabook, but it's also better spec'd with up to an Intel Core i7 3820QM processor, 16GB of DDR3-1600 memory, Nvidia GeForce GT 650M graphics, and 1TB of storage. The Monster 1.0 is Eurocom's take on the 11.6-inch Clevo W110ER making the rounds, the same one that's helping depressed Alienware M11x fans snap out of their funk from hearing the news that Dell is discontinuing the mini-sized gaming notebook. Pricing starts at $825 for the Monster 1.0, though a baseline configuration is much more subdued than the specs mentioned above. We're talking a Core i5 2410M processor, 4GB of DDR3-1333 memory, and 500GB hard drive, though it does come with Nvidia's Kepler-based GeForce 650M as a standard option. Upgrading to the above mentioned configuration ups the price to $2,123, and if you're going to spend that much, you might as well upgrade the HDD to a solid state drive. You can play around with configuration options here. Image Credit: Eurocom

Adata Gooses XPG Xtreme Series RAM to 2133MHz, Rolls Out 8GB and 16GB 2133X Kits Posted: 17 May 2012 05:01 AM PDT If you have a need for some serious speed in your system setup, Adata hopes to be your Top Gun with its new flavors of XPG Series DDR3 memory. Now available at a blistering 2133MHz, Adata's new XPG Xtreme Series 2133X kits come in 8GB (2x4GB) and 16GB (2x8GB) dual-channel kits, though there's nothing stopping you from picking up a pair and running them in a quad-channel configuration. The new kits operate at a standard 1.65 volts and push latency settings of 10-11-11-30 for up to 34.1GB/s of bandwidth. To ensure reliable performance, Adata says it essentially cherry picks the chips in these memory kits, which are "selected through a strict filtering process" and then slapped on a high performance 8-layer Printed Circuit Board (PCB).. Intel Extreme Memory Profiles (XMP) 1.3 are also supported and compatible with Intel's P67, X79, Z68, Z75, and Z77 platforms. The new kits are available now in the U.S. and Canada for $90 (8GB) and $190 (16GB). Image Credit: Adata

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MMO News

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• Blacklight Retribution releases Netwar game mode
• World of Warplanes Ground Attack previewed
• MicroVolts launches Rumpus Room Ruckus
• Cross Fire releases Nightfall update
• Asda 2 Celebrates First Anniversary
• World Guild Championship begins in Archlord
• Runes of Magic reveals details on new classes
• Dawn breaks in Ether Saga Odyssey
• Tribes Ascend passes one million downloads
• Ragnarok Online launches Port Malaya

Blacklight Retribution releases Netwar game mode Posted: 17 May 2012 12:57 PM PDT Perfect World Entertainment has released a new game mode in Blacklight Retribution, called Netwar.  This update also features one of the largest maps in the game currently, and is heavily team-based, rewarding strategy and coordination. The objective of the mode is to earn more points towards the total than your opponents.  Points can be earned by holding any of four control points in the four sections of the map, or by capturing a flag that spawns in the center of the map.  The flag can only be captured if your team controls one of the four points on the map. Unattended points, however, decay back towards neutral, so constant defense will be required for you to maintain each point.  Healing items are highly recommended in the mode to keep yourself and your teammates alive to score the most points. Perfect World Entertainment also publishes Rusty Hearts and Forsaken World. Blacklight Retribution Netwar Trailer Source: New Game Type – Netwar Introducing Netwar – Blacklight Retributions brand new gametype! Featuring one of the largest maps in the entire game, this mode is heavily team oriented and rewards strategy, as well as team coordination. The objective of Netwar is to earn more points towards the match total than the opposing team. Points can be earned in a couple different ways – holding any of the four control points in the four quadrants of the map, as well as capturing a communal flag which spawns in the center. Only by controlling a point on the map is it possible to capture a flag. It will be vital to mobilize strike groups towards the four capture points to take control of them, both to generate points as well as provide more options towards capturing the central flag. The more points that are held, the faster your team will start generating score towards winning. Keep in mind though that unattended points will slowly decay back to a neutral state – so constant guard is required to retain possession. Recommended loadouts for this map include landmines for defense, long range weaponry, as well as shotguns and flamethrowers for defending points while in-doors. Healing equipment – as well as the revival injector – are extremely useful for assaulting points as well as escorting flag carriers to safety. Light armor and scout builds will also excel at rapidly assaulting points and the flag. Overall, there are many different roles to play in Netwar. Whether you're defending or attacking, the fluidity of the battle will fall solely on teamwork, skill, and map awareness. Good luck, Agent.

World of Warplanes Ground Attack previewed Posted: 17 May 2012 12:45 PM PDT Wargaming.net has released details about the new strafing planes in World of Warplanes. Several classic bombers are represented, such as the Il-2, Il-10, and the jet-powered Il-40 in the Soviet tech tree.  More models from other nations will be released later on. World of Warplanes is set to release later this year.  It focuses on the Golden Age of military aviation, and will feature various warplanes from 1930′s biplanes to Korean War jets that paved the way to modern warplanes.  Each plane will allow various ammo customizations, engines, and more crucial modules in order for players to experience the thrill of flight. Wargaming.net also publishes World of Tanks. World of Warplanes Ground Attack Teaser Trailer Source: Ground-Attack Planes to Bring Strafing and Bombing to World of Warplanes 17th May 2012 — Wargaming.net, the award-winning videogame developer and publisher, introduced ground-attack planes today into its flight combat MMO World of Warplanes, currently in its alpha testing stage. These heavily armed warbirds are a massively threatening class designed to wipe out ground targets. Several legendary names stand out in the class of ground-attack planes, including the classic Il-2, Il-10, and the highly progressive jet-powered Il-40 "sturmoviks", which is presented in the Soviet tech tree, and will expand into models from other nations as World of Warplanes gets close to launch later this year. Ground-attack aircraft are most famous for deadly strafing runs, dive bombing and destructive missile attacks, while their armor provides high survivability and combat effectiveness. "This is the best example of what a flying tank would be like," said World of Warplanes Project Manager, Alex Zezulin. "Ground-attack planes are heavy, slow-paced, close to invulnerable machines that might have the most important objective in combat: to eliminate any ground-based resistance and ensure the safety of their lighter allies." About World of Warplanes World of Warplanes is the flight combat MMO action game set in the Golden Age of military aviation. The game continues the armored warfare theme marked in the highly-acclaimed World of Tanks and will throw players into a never-ending tussle for air dominance. World of Warplanes will allow players to build full-scale careers as virtual pilots offering machines from several key eras, from1930′s biplanes to the Korean War jet fighters that led the way to modern air forces. World of Warplanes will feature a wide range of warbirds, each of them unique in their effectiveness and behavior. Virtual pilots will choose from three main warplane classes – single-engine light fighters capable of engaging enemies in close dogfights, heavy fighters with their deadly straight attacks, and strafing aircrafts, the fearsome threat to ground targets. Every plane will feature multiple variations of ammo types, engines, and other crucial modules, and their various combinations will allow players to pick the optimal configuration for the most effective behavior in combat. Find more about World of Warplanes at: · http://www.worldofwarplanes.com/

