General Gaming Article

General Gaming Article


Samsung Announces 850 Pro Solid State Drives with 3D Vertical NAND Flash Memory

Posted: 01 Jul 2014 12:06 PM PDT

Samsung 850 PRO SSDA new breed of SSDs is born

Solid state drives are starting to feel like a dime a dozen, but don't mistake Samsung's newest line for just another ordinary SSD. Samsung's 850 Pro is the first SSD to sport the company's cutting-edge 3D vertical NAND (V-NAND) flash memory technology. In case you've never heard of V-NAND, it features a proprietary vertical cell structure that overcomes the density limit currently facing planar NAND architecture.

"With the new 850 Pro V-NAND SSD, Samsung is introducing the next major evolution of SSD technology, taking the lead in delivering high-density SSDs with outstanding endurance, performance and energy efficiency," said Unsoo Kim, senior vice president of branded product marketing team at Samsung Electronics. "We are fully committed to establishing an innovative computing environment by providing customers with leading-edge V-NAND SSDs with unrivaled performance."

Samsung also baked in a technology called Dynamic Thermal Guard. This makes the drive maintain ambient temperature while operating to guard against the possibility of data loss due to overheating.

In terms of performance, the 850 Pro offers sequential read transfers of up to 550MB/s, sequential write transfers of up to 520MB/s, random read performance of up to 100,000 IOPS, and random write speeds of up to 90,000 IOPS.

Samsung's 850 Pro SSDs will come in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB capacities. No word yet on price or availability.

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Microsoft Hopes Windows 9 Will Win Over Desktop Users

Posted: 01 Jul 2014 11:16 AM PDT

Windows 9Are you ready for a new OS?

Microsoft is reportedly aiming to win back its core desktop audience with the release of Windows Threshold next year. These are the same users clinging to Windows XP and Windows 7, or perhaps even made the jump to Linux in order to avoid Windows 8/8.1. Microsoft has a chance to atone for the usability mistakes it made in Windows 8/8.1 with Windows 9, and you can expect a whole bunch of new features aimed at desktop users.

So says Mary Jo Foley over at ZDNet. Based on the sources Foley has been speaking with, Windows 9 will look and work different based on the hardware it's installed on. If you install the OS on a desktop or laptop machine, it will focus on the Windows Desktop experience. And if you run a two-in-one hybrid device, Windows 9 will support switching between the Start screen and Windows mode.

The desktop SKU of Windows 9 will reportedly include a customizable mini Start menu. You'll also have the ability to run Windows Store apps in windows on the desktop, and you may even be able to turn off the Metro-esque Start screen completely.

Windows 9 is still months down the road -- think spring of 2015. In the meantime, Microsoft will reportedly deliver a second and final update for Windows 8.1.

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Leaked Roadmap Reveals Intel's Desktop Processor Plans Through 2015

Posted: 01 Jul 2014 10:44 AM PDT

SkylakeBroadwell and Skylake headed for a Q2 2015 release

A Chinese-language website posted what it claims is an official roadmap for Intel's consumer-based desktop platforms from now through the second quarter of 2015. The roadmap covers several processors broken up into Mainstream, Premium, and Extreme categories. It also includes a time frame for Intel's upcoming Broadwell and Skylake-S architectures, both of which are scheduled for the Q2 2015, according the roadmap.

For those of you waiting on Haswell-E parts, there are three such chips coming out in Q3 2014, according to the roadmap posted by VR-Zone's Chinese channel. Two of them fall into the Premium category, Core i7 5930K and 5820K, while the Core i7 5960K is listed in the Extreme category.

It's the Broadwell and Skylake-S parts that's perhaps most interesting. Broadwell was originally supposed to have launched by now, but getting down to 14nm has been more challenging than anticipated. Now it's expected to release in the Q2 2015. When it does, it will slip into socket 1150 motherboards built around Intel's 9-Series chipset. These parts are also said to feature unlocked multipliers.

Skylake-S will sport a 14nm manufacturing process, but with a locked multiplier. They'll likely run on socket 1151 motherboards based on Intel's upcoming 100-Series chipset.

