| Dragon Nest Europe gets an Academic update Posted: 09 Oct 2013 10:00 AM PDT Filed under: Fantasy, Classes, Patches, News Items, Free-to-Play, Dragon Nest Games have some strange ideas about what certain professions entail at times. You've probably known a lot of academics in your life, and few if any of them carry enormous guns and hit things with wrenches. But the Academic class in Dragon Nest does precisely that. This new class has just been added to the game's European version, patched in alongside a major localization update that allows the game to be played in full German or French versions. Assuming you speak neither of those languages, the big update is the new class. Academics can damage dealers or healers, with a specialization coming at level 15; Alchemists focus on support while Engineers deal out exceptional amounts of damage. The class also features a choice between cannons and bubble guns for damage, with the former hitting hard but slowly while the latter is quick but weak. It should be an interesting addition for EU players, although it still raises the question of what's so academic about shooting people. [Source: gamigo press release]  Dragon Nest Europe gets an Academic update originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 09 Oct 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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| EQ Next devs weigh in on friends lists in 8th Round Table Response Posted: 09 Oct 2013 09:00 AM PDT Filed under: Fantasy, Video, New Titles, News Items, Free-to-Play, Community Q&A, EverQuest Next, Dev Diaries The seventh Round table question posed to EverQuest Next fans was whether friends lists should be account-based or character-based. And in the eighth dev response video, Producer Terry Michaels and Senior Brand Manager Omeed Dariani discuss the direction the devs are taking based on player feedback. The most popular player answer, raking in more than half the votes, was to offer the option of adding friends by account but allowing a denial to show only that specific character on a friends list. Micheals noted that this was the direction the devs are going, pointing out that account-wide lists offers convenience for players who don't want to manage multiple friends lists, but also providing player privacy with the opt-out feature. At the end of the video seen below, Michaels slipped in a new question for players to answer: What other stereotypically character-based features would you like to see implemented account-wide? Offer your suggestions here and on the official site. And to watch all the other dev responses, check out our Round Table roundup. Continue reading EQ Next devs weigh in on friends lists in 8th Round Table Response EQ Next devs weigh in on friends lists in 8th Round Table Response originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 09 Oct 2013 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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| Infinite Crisis takes a deep look at blowing up cars Posted: 09 Oct 2013 08:00 AM PDT Filed under: Super-hero, Video, Game Mechanics, News Items, Free-to-Play, MOBA, Infinite Crisis Superheroes don't fight clean. When a battle happens, you don't expect just a couple of guys punching each other, you expect people being thrown through buildings and cars being flung around like nothing. You expect destruction across the whole landscape, in other words. The developers working on Infinite Crisis understand that and know full well that part of the superhero equation is making sure that you get to have a major impact on the environment, and that's the subject of the newest behind-the-scenes video for the game. Both the destructible environments and the catastrophic event system seen in the game are meant to help players feel the impact of actions and of changing strategies. The battlefield isn't the same at the end as it is when you start. Walls get smashed, meteors fall and block off passages, and players adapt to new options and new circumstances. Take a closer look at what these systems mean in the video embedded just past the break. [Source: Turbine Entertainment press release] Continue reading Infinite Crisis takes a deep look at blowing up cars Infinite Crisis takes a deep look at blowing up cars originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 09 Oct 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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| Leaderboard: Would you like a criminal justice system in your MMO? Posted: 09 Oct 2013 07:00 AM PDT Filed under: Culture, Game Mechanics, MMO Industry, Opinion, ArcheAge, Sandbox, Leaderboard So I've got indentured servitude jury duty this week, and if you've never had it, believe me when I say that it sucks. And, at least where I live, there's no getting out of it unless you fancy a ride in the back of a squad car and another summons during the next call-out. Why am I telling you this on an MMO blog? To vent, mostly, but also because it's an adequate lead-in to this week's Leaderboard. Aside from ArcheAge, I'm hard-pressed to think of an MMO that has implemented a significant criminal justice mechanic. Plenty of games from Ultima Online to EVE let you be a criminal six ways from Sunday, but since sandbox developers have completely dropped the ball when it comes to discouraging crime or otherwise building civilized virtual societies, there are no repercussions for repeatedly unleashing your inner jackhole. Let's say it were up to you, though. Would you implement some sort of criminal justice system in your favorite MMO? If so, what sorts of behavior would you attempt to regulate? If not, why not? Vote and discuss after the cut!  Ever wish that you could put to rest a long-standing MMO debate once and for all? Then welcome to the battle royal of Massively's Leaderboard, where two sides enter the pit o' judgment -- and only one leaves. Vote to make your opinion known, and see whether your choice tops the Leaderboard!Continue reading Leaderboard: Would you like a criminal justice system in your MMO? Leaderboard: Would you like a criminal justice system in your MMO? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 09 Oct 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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| The Daily Grind: What vanity pet would you like to see made? Posted: 09 Oct 2013 06:00 AM PDT Filed under: Culture, Opinion, The Daily Grind, Miscellaneous Ever since I ran The Secret World's Issue #7 content and explored the Nursery, I've become fixated on the idea of owning a nannybot of my very own. I mean, they're ludicrous to the point of being awesome: a hulking RoboCop suit with an emoticon face (which is smiley for happy and frowny for you're-about-to-be-murder-punched). I'd love to see them made into pets, because I constantly need looking after. Assuming that you like vanity pets -- you do, right? -- then you probably have a wish list of critters or figures that you'd love to see implemented as such. Maybe there's a cool-looking animal or a mechanical doohickey or just something that would go perfect with your character. If you could make it happen with a wish, what non-combat pet would you like to see made for your MMO?  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 vanity pet would you like to see made? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 09 Oct 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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| Hyperspace Beacon: SWTOR's Dread War, part 2 Posted: 08 Oct 2013 05:00 PM PDT Filed under: Sci-Fi, Game Mechanics, Patches, Endgame, PvE, Opinion, Free-to-Play, Star Wars: The Old Republic, Hyperspace Beacon, MMORPG This past week, I finished up exploring all aspects of the new Star Wars: The Old Republic patch save for the final showdown between my guild and the Dread Council. If you have been following my livestreams, then you'll know that we should finish that up on Wednesday. In this column, I've covered everything from the history of how the Dread Masters arrived at this point to the first offensive on the moon of Oricon to the first phase of the attack on the Dread Masters' fortress. Overall, it's been exciting. BioWare concluded this chapter in SWTOR history with as much flare as it started it two years ago. In the final confrontation between the player and the Dread Masters, we understand more about the characters of the Dread Masters and their motivation to conquer the known galaxy. We've already confronted Dread Master Styrak in the Scum and Villainy operation and Dread Master Brontes in the Dread Fortress operation from last week. Dread Masters Bestia, Tyrans, Calphayus, and Raptus remain. And that's who we will study this week. Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: SWTOR's Dread War, part 2 Hyperspace Beacon: SWTOR's Dread War, part 2 originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 08 Oct 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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| LotRO players support charity by following Frodo's journey in-game Posted: 08 Oct 2013 04:00 PM PDT Filed under: Fantasy, Lord of the Rings Online, Culture, Events (In-Game), Free-to-Play, Player-Generated Content Frodo's initial adventures from the Shire to Rivendell have a special significance to some Lord of the Rings Online players, because it's this journey that they're recreating in order to raise funds for charity. The Fellowship Walk, as it's called, is already underway with a goal to raise $5,000 for Child's Play by October 24th. For every monetary milestone met through donations, players in the game will recreate a portion of Frodo's walk with the ultimate goal of arriving in the Last Homely House. The player event also includes charity auctions, giveaways, and a treasure hunt. You can read more about the Fellowship Walk on LOTRO Players. [Thanks to everyone who sent in this tip!] LotRO players support charity by following Frodo's journey in-game originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 08 Oct 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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| Deaf gamer connects, educates through Wizard101 Posted: 08 Oct 2013 03:00 PM PDT Filed under: Fantasy, Culture, Free-to-Play, Kids, Wizard101, Family Even though she can't hear any of the music or sound effects in the game, Kelsey Fireheart professes a strong love for Wizard101. In a guest post on the KingsIsle blog, Kelsey shares a little of what it's like to be a deaf gamer and why this MMO means so much to her. Shortly after starting her adventures in the game, Kelsey had a profound encounter: "I remember questing in the Pyramid of the Sun of Krokotopia and I bumped into a fellow wizard named Diana Wildheart. She mentioned that she was deaf, and I gasped in astonishment. I replied, I am deaf too! That's when I realized that I could meet fellow deaf gamers through games like Wizard101." Kelsey said that this friendship made her realize that MMOs could be used for more than just fun and to educate others about what it's like to be deaf. "This game is a wonderful educational tool that I can use to teach countless others and it gave me a way of communicating with no barriers. In fact, it gave me a greater purpose within the game," she wrote. Kelsey said that the visuals of the game are quite important to her and that she wished sign language would be available as in-game emotes. Deaf gamer connects, educates through Wizard101 originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 08 Oct 2013 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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| Infinite Crisis amplifier set preview lands with October update Posted: 08 Oct 2013 02:00 PM PDT Filed under: Betas, Super-hero, Video, Patches, PvP, News Items, Free-to-Play, MOBA, Infinite Crisis October's Infinite Crisis update brings a small preview of big changes. Turbine is adding an "early version" of the game's augmentation system, an addition that should help players to learn the basics of character enhancement before the full system goes live. Augmentation is accomplished via amplifier sets, which are collections of items designed to enhance champions in a variety of ways depending on role and play style. Each amplifier set is composed of four augments and three mods. Augments enhance stats, while mods enhance artifacts. Every amplifier item will be associated with a brand; each brand benefits specific champion roles. While the complete amplifier system will allow players to build their own sets from scratch, the sets introduced