MMO News

MMO News


MLB Dugout Heroes shuts downs

Posted: 19 Dec 2011 03:39 PM PST

GamesCampus has announced that its free-to-play baseball game, MLB Dugout Heroes, will be shutting down on February 29. The publisher indicates the reason for the shut down is caused by the game not being able to meet the standards of the community.

The game will launch its last update tomorrow, adding new custom animations and Create-a-player draftcards, as well as removing all CC items from the item shops. Several events will be held until the game closes, and item compensation packages are also planned.

GamesCampus also recently shut down Tank Ace on December 2.

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MLB Dugout Heroes Gameplay Screenshot

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Dear MLB Dugout Heroes Community,

It is with great sadness that we must announce the closure of MLB Dugout Heroes servers and game service on February 29th, 2012 after 3 great years of operation. Due to a number of issues preventing the game from meeting the standards we feel is deserved by the community at large in regards to the direction of game content development and the quality of the user experience, mutual agreement has been reached between all parties involved with the development and operation of the game to close the service.

We will still proceed with the scheduled maintenance on December 20th (Tues.) to release recently developed custom animations and Create-a-player-draftcards.   During this maintenance, we will also be removing all CC items from the in-game and web item malls.

Game servers and service will then remain open until the official service closure date of February 29th. In the next two months prior to closure, we will be running numerous events to express our appreciation to the game’s fans for their enthusiasm and support over the past 3 years. The website and forums will remain open for several weeks past the official service closure date to allow continued communication between members of the game community, to both say their goodbyes and coordinate meeting in other game communities.

Please keep an eye on the News section of the MLB Dugout Heroes website for further information over the coming weeks, with details and instructions regarding exclusive item compensation packages for MLB Dugout Heroes players that we will be creating for your use in other GamesCampus games, as well as information about the  special in-game events which will be happening during the remainder of game service.

As a personal note, the past three years have been a great experience for me.  I have met hundreds of great people, and made friendships within the community which will last far beyond the duration of game service.  We at GamesCampus would like to sincerely thank each and every one of you for making our community a special one, and for all of the enthusiasm and support you’ve shown for the game over the years.

MLB DH GM
Madeinkorea

Mercedes arrives in MapleStory

Posted: 19 Dec 2011 03:17 PM PST

The second of three Legends characters, Mercedes, has arrived as a new class in MapleStory.

One of the five heroes who sealed the Black Mage, Merecedes is an elven character that uses Bowman equipment, plus dual bowguns, her special weapon which uses magic arrows as its ammunition. She also gains a unicorn mount, a special Cash Inventory, and unique Elven skills including healing, experience buffs, and attack speed increases. Some of her job advancements are also automatic, making her a powerful character.

MapleStory is published by Nexon, which also publishes Dungeon Fighter Online and Dragon Nest.

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MapleStory Gameplay Screenshot

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New Class: Mercedes

Mercedes is the ruler of the elves, who have been asleep for hundreds of years. Along with Aran and Freud, she is one of the five heroes who sealed the Black Mage. Much like Aran, Mercedes and her people were cursed by the Black Mage before he was sealed, causing the elves to fall into a long sleep. Before succumbing to the curse, Mercedes sealed the elves’ home of Elluel so that no one could enter while the curse still held sway.

During Mercedes’ tutorial, you see a fully animated video of her, Freud, and Afrien attacking the Black Mage’s stronghold, then you play through the ensuing events in the past. Upon awakening in the present, Mercedes find that she has weakened considerably and that the other elves are still sealed.

  • Mercedes can only be created by selecting the Mercedes option when creating a new character.
  • At creation, you can change Mercedes’ gender and face.
  • Mercedes is Lv.10 with her 1st job already obtained by the time the required portion of her tutorial is complete.
  • Her 2nd job advancement can be made at Lv.30 through a quest.
  • After making the 2nd job advancement, she automatically makes job advancements at Lv.70 and Lv.120.
  • She gains 65 SP for her 1st job skills, so they all can be raised to their max level.
  • Mercedes can equip Bowman type equipment, and she uses a new type of weapon called dual bowguns.
  • She must have a dual bowgun equipped in order to perform most of her skills.
  • Dual bowguns use magic arrows as their ammunition. These magic arrows are not consumed when used. Lv.10, 30, 70, and 120 magic arrows can be purchased in Elluel.
  • Her primary stat is dexterity (DEX), and her secondary stat is strength (STR).
  • Dual bowguns that are of a higher level than the beginning one are only available at the merchant found in Elluel (up to Lv.25). They can also be obtained through smithing, monster drops, and from certain events.
  • Mercedes can get a unicorn mount starting at Lv.70 and can upgrade it starting at Lv.120.
  • Each Mercedes character has its own individual Cash Inventory not shared with other characters.

