General Gaming Article

General Gaming Article


Google Voice Search Now Available on Chrome Web Store

Posted: 30 Nov 2013 02:41 PM PST

Google Voice Search available across all your compatible devices

Android users are well familiar with Google Voice Search, and with Android 4.4 (Kit Kat) on the horizon, Google is beefing up their familiar Google Voice Search capabilities by offering it on the Chrome Web Store. 

The downloadble extension will work with any searchable page, allowing you to get your "OK, Google" on whenever and wherever you see fit, bringing the fun from your phone or tablet to your PC. 

It may not seem like a huge innovation, but given the amount of users who have suddenly adopted the quirky search recently, it's a pretty big deal to be able to take it across all of your devices. Will you be downloading it and putting it through its paces?

Sweet Weekend Deals on Digital Maximum PC Subscriptions, Current Issue

Posted: 30 Nov 2013 01:24 PM PST

Grab Maximum PC subscriptions as digital stocking stuffers for everyone 

Tuckered out from all that Black Friday shopping? Looking for a great gift for that tech-savvy friend or family member in your life? We can save you a boatload of time by offering up not one, but two sweet deals on Maximum PC subscriptions and the current issue. If you prefer to peruse your favorite magazine digitally, then you're going to want to pay attention. 

On Google Play, we're offering a Maximum PC subscription for just under $10. This sale is active until Monday night, so hurry on over to Google Play to stock your favorite device with Maximum PC every month. We're on the front page of Google Play, so you can't miss it!

For iTunes users, you can pick up the current issue for just 99 cents for this weekend only. This sale ends Monday night as well, so if you want to nab it on the cheap, head over to iTunes and grab some reading material as you finish out the holiday weekend. 

Microsoft Office 2013 Service Pack 1 Rolling Out Early 2014

Posted: 30 Nov 2013 01:13 PM PST

Service Pack 1 arriving at the beginning of 2014

If you still haven't pulled the trigger on Microsoft Office 2013, you might want to think about finalizing your purchase early next year, as the first big update is coming along in the form of Service Pack 1. Service Pack 1 will cover Office, SharePoint, and Exchange 2013 and will be headed to owners as early as the beginning of 2014.

This announcement comes care of Microsoft's official blog, which pointed out that the update will include "performance enhancements, feature updates," and will "improve compatibility with Windows 8.1."

If you're not still chugging along with the trial offer we highlighted not long ago, or you're looking for a new suite to possibly up your productivity, consider grabbing Microsoft Office 2013, and let us know how those updates work out for you. 

Nvidia Calls PC "Far Superior" to Video Game Consoles

Posted: 30 Nov 2013 10:59 AM PST

Nvidia seeking to add more PC gamers to the fold

If you're caught between the crossfire between console owners and PC gamers, Nvidia urges you to put down your weapons and simply defect to the PC side. According to Matt Wright, consumer sales manager at Nvidia, "the PC platform is far superior to any console when it comes to gaming." In other news, PC gamers are laughing until milk snorts out their nose. In other news, water is wet. 

It's a point that's been the subject of many an editorial, console owner, and PC enthusiast over the years, and Nvidia is hoping to shake up the gaming ecosystem by re-introducing the argument in a bid to win buyers over to their side. An interview with MCV found Wright explaining his plan in further detail:

"We are proposing small form-factor PCs to be a viable alternative to the next-gen consoles. Enthusiast players want the ultimate games system and that is the PC. We want to make PC gaming as simple as possible and we think that it's already becoming much more relevant and appealing to casual gamers."

Do you prefer to use only your PC for gaming or do you venture out into the world of consoles? What do you think about Nvidia's bold statement and plan to invite newer, possibly more casual gamers into the fold?

MMO Updates

MMO Updates


The Stream Team: A Vanguard dungeon a day keeps monotony away

Posted: 30 Nov 2013 09:00 AM PST

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Eeny, meeny, miny, moe -- to which dungeon will we go? In Vanguard, that can be a difficult question to answer. In fact, with so many to choose from in every level range, picking where to get your dungeon-diving on is basically slaying the first (and possibly the hardest) boss! But that won't stop Massively's MJ from gathering some friends and delving into one. Join us live at 12:00 p.m. to see which one the group faces in the latest Telon dungeon adventures.

Game: Vanguard
Host: MJ Guthrie
Date: Saturday, November 30th, 2013
Time: 12:00 p.m. EST

Enjoy our Steam Team video below.

Continue reading The Stream Team: A Vanguard dungeon a day keeps monotony away

MassivelyThe Stream Team: A Vanguard dungeon a day keeps monotony away originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 30 Nov 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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    WRUP: Happy mostly out of turkey day edition

    Posted: 30 Nov 2013 07:00 AM PST

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    Evolution really sent you up the creek without a paddle, turkey.
    Today is Saturday, which in the grand American tradition means that you have nearly exhausted your Thanksgiving leftovers. Yesterday's meals mostly consisted of reheating the same food you ate on Thursday, possibly expressing once again how much you love turkey and falling asleep on the couch. But today you're nearly out of turkey, and you have to resume cooking for yourself (or as is more likely, pretending to cook for three minutes before ordering a pizza).

