General Gaming Article

General Gaming Article


The Best Free Alternatives to Microsoft Word

Posted: 08 Jul 2014 04:16 PM PDT

MS WordFree alternatives to the juggernaut word processor

Microsoft Word has been the go-to word processor since the early 90s. It's a program that anyone who's ever used a computer will recognize and for good reason—it's both capable and common. Documents with .doc (or .docx) extensions are ubiquitous and widely recognized as the file format of choice for formatted text files. Although it's relatively affordable in its modern incarnations—$139.99 for home use or $9.99 a month as a subscription service—freeware alternatives abound and for once, they're more than capable.

All of the word processors we tested have the basic features you'd expect from any software dedicated to text—spell check, text input, font options, and basic formatting. The difference, in this case, is in the details. Some of the software is more feature-rich with advanced options for macros, text wrapping, and even add-ons. They're all compatible with the standard document formats and should work interchangeably. 

The real question is, which is the best? Read on to find out!

Word Online

Microsoft's own Word Online is probably the most obvious choice. Available as part of Office Online, Word Online gives users a stripped-down version of Word. All of the standard features are here. You can type up your papers, essays, and documents in the relatively familiar interface. Try to incorporate more advanced formatting and you'll run into some problems. 

Word Online

It may look familiar, but it's a far cry from the feature-filled Microsoft Word. 

It's interesting that nearly every basic function of Word is replicated in the online version, except that some of the editor's most useful features are stripped away. Insert an image into a document and you'll have rudimentary control over its size, but you can't control text wrapping, cropping, or simple image correction. Likewise, heading into the Page Layout tab grants you access to margins, orientation, size, indents, and spacing, but important features like page breaks and columns are noticeably absent. Going further, Word Online doesn't give you direct access to local files and documents. To open pre-existing documents, you'll first have to upload them to your OneDrive before they're accessible in Word Online. 

If all you're doing is writing up a basic document—for a school paper or a cover letter—you'll be fine with Word Online. Documents are automatically saved to your OneDrive account and can be downloaded as .docx files when you're finished with them. Although it works for most tasks, Word Online is clearly meant to be a stepping stone to the full product. Unlike some of the other word processors we tested, it's a stopgap solution that exists as a convenience, but also as a gateway into the paid ecosystem of Microsoft Office products. 

Final Verdict: It's a word processor, but only in the most basic sense. Think of it as a step above WordPad, but clearly inferior to Microsoft Word.

Google Docs

This is the freeware word processor to beat. Favored by many for its relative simplicity and ease-of-use, Google Docs has been wildly popular since it was first made available to Google Apps users in 2007. It's come a long way since its initial versions and is now a fully capable word processor that's available to anyone with a Google account. 

Google Docs

Anyone even remotely familiar with Google should recognize Google Docs. It's the online word processor of choice for more than a few people.

As with all of the other word processors, it lets you type in your words and edit them. Inserting images is easy, and manipulating text is a cinch. The interface is kept simple and the tools available to users are adequate. Columns aren't officially supported, but inserting a borderless table can have a similar effect. 

Collaboration is one of the app's major selling points. Working on a document with multiple people at the same time isn't a problem with Google Docs. Each and every user currently viewing a document are displayed in the top right of the interface. Built-in chat and rudimentary revision tracking go a long way towards making multi-user documents reasonable. Add in the simple things like labeled cursors—you can see where your friend's cursor is currently placed—and Google Docs works wonders for projects that involve multiple authors. 

The recent addition of add-ons has made Google Docs even more capable. Plugins like Track Changes and EasyBib Bibliography Creator add features to the software that are otherwise unavailable or inadequate. 

What makes Google Docs particularly appealing—and possibly a bit off-putting—is that there's no paid upgrade or hidden monetization. Google's happy enough that you're working within their ecosystem and don't need you to pay a monthly subscription or a one-time fee to access the software. The main drawback to Google Docs is that there's no desktop client. Dedicated apps exist on most mobile platforms, but the only way to access it on a PC is through a web browser. It works well, but it lacks some of the advanced features that power users look for in a word processor. 