Unique Elf Basics skills

  • Elven Healing (Master Level: 1): Passive buff: Recovers HP/MP by 5% of their max every 4 sec.
  • Elven Blessing (Master Level: 1): Passive effect: Permanently receive +10% EXP. This can be granted to one character in the same world on your account. Active effect: Returns you to Elluel, Cooldown: 1800 sec (30 min).
  • Updraft (Master Level: 1): Press the up arrow + jump to quickly move up ladders or ropes.
  • Elven Grace (Master Level: 1): Passive buff. Permanently increases attack speed 1 level. Movement speed +10, Jump +10, Charm +50

1st job advancement skills

  • Swift Dual Shot (Master Level: 20): Fire arrows at multiple enemies in front of you. At max level: MP Cost: 14, Damage: 115%, Arrows Fired: 2, Max Enemies Hit: 3
  • Potential Power (Master Level: 15): Passive buff. At max level: Movement Speed +30, Max Movement Speed Limit +165, Enemy Attack Avoidance Rate: 20%
  • Glide Blast (Master Level: 10): Perform a second jump to the left or right when press the jump button again while in the air after jumping. At max level: MP Cost: 10
  • Sharp Aim (Master Level: 20): Passive buff. At max level: Critical Rate +40%

2nd job advancement skills

  • Piercing Storm (Master Level: 20): Fire penetrating arrows at multiple enemies in front of you. At max level: MP Cost: 24, Damage: 115%, Arrows Fired: 4, Max Enemies Hit: 6
  • Rising Rush (Master Level: 15): Pushes back multiple enemies in front of you and launches them into the air. Other skills can be combined with this one, and you can deal additional damage while they’re in the air. At max level: MP Cost: 25, Damage: 130%, Launch Damage: 210%, Max Enemies Hit: 8, Additional Damage while attacking launched enemies in the air: 30%
  • Parting Shot (Master Level: 5): Fires arrows at enemies launched into the air with Rising Rush. Can only be used after Rising Rush. At max level: MP Cost: 16, Damage: 90%, Number of Attacks: 4, Max Enemies Hit: 8. Required Skill: Rising Rush Lv.1
  • Dual Bowguns Booster (Master Level: 20): Active buff. At max level: MP Cost: 11, Duration: 300 sec, Increases dual bowguns attack speed by 2 levels. Required Skill: Dual Bowguns Mastery Lv.5
  • Spirit Surge (Master Level: 15): Active buff. At max level: MP Cost: 45, Duration: 180 sec, Damage +15%, Critical Rate +15%
  • Dual Bowguns Mastery (Master Level: 20): Passive buff. At max level: Dual Bowguns mastery +50%, Accuracy +120
  • Final Attack: Dual Bowguns (Master Level: 20): Passive buff that grants a chance to deal additional damage after an attack. At max level: Chance: 40%, Damage: 75%, Number of Attacks: 2. Required Skill: Dual Bowguns Mastery Lv.3
  • Physical Training (Master Level: 10): Passive buff. At max level: STR/DEX +30

3rd job advancement skills

  • Stunning Strikes (Master Level: 20): Fire multiple arrows at enemies in front of you, when a chance to stun the enemies. At max level: MP Cost: 35, Damage: 126%, Arrows Fired: 4, Max Enemies Hit: 4, Stun Chance: 80%, Stun duration: 6 sec
  • Leaf Tornado (Master Level: 20): Spin in mid-air and fire a hail of arrows all around you. This skill can only be used while in mid-air, and requires 120% or more Jump. At max level: MP Cost: 45, Damage: 135%, Number of Attacks: 4, Max Enemies Hit: 8
  • Unicorn Spike (Master Level: 20): Summons a sacred unicorn that attacks multiple enemies ahead of you while weakening them for a fixed period of time. Weakened enemies take additional damage from a fixed number of attacks from you and your party members. For boss monsters, the amount of additional damage is doubled. At max level: MP Cost: 62, Damage: 150%, Number of Critical Attacks: 5, Max Enemies Hit: 8, Chance for an additional damage debuff: 95%, Duration of additional damage debuff: 15 sec, Amount of Additional Damage during debuff: 15%, Max number of additional damage attacks during debuff: 10
  • Gust Dive (Master Level: 20): Dive and attack enemies after jumping. Requires 120% or more Jump. At max level: MP Cost: 45, Damage: 195%, Number of Attacks: 3, Max Enemies Hit: 6
  • Aerial Barrage (Master Level: 15): A combo skill used after lifting enemies into the air with Rising Rush. Fly toward airborne enemies, peppering them with swift attacks. Also permanently increases the damage caused by Rising Rush. At max level: Passive Effect: Rising Rush Damage +30%. Active Effects: MP Cost: 32, Damage: 120%, Number of Attacks: 6, Max Enemies Hit: 8, Instant Kill Chance: 15%
  • Ignis Roar (Master Level: 20): Passive and active buffs. At max level: Passive Effect: Avoidability +20%, Active Effects: MP Cost: 60, ATT: +40, Duration: 180 sec
  • Water Shield (Master Level: 20): Active buff that casts a barrier around you. At max level: MP Cost: 100, Absorbs 30% damage for 180 sec and increases resistance to abnormal status and all elemental attacks by 25%
  • Elemental Knights (Master Level: 20): Summons a random spirit to aid you in battle. At max level: MP Cost: 60, 1 random spirit summoned for 160 sec, Cooldown: 120 sec
    Ice Spirit: Damage: 550%, Freeze Chance: 90%, Freeze Duration: 5 sec
    Fire Spirit: Damage: 550%, 110% damage over time every 1 sec for 5 sec
    Shadow Spirit: Damage: 625%

