General Gaming Article

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• Google Reportedly Building Android-based Game Console
• This Week's Hottest Reviews on TechRadar
• Zotac's Little H87-ITX Wi-Fi Motherboard Supports Haswell
• Distributors, Analysts Agree Windows 8.1 Won't Perform Miracles in the PC Space
• Interncast Episode #2: RPG/Tech Edition
• Asus Launches Quad-Core Memo Pad HD 7 Android Tablet for $149 MSRP
• Sorry Windows Modders, Xbox One's Kinect Sensor Won't Plug Into PCs
• Newegg Daily Deals: Seagate 600 Series 240GB SSD, HIS IceQ Radeon HD 7850, and More!

Google Reportedly Building Android-based Game Console Posted: 28 Jun 2013 02:43 PM PDT A smartwatch and a Nexus Q successor also said to be in the works While most regular companies have to be mindful of the perils of spreading themselves too thin, the colossal likes of Google, Apple and Microsoft can seemingly do whatever they want, whenever they want without any such worries. For instance, Google, best known for its search algorithms, operating systems, smartphones, tablets and mostly decent April Fool's jokes, is now said to be building an Android-based game console. According to a Wall Street Journal report citing sources "familiar" with Google's plans, the company is working on an Android-based game console. Its not the Ouyas and the Shields that it has in its sights, but the rumored console is allegedly an attempt to preempt a similar device that Apple may bring to the market in the future. But the game console is not the only new Android-powered device that Google is said to be developing at the moment. The company is, per the paper's sources, also working on a smartwatch — apparently also an attempt at preempting Apple — and the successor to its ill-fated media streaming device the Nexus Q. Although this is nothing more than a rumor, one thing is for sure: if Google is indeed building such an Android-based gaming machine, its chances of attracting triple A exclusive titles, for long considered the lifeblood of any videogame platform, are much better than that of Ouya, Inc. or Bluestacks. Follow Pulkit on Google+

