MMO News

MMO News


Scarlet Legacy previews several game features

Posted: 14 Jul 2011 06:14 PM PDT

Scarlet Legacy has offered a short preview of several of the game’s systems, as follows:

- Auto-Help: Players can set activities such as buffing, using potions, and attack and spell use to be automated based on conditions they specify.

- Chain Kill: If players defeat enemies quickly within a span of time, they will gain buffs through the Chain Kill system, and at certain levels of Chain Kill, can even earn item rewards, all of which get better the higher the combo gets.

- Master and Apprentice: Apprentices can gain bonus experience when their master is online, and the higher level the Master, the greater the boost. Masters, for their time, gain money each time their Apprentice gains a level.

- Couple: Players can enter relationships in-game and marry, gaining special perks and buffs. Players can increase their relationship level by doing quests together or giving each other gifts.

- Fealty: Once players reach level 100, they can swear to protect up to 4 friends. As they play together, they increase their friendship points based on time spent together in battle. These players share foe and blacklists, and also gain special abilities and perks. A maximum friendship level built through fealty rewards the players with cash shop currency.

Scarlet Legacy will begin closed beta on August 4, and is being published by GamesCampus, which also publishes Legend of Edda and Heroes in the Sky.

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Scarlet Legacy Gameplay Screenshot

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SCARLET LEGACY BOASTS UNIQUE AID SYSTEMS FOR BEGINNER TO VETERAN PLAYERS

A Hand Up, Not A Hand Out, Gives Players Advantages Never Before Seen In An MMO

Sunnyvale, Calif. (July 14, 2011) - Leading online game publisher, GamesCampus.com (www.GamesCampus.com), today announced the details behind the inherent Aid Systems build right into its upcoming MMORPG, Scarlet Legacy.  Intended to provide some important help for newcomers to the genre and allow veterans to automate certain rote activities, martial artists will be able to automate activation of multiple game systems based on specified combat contingencies to perfect their gameplay.   Players can sign up now for a chance to get a spot in the game’s upcoming closed beta test which is scheduled to start August 4, 2011 at  http://scarletlegacy.com/

The Auto-Help system is one of the most unique features in Scarlet Legacy, which automates typical activities players use on a regular basis.  This function can be set up to buff players and their group, or use potions when a player’s health, mana, or stamina drop below a certain percentage.  After level  11, characters can organize their attacks with Combat Aid, which will execute a set of spells and attacks in the order the player specifies under the environmental circumstances they dictate.

Playing alone or working together, players can trigger the Chain Kill System.  This is a running counter of enemies killed within a short period of time; the faster and more frequently the characters defeat challenging enemies, stronger buffs are applied to them to steamroll further into more dangerous areas.  The larger the sequence of Chain Kills, the better the rewards as the players continue to rack up kills and when the combo reaches certain stages, the characters will also receive randomized unique in-game item rewards that increase in value and rarity the higher the Chain Kill combo goes!

At level 30, players can enter into a Master and Apprentice relationship.  This is a great way to introduce your friends to the game regardless of the level difference – if the master is online while the student is playing, the student will gain bonus experience.  This boon scales up the higher level the Master is, so seeking a seasoned veteran is very important!  In exchange for their advanced knowledge, each time the Apprentice gains a level his or her Master gains currency to spend in the games item shops and item mall; they will also receive additional bonuses if their Apprentice tries out the cash shop for themselves.

Scarlet Legacy’s Couple System allows characters to enter into in-game relationships and eventually marry, which grants them in-game benefits such as special perks, skills, and buffs.  Players can increase the level of their relationship with each other by taking on quests from Marriage NPCs, or by offering spoils of war found in-game or in shops to each other as gifts. As the relationship increases in level from the time spent playing in-game together and completing quests, the more powerful the two characters become.

The Fealty System is unlocked once characters reach the maximum level of 100.  Swear to protect up to four friends; and as you play together you will increase in friendship points based on the time spent in battle alongside one another.  Players who have taken an oath together with this system share a number of benefits including shared foe and blacklists for in-game PvP and PvE systems, as well as special abilities such as instant teleportation to one another, and other in-game perks.  A maximum friendship level of 100 awards both players with cash shop currency!

For more information about GamesCampus.com or Scarlet Legacy, please visit www.GamesCampus.com or www.ScarletLegacy.com

Pets, Weddings, and more updated in Trickster Online

Posted: 14 Jul 2011 03:31 PM PDT

Trickster Online has launched a new major update today, revising some core systems in the game.

The Pet Evolution System has been improved so that players will get a guaranteed stat increase each level their pet gains, and will also let players fuse two pets together into an improved version. The Wedding System, on the other hand, has been expanded to add an Anniversary System, that rewards the couple with wedding gifts while they stay together – and takes them away if they divorce. New innerwear is also available in the Egg Shop.

Trickster Online is published by SG Interactive, which publishes Grand Chase and Pangya.

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Trickster Online New Pet System Screenshot

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SG Interactive today announced that popular free-to-play MMORPG Trickster Online has received a major update which includes an all-new Pet System, as well as significant improvements to the Wedding System and Egg Shop. Players can get more information about these new features and all the other excitement the world of Trickster has to offer by visiting http://trickster.ntreev.net/.