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Samsung Shrinks Its Flagship Phone, Announces Galaxy S5 Mini

Posted: 01 Jul 2014 09:14 AM PDT

Samsung Galaxy S5 MiniA small and somewhat spunky version of its bigger brother

Samsung today unveiled the Galaxy S5 mini, a downsized version of the Galaxy S5 with comparatively subdued specs. That said, it's not as much of a downgrade over the Galaxy S5 as the Galaxy S4 mini was from the Galaxy S4. Its core foundation consists of a 4.5-inch HD (1280x720) Super AMOLED display powered by a 1.4GHz quad-core processor, 1.5GB of RAM, and 16GB of internal storage (expandable via microSD card slot).

Though there's a large audience for big-screen smartphones, there's also a significant consumer base that's interested in smaller sized handsets that fit comfortably into pockets and other tight areas.

"We always strive to develop devices that appeal to a range of consumer tastes and styles," said JK Shin, CEO and Head of IT & Mobile Communication at Samsung Electronics. "The Galaxy S5 mini allows consumers to enjoy the iconic design and essential and useful features of the Galaxy S5 through a maximized minimalism approach."

The Galaxy S5 mini shares the same perforated pattern on the back cover as the Galaxy S5. It also features a 2.1MP front-facing camera, 8MP rear-facing camera with auto-focus and LED flash, 802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0 LE, USB 2.0, GPS, LTE radio, and Android 4.4 KitKat.

While we wouldn't recommend taking the Galaxy S5 mini for a swim, it is IP67 dust and water resistant, which means a splash of wetness shouldn't ruin the handset.

Samsung will launch the Galaxy S5 mini in Russia early this month, followed by a global launch sometime after. No word yet on price.

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Newegg Daily Deals: Western Digital VelociRaptor 1TB HDD, Intel Core i7 4770, and More!

Posted: 01 Jul 2014 08:29 AM PDT

WD VelociRaptornewegg logo

Top Deal:

The science books have it all wrong. They'll tell you that the VelociRaptor lived around 75 million to 71 million years ago during the later part of the Cretaceous period. Bzzzt! In reality, the species is only around 11 years old, though it's evolved considerably since then. Today's VelociRaptors are much more technically advanced, and as a result they run faster and hold more storage. Curious to learn more? Check out today's top deal for a Western Digital WD VelociRaptor 1TB HDD for $165 with free shipping (normally $180 - use coupon code: [EMCPDHC24]). It has a 10,000 RPM spindle speed, SATA 6Gbps interface, and 64MB of cache.

Other Deals:

G.Skill Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory for $74 with free shipping (normally $84 - use coupon code: [EMCPDHC23])

Intel Core i7-4770 Haswell Quad-Core 3.4GHz LGA 1150 84W Desktop Processor for $295 with free shipping (normally $310 - use coupon code: [EMCPDHC27])

CM Storm Stryker - White Full Tower Gaming Computer Case with Handle and External 2.5-inch Drive Dock
for $120 with free shipping (normally $140 - use coupon code: [EMCPDHC29]; additional $15 Mail-in rebate)

Hanns-G 27-inch 2ms HDMI Widescreen LED Backlight LCD Monitor for $180 with free shipping (normally $200 - use coupon code: [EMCPDHC48])

MMO Updates

MMO Updates


ArcheAge closed beta coming in mid-July

Posted: 01 Jul 2014 09:00 AM PDT

Filed under: , , , , ,

It might even happen this year!
The good news for fans of the approaching ArcheAge is that the game will be using update 1.2 for the game, news that brought forth much rejoicing. The bad news is that as a result, the game's beta has been somewhat delayed. Trion Worlds has outlined the state of the game in a recent blog post explaining where the game is in testing and what players can expect in the future.

In order to get the new version into testing as soon as possible, the developers are not adding in the Trion-specific features to the game which were mentioned previously on the forums. Closed beta events will be starting in mid-July, with a separate alpha server available to see how the 1.2 play environment plays and what benefits it offers. If you're interested to hear about the state of development, take a look at the full update and get ready for the paradigm shift.

