MMO Updates

MMO Updates


E3 2011: Clone Wars Adventures redefines tower defense

Posted: 08 Jun 2011 11:00 AM PDT

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

With a large Star Wars MMO on the horizon, it's easy to forget that there are two other Star Wars-related online games already on the market. Star Wars: The Clone Wars Adventures is an online lobby-based game geared for the younger audience, but if you are a Star Wars fan, it's fun at any age. The game has lightsaber duels, starfighter simulations, blaster ranges, and much more.

Massively visited the Sony Online Entertainment booth at E3 to get a glimpse of what is the latest and greatest to come out of this multiplayer online experience. The Senior Producer of Clone Wars Adventures, Todd Carson, was there to greet us and show us a few of the newest minigames that litter the gamescape. Jump past the break to see what he had to say and witness the latest trailer for the Clone Wars Adventures.

Continue reading E3 2011: Clone Wars Adventures redefines tower defense

MassivelyE3 2011: Clone Wars Adventures redefines tower defense originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 08 Jun 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

E3 2011: BioWare shows off The Old Republic Belsavis raid

Posted: 08 Jun 2011 10:30 AM PDT

Filed under: , , , , , , ,

Are you curious about endgame in Star Wars: The Old Republic? GameTrailers has a couple of E3-related videos that you'll want to check out, both of them focused on raiding content in a galaxy far, far away.

First up is a 10-minute clip featuring an interview with BioWare's Gabe Amatangelo as well as various bits of new footage. Amatangelo tells us about a raid that takes place on the outer rim planet of Belsavis. The clip centers on a prison facility in an icy environment, and we get a good look at the approach as well as some combat inside the complex. Amatangelo also talks a bit about raid difficulty levels before reiterating that SWTOR will release in 2011 (though no firm date is given).

The second video expands on some of the snippets in the interview clip, and BioWare shows us a minute and 20 seconds of action from the Belsavis raid. Check out both trailers after the cut and let us know what you think in the comments!

Massively's on the ground in Los Angeles during the week of June 6-9, bringing you all the best news from E3 2011. Whether you're dying to know more about Star Wars: The Old Republic, RIFT, or any MMO in between, you can bet we'll have it covered!

Continue reading E3 2011: BioWare shows off The Old Republic Belsavis raid

MassivelyE3 2011: BioWare shows off The Old Republic Belsavis raid originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 08 Jun 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

The Secret World's Innsmouth Academy profiled

Posted: 08 Jun 2011 10:00 AM PDT

Filed under: , , , , , ,

Earlier this week Funcom treated us to a blurb about The Secret World's creepily atmospheric Atlantic Island Park. Today the official site has been updated with a new reveal centered on Innsmouth Academy.

By all outward appearances, the academy is a private high school for rich kids. As per usual in The Secret World, things aren't always what they seem on the surface. Innsmouth Academy serves as something of a prep school for children of the Illuminati, "and a degree from Innsmouth Academy opens many doors for a budding magus and occultist."

The school has a lengthy history, and originally opened its doors in 1798 before being rebuilt three times as a result of three different disasters (including the opening of a dimensional portal in the elementalism lab). Head to the official Secret World website to read more about the school and its faculty.

MassivelyThe Secret World's Innsmouth Academy profiled originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 08 Jun 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Enter at Your Own Rift: The no-quest challenge

Posted: 08 Jun 2011 09:00 AM PDT

Filed under: , ,

OK, I know you all probably want to talk about the news that addons are coming to RIFT, but the truth is that it's not that big of an issue for me. My feelings on addons are that I'm for them if they enhance the game and encourage player creativity, but I'm against them if they reduce players to mere statistics in the eyes of others (GearScore) or are absolutely necessary to tackle the game's content.

So if you feel passionate about this topic, I give you leave to vent more about it in the comments below, but as for me and mine, we're going to look at quests today. More specifically, not doing them.