4th job advancement skills

  • Ishtar’s Ring (Master Level: 30): Rapidly fires arrows at enemies in front of you. Hold down the skill key to fire arrows continuously. Damage from Stunning Strikes will be increased permanently as a passive effect of this skill. At max level: Passive Effect: Stunning Strikes Damage +25%. Active Effects: MP Cost: 10, Damage: 110%, Number of Attacks: 2. Requires Mastery Books. Required Skill: Stunning Strikes Lv.20
  • Spikes Royale (Master Level: 20): At max level: Passive Effect: Leaf Tornado Damage +30%. Active Effects: MP Cost: 60, Critical Attack – Damage 572%, Number of Attacks: 2, Max Enemies Hit: 13, Enemy DEF -20% for 15 sec, Cooldown: 5 sec. Requires a Mastery Book. Required Skill: Leaf Tornado Lv.10
  • Lightning Edge (Master Level: 30): Dash forward while attacking multiple enemies in your path. At max level: MP Cost 74, While Moving forward – Damage: 435%, Number of Attacks: 3, Max Enemies Hit: 8, Cooldown: 5 sec. Requires Mastery Books.
  • Rolling Moonsault (Master Level: 20): A combo skill used after lifting enemies into the air using Rising Rush. Spins enemies in the air while attacking them. Damage caused by Rising Rush will be permanently increases as a passive effect of this skill. At max level: Passive Effect: Rising Rush Damage +50%. Active Effects: MP Cost: 70, Damage 190%, Number of Attacks: 6, Max Enemies Hit: 8
  • Ancient Warding (Master Level: 30): Active buff. The Avoidability granted from Ignis Roar is increased permanently as a passive effect of this skill. At max level: Passive Effect: Ignis Roar’s Avoidability +20%. Active Effects: MP Cost: 80, Damage +30%, Max HP +1500, Duration: 210 sec. Required Skill: Ignis Roar Lv.5. Requires Mastery Books.
  • Dual Bowguns Expert (Master Level: 30): Passive buff. At max level: Dual Bowguns Mastery +70%, Weapon ATT +30, Minimum Critical Damage +15%. Requires Mastery Books. Required Skill: Dual Bowguns Mastery Lv.20
  • Defense Break (Master Level: 10): Passive buff. At max level: 40% chance of ignoring all enemy DEF (applies to boss monsters as well). Requires a Mastery Book.
  • Advanced Final Attack (Master Level: 30): Passive buff: At max level: Permanently increases ATT by 20 and Accuracy by 10%. Upon attacking, has a 70% chance of activating a 105% damage, two-hit Final Attack. Requires Mastery Books. Required Skill: Final Attack: Dual Bowguns Lv.20
  • Maple Warrior (Master Level: 30): Active buff. At max level: MP Cost 70, All Stats: 15%, Duration: 900 sec. Requires Mastery Books.
  • Hero’s Will (Master Level: 5): Cancels some abnormal status effects. At max level: MP Cost 30, Cooldown: 360 sec. It can be obtained through the "Strong Will" quest chain.

F1 Online: The Game begins closed beta

Posted: 19 Dec 2011 02:02 PM PST

Rev your engines – Codemasters’ F1 Online: The Game begins its closed beta testing today.

Set to launch in the first quarter of 2012, F1 Online features the cars, tracks, and racers from the real world Formula One World Championship Limited. Players can create their own teams, race tracks, and compete against each other in different modes, including Time Trials and Grand Prix events. The game will also feature leaderboards, team customization and marketing, and more.

Codemasters is the same developer behind the DiRT and Overlord series.

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F1 Online: The Game Gameplay Screenshot

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F1 ONLINE: THE GAMETM BETA REGISTRATION LAUNCHES
First gameplay video for new free-to-play browser game now playing at www.F1OnlineTheGame.com

December 19th 2011 – 10:00 UK – Today Codemasters® announced that gamers can be amongst the first in the world to play F1 ONLINE: THE GAME by registering to join a closed beta programme at www.F1OnlineTheGame.com. F1 ONLINE: THE GAME is a new free-to-play racing and management game in production at Codemasters Studios under exclusive worldwide agreement with Formula One World Championship Limited and will feature all the cars, stars and circuits.

Codemasters has also launched F1 ONLINE: THE GAME's first gameplay video, now showing at www.F1OnlineTheGame.com. Showcasing work-in-progress in-game footage, the trailer features wheel-to-wheel multiplayer racing around the iconic Monaco street circuit and reveals how fans can create and develop their very own team.

By registering for F1 ONLINE: THE GAME's closed beta, players will have the opportunity to give their feedback and shape game features prior to the game's worldwide launch in Q1 2012. Fans who are accepted into the closed beta also have the opportunity to earn in-game rewards when F1 ONLINE: THE GAME goes live. Players can register now and see the latest screens and videos from the game at www.F1OnlineTheGame.com. ;

F1 ONLINE: THE GAME will give players the chance to be the driver and the team boss in a game that combines intuitive top-down racing gameplay with a rewarding management game as players create and manage their own team. Fans will compete in online multiplayer races across a range of game modes, including GRAND PRIX™ events and a range of quick-fire challenges and Time Trials. Gamers will be able to track and share their progress via a range of leaderboard and social network features.