Final Verdict: It's free, it's quick, and it's easy. It's also missing some essential features that powerusers will likely miss—namely a desktop client. If you know you don't need any advanced features, you can't go wrong with Google Docs.

Click through to the next page to see what we thought of OpenOffice Writer, LibreOffice Writer, and Kingsoft Writer. 

 


 

Apache OpenOffice Writer

Once upon a time, OpenOffice.org was the go-to choice for anyone reluctant to use Microsoft Office. It was a shining example of open-source, freeware software. In 2011, the project was closed down by Oracle and the trademarks and code were contributed to Apache to be re-used as the basis for Apache's own OpenOffice project. For all intents and purposes, the software is just as good (if not better) than it ever was. The Open Document Format (.odf) has come a long way and is the default extension for many freeware suites. 

OpenOffice

The sidebar might look a bit out of place, but it's a great way to make better use of horizontal screen space.

In its current state, Apache OpenOffice is a stellar office productivity suite and OpenOffice Writer is no exception. It'll do everything you'd want an editor to do albeit with a slightly dated interface. Perhaps as a consequence of its open-source nature, the software looks like it belongs on a distribution of Linux and not on Windows 7, 8, or even OS X. 

Getting past the dated exterior, OpenOffice Writer really can do pretty much everything and anything you'd want a word processor to do. Development on the project has slowed down a bit since Apache took over, but it's clear that Apache is still actively working on the software. Version 4.1 was released in late April and represents the 23rd release of the software. 

Final Verdict: It looks old and feels a little stale, but it's a fully-capable word processor that's both open-source and completely free. The legacy of OpenOffice.org continues in Apache's re-release. 

LibreOffice Writer

Start-up LibreOffice Writer and you'll probably be a bit confused. It looks almost identical to Apache OpenOffice Writer. It doesn't have a sidebar—at least not by default—and the icons are all slightly different, but inside and out, it's pretty damn close to a carbon copy of Apache's word processor. It makes sense because as an open-source project, all of the code for Apache OpenOffice is available for other organizations like The Document Foundation to replicate. What does this mean to you? It means that LibreOffice will incorporate all of the features developed by Apache while also including features unique to LibreOffice—like embedded fonts.

LibreOffice

Yeah, it looks a whole lot like OpenOffice, but it's got more than a few features that set it apart.

All of the things we like about Apache OpenOffice Writer carry over to LibreOffice Writer. There's very little difference between the two, but LibreOffice gets a slight edge because it essentially mixes and matches the work of two separate communities of developers into a single, enhanced word processor and office suite. 

Final Verdict: It's a slightly more attractive version of Apache OpenOffice with a few added features. You can use either interchangeably, but LibreOffice is definitely a spectacular word processor.

Kingsoft Writer

Kingsoft Writer is developed in Hong Kong and it's pretty clear from the offset that it's a Microsoft Word clone. The 2013 update even manages to copy the ribbon system made popular by the latest versions of Microsoft Office. Fortunately, Kingsoft has done a great job of replicating Microsoft Word while also innovating by adding new features like tabs to manage multiple documents within the same window, and an increased reliance on sidebars to capitalize on the popularity of widescreen displays. 

Kingsoft Writer

Clones usually aren't very good, but Kingsoft Writer is an exception.

What makes Kingsoft Writer particularly nice is that it works almost seamlessly with documents created and edited in Microsoft Office. Sure, OpenOffice, Google Docs, and LibreOffice can convert and manipulate Microsoft Office documents as well, but formatting issues and small quirks abound. One of the apps main selling points is its compatibility with files from Microsoft Word. 

It might sound like a spectacular bargain with its Microsoft Word-like features and interface, but it's crippled by some major omissions. The word processor lacks any sort of multi-language support—although separate versions for different languages are available—which means that you're limited to English-language spell-check and autocorrect. 

Although a paid version is available for $69.95, only a few features are stripped from the free version. Users who need macros, online updating, or the ability to switch between skins on the fly will need to spring for the paid version, but everyone else should be just fine.