Now, I generally like quests. They give me a feeling of accomplishment (as I am fond of checking off items from my to-do lists in real life), the stories are occasionally interesting, and they give nice boosts to leveling. But I've come to realize something interesting about RIFT that might run under the radar of most: Quests are superfluous to the game. Well, at the very least, they're optional and not the mandatory tasks that most modern MMOs make them out to be.

So I had a thought. What about playing RIFT without questing at all -- taking on a "no-quest challenge" of sorts? Is it not only possible but fun too? Hit the jump and we'll examine this from all the angles.

Continue reading Enter at Your Own Rift: The no-quest challenge

MassivelyEnter at Your Own Rift: The no-quest challenge originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 08 Jun 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Ask Cryptic hints at shared Foundry functionality for Star Trek Online, Neverwinter

Posted: 08 Jun 2011 08:30 AM PDT

Filed under: , , ,

There's a new Ask Cryptic in town, and this month's Star Trek Online update finds producer Dan Stahl fielding a plethora of community questions that cover a wide range of topics.

While many of the questions (and answers) are straightforward one-liners, Stahl does go into a bit of detail about STO's Foundry functionality. He mentions that the content creation tool will be getting a round of bug fixes as well as new map hookups (including Star Fleet Academy) for the library. Stahl also says that Cryptic's Foundry team is currently hard at work on Neverwinter's player-generated content toolset, and the fruits of its labor will eventually be seen in STO as well.

"One thing I continue to stress is adding the ability for more acting and blocking features so that players can create their own dramatic scenes," Stahl explains. Head to the official STO website for the full text.

MassivelyAsk Cryptic hints at shared Foundry functionality for Star Trek Online, Neverwinter originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 08 Jun 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

E3 2011: EverQuest II's Dave Georgeson in 3-D

Posted: 08 Jun 2011 08:00 AM PDT

Filed under: , , , , , ,

If you're going to fly, why not fly with a little style -- and in 3-D? At E3, we were able to grab some facetime with Dave "Smokejumper" Georgeson, EverQuest II's executive producer, as he showed us the next dimension of MMO gameplay while we checked out some of the new aerial races in the game.

"We wanted to do a little more with the flying creatures than to go from Point A to Point B," Georgeson said, referencing EQII's aerial races. "So we put in these flying race courses, which is a good test ground for showing off 3-D."

It's one of those things that has to be seen to be believed. The 3-D effect while flying is, in a word, awesome. The user interface is up close, your character is somewhere in the middle, and the environment is in the background. The effect is very noticeable when you turn, which happens a lot while flying.

Hit the jump to hear more of Georgeson's thoughts on 3-D in EverQuest II as well as a get tantalizing sneak peek at the game's future!

Continue reading E3 2011: EverQuest II's Dave Georgeson in 3-D

MassivelyE3 2011: EverQuest II's Dave Georgeson in 3-D originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 08 Jun 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

E3 2011: World of Tanks teases clan wars trailer, new screens

Posted: 08 Jun 2011 07:00 AM PDT

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

World of Tanks may not be the biggest name in the E3 house this week, but the free-to-play action MMO's clan wars trailer nonetheless brought some big guns to bear on the annual gaming convention. The 40-second spot features a handful of tanks careening across what appears to be a scorched landscape highlighted by fiery fault lines.

As the camera pulls back, we get a good look at a stylized campaign map of the European theater over which World of Tanks' clan wars metagame is fought. Wargaming.net has also released a bunch of nifty new screens to celebrate convention week, and you can get an up close and personal look at World of Tanks' highly detailed hardware in our gallery below. After you're done, head past the cut for the teaser.

Continue reading E3 2011: World of Tanks teases clan wars trailer, new screens

MassivelyE3 2011: World of Tanks teases clan wars trailer, new screens originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 08 Jun 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

The Daily Grind: Do cross-media tie-ins interest you?

Posted: 08 Jun 2011 06:00 AM PDT

Filed under: , , , , ,

Trion Worlds is taking on a big new project with Defiance, linking a television show's ongoing plot developments with an MMO. In many ways, this seems like an ideal mix -- players who care about the ongoing story can enjoy the show, and the rest of the time you can just play the game without being shoehorned into a developer's pre-scripted story. On the other hand, this also means that you know your player character is unlikely to be a major player in the game's storyline. You'll just be some guy (or girl) without any sort of major impact.