Players will have the opportunity to create their own racing team and become immersed in a world of FORMULA ONE™ on a grand scale; choosing their team name, designing a livery and leading the development of a personal franchise. As racer and team boss, they will manage the commercial, research, production and race crew functions required for success on track.

F1 ONLINE: THE GAME is being developed in house at Codemasters using the Unity game engine to deliver stunning performance in a web browser. Iconic tracks including Silverstone and Spa will be authentically brought to life by using track data and assets taken from the critically acclaimed F1 2011™ for high definition consoles and PC Games for Windows Live.

F1 ONLINE: THE GAME is set to launch in Q1 2012. To register interest, gamers can visit www.F1OnlineTheGame.com. To get all the news straight from the studio, race over to www.facebook.com/F1OnlineTheGame or follow the team on twitter at www.twitter.com/F1OnlineTheGame. ;

Christmas festivities arrive in Pockie Ninja

Posted: 19 Dec 2011 01:49 PM PST

Pockie Ninja has released new content today for players looking for a little holiday fun.

From December 18 until January 18, players can visit a new Christmas map and participate in challenges, including achievements involving the Arena Contest, defeating the Big Snowman or Evil Santa Claus, and collecting Christmas Trees. Players can also find more gifts by defeating Las Noches or Valhalla over ten times.

Players who are online between 20:30 and 21:30 server time each day between December 23 and 26 will earn a special in-game gift for being online.

Spenders can also earn extra gifts, including gift bundles for those who top up with 400 or more gold for three consecutive days and an S-ranked Tailed Beast pet for topping up their account the first time by January 15.

Pockie Ninja is published by NGames, which also publishes Navy Force and Immortal King.

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Pockie Ninja Gameplay Screenshot

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Festive Fun with Pockie Ninja

Christmas treats aplenty for players of the Naruto and Bleach MMO

Christmas is coming early for players of Naruto and Bleach inspired browser-based brawler, Pockie Ninja, with publisher NGames announcing a slew of festive treats for all of their budding ninjas.

He’s always watching, knows when you’re sleeping, and sneaks in unnoticed…is Santa a ninja?

If he is, he’s the greatest ninja of all time! This year, Santa is spreading a Naruto and Bleach brand of festive fun in Pockie Ninja; unloading a sack-full of free gifts on players of the free-to-play MMO.

New Christmas Map
For the whole month between December 18th – January 18th, a brand new Christmas event map will be available for players to explore and participate in a number of exciting festive challenges.

Achieving 5 victories in the new Arena Contest; crushing the Big Snowman 15 times; defeating the Evil Santa Claus 10 times; collecting mini Christmas Trees; and more; will unlock a slew of fantastic free gifts for all participating players.

Free Gifts For All
>From December 23rd – December 26th, players online between 20:30 – 21:30 each day will receive a special in-game gift in their account – just as a thank you for being online.

Taking on the towering Las Noches challenge, or exploring the depths of Valhalla, more than ten times during this period will also reap further free gifts for players. More gifts are unlocked the more times players take them on.

Top Up and Win
Players topping up their accounts for the first time between December 19th – January 15th can bag themselves a free S-rank Tailed Beast pet and further free gifts.
More gifts are unlocked the more gold that is topped up, including wishing pots and pet skill books.

Meanwhile, all players who top up with 400 gold or more for 3 consecutive days will receive huge gift bundles to boost their account strength for the brilliant festive brawling.

Last month, NGames unleashed Chapter 6 on Pockie Ninja, the latest update to hit the anime-inspired MMO. The update introduced a new game-wide Card System that all players can use to collect and exchange special cards for free in-game items.

The massive update also increased the Newbie Quest levels to level 26, making the game more accessible to new players. New items, synthesis formulas, special high level sets, and brand new in-game titles were also added.

Players can even work in tandem with their friends by exchanging cards with each other through the new My Card House feature.

You can celebrate Christmas with Naruto and friends this year for free by signing up and playing Pockie Ninja now: http://www.pockieninja.com

Eligium begins closed beta

Posted: 19 Dec 2011 01:39 PM PST

Closed beta testing has begun for the select few in Eligium, by Frogster.

The closed beta test will run until January 18, offering content that includes three races, up to the level cap of 45. Players looking to play the Panda will have to wait until the second beta phase. Beta registration is still being accepted at Eligium’s website.

As part of the closed beta release, Frogster has included a presentation on Eligium’s features, which you can check out below.

Frogster also publishes Runes of Magic.

Eligium Features Video

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Explore the lands of Galgaron

Official closed beta test has begun!

The first closed beta test for ELIGIUM- The Chosen One, the newest MMORPG from Frogster, begins today at 16:00 CET (15:00 GMT). Players fortunate enough to get their hands on one of the limited beta keys can start their adventure today – a little present before Christmas.

