MMO News

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• New details about Phantasy Star Online 2
• Meet the Maned Dragon Tribe in Spirit Tales
• Auto Club Revolution begins open beta
• Star Trek Online launches European free-to-play
• Luvinia introduces Abbes Dungeon
• Scrimmage in the Wild Microvolts West
• RiotZone introduces raids and game guides
• Forge of Empires begins closed beta
• Do MMORPG’s need a New Spin?
• Prius Online and Luna Online have shut down

New details about Phantasy Star Online 2 Posted: 29 Mar 2012 06:36 PM PDT A recent media conference from Sega, held in Japan, offered new insights into the fate of Phantasy Star Online 2. According to AndriaSang, the game will use a free-to-play MMO model, making it free to download and play with optional microtransactions. Sega also announced that iOS and Android are being added to the list of platforms that includes PC and PlayStation Vita. The smartphone versions will not be cross-platform, and will focus on simpler character creation, control, and gameplay elements, with additional social game elements attached. Phantasy Star Online 2 is expected to launch for PC in Japan in early summer, for smartphone in winter, and for PS Vita in spring 2013. Closed beta will begin in April. There is still no word as to whether Sega will release the game in the West. Phantasy Star Online 2 Gameplay Screenshot

Meet the Maned Dragon Tribe in Spirit Tales Posted: 29 Mar 2012 05:52 PM PDT KoramGame has offered a new look into another tribe of Spirit Tales: the Maned Dragon. This tribe offers the Archer and Warrior classes. The Archer holds honor and camaraderie to their heart, and excels at long-ranged combat. They can utilize the bow from a long range, or the cross bow from a shorter range (with more powerful damage). The Warrior seeks to become the guardian of their friends and community, and specializes in close-range defense. Warriors can utilize the warhammer or polearm. You can get a glimpse of both of these classes in the image below. Earlier this week, Spirit Tales previewed the Lunar Tribe.

Auto Club Revolution begins open beta Posted: 29 Mar 2012 04:45 PM PDT Auto Club Revolution, a free-to-play online racing game from Eutechnyx, has begun open beta testing. The open beta test will allow players to experience both free and premium content, with officially licensed cars from leading automobile manufacturers. Players can own, customize, upgrade, and race their cars in challenges. The game features a dual-currency (in-game and E-Bucks) system. Registration can be found at  www.autoclubrevolution.com. Auto Club Revolution Gameplay Screenshot Source: AUTO CLUB REVOLUTION® ROARS INTO OPEN BETA The revolutionary online racing game and car community successfully completes its Closed Beta Test phase. 29th March 2012, Auto Club Revolution today announced its Open Beta phase following the successful completion of the Closed Beta Test programme. Players can now join the game without invitation atwww.autoclubrevolution.com Auto Club Revolution is a free-to-play online racing game and car community built in collaboration with the motor industry. Featuring officially licensed cars from over 40 of the world's leading motor manufacturers, it delivers a 'best in class' racing experience to the free-to-play market while providing a social platform for owning, customising and enjoying cars online. From today, Auto Club Revolution will feature both free and premium content providing players with a range of options for car ownership. Players can unlock free cars at regular intervals through the game's progression as well as enjoying free access to performance upgrades, tracks, and the game's many customisation tools. They can also optionally purchase items for the new cash currency E-Bucks which, alongside 'Credits' earned by racing and completing challenges, completes the dual currency system. "We have benefited from the best beta test community a game could ever hope for", said Team Lead, Doug Wolff. "These are some of the most dedicated players I've ever encountered and the amazing feedback that we've received has been critical to us reaching the stage where we can open the game to all players." Since the launch of the Closed Beta, the game's dedicated testing community has racked-up millions of miles driving officially licensed cars on a variety of race tracks. CEO, Brian Jobling explains, "The team has worked incredibly hard to get to the Open Beta phase and we're very excited to welcome everyone into the game. The fundamental philosophy of Auto Club Revolution is our commitment to producing a premium quality game, built around large quantities of stunning licensed content and deployed in a game world that delivers a 'best-in-class' game play experience." Auto Club Revolution has already licensed content from over 40 car and over 150 upgrade parts manufacturers plus a raft of licensed race tracks, such as Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Silverstone and Infineon Raceway plus the game's range of custom race tracks. From today, players can register for free today and collect their free starter car at www.autoclubrevolution.com

Star Trek Online launches European free-to-play Posted: 29 Mar 2012 04:04 PM PDT Cryptic Studios and Perfect World Entertainment have officially launched Star Trek Online’s free-t0-play model in Europe. The European free-to-play launch brings German and French players into the fold with fully translated clients in their respective language. Star Trek Online is over two years old, and has featured five seasons of content updates and made itself available at no-cost to players this past year. Cryptic Studios also publishes Champions Online. Star Trek Online Gameplay Screenshot Source: STAR TREK™ ONLINE SETS COURSE FOR EUROPE Popular Sci-fi MMO Releases French and German Versions (Amsterdam, Netherlands) March 29, 2012 — Perfect World (Europe) B.V., the European subsidiary of Perfect World Co., Ltd. (NASDAQ: PWRD), and Cryptic Studios, Inc., an acclaimed developer of MMO games, along with CBS Consumer Products, have announced today the European launch of the free-to-play, massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG), Star Trek Online.   With this European free-to-play launch, German and French players can now lead their crew on missions in their own language and also participate in events, in-game chats, competitions and episodic missions that will immerse them even more in the always expanding Star Trek universe.   As the first AAA quality MMO to feature space and ground combat, Star Trek Online has continued to grow in popularity. Over the past two years, the game has expanded with five seasons of content updates, delivered story-driven Feature Episode Series, and introduced new systems that allow for enhanced gameplay, such as spacewalk missions in zero-gravity and the new Duty Officer system. In addition, the recent conversion of Star Trek Online to a free-to-play model has opened its doors to anyone who wants to experience the game at no cost.   “The launch of Star Trek Online in Europe is the culmination of our efforts over the past several years to bring gamers the Star Trek universe on a truly massive scale,” said Dan Stahl, Executive Producer for Star Trek Online. “We’d like to share this accomplishment with our community of players that have given their ongoing support to help us create an innovative game that captures Star Trek’s essence and we are happy to offer a localized experience for our French and German-speaking players. Our team is looking forward to sharing this experience with players in Europe and across the world.”