City of Heroes tried a similar tack with the comic book that launched with the game, showcasing several player characters in each issue and trying to marry an ongoing story with an MMO structure. Do you like the idea of tying together passive and active entertainment in this way? Are you excited to see how Defiance manages it? Or do you want your MMO's story contained within the MMO itself rather than tied to the needs of a television series?

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 cross-media tie-ins interest you? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 08 Jun 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

E3 2011: Hands-on with DCUO's Game Update 4

Posted: 07 Jun 2011 09:15 PM PDT

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

Although we just uncovered the teaser for Brainiac's raid on the Fortress of Solitude, we knew that wouldn't be enough for eager DC Universe Online fans. We went behind the scenes at the Sony Online Entertainment booth to get to the rest of what Game Update 4 has to offer.

Armed with a battery of questions from the DCUO community and Alter-Ego columnist Krystalle Voecks, our Massively reporter Dan O'Halloran attacked SOE's Mark Anderson and got a sneak peek at the beginning of the new Fortress of Solitude raid.

Gallery: E3 2011: DCUO

Continue reading E3 2011: Hands-on with DCUO's Game Update 4

MassivelyE3 2011: Hands-on with DCUO's Game Update 4 originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 07 Jun 2011 23:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

E3 2011: A look at Runes of Magic's upcoming Redhill Mountains

Posted: 07 Jun 2011 08:00 PM PDT

Filed under: , , , , , , ,

Runes of Magic is on the floor at E3, and the team behind the game is showing off the goods for the upcoming Lands of Despair expansion. GDC saw a preview of the earliest zone for the new chapter, but E3 is focusing on the new Redhill Mountain zones, spanning from level 65 to 68. Players will be tossed into the center of a war between the Fireboot Dwarves and the rhino-like Kaylo race. And at the center of everything sits the dungeon of Sardo Castle, a font of undead and villainy.

The centerpiece of the Redhill Mountains is the Battlefield of Steel, where the Dwarves and Kaylo take part in an ongoing war of aggression that's stretched out for 10 long years. Players will be tasked with investigating both sides of the issue and uncovering the sinister motives behind the conflict, with the true villain waiting at the heart of the Sardo Castle instance. Runes of Magic fans should take a look at the special preview gallery below, showing off the zone and instance in elaborate detail.

Massively's on the ground in Los Angeles during the week of June 6-9, bringing you all the best news from E3 2011. Whether you're dying to know more about Star Wars: The Old Republic, RIFT, or any MMO in between, you can bet we'll have it covered!


MassivelyE3 2011: A look at Runes of Magic's upcoming Redhill Mountains originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 07 Jun 2011 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

E3 2011: Checking in with Free Realms

Posted: 07 Jun 2011 07:30 PM PDT

Filed under: , , , , , , ,

Representing Massively, WoW Insider's own Dan O'Halloran met up with the folks at Sony Online Entertainment at E3 today to talk about the newest features coming to the popular free-to-play MMO Free Realms. Apprentice Designer Eric Smith walked Dan through the time-honored art of Farming as presented in Free Realms, though the in-game version is much less tedious than its real-world counterpart.

Players are given a plot of land, which they must clear of rocks and trees through a series of introductory quests. After that, all that's left is to lay down some topsoil, plant some seeds (bought with Station Cash or found from plants throughout the game world), water them, and wait for them to grow. Crops can take anywhere between 15 minutes and a whole day to come to bloom, which gives players extra incentive to log in daily and harvest the fruits of their labor. Eric was quick to note that it's absolutely possible to get the most out of your farming experience without dropping a dime in the Station Store, though fertilizer (which makes your crops grow faster) and miracle-grow (which brings withered crops back from the dead) are both available for those who want to enhance their farming prowess. The crops can be used either to initiate a Farmer's Market minigame or for Ranching.

