MMO Updates |
- The Think Tank: What past or future MMO do you wish you could play right now?
- Uncharted Waters Online launches 2nd Age expansion
- World of Tanks lets you roll out national forces in a new game mode
- Meet the voice cast for The Elder Scrolls Online
- Playwith Interactive announces Eclipse War Online
- Ask Massively: You get a gold star
- The Daily Grind: How much thought do you put into guild creation?
- The Stream Team: Curing the SWTOR Rakghoul plague
- PlanetSide 2 gets an updated development roadmap
- Sneak a peek at Warhammer 40K: Eternal Crusade's early prototype
- Pathfinder's on track for an April alpha
- The Stream Team: Facing the lair bosses of The Secret World
- MMO Family: How to encourage reading through video games
- Star Trek Online adds small craft arena PvP
- Free for All: My three favorite MMOFPS games have a shoot-out
- Forces of Nature crash into Asheron's Call
- Choose My Adventure: Back in the saddle again edition
- The Elder Scrolls Online receives Mature rating
- The Repopulation details transportation options
- MMO Mechanics: Balancing game economies
- Pantheon adds two pledge tiers and shows off its day/night cycle
- Aethertechs arrive in Aion January 29th
- Star Trek Online beams aboard Voyager actor Tim Russ
- EQ, EQII, and EQN devs dish on new game content for The Year of EverQuest
- The waiting game: Hands-on with Clash of Clans
- WildStar offers straight talk on its guild mechanics
| The Think Tank: What past or future MMO do you wish you could play right now? Posted: 23 Jan 2014 09:00 AM PST Filed under: Opinion, Massively Meta, Miscellaneous, The Think Tank  So I asked the Massively team members to tell us what currently unplayable games they want to play the most. Be it closed down or upcoming, there's bound to be something. Read along after the jump for our thoughts! Continue reading The Think Tank: What past or future MMO do you wish you could play right now?
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| Uncharted Waters Online launches 2nd Age expansion Posted: 23 Jan 2014 08:30 AM PST Filed under: Fantasy, Historical, Trailers, Video, Expansions, MMO Industry, News Items, Free-to-Play  In UWO: 2nd Age, players can manipulate the flow of time and trigger different historical events with the new World Clock, take on new missions and adventures, embark on treasure hunts for rare relics, and combine forces to take on the new boss Ganador, Ruler of the Sea. New ships, modeled off of historical vessels, were also added: England's Privateer 'Sir Francis Drake'; the French Royal family's 'Crown'; and the Lubeck Merchant's Guardian ship 'Eagle'. Additionally, players can influence who wins the election for the next Roman Emperor. Before setting sail, get in the mood of 2nd Age with the official cinematic trailer below. [Source: OGPlanet press release] Continue reading Uncharted Waters Online launches 2nd Age expansion
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| World of Tanks lets you roll out national forces in a new game mode Posted: 23 Jan 2014 08:00 AM PST Filed under: Historical, Game Mechanics, Patches, News Items, War, Free-to-Play, World of Tanks  Wait. Something's wrong with that idea. Aside from this new mode, dubbed Confrontation, the update will also add in a new map and revamped "winter" versions of two existing maps, giving players even more battlefields to roll across whilst spreading destruction. You can check out screenshots for the update in the slideshow just below. [Source: Wargaming.net press release]
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| Meet the voice cast for The Elder Scrolls Online Posted: 23 Jan 2014 07:30 AM PST Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, News Items, The Elder Scrolls Online  John Cleese, known for his work in Monty Python and the Holy Grail, plays a cheerful and endearingly mad lost soul named Cadwell who is not afraid of anyone. Bill Nighy, who was in Pirates of the Caribbean, is the merchant prince High King Emeric. Kate Beckinsale, of The Aviator and Pearl Harbor fame, is leader of the Aldmeri Dominion and Queen of the High Elves, Queen Ayrenn. And Linda Carter, best known as Wonder Woman, returns to the Elder Scrolls series to reprise her role from The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. Other cast members include Alfred Molina (Spider-Man 2), Michael Gambon (Harry Potter), Malcolm McDowell (Clockwork Orange), Peter Stormare (Fargo), Jim Ward (WALL·E, Despicable Me 2), Jennifer Hale, and Kevin Michael Richardson. Learn more about each actor's part in the official announcement. [Source: Bethesda press release]