This Week's Hottest Reviews on TechRadar Posted: 28 Jun 2013 02:09 PM PDT TechRadar brings you an early appraisal of the next generation of console gaming. We've collected our E3 coverage, as well as reviews of the latest in cameras, components, ultrabooks and tablets. Check out the Lenovo ThinkPad Helix; for the money, we wish it had Haswell, but it's not a bad machine otherwise. TechRadar's hottest reviews Hey business travelers, if you found a magic lamp in the overhead compartment on your next flight, what would you wish for? Unlimited frequent flyer miles? Free first class upgrades for life? Leg room the length of a bowling lane? Or maybe you'd dream big and try to lighten the load in your carry on? Lenovo is no genie, but that's one wish it's looking to grant. Its ThinkPad Helix is a convertible Ultrabook, a Windows 8 tablet that hooks into a custom dock for laptop style productivity. Lenovo has owned the ThinkPad name since acquiring it from IBM in 2005. Its maintained the brand's reputation with excellent laptops like the ThinkPad X1 Carbon, but its forays into hybrid machines have been more mixed. While the ThinkPad Helix improves on the design of devices like the ThinkPad Tablet 2, it's not a Windows 8 dream machine. Lenovo has made some questionable design choices with the Helix, including an overhaul of the ThinkPad's signature trackpad that could dismay its most dedicated fans. Lenovo ThinkPad Helix review This generation's console war is still in the arms race phase, but the PlayStation 4 has found its big guns. At Sony's PS4 press conference on June 10th, the crowd roared with approval when SCEA President Jack Tretton announced that the new console would allow used games, disc sharing and not require any sort of online check-in. It's all excellent counter-programming to Microsoft's Xbox One, which has presented a confusing message as to its daily internet check-ins, used games policy and loaning out of discs (which Microsoft has been changed since this review was originally posted). The PlayStation 4 also launched one more potentially devastating strike: a $399/£349 price tag that makes it $100 cheaper than the Xbox One, thanks to selling its non-integral PlayStation Eye separately. On the show floor at E3 2013, we had the chance to scope out the PlayStation 4's angular design, put our hands on the redesigned DualShock 4 controller and play some of the titles for Sony's new system. With its cheaper price point and less restrictive DRM policies, the PS4 already seems to have the Xbox One on the run. We still think it would be naive to consider Microsoft's system down for the count, though.   Hands On: PS4 Review Microsoft is touting the size and scalability of its next-generation games as proof that cloud and internet connected gaming isn't just a requirement, it's a necessary evolution. Offloading the system's processing power to Microsoft's server gives developers the ability to create better, more complex games. Xbox One doesn't have that Halo 5 launch title as a killer app, but what it does boast is horsepower to make its game and entertainment experiences that much better. Even the company's first-party titles look as if they're able to compete with Sony's in-house software without having to be named Halo of Gears of War. With Microsoft having already sold out of pre-orders on Amazon, early adopters of technology and its Xbox Live-loving diehards are already going to pony up the $499 on day one. The question remains whether or not the company can convince everyone else that these benefits outweigh some of the negative spin that's been thrown its way.   Hands On: XBox One Review Here it is, then - our first taste of Asus's new Z87 generation, replete with fancy gold medallion accessories. Actually that's a bit unfair, because this board is pretty low-key if you look past the gaudy detailing. There's decent clearance around the socket for your cooling solution of choice and Asus has provided some pretty chunky hunks of metal to cool the MOSFETs, though there's no facility for hooking up water cooling for the board and chipset itself. In reality, the stock specs are only of academic interest, since the really big differences come with overclocking. Here again the Asus is level pegging with Gigabyte, and Intel's frankly a bit off the pace. That makes the Asus Z87-Pro one of two excellent options, which is the kind of dilemma we're happy to have. Asus Z87-Pro Review Other Reviews on TechRadar This Week Cameras Sony RX100 II Review  Canon IXUS 140 Review Hands On: Fuji X-M1 Review Panasonic G6 Review Panasonic LF1 Review Samsung Galaxy NX Review Hands On: Sony RX1-R Review Gaming Consoles Hands On: Mad Catz Mojo Android Console Review Hands On: Ouya Review Laptops Gigabyte P2742G Review HP Pavilion TouchSmart Sleekbook 15 Review Lenovo IdeaPad Z500 Touch Review 11-inch MacBook Air 2013 Review Hands On: Samsung Ativ Book 9 Plus Review Hands On: Samsung Ativ Q Review Sony Vaio Duo 13 Review Hands On: Toshiba Excite Write Review Hands On: Toshiba Satellite C50 Review Hands On: Toshiba Satellite P50 Review Hands On: Toshiba Satellite S50 Review Motherboards Intel DZ87KLT-75K Review PCs Samsung ATIV One 5 Style Review Phones Huawei Ascend P2 Review Hands On: Huawei Ascend P6 Review LG Escape Review Nokia Lumia 925 Review Samsung Galaxy Fame Review Hands On: Samsung Galaxy S4 Active Review Hands On: Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini Review Hands On: Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom Review Hands On: Sony Xperia Z Ultra Review Operating Systems Hands On: Windows 8.1 Review Processors AMD FX-6450 Review Intel Core i5-4570 Review Intel Core i5-4670K Review Tablets Hands On: Samsung Ativ Tab 3 review TVs Sony KD-65X9005A Misc. GolfSense 3D Golf Swing Analyzer Review

Zotac's Little H87-ITX Wi-Fi Motherboard Supports Haswell Posted: 28 Jun 2013 12:22 PM PDT A mini-ITX board with major upside If you subscribe to the philosophy that big things come in little packages, you'll love hearing about Zotac's new H87-ITX Wi-Fi motherboard, a tiny slice of silicon designed for Intel's 4th Generation Core processor family (Haswell). It's a mini-ITX board for small form factor (SFF) builds, yet is capable of running Intel's newest processors and up to four SATA 6Gbps drives, plus a spot for an mSATA drive. It has two DDR3 DIMM slots that support up to 16GB of RAM; RAID 0, 1, 0+1, and 5 support; six each of USB 3.0 and 2.0 ports; dual GbE LAN ports; HDMI, DVI, DisplayPort, and VGA (with included adapter) output; onboard 802.11n Wi-Fi + Bluetooth connectivity; and a single PCI Express x16 slot. Granted, you're not going to take down a dream machine configuration with a system built around this board, but there are plenty of input options to build a highly respectable rig, and even a high-end gamer if you want to go that route. You could, for example, run a pair of 256GB SSDs in RAID 0, flank them with a 4TB hard drive for storage chores, slap in an Intel Core i7 4770K processor, add 16GB of RAM, and shove a high-end GPU into the mix. No mention of price or when it will be available to purchase. Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook

Distributors, Analysts Agree Windows 8.1 Won't Perform Miracles in the PC Space Posted: 28 Jun 2013 11:20 AM PDT Don't expect Windows 8.1 to stop PC sales from slumping In some respects, Microsoft is about to take a mulligan with Windows 8.1. The free update will address many of the complaints users have with Windows 8, including the lack of a Start button (but not a Start menu), the inability to boot directly to the desktop, and more. It will also introduce in a much improved browsing experience (Internet Explorer 11), two new tile size options, and a bunch of other tweaks we recently outlined. Windows 8.1 will not, however, save traditional PCs from whatever fate awaits. Desktop and notebook PC sales are slumping as consumers turn to their smartphones and tablet devices to post on Facebook and check email, tasks that were previously performed on full fledged computers. And though it was with good intentions that Microsoft re-imagined Windows, the latest version hasn't done much to boost PC sales, and analysts don't think Windows 8.1 will help. "An OS launch no longer creates a wave of new purchases. Windows 8.1 may staunch the wound, correct past mistakes, but it will not wipe out the impact of the economy or the fact that people want tablets and smartphones," Jeremy Davies, CEO at Context, told The Register. The site goes on to quote several other industry players and analysts, According to The Register, several distributors fessed up to getting carried away with Windows 8 and that the situation is worse than the figures suggest. "It is a consumer-focused product and so far consumers haven't like it," a wholesaler said. "Businesses ar buying Windows 8 machines but downgrading it to Windows 7." What do you think -- will Windows 8.1 be enough to renew interest in traditional PCs, or are OEMs right to be skeptical? Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook

Interncast Episode #2: RPG/Tech Edition Posted: 28 Jun 2013 11:18 AM PDT The crew teaches the Canadian intern how to play an RPG The interns have re-assembled for the second episode of the Interncast, and this time around the crew discusses Windows 8.1 and the new features it brings, Sony's gigantic 6.4" Xperia Z Ultra phone and whether or not that's too big for a phone, and also argued over the proper way to play role-playing games. Manning the podcast this time around are returning interns Chris Zele (@chriszele), Parker Willhelm (@parkerwillhelm), and Jake Godin(@jakegodin). Joining the podcast for the first time are Maximum PC intern Julian Reiche (@julianreiche) and PC Gamer intern T.J. Hafer (@asatj). The Interncast newbies talk about how they scored their summer gigs at their respective publications.  Take a listen, follow us on twitter @interncast, and please leave us a review on iTunes if you like it. You can also send questions, complaints, and death threats to futureinterncast@gmail.com, and subscribe to the podcast's RSS feed for upcoming episodes!

Asus Launches Quad-Core Memo Pad HD 7 Android Tablet for $149 MSRP Posted: 28 Jun 2013 08:16 AM PDT A cheap Android tablet from a name brand manufacturer Asus just threw the gauntlet down by launching its low-price Memo Pad HD 7, a 7-inch Android tablet that's surprisingly feature-rich for the money. The MSRP is listed as $149, the same as the original Memo Pad 7, but this time around you get quite a bit more for the money, not the least of which is an upgrade from a 1GHz single-core chip to a quad-core processor clocked at 1.2GHz. The 7-inch display sports an In-Plane Switching (IPS) panel with a 1280x800 resolution, up from 1024x600. Other specs include 1GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage + 16GB of Asus WebStorage for a year, microSD card slot, stereo speakers, 1.2MP front-facing camera, 5MP rear-facing camera (optional -- costs more), and a battery rated for up to 10 hours of run time. It's a light and slim slate measuring just 10.8mm thick and weighing 302g. You'll find it in a variety of colors, including blue, white, pink, green, and grey. As of this writing, we haven't found one for sale online, though in the meantime, check out the review our sister site TechRadar posted earlier this month. Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook

Sorry Windows Modders, Xbox One's Kinect Sensor Won't Plug Into PCs Posted: 28 Jun 2013 07:33 AM PDT Microsoft confirms the bad news It's tough to understand what Microsoft is thinking sometimes, isn't it? Take for example the decision to bring back the Start button in Windows 8.1, but not the Start menu. Decisions like that border on being belligerent, and now we've learned that you won't be able to plug the second generation Kinect sensor that ships with the Xbox One into your PC because it's packing a proprietary connector. No big deal, because like Apple, Microsoft has plans to cash in on adapters, right? Wrong. "The Kinect for Xbox One sensor will not have an adapter that allows it to plug into a computer," a Microsoft spokesperson told ArsTechnica in an email. "The new generation Kinect for Windows sensor will connect to computers using a standard USB 3 port." So, if you're totally geeked about getting your hands on a next generation Kinect sensor and seeing what you can do with it in Windows, you'll have to wait until Microsoft launches a Windows-specific model with the appropriate connector (USB 3.0). That's too bad because the original Kinect for Xbox 360 could be plugged into a PC via an included adapter and modded to work in Windows, and even though Microsoft is essentially forcing the purchase of a Kinect with every Xbox One (it comes standard with the $499 console), there will be no adapter this time around. And if you planned to both purchase an Xbox One and tinker in Windows with Kinect, without an adapter, you'll end up purchasing two Kinect sensors (the one that's bundled with the Xbox One and a separate one designed specifically for Windows -- boo!). Unofficially, don't be surprised if modders concoct their own home brewed adapter once the system ships later this year. Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook

Newegg Daily Deals: Seagate 600 Series 240GB SSD, HIS IceQ Radeon HD 7850, and More! Posted: 28 Jun 2013 07:02 AM PDT Top Deal: Does your system lack a spring in its step? A solid state drive (SSD) could help, and it just so happens today's top deal is for a Seagate 600 Series ST240HM000 240GB SATA III MLC Internal SSD for $189 with free shipping (nromally $210 - use coupon code SSDJUNPR). It offers up to 530MB/s sequential read and up to 440MB/s sequential write speeds and features on-the-fly error-correction algorithsm. Other Deals: Seagate GoFlex Satellite 500GB Mobile Wireless Storage for $80 with free shipping (normally $100 - use coupon code:[EMCXPVR242]) Corsair Builder Series CX600 600W 80 Plus Bronze Certified Active PFC Power Supply for $58 with free shipping (normally $80 - use coupon code:[EMCXPVR69]; additional $20 mail-in rebate) Cooler Master GX Series 650W 80 Plus Bronze Certified Active PFC Power Supply for $76 with free shipping (normally $100 - use coupon code:[EMCXPVN25]) HIS IceQ Radeon HD 7850 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 Video Card for $190 with free shipping (normally $200)

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Latest Gaming and MMORPG Updates

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New Headgear released at Ragnarok Online [Renewal] Posted: 27 Jun 2013 09:49 PM PDT New Headgear released at Ragnarok Online [Renewal]   Ragnarok Online International [Renewal] gets new Headgears. For details see below: These can be found in the “Hot” and “Limited” tabs in the Kafra Shop, these two headgears are both on sale for 500 kafra points. Galaxy Circlet: Peace Pipe [animated]: Ragnarok Online International Website – External … Continue Reading The post New Headgear released at Ragnarok Online [Renewal] appeared first on GAMEFORUMER.COM | MMORPG | Android | Video Games | IOS | Blog.

New Kafra Shop Items released in Ragnarok Online 2 International Posted: 27 Jun 2013 09:33 PM PDT New Kafra Shop Items released in Ragnarok Online 2 International Ragnarok Online 2 International version gets more new Kafra Items in the cash shops readily available for the players purchase. For details see below:   CD- Cannot Destroy CS- Cannot Sell UG- Unable to store at Guild Storage XS- Sharing amongst characters in one account … Continue Reading The post New Kafra Shop Items released in Ragnarok Online 2 International appeared first on GAMEFORUMER.COM | MMORPG | Android | Video Games | IOS | Blog.