MicroVolts launches Rumpus Room Ruckus Posted: 17 May 2012 12:33 PM PDT Rock Hippo Productions has launched its latest update to MicroVolts, titled Rumpus Room Ruckus. The map is themed off of a child’s play room, with blocks, toy trucks, and more.  The update has also brought back all the capsule items, such as the Sea Wasp and Dazzler weapons, or the Pink Kanzashi and Elegant Dress costumes.  The Maypole event is also continuing, and players are encouraged to join in with helping others complete the challenges. Players may also submit a video of their best (or worst) MicroVolts moments.  Winning players will receive currency and be featured on the official YouTube page. Rock Hippo Productions also publishes Brawl Busters. MicroVolts Gameplay Screenshot Source: MICROVOLTS GETS ROWDY IN RUMPUS ROOM RUCKUS Latest Update Brings A Brand New Map And Players Past Favorites Markham, Canada – May 17, 2012 – Rock Hippo Productions Ltd. announced today the launch of its latest update “Rumpus Room Ruckus” for the popular cartoon-style third-person shooter, MicroVolts. The toys are getting rowdy in the new map, Rumpus Room, as they dodge bullets amidst blocks and toy trucks proving this map is not for child’s play! To join in the mayhem, players can visit www.MicroVolts.com This mid-month update is also bringing all the old Capsule favorites back! Players can take their spin on the Capsule Machine for a chance at winning classic Capsule weapons like a “Sea Wasp” Sniper Rifle or “Dazzler” Shotgun. Other past favorites up for grabs are the “Pink Kanzashi” outfit for Naomi and Pandora’s “Elegant Dress”! MicroVolts also wants to remind players that the Maypole challenge is still going strong. It’s not too late to join in and help other MicroVolters complete Maypole challenges like racking up 45 million total kills and playing 1.68 million Elimination matches to unlock a Triple MP and EXP weekend and a never-before-seen Hippo-So-Cool Costume Set for the entire MicroVolts community! Additionally, players can participate in the MicroVolts Montage Mania event to submit a video montage of their best, or worst, MicroVolts moments. Winning players will win up to 15,000 RT and have their video montage featured in the MicroVolts’ official YouTube page! To view the latest screen shots, trailer or to download the game for free, visit www.MicroVolts.com

Cross Fire releases Nightfall update Posted: 17 May 2012 12:22 PM PDT Z8Games has released the Nightfall update for Cross Fire today. The update releases a brand new map for its Ghost Mode aptly named Nightfall.  The map centers around the use of stealth to defeat opponents. The update also brings a new melee weapon in the brass knuckles.  The M4A1-X rifle has also been released to players. To celebrate, players are encouraged to score as many points as they can.  If all players on every server break 100,000,000 frags, everyone that plays the game will receive a special Nightfall ribbon. Z8Games also publishes Metin2. Cross Fire Gameplay Screenshot Source: CROSS FIRE “NIGHTFALL” UPDATE Free New Update challenges players to collect frags for prizes! Toronto, CANADA – May 17, 2012 -G4BOX Inc., a North American publisher and distributor of interactive online entertainment media, released today an update for its free-to-play military shooter, Cross Fire. The free update features a brand new map for its exclusive Ghost Mode, Nightfall GM and a variety of new weapons and items. Current players can download the update automatically upon launching Cross Fire. New players can download and play the game for free from: http://crossfire.z8games.com. The new map “Nightfall” puts players in an urban environment at night. They must use their stealth abilities this Ghost Mode map to defeat their opponents and claim victory. This update also brings another melee weapon, Brass Knuckles as well as a new M4A1-X rifle. To mark the release of this new update, Z8Games has challenged all players in the game to collect as many frags (in game score) as possible. If all players across all servers break the 100,000,000 frag mark then everyone will win an exclusive Nightfall Ribbon! For a full rundown of the content in the May Update as well as the full details of patch events and prizes, players can visit the official update page here: http://crossfire.z8games.com/patches/nightfall_patch.aspx Cross Fire is a free online military first-person shooter for the PC platform. It includes a military ranking system, in-game friends lists, an integrated clan system, deep character customization options and social media integration via the Cross Fire website. More MAPS. More GUNS. More MODES. More HEADSHOTS. Join millions of players online today in the ultimate military FPS experience. Cross Fire is part of the Z8Games platform of free-to-play games. Cross Fire is free-to-download-and-play. Visit the Cross Fire homepage at: http://crossfire.z8games.com