"We work hard to keep the Trickster Online universe engaging for users, because no one wants to participate in an online community that doesn't grow with the players," said Chris Lee, CEO of SG Interactive. "These updates should mix things up for Trickster adventurers, hopefully keeping them on their toes, happy, and entertained."

With the update, a New Pet Evolution System has been streamlined so that players are guaranteed stat increases at each new level. A further update also now allows players to fuse two pets, resulting in a single new and improved virtual companion who will aid players in their travels. Speaking of companions, players who have made use of the Wedding System to partner with another player will now benefit from an Anniversary System that rewards virtual fidelity with in-game Wedding Gift items that can disappear if couples "divorce."

Lastly, the Egg Shop is now selling innerwear for all levels and classes. Every quarter, a new 7-item set will be introduced, with the Panda Set being the latest available for purchase!

For more information about Trickster Online and the recent updates, please visit the official website at http://trickster.ntreev.net/.

Rusty Hearts previews Frantz

Posted: 14 Jul 2011 02:54 PM PDT

Rusty Hearts has released a preview for its third character today: Frantz, Rusty Hearts’ leader.

Frantz is a human-vampire hybrid, who halted the full transformation to vampire with his own will, and now seeks to reverse his decision to bite his fiance, Amelia. Frantz can use a sword, a short-range weapon that attacks quickly and lets Frantz use some of his dark magic; or he can use a massive axe, slower but with a broader range and the ability to throw the weapon at his enemies.

Rusty Hearts is published by Perfect World Entertainment, which also publishes Forsaken World and Battle of the Immortals.

Rusty Hearts Frantz Screenshots:

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Frantz

Here we want to introduce Frantz – the leader of the Rusty Hearts team. Frantz is a human-vampire hybrid with a tragic past. Read on to learn more about his history, weapons, and fighting style.

Bio:  A gloomy man from the start, Frantz Kruger's life took a turn for the worse when he was bitten by a vampire.  Unable to resist the temptation, he bit just one person – his fiancé

Amelia after she was involved in a tragic and life-threatening accident. Frantz bit her only to save her life, but at the same time doomed her to the life of a vampire.

At the time of the incident, Frantz was only a half-human, half-vampire hybrid, and instead of letting the blood complete his transformation, Frantz sealed the blood inside of him and used the force of his own will to halt the process.  He now exists as a creature trapped in limbo between human and monstrosity.  As a side-effect of his condition, he suffers from chronic anemia and insomnia, giving him and ashen appearance and a sullen, sarcastic disposition.

Soon after, Amelia mysteriously vanishes leaving Frantz behind. His only mission in life has been to return the blood that he took from his fiancé, and give her the chance to lead a normal human life once again – even if it means the end of his own.

Until now his efforts have been fruitless, but deep inside Curtis Castle, Frantz catches a glimpse of his long-lost fiancé and wonders if his search is finally over.

Frantz’s Arsenal

Sword

In this day and age, every young gentleman is expected to know something of swordplay.  In Frantz's hands, however, the classic weapon becomes a deadly blur of razor-sharp steel.  Lacking in range, using this weapon requires Frantz to be quick on his feet.  In battle, he supplements his swordsmanship with dark magic granted by his vampiric blood.

Axe

When fighting an uncivilized enemy, sometimes a civilized weapon just won't get the job done.  For this reason, Frantz has trained with massive axes that split his monstrous opponents in two with single strokes.  Though not as fast as his sword, Frantz's axe makes up the difference with the raw power and range of his attacks.  He also employs some rather unorthodox techniques in which he throws the colossal weapon toward his foes like other men would throw darts.

Project Blackout gets Dino Mode

Posted: 14 Jul 2011 02:02 PM PDT

A new gameplay mode, “Dino Mode,” has arrived today in Project Blackout.

Dino Mode challenges players to escape an experimental breeding ground for dinosaurs – but like in Jurassic Park, dinosaurs have turned on their captors. Players will face velociraptors and even a Tyrannosaurus Rex – which are, in turn, controlled by players.

Project Blackout is published by SG Interactive, which also publishes Trickster Online and Grand Chase.

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Project Blackout Gameplay Screenshot

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Dinosaurs Invade  Project Blackout; Challenge Elite Operators to Fight to Avoid Extinction

New Dino Mode Pits Dinosaurs against Bullets in a Clash for Dominance and Survival

IRVINE, Calif. ­- July 14, 2011 – SG Interactive unleashed a taste of the Jurassic period today for players of  Project Blackout, an online free-to-play first-person shooter (FPS), with an all new gameplay mode. Pitting players against each other as humans or dinosaurs, Dino Modereveals which species are cunning and lethal enough to rise to the top of the food chain.

Project Blackout, the newest hardcore online FPS from SG Interactive, will test gamers’ skills with fast-paced action, precision shooting, and twitch response times.  The graphics, stereo sound effects, and camera effects will put players in the middle of the action and test their skills at a whole new level.

In Dino Mode players must fight their way out of an experimental breeding ground where the dinosaurs have turned on their creators. Challenges await even the most veteran soldiers as deadly packs of player-controlled velociraptors hunt them around every corner. Blocking the last exit to survival is the most fearsome dino of all, the Tyrannosaurus Rex.

“Adding Dino Mode to  Project Blackout is something we’ve been eager to reveal to our hardcore community for a while,” said Chris Lee, CEO, SG Interactive. “By adding dinosaurs we’re able take the feeling of ‘hunt or be hunted’ to a whole new level. Little is more gratifying than stomping and chewing up other players while playing as T-Rex.”

