MMO Updates

MMO Updates


LFM: Massively seeks a new columnist and freelancers

Posted: 29 Oct 2013 10:00 AM PDT

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Hopefully you're prepared! (Pic from WoW Insider)
Yes folks, it's that time again: the time when Massively hops into the hiring channel and says, "Looking for more!" We're looking to hire fresh meat a new staff member and a set of freelancers for the site: a new multi-purpose columnist and West Coast freelancers.

Here's the skinny on us: Massively is Joystiq's geeky MMO cousin. We're owned by AOL; we're all paid, remote contractors; and we uphold a strict set of ethical standards you won't find among our rivals. We focus on high-quality writing with fair sourcing and a mix of news and features. We employ actual copyediting and editorial oversight, so you won't see trainwreck English in every headline. In short, we are the MMO site the other sites use as an RSS feed.

These positions would be an awesome chance to break into paid gaming journalism if you happen to have just the right blend of availability, excellent writing skills, and passion for the MMO genre. If that describes you, then read on and apply!

Continue reading LFM: Massively seeks a new columnist and freelancers

MassivelyLFM: Massively seeks a new columnist and freelancers originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 29 Oct 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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    Uncharted Waters makes port at new publisher OGPlanet this fall

    Posted: 29 Oct 2013 09:30 AM PDT

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    Uncharted Waters makes port at new publisher OGPlanet this fall
    The free-to-play naval game Uncharted Waters Online drops anchor at a new publisher this fall, partnering with OGPlanet. All player accounts will be transferred to OGPlanet and the game will re-launch with a focus on expanding the North American playerbase. Current players will find all information pertaining to the service migration (such as thank you sales and current server shut down date) on the Netmarble site.

    In UWO, players can relive and rewrite the history of the 15th Century, sailing the world in authentic period ships (like The English Frigate, Baltic Galleon, Spanish Carrack, and Turkish Galley) and participating in strategic battles. Whether starting as an Adventurer, a Merchant, or a Soldier, players amass wealth and power, discover new worlds, and even claim unoccupied islands. Get a taste of the game in the cinematic trailer below.

    [Source: OGPlanet press release]

    Continue reading Uncharted Waters makes port at new publisher OGPlanet this fall

    MassivelyUncharted Waters makes port at new publisher OGPlanet this fall originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 29 Oct 2013 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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    Exclusive: Aura Kingdom's final reveal showcases ranged classes

    Posted: 29 Oct 2013 09:00 AM PDT

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    Exclusive Aura Kingdom's final reveal showcases ranged classes
    Just because you don't want to go toe-to-toe with your enemies doesn't mean you want to cast magic, and Aura Kingdom has you covered for non-magical ranged classes. The final classes revealed for the upcoming free-to-play fantasy game use gunpowder instead of incantations to inflict damage. Whether you prefer the dual pistols of the Gunslinger or the large cannon of the Grenadier, you can fire from afar and blast your opponents.

    Check out these final two classes in the gallery and get the full scoop on them in the exclusive dev blogs below. Then watch all seven classes strut their stuff in the trailer at the end.

    Continue reading Exclusive: Aura Kingdom's final reveal showcases ranged classes

    MassivelyExclusive: Aura Kingdom's final reveal showcases ranged classes originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 29 Oct 2013 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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      The Repopulation's second alpha trailer bares it all

      Posted: 29 Oct 2013 08:30 AM PDT

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      The Repopulation's second alpha trailer bares it all
      Our hands-on experience from PAX Prime let you know that the graphics of The Repopulation were pretty great, but now you can see for yourself. Above and Beyond Technologies has released a second alpha gameplay trailer that shows everything except the kitchen sink!

      The video walks players through the natural environments of the dynamic world filled with detailed flora and fauna, with detours to show off player-built housing as well. But lest you think this sandbox is all serene, the second half blasts into combat footage. Get a glimpse of just about every available feature from character customization to resource harvesting to building to sieges in the trailer below.

      [Thanks to J.C. for the tip!]

      Continue reading The Repopulation's second alpha trailer bares it all

      MassivelyThe Repopulation's second alpha trailer bares it all originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 29 Oct 2013 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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      Massively Speaking Episode 270: IN ALL CAPS

      Posted: 29 Oct 2013 08:00 AM PDT

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      Massively Speaking Episode 270
      Bree's the red Power Ranger. Justin's the what-does-the-fox-say fox. Together, they are way too old to trick or treat, but they're doing it anyway. Afterward, they're going to eat some candy, get a really good sugar high going, and record a podcast IN ALL CAPS. Wanna listen?