Asda 2 Celebrates First Anniversary Posted: 17 May 2012 11:58 AM PDT In celebration of the game’s first anniversary, GamesCampus has announced several events for Asda 2. Players may now level up to 70, and explore three new maps.  13 new hairstyles and the ability to wear two accessories has also been added, to help with character customization.  Guilds can now gain special skills like increased experience for its members, based on participation in the game. A new tutorial has also been added to help players starting the game for the first time.  In addition to character customization options, the tutorial also helps with classes and avatars.  To go along with this, it is now easier to find players of similar level to yourself on a map, to group and quest with. Several events are ongoing during this time.  A new event shop has been set up, where players can spend tokens earned from various quests.  GMs will also be holding monster summoning events for players every Wednesday.  Defeating the monsters rewards event tokens.  GM quizzes will also be held every Friday.  At random times each day, a double drop rate event will begin.  There will also be a weekly raffle for a variety of prizes. Players who collect the materials to create the giant parasol can summon a boss of the same name.  Defeating the boss will reward players tokens, and a chest that contains a piece of the Parasol Avatar set. GamesCampus also publishes Heroes in the Sky and Scarlet Legacy. Asda 2 Gameplay Screenshot Source: ASDA 2 celebrates its first anniversary Players Celebrate With Huge Content Updates And A Throng Of Special Events For The Popular Fantasy Anime MMORPG Sunnyvale, Calif. (May 17, 2012) – Leading online game publisher, GamesCampus.com (www.GamesCampus.com), announced today that Asda 2, the sequel to the popular fantasy anime-style MMORPG, has kicked off its first anniversary celebration with a variety of updates and special events.  The game, known best for its endless variety, hard-core PvP action and customization possibilities, invites all players to join in the festivities at http://asda2.gamescampus.com In celebration of its one year anniversary, Asda 2 has continually added new and exciting updates over the past few months including the long awaited titles system where players can collect over 200 titles and compete for the top rank.  Players can now quest and level up to 70 in 3 new maps and defeat the powerful Enkidu in Dragon's lair.  Customizing your character has never been more fun with 13 new hairstyles and the ability to wear two accessories at once!  Additionally, players can link up with Facebook to share screenshots or boast about the titles and new items including four new spring accessories. "We are thrilled with the way the game has performed over the last year and are excited to celebrate Asda 2's success," said Hubert Yee, Head of Marketing at GamesCampus.com.  "We want to reward all of our players in the community who helped us get to this point and we are looking forward to another successful year." The first year celebration doesn't end there; a variety of all-new updates launch today featuring a guild update where players contribute points to level up their guild and earn special skills such as EXP and stat increases.  A new tutorial system will now help as players progress through the game along with a character creation update that lets player select between 20 different hair colors, six eye colors and preview classes and avatars! Lastly, it's now easy to search for similar level players in a map, view party information or request to join others with the new party update.To kick off the anniversary celebration, Asda 2 is hosting a slew of special in-game events!  Players can look forward to getting their hands on exclusive 1st anniversary prizes by participating in all of the following events happening now: New Event Shop Asda 2 is getting a new permanent event shop! Collect an Attendance Token daily and gather Event Tokens from various events to spend them on premium or special items. Special items to celebrate the anniversary include party hats, an Asda 2 Cape, the “Birthday” title, and a limited edition Western Ranger avatar set! Monster Summon Event GMs will hold scheduled boss summon events in each town every Wednesday. Kill the monsters for a chance to receive Event Tokens for use in the Event Shop! OX Quiz Events GMs will hold scheduled OX Quiz events every Friday.  Players can test their "true or false" knowledge in this fun new elimination game in the OX Quiz Map! Giant Parasol Event Collect various materials to create a Giant Parasol Summon Stone then summon the Giant Parasol and kill it for special prizes. Players can collect the tokens it drops to earn the “Giant” title, and open the treasure box to receive a piece of the special Parasol Avatar set. Kill the Pastel Parasols in each map for a chance at a Pastel Parasol pet! Happy Hour 2x Drop Rate Event Each day at specific times, a double drop rate event will be held.  Players should be on the look out for this cool event! Weekly Raffle Log in and play throughout each week over the next month (5/15~6/12) for an entry in to a raffle for premium currency! Other GM Events & Contests The GMs will be holding other various GM events including Trivia events, Q&A Tours, Scavenger Hunts, and more! Or, try out your art skills in special contests on the forums and on Facebook!

World Guild Championship begins in Archlord Posted: 17 May 2012 11:27 AM PDT Players may now pre-register for the World Guild Championship in Archlord. The Championship will begin on June 11, with a grand prize of $10,000 and new unique items. Players will battle against different servers with preset characters (equipped with equal armor and weapons), requiring guilds to cooperate, strategize, and dominate. Full registration requires the completion of an in-game quest, and will continue until May 30. The tournament bracket will be announced on June 4, and will have world versus world matches to bring international competition to a head. Archlord is published by Webzen, which also publishes Continent of the Ninth and Mu Online. Source: Who will be the Most Powerful Guild to Rule ARCHLORD?   WEBZEN Inc. (WWW.WEBZEN.COM), the Next Generation of Free-to-Play Online Games, announced the start of the first 'World Guild Championship' for the MMORPG 'ARCHLORD'.   Today, WEBZEN opened the pre-registration page for the 'World Guild Championship' that will begin on June 11, 2012 with a grand prize of $10,000 (USD) and rewards including new unrevealed unique items.     The 'World Guild Championship' will allow all participants to battle with each other between different servers using a preset character equipped with the same armor and weapons. Being under this same condition, guilds will need cooperation with each other to build strategies and show their PvP skills to win the grand prize. To register for the tournament, guild masters and their members must complete an in-game quest. The registration will continue until May 30th through the official ARCHLORD website (archlord.webzen.com).   On June 4th, the tournament bracket will be announced where participants will be able to see who their opponents will be. WEBZEN plans to set the bracket to have world versus world matches which will add more excitement to the tournament.   Jihun Lee, Head of Global Publishing, said "Being the first 'World Guild Championship', we are anticipating good results from all participants who will battle to be the most powerful guild and win the grand prize." Also he said, "We hope users will have more interest as we are putting much effort to provide better services and an expansion update coming this August."   Meanwhile, during the pre-registration period, various events including monster hunting and cash item giveaway events will take place for all users to enjoy.   More information about the 'World Guild Championship' and 'ARCHLORD' can be found at the official Facebook community and website (archlord.webzen.com).

Runes of Magic reveals details on new classes Posted: 16 May 2012 03:16 PM PDT In a few weeks, Runes of Magic will launch Fires of Shadowforge; today, more details on two new classes have been revealed. The Chmapion and Warlock will both be available only to the Dwarven race to create. The Champion possesses a unique ability to change into a Runic Robot, a form that allows for powerful magic and melee attacks. The Champion can also create special weapons and armor, and their combination of skills make them ideal for tanking or DPS. Meanwhile, the Warlock can use long-ranged dark magic attacks. Their spells can sap enemy strength or be used to help allies, making them both a support class and DPS. Runes of Magic is published by Frogster, which also publishes Eligium and Bounty Bay Online. Runes of Magic Gameplay Screenshot Source: Modern Technology or Dark Magic? Frogster provides details on the two new classes in Runes of Magic   Berlin, 15 May 2012: Only a few weeks remain until the anxiously anticipated release of Fires of Shadowforge, the fifth chapter of the Fantasy MMORPG Runes of Magic. Now, Frogster is providing details on the two new classes, the Champion and the Warlock, and their special abilities.   Like the Warlock, the Champion class will only be available to the Dwarves. One of the unique abilities of this class is its capacity to transform into a Runic Robot. This form allows for additional devastating magic and attacks that are particularly useful in melee combat, making the Champion very effective at soaking up damage.   With access to the Dwarves' ancient blacksmithing skills, the Champion has the potential to create and equip powerful weapons and armour. Armaments embedded with runes offer nearly impenetrable protection without forfeiting mobility. Long familiarity with the forge hammer has made the Champion's hands into efficient instruments of creation and destruction. This barbaric combination of strength and swiftness fortifies their reputation as steel demons of the battlefield, and makes a Champion the ideal tank and attack class. Their broad variety of in-game capabilities will be a pleasure for veteran gamers.   In contrast, the Warlock's fighting style is characterised by long-range attacks and sapping enemy strength. Through exhaustive experimentation with the dark magic of the Shadowforge Dwarves, this class has developed techniques for harnessing spiritual energy in order to become powerful spellcasters. With this mystical power, Warlocks are capable of both tearing enemies to pieces and helping allies in need. In direct combat, the Warlock can thus be played as a support class or an additional damage dealer.   For more information and news on the game, visit the official website: www.runesofmagic.com

