MMOGaming News

MMOGaming News


A Guide to Planar Attunement in RIFT

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A Guide to Planar Attunement in RIFT


RIFT's approach to "alternate advancement," as it is often called thanks to Everquest 2, is the Planar Attunement system. This system lets players continue developing their character by increasing important stats, becoming stronger against one type of planar force, and even improve their mobility in Telara.

Wizardry Online to Launch Class Transfer System in Open Beta

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Wizardry Online to Launch Class Transfer System in Open Beta


Japan-based Gameport has confirmed that they will launch Class Transfer System in the open beta of Wizardry Online. In order to show players how to change class, Gameport also released a new video in advance. Let's take a close look.

Blacklight Retribution System Requirements Announced

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Blacklight Retribution System Requirements Announced


PWE just announced the system requirements for their free-to-play Unreal Engine 3 MMO Shooter Blacklight Retribution.

NPC Friendship and Gift Locations Guide

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NPC Friendship and Gift Locations Guide


Hello, this is Chronoa from NA Dragon Nest. I hope this guide helps everyone. It's a work in progress though! The Friendship system is like a dating sim type of system inside this game. This system has many benefits which will be listed down below.

WoW Patch 4.3 Features

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WoW Patch 4.3 Features


Transmogrification, Void Storage, New Darkmoon Faire, Tier 13 Sets and everything about WoW patch 4.3!

Continue reading WoW Patch 4.3 Features.

Bounty Hounds Online Revealed The Bleighman Glacier

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Bounty Hounds Online Revealed The Bleighman Glacier


This cold and isolated land is home to some rather restless natives and large yeti's that will not take your presense likely.

So Cute Cosplay, Those Kids

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So Cute Cosplay, Those Kids


Children's cosplay, did you see it? So cute and funny too, some pics make me laugh, love them, which do you like best?

MMORPG Reviews

MMORPG Reviews


Best September 2011 Free MMORPGs

Posted: 30 Sep 2011 09:29 AM PDT

These are our best September 2011 Free MMORPGs. Enjoy it and don't forget to comment. Do you agree with our list? 10 Allods is a revolutionary massively multiplayer RPG. The largest game development project in Russian history ($12 million), Allods features state of the art graphics by top award-winning artists and a cinematic soundtrack by [...]

Maple Story latest content update, Ascension is available now

Posted: 30 Sep 2011 04:57 AM PDT

Maple Story has received a complete wedding system upgrade as part of its Ascension content update, which is available now. With the Ascension update, Nexon hopes to create a more harmonious environment for the player weddings with a restructuring of the wedding system. Once players make their vows, they can team up and battle through [...]

Some new details of Golden Age

Posted: 30 Sep 2011 03:49 AM PDT

Aeria Games, has released some new details about Golden Age, its upcoming exclusive browser-based, RTS title. At the core of Golden Age is classic, city-building RTS mechanics inspired by true Knights Templar history. Golden Age also features a host of expansive RPG elements, surprisingly in-depth strategy-based warfare, and dozens of instanced dungeons for players. When [...]

Nexon has released today Dragon Nest

Posted: 30 Sep 2011 02:59 AM PDT

Dragon Nest has been lauched today, and Nexon is releasing an expansive content update, Saint’s Haven which includes a new central town, danger-filled dungeons, and an increased level cap. Dragon Nest is available to play for free for residents of the United States, Canada and Oceania. Players who participated in the open beta test retain [...]

World of Battles: Morningstar is going to receive a massive update

Posted: 30 Sep 2011 01:24 AM PDT

Frogwares has announced a massive update for the free-to-play online RTS World of Battles: Morningstar . The update features the fierce new Steam Juggernaut in addition to new units, maps, achievements, class tiers, referral systems and upgrades to both premium and non-premium accounts. On top of all this you'll find a new level cap, the [...]


General Gaming Article

General Gaming Article


Report: Intel Prepping Low-Cost Thunderbolt Controller for Early 2012

Posted: 30 Sep 2011 10:03 PM PDT

Intel introduced the world to the next generation of Thunderbolt controllers at IDF 2011 recently. We were told that the next-generation controllers, codenamed "Cactus Ridge," will be available next year when chips based on the Ivy Bridge architecture begin shipping. But a fresh rumor suggests that the two Cactus Ridge chipsets revealed earlier in the month aren't the only Thunderbolt controllers that Intel has lined up.