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



      Read below the cut for the full show notes.

      Continue reading Massively Speaking Episode 270: IN ALL CAPS

      MassivelyMassively Speaking Episode 270: IN ALL CAPS originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 29 Oct 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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        RIFT merges away English EU servers, then adds another one

        Posted: 29 Oct 2013 07:45 AM PDT

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        Pictured: Community management..
        Remember when RIFT merged servers recently? You might not have noticed, but it also eliminated the last server in the EU region flagged as for roleplaying. The players protested and tried to save that bastion of roleplaying, but the decision was made and the axe fell. So it was that the game's new server list was created, and everyone could rest easily knowing that this group of servers was a stable configuration.

        And then another English server was added to the mix.

        According to Trion Worlds the addition of the new server will help to reduce lag and stabilize the cluster in response to increased demand on the servers. Many fans are quite upset that the game removed the last roleplaying server and then simply opened a new one, although it's unclear whether or not the population on that server would have matched the population expected on the new non-roleplaying server.

        [Thanks to noit'snot for the tip!]

        MassivelyRIFT merges away English EU servers, then adds another one originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 29 Oct 2013 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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        Today's Guild Wars 2 update summons the Tower of Nightmares

        Posted: 29 Oct 2013 07:30 AM PDT

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        Newest Guild Wars 2 update summons the Tower of Nightmares
        Guild Wars 2's third content update of the month is set to release right on schedule today as the Tower of Nightmares hits Tyria.

        Players will join up with NPCs Marjory Delaqua and Kasmeer Meade to investigate the newest threat to Kessex Hills: the toxic krait and their powerful new ally. In addition to this new questing content, this update will also introduce rewards such as the Antitoxin Spray, a universal healing skill that cleanses players and nearby allies of poison, toxins, and other nasty effects.

        You can find more information on the update, including screenshots, desktop wallpaper, and a video, at the official site and our own previous coverage.

        [Source: Arenanet press release]

        MassivelyToday's Guild Wars 2 update summons the Tower of Nightmares originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 29 Oct 2013 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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          Dawn of the Hunter Rangers: Touring Neverwinter's Shadowmantle module

          Posted: 29 Oct 2013 07:00 AM PDT

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          Dawn of the Hunter Rangers Touring Neverwinter's Shadowmantle module
          Considering all of the exciting reveals of Neverwinter's second module, Shadowmantle, I think it's prudent to start with the unknowns. No, we don't have a specific date of release (although it will be "by the end of the year"). No, we don't know whether Druids or Warlocks or any other Dungeons and Dragons classes are in development for next year. And no, we can't tell whether there's a massive honey badger conspiracy in the city of Neverwinter.

          With that said, there's plenty that Lead Designer Andy Velasquez had to reveal to us for this upcoming module. For starters, it's 100% free, just in case you were wondering. Sure, Cryptic will continue to run a robust store (and doesn't seem to have any inclination to rein in the lockbox invasion), but all of the content of Shadowmantle will be available to the entire playerbase on day one.

          It's shaping up to be an even meatier update than Fury of the Faewild, believe it or not. The big star of Shadowmantle is the first new post-launch class: the Hunter Ranger. But this flexible fighter won't be hogging the entire spotlight; Neverwinter will also be adding a new zone, additional paragon paths, and a spiffy artifact skill system. So read on and prepare for the stampede of players rushing to be the next online Legolas-slash-Dizzt.

          Continue reading Dawn of the Hunter Rangers: Touring Neverwinter's Shadowmantle module

          MassivelyDawn of the Hunter Rangers: Touring Neverwinter's Shadowmantle module originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 29 Oct 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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            The Daily Grind: What does it take to get you into a fantasy MMO?

            Posted: 29 Oct 2013 06:00 AM PDT

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            This is the one game that literally cannot be generic fantasy by its very definition.
            Fantasy MMOs are everywhere. We're surrounded by them. The biggest subscription MMO currently out is fantasy, most of its peers are fantasy, and the safe assumption with any new game is that it's going to be a fantasy game. The total number of elves across all games would outnumber the population of Luxembourg. And with so many games drawing upon the same basic tropes, anyone in the world could be forgiven for not immediately jumping on a new game simply because it promises orcs and elves.