Dawn breaks in Ether Saga Odyssey Posted: 16 May 2012 12:34 PM PDT Break of Dawn, the latest expansion for Ether Saga Online, has just released. The update introduces a new dungeon, Monkey King’s Gauntlet, designed to be run up to two times a day for levels 105-114 or 115-120. Bosses drop loot that will let players obtain new items including Jades of Aptitude, which reduces the level requirement of gear, and Dragon Marrow, which can increase the quality of Jades of Aptitude. Hairstyles have also been made to be non-race specific, and new fashion items have hit the market. Ether Saga Odyssey is published by Perfect World Entertainment, which also publishes Jade Dynasty and Blacklight Retribution. Ether Saga Odyssey – Break of Dawn: Source: New adventure: Monkey King’s Gauntlet. Two level ranges, 105-114 and 115-120, can get the map twice per day at the Mapkeeper. Bosses drop Coffers and Reliquaries which will be unlocked via the Heaven’s Repository. Among the item they contain are: *Jades of Aptitude – reduces level requirement of gear *Dragon Marrow – use to increase the quality of Jades of Aptitude and refine Superb Jades into Superior Jades New Ingot exchange NPC with the following: *Hairstyles *Superb Jades Hairstyles are no longer race specific Until the end of May you may gain Clock Tokens and Card Sweep Tokens by remaining logged in for 2 hours. You may gain these 3 times a day. Clock Tokens are used for the Years of Experience quest at Cloud Creek. The snow is gone from Pokari.

Tribes Ascend passes one million downloads Posted: 16 May 2012 12:07 PM PDT Hi-Rez Studios has announced that Tribes Ascend has reached a new milestone: 1.2 million downloads. Released on April 12 with plenty of accolades and three free updates already, this number means that at least one million people have downloaded and tried Tribes Ascend since its launch. Over 110,000 people have also joined Tribes Ascend through the game’s new friend referral system. The game is also preparing for a summer tournament series. Hi-Rez Studio also publishes Global Agenda and SMITE. Tribes Ascend Gameplay Screenshot Source: Tribes: Ascend Surpasses One Million Downloads Within One Month Of Release ATLANTA. May 16, 2012. Hi-Rez Studios, independent developer of AAA free-to-play online games, today announced that Tribes: Ascend has been downloaded 1.2 million times to date. The fast-paced, free-to-play multiplayer shooter was released on April 12th, 2012 to strong critical reception from the gaming press including Editor's Choice awards from PC Gamer, IGN, and GameSpy and 10/10 scores from review sites worldwide including Eurogamer and Ausgamers. "We're thrilled that over 1 million gamers have discovered the fast-paced and skill-based gameplay of Tribes,” said Todd Harris, Hi-Rez Studios Chief Operating Officer. "It is truly the player support of the title that has driven the population growth and fuels our team to deliver updates." Hi-Rez Studios also announced that over 110,000 people have joined Tribes: Ascend via the recently introduced friend referral system. "We see the community expanding primarily thru positive word of mouth,” continues Todd. "Since release we've already recognized seven players who have each individually referred over 500 new people to Tribes: Ascend. The game's success allows us to give back to the community through free DLC updates, tournament events and expansion into new markets in coming months." Tribes: Ascend has received three free DLC updates to date and has outlined a summer schedule for tournaments that include over $30,000 in cash and prizes for players.

Ragnarok Online launches Port Malaya Posted: 16 May 2012 11:46 AM PDT Gravity Interactive has launched the latest expansion for Ragnarok Online – Port Malaya. Port Malaya will add a new exotic destination for players, featuring dozens of new quests (including daily quests), new dungeons, and rare MVP monsters to test the mettle of players above level 100. Players will also be able to earn new equipment, including the new Tattoos, which will let players gain permanent new buffs. Gravity Interactive also publishes Dragon Saga and ROSE Online. Ragnarok Online: Port Malaya Trailer Source: RAGNAROK ONLINE HEADS TO THE COAST A New Vacation Destination; Port Malaya Marina Del Rey, California – May 16, 2012 – Gravity Interactive, a publisher of exciting massive multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs), launched today the latest content patch for their wildly popular anchor title, Ragnarok Online. Enter Port Malaya to discover new quests, added dungeons, the best equipment yet, and an expanded MVP monster cast; there’s so much new content it will be hard to decide what to try first! Players can rush over to the official site and receive complimentary suntan lotion for their coastal visit at http://www.playragnarok.com/news/updatedetail.aspx?id=204&p=1 Welcome to the Port Town of Malaya, where the water’s always warm and the monsters are always dangerous. Enjoy dozens of new quests, including an entire suite of daily tasks to perform aimed at level 100+ characters. Join up with fellow adventurers to plumb new dungeons, testing the strongest characters and honing their boss hunting skills to a fine edge. Delve deep into these raids to discover the hidden story of Malaya. Acquire powerful new equipment, including the new Tattoos, which will grant your character new permanent buffs! Use these newfound powers to tackle the most challenging enemies yet, including rare MVP Monsters, which will challenge veteran players to rise to a new level. “Port Malaya is the largest town expansion update, both in sheer size and in features, providing both high level activities and challenges and is deservedly the most talked about expansion town update Ragnarok has ever had!” Said Jason “Heimdallr” Koerperich, Ragnarok Online Producer at Gravity Interactive. “We are happy to provide this update so far ahead of our community’s expectations as a wonderful surprise to our loyal players!” 1000 years of peace have reigned, and the world has forgotten the horrors of the age of myth; as in all things, peace can never last forever, and evil waits patiently. Once friendly monsters turned aggressive; soon after followed demons attacking, and the dead rising from their graves. Heroes appeared to beat back the invasions until the fateful day that Satan Morocc destroyed the peaceful town of Morroc, his freedom granted by the insane and corrupt humans of Midgard. The heroes re-gathered themselves and pushed back with everything they had but only a stalemate was possible. The delicate seals that protect the world from spilling into complete chaos weaken and break; only the knowledge and power from the age of myth can save Midgard from certain doom. Can you and your allies push back the threat of total annihilation and protect Midgard from the final Ragnarok? Join now at https://www.warpportal.com/landing/ragnarokrenewal.aspx?ad=4063