MassivelyArcheAge closed beta coming in mid-July originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 01 Jul 2014 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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WildStar's Strain patch is live today

Posted: 01 Jul 2014 08:00 AM PDT

Filed under: , , , , ,

ORALINGUS, NOUN.  MEANS KISSING WITH THE MOUTH.
There's been plenty of chatter about WildStar's first major patch, but the team at Carbine Studios has been largely silent on when all of this content would be available for players. Turns out it's right now. Yes, the servers should be up now (barring extended maintenance) for max-level players to enjoy all the lore, infections, and so forth that they could possibly want.

For those of you who have missed the prior updates, this patch is adding new costume pieces, new housing decor, two new zones, a new mount, new dyes... a lot of things. You can find out a little more on the official patch page, complete with videos and the like. If you've been looking forward to spending a little more time with the game's big creepy disease carpet, today's your day.

[Source: Carbine Studios press release]

MassivelyWildStar's Strain patch is live today originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 01 Jul 2014 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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What you need to know about Guild Wars 2's second season living story

Posted: 01 Jul 2014 07:00 AM PDT

Filed under: , , , , , ,

The wait for Guild Wars 2's Season 2 is finally over! Today, players will dig into the next arc of the living story with the new Gates of Maguuma content (or save the content for later by unlocking it in their story journals). What exactly is in store? If you don't mind a few spoilers, we've got some of those answers for you right now.

Back at E3 2014, ArenaNet Associate Game Director Steven Waller and Studio Design Director Chris Whiteside gave us a recap of the first season, but they also gave us a preview of the second. And yes, that next step is through a portal into a whole new zone!

Continue reading What you need to know about Guild Wars 2's second season living story

MassivelyWhat you need to know about Guild Wars 2's second season living story originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 01 Jul 2014 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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    The Daily Grind: Do you like to tank in MMOs?

    Posted: 01 Jul 2014 06:00 AM PDT

    Filed under: , , , , , , ,

    No, the other kind of tank.
    The very first serious MMO tank I ever played was my day-one Warrior in World of Warcraft. I'd had dozens of characters in MMOs before that, but I was too chicken to step up and actually tank endgame fights. After all, as Massively commenters pointed out, there's a lot more to tanking than just taunting the boss and knowing when to hit your specials. Tanks need leadership and game knowledge far exceeding what's expected of other party archetypes. They're expected to lead the party, to know how the fights work, and to keep everyone else in line. Tanking is setting yourself up for a world of stress and the judgment of strangers. Depending on your temperament, it can become unfun in a hurry.

    I still play that Warrior when I resub, Protection-specced for all the days I've played her (minus an hour back in 2006 when I foolishly thought Fury might be nice for a change). But I'm always leery of dungeon-queueing with that character even though I love the actual mechanics of being the meatshield. What about you folks? Do you actually like tanking in MMOs? How do you overcome the stress?

    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: Do you like to tank in MMOs? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 01 Jul 2014 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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      DayZ switches over to DirectX 11 and reworked controls

      Posted: 30 Jun 2014 08:00 PM PDT

      Filed under: , , , ,

      dayz
      The days of DayZ as we knew it are over; all hail the upcoming changes to everyone's favorite gankfest featuring the occasional zombie!

      In an interview this week, DayZ creator Dean Hall outlined six improvements that the team is working on for the standalone version of the game. Right out of the gate is the decision to add an option to toggle DirectX 11 to make everything look a lot better. "Implementing DirectX 10 or 11 will have a dramatic, instant visual difference and quite a significant performance difference," Hall said.

      Other changes include new 64-bit server architecture, better hunting mechanics, improved controls, a reworked loot system, and an early game experience fashioned specifically for new players.