To join the epic battle for survival, register to play for free at  http://www.projectblackout.net

Iron Eyes announced for S4 League

Posted: 14 Jul 2011 01:33 PM PDT

S4 League has announced it will be releasing its next expansion – S4 League: Season 2 (also known as “Iron Eyes”) – later this month.

The update will add the new “Skyline” map, featuring aerial gunplay and lots of jump points; “Ironheart,” a sphere shaped maze made of iron. A new game mode, named Siege, will also be introduced: this mode challenges teams to collect points by capturing the enemy base, killing enemies, and healing allies.

Iron Eyes will also add new costumes, and new weapons (including the turret, assault rifle, and guillotine counter sword).

S4 League is published by Alaplaya, which also publishes Avalon Heroes and Land of Chaos Online.

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S4 League: Iron Eyes Concept Art

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alaplaya, the leading international free-to-play gaming portal, today revealed that a new expansion is coming to hit its online third-person shooter S4 League later this month. The new season, entitled "Iron Eyes," will be the second installment in a series of major updates to the action-packed title, and will feature a new game mode, maps, weapons, and costumes. Players who want to test their mettle against all that Iron Eyes has in store don't have long to wait, as S4 League: Season 2 will be available for users worldwide to try at the end of July!

Set on top of iron pillars in the sky, the new "Skyline" map will introduce players to some truly dangerous aerial gunplay. With designated jump points throughout the map, players will be challenged to effectively use their surroundings to take out opponents both in the air and on the ground. Players who aren't a fan of heights will have the alternative option of playing on "Ironheart," a new sphere-shaped map wrought out of cold iron. They'll need to be cautious of their surroundings in this metallic maze, however, as this map also houses unstable nuclear reactions that can pack a real punch.

In addition to the maps, a new game mode called "Siege" will also be included in the Season 2 update. In Siege mode, players will have the opportunity to experience even more all-out team warfare as they work together to capture the enemy’s base. With the goal objective of obtaining points from 200 to 400, players can acquire scores by capturing the enemies' base, killing enemies or healing their allies.

If those updates weren't enough, new costumes, such as the Royal and Imperial Guard Set, and weapons, such as the turret, assault rifle, and the guillotine counter sword, will also be added to the weapon cache.

Finally, in anticipation of the new season, alaplaya today released a brand-new Iron Eyes trailer which can be viewed online here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghjnVRAMPAI

For more details about Season 2, as well as info on how to join the fight today, check out the official S4 League website at http://s4.alaplaya.net/.

MicroVolts announces Summer Recharge

Posted: 14 Jul 2011 12:52 PM PDT

MicroVolts has released its “Summer Recharge” patch, adding new content to its MMOTPS.

The patch adds a new map, Magic Paper Land; new weapons, including the Hornet Rifle and Thunder Grenade Launcher; and new summer items, like the Pink Polka Dot Bikini.

Two events are also added this patch. The Battery Charge Program lets players unlock rewards, including costumes, the ability to cast polls, and the ability to post videos in the forums, by completing special objectives. The “Clan Clash” tournament will also take place from July 15 until August 11.

MicroVolts is published by Rock Hippo Productions.

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MicroVolts Gameplay Screenshot

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MICROVOLTS GEARS UP FOR SUMMER WITH THE SUMMER RECHARGE PATCH

The New Summer Recharge Patch Will Feature The Coolest New Content In Town Including A New Map, New Weapons, New Accessories, A First-Ever Clan Tournament And More

Markham, Canada July 14, 2011 – Rock Hippo Productions Ltd announced today it has released a “Summer Recharge” patch for its popular online cartoon style third-person action shooter, MicroVolts. The latest patch includes a brand new map, new weapons and all new content for the summer season. A new trailer and screenshots revealed today explore the new map and feature the characters sporting the new weapons, parts and accessories that are now available to players. In addition, MicroVolts is celebrating with its first-ever MicroVolts Clan Tournament, “Clan Clash”, from July 15 – August 11. To check out the all the new content and to view the screenshots and trailer, players can visit http://www.MicroVolts.com/.

MicroVolts is celebrating summer in style with a brand new map, Magic Paper Land and all-new weapons such as the Thunder Grenade Launcher and Hornet Rifle. The “Summer Recharge” patch also includes hot summer items such as a Pink Polka Dot Bikini that is sure to heat up the battlefield! For players looking for even more bonuses and special privileges can check out the new rewards available through the Battery Charge Program. Players who complete certain objectives, such as joining a clan or reaching 100 forum posts, can unlock rewards such as a 30-day Rock Hippo Costume Set or the coveted ability to cast polls and post videos in MicroVolts forums.

“MicroVolts continues to be a huge success with its player base and clans reaching new heights. Hundreds of thousands of players and over 2500 clans have already joined the MicroVolts community with thousands more players joining each day,” said Howard He, President and CEO of Rock Hippo Productions. “We don’t want our players to experience any summer boredom, and the MicroVolts team looks forward to bringing the community even more new updates and content in the near future.”

MicroVolts is also hosting the first-ever MicroVolts Clan Tournament, “Clan Clash”, from July 15 – August 11th. Clans will battle it out for a 1st place prize of 18, 000 Rock Tokens and a 7-day Happy Pack accessory item!