Final Verdict: If you're OK with what amounts to a polished clone and don't need anything but English, Kingsoft Writer is a great word processor. Add in the fact that it'll be almost instantly familiar with anyone who's used Word and you've got a worthy alternative. 

And the Best Free Alternative to Word is…

There's something to be said for using Microsoft Word. If you can afford it, you can't go wrong with the tried-and-true word processor that's been around about as long as modern computers have. That said, there are plenty of options available for thrifty consumers and diehard supporters of open-source software. As great as Google Docs is for collaboration and simple word processing, we have to go with LibreOffice Writer as our go-to, free word processor for its comprehensive feature set and the fact that it works as a native application. It'll do everything you need it to do, and it'll do it all for free—just keep an eye out for formatting issues when working with .doc and .docx files worked on in Microsoft Word. 

Alienware Starts Offering Nvidia's Titan Z in Aurora Desktop, Price Temporarily Discounted

Posted: 08 Jul 2014 10:24 AM PDT

GeForce GTX Titan ZWhen two gaming hardware worlds collide

Dell's Alienware Aurora gaming desktop is getting an introduction to Nvidia's mighty Titan Z graphics card, and vice versa. That's to say that you can now configure an Alienware Aurora desktop with a Titan Z graphics card, and to kick off the coming together of two powerhouses, the starting price has been temporarily reduced from $3,799 to $3,609.05, a savings just shy of $190.

"The GeForce GTX Titan Z is a gaming monster, built to power the most extreme gaming rigs on the planet. With a massive 5760 cores, 12 GB of 7 Gbps GDDR5 memory, and the most advanced power delivery system, it's the fastest graphics card we've ever made. Experience incredible speed and cool, quiet performance—all in a stunning aluminum design," Nvidia said in a statement.

A baseline configuration containing a Titan Z also includes an Intel Core i7 4820K processor, 8GB of DDR3-1600 memory, 2TB hard drive (7200 RPM), 24X DVD burner, and Windows 8.1 64-bit. You can also upgrade your configuration just about as far as your budget allows.

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Microsoft Entices Last Gen Console Owners with $75 Credit to Upgrade to Xbox One

Posted: 08 Jul 2014 10:06 AM PDT

Xbox PromotionThe upgrade pot just got sweetened

Are you clinging tight to your Xbox 360 console? Microsoft hopes to loosen your grip with an upgrade offer that it's been sending out to some last generation console owners in hopes that they'll upgrade to an Xbox One. For users who receive the message on their last generation console, they'll receive a $75 promotional code with the purchase of any Xbox One or Xbox One bundle.

A screenshot of the promotion appears on a forum post at Neogaf. According to the text, the code can be used for games, add-ons, movies, and more.

Microsoft's been pulling all kinds of tricks out of its sleeve to make the Xbox One a more attractive option than the PlayStation 4. Earlier in the year, Microsoft rolled out a Xbox One with Titanfall and Kinect bundle, and more recently, the Redmond outfit has begun offering just the console itself (no Kinect sensor) for $399.

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LG G Watch Rocking Android Wear Platform is Now Available

Posted: 08 Jul 2014 09:46 AM PDT

LG G WatchAn always-on display keeps you in the loop

Device makers are banking on smartwatches being the next big thing, and while we wait for a verdict, LG has begun shipping its G Watch to a global audience. The LG G Watch is one of the first to sport Google's Android Wear platform and is the only one so far to feature a button-free design with a display that's always-on. That means you can keep up with what's happening in your connected world with a simple glance at your wrist.

"As one of the first Android Wear devices to market, we see this as the beginning of a long-term commitment to making wearables running Android Wear a household name," said Dr. Jong-seok Park, president and CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. "We're confident that once consumers see how useful and compelling LG G Watch can be, it will be integrated into their daily lives, just as smartphone have done."

The LG G Watch utilizes a 1.65-inch IPS display with a 280x280 resolution, 1.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor, 512MB of RAM, 4GB of eMMC storage, Bluetooth 4.0 connectivity, 9-axis sensors (gyro, accelerometer, and compass), and 400mAh battery.

