MMO Updates

MMO Updates


BioWare talks SWTOR testing, post-release content

Posted: 23 Sep 2011 10:00 AM PDT

Filed under: , , , , , , ,

Star Wars The Old Republic - Jedi and droid
BioWare project director James Ohlen is apparently on the PR circuit of late, as a new interview at Gamasutra marks his second major gaming publication appearance in the last two days. This time around, there's nary a mention of Star Wars: The Old Republic's companions.

There is, however, some interesting chit-chat about polish, post-release content plans, and the necessity of MMORPG playtesting. Ohlen downplays the notion that large-scale fan testing is paramount to a game's success, saying that "the big changes that we've been making were planned from way before."

He acknowledges that beta testers have their uses, but says that the BioWare devs would be "terrible game designers" if they didn't figure things out on their own. "It's good for fans to feel like they're having an impact, and sometimes they do," Ohlen says. "There [have] been surprises on the project, but mostly they've come from us playtesting this stuff."

MassivelyBioWare talks SWTOR testing, post-release content originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 23 Sep 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Bethesda fails to block Fallout MMO progress, again

Posted: 23 Sep 2011 09:00 AM PDT

Filed under: , , , , , ,

Fallout Online - wallpaper
The latest development in the ongoing lover's quarrel for control of the Fallout MMO seems to be something of a body blow for Bethesda. The famed Elder Scrolls and Fallout 3 RPG maker was smacked down in a U.S. District Court this week as a judge ruled that the company "unreasonably delayed in seeking relief, and that the emergency that allegedly justifies a TRO is self-created."

TRO stands for temporary restraining order, and Bethesda was seeking such against Interplay and Masthead Studios, which are developing the long-awaited Fallout MMORPG. This isn't the first time that Bethesda has turned to the legal system as a way of preserving its Fallout brand. It's also not the first time the company has been denied, as a 2009 ruling allowed Interplay to continue working on the massively multiplayer version of Fallout despite Bethesda's objections.

MassivelyBethesda fails to block Fallout MMO progress, again originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 23 Sep 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

EVE contest winners announced, free Aurum for everyone

Posted: 23 Sep 2011 08:00 AM PDT

Filed under: , , , , ,

EVE Is Real title image
Back in July, EVE Online developer CCP Games opened a visual museum of EVE artwork, screenshots, and videos to record the game's ongoing history. Players were invited to upload their work to the site in exchange for entry into a huge contest, with 20 Nvidia graphics cards and an expensive Alienware laptop to be won. Players voted for their favourite videos and pictures on the website during August, and the winners were officially announced on Thursday.

The grand prize of an Alienware gaming rig went to Tez Saurus of Test Alliance for his video I Love New Eden, which received a massive 1800 votes (almost 1000 votes more than the next-most-popular video). The song beat legendary videos like Clear Skies III, War Has Come, and the popular official trailer EVE: A future Vision from 2011's Fanfest.

At the start of August, CCP gave every active EVE account 1000 free Aurum to spend on Incarna clothing as a thank-you for sharing EVE museum pictures and videos on Facebook. The second sharing milestone for the visual museum was reached this week, and all active EVE players will soon receive 1500 Aurum free of charge. As clothing bought with Aurum can be sold on the normal in-game market, this is a big financial boost to new players. The total value of the Aurum being distributed is around $1.75 million US.

MassivelyEVE contest winners announced, free Aurum for everyone originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 23 Sep 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

SWTOR companions detailed in new video, interview

Posted: 23 Sep 2011 07:00 AM PDT

Filed under: , , , , , , ,

Star Wars The Old Republic - companions
So, who wants to learn about companions? No, not that kind (and more's the pity). We're talking about the traveling chums BioWare is providing for your savior-of-the-galaxy in its upcoming Star Wars The Old Republic science-fantasy opus.

A new video and interview at Gamespot has all the companion-related info that's fit to print -- or compress into a seven-minute clip and throw on a file server, to be more precise -- and game director James Ohlen has a lot to say about companion customization, gameplay mechanics, and the fact that your computer-controlled co-stars "are going to be a significant innovation to MMORPGs."

While the recent brouhaha over same-gender companion romance generated much rancor both in and out of the SWTOR community, BioWare steers clear of the topic here and focuses squarely on the launch-day features. Have a look at the video after the cut, and head to Gamespot for the interview text.