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| Playwith Interactive announces Eclipse War Online Posted: 23 Jan 2014 07:00 AM PST Filed under: Fantasy, Game Mechanics, New Titles, Previews, News Items  Transformations also play into the game's environmental systems, with climate and time of day both changing the overall efficiency of your transformed abilities. You can also take part in several different forms of PvP, including open world PvP as well as special instanced maps. The game is planning on hitting beta early this year, so keep your eyes peeled for more information if you just can't wait to turn into a spider after killing one. [Source: Playwith Interactive press release]
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| Ask Massively: You get a gold star Posted: 23 Jan 2014 06:00 AM PST Filed under: Opinion, Massively Meta, Ask Massively, Community Q&A, Miscellaneous  Continue reading Ask Massively: You get a gold star
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| The Daily Grind: How much thought do you put into guild creation? Posted: 23 Jan 2014 05:00 AM PST Filed under: Sci-Fi, Guilds, MMO Industry, Opinion, The Daily Grind, Sandbox, Star Citizen, Buy-to-Play  What about you, Massively readers? Assuming you lead MMO guilds, how much thought goes into your guild creation process? Do you make the same guild in every MMO? Do you come up with different concepts for different games, or are you just looking for people to help you clear content?  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!
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| The Stream Team: Curing the SWTOR Rakghoul plague Posted: 22 Jan 2014 06:00 PM PST Filed under: Sci-Fi, Endgame, PvE, Free-to-Play, Massively Meta, Hands-On, Star Wars: The Old Republic, Livestream, Dungeons, The Stream Team, MMORPG  Game: Star Wars: The Old Republic Host: Larry Everett Date: Wednesday, January 22nd, 2014 Time: 9:00 p.m. EST Enjoy our Stream Team video below. Continue reading The Stream Team: Curing the SWTOR Rakghoul plague
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| PlanetSide 2 gets an updated development roadmap Posted: 22 Jan 2014 05:30 PM PST Filed under: Sci-Fi, Game Mechanics, MMO Industry, PvP, News Items, Free-to-Play, MMOFPS, PlanetSide 2  New stuff in the works includes the continent of Hossin as well as continent locking, which "will hopefully enhance the feel and depth of PlanetSide 2's overall metagame significantly." Outfit recruiting functionality is also getting a revamp, and top contributor outfits will also get some recognition in the form of "belonging" labels on captured bases. [Source: SOE press release]
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| Sneak a peek at Warhammer 40K: Eternal Crusade's early prototype Posted: 22 Jan 2014 05:00 PM PST Filed under: Sci-Fi, Video, New Titles, News Items, Free-to-Play, Warhammer 40k, MMORPG  Check out the prototype after the break. Continue reading Sneak a peek at Warhammer 40K: Eternal Crusade's early prototype
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| Pathfinder's on track for an April alpha Posted: 22 Jan 2014 04:30 PM PST Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Game Mechanics, MMO Industry, New Titles, News Items, Dev Diaries, Sandbox, Crowdfunding, Pathfinder Online  Dancey lists each of the team's Q4 goals -- including Wizard, Rogue, Cleric, and Fighter classes, all at fourth level and all with "at least one weapon with a full set of attacks -- before stating that "we met the experience goals we set for ourselves." There are some qualifying statements in terms of "moving pieces [that] still have to fit together," but Dancey concludes with optimism and mentions that alpha testing will likely start in April. "It is increasingly likely that this crazy plan to make an MMO on a fraction of the budget and a sliver of the timeline that has become the norm is going to work," he says. [Thanks Chrysillis!]