Luvinia introduces Abbes Dungeon Posted: 29 Mar 2012 03:22 PM PDT Luvinia Online has just released a new dungeon and raised the level cap in its latest update. The level cap has been raised in 87, just in time for players to tackle Abbes Dungeon. This dungeon features an enchanted garden, an Underground Palace, and the boss of Abbes: Shin, accompanied by Kohler the Minotaurus. As part of the update release, Outspark will host seven Kill Billy PvP events on Weekdays until April 6, where players must try to be the last one standing in a battle for some awesome loot. Players can also get a free experience boost from redeeming the code ABBESEXP. Outspark also publishes Fiesta Online. Luvinia Abbes Trailer: Source:   Luvinia Online Releases Abbes Dungeon: Epic PvP Fighting Where Hell Reigns King Level Cap Raise with Massive Instanced Zones, Badass Bosses, and a Monster Rock Soundtrack SAN FRANCISCO – March 29, 2012 – Today, Outspark raised the level cap on its brand new free-to-play fantasy MMORPG, Luvinia Online, to Level 87, and opened Abbes Dungeon, a massive instanced zone of fierce PvP fighting, to players Level 80 and above. Players have been training for weeks for the bloodbath that's about to ensue in this kill-or-be-killed, loot-rich zone of no consequence. Upon approach, a guitar shreds as fireflies dart around the enchanted garden entrance, but the roar of the God of Darkness can be heard from the Underground Palace where Shin, the ruthless boss of Abbes, lay waiting with his faithful sidekick, Kohler The Minotaurus, and his thug militia. Only the strong will survive. "Abbes has incredibly cool graphics and a killer soundtrack to accompany the attacks of unrelenting bosses and mobs – our players will be impressed with how hard they're going to have to fight," smiles Philip Yun, CEO, Outspark. "Kudos to our developers, Simo and Shanda Games, for rewarding Luvinia's highest level players with such challenging content." Weekdays, from now until Friday, April 6, 2pm PT, Outspark is hosting seven wicked Kill Billy PvP events where players can test their mettle by trying to defeat an all-powerful GM. Big loot will be dropping and there's sure to be mayhem as players vie to be the last one standing. REDEEM CODE ABBESEXP FOR A FREE EXP BOOST, http://www.outspark.com/redeem?src=osk&aff=PR&kyd=media.

Scrimmage in the Wild Microvolts West Posted: 29 Mar 2012 02:54 PM PDT MicroVolts has released a new update, Scrimmage in the Wild West. The update, themed around the 19th century “American West,” releases a new map called Wild West. It also introduces a new “Scrimmage” player mode, where players can practice and hone their skills without affecting their kill/death ratio. Players can also find a new costume set for C.H.I.P. in the Capsule Machine, a new ensemble for Pandora, and new accessories and weapons. April will host new events, including Double Micro Points and Double Experience days, the GMs vs. The World Tournament, and Sniper-Only and MicroGun-Only tournaments. MicroVolts is published by Rock Hippo, which also publishes Brawl Busters. MicroVolts Gameplay Screenshot Source: SADDLE UP! MICROVOLTS TAKES PLAYERS TO A SCRIMMAGE IN THE WILD WEST STARTING TODAY Today’s Update Features An All-New Wild West Map, New Player Mode, Costumes And A Variety Of In-Game Events Markham, Canada – March 29, 2012 – Rock Hippo Productions Ltd. announced today the launch of its latest update, Scrimmage in the Wild West, for its cartoon style third-person shooter, MicroVolts. The latest update takes players back to the 19th century American West with a brand new map, “Wild West.” But gun-slinging and cowboys aren’t all .. the new update also features a brand-new player mode, new costume sets and a host of exciting in-game events complete with prizes. Players can check out the latest screen shots and new update at www.MicroVolts.com. Cowboys on horseback will be the least of players’ worries as toys battle it out for Micro World supremacy on a brand new frontier! The new “Wild West” map will challenge players as they fight off every two-bit predator in their path. In addition to the new Wild West map, players can also perfect their MicroVolter skills with the latest player mode. Players can use the new mode to try out strategies and fine-tune their MicroVolting skills without affecting their kill/death ratio in “Scrimmage” mode. What’s more, a new costume set in the Capsule Machine for popular character C.H.I.P. is now available and will have music enthusiasts clamoring for an encore! Players can view the latest screen shots for a peek at MicroVolts’ tribute to the late musical legend “Jimi.” Players can also look forward to a new ensemble for Pandora, new accessories and new weapons. To kick off the update, the MicroVolts team has put together a slew of exciting events for April. Players can capitalize on Double Micro Points or Double Experience days, challenge the MicroVolts’ GMs in the next “GMs vs. The World Tournament,” or show of their expertise in the Sniper-Only and MicroGun-Only Tournaments. MicroVolters can expect awesome prizes for each event including a chance at grabbing some of the newly released items that are part of the new update. To view the latest screen shots or to download the game for free, visit www.MicroVolts.com .