Continue reading SWTOR companions detailed in new video, interview

MassivelySWTOR companions detailed in new video, interview originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 23 Sep 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

The Daily Grind: Is your bandwidth too slow?

Posted: 23 Sep 2011 06:00 AM PDT

Filed under: , , ,

A Series of Tubes
Pando Networks recently released a study measuring internet speeds all across the world. Not surprisingly, South Korea came out at the top of that list with an average download speed of 2,202 KBps.

To MMO gamers, our connection is our life. We don't enjoy a hiccup in the tubes, but it gives us a handy excuse when we die in PvP, right? Government restrictions, lack of proper infrastructure, and a general lack of technological understanding and foresight all contribute to the slow speeds that plague the rest of the civilized world.

So with this Pando study in mind, we'd like to conduct an informal study of our own among the greatest internet citizens of all time: the Massively readers. What's your internet speed? Is it too slow, too fast (impossible!), or just right for your gaming needs?

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: Is your bandwidth too slow? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 23 Sep 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

    Take to the skies with MapleStory Ascension

    Posted: 22 Sep 2011 08:00 PM PDT

    Filed under: , , , , , , ,

    Screenshot -- MapleStory
    Rise up, MapleStory players! The new Ascension update is coming on September 28th, and it's bringing players a wealth of new features to enjoy. Warriors, Magicians, and Bowmen are all receiving class revamps that update the classes with "new strength and new looks."

    Players can also band together to take on the challenges of Spiegelmann's Monster Park, which grants an extra 50% experience for parties as well as higher drop rates. For the lovebirds in the crowd, the team is implementing new wedding quests. Meanwhile, team players are being given three new party quests as well as six updated ones, and the rewards from party quests are "more lucrative than ever." To top it all off, a new event calendar has been added to the game, so players will always be up to date on current events.

    To get in on all the Ascension action, head on over to the official site and register for an account.

    MassivelyTake to the skies with MapleStory Ascension originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 22 Sep 2011 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

    Permalink | Email this | Comments

    Lineage II update talks auction house, Goddess of Destruction zones, and more

    Posted: 22 Sep 2011 07:00 PM PDT

    Filed under: , , , , , ,

    Lineage II - Ye Sagira
    Lineage II's latest expansion has been in the works for a looooong while, or at least it seems that way. Every time we see a new post about the game, we get our hopes up and then wonder when we'll actually get to play Goddess of Destruction instead of read about it.

    Alas, today's news isn't a release date, but at least the official Lineage II website has updated with some interesting tidbits about the new content. The GoD expansion is finally bringing an auction house to the seven-year-old fantasy title, and consequently players will no longer need to clutter up various town squares with their AFK store bots. There's also a bit of insight into the new awakening process that level 85 players will experience prior to their journey toward the new level cap. Finally, there are some details about two of the new zones coming with the patch, and Shilen's Altar and Ye Sagira both look to open up exciting new adventuring areas for denizens of Aden.

    MassivelyLineage II update talks auction house, Goddess of Destruction zones, and more originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 22 Sep 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

    Permalink | Email this | Comments

    Guild Wars rolling out the annual Halloween contest

    Posted: 22 Sep 2011 06:30 PM PDT

    Filed under: , , , , ,

    I CAN HAZ PRE-SEARIN SNUGGLEZ?
    We're still a month away from the holiday that invariably fills every game with ghosts and ghouls, but that's no reason not to get started on your Halloween plans. Especially if your plans involve the annual Guild Wars contest, a chance for players to show off their creativity by designing some game-themed art. And this year, one of the prizes includes the small sensation that's sweeping the nation, the Charr plush doll pictured above.

    Running until October 13th, the contest calls for players to submit a photo of their work in .JPG format for ease of viewing. This year's prizes are split between the general art category and costumes, with both sides receiving the same lineup of offerings. Win the Grand Prize, First Prize, or Second Prize, and you'll be able to call one of the adorable fiery harbingers of destruction your own. Make sure to take a look at the official rules, and then you should probably buckle down and start working on that Dervish outfit.