Pandaring to the Masses
The closed beta will run until the 18th January 2012. During that time players will be able to sample a selection of ELIGIUM's many features and raise one of three selectable races to level 45, the level cap for the closed beta. Players who are waiting to follow the path of the brave Panda will have to practice the art of patience and await the second phase of beta testing where the Panda will make its glorious entrance. Knowing the Panda, this will be hard to miss.

To accompany the launch of the closed beta Frogster has also prepared a special ELIGIUM presentation video which gives players a run through of the game's key features, such as the skills and virtues, to help players get to grips with their new world.

To the view the video please follow this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-1BiQ15qBM

You can still register on the main website to participate in one of the upcoming beta key waves, as well as numerous other competitions. For more details please visit our official website: www.eligium.com

For other ELIGIUM information please visit the official website www.eligium.com and our official profile on Facebook.

Black Prophecy releases Episode 3

Posted: 19 Dec 2011 01:16 PM PST

The third major update for gamigo’s Black Prophecy, Episode 3: Rise of the Boids, is now live.

The update increases the level cap to 50, adding new story and job missions, a new open world sector, a new warzone, and a new PvE raid system. Two raids launch the raid system’s debut, offering complex missions, large-scale boss fights, new special abilities for team play, and of course, epic rewards. The update also improves the tutorial mode, missions, debriefings, HUD, and mission tracking.

gamigo also publishes King of Kings 3 and Loong.

Black Prophecy: Episode 3 Trailer

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Black Prophecy – Episode 3: Rise of the Boids arrives with new trailer!

Hamburg, December 19, 2011 – Black Prophecy, nominated for Best New MMO – 2011 by IGN, released its newest add-on, “Episode 3: Rise of the Boids”. New to the game, the Boids are a robotic race who have been waiting eons for a mysterious, universe-altering event to occur. Though the Boids continue to wait in ritual, players of the epic space combat MMO no longer have to wait for many widely requested features, including a level cap increase to 50,  new story missions, one new warzone, a new open world sector for players level 40 and up, 11 new job missions and a brand new PvE raid system.

Download the brand new trailer for “Episode 3: Rise of the Boids” or watch it on YouTube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-ljBsP7o2s

Long desired by Black Prophecy players, PvE raids have finally earned a prominent place in the game. Players can form large groups and battle alongside each other through two raids that are the longest, most complex missions the game has seen to date. PvE raids will also culminate in large-scale boss fights that offer unique and epic rewards. 11 new special abilities will also be implemented to bolster team play during each raid.

Along with this major addition, various tweaks have been made to a number of areas, including tutorial mode, missions and mission debriefings, along with improvements to the HUD and mission tracking. With all of these tweaks and new features, “Episode 3: Rise of the Boids” refreshes the overall Black Prophecy experience. While the Boids continue to await the universe-altering events, players will be immediately thrilled with the alterations made to their roles within the Black Prophecy universe.

The latest Black Prophecy expansion, “Episode 3:  Rise of the Boids” is available at http://blackprophecy.gamigo.com/

Finally, players can keep up-to-date with the latest news, events and community ramblings at http://www.facebook.com/Black.Prophecy.MMOG

Karma Online releases holiday update

Posted: 19 Dec 2011 10:47 AM PST

Karma Online’s latest update has arrived, granting players a chance to enjoy the holiday spirit as well as the new Clan Champions League, and several events for players to participate in.

New players (registered between December 20 and January 3) will get four special guns in the Rookie Challenge: the GOLD SVT-40 Bayonet, PIAT, CAMO PPSh41, and LUGER, plus one silver and bronze bullet. The game’s first official event, the KP Drive, will reward the player who spend the most KP from now until  January 3 (one per country). The winners receive a 7-day Weight +100 boost. Other contests available include True Marksman, Western Shootout, and Prison Break (Thursdays) GM-sponsored events, where players can hop into live events for chances at rewards including experience boosts, AWP, silver and bronze bullets.

Karma Online is published by Joymax, which also publishes Silkroad Online and Digimon Masters Online.

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Karma Online Gameplay Screenshot

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FOR KARMA ONLINE: PRISONERS OF THE DEAD – IT’S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS

The Hottest First Person Shooter Refuses To Chill Out For The Season!

December 19, 2011 – Joymax, a leading online game developer and publisher, announced today a slew of holiday events for their popular World War II game with a zombie twist, Karma Online: Prisoners of the Dead.  Developed by Dragonfly, the creators behind Quake Wars Online and Soldier of Fortune Online, players will be given the chance to sign up for the brand new Clan Champions League, while enjoying a variety of special Christmas time bonuses! To jump straight into the bullet-heavy action, or learn more about the game, players can visit http://www.joymax.com/karma/.

The first KARMA event pits countrymen against each other: the KP Drive rewards the top user from each country who spends the most KP now until January 3rd.  Are you the savviest spender in the US?  The best equipped soldier from the UK?  Now is the time to prove it!  One winner from each country will receive a 7-day Weight +100 boost, allowing them to carry a huge amount of armor and weapons into battle during that time.

Are you new to the game?  Join in KARMA’s new Rookie Challenge.  All players who register between December 20th and January 3rd 2012 will receive four special guns including the highly coveted GOLD SVT-40 Bayonet, alongside a PIAT, the CAMO PPSh41, a LUGER, and one silver and bronze bullet.