RiotZone introduces raids and game guides Posted: 29 Mar 2012 01:33 PM PDT RiotZone has recently introduced an update, expanding features for its players. Raids are now available for players above level 5, and can be completed 8 times a day (20 times for premium members). These raids let players loot resources by sending their army on patrol; increased rewards can be earned by adding a Hangar. Game Guides are a new system for newbies to RiotZone, which offer introductions to the layout and combat; guides are also being introduced for veterans on subjects like tuning. RiotZone is published by Mail.Ru, which also publishes Juggernaut. RiotZone Gameplay Screenshot Source: PATROL THE RIOTZONE New Game Features and Game Guide Released Hamburg, Germany – March 29, 2012 – Leading publisher Mail.RU Games unveiled recently new features for their fast paced PVP war title, Riot Zone, free to play from anywhere without any downloads. The recent patch expands the actions players can take, even while logged off. With a new game guide also available to give tips for green recruits and grizzled veterans alike, players can march over to http://www.riotzone.net/ and sign up via email or Facebook connect. Spoiling for a good fight? Raid your enemy’s bases in heated PVP combat! Raids are now open to all characters level 5 and above, eight times per day or 20 per day for premium members. Guns blazing, topple your foes defences and loot precious resources , which can be improved by adding a Hangar to your own camp. Avoid being raided by sending your army out of patrol where they can earn some extra cash, but beware: while you cannot be attacked, this also means you cannot perform a raid, so choose when to patrol wisely. Newcomers will be delighted with the introduction of Game Guides, which steer players through the first steps of combat via the starter pack. Those looking for help using all the buttons can surf over to the user interface guide for a quick and easy layout introduction. Veterans aren’t being left out either: the new Tuning guide provides insight on what stats provide the best boosts, depending on the role players wish to take, as well as outlining some of the best weapon buffs available in game. Game Guides will be published on a regular basis and will focus on a variety of topics. The update from March 19th expands the daily mission list for all players, implements an improved clan interface, making clan versus clan wars and soldier management faster, as well as the new clan action log, so players can catch up with all the combat that occurred while they were unavailable. The new patch also brings a set of exclusive boots to the shop – but only for a limited time, so grab this rare equipment before it disappears forever! Hot battle for cool heads Anti-malaria’s? Check. Food? Check. Adequate equipment? Check. Good preparation is essential in “RiotZone”. Gamers will not only fight for one of the two factions – The Red Alliance or the Coalition of the Crown – but also train their soldiers, upgrade weapons and expand their base. These role-playing elements turn out to be authoritative in later gameplay. Only the coolest strategic thinkers will prevail in numerous missions and PvP battles. “RiotZone” scores with many PvP modes: 1on1, 2on2 and 3on3 are just the beginning. Raids on enemy territory, conquest of resource-rich areas and large-scale battlefields require you to surpass just being a gamer, and ascend to the level of a commander. Semi-automatic fights allow dynamic and spontaneous quick battles where players can bring in a lot of extra firepower in the form of various special abilities.

Forge of Empires begins closed beta Posted: 29 Mar 2012 01:19 PM PDT InnoGames has launched the closed beta for Forge of Empires. Forge of Empires’ closed beta will be in English only, although other languages will be supported in open beta. Keys remain available through the game’s official website. Forge of Empires is a browser-based strategy game, featuring a single player campaign, PvP elements, hex-based combat, and detailed city building and resource management. InnoGames also publishes Tribal Wars and Grepolis. Forge of Empires Gameplay Screenshot Source: Forge of Empires Embarks on a Closed Beta Hamburg, March 29, 2012. InnoGames just launched its newest browser game, Forge of Empires, into a closed beta. Perspective players can now apply for one of a few thousand keys to access the game before the official launch by registering on www.forgeofempires.com. While the closed beta will be in English, InnoGames also plans several other languages to be available for the upcoming open beta. Forge of Empires is a browser-based strategy game that allows players to create a city and develop it from the Stone Age onward throughout the centuries. Players can create a vast empire through military campaigns and skillful dealings, as well as discovering new technology and building impressive historical buildings. On top of this, one must foster a healthy culture for citizens and develop trading techniques to ensure proper building supplies. Besides an ever-growing number of PvP-elements Forge, Empires contains a long-term single player campaign which offers months of entertainment and a turn-based battle system on a hex-field. Tactical facets to the game will keep strategists challenged and a unique research tree enhances player control in the title. InnoGames provides additional information in the game’s blog. With about 75 million registered players, InnoGames is one of the world’s leading developers and providers of online games. The Hamburg-based company has scored major successes with games such as Tribal Wars, The West and Grepolis.