    Most of Massively's staff was too full of turkey to really talk about what we were planning for the weekend, but some of us still managed to take part in this week's WRUP. So click on past the break to find out what we have planned for the weekend, and let us know what you're going to be up to down in the comments. Well, what you're going to be doing game-wise. Dealing with the new dearth of turkey is your own problem.

    Continue reading WRUP: Happy mostly out of turkey day edition

    MassivelyWRUP: Happy mostly out of turkey day edition originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 30 Nov 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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      The Daily Grind: What kind of tank do you like to play?

      Posted: 30 Nov 2013 05:00 AM PST

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      TANK FIGHT!
      All right, people, today's question is for tanks. Yes, just the tanks. DPS, healers, you're excused. I'm glad you play World of Tanks too, but this also isn't about that. Just the tanks, please.

      So what kind of tank do you prefer? We've gotten a few archetypes that keep cropping up over and over. You've got the Wall, always, the class with the most hard mitigation and defensive cooldowns that just sits back and is unkillable and usually becomes the default. Then you've got the Dodger, slipping past blows in lighter armor, and the Sponge, who doesn't have a whole lot of mitigation or avoidance but has a huge health pool to chew through.

      From World of Warcraft to Star Wars: The Old Republic, there are a lot of kinds of tanks. And there are some that don't even fit these archetypes or blend several of them together. So which kind of tank do you like to play?

      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 kind of tank do you like to play? originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 30 Nov 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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        Betawatch: November 23 - 29, 2013

        Posted: 29 Nov 2013 05:00 PM PST

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        The Hi-Rez circle of life continues.
        Good news, everyone! SMITE is going to be launched in March of next year! You might argue that it's kind of a silly distinction seeing as the game has been in open beta with a functional cash shop for quite some time now, but this is different because there will be a big tournament before the launch. Any previous tournaments don't count because of reasons.

        In other news, Hero of the Obelisk entered its open beta yesterday at a point when most of us were stuffing ourselves with far more food than we really needed. Defiance is also opening up its public test server, which doesn't really count as a standard beta but is still a thing.

        Is that all? Well, you know, it's a holiday weekend, but we've still got our usual list of games in testing past the break. Let us know if a game on our list added a cash shop while we were eating a bunch of turkey, please.

        Continue reading Betawatch: November 23 - 29, 2013

        MassivelyBetawatch: November 23 - 29, 2013 originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 29 Nov 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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          The Stream Team: Healing through dungeons in World of Warcraft

          Posted: 29 Nov 2013 04:00 PM PST

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          World of Warcraft
          There's a reason Massively's Mike Foster is known as Tummies the Patient in World of Warcraft: He runs lots and lots of random group dungeons. Join Mike as he pushes the last bit of the way toward Mists of Pandaria's level 90 cap by running dungeons with perfect strangers and hoping desperately that everyone knows how not to stand in fire. The chain heals begin at 7:00 p.m. EST.

          Game: World of Warcraft
          Host: Mike Foster
          Date: Friday, November 29, 2013
          Time: 7:00 p.m. EST

          Enjoy our Steam Team video below.

          Continue reading The Stream Team: Healing through dungeons in World of Warcraft

          MassivelyThe Stream Team: Healing through dungeons in World of Warcraft originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 29 Nov 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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            TUG shows off survival mode in new video

            Posted: 29 Nov 2013 03:00 PM PST

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            If you've ever felt as if games spoiled you too much by giving you luxuries like tools and weapons when first starting out, you should check out TUG's survival mode. Nerd Kingdom's latest gameplay video highlights this alternative mode in the upcoming sandbox; players start off with nothing but their empty hands and must seek out and gather simple resources in order to make their first tools and weapons -- all hopefully before someone else with a weapon finds you first!

            The clip, seen below, also demonstrates gathering and crafting as well as the day/night cycle (add making a torch to your to-do list) and a quick burst of PvP. Enjoy!

            Continue reading TUG shows off survival mode in new video

            MassivelyTUG shows off survival mode in new video originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 29 Nov 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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            See this ArcheAge vid for all your MMO dolphin-riding needs

            Posted: 29 Nov 2013 02:00 PM PST

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            ArcheAge dolphin-riding
            Say what you will about the glacial pace of ArcheAge's western localization, but one thing you can't say is that XLGAMES' sandpark title is lacking in the interesting features department. Dolphins have their own skills and abilities, and players are able to ride them both on the surface of the ocean and under it.

            XLGAMES has previously shown off ArcheAge's extensive underwater environments and gameplay.