    MassivelyGuild Wars rolling out the annual Halloween contest originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 22 Sep 2011 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

    Permalink | Email this | Comments

    Final Fantasy XIV shows off upcoming transportation innovations

    Posted: 22 Sep 2011 06:00 PM PDT

    Filed under: , , , , , , ,

    Well now, everybody's heard about the bird, b-b-b-bird bird bird, bird is the word...
    In any installment of the Final Fantasy franchise, mounting your noble steed means getting on a trusty yellow bird. Final Fantasy XIV has been distinctly lacking in chocobos for some time now, but with patch 1.19, all of that is being fixed. And better yet, the official site has just put together a preview of how the systems behind these mounts and the new airships will work... not to mention a preview video featuring the tune players are eagerly awaiting.

    Players who have fully enlisted with a Grand Company will be able to purchase a personal chocobo for 3000 company seals, which will allow unrestricted access to your personal bird. Players without that option can still rent a bird for 800 gil as long as they've achieved level 10. Last but not least, airships will allow players rapid transit between the city states. But if you're the sort who won't believe it until you see it, jump past the break for all the bird-riding action you can imagine.

    Continue reading Final Fantasy XIV shows off upcoming transportation innovations

    MassivelyFinal Fantasy XIV shows off upcoming transportation innovations originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 22 Sep 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

    Permalink | Email this | Comments

    The MMO Report: Rainbow lightsaber edition

    Posted: 22 Sep 2011 05:30 PM PDT

    Filed under: , , , , , , , ,

    The hardest thing to smuggle
    Welcome to another exciting episode of The MMO Report, now with 100% more beard.

    That's right, the first note on the agenda today is BioWare's announcement that same-gender romance arcs will indeed be present in Star Wars: The Old Republic. BioWare claims that the feature couldn't be implemented at launch, citing time and design constraints.

    Next up on the list is DC Universe Online's imminent free-to-play transition. Players will be able to choose between playing for free and shelling out for DLC and extra character slots or subscribing to the game with the benefit of expanded character slots and free DLC.

    Meanwhile, World of Warcraft's patch 4.3 is gearing up for release, and it will bring the end of an era with it. When the patch, titled Dragon Soul, goes live, players will finally be able to bring an end to Deathwing's reign of terror. And of course, with the help of the new Transmogrification system, they'll be able to look dashing while they do so.

    Dragon Nest is next in line with the announcment of its official launch, and Red 5 Studios announces the inclusion of in-game pets in upcoming MMOFPS Firefall.

    And of course, no episode of The MMO Report would be complete without a trip into Uncle Casey's mailbag, so for all of the meme-tastic goodness, click on past the cut to watch the full video.

    Continue reading The MMO Report: Rainbow lightsaber edition

    MassivelyThe MMO Report: Rainbow lightsaber edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 22 Sep 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

    Permalink | Email this | Comments

    Behind the Mask: Science, technology and fantasy

    Posted: 22 Sep 2011 05:00 PM PDT

    Filed under: , , , , ,

    Champions Online screenshot
    Last week's Behind the Mask generated quite a bit of controversy over fantasy and the suspension of disbelief. This week, I'm going to follow up. We'll cover how the Champions Online universe deals with fantasy in its lore and why realism is important.

    We'll also cover how fantasy elements can use realism to expand -- rather than subtract -- your options for roleplaying. Last week, we only covered weapons technology, but there's a lot more to any fictional setting than just weapons. Everything from communications and transportation to food production is important to discuss, and while we can't touch on everything, we can look at the hows and whys of the superhero genre.

    Continue reading Behind the Mask: Science, technology and fantasy

    MassivelyBehind the Mask: Science, technology and fantasy originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 22 Sep 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

    Permalink | Email this | Comments

      CCP to EVE players: We've heard you, unprecedented development refocusing in the works

      Posted: 22 Sep 2011 04:30 PM PDT

      Filed under: , , , , , ,

      EVE Online - Incarna login screen
      Significant change is afoot in EVE Online, and no, we're not just talking about the latest clothing item on the Noble Exchange or additional captain's quarters built on top of Incarna's foundation. A brief blog post on the official website indicates that CCP has taken the firestorm of criticism from long-time players over the last several months to heart.

      While it's not quite a mea culpa, CCP Zulu does say that the company has been engaging in an "extensive and intense introspection and revitalization. The result of this is a refocusing and reprioritization on a scale unheard of within our company."

      How extensive (and how intense)? That remains to be seen, of course, but the post points to the recent ship-spinning update and also goes a step further. "We are listening to you, we have heard you, and plans are already in motion," Zulu writes.

      MassivelyCCP to EVE players: We've heard you, unprecedented development refocusing in the works originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 22 Sep 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

      Permalink | Email this | Comments

      The Perfect Ten: Pirates ahoy!