Do MMORPG’s need a New Spin? Posted: 29 Mar 2012 12:54 PM PDT By Gavin Dickson As all of us know, MMORPG's have followed the same structure from game to game for many years now. When looking at the foundation of an MMORPG, we can pinpoint many different features that make up the genre: Skill Trees, Classes, Loot, PVP, Quests, and everything in between. These are just fragments of what makes a Massively Multiplayer Online game, yet they are always present when players go from game to game. When looking at the currently available MMORPG titles, we start to see a pattern from every developer. Are these features essential for a good MMORPG experience, or have developers become a creature of habit?   Sitting down and playing an MMORPG can be fun and overwhelming; usually they are bursting with content for the player to enjoy, yet when analyzing MMORPG's as a whole the content itself, one can notice a content pattern from game to game. This isn't a bad thing by any means, but it makes a person wonder if it will ever change or why it hasn't already.   Yes, there are games that have tried to bring this content to life through other means; SWTOR and RIFT come to mind. But gameplay still follows the same structure: Grab Quest, Travel to Quest Area and Kill/Obtain "X" number of things, Turn in Quest, Obtain Reward, rinse and repeat. This is the bulk of MMORPG gameplay and sometimes it can wear a player out. A decent start in the right direction…but its still just a dressed up quest. Consider if MMORPG's didn't have quests; players took it upon themselves to forge their own stories through a book that they obtained at the start of the game. The book would have gaps that the player had to fill in by doing SOMETHING in the game. For instance, the book reads, "_____ the _____ hopped upon his/her trusty _____ to slay the powerful _____". The player would then fill in the blanks by interacting with the environment creating something like this: "Gavin the Wombat Psychiatrist hopped upon his trusty Rocket Powered Sheep to slay the powerful Beard Stylist." Imagine if a game gave the player the freedom to craft their own destiny within the walls of the world they explore. I certainly wouldn't mind being a wombat psychiatrist, nor riding a rocket powered sheep. It only takes one risk to ensure profit, unless you fail miserably. Rocket Sheep, My Mount of Choice This structure could potentially redefine the way MMORPG's were played. Players could become whatever they'd set their hearts on and play the way they wanted to play. This would also give players a distinct identity when playing the game because no two characters would be the same. Taking it one step further; imagine adding another layer of depth to MMORPG design by creating your own loot.   Lets say each player in the game could create one piece of loot and aftewards that custom loot piece was shuffled into the game's item database. The piece of loot would then be given distinct stats and rarity to be distributed as a drop or shop item in game. This would mean that the loot the players obtained could have been made by another player adding a lot more creativity and customizability in games today. Beyond that of simple static crafting.   Even though there has been a lot of success for MMORPG's using the same recycled systems, their needs to be room for taking risks. Often players want to have more interaction with the world they are in and not be stuck on a set path. Giving players the opportunity to craft their own experience from start to finish could be a way to bring the genre forward. Granted I am not the almighty game design wizard and maybe I am wrong and everything is as it should be, but I can't help feeling that the MMORPG market has a lot more to offer than what it brings forth currently.

Prius Online and Luna Online have shut down Posted: 28 Mar 2012 05:02 PM PDT gPotato officially shut down Prius Online and Luna Online yesterday, March 27. All players of Prius Online or Luna Online are eligible to redeem a special package for other games on the gPotato portal, which include free gPotatoes and in-game items to give new players a boost. Eligibility requires logging in three times in the past 90 days. Packages must be redeemed by April 10. Other games still published by gPotato include Aika Online, Allods Online, Flyff: Fly For Fun, and Rappelz. Prius Online Gameplay Screenshot Source: Since Prius Online launch, gPotato has enjoyed providing the highest quality of service for all players. Unfortunately, we are regretfully announcing that we will be closing all services with Prius Online as of March 27th, 2012. In order to give back to our valued players and fans, ALL players, including spending and non-spending users, will be able to redeem a package to check out the other amazing games on the gPotato portal! Each package consists of FREE bonus gPotatoes as well as FREE in-game items to help new players. To qualify for the package, players must have logged in 3 or more times in the past 90 days. It is our highest priority to make sure all players are satisfied and are able to enjoy their time when playing gPotato games. To redeem your package, simply click on the button below after logging in to your account. Please note that only ONE package can be redeemed per account. You MUST also redeem your package by April 10th.

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Latest Gaming and MMORPG Updates

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Silent Hill Downpour Review: A Faithful Sequel that Struggles to Define Itself Posted: 28 Mar 2012 09:36 AM PDT See the child. Hear her beckon forth, surrounded by the carcasses of men harboring murderous intent. Men you ended. Their last breath whispering about the sweetness of a child, or the satisfaction of killing the interloper that you are. Save the child, who you thought was yourn, but she reveals herself to be Mei lost in the world of dust, not the daughter you left behind twelve months ago. The voice in your pocket sputters forth. The man named Henry asks, take her, take the lost child Mei, take her to the mall. Give her medicine left behind by those who never set foot in Haventown, those who drop foodstuffs and medicines from above and never look back. Not since The Event. The Event that scraped the loam off the earth and turned it into the dust that hugs and holds and kills all who wander within. The dust that chips and gnaws at your very stamina. The Event that dominates I Am Alive. So you go, ever pressing on to find wife and child. Gone a year, but now you return, to climb and cobble and carry on. You cannot ignore Mei’s bleat for aid, but other survivors of the Event not so much as settle but subsist their meager existences in the dust covered Haventown. A man yearns cigarettes to pass on. Another man in an amusement park needs medicine to heal the leg that’s been crushed by another uncivilized man. Haventown also starves for supplies. Bottles of water, cans of fruit cocktail, a single inhaler, a handful of painkillers, these all turn into precious manna from heaven through scarcity. Give the emergency kit to the woman with the ankle sprain? What these bemoaning folk have to give, besides gratitude and perhaps a precious shotgun, is the Retry. Haventown harbors death by trial, not saves. It does not yield to the checkpoint that others call for. It takes away a Retry from your knapsack for every fall, stab, or shot you suffer. Deplete your store of Retries, and your journey resumes at the beginning of your current episode. A practice that leeches away minutes of your life. A practice that mocks you by depleting Retries and then flings you back to 45 minutes ago. What is worth more, the rat meat that can heal you, or the Retry that you get for giving rat meat to the gurgling man below? Every survivor, like the woman bound by handcuff to a bench, pleads for help while you mind debates. Find similar article at: http://www.1up.com/reviews?cId=3186913 Related posts: Yakuza: Dead Souls Review: An Undercooked Zombie Casserole Ninja Gaiden 3 Review: American Ninja, the Video Game I Am Alive Review: A Bold Yet Frustrating Video Game Homage to The Road