You can pair the LG G Watch with smartphones running Android 4.3 or higher with the Android Wear app available at Google Play. It weighs 63g, is dust and water resistant (IP67), and features interchangeable straps (can use any standard 22mm watch band).

The LG G Watch is available now in "Black Titan" or "White Gold" for $229.

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Overclocked EVGA GeForce GTX 780 Ti Graphics Card Tops 2GHz, Sets 3DMark Record

Posted: 08 Jul 2014 09:16 AM PDT

EVGA GeForce GTX 780 Ti Classified KingpinBlowing past the 2GHz barrier

A pair of renowned overclockers used an EVGA graphics card to blast through the 2GHz barrier en route to setting a new 3DMark Fire Strike Extreme world record. Vince "K|GNP|N" Lucido and Illya "Tin" Tsemenko accomplished the feat with an EVGA GeForce GTX 780 Ti graphics card plugged into an EVGA X79 Dark motherboard and powered by an EVGA brand (what else?) power supply.

In doing so, the overclocking duo were able to coax the GPU to run at 2,025MHz, which set a record in and of itself. At that frequency, the team completed a successful 3DMark Fire Strike Extreme run and posted a record breaking score of 8,793 points. Here's how it scored by category:

  • Graphics Score: 9,230
  • Physics Score: 20,896
  • Combined Score: 3,954

"These accomplishments once again prove EVGA's dedication to the enthusiast community, and why EVGA hardware is the number one choice for gamers and extreme overclockers," EVGA was quick to boast.

Other parts of the record breaking configuration included an Intel Core i7 4960X processor overclocked to 5.6GHz, 16GB of G.Skill DDR3-1600 RAM, 120GB G.Skill Phoenix III SSD, and Windows 7 64-bit.

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Gartner Predicts a "Revival" of the Global PC Market in 2014

Posted: 08 Jul 2014 08:15 AM PDT

Vizio PCBusiness upgrades from Windows XP will help prop up the PC market

Sometimes down but never out, traditional PCs have been doing more than just hanging around, they've been leading the market despite slumping sales. Looking into next year, Gartner predicts that tablets will outsell combined desktop and notebook systems for the first time, though if you look at the market as a whole, the worldwide PC market is on the verge of a revival after dipping 9.5 percent in 2013.

There's a lot to digest here so let's start with the global PC market. Gartner predicts that combined shipments of PCs, tablets, ultramobiles, and mobile phones will reach 2.4 billion units in 2014, a 4.2 percent jump from 2013. Meanwhile, the market research firm believes that combined shipments of desktops, notebooks, and premium ultramobiles will dip just 2.9 percent in 2014, representing a "relative revival" over the 9.5 percent decline a year ago.

"Business upgrades from Windows XP and the general business replacement cycle will lessen the downward trend, especially in Western Europe," said Ranjit Atwal, research director at Gartner. "This year, we anticipate nearly 60 million professional PC replacements in mature markets."

If we break these systems down by category, desktops and laptops are on pace to ship 276.2 million units in 2014 and 261.6 million unitls in 2015. Tablets, meanwhile, are on pace to leapfrom traditional PC sales with 320.9 million shipments next year.

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Newegg Daily Deals: Intel Core i7 4790 Haswell, G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB DDR3-1866, and More!

Posted: 08 Jul 2014 07:46 AM PDT

Intel Core i7 4790newegg logo

Top Deal:

Phew! Another holiday weekend is in the books and it looks like we all survived the fireworks. What's next? A PC upgrade, of course! Let's go straight to the heart of your machine with today's top deal -- an Intel Core i7 4790 (Haswell) Quad Core Processor for $295 with free shippiong (normally $315 - use coupon code: [EMCPCPF76]). This 22nm Haswell chip sprints at 3.6GHz to 4.0GHz and had Intel HD 4600 Graphics, though check these deals daily to pair this chip with a discrete GPU.