      MassivelyDayZ switches over to DirectX 11 and reworked controls originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 30 Jun 2014 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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      PSA: SWTOR double XP week starts tomorrow

      Posted: 30 Jun 2014 07:00 PM PDT

      Filed under: , , , , , , ,

      Ladies and gentlemen, Star Wars: The Old Republic's Kuat burnout week double experience week is almost here. This means that yours truly will be queuing for KDY flashpoints until my fingers bleed in an attempt to bypass that godawful planetary grind and get a couple more class story alts to 50.

      The XP extravaganza starts July 1st at 2:00 p.m. EDT and runs through July 7.

      MassivelyPSA: SWTOR double XP week starts tomorrow originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 30 Jun 2014 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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      Not So Massively: Hearthstone's expansion, God of Destiny's greenlighting, and Dead Island's MOBA

      Posted: 30 Jun 2014 06:00 PM PDT

      Filed under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

      NSM
      Welcome back to No So Massively, where every Monday we round up the highlights from the past week in the world of MOBAs, roguelikes, MMOTCGs, and other games that aren't quite MMOs.

      Continue reading Not So Massively: Hearthstone's expansion, God of Destiny's greenlighting, and Dead Island's MOBA

      MassivelyNot So Massively: Hearthstone's expansion, God of Destiny's greenlighting, and Dead Island's MOBA originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 30 Jun 2014 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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        H1Z1 releases E3 gameplay demo

        Posted: 30 Jun 2014 05:00 PM PDT

        Filed under: , , , , , ,

        H1Z1
        Unless you were personally at E3, you didn't get to see the H1Z1 gameplay demo shown to the media, but SOE rectifies that injustice today with a new video in which Senior Designer Jimmy Whisenhunt walks viewers through a version of the same demo shown at the con. Clocking in at over 11 minutes, the video demonstrates resource acquisition, crafting, driving, scavenging, archery, dynamic weather, and more gameplay elements. You know -- killin' baddies, choppin' trees, just a day in the life of a dude with a rusty jeep and a zombie plague chasing him down.

        Continue reading H1Z1 releases E3 gameplay demo

        MassivelyH1Z1 releases E3 gameplay demo originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 30 Jun 2014 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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          SOE Live schedule has been posted

          Posted: 30 Jun 2014 04:00 PM PDT

          Filed under: , , , , , ,

          It's happening at times!
          Today's the last day for SOE Live 2014 early bird registration. Still on the fence about attending? Not sure if there will be enough awesome events there to justify your presence? Good news, then; the official schedule has been posted, so you can figure out exactly what's going down and when. Fan site EQ2Wire has highlighted the general events as well as the material specific to EverQuest Next, EverQuest II, and Landmark.

          Landmark players will enjoy the largest number of events, including a special mega-build event on Thursday and a panel explaining how the game will interact with EverQuest Next. There will also be details about the next EverQuest II expansion, previews of combat for EQN and Landmark, and plenty of community Q&A sessions. Take a gander at the full schedule if you need a little more information to justify your attendance.

          MassivelySOE Live schedule has been posted originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 30 Jun 2014 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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          Marvel Heroes' super first year

          Posted: 30 Jun 2014 03:00 PM PDT

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          A super first year for Marvel Heroes
          In a game focused on super heroes with super powers facing super villains, you wouldn't expect a birthday bash to be just ordinary, would you? Of course not; it should be super! Gazillion agreed: Marvel Heroes just wrapped up its mega month-long first anniversary celebration this past weekend. From multiple buy-one-get-one-free offers to plentiful buffs and boosts to 365 birthday gifts for each player, the event was filled with festivities fit to bear the "super" moniker.

          The celebration itself capped off a year of growth and expansion for the action RPG; the Marvel Heroes of today is not the Marvel Heroes that players logged into back in June of 2013. Even before the big release of Marvel Heroes 2015, which kicked off the anniversary festivities on June 4th, the game had already evolved quite a bit. How has it changed over the last 12 months? Let's take a hop, skip, and super leap down memory lane for a look.