Farming is just the first stage of a planned three-stage process, the second of which will be Ranching, and the third of which is yet to be announced. Ranching will allow players to collect their own menagerie of wild animals, which they can feed the hard-grown crops from their farm. Your farm levels up with you, and as players reach higher Farming levels, they unlock the ability to grow more varied crops, which they can in turn feed to the animals on their ranches. There is currently no release date for the Ranching addition or the third to-be-announced stage of the process, but be sure to keep an eye on the official Free Realms site for future updates.

Massively's on the ground in Los Angeles during the week of June 6-9, bringing you all the best news from E3 2011. Whether you're dying to know more about Star Wars: The Old Republic, RIFT, or any MMO in between, you can bet we'll have it covered!

MassivelyE3 2011: Checking in with Free Realms originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 07 Jun 2011 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Rise of the Ourobani coming to Alganon this winter

Posted: 07 Jun 2011 07:00 PM PDT

Filed under: , , , , , ,

Alganon has come a long way since its launch, with the conversion to free-to-play and several updates helping to improve the game's feel and engine immensely. Now it's time for the game to move on to its next big step of development -- its first expansion. Yes, that's right, the game is expanding with Rise of the Ourobani, introducing a new race and class to the game along with several other new features.

The eponymous Ourobani are a race in service to a god long thought lost, with the Asharr and Kujix both attempting to seize the Ourobani's power for their own ends. Players will also get access to the game's first pet class in the form of the Warden. In addition, the game is promising both player and guild housing, flying mounts, and a new continent called Aeon, on which players can enjoy a whole new leveling experience. If your opinion of Alganon hasn't been updated since the game's original development, it might be a good time to start looking at the game with new eyes -- there's a lot on the expansion plate, especially for a free-to-play game.

MassivelyRise of the Ourobani coming to Alganon this winter originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 07 Jun 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

E3 2011: Nival announces Facebook-integrated MMO Prime World

Posted: 07 Jun 2011 06:30 PM PDT

Filed under: , , , , , , , ,

Nival may be a new player in the MMOsphere, but Prime World, its first big push into the fray, is looking to turn a few heads. Developed in the Unity 3D engine and promising an intense PvP experience inspired by Defense of the Ancients, Prime World hopes to break from other, similar games by integrating itself into Facebook. While elements of the social game can be played in a web browser, the PvP combat will require a downloadable client.

Players will be able to construct castles and enjoy other social gaming features, and these elements will bleed into the PvP portions of the game and vice-versa. Well-designed castles will provide "meaningful benefits" to the PvP action scenes, and social networks can be exploited, helping players gain strategic advantages. Likewise, the spoils gained from successful PvP victories and other minigames can be used to customize your castle or be gifted to friends.

Nival is expecting Prime World to enter closed beta late this year, but it released a teaser trailer to whet our appetites until then. Check it out after the break!

Massively's on the ground in Los Angeles during the week of June 6-9, bringing you all the best news from E3 2011. Whether you're dying to know more about Star Wars: The Old Republic, RIFT, or any MMO in between, you can bet we'll have it covered!


Gallery: Prime World

Continue reading E3 2011: Nival announces Facebook-integrated MMO Prime World

MassivelyE3 2011: Nival announces Facebook-integrated MMO Prime World originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 07 Jun 2011 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

The Game Archaeologist traces his Lineage: The highlights

Posted: 07 Jun 2011 06:00 PM PDT

Filed under: , ,

If we judged MMOs by their numbers alone -- and I'm not suggesting we do so -- then Lineage would be the crowing rooster strutting about the hen house. It's also been one of those games that I've always intellectually acknowledged was a huge hit for some reason, but I never gave it much attention. I think it's because, contrary to many of the "big name" games we cover here, Lineage was and always will be an Asian phenomenon. That doesn't mean it should be shunned, of course, but just that it may be difficult to understand when you're on the outside of it.