If VR Zone is to be believed, Intel has a third, much smaller controller in the pipeline that should enter production before the end of 2011 and reach vendors in early 2012. Reportedly called Port Ridge, it is said to be a low-cost, low power chip with one 10Gbps bi-directional channel that lacks support for pass-through connectivity, making it ideal for small mobile devices.

According to the report, Port Ridge will have the smallest package size (5x6mm) of all the controllers. All other controllers, whether those currently available or the ones in the pipeline, have much larger package sizes and feature either two or four Thunderbolt channels.

Image Credit: Cnet

Firefox 8 Hits Beta Channel, Brings Twitter Search

Posted: 30 Sep 2011 09:27 PM PDT

Time and browser updates wait for no one. Even though Firefox 7's reign as the latest stable release of the browser is just two days old, the countdown to version 8 has already begun. Firefox 8 is now available in the beta channel for testing on Windows, Mac, Linux and Android.

If Mozilla focused on reducing the browser's memory appetite while developing Firefox 7, it's all about delivering a more convenient browsing experience with version 8. "This beta adds features and user interface elements that make browsing easier and tools that help developers build more secure and innovative Web experiences," Mozilla wrote in a blog post.

With the latest beta, Twitter search finally gets its rightful place in the pantheon of web services included in the browser's built-in search box by default. If that does not excite you, now you can restore tabs on demand, "resulting in faster start-up times when windows with lots of tabs are restored." This feature can be enabled by going to the General Tab under Options. According to Mozilla, tabs are now easier to "tear off" thanks to "animated tab movement."

The beta also packs a number of developer-specific enhancements:

  • CORS for WebGL textures: Cross-Origin Resource Sharing (CORS) enables Web developers to load textures from other domains for WebGL in a secure way.
  • WebSockets updates: Firefox now prevents the use of plaintext WebSockets when created from an SSL page, which improves security for users.
  • HTML5 Native Right Click Menu: Web developers can now add items directly to the Firefox right click menu using simple HTML5 markup.
  • HTML5 media elements: Developers can add a lot of video and audio elements to a website without impacting performance.

 

Psystar Vows to Fight on After Appeals Court Upholds Permanent Injunction

Posted: 30 Sep 2011 04:05 PM PDT

A U.S. appeals court on Wednesday dealt an almost mortal blow (more on the "almost" after the jump) to former hackintosh vendor Psystar's remaining chances of a comeback in its legal battle against Apple. Dismissing Psystar's appeal, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit upheld a 2009 district court decision to award Apple a permanent injunction against Psystar's infringement of Mac OS X.

Even though this latest decision seems like a coup de grâce for Psystar, the Miami-based company's lawyer K.A.D. Camera insists it's "far from over" and there's "at least one more round, perhaps two." Psystar could file a petition for rehearing en banc, asking the Ninth Circuit to consider a rehearing of the appeal by all the judges on the bench. As per the Ninth Circuit's rules, an en banc court does not comprise all of its judge's but an 11 judge panel.

Another alternative for Psystar is to appeal the decision to the U.S. Supreme Court. According to Camera, Psystar is seriously considering this option as "the Ninth Circuit is now squarely in conflict with the Fifth Circuit on copyright misuse."

"The Fifth Circuit held that it is copyright misuse to use copyright to limit your software to your hardware, while the Ninth Circuit held that Apple can do just that," Camera told IDG in an interview. "The principal issue in the case is Apple's limiting Mac OS X to its own hardware. But this is more than only Psystar. It could determine whether the likes of Dell can sell machines that run OS X."

Image: Psystar

Microsoft Responds to Chrome Malware Confusion, Apologizes

Posted: 30 Sep 2011 02:54 PM PDT

chromeEarlier today we told you that Microsoft Security Essentials was being accused of killing Chrome, and now we have the details. Turns out Redmond totally messed up on this one. Security Essentials was indeed removing or blocking Chrome on many users' PCs. After scrambling for most of the day, Microsoft has a fix available.