To test your new skills, jump into the many GM-sponsored contests True Marksman matches held several times a day during the week.  Jump into any GM-created room and be the winner of a sniper match.  Prizes are awarded to the winning team as well as outstanding individuals including the soldier with the most kills.  All who participate will receive a 3-day EXP +50%, and the top sniper, win or lose, will be granted a precious AWP.  Feel like your expertise is closer than a scope?  Head over to any Western Shootout room and as a team armed with pistols rise triumphant over your opponents.  Did you lose your gun?  No problem – random rounds will be unarmed instead, so be sure to bring your knife to a gun fight…just in case.

Last but not least, players can prove who is better – the clans, or the GM team!  Every Thursday, dive into the Prison Break, where hot 4v4 action will steam up all three Prisoner maps.  If you’ve got what it takes to edge out the GM team 2 of 3 rounds, your comrades will receive the rare silver bullet, as well as five bronze bullets.    This is one of the rare opportunities to win this coveted ammo, so be prepared for a tough battle ahead.

Once your clan has defeated the game’s caretakers, they can compete against each other in the new Clan Champions League.  For full details players can check the official KARMA Online Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/KarmaPOD

MMO Updates

MMO Updates


Korean gaming giants adjusting data collection policies

Posted: 19 Dec 2011 09:00 AM PST

Filed under: , , , ,

NCsoft logo
Changes are afoot in the Korean gaming industry in the wake of last month's massive Nexon hack that cost over 13 million MapleStory users their personal information. NCsoft has decided to stop collecting its players' Resident Registration Number (which is a Korean analog to the American Social Security number) due to concerns over privacy issues.

Korean gamers will still need to fork over the number to play NCsoft games, though, according to a report at ThisIsGame.com. Players need only an email and password to register for the PlayNC portal, but the RRN may still be required to verify that new registrants aren't bots, and NCsoft has handed off the collection responsibilities to a third-party agency. "We have acknowledged the importance of personal information for a long time. So we have collected minimum personal information and have asked another agency to do the sensitive information work including the RRN on behalf of us," said an NCsoft official.

ThisIsGame also reports that NHN Hangame has decided to stop collecting personal information, while Nexon and Neowiz are formulating new collection policies.

MassivelyKorean gaming giants adjusting data collection policies originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 19 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BioWare taking SWTOR queues 'seriously'

Posted: 19 Dec 2011 08:00 AM PST

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Star Wars: The Old Republic - Tython air taxi
Stop us if you've heard this one before: Hugely anticipated MMO struggles to balance lengthy launch queues with long-term server and community stability. Yes, BioWare is slogging down the same slippery supply and demand slope that many AAA MMOs have trod before, and a report at Eurogamer suggests that the lines have only just begun.

There were 140 servers open for business this past weekend (a pre-launch period in which BioWare staggered waves of invites to legions of early release customers), and more are being added due to queue times approaching two hours. With Star Wars: The Old Republic's actual launch day looming tomorrow, BioWare's Jeff Hickman did his best to deflect criticism and soothe the impatient rumblings of disgruntled players.

"While we can't promise that there won't ever be queues, we can promise you that we are taking this matter seriously and constantly reviewing them to make sure that they are manageable and reasonable," he said.

MassivelyBioWare taking SWTOR queues 'seriously' originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 19 Dec 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tiny Speck and Trion Worlds make gaming headlines in 2011

Posted: 19 Dec 2011 07:00 AM PST

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Glitch
Trion Worlds and Tiny Speck are two MMO studios that have made waves in 2011 with their ambitious plans and potential profit margins, according to the Wall Street Journal. The publication's article examines how these companies are running contrary to Zynga's model by producing top-tier content without trying to nickle-and-dime customers.

Trion's story is seen as one of high risk and higher rewards, especially considering that it was bringing in no revenue before last March while developing three titles. "RIFT has had tremendous success -- the commercial results are just astounding -- but we've got two more big games coming... There is no joy in Mudville," said Trion's David Reid. The article notes that once a MMO breaks even, the profit margin can be as high as 70%.

Trion is reportedly adding 100 new people to the team in the first part of 2012, which will put this studio in giant-sized territory: 520 employees in total.

Tiny Speck may not be as large, with just 41 employees, but the team is growing due to Glitch's success. Even though the potential to make money is there, co-founder Eric Costello says that the team puts in long hours as primarily a labor of love: "The game industry is famous for running their employees into the ground, and we definitely don't want to do that, but we've also found that building a game is a lot harder than we thought it would be."

MassivelyTiny Speck and Trion Worlds make gaming headlines in 2011 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 19 Dec 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MV Guide: December 19-25, 2011

Posted: 19 Dec 2011 06:00 AM PST

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Dungeon Fighter Online
MV Guide is a weekly rundown of the MMO gaming events planned on Massively TV.

Every week, the Massively staff logs in to play various MMOs live and in person, and we'd love for you to drop by the channel and visit. We have a combination of regular weekly games and new surprises, so you'll find a variety of titles to take a look at. During our streamed events, you can participate in the live chat, ask questions to learn about the game, and simply spend some time with Massively staff and readers. (Of course, streaming is subject to the whims of outside forces like server-side gremlins once in a while.)