      Posted: 22 Sep 2011 04:00 PM PDT

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

      The Perfect Ten: Pirates
      Fantasy pirates: Love 'em or hate 'em, they're deeply ingrained in geek culture to the point that they're almost impossible to dislodge. This past Monday was International Talk Like a Pirate Day, when everyone's inner pirate was encouraged to "Arr!" heartily, look for treasure in long-forgotten places, and embrace the fashion style of bandanas and eyepatches.

      It seemed like a perfect week, therefore, to look at piratey life in MMOs. From entire games to mere outfits and from the token pirate union that has a chapter in each game to delusional madmen, this list aims to sate the swagger of keyboard swashbucklers. It's a testament to the pirate phenomenon that most developers can't help but include a buccaneer or two, even if the setting isn't always asking for it -- a phenomenon even the U.S. Navy has accepted.

      Hit the jump to start, and sail straight on 'til morning!

      Continue reading The Perfect Ten: Pirates ahoy!

      MassivelyThe Perfect Ten: Pirates ahoy! originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 22 Sep 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

      Permalink | Email this | Comments

        New LotRO dev diary addresses upcoming Warden changes

        Posted: 22 Sep 2011 03:30 PM PDT

        Filed under: , , , , , , ,

        Screenshot -- Lord of the Rings Online
        Lord of the Rings Online: Rise of Isengard is only five days away now, but Turbine still isn't quite done with its pre-Isengard dev diary series. Today's entry focuses on the Warden class, which -- as Allan Maki puts it -- "is in a good spot, not a great one, but not really needing a complete revision or reimagining." Instead, the team is taking a look at some of the class' shortcomings to see where improvements can be made.

        For instance, Wardens are quite underpowered when it comes to filling a DPS role in a group, and their rotation for doing so isn't exactly exciting. As a result, the spear skills Mighty Blow and Unerring Strike have been modified to provide the Warden with more DPS utility while also giving the class a more exciting rotation.

        Next up is a matter of building, dumping, and maintaining threat. Three new skills have been added to the Warden's gambit system, and each of them fixes one of these problems. Deflection will rapidly drop threat on the Warden, Aggression allows Wardens to quickly absorb threat from nearby Fellowship members, and Never Surrender allows Wardens a five-minute window wherein they cannot be defeated, and if their morale drops below 5%, they will be healed to 75% health and 50% power.

        The Warden's lack of any sort of stun immunity is the third issue to be looked at. To remedy this situation, at level 74, Turbine is granting Wardens the ability Shield Tactics, which is a new gambit that provides the Warden with stun immunity for 10 seconds.

        The team is also introducing a new feature called Potency to the class. Potency is a combat state that has a chance to be activated whenever a simple gambit (Goad, Deft Strike, and Defensive Strike) is used. Once a Warden has entered the Potency state, he can then commit one of his gambits to Battle Memory, which will allow him to use that gambit on command throughout the battle, though at the cost of Morale rather than Power.

        For the full, intricate details on the changes coming to the Warden class, head on over to the dev diary and give it a read-through.

        MassivelyNew LotRO dev diary addresses upcoming Warden changes originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 22 Sep 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

        Permalink | Email this | Comments

        Nexon, NCsoft refuse to fully cooperate with South Korean MMO gambling probe

        Posted: 22 Sep 2011 03:00 PM PDT

        Filed under: , , , , ,

        Casino marquee
        South Korean MMO makers are under the Game Rating Board's microscope for allegedly obstructing an investigation related to MMORPG gambling. The ratings board has questions regarding real-world money transactions that offer a chance at valuable in-game items, and a veritable who's who of Korean development firms are refusing to fully cooperate, according to This Is Game.

        NCsoft, Nexon, and HanbitSoft are just a few of the companies mentioned in the report, and while the publishers have given up item names, costs, and other details related to the transactions, the companies are thus far refusing to divulge information on payout percentages.

        GRB chairman Soo Keun Lee says that his organization is simply trying to determine the legality of RMT transactions using a set of gambling standards adopted by South Korea in 2008. "Game companies ask us why GRB tries to touch their business model and [they] refuse our request[s]," he said.