Users of Security Essentials should manually update the software, which will change the signatures that were identifying Chrome as the ZeuS trojan. After that is done, everything should reinstall fine. Microsoft says that about 3000 users were affected to their knowledge, but many users likely didn't kick up a fuss.

We certainly understand that the damage was minimal, but there are a lot of unhappy Chrome users out there today. It's inevitable that some people will half-jokingly claim that Redmond did it on purpose, but we're betting it was incompetence plain and simple. 

Google Goes Retail in London Town

Posted: 30 Sep 2011 02:35 PM PDT

chromebookGoogle has spent most if its existence being an innovative web company, but the search giant has just jumped into a decidedly old-business environment: retail stores. Yes, the first ever Google store just opened in London to push ChromeBooks through the holiday season. The so-called "pop-up store" has been erected in PC World, a larger electronics retailer.

It isn't being given the same attention as the first Apple Store, but Google's UK branch is at least willing to acknowledge its existence. "It's something Google is going to play with and see where it leads," said Google's head of UK consumer marketing. most consumers are not comfortable buying laptops online, so having an in-store presence is important when selling people on a cloud-based device like a ChromeBook.

It would be interesting to see Google continue with this in other regions. It's hard to do retail well, but a successful experience can be a boon to consumer sentiment. Do you think Google will open more retail locations, or is this it?

Major Security Hole Uncovered in Samsung Galaxy S II for AT&T

Posted: 30 Sep 2011 02:20 PM PDT

lockWhile reviewing the new Samsung Galaxy S II for AT&T, the folks at BGR noted something unusual. With the right combination of button presses, the device's pattern and PIN lock screens can be bypassed. This makes locking the phone essentially pointless. The real 'uh-oh' here is that AT&T and Samsung were unaware of this flaw, uncovered by a simple reviewer.

To bust into the new AT&T device all you have to do is wake it up, then wait for the lock screen to time out and go back to sleep. Then wake it up again, and the lock screen doesn't even come up; you go right to the home screen. The flaw works on both pattern and PINs, and can only be exploited if the device has been unlock at least once since the last power on, but that's a virtual certainty. 

AT&T and Samsung are both looking into the issues, but have not released any official statements on the matter. We would imagine that a quick OTA update when the device is released will fix everything, but it's still concerning. Do you think AT&T will tell buyers about the bug if it isn't fixed in time?

Cool Site of the Week: QuestionsProtect.org

Posted: 30 Sep 2011 11:56 AM PDT

houseAsk an economist what a recession is, and you'll be told that it's a period of contraction during a given business cycle, often signaled by a slow down in economic activity. Now, ask the same question of members of your family, your neighbors or friends. Chances are, you'll find there's at least someone you know who'll say a recession was responsible for their being laid off, the loss of their retirement funds or even their homes. As if the these fiscal hard times the world is going through weren't already rough enough, unscrupulous bankers, mortgage brokers and other financial vultures have been licking their chops in anticipation over the possibility of getting their rat claws on our hard-earned assets at the first sign of our weakness or despair. While it's not capable of outright saving your home, the National Fair Housing Alliance's QuestionsProtect.org arms consumers with the tools they need to defend it.

 QuestionsProtect.org provides consumers with the knowledge and understanding required to avoid the financial pitfalls that could deprive them of one of their most valuable assets: Their homes.

In an effort to educate the site's visitors on important topics like predatory lending, mortgage fraud and foreclosure scams, the National Fair Housing Alliance provides a wide range of resources in both in English and Spanish to aid consumers looking to purchase their first home, as well as those looking to keep the one they've lived in for years. If that's not cool, we don't know what is.

Be sure to check in every Friday for another edition of Maximum PC's Cool Site of the Week.

 

 

DRAM Market Debacle Takes Toll on Micron

Posted: 30 Sep 2011 11:48 AM PDT

Micron this week announced financial results for its fourth fiscal quarter and 2011 fiscal year ended September 1, 2011, and the numbers aren't pretty. The company's revenue from DRAM in the third quarter dropped 12 percent compared to Q3, a slump Micron said was the result of declines in the average selling prices. Revenue from sales of NAND flash products picked up some of the slack and grew 11 percent, but doesn't have enough volume to make up for the downturn in DRAM.