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MMO Updates

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• SOE releases PlanetSide 2 alpha gameplay video
• Auto Club Revolution open beta starts today
• UFO Online abducts cows, starts second beta phase
• Turbine outlines 2012 festivals, mentions new Farmer's Faire event
• Massively Exclusive: Star Trek Online announces EU relaunch, double XP weekend
• The Daily Grind: Would you pay extra for a filtered community?
• A Mild-Mannered Reporter: Superheroish
• Free for All: From realistic dragons to a dragon icon
• The Mittani gets hit with ban and resigns in wake of EVE Online controversy
• Cash rules everything around Pathfinder Online
• Newest WildStar Wednesday talks about creatures like a boss
• Hunker down and blow up: Meet PlanetSide 2's Engineer
• SOE showers Vanguard loyalists with gifts
• Jumping out an airlock is a legitimate mode of travel in Line of Defense
• Choose My Adventure: Dark Age of Camelot, week three
• Grand Chase: Heroes updates with new player housing
• Forsaken World Nightfall expansion is officially live
• EVE Fanfest videos viewable on YouTube

SOE releases PlanetSide 2 alpha gameplay video Posted: 29 Mar 2012 10:00 AM PDT Filed under: Betas, Sci-fi, Video, Game mechanics, MMO industry, New titles, News items, Free-to-play, MMOFPS, PlanetSide 2, Sandbox Want to see some new PlanetSide 2 gameplay action? We do too, and fortunately Gametrailers has a bit of it in the form of a new video. We use the word 'new' loosely here, because the footage was filmed earlier this month at GDC, and there's not a whole lot of info contained therein that fans of the game didn't already know. Still, three minutes of gameplay is nothing to sneeze at, and we get a decent look at ground combat, air combat, and various forms of vehicular combat (as well as all the requisite UIs). The clip is narrated by PlanetSide 2 creative director Matt Higby, and he provides a layman's introduction to the massive world of Auraxis as well as all the customizable gameplay that Sony Online Entertainment is building into its MMOFPS sequel. Don't take our word for it, though. Check out the full video after the break. Continue reading SOE releases PlanetSide 2 alpha gameplay video SOE releases PlanetSide 2 alpha gameplay video originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 29 Mar 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Source: Gametrailers

Auto Club Revolution open beta starts today Posted: 29 Mar 2012 09:00 AM PDT Filed under: Betas, Real life, Game mechanics, MMO industry, New titles, News items, Free-to-play For whatever reason, racing titles have yet to really hit the MMO mainstream. Sure there's Need for Speed World, Test Drive Unlimited 2, iRacing, and the late, great Motor City Online. None of them have broken away from the pack, though, which leaves room for a new entry. Auto Club Revolution has just entered its open beta phase, and Eutechnyx hopes to carve out a foothold for itself thanks to over 40 licensed car manufacturers, 150-plus upgrade parts, and a selection of accurately modeled real-life race tracks. ACR is free-to-play, and players can unlock new vehicles at no cost via the game's progression mechanics. There's a dual currency system in place which mixes earned credits with E-Bucks, and both may be used to purchase upgrades, tracks, and customization options. The game also features single-player challenges and a variety of racing modes. If that sounds like something you'd like to check out for free, head to the official site to join the open beta. [Source: Eutechnyx press release] Auto Club Revolution open beta starts today originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 29 Mar 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

UFO Online abducts cows, starts second beta phase Posted: 29 Mar 2012 08:00 AM PDT Filed under: Betas, Sci-fi, Free-to-play, Humor Remember kids: Just say no to alien probing! If you're like any of us on the Massively staff, then you're sick of being abducted by intergalactic bullies and dissected for kicks. That's why we're glad that gamigo's fighting back with UFO Online, which is one step closer to launch today. The publisher announced that UFO Online is beginning its second beta phase following a period of reflection and development after the first. The game's studio, Funatics, has expanded the game to include two new aliens, a better loot system, more complex missions, and more strategic combat. Phase two of the aliens' diabolical plan, er, the studio's approach will also see a better tutorial, performance optimization, and UI improvements that all should make a significant difference for those testing the game. If smacking down grey-skinned invaders appeals to you, you can apply for the beta on the website and read up on our first impressions of this turn-based tactical MMO. [Source: gamigo press release] UFO Online abducts cows, starts second beta phase originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 29 Mar 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