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MMO Updates

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• New MapleStory character returns from the dark side
• Second Wind: Ultima Online
• Storyboard: Both sides of roleplaying
• The Daily Grind: What's the sneakiest cash-shop trick in MMO land?
• The Guild Counsel: Three problem players and how to handle them
• The Think Tank: Do you play single-player games as well as MMOs?
• The Summoner's Guidebook: League of Legends is hard but satisfying
• DUST 514 prepares to deploy Uprising 1.2
• Pathfinder to feature hands-on construction, building, planning
• EverQuest starts testing Heart of Fear update
• Blizzard brings out the Diablo III banhammer
• PlanetSide 2 is letting players make the missions
• Talk about internet spaceships and lose money at EVE Vegas 2013
• MU Rebirth begins beta sign-ups
• The next chapter of The Aurora World launches with in-game events

New MapleStory character returns from the dark side Posted: 28 Jun 2013 09:00 AM PDT Filed under: Fantasy, MapleStory, Classes, News Items, Free-to-Play If you fell for the line, "Come to the dark side -- we have cookies," it's your own fault. But such was not the case for MapleStory EU's newest hero, Xenon. Captured, his body altered, and his mind erased, this once normal boy became a pawn to be used by the evil scientist Gelimer of the Black Wings. But redemption arrived in the form of a lab raid by the Resistance, and Xenon's memories of his past started to break through the corruption and restart him on the path with the Resistance. Armed with both his lightsaber Energy Sword and a mastery of the Energy Control System, Xenon -- the first character to utilize a hybrid fighting style -- set out to fully rediscover his past. Players will participate in special stories that will help Xenon regain his memory and possibly unveil more mysteries along the way. [Source: NEXON Europe press release] New MapleStory character returns from the dark side originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 28 Jun 2013 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

Second Wind: Ultima Online Posted: 28 Jun 2013 08:00 AM PDT Filed under: Fantasy, Screenshots, Business Models, Economy, Events (In-Game), Game Mechanics, MMO Industry, Endgame, Opinion, Ultima Online, Hands-On, Sandbox, Dungeons, Crafting, Housing, Second Wind, Player-Generated Content, Subscription, MMORPG When I (legally) sold my Ultima Online accounts in 2000 for the hefty sum of $1800, the game was already three years old and being challenged by the likes of EverQuest and Asheron's Call. I thought I was done forever. My guild was eyeing Dark Age of Camelot, and I wanted to cash out and rid myself of the chore of maintaining a dozen grandfathered houses on the dying half of a shard struggling to find its footing in a post-open-PvP ruleset. I was wrong. A year later I was back in UO with a new account, prowling around Britannia. And the year after that. And every year since, only I never again made the mistake of selling my accounts even when I took extended breaks. It has a special magic that only a handful of MMOs have captured (let alone topped) since, and what it lacks in modern conveniences it often makes up for in unique features. The granddaddy of MMORPGs and one of the only true sandboxes still standing turns 16 this autumn, having survived EverQuest, World of Warcraft, the internet bubble, EA's blundering, Mythic's takeover, layoffs, price hikes, a recession, and disastrous design shifts. But is it still worth playing? Continue reading Second Wind: Ultima Online Second Wind: Ultima Online originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 28 Jun 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

Storyboard: Both sides of roleplaying Posted: 28 Jun 2013 07:00 AM PDT Filed under: Culture, Game Mechanics, Opinion, Roleplaying, Storyboard, Miscellaneous I don't mind disagreeing with someone, but I really like to know why because the why usually leads to more interesting conclusions. You won't be surprised to know that I spend a good portion of my time thinking about how the divide in roleplaying has happened. It's definitely there, and it often gets painted as a divide between newer and older players. There are people who point to Star Wars Galaxies as one of the greatest games for RP of all time, and there are those who look at it and just don't see what the big deal was. It's too much to come down purely to difference in taste. The idea has been rolling around in my head for a while, but a few discussions on the topic finally pushed me into the conclusion that what we're looking at is a split between ramblers and orienteers. We're treating two distinct hobbies as the same thing because they've got a lot of overlap, but despite what we think, that overlap is narrower than it seems at a glance. Continue reading Storyboard: Both sides of roleplaying Storyboard: Both sides of roleplaying originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 28 Jun 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