          Continue reading Marvel Heroes' super first year

          MassivelyMarvel Heroes' super first year originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 30 Jun 2014 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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            Age of Empires Online shuts down tomorrow

            Posted: 30 Jun 2014 02:00 PM PDT

            Filed under: , , ,

            aoe
            After tomorrow, Age of Empires Online will be no more. The online adaptation of the popular Microsoft RTS franchise will be shut down along with the PC Marketplace as of 7:00 p.m. EDT on July 1st.

            "On July 01, 2014, Age of Empires Online will shut down permanently. We thank the loyal fans for their support and commitment and look forward to many more battles before Age of Empires Online is retired," the studio posted on Facebook last year.

            This will come as a shock to no one, as Age of Empires' population decline was well-known and acknowledged by the dev team itself. The studio hasn't been developing new content for the game since January 2013.

            MassivelyAge of Empires Online shuts down tomorrow originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 30 Jun 2014 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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            The Nexus Telegraph: WildStar's first dose of Strain

            Posted: 30 Jun 2014 12:00 PM PDT

            Filed under: , , , , , ,

            Not that I can't think of some people who will totally want this one.
            The funny thing about launches is that they're like every other aspect of the game industry: They're based on momentum. Create the feel that you're coming out with new content on a quick basis and you get points from players, even if it's inevitable that some of this content is stuff that was almost-but-not-quite ready for launch and just had to be trimmed back a little before we first got to dip our toes in the official swimming pool. You can see the zones on your map in WildStar right now, even.

            Does it matter to me? Nope. I have to admit it doesn't. I'm satisfied.

            The bulk of the news this month has been about the game's first major patch, which is due for "early July" without a harder date. I have not yet gotten to go hands-on in this content; I've been too busy focusing on the live game and advancing there (up to 50 on one character, at least!), but let's talk a little bit about what's being added in the patch. Fair warning: Spoilers may ensue.

            Continue reading The Nexus Telegraph: WildStar's first dose of Strain

            MassivelyThe Nexus Telegraph: WildStar's first dose of Strain originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 30 Jun 2014 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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              The Stream Team: Talking Marvel Heroes 2015 with David Brevik

              Posted: 30 Jun 2014 11:00 AM PDT

              Filed under: , , , , ,

              Want to hear about Marvel Heroes 2015 right from the source? Massively's MJ has a direct line open with CEO David Brevik to talk all about the action RPG's latest update and upcoming plans. Maybe he'll even spill which heroes players can expect to see in the future! Rumor has it there will be code giveaways as well, so join us live at 1:00 p.m. EDT to revel in super hero adventures, talk about your favorite Marvel experiences, ask any burning questions, and maybe even get free stuff!

              Game: Marvel Heroes
              Host: MJ Guthrie
              Date: Monday, June 30th, 2014
              Time: 1:00 p.m. EDT

              Enjoy our Stream Team video below.

              Continue reading The Stream Team: Talking Marvel Heroes 2015 with David Brevik

              MassivelyThe Stream Team: Talking Marvel Heroes 2015 with David Brevik originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 30 Jun 2014 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                MMORPG News

                MMORPG News


                World of Warcraft: Auction House Faction Lock to End in Warlords

                Posted: 01 Jul 2014 07:15 AM PDT

                Auction House Faction Lock to End in Warlords

                According to a new 'blue tracker' post on the World of Warcraft forums, the faction-based auction house system will end with v6.0 and result in a unified auction house between Horde and Alliance.

                General: Underworld Ascension Announced by OtherSide Entertainment

                Posted: 01 Jul 2014 06:59 AM PDT

                Underworld Ascension Announced by OtherSide Entertainment

                OtherSide Entertainment is ready to reveal itself. Founded by Paul Neurath, a key developer on well-known IPs including the Ultima and Thief series, the company also has secured the rights to the Underworld IP. The first game, Underworld Ascension, already in development.

                Guild Wars 2: E3 2014 Preview: Season 2 is a Go!

                Posted: 29 Jun 2014 07:42 PM PDT

                E3 2014 Preview: Season 2 is a Go!