            Some games manage to take the fantasy conventions and push them quite far afield, either by viewing them through a separate cultural lens (Final Fantasy XIV and TERA spring to mind) or by moving the basic conventions in another direction (Allods Online and Guild Wars 2, for instance). But what does it take to get you into a fantasy MMO? Do you need a game that's so interesting you don't care about the setting? A truly original take on the setting? Some combination of both? Or do you just flee fantasy altogether?

            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: What does it take to get you into a fantasy MMO? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 29 Oct 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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              Not So Massively: Star Citizen expands alpha, D3's Mystic revealed, and Path of Exile launches

              Posted: 28 Oct 2013 06:00 PM PDT

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              Game title image
              Star Citizen smashed through the $24 million and $25 million crowdfunding barriers this week, unlocking public transportation and expanding the game's upcoming alpha test. Designs for Diablo III's upcoming Mystic artisan were revealed, and it was confirmed that the she will be part of the Reaper of Souls expansion. Path of Exile saw a remarkably smooth launch day, with only minor lag and just a few bugs for Steam users.

              Blizzard may have run into yet another naming blunder with Heroes of the Storm, as this week it emerged that a Finnish RPG published in July bears the same name. Third-person MOBA SMITE re-introduced Chinese god Sun Wukong this week, compete with shapeshifting abilities, an extendable staff, and a flying cloud. Firefall developer Red 5 Studios revealed details of what players can expect to be released in the next few months, and its parent company The9 has signed a $24 million US investment deal that values the game at $100 million. And Arena of Heroes is offering fans the chance to win an Ouya console and controller in a competition that will end in just a few days.

              Continue reading Not So Massively: Star Citizen expands alpha, D3's Mystic revealed, and Path of Exile launches

              MassivelyNot So Massively: Star Citizen expands alpha, D3's Mystic revealed, and Path of Exile launches originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 28 Oct 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                Captain's Log: Solonae space zone in Star Trek Online

                Posted: 28 Oct 2013 05:00 PM PDT

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                STO Dyson Space Zone
                It's been another great week of new information about Star Trek Online's upcoming new Featured Episode and Season Eight. We've learned that the new FE, which is set to be released on Thursday, October 31st, will be called Sphere of Influence. The title isn't a much of a surprise as most of us have been expecting that the new FE will carry Star Trek Online's story from the Iconian gate on New Romulus to the new content featuring a Dyson Sphere in Season Eight.

                A new sponsorship system will be added to STO's reputation system, which should benefit those of us who like to play multiple alts. I've also had a chance to peruse the new Voth Command reputation faction on the Tribble test server and learn it contains some interesting new passive skills.

                Finally, a lot more content has been released onto Tribble, including the new Solonae space adventure zone. There's also some great news for those who don't subscribe to STO but still want to test the new content: Tribble has been opened up to all players, not just subscribers! If you don't want to know anything about the new content, be warned: This column will have a few spoilers!

                Continue reading Captain's Log: Solonae space zone in Star Trek Online

                MassivelyCaptain's Log: Solonae space zone in Star Trek Online originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 28 Oct 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                  RIFT previews updates in patch 2.5 and beyond

                  Posted: 28 Oct 2013 04:00 PM PDT

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                  This just in, patches continue happening.
                  Amidst server merges and localized shutdowns, it's easy to forget for a bit that RIFT is still chugging along and providing new content for players. During the most recent official livestream event, the development team stopped in to provide some answers about what comes next for the game. Patch 2.5, the next major update, is going to be getting an official release date later this week. Not every element added with the update will be available immediately, with new bits doled out in week-sized chunks.

                  Among the highlights of 2.5 is a new sequence of underwater content that serves as a testbed for version 3.0, which will be making heavy use of underwater combat. A new raid and dungeon are also incoming; the new raid is meant to occupy the first tier of progression to help newer players catch up with the high end. There's also a promise of a new crafting profession for the game with 3.0, one that is not limited by the cash shop in any way. And that's only some of what's on the way, all of which should make RIFT players very happy to keep playing the game.