        MassivelyNexon, NCsoft refuse to fully cooperate with South Korean MMO gambling probe originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 22 Sep 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

        Permalink | Email this | Comments

        One Shots: High above me

        Posted: 22 Sep 2011 02:00 PM PDT

        Filed under: , , , , ,

        LotRO screenshot
        You can't get much more aerial than a shot of the moon and stars emerging after sunset, and that's exactly what we have today thanks to Massively reader Helchi:
        Hi! I saw this landscape in Lord of the Rings Online and thought I would share it. Too bad I couldn't remember the "hide UI key" fast enough because 10 seconds earlier was a much prettier shot!
        We're all about looking up this week on One Shots! Show us your favorite aerial image -- whether it be taken from the ground looking up or from atop a high-flying mount or tall perch, we want to see! Add your name and a little bit about the image, send it in to oneshots@massively.com, and we'll feature it in this week's One Shots!

        Next week we're throwing the ball back to you. There's no theme and no requirement; just send us your favorite screenshots and tell us why you love them. Ready, set, go!

        MassivelyOne Shots: High above me originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 22 Sep 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

        Permalink | Email this | Comments

          Ask Massively: Let's stop the tomfoolery edition

          Posted: 22 Sep 2011 01:00 PM PDT

          Filed under: , , , ,

          IM IN UR NOUN, VERBING UR OTHER NOUN
          Last week, it was brought to my attention that our header image of ham rendered the entire column completely inappropriate for several of our readers. And you know what? That comment was entirely right. We've subsisted on ridiculous headers and general japery for far too long in this serious and businesslike column, and it's time to bring the calm and measured dignity that people expect -- nay, demand -- from Ask Massively.

          Unfortunately, this decision comes too late to avoid the fact that this week's header image is a kitten attempting to scale the back of an adult cat's head. It will probably help if you imagine both of these cats wearing business suits and discussing profit margins.

          Moving along: This week's questions should provide you with clean and intellectual discourse, covering free-for-all PvP and the recent free-to-play announcements from Sony Online Entertainment. If you have a question for a future edition of the column, please leave it in the comment field or mail it along to ask@massively.com.

          Continue reading Ask Massively: Let's stop the tomfoolery edition

          MassivelyAsk Massively: Let's stop the tomfoolery edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 22 Sep 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

          Permalink | Email this | Comments

            The Guild Counsel: Running a guild on a free-to-play server

            Posted: 22 Sep 2011 12:00 PM PDT

            Filed under: , , , ,

            EQII New Tunaria
            If there's one trend that's dominated the MMO industry over the past year and a half, it's the notion of free-to-play. What was once taboo has now become mainstream, and while it's breathed new life into the genre, it drastically changes the ground rules for players and guilds.

            Each week, we've taken a look at common issues in guild management, but what are the specific challenges that guild leaders face in free-to-play games? In this week's Guild Counsel, we'll examine some of the complexities of guild leadership in a free-to-play world.

            Continue reading The Guild Counsel: Running a guild on a free-to-play server

            MassivelyThe Guild Counsel: Running a guild on a free-to-play server originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 22 Sep 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

            Permalink | Email this | Comments

              Captain's Log: Preparing for launch (and farewells)

              Posted: 22 Sep 2011 11:30 AM PDT

              Filed under: , , , ,

              Star Trek Online screenshot
              Hello, computer (and players)! As we are all now aware, the development team at Star Trek Online is busy making its preparations to re-launch the game with a hybrid, free-to-play model. Currently, the Tribble test server has been taken down as a beta build is being prepared for testing. In the meantime, Red Shirt, originally a Closed Beta test sever, has been opened up to current subscribers to continue testing new releases that will occur between now and the F2P launch. While there is still no date set for when this will be happening, many signs point to an October or November launch period.

              To add to the craziness that must be going on at Cryptic's headquarters in Northern California, on Tuesday, Dan Stahl, Executive Producer of STO, publicly announced that he would be vacating the Captain's Chair as he moves on to a new endeavor in his career. Effective immediately, Stephen D'Angelo, Cryptic's CTO, will be taking temporary command as the search for a new EP begins. While this came as a shock to many and was completely unexpected even by me, it may not be the "end of the world" as some players are calling it. Let's explore more.

              Ensign, warp 10! Set sensors to maximum range as we explore a little bit more about this change...