MicroVolts will be at Gamescom in Cologne, Germany, August 18-21st! Players are invited to meet the Rock Hippo crew, grab some neat giveaways such as an Alienware gaming mouse and participate in the on-site tournaments! MicroVolts will also be at FanExpo in Toronto, Canada, August 25-28!

MicroVolts features fast paced, third person shooter action and pits players against each other in a secret battle that has been waged and going unnoticed right in our own backyard for years. No one knows for sure when or where the first toy declared war but rumor has it that the uprising began with four original limited edition figures, code-named MicroVolts. Battle lines were drawn when Naomi, Knox, Pandora, and C.H.I.P.-the prototypes-were soon joined by an endless number of modified versions. Now, toy figures around the world are engaged in an all-out war for valuable battery resources and supremacy of the Micro World. All we can do now is stay out of their way and wait for a champion to be declared! Featuring a ton of weapons, inventive character designs, and a huge list of customization features, MicroVolts is destined to invigorate and re-energize the Free2play space.

Game modes include Free for All, Team Deathmatch, Item Match, Capture the Battery, and many more featuring various maps designed by toy concept. For more information about MicroVolts visit www.MicroVolts.com

Great Field War this weekend in ARGO Online

Posted: 14 Jul 2011 12:15 PM PDT

ARGO Online will play host to its first official Great Field War on July 16 (this Saturday) at 6pm alaplaya time (9pm Pacific).

The war will take place in the Shining Desert, letting players from Floresslah and Noblian fight over Earthdium. Like the Field Wars that take place daily, both factions will seek to destroy the mine of the enemy and gain the deposits and wealth found there. However, the Great Field War will also give all participants a chance to be selected as a winner of a rare, unique prize package not available any other way.

ARGO Online is published by Alaplaya, which also publishes S4 League and Land of Chaos Online.

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ARGO Online Gameplay Screenshot

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alaplaya, the leading international free-to-play gaming portal, today announced that the Shining Desert, a vast and sandy expanse which lies at the heart of ARGO Online, will play host to the steampunk-fantasy MMORPG's first official "Great Field War" this Saturday, July 16, at 6 pm alaplaya time (9 pm PST). To learn more about how to join this grand battle and reap the rewards which await the brave and bold who participate, visit the official site at: http://argo.alaplaya.net/teasers/35737

During the daily Field Wars that take place in ARGO Online, players from both the Floresslah and Noblian factions vie for the control of the scarce and vital mineral Earthdium. Competing to survive, players from each faction coordinate their assault in an attempt to destroy the enemy mine. The victors enjoy access to the bountiful Earthdium deposits at the core of the desert as the spoils of war, while the losers wait in shame for an opportunity to try again.

For this special Great Field War event, players will not only be able to participate in the brutal battle for access to the best Earthdium mining in the game, they'll also be entered for a chance to win a unique item that cannot be found anywhere else in ARGO Online. Winners will be selected randomly from the participating players, so be ready for a serious fight this weekend if you want a shot at the prize!

For more information about ARGO Online, visit http://argo.en.alaplaya.net/

Dungeon Empires Gameplay – First Look HD

Posted: 14 Jul 2011 11:57 AM PDT

To Learn More About the Game, Check out our Dungeon Empires Page.

Dungeon Empires is a 3D browser based MMO published by Gamigo – the same company behind Black Prophecy, Golfstar, Martial Empires, King of Kings 3, Loong, War of Angels, and numerous other free to play games. Dungeon Empires is a browser based title – so the visuals aren’t exactly stunning but they’re passable. Players create their own dungeons for other adventurers (other players) to conquer. Find monsters, traps, and room cards for your dungeon by slaying enemies in other people’s dungeons. The concept is certainly unique, so props to the game’s developer for that. To learn more about Dungeon Empires check out the official MMOHut Dungeon Empires page which includes a detailed review, tons of screenshots, and additional videos.

Battle of the Immortals releases Titan Update

Posted: 13 Jul 2011 05:12 PM PDT

The Titan update for Battle of the Immortals is now live. The update includes:

* The new Titan Throne Dungeon

* Giant Kingdom and Black Dragon Lair maps

* Primal Soul Gear

* New, Stronger Pets

* A gear Re-Forge system

* New character stats

Battle of the Immortals is published by Perfect World Entertainment, which also publishes Forsaken World, Jade Dynasty, and the upcoming Rusty Hearts.

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Battle of the Immortals Gameplay Screenshot

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BATTLE OF THE IMMORTALS UNVEILS TITAN CONTENT UPDATE TODAY
King of the Gods, Kronos, Challenges Players in Epic New Instance

Foster City, Calif. — July 13, 2011 — Perfect World Entertainment Inc., a wholly owned US subsidiary of Perfect World Co., Ltd. (NASDAQ: PWRD), today launched the new Titan content update for its action-MMORPG, Battle of the Immortals. Based on the premise of international dungeon raiding, players will find themselves in exotic locales ranging from the Lost City of Atlantis to deep within the Mayan jungle to find rare and epic loot.

“Battle of the Immortals becomes even more epic with the Titan content update, which features huge monsters and even bigger bosses,” said Thang Phan, Product Manager for Battle of the Immortals. “We’re expanding the in-game world with two new maps, new pets, epic soul gears for each class, and players will be able to take on Kronos, the King of Gods, himself for pieces of new Soul Gear.”