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| The Stream Team: Facing the lair bosses of The Secret World Posted: 22 Jan 2014 04:00 PM PST Filed under: Horror, Real-Life, Video, The Secret World, Livestream, Dungeons, The Stream Team, Buy-to-Play  Game: The Secret World Host: MJ Guthrie Date: Wednesday, January 22nd, 2014 Time: 7:00 p.m. EST Enjoy our Steam Team video below. Continue reading The Stream Team: Facing the lair bosses of The Secret World
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| MMO Family: How to encourage reading through video games Posted: 22 Jan 2014 03:00 PM PST Filed under: Opinion, Kids, MMO Family, Family, Miscellaneous  Video games and literature seem an unlikely duo, but there some important ways that gaming can encourage reading. Let's explore this topic in this week's MMO Family. Continue reading MMO Family: How to encourage reading through video games
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| Star Trek Online adds small craft arena PvP Posted: 22 Jan 2014 02:30 PM PST Filed under: Sci-Fi, Patches, PvP, News Items, Star Trek Online, Free-to-Play, Dev Diaries, MMORPG  The arena is available to level 50 players and takes place in the Cracked Planetoid map. Each match lasts until one team earns 15 kills. Expertise and energy credits will be awarded to all teams, as will credit toward daily arena missions. To be eligible, you must select a default small craft at the nearest shipyard. Small craft PvP is set to launch with Season 8.5 on January 30th, 2014. You can check it out now on the STO test server.
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| Free for All: My three favorite MMOFPS games have a shoot-out Posted: 22 Jan 2014 02:00 PM PST Filed under: Sci-Fi, Video, Culture, Game Mechanics, PvP, PvE, Opinion, War, Free-to-Play, Casual, MMOFPS, Humor, Free for All, Post-Apocalyptic, Livestream, PlanetSide 2, Sandbox, Defiance, Firefall, Buy-to-Play  As you can see, I have a problem. Let's forget the fact that I play way too many MMOs as it is because between these three games I can easily kill a weekend and leave no room for games that I need to write about. That means I need to pick a favorite. Let this be a shootout to determine which MMOFPS will be my home. My awesome, loud, deadly home. I've nominated three categories and will pick a winner for each. May the best shooter win! Continue reading Free for All: My three favorite MMOFPS games have a shoot-out
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| Forces of Nature crash into Asheron's Call Posted: 22 Jan 2014 01:30 PM PST Filed under: Fantasy, Asheron's Call, Events (In-Game), Patches, Subscription  The storyline surrounds a great magical tree that is under attack by darkness. Players will be able to help out through various tasks and three quests of the month. Other changes that came in yesterday's patch include tweaks to the Baishi Arena, a buff to the healing skill, a nerf to recall gems, and several player-killing adjustments.
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| Choose My Adventure: Back in the saddle again edition Posted: 22 Jan 2014 01:00 PM PST Filed under: Polls, Opinion, Massively Meta, Hands-On, Choose My Adventure, Miscellaneous  Of course, I won't be doing this alone. This ain't a one-woman show, and you ain't just spectators. I'm the rider all right, but y'all actually have a hold of the reins and will be leading me through the adventures. I'll wrangle up some options each week, and y'all will make the choices for what we do, where we go, and how we get there. Our first choice: which game we're going to tame! I've corralled a herd of titles that ain't seen their time in the spotlight yet (or at least, not for a long, long time). We've got an assortment of breeds to choose from -- some I've the barest hint of experience with; with others, I've none at all. Look 'em over, size 'em up, and then tag the one you want us to spend our next six weeks in. Y'all have until 11:59 p.m. EST on Saturday, January 25th, to make your selection. Then we rope the winner and get this ride started. Continue reading Choose My Adventure: Back in the saddle again edition
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| The Elder Scrolls Online receives Mature rating Posted: 22 Jan 2014 12:45 PM PST Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, MMO Industry, Legal, The Elder Scrolls Online, Subscription  The studio is none too happy about the decision, stating, "The ESRB advised us that it has given The Elder Scrolls Online a Mature rating. While we may disagree with the ESRB's determination, we do not plan to challenge the rating, and we are unwilling to change the game's content to achieve a different rating. The game we have created is the one we want our fans to be able to play." ZeniMax said that the ruling has forced the studio to put the Mature rating and age gates on the ESO site, trailers, and ads.