                Bill and I met with ArenaNet at E3 to get a first look at Guild Wars 2's Living Story Season 2 content, and have been keeping our mouths shut about it for a solid month. It hasn't been easy, primarily because of the intriguing nature of what we were shown. Also, we're chatterboxes.

                Guild Wars 2: The Gates of Maguuma Open

                Posted: 29 Jun 2014 08:16 PM PDT

                The Gates of Maguuma Open

                Guild Wars 2 Living Story Season 2 has officially kicked off with today's arrival of Gates of Maguuma. The story opens on a decimated Lion's Arch not long after the end of Scarlet Briar's reign of terror. Players will be taken on a journey of discovery as a new evil rises and sends them on an epic quest to Maguuma.

                ArcheAge: Build 4.1 Being Prepped for Deployment

                Posted: 01 Jul 2014 06:47 AM PDT

                Build 4.1 Being Prepped for Deployment

                The latest ArcheAge update has been posted on the Trion site. In it, Evan 'Scapes' Berman reveals that what has been known as patch v1.2 in Korea is being renamed "build 4.1" to differentiate it for the North American version of the game. Berman further writes that the patch is being prepped for deployment to the alpha servers soon. Lastly, Berman announced that a new alpha server is being added.

                Dragon Age: Inquisition: First "Fully Gay" Male Love Interest Revealed

                Posted: 01 Jul 2014 06:30 AM PDT

                First "Fully Gay" Male Love Interest Revealed

                The Dragon Age: Inquisition site has been updated with a new post to introduce fans of the upcoming title to Dorian, a Tevinter mage who is the first "fully gay" character to be included in the series. The site includes an interview with writer David Gaider to talk about Dorian's contributions to the overall party and how the decision to include a male-only love interest adds a new dimension to the game.

                WildStar: Feelin' The Strain

                Posted: 29 Jun 2014 08:22 PM PDT

                Feelin

                Carbine has deployed the first major content update for WildStar with today's drop of The Strain. The content expansion brings a new high-level zone, upgrades to housing, new mounts, a brand new mini-dungeon and more to WildStar.

                General: God of Destiny: Partnership with Perfect World Announced

                Posted: 29 Jun 2014 08:40 PM PDT

                God of Destiny: Partnership with Perfect World Announced

                God of Destiny, a mythology-based MOBA currently in development in Taiwan, will be published in China by Perfect World Entertainment according to a new press release from Wayi. The Taiwanese open beta kicked off on June 19th with over 150,000 players participating.

                Bounty Hounds Online: Beta Key Giveaway!

                Posted: 01 Jul 2014 01:40 AM PDT

                Beta Key Giveaway!

                MMORPG.com has been given beta access keys for Bounty Hound Online - a new game in the lineup for Suba Games! Get your key now!

                General: This Week's Live Stream Schedule

                Posted: 29 Jun 2014 08:27 PM PDT

                This Week

                We've published our latest Live Stream schedule to give our readers a heads up on when to check out some of today's best MMOs. Check it out on our MMORPG.com Live Stream page.

                League of Legends: Player-Run Tournaments Simplified

                Posted: 29 Jun 2014 07:33 PM PDT

                Player-Run Tournaments Simplified

                Riot Games and Battlefly, an eSports platform, have announced a new update that will help League of Legends event planers to run their own tournaments and events. The latest Battlefly update makes the set-up process simpler and give organizers the ability to set up tournament lobbies, provide details stats tracking and score reporting.

                General: SOE Live Scheduled Posted

                Posted: 29 Jun 2014 07:26 PM PDT

                SOE Live Scheduled Posted

                As the date for this year's SOE Live fan festival nears, players and fans can start thinking about which sessions to attend thanks to the publication of the event's official schedule. Fans can break the schedule down by their favorite game, time of day and more.

                Albion Online: Getting Where You Need to Go

                Posted: 29 Jun 2014 07:21 PM PDT

                Getting Where You Need to Go

                The Albion Online team has published a new article on the game's official site to give players inside information about methods and modes of travel. Most notably, the team outlines fast travel and respawn points. Fast travel has been added to the game as a direct result of player feedback. Fast travel will not come without its own admittedly expensive cost, however.