            Continue reading See this ArcheAge vid for all your MMO dolphin-riding needs

            MassivelySee this ArcheAge vid for all your MMO dolphin-riding needs originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 29 Nov 2013 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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            The Stream Team: Singing a new tune in LotRO's skirmishes

            Posted: 29 Nov 2013 01:00 PM PST

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            Just because you aren't high enough to travel to Helm's Deep itself doesn't mean Lord of the Rings Online's latest expansion has nothing for you! You can get the feel of playing an all-new game with just the class changes alone. And Massively's MJ still has many skirmishes to experience, so she can either hop into the familiar neighborhoods of Tuckborough or Bree or venture into new territory altogether for a fresh new experience. Join us live at 4:00 p.m. for a look at the class changes to the Minstrel as MJ plays through a skirmish or two.

            Game: Lord of the Rings Online
            Host: MJ Guthrie
            Date: Friday, November 29th, 2013
            Time: 4:00 p.m. EST

            Enjoy our Steam Team video below.

            Continue reading The Stream Team: Singing a new tune in LotRO's skirmishes

            MassivelyThe Stream Team: Singing a new tune in LotRO's skirmishes originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 29 Nov 2013 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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              Gambit comes to Marvel Heroes

              Posted: 29 Nov 2013 12:00 PM PST

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              Gambit in Marvel Heroes
              Gambit is one of those superhero concepts I wish I'd come up with. He's got it all, from the Cajun accent to the kick-ass name to the card-shark skills and kinetic badassery that's made him an X-Men favorite since his first appearance in 1990.

              Gazillion no doubt sees his appeal, too, and the company has finally added him to its Marvel Heroes title. The firm has also released a Gambit-focused trailer, which you can view after the cut.

              Continue reading Gambit comes to Marvel Heroes

              MassivelyGambit comes to Marvel Heroes originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 29 Nov 2013 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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              MMObility: Elemental Kingdoms is almost a unique game

              Posted: 29 Nov 2013 11:00 AM PST

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              Elemental Kingdoms screenshot
              We've all had our share of trading card games. It's a popular genre, and there are always new titles popping up. Frankly, it's hard to tell many of them apart. That's sort of the point, I guess. The fact is that the basic design is so successful because it can be so fun to play with. Tweak the formula a little bit and you might have a very fun game that is easy to get into yet hard to master.

              It's also possible that you'll have yet another boring trading card game. I tried Perfect World's Elemental Kingdoms this week and found a very familiar title that sits a bit apart from the rest of the pack but still has plenty of issues. It attempts to be too many games at once and still does not go far enough as it's asking you to gather cards, craft decks, enhance cards, and fight enemies.

              Continue reading MMObility: Elemental Kingdoms is almost a unique game

              MassivelyMMObility: Elemental Kingdoms is almost a unique game originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 29 Nov 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                MMORPG News

                MMORPG News


                Lucent Heart: Lucent Heart Closed Beta Key Giveaway!

                Posted: 28 Nov 2013 04:47 PM PST

                Lucent Heart Closed Beta Key Giveaway!

                MMORPG.com has partnered with Suba Games to give away closed beta keys for Lucent Heart! The closed beta will begin on December 12 and run until December 30. Get your free key now!

                General: The MMOrning Report - 11/29/2013

                Posted: 29 Nov 2013 10:15 AM PST

                The MMOrning Report - 11/29/2013

                Which lead designer of World of Warcraft is saying farewell to both Azeroth and Blizzard for an unnamed new opportunity? There's a new studio under the Bethesda wings... what's it all about? And what new feature was highlighted at the Neverwinter site for their upcoming Module 2? Watch on to find out. This is MMORPG's MMOrning Report, and this is what you need to know for November 29th, 2013.

                EverQuest Next: The Storytelling Toolbox

                Posted: 27 Nov 2013 06:39 PM PST

                The Storytelling Toolbox

                It was a big week in EverQuest Next this week with the release of the latest Round Table in which the dev team spoke about story and lore. Check out our thoughts about what was said before adding your own ideas to the comments.

                General: DIY Leftover Warfare

                Posted: 27 Nov 2013 06:31 PM PST

                DIY Leftover Warfare

                Now that Thanksgiving has come and gone, it's time to deal with the leftovers from the massive slaughter of a meal. In today's Fair Game, we offer a few ideas on how a gamer can deal with the day after. Read on!

                ArcheAge: XLGAMES Address Monetization Worries

                Posted: 27 Nov 2013 06:21 PM PST

                XLGAMES Address Monetization Worries

                ArcheAge in Korea currently utilizes a rather complex monetization system. In a brand new interview, we spoke with Executive Director of XL Game ArcheAge Division Yinzi Cheng about the complicated system and about player concerns with it. Read on and then leave your thoughts in the comments.

                Diablo 3: Hey Blizzard! Thanks for the Crusader!

                Posted: 26 Nov 2013 04:46 PM PST

                Hey Blizzard! Thanks for the Crusader!

                The Crusader is the new class coming to Diablo 3 when the Reaper of Souls expansion goes live sometime in 2014. We take a look at why one player is giving thanks for this awesome new addition. Read on before heading to the comments.

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