There are a number of reasons why Micron's DRAM business is struggling. The biggest one is a continued oversupply of DRAM chips, a situation Micron warned will negatively affect its margins going forward, Reuters reports. Lower than expected PC sales growth is also playing a role.

Rising NAND flash sales only provide a modicum of relief. According to Reuters, NAND accounts for only about 25 percent of Micron's sales, whereas DRAM makes up more than half.

"DRAM is going to be problematic for them for the next several quarters," Avian Securities analyst Win Cramer told Reuters. "I don't think anytime in the near term NAND would be completely able to offset DRAM problems."

Image Credit: Micron

IBM Leapfrogs Microsoft in Market Value for First Time in 15 Years

Posted: 30 Sep 2011 11:20 AM PDT

Walk past an IBM board room and you might hear cries of "Huzzah!" Big Blue has reason to celebrate as it just became the second highest valued technology company in the world. IBM had to step over Microsoft to claim the No. 2 spot, something it hasn't been able to do for the past 15 years.

According to Bloomberg's figures, IBM's market value jumped to $214 billion yesterday. Microsoft moved in the opposite direction and was worth $213.2 billion at the closing bell. Based on those figures, IBM is the fourth biggest company in the world, as it pertains to market value, and sits behind only Apple in the technology sector.

Apple's lead isn't in danger. The Cupertino outfit surpassed Microsoft last year in market value and boasted a $362.1 billion market cap at yesterday's close. With iEverything devices selling like gangbusters, Apple will likely lead the technology pack for a long while.

Image Credit: MammothIce.com.au

Reports: Microsoft AV Erasing Google Chrome

Posted: 30 Sep 2011 10:55 AM PDT

Mighty funny timing, Microsoft. Just yesterday, we reported that Google's Chrome browser was threatening to overtake Firefox in the coming months thanks to soaring usage rates caused, in large part, by FF and IE defectors. Then, this morning, Internet forums are awash with rage because a new update to Microsoft's Security Essentials and ForeFront AV software began calling Chrome a Trojan and erasing it from users machines. Coincidence? Yeah, it probably is. But that still doesn't change the fact that users are pissed.

Both ZDNet and The Register are reporting that they've received numerous complaints about the critical false positive. The AV programs are identifying Chrome as part of the ZeuS Trojan, and users who try to reinstall the browser are finding that the antivirus program won't let them, citing "PWS:Win32/Zbot" as a severe threat. Register readers are reporting that the beta version of Chrome isn't affected, nor are browsers that are configured to not send Google any information.  Nobody's saying anything official at the moment – both Google and Microsoft have been mum on the matter.

So, has any of you been affected by the bug? Chime in with your experiences in the comments! I've got Chrome and MSE installed on my laptop, and nothing fishy has gone on yet.

MMO News

MMO News


Combat Arms launches Remaster

Posted: 30 Sep 2011 06:07 PM PDT

The second part of the Fusion update line for Combat Arms, “Remaster,” is now live.

The update features a new line of weapons in the Gun Emporium Gold (fused together from other weapons), and players will be able to forge together new weapons to improve gun statitistics. The Emporium’s interface has also been streamlined. Also introduced is a new map, Piazza, designed for Search & Destroy: a quiet Italian village where players must defend a recovered EMP bomb.

Combat Arms is published by Nexon, which also publishes Dragon Nest and Vindictus.

combat-arms-operation-dredge-fire

Combat Arms Gameplay Screenshot

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Combat Arms Introduces Second Phase of Fusion, Remaster

Nexon America's Combat Arms is offering players more effective methods to attack each other's clans on an new Italian-themed map with the new Remaster content update.

Players will experience a whole emporium of new weapons with the Remaster update as Bubba Ares introduces the newest line of weapons for the sharp-shooting soldier. Weapons in Gun Emporium Gold will be made up of bits and pieces of various weapons, fused together to form the deadliest weapons to date. Forging weapons allows players to improve specific gun statistics, customizing weapons to individual play styles. Additionally, thanks to player feedback, the Gun Emporium user interface has been streamlined to be faster and easier for anyone to start building customized weapons.