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MMO Updates

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• The Perfect Ten: The truth about lockboxes
• Aeria launches new Ignite F2P platform
• Fallen Earth 2.4 patch to feature territory control, automated harvesting, and more
• The Anvil of Crom: Age of Conan turns four, taps SWG for crafting inspiration
• Hands-on with The Secret World's mission system
• New Embers of Caerus website boasts extensive sandbox feature list
• DUST 514 handing out first beta keys tomorrow
• The Daily Grind: Do you judge all MMOs by the same standard?
• Amazon to offer special limited-time deals on TERA, RIFT, others
• The Elder Scrolls Online factions profiled
• Free for All: Planet Cyrene adds to the high-stakes worlds of Entropia
• MMO Family: The state of the game (at school)
• Choose My Adventure: Cruisin' with the gang in City of Heroes
• Player's real-life journey honored in Guild Wars 2
• Ragnarok Online update introduces the town of Port Malaya
• TERA outlines political systems, launches an emblem contest and premium services
• No relief in sight for 38 Studios after emergency meeting [Updated]
• EVE talks smack about Diablo III's login woes
• Runes of Magic shows off the new Champion and Warlock
• DCUO's Last Laugh features Hamill as the Joker, lots of new content
• AdventureQuest Worlds releases its first two action figures
• Guild Wars 2 writers talk (at length) about MMO story
• A Mild-Mannered Reporter: Why there are no more Epic Archetypes in City of Heroes

The Perfect Ten: The truth about lockboxes Posted: 17 May 2012 10:00 AM PDT Filed under: Business models, Opinion, Free-to-play, Legal, Humor, Perfect Ten, Miscellaneous Call them lockboxes, lootboxes, super packs, gift packs, treasure boxes, mystic chests, or Chupacabra's lunchpails, but these virtual boxes of mystery, fame, and fortune are all the rage in MMOs these days. Few studios have resisted the siren's call of such easy money, much to the dismay of many-a-gamer. The idea is that a game will dish out to players free locked treasure boxes that require purchased keys to open. The allure of the box's mystery prize is often too strong to resist, especially when there's the possibility of a huge reward inside. The result too often is strong buyer's remorse and studio glee. There's been a lot of conversation around lockboxes here on Massively, so I wanted to dedicate this week's Perfect Ten to dissecting the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth of these items for you. Continue reading The Perfect Ten: The truth about lockboxes The Perfect Ten: The truth about lockboxes originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 17 May 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

Aeria launches new Ignite F2P platform Posted: 17 May 2012 09:30 AM PDT Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, MMO industry, News items, Free-to-play Aeria Games, publisher of Eden Eternal and Lime Odyssey, has a new digital distribution platform. The service, known as Ignite, is officially in beta as of today, according to a company press release. The application gives gamers access to Aeria's free-to-play portfolio, social features, and friend lists all at once, while also granting developers an effective platform for communicating marketing messages to Aeria's global audience. The company plans to bundle Ignite with all of its games going forward. Plans are also in the works to bring the app to various tablet and mobile devices. [Source: Aeria Games press release] Aeria launches new Ignite F2P platform originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 17 May 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

Fallen Earth 2.4 patch to feature territory control, automated harvesting, and more Posted: 17 May 2012 09:00 AM PDT Filed under: Sci-fi, Fallen Earth, Economy, Game mechanics, MMO industry, Patches, PvP, News items, Free-to-play, Post-Apocalyptic, Crafting GamersFirst has formally announced its next update for Fallen Earth. The Global Territory Control patch, or 2.4 if you're counting at home, will bring quite a bit of new functionality to denizens of the game's Grand Canyon wasteland. As you might expect given the update name, territory control plays a big role. The devs are adding new outposts and settlements throughout the game world which can be conquered by each of Fallen Earth's six player factions. Capturing a settlement grants sole property rights to the controlling faction, which in turn provides valuable mineral extraction capabilities. The 2.4 patch also features a new 50-plus PvP zone called the The Foothills, new player-crafted prospecting and harvesting technology, and various quality of life tweaks like bulk purchasing, merchant buyback, and faster mounting. Check in with Massively later this week for more exclusive info on the new patch as well as an interview with the devs. [Source: GamersFirst press release] Fallen Earth 2.4 patch to feature territory control, automated harvesting, and more originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 17 May 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

The Anvil of Crom: Age of Conan turns four, taps SWG for crafting inspiration Posted: 17 May 2012 08:30 AM PDT Filed under: Fantasy, Age of Conan, Game mechanics, Interviews, MMO industry, News items, Opinion, Free-to-play, The Anvil of Crom, Crafting The last time I did an anniversary retrospective for Age of Conan, we had a recent expansion, some new dungeon content, and several class revamps fresh on our minds. The year before that, we had the earth-shaking combat and itemization changes. This past year, the major development was, of course, the switch to a freemium business model, followed closely by the game's first adventure pack. Join me after the break for a quick rundown on the last 12 months as they happened in Hyboria, as well as an anniversary interview with game director Craig "Silirrion" Morrison that sheds a bit of light on the crafting revamp. Continue reading The Anvil of Crom: Age of Conan turns four, taps SWG for crafting inspiration The Anvil of Crom: Age of Conan turns four, taps SWG for crafting inspiration originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 17 May 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

Hands-on with The Secret World's mission system Posted: 17 May 2012 08:00 AM PDT Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Horror, Game mechanics, MMO industry, New titles, Previews, PvE, Opinion, The Secret World, Massively Hands-on, First Impressions, Guides So The Secret World's mission system treads well off the beaten MMO path. It's pretty cool, actually, though portions of it may irritate quest-grinders who just want to blow through zones on their way to the game's equivalent of a max-level toon. For the rest of us, there's a nifty interface, some challenging puzzles, and plenty of well-written quest text and dialogue to keep us entertained for weeks at a time. Continue reading Hands-on with The Secret World's mission system Hands-on with The Secret World's mission system originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 17 May 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