Other Deals:

G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 1866 (PC3 14900) Desktop Memory for $78 with free shipping (normally $90 - use coupon code: [EMCPCPF77])

Western Digital 1TB IntelliPower 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5-inch Internal Hard Drive Bare for $60 with free shipping (normally $75 - use coupon code: [EMCPCPF24])

Asus VS248H-P 24-inch 2ms HDMI LED Backlight Widescreen LCD Monitor for $140 with free shipping (normally $180 - use coupon code: [EMCPCPF45]; additional $20 Mail-in rebate)

Thermaltake Core V71 Extreme Full Tower Chassis, Compatible With Extreme Liquid Cooling Builds for $100 with free shipping (normally $150 - use coupon code: [EMCPCPF42]; additional $30 Mail-in rebate)

MMO Updates

MMO Updates


Firefall to launch July 29

Posted: 08 Jul 2014 10:00 AM PDT

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Firefall
Firefall's extended beta will soon be over as Red 5 Studios has announced that the MMO shooter will be launching on July 29th.

The free-to-play game has been gearing up for this launch with a series of dev blogs entitled Path to Launch that each spotlight a particular game feature that MMO shooter fans -- and general MMO fans -- may enjoy. "The update we are releasing for launch will be the largest update we have ever had," said James Macauley, CEO of Red 5 Studios. "It will quadruple the amount of world space in Firefall and add roughly 15-times the amount of content we have had previously in Beta."

Be sure to check out our own early impressions of the game and take a look at the official press release for more info on what to expect at launch.

MassivelyFirefall to launch July 29 originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 08 Jul 2014 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hyperspace Beacon: 250 reasons you don't want to miss SWTOR Galactic Strongholds

Posted: 08 Jul 2014 09:00 AM PDT

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Hyperspace Beacon: 250 reasons you don't want to miss SWTOR Galactic Strongholds
When I first hopped into MMOs way back when Ultima Online hit the scene, I believed that the best thing about the game wasn't the gamey side. I wasn't interested in the monsters that I could kill nor the mechanics of taking down a daemon or a lich lord. I was most interested in living in the world of Ultima with Lord British and the town of Trinsic then. Although my tastes have changed in the 14 years since, I still feel the longing to live in the world created online.

The next expansion for Star Wars: The Old Republic gives me nostalgic feelings of when I first stepped into Ultima. True, owning a house in UO was more complicated than what Galactic Strongholds gives us, but there is a great level of complexity all the same.

In the livestream last week, the developers gave us a tour of the Nar Shaddaa stronghold and layout many of the decorating tools. The "hooks" on the floors, walls, and ceilings can be configured into many different configurations of large, medium (column-like), and small areas, with a couple of large exceptions, like centerpiece and starship hooks. Developers Troy McCall, Jack Wood, and Eric Musco dropped many items on the floors, walls, and ceilings of the stronghold, showing over 250 items in the various menus. Even if you watched the livestream as it was happening, you couldn't have caught all 250+ items. Let's look at some of the most interesting.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: 250 reasons you don't want to miss SWTOR Galactic Strongholds

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: 250 reasons you don't want to miss SWTOR Galactic Strongholds originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 08 Jul 2014 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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    TERA's Patch 27.02 hits North American servers

    Posted: 08 Jul 2014 08:00 AM PDT

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    TERA
    TERA's Wounded World patch (Patch 27.02) has finally hit the North American servers after teasing us on the Korean servers for a time, and with it, we see some long-awaited additions to the game including new dungeons, a new boss gauge system, new gear, new master crafting rank, and more.

    Ghillieglade, Lakan's Prison, Abscess (normal and hard mode), and Rift's Edge (normal and hard mode) are the newest dungeon additions to the fantasy MMO while the dungeon bosses have been tweaked to allow more comprehensive information on which boss you're attacking and how close it is to kicking the bucket.

    Check out the complete patch notes at the official site for more information.

    [Thanks to Leiloni for the tip!]

    MassivelyTERA's Patch 27.02 hits North American servers originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 08 Jul 2014 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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    Guild Wars 2 teases Entanglement, season two's next episode

    Posted: 08 Jul 2014 07:00 AM PDT

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    GW2
    Have you played through Guild Wars 2's latest living story installment yet? No? Well, hurry up because episode 2 arrives next week on July 15th. It's called Entanglement, and its associated teaser video arrived in our inbox last night with merely this cryptic introduction:
    There are secrets hidden within the newly revealed area of Dry Top, just waiting to be discovered. Continue your adventures in the Maguuma Wastes and take a stand alongside your fellow heroes against an ancient, growing threat.
    Evil grows in the video below.