The Battle of the Immortals Titan content update will include the following features:
  • Giant Kingdom and Black Dragon Lair maps – Explore new areas filled with new monsters and bosses
  • Titan Throne dungeon – Challenge the King of Gods, Kronos, himself and be handsomely rewarded with pieces of the new Soul Gear equipment sets
  • Greater, stronger pets – Venture through Rainbow Valley to the Ancient Beast Island and capture more powerful pets with higher levels
  • Primal Soul Gear – Obtain primal Soul Gear with additional skill and gear attributes
  • Gear re-forge system – Re-forge gear using Titan’s Glow from fallen monsters in the Titan Thrown or Black Dragon Lair
  • Gain new powers – If great powers come with great responsibilities, players will be even more responsible  with new character stats
Register with your friends and save the world of Motenia today at http://boi.perfectworld.com.

To join the community, http://www.facebook.com/BattleOfTheImmortals.

Ragnarok Online updates to 13.3

Posted: 13 Jul 2011 04:59 PM PDT

Version 13.3, El Diacastes, is now live for Ragnarok Online.

New in this update is the last part of “The New World” quest series, adding new tasks from the Sapha along with new enchantment rewards. The Scaraba Lair, a new instance headed by the Scaraba Queen, and 13 new weapons designed for all 3rd class adventurers, are also live.

Ragnarok Online is published by Gravity Interactive, which also publishes Requiem, ROSE Online, and Dragon Saga.

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Ragnarok Online Gameplay Screenshot

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GRAVITY INTERACTIVE'S FANTASY MMORPG, RAGNAROK ONLINE, RELEASES MAJOR UPDATE ON WARPPORTAL.COM

"13.3 El Dicastes " is open for Adventure Today !

MARINA DEL REY, Calif. (July 13, 2011) – Gravity Interactive is proud to announce the major update for Ragnarok Online: 13.3 El Dicastes on July 13.  The 13.3 update is available to all players as a free update to the game content; registration and access to Ragnarok online is free since with the VIP system!

The El Dicastes update is the final chapter of the 13.x Update arc “The New World” which began in early 2010.  El Dicastes expands upon the story of the Sapha and their struggle for survival in the New World.  Hardy adventurers can prove their support and gain access to special tasks and rewards from the Sapha such as special enchantments on their equipment.

Also discovered in El Dicastes is the Scaraba lair, where the Beetle-like Scaraba Queen and her Scaraba Brood flourish, waiting to consume fool hardy adventurers who come under prepared to take their Treasures.  Only the mightiest of warriors should venture into their lair.

Also discovered are 13 new weapons for all 3rd class adventurers' out there, sure to bring power and prestige to those that find them!

SYNOPSIS
1000 years of peace have reined, the world has forgotten the horrors of the age of myth.  Such peace can never last forever and evil waits patiently.  The first signs of the evil awakenings were the friendly monsters turning aggressive; followed soon after by demons attacking and the dead rising from their graves.  Heroes appeared to beat back the invasions until the fateful day that Satan Morocc destroyed the peaceful town of Morroc, his freedom granted by the insane and corrupt humans of Midgard.  The heroes re-gathered themselves and pushed back with everything they had but only a stalemate was possible.  The delicate seals that protect the world from spilling into complete chaos weaken and break; only the knowledge and power from the age of myth can save Midgard from certain doom.  Are you one of the heroes of legend?  Can you and your allies push back the threat of total annihilation and protect Midgard from the final Ragnarok?

Every great adventure starts with a step; take your first step by joining today!

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Captain's Log: Season Four launch recap

Posted: 14 Jul 2011 10:00 AM PDT

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Captain's Log, Stardate 65037.1...

Hello, computer (and players)! As I mentioned in last week's Captain's Log entry, Season Four: Crossfire is now alive and kicking on Star Trek Online's Holodeck server. Based on past experiences with major content and code pushes, I feel that this was the smoothest to date with virtually no server issues or overload. While there have been a few snags along the way with some bugs making it past Cryptic's "white-glove" QA process, the update was a success and players are having more fun than ever before.

As discussed in one of my past log entries, Season Four was to bring many updates to the game, including the acclaimed ground combat 2.0 system, which would make it an even better Trek experience -- in all honestly, Cryptic delivered. STO is more active than ever and the fleet that I am in is having multiple newbies sign up each day; it is an exciting time to be a player and your weekly columnist. What I would like to do this week is revisit what I let you know was coming to the game and let you know some of my thoughts on them now that I have been experiencing them for myself.

Ensign, warp 12! Oh yeah, we are taking this to a whole new level...

Continue reading Captain's Log: Season Four launch recap

MassivelyCaptain's Log: Season Four launch recap originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 14 Jul 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Meet LotRO's latest Big Bad: The dragon Draigoch

Posted: 14 Jul 2011 09:00 AM PDT

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Lord of the Rings Online's Rise of Isengard expansion is still a couple months away, but that doesn't mean we should be saving up our collective drool for that moment. Instead, let us lavish our eyes on a brand-new piece of concept art and feel our mouths go slack with anticipation!

This piece of art depicts Draigoch, the giant dragon who will be the big bad boss of the expansion's 24-man raid. Turbine says that Draigoch is one of the most powerful creatures in Middle-earth, and after getting a look at him, we're inclined to agree. Reportedly, he'll be so big that players will only be able to fight his head.