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| The Repopulation details transportation options Posted: 22 Jan 2014 12:30 PM PST Filed under: Betas, Game Mechanics, New Titles, News Items, Sandbox, Crowdfunding, The Repopulation  If all that is still just too slow for your liking, there's the instant travel option that lets players teleport back to their faction's capital city once every 30 minutes. Some players might even opt for the death express: Players can bind themselves to different cloning facilities and respawn at one after a death.
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| MMO Mechanics: Balancing game economies Posted: 22 Jan 2014 12:00 PM PST Filed under: World of Warcraft, EVE Online, Economy, Game Mechanics, Endgame, Final Fantasy XIV, EverQuest Next, Crafting, Star Citizen, Elite: Dangerous, MMO Mechanics  Since so many in-game actions financially reward players, MMOs have developed mechanics that attempt to curtail the inflation game economies usually see. Charging your character for goods and services, bind-on-pickup gear, regular destruction of valuable goods, and player-controlled auction house and farming systems all combine to keep the spiralling amount of coppers falling into player hands in check. In this week's MMO Mechanics, I'm going to look at some ways both sandbox and themepark MMOs automatically rebalance weighted economies by exploring the systems that restrict the free trade of goods and curb players' constant accrual of money. I'll look at how each system functions and how player manipulation adds a new layer of realism to game economies. Continue reading MMO Mechanics: Balancing game economies
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| Pantheon adds two pledge tiers and shows off its day/night cycle Posted: 22 Jan 2014 11:30 AM PST Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Crowdfunding, Subscription, Pantheon: Rise of the Fallen  Visionary Realms also released a pair of screenshots to show the difference between its day and night cycle. As of the writing of this article, Pantheon has reached 23% of its $800,000 goal with 31 days remaining in the campaign.
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| Aethertechs arrive in Aion January 29th Posted: 22 Jan 2014 11:00 AM PST Filed under: Fantasy, Trailers, Video, Aion, Classes, Expansions, Patches, News Items, Free-to-Play  [Source: NCsoft press release] Continue reading Aethertechs arrive in Aion January 29th
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| Star Trek Online beams aboard Voyager actor Tim Russ Posted: 22 Jan 2014 10:45 AM PST Filed under: Sci-Fi, Video, Interviews, Patches, Previews, Star Trek Online, Free-to-Play, Anniversaries  Russ' Tuvok is now an admiral and will be encountered by players in the episode A Step Between Stars. He said he's thrilled to see where the franchise has taken the character: "I like the fact that it's a future story, that it's picked up from where we left off." Tim Russ is the latest of many Star Trek alumni who have provided voice-overs for the game, including Denise Crosby, Michael Dorn, and Leonard Nimoy. You can check out an interview with Russ about his recording session after the break. Continue reading Star Trek Online beams aboard Voyager actor Tim Russ
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| EQ, EQII, and EQN devs dish on new game content for The Year of EverQuest Posted: 22 Jan 2014 10:30 AM PST Filed under: Fantasy, EverQuest, EverQuest II, Game Mechanics, Interviews, MMO Industry, Free-to-Play, EverQuest Next  As a bonus, we've also added a video that shows off some of that very content. Continue reading EQ, EQII, and EQN devs dish on new game content for The Year of EverQuest
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| The waiting game: Hands-on with Clash of Clans Posted: 22 Jan 2014 10:00 AM PST Filed under: Fantasy, PvP, PvE, Opinion, Free-to-Play, Mobile, Hands-On  So, a bit begrudgingly, I joined my friends in a clan. And raided goblin villages. And built myself a nice little town. But mostly what I did was wait. Continue reading The waiting game: Hands-on with Clash of Clans
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| WildStar offers straight talk on its guild mechanics Posted: 22 Jan 2014 09:30 AM PST Filed under: Betas, Sci-Fi, Game Mechanics, Guilds, News Items, WildStar, Subscription, Buy-to-Play  Aside from a customizable holo-display for guild insignias that can go wherever you'd like and access to guild vaults, guilds also provide a variety of perks and abilities. These perks are purchased with Influence, which is earned just by grouping up with your guildmates and doing pretty much whatever. The idea is that a small guild that plays together will always be more effective than a big guild formed from people shouting in general chat. Take a look at the full article for more details about guilding up in the game, hopefully when you aren't tucked away in Monster Cave.
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