In addition to forging weapons, players can explore the newly added clan-exclusive Search & Destroy map, Piazza. This new map throws players into an Italian village where they must defend a recovered EMP bomb until communication with headquarters can be restored.

For more information about what Remaster is bringing to Combat Arms and other Fusion updates, visit: http://combatarms.nexon.net.

Fiesta Online celebrates four years

Posted: 30 Sep 2011 05:08 PM PDT

Outspark’s Fiesta Online is celebrating its four year anniversary with events and activities.

The celebration begins with a special 100% EXP boost code (2011FiestaTurns4 at outspark.com/redeem), plus a 24% experience boost through the weekend. Plenty of in-game events are available on the calendar, and more events are taking place in the game’s forum, during the celebration.

Outspark also publishes Luvinia Online and Secret of the Solstice (Solstice: Reborn).

fiesta-graphics.jpg

Fiesta Online Gameplay Screenshot

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Fiesta Celebrates Four 4 Years

Four Years of Friends, Fun, and Festivities

SAN FRANCISCO – September 30, 2011 – Fiesta, the fantasy-based Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game (MMORPG) powerhouse from Outspark, is having a giant anniversary in honor of four fun-filled and exciting years since launch.

As always, Fiesta and Outspark are doing this anniversary with style, pizzazz, and plenty of events. Outspark wants to celebrate and commemorate the time and effort players have put into the game to help keep the community vibrant and spellbound. This celebration focuses on not just the game, but the community as well. The 4th Anniversary festivities include a variety of events both inside and outside of the game, such as MVP forum events, fansite promotions, and plenty of in-game activities.

"We're pulling out all the bells and whistles for the celebration of our flagship game," commented Philip Yun, CEO of Outspark. "It's great to see how far the game has come over the last four years and think about all of the reasons players have to be celebrating this monumental achievement."

With all the millions of players that have played, Fiesta has also racked up some astronomical numbers when it comes to the game statistics. Here's a few interesting ones:

• Players have dispatched more than 37 million monsters and bosses, which is approximately one monster or boss every 3 seconds.
• Players have accrued over 3.2 quadrillion experience points. If each EXP point was worth 1 US cent, the combined GDP of Fiesta each year ($8 Trillion) would come second only to the US (~$14 Trillion).
• Players have invested a total of 146 million hours into their characters. That's the equivalent of over 70,000 years of work at a normal 9-to-5 job.
• Players have sacrificed their lives more than 17 million times in their protection of Isya, the world of Fiesta.

Fiesta is starting off the celebration with an extra present for players to roar about with a code that pays out a 100% EXP boost and 10 "Roar" emotes to the first 4,444 players who use it at www.outspark.com/redeem. The code is "2011FiestaTurns4". Limit of one redemption per player account.

Join the celebration at http://fiesta.outspark.com or see what the community has been up at http://fiesta.outspark.com/community.

S4 League players challenged to design Season 3

Posted: 30 Sep 2011 11:47 AM PDT

S4 League is hosting a new “Design the Season” contest, where players can enter in ideas for the next Season of S4 League – and see their vision come to life, along with prizes.

S4 League players are asked to enter the contest by submitting ideas for the S4 League: Season 3 storyline, levels, game modes, weapons, costumes, maps, and characters. The winner earns the right to see their ideas developed into the game directly, plus 100,000 AP. All entrants are also entered into a raffle for several prizes across alaplaya games.

Alaplaya also publishes Avalon Heroes and ARGO Online.

s4-league-shot.jpg

S4 League Gameplay Screenshot

Source:

S4 League: Season 3 to Be Designed by Fans

alaplaya Puts Out the Call for Eager Designers with Eyes on a 100,000 AP Prize

MUNICH – September 30, 2011
alaplaya, the leading international free-to-play gaming portal, today announced that popular anime-inspired shooter S4 League will receive a major expansion in 2012… which rests entirely in the hands of the game's community. S4 League: Season 3 will be dreamed up by players the world over, who are invited to submit their ideas in a new "Design the Season" contest. The winner will receive an incredible prize of 100,000 alaplaya Points, as well as the pride of seeing their concept brought to life within the game and played by S4 competitors for years to come.