                  MassivelyRIFT previews updates in patch 2.5 and beyond originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 28 Oct 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                  Star Citizen surpasses $25 million, eyes next stretch goal

                  Posted: 28 Oct 2013 03:00 PM PDT

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                  Star Citizen surpasses $25 million, eyes next stretch goalStar Citizen backers have once again propelled the space sim sandbox past a million dollar crowdfunding stretch goal barrier. The latest mark to fall is $25 million, and it will allow Cloud Imperium Games to greatly expand the title's upcoming alpha test.

                  CIG founder Chris Roberts offers more details in his latest Letter from the Chairman, which also outlines the game's $27 million stretch goal. Much like the previously achieved $23 million goal, the $27 million target will allow the dev team to expand alien spacecraft, only this time it's the Banu instead of the Xi'an.

                  "Even though we've fully funded the base game, every extra dollar helps to make the experience better," Roberts writes. "The content we talk about in these stretch goals isn't 'feature creep;' it's elements we've been building and planning that will be all that more impressive with additional resources. In essence, you're putting things we've already discussed for the future into development now."

                  MassivelyStar Citizen surpasses $25 million, eyes next stretch goal originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 28 Oct 2013 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                  LotRO holds leveling contest for lifetime membership

                  Posted: 28 Oct 2013 02:30 PM PDT

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                  LotRO holds leveling contest
                  Not all who level are lost; on the contrary, a lifetime membership and free copies of the Helm's Deep expansion are being offered as rewards for leveling Lord of the Rings Online characters.

                  LotRO's new leveling contest could get you one of 16 rewards if you put in the effort during this next month. Players who have a character that reaches level 60 or higher by November 10th will be entered into a drawing to possibly win a lifetime membership, a premium edition of Helm's Deep, or 500 Turbine Points.

                  Unless your character's at level 85 (which is an automatic contest entry right there), you'll have to advance at least one level between now and November 10th in the level 60-85 range to be entered into the drawing. The cool thing is that you will get a chance to win for every character on your account that achieves this.

                  MassivelyLotRO holds leveling contest for lifetime membership originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 28 Oct 2013 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                  Final Fantasy XIV world transfer service now live

                  Posted: 28 Oct 2013 02:00 PM PDT

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                  Final Fantasy XIV World Transfer Service now live
                  Square wants you to know that Final Fantasy XIV's world transfer service is now available. There's an in-depth explanation post now appearing on the Lodestone, but the long and short of it is that if you fork over $18, you're pretty much set.

                  One thing to note is that while "multiple characters can be transferred from one world to another with a single use of this service, multiple characters from different worlds cannot be transferred to the same world, nor can multiple characters from a single world be transferred to separate worlds."

                  Got all that? Good. More info is available via the links below.

                  MassivelyFinal Fantasy XIV world transfer service now live originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 28 Oct 2013 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                  Diablo III dev diary delves into the history of Westmarch

                  Posted: 28 Oct 2013 01:30 PM PDT

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                  Art -- Diablo III: Reaper of Souls
                  Diablo III's upcoming Reaper of Souls expansion will take players to a number of new locales across the world of Sanctum, such as the kingdom of Westmarch, the subject of Blizzard's latest dev post on the game's official site. Long-time Diablo fans probably know Westmarch best as the home of the Knights of Westmarch, the order from which Diablo II's Paladin hails, but there is much more to the realm's deep lore.

                  Westmarch's history is one -- as is expected in the Diablo universe -- steeped in blood and conquest. The kingdom was founded by the Zakarum zealot Rakkis after a crusade that drove him across the Twin Seas and over the bodies of legions of conquered foes, but there is a second, "secret" history to this place. Near Westmarch is a "sprawl of fetid marshes," littered with the ruins of an ancient Nephalem civilization said to hold the power to ward against angels and demons alike. It was to these ruins that the now-mortal Tyrael took the Black Soulstone, and it was there that the former archangel Malthael, at that point neither angel nor demon, stole the Black Soulstone from its hiding place. And that, of course, is where the tale of Reaper of Souls begins. If you're a lore junkie looking for all the details, check out the full post on Diablo III's official site.