New Embers of Caerus website boasts extensive sandbox feature list Posted: 17 May 2012 07:30 AM PDT Filed under: Fantasy, Game mechanics, MMO industry, New titles, News items, Sandbox Forsaken Studios has taken the wraps off a new website for its Embers of Caerus MMORPG. The fantasy sandbox has quite an extensive feature list which includes level- and class-free advancement, a seamless game world that measures 44,000 square kilometers, and player-controlled markets and political/legal systems. Backstory is a big deal to the devs as well, if the new site's lore section is anything to go by. There's plenty of reading material about the world, its factions, and a bit of story to pass the time while you're waiting for the game. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in!] New Embers of Caerus website boasts extensive sandbox feature list originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 17 May 2012 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

DUST 514 handing out first beta keys tomorrow Posted: 17 May 2012 07:00 AM PDT Filed under: Betas, Sci-fi, Events, in-game, Free-to-play, MMOFPS, DUST 514 Did you drop your name into CCP Games' hat as a potential tester for DUST 514? Then tomorrow might be a lovely day for you, as the studio is emailing out the first round of closed beta keys for registered participants after a short delay from its original key-handing-out schedule. It is unknown how many keys will be sent out and to whom. Last month, CCP told Fanfest attendees that they would be among the first to test the anticipated MMOFPS. The DUST 514 website states that the studio is sending out Fanfest keys first and those to standard registered players "soon after." To celebrate the release of the closed beta keys, CCP is holding a "special event" over the weekend. The details of this event are forthcoming. DUST 514 handing out first beta keys tomorrow originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 17 May 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Source: DUST 514 #1, DUST 514 #2, Eurogamer

The Daily Grind: Do you judge all MMOs by the same standard? Posted: 17 May 2012 06:00 AM PDT Filed under: Fantasy, Culture, Game mechanics, MMO industry, Opinion, The Daily Grind, Xsyon, Sandbox One of the challenges facing sandbox developers is the fact that recent themepark MMORPGs have raised the bar in terms of smooth launches and relatively bug-free experiences. Aside from EVE Online, most of the current sandboxes on offer are small indie affairs known as much for their rough-around-the-edges implementation as for their feature innovations. And yet, many so-called sandbox fans seem to expect games like Xsyon, Darkfall, and others to be as polished as World of Warcraft, RIFT, and other themeparks with fewer features and several times the budget. For today's Daily Grind, we'd like to know how much (if any) slack you cut developers of sandbox and/or indie MMOs. Do you hold these games to the same standard that you hold a triple-A themepark? 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! The Daily Grind: Do you judge all MMOs by the same standard? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 17 May 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

Amazon to offer special limited-time deals on TERA, RIFT, others Posted: 17 May 2012 05:00 AM PDT Filed under: Fantasy, Real life, Final Fantasy XI, News items, Free-to-play, RIFT, Final Fantasy XIV, TERA, Need for Speed World, Miscellaneous Have you been watching TERA via livestreams and wistfully wishing you could jump in and join but didn't want to plunk down the cash at launch? Well as long as you don't mind not having a box to display on your shelf, your waiting has actually paid off! Amazon is kicking off a 12-day digital "MAYhem" sale today and offering select MMO titles at a significant discount on specific days. Those deals are as follows: TERA: May 19th, both the standard and collector's editions will be 50% off, priced at $24.99 and $29.99 respectively. Final Fantasy XIV: May 17th-20th and 26th. Final Fantasy XI: Ultimate Collection Abyssea Edition: May 17th-20th and 26th. Need for Speed: May 18th-20th all three starter packs will be on sale, the bronze for $7.49, the silver for $11.24, and the gold for $14.99. RIFT Ashes of History Edition: May 24th only the game will be $11.99. Mark your calendar if you don't want to miss these offers. [Source: Amazon press release] Amazon to offer special limited-time deals on TERA, RIFT, others originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 17 May 2012 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

The Elder Scrolls Online factions profiled Posted: 16 May 2012 07:00 PM PDT Filed under: Fantasy, Lore, News items, Races, The Elder Scrolls Online Three alliances control the political scene in The Elder Scrolls Online's Tamriel, and Game Informer is taking a closer look at all of them, starting with the Daggerfall Covenant and the Aldmeri Dominion. The Daggerfell Covenant is made up of the Orcs (also called Orsimer), Bretons, and Redguards -- although the latter two are coming out of something of a love-hate relationship, with a history of as much internal conflict as external. Apparently time does heal all wounds, though, because the three races have worked out a democratic system of mutual love and respect. The Orcs and Bretons call the beautiful land of High Rock home, while the Redguard are based in Hammerfell. The Aldemeri Dominion is a more hostile power composed of the Altmer, the Bosmer, and Khajiit and intent on total domination. Also known as Wood Elves, the Bosmer call Valenwood home (surprise: It's a heavily wooded area) and enjoy tramping through forests, living in harmony with nature, and building cities in migratory trees. The Altmer, or High Elves, can be found in the little-known Summerset Isles. The Khajiit, who missed out on the alternative name lottery, live in Elsweyr, whose climate is ideal for the cultivation of Moon Sugar. Got all that? Study up, there'll be a test. Feel free to read the full profiles, and keep an eye out for Ebonheart Pact information on Friday. The Elder Scrolls Online factions profiled originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 16 May 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Source: Daggerfell Covenant profile, Aldmeri Dominion profile

Free for All: Planet Cyrene adds to the high-stakes worlds of Entropia Posted: 16 May 2012 06:00 PM PDT Filed under: Betas, Launches, New titles, Previews, PvP, Opinion, Free-to-play, MMOFPS, Humor, Free for All I'm not much of a shooter fan and probably never will be. Sure, I have as much fun blasting my way through monsters as the next gamer, but I rarely have the patience or physical stamina to overcome the pains and frustrations of shooter PvP. After all, my first rule of PvP applies especially well to shooters: There is always someone better than you. Planet Cyrene, the new world being added to the impressive portfolio of Entropia Universe, tasks players tasks similar to those found in Planet Calypso and mixes in PvP arenas that promise to frustrate (or delight) players, depending on their skill level. I sat down with Ed Robles III, lead developer for Planet Cyrene, to see just how nasty and expensive things might get. Remember, this is the Entropia Universe we are talking about, and that means players will spend real money on bullets, armor, and practically everything else. Fortunately, players can earn items that are worth real money as well. Call it gambling or whatever you want, but it still seems to be a pretty successful formula. Continue reading Free for All: Planet Cyrene adds to the high-stakes worlds of Entropia Free for All: Planet Cyrene adds to the high-stakes worlds of Entropia originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 16 May 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