Rise of Isengard is slated for a September 27th release, and can be pre-ordered now to gain spiffy bonuses and cosmetic gear.

MassivelyMeet LotRO's latest Big Bad: The dragon Draigoch originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 14 Jul 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Perfect Ten: Best in-game maps

Posted: 14 Jul 2011 08:00 AM PDT

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I love me a good map. Seriously. When I was a boy and we'd go on vacations, I think I spent more time flipping through the detailed atlas in the car than looking out of the windows (and how sad is that?). Even today, I'm fascinated with a good map, as it allows my imagination to roam across lands quickly and imagine what they must be like.

In MMOs, maps are one of the most important tools in your user interface. They help orient you, direct you to your next quest objective, allow you to plan a journey in the safest possible manner, and tantalize you with the potentials of unexplored areas. I started to think about how much we rely on a good in-game map when I was reading the Star Wars: The Old Republic dev diary on how that team is implementing their map system.

I've found that in-game maps can be a mixed bag, depending on the game you visit. Some may look great but be functionally useless. Some may be uglier than dirt but hit the spot nevertheless. But the best are the ones that marry good aesthetics with practicality, and those are the ones I want to spotlight today. So without further ado, my favorite in-game maps from MMOs!

Continue reading The Perfect Ten: Best in-game maps

MassivelyThe Perfect Ten: Best in-game maps originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 14 Jul 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ask Massively: I'm very sorry about the events of last Friday edition

Posted: 14 Jul 2011 07:00 AM PDT

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I do not think of myself as an overly proud man, and as a result I would like to apologize to my neighbors, the local fire department, the men and women of the FBI, and the ACLU for my actions on Friday, July 8th. You may not have heard about it, but per the advice of my attorney I will decline to go into details. Just know that I am extremely sorry, that I had no idea the chinchillas were rabid, that several of the motor vehicles involved in the incident were in fact made in the United States, and I really thought the wall would hold.

Assuming we can put all of this behind us, it's time for this week's edition of Ask Massively, in which we take on the question of why we can't just play an MMO offline whenever the urge strikes us. If you have a question that doesn't involve the incident mentioned above, mail it off to ask@massively.com or leave it in the comments below.

Continue reading Ask Massively: I'm very sorry about the events of last Friday edition

MassivelyAsk Massively: I'm very sorry about the events of last Friday edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 14 Jul 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Daily Grind: Would you keep playing if your character was wiped?

Posted: 14 Jul 2011 06:00 AM PDT

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So the scuttlebutt has it that Darkfall is getting ready to give way to an entirely new version. The PvP sandbox has gone through several iterations since its early 2009 launch, but one thing that has always been consistent is the player characters.

Aventurine recently hinted at character wipes in conjunction with Darkfall 2.0, and while front man Tasos Flambouras hasn't said definitively that there will be a fresh start, he also hasn't said there won't be.

For today's Daily Grind, we'd like to know your thoughts on character wipes. Whether it's a game like Darkfall or any other sort of progression-based affair. Would you keep playing if your progress was reset?

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: Would you keep playing if your character was wiped? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 14 Jul 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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RIFT patch 1.4 arriving on test servers tomorrow

Posted: 13 Jul 2011 06:30 PM PDT

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"The seas have not calmed here at Trion as we continue to bring you more to enjoy with each update," Trion Worlds' James Nichols writes. Why doth the seas continue to roil? Because RIFT's patch 1.4 is landing on test servers tomorrow, July 14th, at 6:00 p.m. EDT.

Patch 1.4 follows 1.3's Waves of Madness world event, Hammerknell raid and guild banks with even more high-profile goodies. Probably one of the most-requested features, the ability to look for groups across servers, will be part of the update. This will allow the LFG tool to draw from a wider range of potential dungeon runners.

Also included in the testing process is an alternative gameplay mode for the Whitefall Steppes PvP warfront. Players will have to collect and hold Sourcestone at their base to activate powerful rune cannons to obliterate the enemy.

Instructions on how to participate in RIFT's public test server can be found over at the site.

MassivelyRIFT patch 1.4 arriving on test servers tomorrow originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 13 Jul 2011 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Eden Eternal update bringing raids, dungeons, and adorable mouse-people

Posted: 13 Jul 2011 06:00 PM PDT

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Today, Aeria Games announced the first content update to its free-to-play MMO Eden Eternal. We've already taken a look at one of the new additions coming with the update, the adorably ingenious Zumi race, but now we have more information on what else will be coming to the charming little MMO.

The update will add eight-player raids to the mix alongside Heroic Dungeons. The first of many planned Heroic Dungeons will be Angor Quarry, which players will recognize as the first dungeon they encounter on their journey, and it will provide Eden Eternal players with "new challenges, new items and new crafting recipes." And for those of you with a competitive streak, the game will be introducing ranking-based rewards, which will track the top players and guilds on each server and reward the top percentage with rare and unique rewards. To jump into the game yourself, head on over to the official Eden Eternal website.