The Daily Grind: What's the sneakiest cash-shop trick in MMO land? Posted: 28 Jun 2013 06:00 AM PDT Filed under: Business Models, Game Mechanics, MMO Industry, Opinion, Miscellaneous Casino chain Harrah's could teach MMO cash shops a thing or two. The casino famously employs a complicated system of tracking and metrics to estimate when precisely an individual losing player will walk away from a gambling game... and right before that predicted moment arrives, employees swoop in with complimentary food and free currency to encourage the loser to stick around (and lose more, of course). I don't know of any MMOs that use this exact trick, but they certainly could. An MMO could easily track how many mobs you're willing to kill for a drop or how many lockboxes you're willing to buy before you stop playing and stop buying altogether, then trigger a drop custom-tailored for you just to keep you around. The thought of it is a little creepy but not entirely unwelcome after all the Dragon Chests I've opened to no avail lately. That day is not yet upon us, so today, we're wondering just what is the sneakiest cash-shop trick in MMO land? 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: What's the sneakiest cash-shop trick in MMO land? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 28 Jun 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

The Guild Counsel: Three problem players and how to handle them Posted: 27 Jun 2013 07:00 PM PDT Filed under: Guilds, Opinion, The Guild Counsel, Miscellaneous Guild drama is something that can bring headaches to a guild leader. When you have dozens of players with a variety of personalities under the same virtual roof, there are bound to be some conflicts. On top of that, players don't have the benefit of being face to face, so there's room for misinterpretations and mixed signals. While it's practically impossible to avoid all guild drama, there are a few player types that are pose a bigger threat to a guild's happy atmosphere. In today's Guild Counsel, let's look at three player types to watch out for and consider a few ways to keep them, and the guild, happy together. Continue reading The Guild Counsel: Three problem players and how to handle them The Guild Counsel: Three problem players and how to handle them originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 27 Jun 2013 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

The Think Tank: Do you play single-player games as well as MMOs? Posted: 27 Jun 2013 06:00 PM PDT Filed under: Opinion, Massively Meta, The Think Tank As gamers, most of us enjoy a wide variety of game genres. The social interaction of an MMO is great, but sometimes you just want to hide in the corner of a single-player game and forget that the healer in that raid PUG today didn't heal or that XxXGrImReApErYoLo420XxX is better at PlanetSide 2 than you are. Since everyone on the Massively staff is obviously an expert in the field of MMOs, I thought it might be interesting to pick the writers' brains and find out what single-player games (and features of those games) they also enjoy. Continue reading The Think Tank: Do you play single-player games as well as MMOs? The Think Tank: Do you play single-player games as well as MMOs? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 27 Jun 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

The Summoner's Guidebook: League of Legends is hard but satisfying Posted: 27 Jun 2013 05:00 PM PDT Filed under: Opinion, Free-to-Play, MOBA, League of Legends, The Summoner's Guidebook I am not the only person to ever say League of Legends is a hard game. If you've ever read a message board for a game that isn't LoL (or any general gaming board), you have likely heard about how hard League of Legends is compared to whatever other game is being discussed. Some veterans insist that LoL is not a hard game. Recently, a pretty famous internet blogger set out to prove that indeed, League is not hard and anyone can be good at it. Ultimately, I don't like his methodology, but he did not disprove my point. League of Legends is a hard game. MOBA veterans and people who read and study guides don't find it that difficult, but if you're coming to LoL and don't read guides on how to play, it will be hard for you too. That doesn't mean it's a bad game; both awful players and experts can enjoy the game equally. It's the biggest game in the world. That means there has to be a way for bad players to feel comfortable too, right? Continue reading The Summoner's Guidebook: League of Legends is hard but satisfying The Summoner's Guidebook: League of Legends is hard but satisfying originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 27 Jun 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