"We get great suggestions and ideas every single day from our players. They all love S4 League as much as we do, and they're hungry for more," said Achim Kaspers, Managing Director of ProSiebenSat.1 Games. "Right now, nobody knows what kind of new surprises Season 3 will bring, so we're asking our fans to share their speculations and dreams with us and help us build the perfect S4 League update."

Players are encouraged to submit any and all ideas for the Design the Season contest, including the advancement of the S4 League story and the driving force behind the league's changes, as well as concepts for new levels, game modes, weapons, costumes, maps, and characters. The contest winner will receive 100,000 AP, and all entrants will be eligible to win one of ten raffle prizes worth €10 in any alaplaya game. The contest is open until October 7, and details can be found at http://en.alaplaya.net/teasers/36850-design-the-season-3.

For more info about S4 League, visit the official website at http://s4.alaplaya.net/.

Red 5 Studios and Webzen settle dispute

Posted: 30 Sep 2011 11:31 AM PDT

Firefall game developer Red 5 Studios and Webzen have ended a legal dispute over obligations and development costs.

The agreement places publishing and development solely in Red 5 Studios’ hands, including in Asian territories. Meanwhile, Webzen will be compensated for development fees and through future Firefall revenue, although they will lose all publishing and marketing interests in the title.

firefall-team-based

Firefall Gameplay Screenshot

Source:

RED 5 STUDIOS AND WEBZEN HAVE AGREED TO END THE DISPUTE

[Provided by Red 5 Korea] – September 29th, 2011 – Red 5 Studios, Inc. ("Red 5") announced that it has entered into a settlement agreement with Webzen, Inc. to resolve all the legal disputes between them, including withdrawal of all pending legal claims against the other.

Under this agreement, Webzen will receive compensation for the prior development fees paid to Red 5 and also will share in future revenue generated from Red 5's game entitled Firefall for a certain period of time. Red 5 and its affiliated company received the global publishing rights under the settlement agreement. Webzen will no longer be involved in marketing and publishing Firefall in any territory as a result of this agreement.

Mark Kern, CEO of Red 5 Studios said, “Given the resolution of all disputes and conflicts between our two companies I would like to ask for our fans, especially Chinese and Korean gamers,' continuous encouragement and support in Firefall and Red 5.”

Digimon Masters Online Gameplay Part 2 HD

Posted: 30 Sep 2011 11:08 AM PDT

To Learn More About the Game Check out our Digimon Masters Online Page.

Digimon Masters Online is a 3D digimon themed MMORPG published by JoyMax – the same company behind the wildly popular Silkroad Online game. Unlike the much older Digimon Battle, which is published by Wemade, Digimon Masters Online features gorgeous cell-shaded graphics and smooth animations. This is the second video I made for Digimon Masters Online – and it features a bit more actual gameplay and explanation of some of the game’s features. To learn more about Digimon Masters Online check out the official MMOHut Digimon Masters Online page which includes a detailed review, tons of screenshots, and additional videos.

Warhammer Online, Wrath of Heroes Gameplay Session! -HD

Posted: 30 Sep 2011 10:55 AM PDT

To Learn More About the Game Check out our Wrath of Heroes Page.

Wrath of Heroes is a 3D Warhammer themed MMO Battle Arena created by Bioware – the same company behind the P2P Star Wars, The Old Republic MMORPG. Wrath of Heroes sheds away the grinding, leveling, and gear-search from its predecessor, Warhammer Online, and lets players jump right into the action. Between multiple scenarios, players can change their hero at the start of the fight and upon each death, choosing from some classic Warhammer classes and combinations. Players are placed in teams of up to six and battle in three-team combat for victory and prestige. Wrath of Heroes is currently in closed beta.  To learn more about Wrath of Heroes check out the official MMOHut Wrath of Heroes page which includes a detailed review, tons of screenshots, and additional videos.

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