MMO Family: The state of the game (at school) Posted: 16 May 2012 04:00 PM PDT Filed under: Opinion, Kids, MMO Family, Family, Miscellaneous When you think of kids and video games, the question that always comes up is this: What are they getting out of playing them? Usually, MMOs, even MMOs aimed at kids, are big on fun but light on learning. So it was refreshing to see teacher Ben Bertoli launch a Kickstarter project to promote development of his personal project ClassRealm into what could be a potentially valuable tool in the classroom. So why haven't we seen more educational MMOs, and why has there been a gap when it comes to technology at home vs. at school? In this week's MMO Family, we'll look a few issues with gaming and learning. Continue reading MMO Family: The state of the game (at school) MMO Family: The state of the game (at school) originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 16 May 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

Choose My Adventure: Cruisin' with the gang in City of Heroes Posted: 16 May 2012 03:30 PM PDT Filed under: Super-hero, Galleries, Polls, City of Heroes, Opinion, Free-to-play, Hands-on, Choose My Adventure You've experienced it, right? That magic moment on any trip of significant length when you've been living and breathing the locale long enough that the place starts to feel more familiar and you settle in, that time when you feel less like a tourist and more like a local. After the last few weeks traveling with you all, I have hit that moment in City of Heroes. While I still may not be able to tell one inspiration from another by sight, I can find my way around the 'hood and know the skyline when zipping about -- well, at least in Atlas Park. Oh, and I found a Mexican restaurant! It's almost like a second home now. It was upon reaching this comfort zone that City of Heroes got better for me; this past week has been more fun than the previous ones during this Choose My Adventure road trip. (And yes, I'd even call the torture of the expansive character creation fun. Exhausting, but fun!) What transpired this week? Buckle up and step on the gas to see. Gallery: CMA: City of Heroes Continue reading Choose My Adventure: Cruisin' with the gang in City of Heroes Choose My Adventure: Cruisin' with the gang in City of Heroes originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 16 May 2012 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

Player's real-life journey honored in Guild Wars 2 Posted: 16 May 2012 03:00 PM PDT Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Events, real-world, Guild Wars 2 Guild Wars player Kelly Wells became inspired to go on a real-life adventure due to her explorations of Tyria and an encouraging TED talk -- and so she did it. Starting from Maine, Wells and her faithful dog crossed America to California by foot, ending the trip with a visit to ArenaNet in Seattle. The developers were so impressed by Wells' journey that they decided to make her part of Guild Wars 2. In a new ArenaNet blog post, Lead Content Designer Colin Johanson shares how bowled over the devs were when they met Wells and why her epic journey had to become part of Guild Wars 2. "If we all took that perspective on life, deciding to make positive changes and refusing to let anything get in our way, it'd be amazing to see how much we'd all be able to accomplish," Johanson said. The team then collaborated to come up with a similar figure for its upcoming title. Thus was born Ameranth, a Sylvari explorer who traverses the width of Tyria with her trusty dog, Anna. When players encounter her, Ameranth is known to say, "Ever since emerging from the Pale Tree, I've had the itch to see what the world has to offer. And what better way than with my own two feet?" Player's real-life journey honored in Guild Wars 2 originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 16 May 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Source: Adventure Awaits, ArenaNet blog

Ragnarok Online update introduces the town of Port Malaya Posted: 16 May 2012 02:30 PM PDT Filed under: Fantasy, Patches, News items, Free-to-play It's been over a year since we heard anything from Gravity Interactive's long-running title Ragnarok Online, but today, the silence has been broken. The studio has announced the game's newest content update, which will allow players to visit the paradisiacal Port Malaya, where "the water's always warm and the monsters are always dangerous." Players level 100 and up will find plenty to do in the new port town, such as "dozens of new quests, including an entire suite of daily tasks to perform." New dungeons also await in Port Malaya, and with new dungeons comes new gear and a new tattoo system that will grant players permanent buffs. Players will need all the power they can get to square off against the myriad new MVP Monsters that inhabit the wilds of Port Malaya. More details on the update can be found on Ragnarok Online's official site, so head on over there and set sail for Port Malaya. [Source: Gravity Interactive press release] Ragnarok Online update introduces the town of Port Malaya originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 16 May 2012 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

TERA outlines political systems, launches an emblem contest and premium services Posted: 16 May 2012 02:00 PM PDT Filed under: Fantasy, Contests, Game mechanics, News items, TERA TERA isn't just about killing enormous beasts in active combat. That's certainly a big part of it, yes, but it's also about political maneuvering and gathering support. And once you get in office, you've got policies to enact, economies to stimulate, and re-election to consider in three weeks. If the whole thing seems a bit overwhelming, you'll be happy to know that the new official guide to the political system outlines the whole system from start to finish, giving a clear picture of how players can make lasting change in a province for better or worse. Of course, if your guild is going to boost a candidate running for office, it helps if you've got brand-name recognition. How can you manage that? Perhaps by winning the newly announced Guild Emblem Creation Contest, which gives players a chance to get their guild logos in the game. Or you can just take advantage of the premium in-game services that have just been made available to ensure that your character has just the right winning smile for the next election. TERA outlines political systems, launches an emblem contest and premium services originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 16 May 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Source: Political system guide, Guild Emblem Creation Contest, Premium Services now available

No relief in sight for 38 Studios after emergency meeting [Updated] Posted: 16 May 2012 01:30 PM PDT Filed under: MMO industry, News items, Legal, Miscellaneous Generally, when your company defaults on a major loan, you might expect an emergency meeting about the loan and the company's future would produce some results. But apparently today's meeting between 38 Studios owner Curt Schilling and Rhode Island governor Lincoln Chafee resulted in... absolutely nothing. Specifically, Rhode Island's Economic Development Corporation will take no immediate action to prevent the studio from going under, with Chafee on record as asking, "How do we avoid throwing good money after bad?" It's a loaded question if you consider that the failure of 38 Studios would put the state's taxpayers on the hook for more than $112 million. Schilling has declined to elaborate on the company's state in interviews, and he has not made public how much more funding the company is seeking. It's bad news for the studio, bad news for the state, and bad news for any fans still looking forward to the possibility of Project Copernicus in the future. [Update: Joystiq reports that "it appears 38 Studios put up all present and future IP by the company as collateral," meaning that if the studio defaults, the state of Rhode Island will own all of its game assets. We've tucked some of the ensuing news coverage in the video behind the break.] Continue reading No relief in sight for 38 Studios after emergency meeting [Updated] No relief in sight for 38 Studios after emergency meeting [Updated] originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 16 May 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Source: Joystiq