                Trove: Month in Review Spotlights New Content and More

                Posted: 29 Jun 2014 07:16 PM PDT

                Month in Review Spotlights New Content and More

                Trove players will be interested to check out the latest Month in Review post on the official site. The article offers players a look back at June, a big month with new content, new music, a new class and much more. In addition, the Trove team reveals a few hints about what players can expect in July.

                H1Z1: Demo Shows Off Latest Features

                Posted: 29 Jun 2014 07:11 PM PDT

                Demo Shows Off Latest Features

                A new video demo of H1Z1 has been released. In it, Sony Online Entertainment's Senior Designer Jimmy Whisenhunt shows players the latest features to be added to the game that is set to enter its Early Access Launch in the near future. Viewers can get a look at such systems as survival tactics, crafting, new weapons and how weather will play a part in every player's experience.

                Age of Empires Online: Operations to Cease on July 1st

                Posted: 29 Jun 2014 07:06 PM PDT

                Operations to Cease on July 1st

                Tomorrow, Tuesday, July 1st, marks the end of the line for Age of Empires Online. As of that date, the MMORTS will be shut down permanently. The series will be represented by Age of Empires II and III. XBox.com is featuring an FAQ to answer players' most pressing questions about games hosted by The Marketplace.

                Guild Wars 2: A Death in the Family

                Posted: 30 Jun 2014 04:56 AM PDT

                A Death in the Family

                As I mentioned in my last piece, ArenaNet almost killed off Marjory Delaqua in season one of the Living Story, but apparently had a change of heart before things went live. As a result, the only significant death occurred was that of the primary villain, Scarlet Briar (and, to be honest, I think there's the teeniest, tiniest chance even that won't stick).

                World of Warcraft: More Warlords of Draenor Keys Coming Soon

                Posted: 30 Jun 2014 12:26 PM PDT

                More Warlords of Draenor Keys Coming Soon

                Late last week, MMORPG.com and Blizzard partnered up to give away beta keys for the upcoming World of Warcraft expansion, Warlords of Draenor. The event was so successful and the keys were given away at a lightning pace that we will once again be working with Blizzard to give away even more! Keep your eyes on the site to get your beta key to get started in the new WoW expansion.

                General: The Top 5 MMOs That Could Be Singleplayer Games

                Posted: 30 Jun 2014 04:45 AM PDT

                The Top 5 MMOs That Could Be Singleplayer Games

                So many MMOs nowadays have evolved into an amalgamation of game modes and content - some stuff you can play alone, some of it requires strangers, some of it is best with friends, some is friendly, some is just for fun. Even though these experiences seem to be getting farther and farther away from what made the genre so exciting to begin with - adventuring in epic online worlds - it has led to creation of a term with both good and bad connotations: solo friendly.

                WildStar: Creating Blighthaven

                Posted: 28 Jun 2014 06:22 PM PDT

                Creating Blighthaven

                WildStar's Strain Ultra-Drop is due to arrive later this week, but how was it put together? In an exclusive interview, we talked with Senior Game Designer Brian Berke on creating the new Blighthaven zone.

                World of Warcraft: Human Models, Warlords Settings, Naxxramas Dated

                Posted: 28 Jun 2014 05:29 PM PDT

                Human Models, Warlords Settings, Naxxramas Dated

                This week in ATW we look at several new player models, new Warlords settings and a more specific release window for Curse of Naxxramas.

                General: Gaiscioch Magazine Issue 2 From Camelot to Tamriel Released

                Posted: 28 Jun 2014 06:06 PM PDT

                Gaiscioch Magazine Issue 2 From Camelot to Tamriel Released

                The Gaiscioch gaming community has released its second magazine issue that covers a wide range of MMOs in which the guild is involved. This issue also contains a special WildStar interview with ZeniMax Online President Matt Firor, Trion Worlds CEO Scott Hartsman, and ArenaNet Game Director Colin Johanson.

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