MassivelyEden Eternal update bringing raids, dungeons, and adorable mouse-people originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 13 Jul 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Black Prophecy launch-day interview

Posted: 13 Jul 2011 05:30 PM PDT

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Reakktor Media's space-faring MMO Black Prophecy saw its North American launch today, as well as its first major content update. We've already provided you lovely readers with a launch-day roundup for your perusal. To commemorate the game going live, we have a launch-day interview with gamigo's Executive Board Member Patrick Streppel. So strap yourselves in, kick your thrusters into overdrive, and jump past the cut for the full interview.

Continue reading Black Prophecy launch-day interview

MassivelyBlack Prophecy launch-day interview originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 13 Jul 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Massively Speaking Episode 156

Posted: 13 Jul 2011 05:00 PM PDT

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Massively Speaking Episode 156 returns this week with Shawn and Rubi covering the week's MMO news, including Black Prophecy's North American launch, DCUO's newest DLC, Darkfall 2.0, CCP's partnership with Nexon, The Secret World's info explosion, and this little game called Planetside 2. They also read through a few listener emails and go on and on about the games they played this week.

Since Rubi will be gone next week, let us know which Massively writer you want to hear on the show. An old favorite? A fresh voice?

Have a comment for the podcasters? Shoot an email to shawn@massively.com. We may just read your email on the air!

Get the podcast:
[iTunes] Subscribe to Massively Speaking directly in iTunes.
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[MP3] Download the MP3 directly.
Listen here on the page:



Read below the cut for the full show notes.

Massively Speaking is the official podcast of Massively.com. Hosted by Editor-in-Chief Shawn Schuster and Community Manager Rubi Bayer, Massively Speaking takes on the week's biggest news and dev interviews with plenty of opinion, rants, and laughs thrown in for good measure. Join us every Wednesday afternoon to listen in and see what we'll say next!

Continue reading Massively Speaking Episode 156

MassivelyMassively Speaking Episode 156 originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 13 Jul 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A Mild-Mannered Reporter: In the case of archetypes

Posted: 13 Jul 2011 04:30 PM PDT

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I can't say I'm unhappy about the announcement of a new round of powerset proliferation in City of Heroes, but I can be a little upset about the timing. I mean, really, Paragon? You couldn't have waited until my ten-part series talking about the powers available to each archetype was a little more cold in the ground before shooting it to pieces? Would that have been such a tragedy? Now it's pre-obsoleted before I even had the chance to develop a profound dissatisfaction for it.

Oh, well. I might not be able to go back and edit all of the columns to accommodate all the upcoming changes (well, not credibly, anyway), but I can at least talk about the process and my thoughts behind the overall focus. And even if the columns won't quite stand the test of time, methodology matters, right? So let's get on with it and take a look back over the ten core archetypes, talk a little more about the epic archetypes, and even glance at the future of each given set.

Continue reading A Mild-Mannered Reporter: In the case of archetypes

MassivelyA Mild-Mannered Reporter: In the case of archetypes originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 13 Jul 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Masthead releases first Earthrise expansion, reactivates old accounts

Posted: 13 Jul 2011 04:00 PM PDT

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Today marks a significant milestone for Earthrise, the indie sci-fi sandbox from Masthead Studios. A rather large patch has made its way to the live servers, and the changes are so numerous that Masthead's press release labels the update as Earthrise's first expansion.

The big kahuna in terms of new content is the Territorial Wars functionality, and the patch notes mention new zones with bases ripe for the capturing as well as the ability for guilds to construct various economic and military structures. Speaking of guilds, leaders can now make use of a new ranking and permission system, and Earthrise now sports both friend and ignore lists in addition to improved client performance.

The patch also brings a laundry list of weapon effect changes, combat re-balancing, and bug fixes, all of which are viewable via the patch notes on the official Earthrise forums. If all that's not enough to whet your appetite, consider that Masthead has reduced the initial client cost by 40% as well as gifted all previous account holders with 10 days of free play.

MassivelyMasthead releases first Earthrise expansion, reactivates old accounts originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 13 Jul 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Exclusive community Q&A with the Elsword crew

Posted: 13 Jul 2011 03:00 PM PDT

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The makers of the hyper-kinetic Elsword Online have made it their mission to sit down with the community and tackle the pressing questions of the day. In the first of an exclusive series here on Massively, Kill3rCombo devs respond to player questions about the fresh-faced title.

Q: How do the developers come up with new content? Do you guys sit around and throw out ideas? Or do you have certain developers come up with their own designs then present them to one another until everyone can agree on one thing?

A: There's a game design team within the development team that's responsible for planning and proposing game content. Often, one of the game designers will present his or her ideas to the team and get feedback to help refine the feature. They'll also freely discuss their ideas on our internal message board, a very similar tool to the forum. Every member of the development team has a chance to voice their ideas about new content they'd like to see or how to improve existing content.

We also have a team specially dedicated to developing Elsword for North America. The team updates the Korean Elsword content so it's tailored for North American gamers. Everyone on the team has a chance to offer ideas to create a more fun experience for players in North America.

Continue reading Exclusive community Q&A with the Elsword crew

MassivelyExclusive community Q&A with the Elsword crew originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 13 Jul 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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One Shots: Under the Arisen sun

Posted: 13 Jul 2011 02:00 PM PDT

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Massively reader Dalton has a treat for us on One Shots today: A great-looking main character who just happens to be aboard an intimidating mount, while standing against a gorgeous environmental backdrop.
This is my level 30 Fire/Lightning Arisen Sorcerer in Allods Online. Here I'm at Edge of Eternal Night in the Eljune zone, riding my Indigo Wolf Mount. I love the atmosphere here.
We've taken a look at all of your accessories over the past few weeks on One Shots: weapons, armor, mounts, and pets. But now it's time to turn the spotlight on the star of the show. We want to see you -- well, your character. Snap a screenshot of your favorite character in your favorite MMO. Let us know about him or her by sending the screenshot, your name, and some information about the character to oneshots@massively.com, and we'll feature it here on One Shots!