EVE talks smack about Diablo III's login woes Posted: 16 May 2012 01:00 PM PDT Filed under: Culture, News items, Humor, Miscellaneous Oh naw you didn't, girl! EVE Online is letting the trash-talk fly at the newly launched Diablo III by displaying the message "37...3007...315300: It's code for "Play EVE. Servers are up, login is fine" on the game's login screen. This, of course, is making reference to the myriad error codes that Diablo III players experienced over the course of the game's trainwreck of a launch. We don't know whether the folks at Blizzard will bother to respond to them there fightin' words because they could be too busy rolling around in all the money they made from Diablo III to notice. But if they do deign to issue a retort, we'll be sure to let you know. EVE talks smack about Diablo III's login woes originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 16 May 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

Runes of Magic shows off the new Champion and Warlock Posted: 16 May 2012 12:30 PM PDT Filed under: Fantasy, Classes, Game mechanics, Patches, Previews, News items, Free-to-play, Runes of Magic New classes are always exciting. In a game with an established set of abilities and character options, the chance to take a different option helps keep the game engaging and surprising. That's no doubt part of the rationale behind Runes of Magic's two new classes, the Champion and the Warlock. But they're also meant to show off the ingenuity and cleverness of the Dwarves, and in a new preview of these two classes, it becomes clear just how much both will bring to the table. The Warlock is an arcane caster who has delved into the knowledge of the Shadowforge Dwarves, allowing him to act as either a damage dealer or a support character as the situation warrants. Champions are masters of pseudo-mystical forge techniques, with the Champion ultimately being capable of transforming into a special Runic Robot form for increased damage and durability. There are only a few more weeks until the game's next major update, and then players will get to try out the new hybrid classes for themselves. Runes of Magic shows off the new Champion and Warlock originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 16 May 2012 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Source: Champion/Warlock Preview

DCUO's Last Laugh features Hamill as the Joker, lots of new content Posted: 16 May 2012 12:00 PM PDT Filed under: Super-hero, Game mechanics, MMO industry, Patches, News items, Free-to-play, DC Universe Online, Dungeons Sony Online Entertainment is bringing out the big guns for its next DC Universe Online content patch. As we reported last week, the Joker is set to return for The Last Laugh, and fortunately for everyone, his voiceover duties will be handled by none other than Mark Hamill. Hamill is joined by DC stalwart Arleen Sorkin (that's Harley Quinn to you, mistah), and Adam Baldwin returns to the role of Superman for the first time since DCUO's launch. The Last Laugh also features a new shield weapon, four new safe house battles, and 8v8 throw-downs in both the Watchtower and the Hall of Doom. The Last Laugh will be freely available to legendary DCUO members, while free and premium players can purchase it via the in-game marketplace, the official website, or the PlayStation Network. [Source: SOE press release] DCUO's Last Laugh features Hamill as the Joker, lots of new content originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 16 May 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

AdventureQuest Worlds releases its first two action figures Posted: 16 May 2012 11:30 AM PDT Filed under: Fantasy, Video, Events, real-world, News items, Free-to-play, Browser Action figures are a great accessory for any video game. Sure, most of us have passed the point when we would use them to stage elaborate battles in the backyard, but it's nice to have something on hand to play with during load times. That's part of the reason that AdventureQuest Worlds is getting into the market with its first two figures, representing Artix and Sepulchure, available in Toys'R'Us stores nationwide starting on May 23rd. Even if you're not normally the sort to buy action figures, Artix Entertainment has sweetened the deal by making sure that each figure comes with a special in-game house, special armor and weapons, and five playing cards for the game's tie-in card game. If you don't want to wait for them in stores, you can also purchase them directly from the company's online store starting May 18th. The team put together a small stop-motion animation piece as well to celebrate the upcoming figures because honestly, if you've spent this much time thinking about buying an action figure, don't you deserve a toy commercial to cap it off? [Source: Artix Entertainment press release] Continue reading AdventureQuest Worlds releases its first two action figures AdventureQuest Worlds releases its first two action figures originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 16 May 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

Guild Wars 2 writers talk (at length) about MMO story Posted: 16 May 2012 11:00 AM PDT Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Game mechanics, Interviews, MMO industry, New titles, News items, Guild Wars 2 What's it like to pen the narrative for one of the most anticipated MMORPGs, well, ever? It's quite different from writing a novel or a screenplay, according to ArenaNet's Angel McCoy. She joins Guild Wars 2 lead writer Bobby Stein and Peter "The Explorer" Fries for an MMO story-flavored sit-down with fan site Under the Pale Tree. The interview is a lengthy one (who knew that writers could be so wordy?), and it covers a bunch of ground including the megalithic sprawl of GW2's narrative, the challenges inherent in writing particular races, and the differences between in-game dialogue and cutscene exposition. There's more to it, of course, but honestly the thing is so huge that we're going to go finish reading it after we've jotted down this here news post. Guild Wars 2 writers talk (at length) about MMO story originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 16 May 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Source: Under the Pale Tree

A Mild-Mannered Reporter: Why there are no more Epic Archetypes in City of Heroes Posted: 16 May 2012 10:30 AM PDT Filed under: Super-hero, City of Heroes, Classes, Game mechanics, Opinion, Free-to-play, A Mild-Mannered Reporter My weekend plans went cross-eyed, as they often do, but as a result I found myself looking through some old notes for future columns on City of Heroes. There were a lot of notes I took early on when I was first writing columns, some of which I wound up using and some of which wound up being discarded, but one particular idea jumped out at me: a column about potential future Epic Archetypes. Specifically, I was looking back over and noting how a lot of the archetypes I listed wouldn't actually work at all. I've gone on record as having been a big fan of EATs right from the beginning, as they're meant to be classes that break up the regular structure of the game's classes. That strikes me as laudable. But even disregarding the technical aspects of the epics that makes them more complex to develop and balance, I think there are some noteworthy basic problems with them on a conceptual level. We may very well never get another one just because the game has been structured to make them almost a design mistake that's never been corrected. Continue reading A Mild-Mannered Reporter: Why there are no more Epic Archetypes in City of Heroes A Mild-Mannered Reporter: Why there are no more Epic Archetypes in City of Heroes originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 16 May 2012 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

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