So let's back up the memory truck to September 1998, when a then-fledgling NCsoft rolled out a Diablo-esque isometric MMO and struck virtual gold in South Korea. At the time, gaming rooms were becoming a huge thing in the country; a recession had hit (giving people a lot of time with nothing to do), and the government was rapidly expanding the broadband network. In the face of this perfect storm, titles like StarCraft and Lineage became overnight household fixtures -- and the country hasn't looked back.

Even if you haven't played Lineage and you don't know anyone who does, trust me: There are a lot of people playing this 13-year-old title, to the tune of millions and millions. As former Senior Producer Chris Mahnken said, "Lineage keeps going because it's just plain fun."

This month we'll be looking back at the incredible legacy that Lineage has given the industry, starting with an overview of the highlights of these past 13 years. Hit the jump and mind the gap!

Continue reading The Game Archaeologist traces his Lineage: The highlights

MassivelyThe Game Archaeologist traces his Lineage: The highlights originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 07 Jun 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

E3 2011: SWTOR flies to Alderaan

Posted: 07 Jun 2011 05:30 PM PDT

Filed under: , , , , , ,

Alderaan is known mostly for being the homeworld of Princess Leia and being one of the first victims of the Death Star. However, the planet is rich with history even 3000 years before the events in Star Wars: A New Hope.

The developers at BioWare have mentioned in the past that Alderaan would host one of the PvP Warzones for Star Wars: The Old Republic, but they did not mention anything about the PvE aspects of the world -- until now. A usurper by the name of Bauris Ulgo has forcefully proclaimed himself king of Alderaan, and the Republic has asked you persuade him to leave. Of course, this will not be easy, and it will require that you and your team take it back by force.

Below we have some incredible screenshots of Alderaan, Tatooine, and player vehicles. After the break, we have SWTOR Lead Writer Daniel Erickson's livestream of Tatooine playthrough. And stay tuned here later this week as we bring you more information about the raid on Belsavis called the Eternity Vault and our impressions of playing on the open world of Tatooine.

Massively's on the ground in Los Angeles during the week of June 6-9, bringing you all the best news from E3 2011. Whether you're dying to know more about Star Wars: The Old Republic, RIFT, or any MMO in between, you can bet we'll have it covered!


Continue reading E3 2011: SWTOR flies to Alderaan

MassivelyE3 2011: SWTOR flies to Alderaan originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 07 Jun 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

E3 2011: Enemies unite in new DCUO trailer

Posted: 07 Jun 2011 05:00 PM PDT

Filed under: , , , , , , ,

Amidst all the buzz at this year's E3, Sony Online Entertainment is showing off the latest developments coming for its superhero MMO DC Universe Online. In the new Enemies Unite trailer, we get a possible glimpse at upcoming content that turns the roles of hero and villain on their heads. Supervillain Brainiac launches an attack on the Fortress of Solitude, and the DC heroes are forced to team up with their adversaries to fight the common foe.

The only information released so far is a trailer that's currently showing at E3. Details on how the new content will work and when it will arrive are still forthcoming, but this is sure to be an interesting update for fans of DC. Massively is on the floor at E3 right now trying to get the scoop on this interesting upcoming addition to DC Universe Online.

Skip past the cut to watch the full trailer video, embedded in HD.

Massively's on the ground in Los Angeles during the week of June 6-9, bringing you all the best news from E3 2011. Whether you're dying to know more about Star Wars: The Old Republic, RIFT, or any MMO in between, you can bet we'll have it covered!

Continue reading E3 2011: Enemies unite in new DCUO trailer

MassivelyE3 2011: Enemies unite in new DCUO trailer originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 07 Jun 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

E3 2011: Hands-on with SWTOR's Imperial Agent Operative

Posted: 07 Jun 2011 04:30 PM PDT

Filed under: , , , , , , , ,

E3 officially kicked off today in Los Angeles, and I was lucky to be one of the first in line for the latest hands-on demo of Star Wars: The Old Republic at the enormous Electronic Arts booth. There were two different types of demo stations awaiting us: level 1 Galactic Republic characters for those who were new to the game and level 26 Sith Empire characters for those of us who were more comfortable with MMOs. I was hot to play the mid-level Sith characters, but first we had to watch a 10-minute instructional video on how to play each advanced class.