MassivelyOne Shots: Under the Arisen sun originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 13 Jul 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Enter at Your Own Rift: Are rifts in danger of collapsing?

Posted: 13 Jul 2011 01:30 PM PDT

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Like many of you, I've been exploring RIFT's Waves of Madness event over the past couple of weeks -- and enjoying it, too. You can really see how Trion Worlds has taken some of the lessons learned from River of Souls and improved its second world event. There just seems like more to do, much more in terms of atmosphere (I love the dripping ceilings in Sanctum), I'm not feeling as rushed, and the event story is coming through loud and clear.

One of the interesting things I've noticed is that the event's daily quests have subtly shifted our focus from single-player activities to group ones. In phase one, it was all about boring solo quests: find hidden invaders, collect eggs, defeat a few underwater baddies. But just when we started to get used to (and bored from) the routine, the successive phases have moved us toward the game's dynamic content. Namely, rifts, rifts and more rifts.

I think this is brilliant, because we're now given a solid reason why we should participate in rifts above the mere rewards. I've been worried that Trion's letting its focus on dynamic content slip as it's been rushing to get other game features and endgame raids out the door, and RIFT without people playing rifts would be sadly ironic.

Today we're going to look at just how much RIFT depends on its titular feature, and what Trion should be doing to ensure that it doesn't become another nice yet abandoned idea.

Continue reading Enter at Your Own Rift: Are rifts in danger of collapsing?

MassivelyEnter at Your Own Rift: Are rifts in danger of collapsing? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 13 Jul 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Retired RIFT players, come back for free July 13-19

Posted: 13 Jul 2011 01:00 PM PDT

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A lot has happened in the world of Telara since RIFT's launch, and now Trion Worlds is inviting retired players to come back to see what's new. Beginning today, July 13th, and ending on until Tuesday, July 19th, players can come back to RIFT without paying a single red cent.

It's the perfect time for former players to jump back into the game to take part in the ongoing world event and to see everything that patch 1.3 has to offer. For more information on this limited-time offer (call within the next fifteen minutes!), head on over to the official RIFT site.

MassivelyRetired RIFT players, come back for free July 13-19 originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 13 Jul 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Choose My Adventure: Ork in da wild

Posted: 13 Jul 2011 12:00 PM PDT

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Not to put too fine a point on it, but this past week was the sort of event that turns one's entire life upside-down. The stuff that happened was also pretty unambiguously good, yeah, but between that and my computer randomly screwing up, this has not been the best of weeks for Warhammer Online and myself. Which is odd, seeing as how there's been big (albeit secretive) news for the community, and I've still managed to sit down and get some solid time clocked in with Klurgind despite that.

Last week's polls both indicated that I should follow the WAR Report around the map, and they also indicated that people would really like to roll up with some Massively warband action. So we're going to make an event out of it, based on the best details and planning I can provide. Click on past the break for a recount of Klurgind's most recent adventures in Warhammer Online, plans for the meetup on the weekend, and the new set of polls.

Continue reading Choose My Adventure: Ork in da wild

MassivelyChoose My Adventure: Ork in da wild originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 13 Jul 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Celebrate Massively's 10,000th Twitter follower with a gaming prize package from Massively!

Posted: 13 Jul 2011 11:30 AM PDT

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Back in May, we celebrated our 9,000th Twitter follower with a contest. One lucky reader/Twitter-follower picked up a brand-new Steam game, and the event was such fun that we decided to follow up with something even bigger for the next milestone.

We're closing in on 10,000 Twitter followers this weekend, and we want to celebrate the occasion by giving one of those followers a surprise gaming package from Massively.

Want to be in the running? Simply follow us on Twitter right now, retweet our tweet of this contest any time from now until Friday at 12 p.m. Eastern, and we'll randomly select a winner from among those retweeters. We'll then announce the winner and present the prize pack on Friday afternoon. Good luck -- we'll see you on Twitter!

MassivelyCelebrate Massively's 10,000th Twitter follower with a gaming prize package from Massively! originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 13 Jul 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SWTOR writer talks economy, endgame, and polish

Posted: 13 Jul 2011 11:00 AM PDT

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We told you yesterday about your chance to get your hands dirty with a Star Wars The Old Republic flashpoint demo later this month. Today we've heard tell of a new video interview with TOR lead writer Daniel Erickson that's worth a viewing.

Game Reactor has just released a 15-minute sit-down with Erickson from this year's E3, and the discussion ranges from story, to endgame, to the possibility of an open beta in the near future.

"It's our launch year," Erickson says, "so I finally get to quit saying -- for the most part -- I can't talk about that." Head to Game Reactor to see what Erickson can talk about, including blurbs on the player economy, raiding, and polish, and don't forget to let us know what you think in the comments.

[Thanks to Petter for the tip!]

MassivelySWTOR writer talks economy, endgame, and polish originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 13 Jul 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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