Follow along after the jump to see what's on this week's schedule.

Continue reading MV Guide: December 19-25, 2011

MassivelyMV Guide: December 19-25, 2011 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 19 Dec 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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    The Daily Grind: Will SWTOR succeed in Asia?

    Posted: 19 Dec 2011 05:00 AM PST

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    Star Wars manga
    Gamers (and game executives) are fond of comparing Star Wars: The Old Republic to World of Warcraft. Forums are rife both with discussions on how TOR will (or will not) dethrone the reigning MMO subscription champ and with arguments regarding similar game mechanics.

    One thing I haven't seen mentioned is a prediction on whether or not SWTOR will succeed in the Asian market. We know, for example, that a huge portion of WoW's 12 million users came from the Far East, and sales suggest that Eastern gaming audiences are very different from their Western counterparts (see the ongoing popularity and profitability of games like Aion and Lineage II, which draw contemptuous sneers from American audiences -- if they notice them at all).

    When you compare BioWare's focus on narrative with Blizzard's focus on progression, it's very possible to see TOR falling short of WoW's Asian success. What do you think, Massively readers? Will TOR conquer the Asian MMO market?

    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: Will SWTOR succeed in Asia? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 19 Dec 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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      Champions Online introduces Star Warsy archetype

      Posted: 19 Dec 2011 04:00 AM PST

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      Champions Online - Sith Lord, er... Unleashed
      If it's true that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then the devs behind Champions Online can safely be called Star Wars fans. Whether they're Star Wars: The Old Republic fans is another matter, but chances are good seeing as how the game's newest archetype would feel right at home in a galaxy far, far away.

      The Unleashed is a new brawler role that looks quite a bit like your average Sith lord, right down to the dual red blades and sinister black robes. Cryptic's archetype description features phrases like cosmic knight, dark inquisitor, and militant monk, and the release blurb says that the Unleashed is coming to Champions today, December 19th.

      Is it a tongue-in-cheek homage or a shameless attempt to capitalize on the biggest hype-train the MMO space has ever seen? You decide, and be sure to head to the Champions website to learn more.

      MassivelyChampions Online introduces Star Warsy archetype originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 19 Dec 2011 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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      New ArcheAge beta videos feature sailing, exploration

      Posted: 18 Dec 2011 07:00 PM PST

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      ArcheAge - sailing
      If you're not in the ArcheAge beta (or if you are but can't figure anything out due to the language barrier), you'll want to check out a series of new gameplay videos at Steparu.com. The fan site has uploaded six clips that show off the high seas adventuring to be had in XLGAMES' forthcoming sandpark title, and there's an hour's worth of footage sure to be of interest to those of you chomping at the bit to do a little nautical exploring.

      ArcheAge's oceans are apparently vast, as the party makes use of the fastest ship in the game and still spends quite a lot of time looking for an island to call home. There's also a bit of island exploration footage, and you can find the first video after the break.

      Continue reading New ArcheAge beta videos feature sailing, exploration

      MassivelyNew ArcheAge beta videos feature sailing, exploration originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 18 Dec 2011 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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      MMO Week in Review: Into the sunset

      Posted: 18 Dec 2011 05:00 PM PST

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      Farewell SWG
      At the end of every week, we round up the best and most popular news stories, exclusive features, and insightful columns published on Massively and then present them all in one convenient place. Miss a big MMO or WoW Insider story last week? You've come to the right post.

      MMO closures don't happen all that often, and those that die tend to do so in a fireball of bankruptcy and layoffs not long after launch rather than through peaceful contact negotiations after almost a decade of successful operation, but Star Wars Galaxies joined the latter group this week, sunsetting its servers on Thursday night. If you missed the finale, you can catch up with our recorded livestream of the last hour of the game and our sandbox column's touching eulogy. And there's always that other Star Wars game...

      Join us past the break for a glimpse of this week's other top MMO stories.

      Continue reading MMO Week in Review: Into the sunset

      MassivelyMMO Week in Review: Into the sunset originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 18 Dec 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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        EVE Evolved: Fitting the Caldari Naga

        Posted: 18 Dec 2011 03:00 PM PST

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        EVE Evolved title image
        While EVE Online's recent Crucible expansion brought us over a hundred small features, balance tweaks, and graphical updates, its headline feature was undoubtedly the four new tier 3 battlecruisers. It's been several years since a new combat ship was added to EVE, and combat had begun to get a little stale. Most of EVE's ships follow a logical design progression, with larger ships having more tank and higher damage output. CCP turned that concept on its head with the new tier 3 battlecruisers, which deal battleship-class damage but have both the agility and paper-thin tank of a tech 1 cruiser.