              Continue reading Captain's Log: Preparing for launch (and farewells)

              MassivelyCaptain's Log: Preparing for launch (and farewells) originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 22 Sep 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

              Permalink | Email this | Comments

                Digimon Masters preps for open beta

                Posted: 22 Sep 2011 11:00 AM PDT

                Filed under: , , ,

                Digimon Masters
                Prepare to unleash your digital monster because Digimon Masters is on the verge of open beta! Joymax's online adaptation of the hit franchise will unlock open beta testing on Tuesday, September 27th to anyone interested. Potential testers need only head on over to Joymax's portal and apply.

                Digimon Masters is the story of various youths who decide on an alternative career path to business school or online games journalism. Players can select from Marcus (big damage), Thomas (dodge and counter-attacks), and Yoshino (multiple special attacks) depending on their playstyles. The game features hundreds of Digimon from the anime series and promises to be loyal to the series' art design and story.

                Make sure to wash your eyeballs first and then you can check out these fantastic new screens of Digimon Masters below!

                MassivelyDigimon Masters preps for open beta originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 22 Sep 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

                Permalink | Email this | Comments

                  Two years after the fall of the world: Fallen Earth's second anniversary

                  Posted: 22 Sep 2011 10:30 AM PDT

                  Filed under: , , , , ,

                  Fallen Earth second anniversary
                  It's no secret that Fallen Earth is somewhat of a staff favorite here at Massively. While its combat system may not hold the same polish of other titles, it more than makes up for it in sheer exploration, incredibly deep crafting, an engagingly different game world, and the dark humor that seeps into every aspect of the game. In fact, Massively is what convinced me to give Fallen Earth a shot when it came out two years ago.

                  At the time, I was just a regular gamer looking for something a little different than the elves-'n'-fantasy fare that 99% of MMOs were dishing my way. Fallen Earth's semi-familiar setting -- modern guns, post office boxes, motorcycles, sunglasses, giant mutated ants -- was at once familiar and foreign. It took me two solid tries to get into the game, but once I did, I was hooked.

                  I've always felt bad that Fallen Earth never got more popular than it already is, although I can understand why. The post-apocalypse setting is enough to weird players out, and the paradigm shift from getting your gear via looting to building your own gear via crafting takes some getting used to. Plus, the troubles that Icarus Studios ran into early on didn't help matters any.

                  Fortunately, the future looks bright for Fallen Earth, and as it celebrates its second anniversary, we should look back at this past year to see just how far this cult MMO has come. Clones, assemble!

                  Continue reading Two years after the fall of the world: Fallen Earth's second anniversary

                  MassivelyTwo years after the fall of the world: Fallen Earth's second anniversary originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 22 Sep 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

                  Permalink | Email this | Comments

                    Prius Online changes up servers, entices players with contests

                    Posted: 22 Sep 2011 10:00 AM PDT

                    Filed under: , , ,

                    Prius Online
                    Big changes are in store for Prius Online this month, particularly in regard to the fledgling game's servers. The dev team announced that the two existing PvP servers -- Requiem and Aurora -- will be merged into a single PvP server called Raven and that players will have their Karma reset. In addition, gPotato is launching a PvE-only server for the game: Primus. The team hopes that this move will accommodate both types of players in what they're seeking.

                    To celebrate the server restructuring, gPotato is throwing a few fun events for Prius players. On the Raven server, players who hit level 50 by October 4th will be entered into a special raffle for spiffy prizes. Other prize packages are avilable for those who amass the most Karma points and teams that succeed in the Coliseum Tournament.

                    Over on Primus, gPotato is rewarding the first player who tames 11 specific Pero with a Special Event Pero. More rewards are in store for adventurers who complete specific dungeon quests and take screenshots to prove it (remember kids: screenshots or it didn't happen!), players who cultivate certain items, and outfitters who complete the Yellow Tulip set for their Anima.

                    All players can benefit from a bonus event in the in-game store, where spending $10 or $50 will net the purchaser additional items. This promotion will continue until October 4th.

                    MassivelyPrius Online changes up servers, entices players with contests originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 22 Sep 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

                    Permalink | Email this | Comments

                    General gaming

                    General gaming


                    Review: Burnout Crash is a Bad Console Game (But Would be Awesome on iOS)

                    Posted: 22 Sep 2011 05:25 PM PDT

                    Burnout Crash isn't a very good console game. It's entertaining enough, and I could imagine a smartphone version might monopolize my commute for a few weeks, but I wouldn't have played it on the Xbox 360 or PS3 for more than fifteen minutes if I weren't doing so for work.