Continue reading E3 2011: Hands-on with SWTOR's Imperial Agent Operative

MassivelyE3 2011: Hands-on with SWTOR's Imperial Agent Operative originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 07 Jun 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

MMObility: As I pack these devices for E3

Posted: 07 Jun 2011 04:00 PM PDT

Filed under: , ,

As I sit here waiting for a fresh reinstall of Windows Vista on one of my desktop PCs, I decided to take stock of all of the equipment currently in my nerd life. It's funny that when you have access to more devices, habits start to form around those devices. My morning ritual is typically to get up, start up the laptop, and prepare breakfast while it readies. Then I sit down and poke around on Twitter, check email, or catch up on different blog sites. Sometimes I will make a cup of tea and sit in the stoop of the backdoor with my iPad, waiting for my wife to get up.

Over time I have discovered that some devices work better for certain tasks than others. For example, I prefer to write my articles on my basic laptop, but I prefer to finalize them with photos and re-editing on my desktop. I now would rather check my email and Twitter on my iPad (I got my wife's old one when she moved up to an iPad 2) and would rather use my iPhone for music than my HTC: Inspire. It's odd, what a mix of devices I have now... but how inconvenient.

So I wanted to go over a few comparisons between all of the devices and talk about what I might find at E3 next week. Click past the cut!

Continue reading MMObility: As I pack these devices for E3

MassivelyMMObility: As I pack these devices for E3 originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 07 Jun 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

E3 2011: New Dark Millennium Online teaser sighted in the wild

Posted: 07 Jun 2011 03:30 PM PDT

Filed under: , , , , , , ,

The first E3 tidbit on THQ's Warhammer 40K: Dark Millennium Online is officially loose on the interwebs, and it takes the form of a short teaser video. When we say short, we mean short (as in, less than a minute in length -- 10 seconds of which are given over to company logos). Since the footage is heavily stylized, it's hard to tell exactly what is gameplay and what is cinematic.

In any event, it all looks pretty cool, and fans looking forward to Vigil's take on the dark and dystopian far-future setting will be left wanting a bit more. The video also plays it coy when it comes to WAR40K's release date, opting for a cryptic "coming soon" tag when all the pyrotechnics have died down. Have a look after the cut and let us know what you think.

[Thanks to Alluvian for the tip!]

Massively's on the ground in Los Angeles during the week of June 6-9, bringing you all the best news from E3 2011. Whether you're dying to know more about Star Wars: The Old Republic, RIFT, or any MMO in between, you can bet we'll have it covered!

Continue reading E3 2011: New Dark Millennium Online teaser sighted in the wild

MassivelyE3 2011: New Dark Millennium Online teaser sighted in the wild originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 07 Jun 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Hyperspace Beacon: Find your focus

Posted: 07 Jun 2011 03:00 PM PDT

Filed under: , , , , , ,

Thanks to the new advanced class page on the Star Wars: The Old Republic website and MMORPG.com's interview with Georg Zoeller, we now know quite a bit about the skill tree breakdown of each advanced class. However, over the next few weeks, I want to take a look at a few of the classes and read between the lines of text. Several abilities are listed for each class, but how do they fit together? What does the complete package look like?

The Jedi Knight looks to be one of the most popular classes to play. After all, what kid growing up didn't have a fantasy of wielding a lightsaber just like Luke Skywalker or Obi-Wan Kenobi? I'd like to give a general overview of the advanced class abilities and collate a comprehensive list of the announced abilities. Follow me beyond the cut to see how these puzzle-pieces fit together in SWTOR.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Find your focus

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: Find your focus originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 07 Jun 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

TQ Digital announces Edge of Night expansion for Eudemons

Posted: 07 Jun 2011 02:30 PM PDT

Filed under: , , ,

TQ Digital has announced the upcoming expansion to its free-to-play MMORPG Eudemons, titled Edge of Night, and boy is it going to suck. We mean that in the most literal sense, as the new update will add Vampires to the game's ranks. The Vampire will be the fourth class to join Eudemons' world of Cronus, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the Warrior, Mage, and Paladin (somehow we think the Vampire may have some contention with the latter).