        The Caldari Naga is the very definition of a glass cannon, able to output more damage than a Megathron or Rokh but at the cost of having practically no tank. It can be sniper-fit to deal around 650 DPS at ranges of 100-130km, blaster-fit to output a raw 1,500 DPS at ranges below 10km, or even set up to fight effectively with blasters outside web range. Its high top speed and cruiser-like agility add new gameplay options to existing sniper and heavy damage-dealer fleet roles, providing battleship-class damage for roaming cruiser gangs. It's a potential game-changer for nullsec alliances engaging in hit-and-run style warfare, but as with all new ships it can be difficult to figure out an effective ship fitting.

        In this week's EVE Evolved, I explore three solid fittings for the Naga designed to fill common PvP roles.

        Continue reading EVE Evolved: Fitting the Caldari Naga

        MassivelyEVE Evolved: Fitting the Caldari Naga originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 18 Dec 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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          League of Legends releases Ahri, the Nine-Tailed Fox

          Posted: 18 Dec 2011 01:00 PM PST

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          League of Legends title image
          Back in September, Riot Games was so excited about an upcoming League of Legends champion it had barely begun working on that it released the concept to fans far ahead of schedule. The champion later became known as Ahri, the Nine-Tailed Fox, and last week we got a sneak peek at her abilities and the balance changes that would be accompanying her arrival. That patch went live this weekend, and Ahri has now been officially released.

          In a new champion spotlight video, LoL's resident strategic expert Phreak discusses each of Ahri's abilities in detail and gives tips on playing the champion effectively. Ahri is a mage assassin, able to dish out considerable damage in a short space of time. After landing a number of spell attacks, Ahri's next spell will hit with a huge bonus to spell vamp. By sending an Orb of Deception through a whole wave of enemy creeps once the spell vamp buff is active, Ahri can heal herself for a significant amount. Her ultimate allows her to quickly dash around the field of play, either to chase down a fleeing champion or evade pursuit.

          Skip past the cut to watch the full champion spotlight video in HD, and stay tuned to our weekly Not So Massively column every Monday for more LoL news and updates.

          Continue reading League of Legends releases Ahri, the Nine-Tailed Fox

          MassivelyLeague of Legends releases Ahri, the Nine-Tailed Fox originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 18 Dec 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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            Perfect World announces Fantasy Condor Heroes MMO

            Posted: 18 Dec 2011 12:00 PM PST

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            Are you ready for another free-to-play martial arts MMO from China? Ready or not, Perfect World Entertainment is producing a title called Fantasy Condor Heroes, according to a news blurb at Gamasutra.

            If you're a student of Chinese popular culture, that name may ring a bell since it's taken from a wuxia novel called Return of the Condor Heroes. The book was written by author Louis Cha (under the pen name Jin Yong) and originally serialized in the late 1950s. Thus far Perfect World has not made any feature- or gameplay-related details available, nor do we know when Fantasy Condor Heroes will be released.

            MassivelyPerfect World announces Fantasy Condor Heroes MMO originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 18 Dec 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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            On the sixth day of giveaways, GamersFirst gave to me...

            Posted: 18 Dec 2011 11:00 AM PST

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            APB
            On the sixth day of giveaways, GamersFirst gave to me... six retail packs!
            On the fifth day of giveaways, Trion gave to me... five subscription codes!
            On the fourth day of giveaways, Nexon gave to me... four pet items!
            On the third day of giveaways, Wargaming.net gave to me... three premium years!
            On the second day of giveaways, BioWare gave to me... two warring factions!
            On the first day of giveaways, Turbine gave to me... a lifetime VIP!


            We're at the halfway point of our 12 Days of Giveaways thanks to GamersFirst and APB: Reloaded. Remember earlier this month when we told you about the new retail boxed edition of the game? Well, if you liked it, you're in luck. GamersFirst has put together six digital copies of that edition, wrapped them up in a big bow, and put them under our virtual tree.

            Six lucky Massively readers will win a bundle containing 30 days of premium access, 500 G1 credits, a faction-specific sports car, and a special secondary weapon. If you win, look very carefully because Santa Paro (/rimshot) has slipped one more extra special item into each pack. We'll save that one for a surprise!

            Want to get your hands on one of these codes? To enter, simply leave a comment answering the burning question: enforcer or criminal? The entry deadline is tomorrow, December 19th, at 2:00 p.m. EST. Once the deadline hits, we'll choose six winners and award the gifts. Check out the contest rules below, and best of luck!

            CONTEST FAQ OFFICIAL RULES

            MassivelyOn the sixth day of giveaways, GamersFirst gave to me... originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 18 Dec 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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              MMORPG News

              MMORPG News


              General: Five TV Shows That Should Be MMOs

              Posted: 17 Dec 2011 01:24 PM PST

              Piggybacking off of our List last week, we take a look at five television shows of the past and present that might make compelling online games. Chime in with your thoughts!

              Eligium: Closed Beta Kicks Off

              Posted: 19 Dec 2011 05:32 AM PST

              Frogster has announced that the closed beta test for Eligium has officially kicked off. The CBT is expected to run through January 18th with players being able to experience much of what the game will ultimately offer.

              World of Tanks: T2 Light Tank Holiday Giveaway!

              Posted: 18 Dec 2011 11:18 AM PST

              MMORPG.com has been given a bunch of free codes for World of Tanks that will give *new players only* an L2 Light Tank and 300 gold! Get your key now while supplies last!

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