                    Fans of mobile games (myself included) often complain loudly about designers shoehorning hardcore games into touch-control interfaces that don't really suit the gameplay. Burnout Crash is the inverse of that phenomenon: It's a mobile game thrown onto a console, and the experience suffers for it.

                    Former Guitar Hero, Tony Hawk Dev Neversoft Creating an FPS

                    Posted: 22 Sep 2011 04:33 PM PDT

                    Gun

                    Job listings at Neversoft's website have revealed the company is at work -- or soon will be -- on a first-person shooter.

                    As noticed by GamerZines (via Eurogamer), there are multiple positions related to FPSes at the jobs area of Neversoft's website. These include network programmer, senior concept artist, senior level designer, senior technical artist, level designer, and Windows PC platform lead engineer. None of the listings reference anything specifically, though they do mention that employees would be working on "our new FPS."

                    It was reported last year that Neversoft was looking to hire for a new "action shooter" game.

                    Tokyo Game Show 2011 Saw More Visitors Than Ever Before

                    Posted: 22 Sep 2011 03:40 PM PDT

                    Matt Leone pregnant

                    This year's Tokyo Game Show welcomed in more total visitors than in any previous year, and it also had the single most-visited day in the show's history.

                    222,668 visitors visited between September 15 and September 18. The first two days were business days and therefore had much lower attendance than the rest; 25,631 and 27,042 people attended on Thursday and Friday, respectively. The two weekend days saw attendance shoot way up: there were 86,251 visitors on Saturday and 83,744 on Sunday.

                    The Saturday number beat out the previous one-day record of Saturday, September 23, 2006, which had 84,823 visitors. Last year's show saw about 207,000 people in total, so it was a pretty big jump overall (15,021, to be exact) for a show that was missing a company like Level-5.

                    Demon's Souls Multiplayer Will Stay Online Until at Least 2012

                    Posted: 22 Sep 2011 03:07 PM PDT

                    Demon's Souls

                    Yet again, Atlus has decided to extend the deadline for the shutdown of Demon's Souls online multiplayer servers.

                    The game will now remain online at least until 2012, the game's publisher announced today. Since being released on October 6, 2009, the notoriously-difficult RPG has had its servers extended several times, and with good reason -- the online portion of the game is quite unique as it allows you to invade other players' worlds and attack them, see how they died, and more.

                    This functionality is also present in its spiritual successor, Dark Souls, which comes out next month. It was used to punish pirates and those who got their hands on early copies of the game in Japan when developer From Software sent out a max-level enemy to murder early players.

                    You Can Thank AT&T and the Supreme Court for Sony's Anti-Class Action Terms of Service

                    Posted: 22 Sep 2011 02:20 PM PDT

                    PSN logoAlong with a new PlayStation 3 firmware update, Sony recently introduced new terms of service that users must agree to before being allowed online. By agreeing to them, you forfeit the right to join in any class action lawsuits against the company, save for those filed no later than August 20, 2011. It seemed like a hostile and perhaps even illegal clause. As it turns out, we can thank AT&T and the Supreme Court for its inclusion.

                    Earlier this year, the Supreme Court ruled that AT&T had the right to include a clause in new employees' contracts stating they may not bring a class action lawsuit against the company. After word of a similar clause popped up in the Sony TOS last week, there was some speculation that the two could be connected, and indeed there is, CNN reports.

                    "The Supreme Court recently ruled in the AT&T case that language like this is enforceable," a PlayStation spokeswoman told CNN. "The updated language in the TOS is designed to benefit both the consumer and the company by ensuring that there is adequate time and procedures to resolve disputes."

                    New 3D Classics Game TwinBee Now Out on 3DS

                    Posted: 22 Sep 2011 01:31 PM PDT

                    TwinBee

                    The latest 3D Classics title has been released on the 3DS eShop today. TwinBee is a vertical-scrolling shooter that started out in arcades before being brought to the Famicom (NES) in Japan. It was never brought to North America on that platform, but we did get the arcade version as a part of Konami Classics: Arcade Hits for DS in 2007, albeit under the name RainbowBell. It's also available on the Xbox Live Arcade's Game Room and on PSP. As a part of the 3D Classics line, it can be played in 3D and costs $4.99.

                    That's the lone new 3DS-only title this week, although owners of the system can also check out a pair of new DSiWare game. Escape Trick: Ninja Castle is an action game where you solve puzzles for $4.99. The other new one is Break Tactics, a strategy game with some RPG elements that will also run you $4.99.