    Continue reading Guild Wars 2 teases Entanglement, season two's next episode

    MassivelyGuild Wars 2 teases Entanglement, season two's next episode originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 08 Jul 2014 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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      The Daily Grind: Are MMO class consumables due for a revival?

      Posted: 08 Jul 2014 06:00 AM PDT

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      GW2
      While most MMO players are probably familiar with consumables in MMOs like food and drinks or even enchantments and gems, class consumables like spell reagents and ammo are now fairly rare but used to be a lot more common. Ultima Online, EverQuest, and Asheron's Call, for example, all included a reagent mechanic. For many years, Ultima Online's mages carried sacks of such reagents required and consumed by each spell they hoped to cast. High-end raid-related spells in EQ ate expensive gems, and AC1's reagents had a chance to go up in a puff of smoke each time your cast fizzled.

      Themeparks like Guild Wars 2 and World of Warcraft have veered away from this design path. In fact, WoW itself started life requiring reagents for special spells and ammunition for bow- and gun-wielding classes, but Blizzard removed them several years ago in the pursuit of both simplicity and class balance. After all, it wasn't very fair to require only some classes to spend extra gold and take up weight or inventory space on consumables.

      Still, such mechanics added a level of immersion as well as annoyance. What do you think -- do class consumables deserve to make a comeback in MMORPGs?

      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: Are MMO class consumables due for a revival? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 08 Jul 2014 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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        Not So Massively: Destiny's beta, The Witcher's MOBA, and the IeSF's gender ban fiasco

        Posted: 07 Jul 2014 06:00 PM PDT

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        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: Destiny's beta, The Witcher's MOBA, and the IeSF's gender ban fiasco

        MassivelyNot So Massively: Destiny's beta, The Witcher's MOBA, and the IeSF's gender ban fiasco originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 07 Jul 2014 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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          Entropia Universe comes to smartphones with pet battle system

          Posted: 07 Jul 2014 04:00 PM PDT

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          ComPet
          If you couldn't get enough of Entropia Universe's RMT-based virtual world gameplay on your PC, the devs have announced today that the game will soon be coming to several additional platforms, including smartphones and tablets.

          Through the new Competitive Pet (ComPet) system, players can battle their pets through various "maturity and price levels available to fit players of all types, including a free-to-play version." Before the ComPet system is launched, 200,000 ComPet deeds will be sold at 100 Project Entropia Dollars (10 USD) each and players will earn 30% of all deeded pet revenue.

          ComPet is set to be available in Q1 of 2015.

          MassivelyEntropia Universe comes to smartphones with pet battle system originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 07 Jul 2014 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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          Star Trek Online's Tribble patches in Star Clusters, uniforms, and crafting prices

          Posted: 07 Jul 2014 03:00 PM PDT

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          If we had just crafted slightly better shields, this could have been avoided.
          If you're looking forward to Star Trek Online's big crafting revamp, you've still got a little while longer to wait. But the latest patch notes for the Tribble server makes it clear that it's closer than ever. Prices on Dilithium crafting goods have been lowered to values far closer to their final point (although they're still not quite there), the Aegis set has been fully revamped and brought up to par, and a number of lesser crafting issues have been resolved already.

          This patch also sees the addition of Foundry options so that players may use the defunct Star Clusters in missions, although the old versions of these maps remain gone. Players can also enjoy a wider selection of uniforms, as the Odyssey uniforms have been made available to all players, with fleets gaining access to a new set of uniforms at a discounted cost. Read the full patch notes for more details, and jump on the test server if you want to see the changes up close and personal.