Details on this new class are virtually nonexistent at this point, but TQ Digital promises a slew of information leading up to the release of the new update. Of course, there's really only one truly pressing question regarding the matter: Will the Vampires sparkle? We sure hope not. Players thirsty for new information on the new class can sink their fangs into some Vampire-related lore and artwork while they wait for more news on the official site.

MassivelyTQ Digital announces Edge of Night expansion for Eudemons originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 07 Jun 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

One Shots: Dead(ly) sexy

Posted: 07 Jun 2011 02:00 PM PDT

Filed under: , , , , ,

The second submission for foe week is a DC Universe Online screenshot from JillInTheBox:
One of the coolest bosses in DC Universe Online is Catwoman. She is the last boss in the Gotham museum solo-instance. She takes on the powers of four Egyptian cat idols. It's tough to get a good screenshot of her as she's jumping around kicking your face in, but I got a nice portrait of her in the criminal hideout in Gotham City, the Tap Room.
Ready to show off your most impressive enemy? Send a pic of the funniest, most strangely designed, or scariest enemy you've taken on in an MMO to oneshots@massively.com along with your name and the name of the game. Tell us a little about the foe and we'll share it here on One Shots!

MassivelyOne Shots: Dead(ly) sexy originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 07 Jun 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Razer puts the power of the Force in your hands [updated]

Posted: 07 Jun 2011 01:30 PM PDT

Filed under: , , , , ,

Razer famously brought PC peripherals to the MMO market by giving the gamer the wildly popular Naga mouse. In celebration of the upcoming MMO Star Wars: The Old Republic, the manufacturer has launched four new accessories for the TOR gamer: a keyboard, mouse, headset, and mousepad.

The developers at BioWare have said that macros will not be available in game at launch, but apparently that will not stop the SWTOR Razer keyboard from allowing you to macro commands via its LED track-panel and 10 dynamic tactile keys.

The mouse sports 12 programmable thumb buttons, much like the Naga. If you have played any MMO with a Naga, you know that this mouse makes activating your special attacks easier and faster than reaching with your fingers over the keyboard. However, this mouse does have a slightly different case design than the classic Naga, and of course, displays either the Galactic Republic or the Sith Empire logo.

You can't have a Razer mouse without a SWTOR Razer mousepad (well, maybe you can). This mousepad is specifically designed to help the Razer mouse glide evenly over the surface and give you precise movement with the cursor.

Lastly, the SWTOR Razer headset yields 5.1 surround sound. Cutting someone in half with a lightsaber sounds best when you can hear it in 3-D sound.

After the break, check out the video by Razer showing off the SWTOR Razer keyboard.

[Update: Dover from Darth Hater spoke to Razer at E3. The full video interview is after the break.]

Continue reading Razer puts the power of the Force in your hands [updated]

MassivelyRazer puts the power of the Force in your hands [updated] originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 07 Jun 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

E3 2011: Neverwinter site goes live with a new trailer

Posted: 07 Jun 2011 01:00 PM PDT

Filed under: , , , ,

Praise Tyr! Cryptic Studios announced today that the official Neverwinter website has gone live. Neverwinter, for those unaware, is an in-development game from Cryptic Studios that brings players to the famous Forgotten Realms setting of Dungeons & Dragons and particularly to the city of Neverwinter. In the game's timeline, the city has recently been razed by a volcanic eruption. Though it has been partially restored to its former glory, it's up to the players to defend the city and fully rebuild the Jewel of the North.