Turbine outlines 2012 festivals, mentions new Farmer's Faire event Posted: 29 Mar 2012 07:30 AM PDT Filed under: Fantasy, Lord of the Rings Online, Events, in-game, MMO industry, News items, Free-to-play Spring has sprung, and that usually means it's Spring Festival time in Lord of the Rings Online. This year, though, Turbine has pushed the annual in-game event into the month of May due to its busy schedule, which raised questions about the rest of LotRO's yearly shindigs. Turbine took to its forums yesterday to address the concerns, and while the dates aren't set in stone as of yet, it looks like all of the regular events are present and accounted for. LotRO's fifth anniversary festival leads things off next month, followed by the Spring Festival in May, the Farmer's Faire in July, the Summer Festival in August, and the Fall Festival in October. Wait, the Farmer's Faire? Yep, that's a new event, and we'll keep an eye out for news on that going forward. Turbine outlines 2012 festivals, mentions new Farmer's Faire event originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 29 Mar 2012 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Source: LotRO forums Via: Casual Stroll to Mordor

Massively Exclusive: Star Trek Online announces EU relaunch, double XP weekend Posted: 29 Mar 2012 07:00 AM PDT Filed under: Sci-fi, Events, in-game, Launches, Star Trek Online, Free-to-play Star Trek may feature universal translators, but the crew at Cryptic has to make do with old fashioned techniques until the future catches up with us. As such, the studio has announced that it is relaunching Star Trek Online in Europe to support its French- and German-speaking players. Starting right now, the game, website, forums, and game support will be available in all three languages. To further cater to European players, Cryptic has vowed to add more EU-friendly event timeslots. Executive Producer Dan Stahl hopes this will spread STO across the world: "The launch of Star Trek Online in Europe is the culmination of our efforts over the past several years to bring gamers the Star Trek universe on a truly massive scale." All players can benefit from this European relaunch, as Q's coming back to celebrate with a double-XP bonus weekend. Anyone who logs in from today through Monday, April 2nd at 1:00 p.m. EDT will not only benefit from the a skill point and bridge officer point boost, but can claim a free IDIC Tribble of their very own. The Tribble provides a unique buff to your character based on his, her, or its class -- and if you manage to get all three buffs on you at once, you'll be granted an additional boost to damage, resistance, and health regen. [Source: Cryptic press release] Massively Exclusive: Star Trek Online announces EU relaunch, double XP weekend originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 29 Mar 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

The Daily Grind: Would you pay extra for a filtered community? Posted: 29 Mar 2012 06:00 AM PDT Filed under: Fantasy, Age of Conan, Game mechanics, MMO industry, Opinion, Free-to-play, The Daily Grind, Miscellaneous Earlier this week we asked if there was a game you'd like to play but for its awful community. The topic got a lot of replies, and the usual MMO suspects turned up in many of the comments. The thread got us to thinking about customizable communities, server rulesets, and creative uses for instancing technology, and though no MMO firm has offered players control over their community experience as of yet, it's certainly doable. Funcom executive producer Craig Morrison mentioned the possibility in 2011, and for today's Daily Grind, we'd like to know how you'd feel about being able to carve off pieces of a game world specifically for your friends, your guild, or your niche community (roleplayers-only, PvPers-only, etc.). Would you pay extra for dedicated communities or filtering technology? 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! The Daily Grind: Would you pay extra for a filtered community? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 29 Mar 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

A Mild-Mannered Reporter: Superheroish Posted: 28 Mar 2012 07:00 PM PDT Filed under: Super-hero, City of Heroes, Lore, Opinion, Free-to-play, A Mild-Mannered Reporter This may already be clear, but I'm a pretty big fan of comics, superheroic or otherwise. City of Heroes first attracted me because, well, superhero MMO. Like most fans of the genre, I've been creating my own superheroes since I was old enough to think of an appropriate name, and the thought of being able to create these characters and throw them against all manner of villains was more than enough to pique my interest. I dropped my money on a boxed copy and never looked back. Unfortunately, for all its strengths, City of Heroes isn't all that great as a superhero game. It's clear that the people working on the game also know a lot about comics, and there's a definite sense that Paragon Studios works overtime at replicating the source material. But there's a lot of stuff that the game can't or won't handle, and as a result it's never felt like a game about superheroes so much as a game inspired by them. Most of the notes are there, but the music isn't, and I think I've finally nailed down a few reasons why. Continue reading A Mild-Mannered Reporter: Superheroish A Mild-Mannered Reporter: Superheroish originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 28 Mar 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

Free for All: From realistic dragons to a dragon icon Posted: 28 Mar 2012 06:00 PM PDT Filed under: Fantasy, Historical, Screenshots, Culture, Opinion, Guild Wars 2, Free-to-play, Browser, Casual, Free for All Ah, graphics. If ever there was a deciding factor for most gamers, it would be graphics. How does a game look? How do the graphics make you feel as a player? I'm as guilty as anyone else who might consider himself to be a graphics snob of sorts, but I lean more in the opposite direction. For whatever reason, I am not as easily impressed as I once was and tend to go for more representational graphics. I'm not quite at the stage where my MMO gaming has been reduced to a blob of text on my screen, but I definitely enjoy simplicity. The problem is that many MMOs do not provide that precise formula to hit my graphics sweet spot, or as in the more common scenario, there are parts of certain titles that I would adore if only they hadn't been packaged with the rest of the game. Ryzom, for example, is one of my favorite freemium titles. To this day, it packs more graphical punch and originality than games a quarter of its age. Now I find myself leaning more toward very basic graphics delivered smartly through my browser. I've even gone through an Anime obsession! Yes, it's been one of those years. Continue reading Free for All: From realistic dragons to a dragon icon Free for All: From realistic dragons to a dragon icon originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 28 Mar 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