          MassivelyStar Trek Online's Tribble patches in Star Clusters, uniforms, and crafting prices originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 07 Jul 2014 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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          SOE trademarks The Darkened Sea and Altar of Malice

          Posted: 07 Jul 2014 02:00 PM PDT

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          SOE
          Two names sit on an onyx altar. You tip-toe up to them and gaze upon their majesty. There is no explanation, no revelation, just words sitting in a void. This is both tantalizing in the possibilities and maddening in the silence, causing you to clutch your fists and whisper, "What do they mean?"

          These words are "The Darkened Sea" and "Altar of Malice," and they are names trademarked by SOE this past week. Past the titles themselves and a description as "downloadable RPGs," we know nothing else, although they sound very much like expansion names for MMOs in SOE's library. The names were trademarked on July 2nd in California.

          MassivelySOE trademarks The Darkened Sea and Altar of Malice originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 07 Jul 2014 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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          Final Fantasy XIV offers more details on the Hunt system

          Posted: 07 Jul 2014 01:00 PM PDT

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          Do you think he can see us?  Because... seriously, if I woke up looking like that, I would just... move toward the nearest living thing and kill it.
          Are you looking forward to stalking and destroying the rarest beasts across the land of Eorzea? Then you'll want to read the latest Final Fantasy XIV letter from Producer Naoki Yoshida, who takes the time to talk in a little more depth about the Hunt system. The basics have already been established, but how will Elite Marks avoid horror stories of players camping spawns and only one person getting any reward for all of the effort?

          Yoshida explains that the Elite Marks are meant to offer rewards to everyone who takes part in killing them, meaning that multiple players or parties taking down the monster will just result in more people getting the rewards. Some of the Marks are even meant to provide a challenge for multiple parties, anot several do not respawn in the same places, providing more incentive to wander, search, and help out. Check out the full letter for more details, and get ready to experience the system yourself when patch 2.3 goes live tomorrow.

          MassivelyFinal Fantasy XIV offers more details on the Hunt system originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 07 Jul 2014 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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          Destiny reveals beta dates, expansion pass, and special edition pricing

          Posted: 07 Jul 2014 12:00 PM PDT

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          Destiny
          It's open war across the cosmos, and your wallets look to be the first casualty in Destiny's interplanetary conflict. Bungie announced today that it will be pre-selling two DLC packs and revealed the contents of its special editions. The studio also said that the PlayStation beta will start on July 17th, with the Xbox beta kicking off a week later on July 23rd.

          Despite the name, the Destiny Expansion Pass isn't for full-fledged expansions but for the first couple of post-launch content additions. The first pack, The Dark Below, will explore an ancient tomb underneath the Moon's surface. Bungie is promising exclusive PlayStation content for both expansion packs. Players can buy the expansion pass for $34.99 or individual packs for $19.99 apiece.

          Alternatively, thrifty Destiny fans can pick up one of the special editions that come with the two DLC packs included. These packages include the Digital Guardian Edition ($89.99), the Limited Edition ($99.99), and the Ghost Edition ($149.99). While the editions each contain a different mix of goodies, by pre-ordering any of them players will have early access to weapons, gear, and emblems.

          Bungie also released the official beta trailer, which you can watch after the break.

          Continue reading Destiny reveals beta dates, expansion pass, and special edition pricing

          MassivelyDestiny reveals beta dates, expansion pass, and special edition pricing originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 07 Jul 2014 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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          Tree of Savior devs talks classes and more

          Posted: 07 Jul 2014 11:00 AM PDT

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          The latest Tree of Savior dev blog touches on a few of the game's 80-odd classes including the Linker, the Psychokino, the Sadhu, and the Necromancer. You can probably guess what's involved with that last one, but the previous three seem pretty unique. The Sadhu uses "out-of-body" skills while the Psychokino employes telekinesis. The Linker chains mobs together so that they'll "receive damages or debuffs simultaneously," according to blog author and developer Hakkyu Kim.

          There are bits and bobs about Tree of Savior's non-combat classes, too, as well as info about the game's music and a class-focused video. Click past the cut to give it a look!

          Continue reading Tree of Savior devs talks classes and more

          MassivelyTree of Savior devs talks classes and more originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 07 Jul 2014 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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