The site is full of information on the game, including backstory, planned features, an FAQ, and a peek at the game's content creation kit called The Foundry. It's also got some lovely concept art and early screenshots from the game, and of course, a news feed so everyone anticipating this new release can keep up on the latest updates. Lastly, be sure to check back with us Thursday for an interview with the folks behind Neverwinter straight from E3, and watch the new trailer after the cut.

Massively's on the ground in Los Angeles during the week of June 6-9, bringing you all the best news from E3 2011. Whether you're dying to know more about Star Wars: The Old Republic, RIFT, or any MMO in between, you can bet we'll have it covered!

Continue reading E3 2011: Neverwinter site goes live with a new trailer

MassivelyE3 2011: Neverwinter site goes live with a new trailer originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 07 Jun 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Trion Worlds releases new trailer, screenshots for Waves of Madness

Posted: 07 Jun 2011 12:30 PM PDT

Filed under: , , , , , , ,

A while back, we published an exclusive dossier on RIFT's Abyssal Cult. Well, it looks like players are going to get to know the cult personally when Trion Worlds releases RIFT's patch 1.3, titled Waves of Madness. The update appears to focus on the abandoned Dwarven city of Hammerknell, where Akylios, the Dragon of the plane of water, is currently imprisoned. Players will likely be responsible for ensuring that the Abyssal Cult does not liberate its chaotic master. The players won't be alone in this, as it appears they have a new ally in the form of... Scotty?

Yes, that's right, RIFT's Guardian players will remember Scotty as the hapless Dwarf freshman at Quicksilver College who offers an entire questline dedicated to protecting him from his classmates' cruel pranks. Now he appears to be playing a large part in this new patch, though what precisely that part is remains to be seen. Trion Worlds has kindly released a new trailer promoting the new patch as well as a smattering of new screenshots featuring everyone's favorite absent-minded Dwarf. Check out the gallery below for those screenshots, and jump past the cut for the new trailer! Also, be sure to check back Thursday for some fresh RIFT information straight from Trion at E3.

Continue reading Trion Worlds releases new trailer, screenshots for Waves of Madness

MassivelyTrion Worlds releases new trailer, screenshots for Waves of Madness originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 07 Jun 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

EVE's Incarna countdown kicks off

Posted: 07 Jun 2011 12:00 PM PDT

Filed under: , , , , , ,

This has got to be a tough week for stick-in-the-mud EVE Online vets who are convinced that an expanding New Eden is a bad thing. First it was yesterday's official Dust 514 E3 reveal (consoles, platform exclusivity, and shooters, oh my!), and today we've got an official countdown clock to the EVE version of dress-up... er, Incarna.

Yes, the long-awaited walking-in-stations/ambulation/EVE-with-legs update is less than two weeks away, and CCP has prepared a new section of its official EVE website devoted to all things Incarna.

The new portal has a good bit of info on the expansion, including a new video dev blog featuring Team BFF and its commitment to improving and expanding EVE's minutia. If you're newly interested in EVE, Incarna, or really anything to do with New Eden, head to the new site and have a look at the video after the cut.

Continue reading EVE's Incarna countdown kicks off

MassivelyEVE's Incarna countdown kicks off originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 07 Jun 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

GamersFirst revamps Knight Online's capital city

Posted: 07 Jun 2011 11:00 AM PDT

Filed under: , , , , ,

GamersFirst is getting a lot of press lately due to its resurrection project on APB: Reloaded, but it bears mentioning that San Paro isn't the only city receiving some love from the free-to-play company.

Knight Online's capital city of Moradon "has risen from the ashes to be completely redesigned," according to a new GamersFirst press blurb. Moradon's architecture has been permanently redone, and the questing hub boasts a graphical revamp that reflects the city's rebuilding efforts following the destructive machinations of the god Pathos in Knight Online's chapter eight update.

Knight Online is a PvP- and story-centric MMO that allows players to fight for lands and castles in the kingdom of Carnac. Four character classes are available, and you can learn more about the Warrior, Rogue, Priest, and Mage at the game's official web destination.

MassivelyGamersFirst revamps Knight Online's capital city originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 07 Jun 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Total Pageviews

statcounter

View My Stats