this month are package deals. Turbine has plans to release hundreds of augments and mods as Infinite Crisis grows. Check out the video after the jump for a quick look at amplifiers, or hit up the official post for a detailed breakdown. Continue reading Infinite Crisis amplifier set preview lands with October update Infinite Crisis amplifier set preview lands with October update originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 08 Oct 2013 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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| SWTOR's Galactic Starfighter expansion coming in December Posted: 08 Oct 2013 01:45 PM PDT Filed under: Sci-Fi, Trailers, Video, Expansions, Game Mechanics, PvP, Free-to-Play, Star Wars: The Old Republic Star Wars: The Old Republic's expanding space gameplay has been BioWare's worst-kept secret for quite a while now. Prior to today's video drop, though, we didn't know much about what it would look like. The firm has also posted a preview page with a fair amount of detail. The digital expansion is officially called Galactic Starfighter and it will feature 12-vs.-12 "free flight combat action." There looks to be ship customization as well as different ship roles, gameplay zones, and gameplay modes. BioWare is also offering various bonuses and early access tiers depending upon your preferred payment method. All the details are located behind the links below, and you can view the trailer after the cut. [Thanks for all the tips!] Continue reading SWTOR's Galactic Starfighter expansion coming in December SWTOR's Galactic Starfighter expansion coming in December originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 08 Oct 2013 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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| EverQuest releases 20th expansion, Call of the Forsaken Posted: 08 Oct 2013 01:00 PM PDT Filed under: Fantasy, EverQuest, Expansions, Free-to-Play, Promotions There should be a really big cake somewhere in SOE's offices today to celebrate the fact that the studio just pushed out its impressive 20th expansion for EverQuest. Call of the Forsaken launched today with a host of new features including a new storyline, four additional zones, enhancements to the mercenary system, heroic adventures, and (of course) more raids. Senior Producer Thom Terrazas had a speech prepared on this occasion: "The launch of EverQuest's 20th expansion is a testament to the dedication of all of the talented people, developers and members of our awesome community, who have contributed to the game over the years. As we approach the 15th anniversary of EverQuest in 2014, the influence of the franchise is unparalleled in the MMO genre. This latest expansion demonstrates our continued commitment to bring the highest quality content to one of the most dedicated player communities in the industry." The expansion for the free-to-play title is $39.99 for the regular edition and $89.99 for the collector's edition. EverQuest is currently running a "welcome back" promotion that includes a gold membership and a goodie bundle to those who log in by the 15th. [Source: SOE press release] EverQuest releases 20th expansion, Call of the Forsaken originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 08 Oct 2013 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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| Jukebox Heroes: Lineage II's soundtrack Posted: 08 Oct 2013 12:00 PM PDT Filed under: Fantasy, Lineage 2, Opinion, Free-to-Play, Jukebox Heroes, Music Once again, I must begin this column by advising you to jettison your attitude toward an MMO when it comes to evaluating its music. Lineage II doesn't have the rabid following in the West that it seems to overseas, and I've heard a lot of negativity thrown its way (some of it quite deserved, but this is me jettisoning). However -- and I don't say this lightly -- its musical score is absolutely superb. It's right up there with the best of the industry and deserves to be heard. Its many soundtrack albums have a small army of composers powering them: Bill Brown, Jamie Christopherson, Inon Zur, Hyobum Lim, Chihwan Kim, Junyup Lee, Junghwan Park, Junghye Hong, and Changbeom Kim. Collaboratively, these folks have assembled a sizable body of work that spans a decade of video game music. The Lineage II soundtrack is, at times, cinematic, tranquil, lovely, and exciting. Check out these six tracks for a taste of the best, and if that interests you, you might want to listen to my recent Battle Bards podcast in which we dissect this score. Continue reading Jukebox Heroes: Lineage II's soundtrack Jukebox Heroes: Lineage II's soundtrack originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 08 Oct 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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| CCP hires new Executive Producer for DUST 514, Jean-Charles Gaudechon Posted: 08 Oct 2013 11:00 AM PDT Filed under: Sci-Fi, MMO Industry, News Items, MMOFPS, DUST 514 It makes sense to hire people based on what they've already proven capable of doing. That's obvious. If someone has built seven houses that have all stood up to hurricanes, you're probably going to hire that guy to build your hurricane shelter. And if someone's familiar with making multiplayer first-person shooters work in the free-to-play market, well, you'll hire him to manage DUST 514. That's what CCP Games did with their newest Executive Producer for the game. Jean-Charles Gaudechon previously worked for Electronic Arts in Stockholm, Sweden, where he worked on both Battlefield: Play4free and Battlefield Heroes. He also worked on Need for Speed World, which is less of a shooter but still an online title with similar needs to DUST 514. Gaudechon will be responsible for overseeing further development of the title at CCP's Shanghai studio and will report directly to senior VP of product development Sean Decker. [Source: CCP Games press release] CCP hires new Executive Producer for DUST 514, Jean-Charles Gaudechon originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 08 Oct 2013 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Better looking and faster than before
Ideally suited for water cooling
The Galaxy is Round!
Here's hoping Intel knows something we don't
Slim, secure, and fast