                    On WiiWare, there is a demo of racing game 3D Pixel Racing (where everything looks like it was built out of Lego-style blocks) to be checked out before dropping 500 points ($5) on the full version. And there's a brand-new 1,000-point ($10) Aya and the Cubes of Light, a 3D platformer that almost looks a bit like Crush without the crushing mechanic.

                    Chrono Cross and Final Fantasy Origins Headed to PSN, ESRB Listings Suggest

                    Posted: 22 Sep 2011 12:37 PM PDT

                    Chrono Cross

                    Slowly but surely, Square Enix continues to bring many of its older PlayStation games to the PlayStation Network. Sony erroneously announced that Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy VI (better known to many as Final Fantasy III) were going to be out on the PlayStation Store in North America this week. Both are games we know are coming and this week seemed as good as any to release them, but Sony later realized it had made a mistake and clarified that neither game was slated for this week.

                    Disappointing as that may be, this may make up for it: another pair of Square Enix games seem to be destined for PSN releases. The ESRB has published listings for Chrono Cross and Final Fantasy Origins, Joystiq reports. They are each listed as being for PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Portable; PSone Classics on PSN are playable on both platforms and this is very often how we find out about these games' re-releases ahead of time.

                    Square Enix hasn't made any official announcement about either coming to North America.

                    Go to MineCon, Get Your Character an In-Game Cloak

                    Posted: 22 Sep 2011 11:50 AM PDT

                    MineCon

                    The Minecraft fan convention MineCon is now less than two months away. Aside from the fun of being able to attend the very first such event and getting to be there when the final build of the game goes live, an in-game bonus will be given away to attendees.

                    Everyone at MineCon will get some swag in the form of an in-game cloak. It'll stay with you even after the event is over and will be one of the five designs pictured below. You can vote for your favorite here and hope it is what ends up on your character's back.

                    Minecraft is a sandbox building game for PC that has been a massive success that is all the more impressive considering it was largely created by a single person. It was first released in pre-release form in 2009 and has still yet to be "finished," though developer Mojang has been selling it a discounted rate for some time now. It entered beta late last year and Xperia Play and (a Kinect-enabled) Xbox 360 versions are in the works. The game has been unofficially ported to other platforms such as DS.

                    Vanillaware's Grand Knights History Being Released Internationally on PSP

                    Posted: 22 Sep 2011 11:05 AM PDT

                    Grand Knights History

                    With Vita on the horizon and PlayStation Portable becoming a less significant system in North America, it's always nice to see a publisher step up and bring a new PSP game here, particularly when it's an especially good one. XSEED Games today announced it will soon bring Grand Knights History to North America.

                    Grand Knights History is a traditional, turn-based RPG from Vanillaware, the developer of Muramasa: The Demon Blade, Odin Sphere, and the upcoming Dragon's Crown. Vanillaware is well-known for its beautiful 2D graphics and GKH is no exception, as you can see from the screenshots in this story. It earned a 36 (of 40) score from Famitsu prior to its recent release in Japan, where it was published by Marvelous Entertainment.

                    "XSEED Games is excited to be bringing Grand Knights History to the North American audience," said XSEED president Jun Iwasaki. "Vanillaware is renowned for their beautiful and striking hand-drawn 2D graphics, and with its stunning visuals and strategic gameplay, Grand Knights History will be a must-have for all PSP owners with a taste for deep, engrossing RPGs."

                    Forza 4's $30 Season Pass Includes Six DLC Packs, 60 Cars

                    Posted: 22 Sep 2011 09:46 AM PDT


                    Another DLC Season Pass has been announced, this one for Forza Motorsport 4.

                    It will be available alongside the game at launch for 2,400 Microsoft Points ($29.99) on the Xbox Live Marketplace, as well as at Best Buy, GameStop, and other retail stores. Buying it grants access to six DLC packs being released between this November and April 2012. The $29.99 price offers a 30 percent discount over buying the DLC individually at their normal prices.

                    If this all sounds very familiar, it's because Gears of War 3 is doing something very similar with a $30 Season Pass that grants a discount over buying the DLC on its own. The similarities are due to Microsoft being the publisher of both games; this may be a recurring thing for first-party Xbox 360 games going forward.

                    Total Pageviews

                    statcounter

                    View My Stats