The Mittani gets hit with ban and resigns in wake of EVE Online controversy Posted: 28 Mar 2012 05:15 PM PDT Filed under: Sci-fi, EVE Online, Culture, Events, real-world, News items Alexander "The Mittani" Gianturco has been a fairly notorious figure in EVE Online for years now, but his recent notoriety has been all about some rather untoward remarks from the EVE Online Fanfest. Following harsh remarks in which he advocated finding and harassing a player who had expressed suicidal thoughts, Gianturco issued an official apology for his actions. But that isn't the end of it -- Gianturco has also been hit with a 30-day ban from EVE Online due to actions that violate the game's terms of service. He's also resigned from his position as chairman of the current Council of Stellar Management and forfeited the right to serve on the next CSM. CCP Games has been following the whole issue and has put together an official post detailing what happened at the panel, what went wrong, and what steps will be taken to ensure that this incident is not repeated. According the official response, the format for the panel was entirely wrong and went far beyond the boundaries of what is acceptable for an official event hosted by the company. Offhand remark or no, it looks like a few careless words have caused some major disruptions to the life of EVE Online players. The Mittani gets hit with ban and resigns in wake of EVE Online controversy originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 28 Mar 2012 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Source: The 2012 Alliance Panel at Fanfest, Alliance Panel 2012: The Conclusion

Cash rules everything around Pathfinder Online Posted: 28 Mar 2012 05:00 PM PDT Filed under: Fantasy, Business models, Game mechanics, Previews, News items, Sandbox The latest in the series of Pathfinder Online developer diaries has just recently gone live, and this time it's covering something near and dear to the heart of many gamers: money. Even if you don't play an MMO specifically for the size of your bankroll, everyone likes having cash to spend and money in the bank. The diary explains that the heart of the game's economic system will be a currency known simply as coin, which is meant to be the driving force behind the virtual economy in-place. Beyond the basics of the game's economic theory, however, the entry also reveals something of the game's business model, explaining that players will also be able to spend real money to purchase Skymetal Bits. These Bits work as microtransaction currency, running the gamut of the usual microtransaction services (skill training, cosmetic items, special content, and so forth). If you've been following the game along thus far, you'll probably want to see what information the latest entry is providing. Cash rules everything around Pathfinder Online originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 28 Mar 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Source: Money changes everything Via: Image source

Newest WildStar Wednesday talks about creatures like a boss Posted: 28 Mar 2012 04:30 PM PDT Filed under: Sci-fi, Lore, Previews, News items, WildStar When you're out in the wilds of WildStar, you're going to run into some creatures strong enough to throw you to the ground. That's why this week's installment of WildStar Wednesday discusses the minibosses one can expect to find out in the Northern Wilds. Only three of the denizens are given a full writeup, but the triumvirate should be more than enough to give potential players a sense of what dangers lurk in the planet's unexplored regions. If you like your enemies with a thick carapace, the Xenobite Queen should be right up your alley, complete with vile poison and ravenous young. If you'd prefer to be pounded into the dirt by a mechanical emissary of the Dominion, the Ultrabot should provide you with all the laser-guided missile-flavored death you could want. Or you could face down a Frost Giant and enjoy watching a long-haired beast with poor eyesight hammer you into oblivion. It's all interesting flavor for fans of the game's development thus far, and it includes small factoids about the beasts that should prove completely irrelevant when fighting them. The more you know. Newest WildStar Wednesday talks about creatures like a boss originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 28 Mar 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Source: Northern WIlds minibosses

Hunker down and blow up: Meet PlanetSide 2's Engineer Posted: 28 Mar 2012 04:00 PM PDT Filed under: Betas, Sci-fi, Classes, Previews, Free-to-play, MMOFPS, PlanetSide 2 If PlanetSide 2's recent Infiltrator class reveal didn't grab you by the throat and say, "Play me with very last, dying gasp in your rapidly-turning-blue body," then SOE would like to try again with the Engineer. PS2's Engineer got a promotion from his old duties as a wrench monkey, opting instead for blowing enemies up with high-yield explosives and creating tough-as-nails fortifications to protect his teammates. Engineers are granted an Advanced Construction Engine that turns them into a walking, smart-talking factory. With this tool, Engineers can deploy anti-personnel and anti-vehicle turrets, anti-tank mines, and protective shield generators. In addition, the class will fill a vital role when it comes to repairing vehicle and suit damage In direct combat, the Engineer will rely on a trustworthy assortment of assault weapons, such as shotguns and SMGs. SOE predicts that the Engineer will be most valuable in holding a position and starting a siege against an enemy stronghold. Hunker down and blow up: Meet PlanetSide 2's Engineer originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 28 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Source: PlanetSide 2