DUST 514 prepares to deploy Uprising 1.2 Posted: 27 Jun 2013 04:00 PM PDT Filed under: Patches, Previews, Free-to-Play, Consoles, MMOFPS, DUST 514, Dev Diaries CCP is promising to roll out new DUST 514 updates on a "near-monthly basis" and is preparing to roll out Uprising 1.2 for the game on July 2nd. "We have decided to move into a faster, more iterative update cycle," said CCP Praetorian. "This is unique in the console space, only possible because our friends at Sony work with us to evolve the submission processes to suit free-to-play massively multiplayer titles like DUST." Uprising 1.2's star feature is the addition of the Commando dropsuit. This role allows players to equip dual light weapons to go all John Woo on the competition. Don't be jealous if you don't go Commando, as CCP's also prepping "Neo" dropsuits for every role. Other changes coming with 1.2 include shield energizer modules, unlocked conquered districts, ISK transfers, better visuals and game performance, optimal range limits on weapons, and improved sound. DUST 514 prepares to deploy Uprising 1.2 originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 27 Jun 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Source: Uprising 1.2 and beyond

Pathfinder to feature hands-on construction, building, planning Posted: 27 Jun 2013 03:00 PM PDT Filed under: Fantasy, Video, Game Mechanics, MMO Industry, New Titles, News Items, Sandbox, Crafting, Crowdfunding, Pathfinder Online Many modern-day MMOs have relegated crafting to an automated afterthought. Not Pathfinder Online, though. No sirree, GoblinWorks' crowdfunding sandbox will feature plenty of hands-on construction, according to the firm's latest blog post. "While it may be easier to wave your hand and decree that your minions build whatever you want, we think it's a little more interesting if players have to think hard, plan ahead, and cooperate to get the most out of their settlements," writes developer Rich Baker. How is it all going to work? That's a pretty lengthy discussion, which you'll find on the official Pathfinder dev blog. You'll also find a brief work-in-progress video clip that shows the progression of a market settlement. We've embedded that for you after the break. Continue reading Pathfinder to feature hands-on construction, building, planning Pathfinder to feature hands-on construction, building, planning originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 27 Jun 2013 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Source: Dev blog

EverQuest starts testing Heart of Fear update Posted: 27 Jun 2013 02:00 PM PDT Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, EverQuest, Patches, Free-to-Play The latest chapter in EverQuest's epic story has gone into beta. The fourth tier of this expansion cycle is called Heart of Fear, and players can check it out on the test server starting today. Heart of Fear's story began back in 2010's House of Thule and continued through EverQuest's various expansions and updates. Once Heart of Fear hits in July, players will finally get to see the exciting conclusion as they go up against the remnants of Cazic-Thule and his stronghold. The update includes the Heart of Fear fortress, new class-specific weapons that can be upgraded, and plenty of new collections, achievements, and missions to explore. Players who were in the Rain of Fear or Shadow of Fear betas automatically qualify to be a part of this test. EverQuest starts testing Heart of Fear update originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 27 Jun 2013 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Source: Heart of Fear announcement

Blizzard brings out the Diablo III banhammer Posted: 27 Jun 2013 01:30 PM PDT Filed under: Fantasy, News Items, Diablo III, Buy-to-Play If there is one particular group of fools that Blizzard Entertainment cannot suffer, it is nefarious tricksters attempting to sneak an advantage in its games through the use of hacks, bots, and other malicious cheats. The company has just confirmed its latest round of mass-bannings in Diablo III, and while no specific number or reasoning is given, the post leans heavily on the rules regarding botting and hacking. Reiterated in the ban-wave announcement are the things that Blizzard prohibits players from doing with third-party software, including automate gameplay, obtain information about the game that isn't normally available to players, modify D3's game files, and change the way the game interacts with Battle.net. Blizzard also noted that using hacks and bots isn't a victimless crime; third-party software can sometimes cause big technical issues for both the offender and other players. More info on Diablo III's exploitation policy is available on the official Blizzard support website. Blizzard brings out the Diablo III banhammer originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 27 Jun 2013 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Source: Battle.net