                  MassivelyDiablo III dev diary delves into the history of Westmarch originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 28 Oct 2013 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                  Sharks, skulls, and ships: One year of Pirate101

                  Posted: 28 Oct 2013 01:00 PM PDT

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                  Pirate101
                  Pirate101 is a strange beast. It is a family-friendly, free-to-play, colorful MMO with silly characters, simple design, and quirky environments. Adventuring in Pirate101 sometimes demands that you investigate the secrets of a city that literally sits on top of a flying whale or that you and your friends (a fencing crab, perhaps, or a sharpshooting fox) leap onto a flaming, flying pirate ship in order to punch sharks in the face and steal their treasure.

                  Hidden underneath the silliness, however, is a relatively deep turn-based strategy game designed to engage younger gamers while ensuring their adult counterparts have a good time. KingsIsle Entertainment isn't in the business of making kids games; instead, the studio strives to create titles that kids and parents can play together. The success of Pirate101 in its first year demonstrates that KingsIsle might just be on to something.

                  Let's take a little peek back on the last 12 months of Pirate101 to examine its major milestones.

                  Continue reading Sharks, skulls, and ships: One year of Pirate101

                  MassivelySharks, skulls, and ships: One year of Pirate101 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 28 Oct 2013 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                    A look at the PlanetSide 2 World Domination Series

                    Posted: 28 Oct 2013 12:00 PM PDT

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                    PlanetSide 2 screenshot
                    PlanetSide 2 players have been asking for something that gives their favorite game a bit more persistence. Conquering territories is a lot of fun, but it can sometimes become repetitive and less satisfying when those territories simply turn over to the next empire that decides to take it. This is where the World Domination Series has stepped in to give the game and its loyal fanbase even more reason to log in and fight.

                    The World Domination Series hands out points to factions that hold on to an area for longer periods of time and will eventually give out points to individual players. Even though it just finished a first wave of in-game testing Sunday night, it will soon be accessible through a handy scorecard in-game and lists the daily, weekly, and seasonal scores as well as each empire's server- and game-wide performance. Each territory is worth a certain number of points, but holding a territory for longer periods of time is worth even more points. At the end of each week, rewards will be handed out. During the testing, the rewards consisted of experience boosts, but it'll be expanded later.

                    How does this new system affect the rest of the playerbase, and what's in store for it in the future? We asked Matt Higby, Creative Director for PlanetSide 2, to answer some these questions.

                    Continue reading A look at the PlanetSide 2 World Domination Series

                    MassivelyA look at the PlanetSide 2 World Domination Series originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 28 Oct 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                      The Nexus Telegraph: Why WildStar's housing matters

                      Posted: 28 Oct 2013 11:00 AM PDT

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                      Thank you, beta housing contests, for all the larfs.
                      A while back, I got a wonderful letter from a reader whom I'll simply call L for these purposes. L was curious why, exactly, I cared about housing in WildStar, not out of a desire to belittle but out of a genuine curiosity. From his standpoint, housing adds nothing to the game and takes development time away from features that do add to the overall experience. His question was an attempt to see if he was missing some crucial point, something that made housing more important than, say, another raid at launch.

                      Partway through typing a response, I realized that this was a response that deserved more than just a letter; it deserved center stage because L is both right and wrong.

                      In the strictest sense, housing does take away from development time that could go toward other features. For some players it's just not that interesting or relevant. But at the same time it also opens up avenues of design and play that just don't exist without housing in place, which winds up making the game as a whole better even if you don't want to play housekeeper.

                      Continue reading The Nexus Telegraph: Why WildStar's housing matters

                      MassivelyThe Nexus Telegraph: Why WildStar's housing matters originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 28 Oct 2013 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                        Prime World introduces two witchy heroes with new videos

                        Posted: 28 Oct 2013 10:30 AM PDT

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                        Prime World introduces two witchy heroes with new videos
                        Just in time for Halloween, Prime World has introduced two new heroes to the MOBA that fit right into the witching-hour theme: Witch and Moira. While both ride a broom and are accompanied by an iconic black cat familiar, the two couldn't have more different beginnings; Witch had a life of privilege in a castle, whereas Moira had it rough from day one in a small Andornian village.

                        How do these two enchantresses play? Watch these two gameplay videos for a look at each hero's various talents and skills in battle and to glean some hints and tips for playing these newest additions.

                        [Source: Prime World press release]

                        Continue reading Prime World introduces two witchy heroes with new videos

                        MassivelyPrime World introduces two witchy heroes with new videos originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 28 Oct 2013 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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