PlanetSide 2 is letting players make the missions Posted: 27 Jun 2013 01:00 PM PDT Filed under: Sci-Fi, Game Mechanics, News Items, Free-to-Play, MMOFPS, PlanetSide 2, Player-Generated Content The world of PlanetSide 2 is a battlefield, one that is constantly evolving and changing. Sometimes you need a commander who can come up with some off-the-wall strategies, a desperate flank, an ambush for a pursuing force, something like that. So the developers at Sony Online Entertainment are giving players a tool to make that happen via player generated missions. Anyone with the required command certifications can start creating missions at the relevant location visible to the entire faction. The missions are meant to be short-term bursts of activity, with major experience bonuses for a limited series of objectives. So someone on the ground might put out a call for an air strike, offering big bonuses to flyers who divert and take out hardened ground targets. It's a fascinating idea that can offer mechanical bonuses for improved leadership and placement, something that players will have more reason to practice once the system gets rolled out later this summer. PlanetSide 2 is letting players make the missions originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 27 Jun 2013 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Source: Player Generated Missions Via: Rock Paper Shotgun

Talk about internet spaceships and lose money at EVE Vegas 2013 Posted: 27 Jun 2013 12:00 PM PDT Filed under: Sci-Fi, EVE Online, Events (Real-World), MMO Industry, News Items, DUST 514, Sandbox, MMORPG EVE Fanfest is the biggest gathering of EVE Online fans in the world. There's just one small problem for folks who live in North America: Fanfest is in Iceland, which is very far away. Like, super far. You probably couldn't even drive there. The distance between the Americas and Iceland is one reason CCP holds another annual fan gathering in Las Vegas, known as EVE Vegas. And in a dev blog posted early this morning, the company outlined what attendees can expect from this year's romp in the desert. This year's EVE Vegas, will feature presentations from devs and players of both EVE Online and DUST 514, a tournament with prizes, and a pub and club crawl, with the main party taking place on the roof of the Rio hotel. CCP is also sending more devs this time around. Perhaps most interesting: Capsuleers can pay the $200 EVE Vegas ticket price with PLEX. EVE Vegas 2013 brings even more spreadsheets to the city of sin from October 18th to October 20th. Talk about internet spaceships and lose money at EVE Vegas 2013 originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 27 Jun 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Source: Dev Blog

MU Rebirth begins beta sign-ups Posted: 27 Jun 2013 11:00 AM PDT Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, MMO Industry, New Titles, PvP, Free-to-Play Never get to attached to an upcoming game title in this industry, as it can change at the drop of a hat. Webzen has renamed MU Chronicle R to the somewhat-less-unwieldy MU Rebirth and announced that the title is now accepting sign-ups for its closed beta test. MU Rebirth is a remake of MU Online with a heavy PvP emphasis. The level cap will remain at 400, although Webzen says that it is significantly speeding up the leveling process so that players will hit that number in two hours. Yes, you read that right. This plays into the "rebirth" feature, which allows players to go back to level 1 while retaining gained stats. The closed beta test of MU Rebirth will run from July 3rd to the 10th. Webzen will be hosting a global PvP tournament during the test, although details for this contest are forthcoming. [Source: Webzen press release] MU Rebirth begins beta sign-ups originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 27 Jun 2013 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Source: Closed beta sign-ups

The next chapter of The Aurora World launches with in-game events Posted: 27 Jun 2013 10:30 AM PDT Filed under: Fantasy, Events (In-Game), Patches, PvP, News Items, Free-to-Play Not one to dilly-dally around (it moved The Aurora World from closed to open beta in less than a month, after all), GBE Games launched the next chapter of the free-to-play fantasy game today. This content update includes a level cap increase to 70, new areas, upgraded servers, and Nation War PvP. To celebrate the release of this next chapter, The Aurora World is kicking off two events. In the first, aptly dubbed The Leveling King, the first 10 players who reach level 70 from each nation will receive both a special title and a legendary dragon costume. Not one of those first 10? That's where the second event comes in: All players who obtain five level 60 purple armors and enhance them to +6 will get an exclusive level 70 unicorn Majinn. Interested players can jump in and enjoy the new content now. [Source: GBE Games press release] The next chapter of The Aurora World launches with in-game events originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 27 Jun 2013 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

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