SOE showers Vanguard loyalists with gifts Posted: 28 Mar 2012 03:00 PM PDT Filed under: Fantasy, Vanguard, Free-to-play, Promotions While many newcomers to Telon might be checking out Vanguard for the first time when it goes free-to-play this summer, loyal subscribers wondered, "What do we get, apart from an influx of newbie chat questions?" To that, SOE replied: "GIFTS. And lots of them." The studio announced a series of loyalty rewards for current subscribers that can be grabbed in-game by going to a Herald of Telon in a major city. The first rewards are a "Loyal" title, a Banshee pet, and a Bracelet of Lucky Charms. Currently only players on Halgar can obtain these rewards, with Telon's inhabitants gaining access tomorrow. Each set of rewards will only be available for a limited time, with more sets to come between now and the F2P relaunch. SOE showers Vanguard loyalists with gifts originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 28 Mar 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Source: Vanguard forums

Jumping out an airlock is a legitimate mode of travel in Line of Defense Posted: 28 Mar 2012 02:00 PM PDT Filed under: Sci-fi, MMOFPS, Dev Diaries Contrary to many of Derek Smart's previous expansive computer titles, Line of Defense will be "streamlined" to focus on a small corner of the galaxy. In a new dev blog, Smart outlines the scope of the MMO's territory and how it connects to his previously established game universe. Line of Defense consists of four space regions, each with its own planets and moons. The regions are connected by jump gates in the Sirius/Barnard's Star systems pathway. However, when the game first launches, players will only have access to the planet of Lyrius, with other planets and moons coming afterward. Players can teleport from base to base on planets using Dynamic Jump Pads or can transfer to a station via a carrier. Jumpgates, however, will allow players in vehicles to traverse entire regions. But probably the most interesting mode of transportation is to let loose with an orbital drop from a space station down to the planet surface below. The one thing that Line of Defense won't have, however, is the ability to seamlessly transition between planets, bases, and regions without loading screens. Jumping out an airlock is a legitimate mode of travel in Line of Defense originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 28 Mar 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Source: Line of Defense

Choose My Adventure: Dark Age of Camelot, week three Posted: 28 Mar 2012 01:00 PM PDT Filed under: Fantasy, Polls, Dark Age of Camelot, Opinion, Hands-on, Humor, Choose My Adventure Frustrating and boring: These are two words that don't bode well for any MMO, and yet that's exactly what my Dark Age of Camelot experience this past week was. Now, granted there's always an adjustment period with new MMOs, and I like to think of myself as a fairly patient person. I know that sometimes it might be a matter of minutes or understanding to flip "frustration" into "joy" and "boring" into "addictive," which is why it's good to stick games out until you're sure that the issue isn't with you playing the game wrong or being ignorant of what makes it work. That said, if I wasn't covering DAoC for this column but was just trying it out for myself, I certainly would not have subscribed after finishing the 14-day trial. New player journey or no, I found more aggravation than fun this past week and kept wondering to myself, "When does it start to get good? Where's all that great stuff players are telling me about? And as a Troll, how much lotion do I need to get my skin feeling silky soft?" Continue reading Choose My Adventure: Dark Age of Camelot, week three Choose My Adventure: Dark Age of Camelot, week three originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 28 Mar 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

Grand Chase: Heroes updates with new player housing Posted: 28 Mar 2012 12:00 PM PDT Filed under: Fantasy, Video, Game mechanics, MMO industry, News items, Free-to-play Want some housing in your side-scrolling action RPG? You can have it courtesy of SG Interactive and its Grand Chase: Heroes title. The game has just been updated with its next act, Finding Refuge, and it includes a playhouse system that serves as a "unique and fully customizable space." It even has a garden for growing your own buffs! The new patch also features an Easter egg giveaway that will reward players with a fusion egg suit for their favorite characters. Check out the new video after the break for a sneak peek at the new playhouse system. [Source: SG Interactive press release] Continue reading Grand Chase: Heroes updates with new player housing Grand Chase: Heroes updates with new player housing originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 28 Mar 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

Forsaken World Nightfall expansion is officially live Posted: 28 Mar 2012 11:00 AM PDT Filed under: Fantasy, Expansions, Game mechanics, MMO industry, News items, Free-to-play, Dungeons It's expansion time in the lands of Forsaken World, and Perfect World Entertainment wants you to know that Nightfall is officially ready for prime time. The content drop is the game's largest to date, and to celebrate, PWE is offering players a chance to obtain a rare phantom orb pet. Anyone over level 40 who logs in between March 28th and April 1st will be given a phantom orb chance box and a shot at the various goodies that may be inside. As for the expansion itself, it's got quite a bit of new content. Flying mounts are in, as are new areas like Nightfall Citadel which are full of quests and new exploration content. Players can now further customize their skill sets, participate in a new PvP arena season, and check out the new guild base system revamps. More details are available at the official Forsaken World website. [Source: Perfect World Entertainment press release] Forsaken World Nightfall expansion is officially live originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 28 Mar 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

EVE Fanfest videos viewable on YouTube Posted: 28 Mar 2012 10:30 AM PDT Filed under: Sci-fi, Video, EVE Online, Events, real-world, Game mechanics, MMO industry, New titles, News items, Free-to-play, DUST 514, Sandbox We didn't go to EVE Online's annual fanfest this year, and more's the pity. Aside from the unfortunate noise generated by Mittanigate, CCP released quite a bit of interesting info related to EVE, DUST 514, and even World of Darkness. Fortunately, the company has also thrown a bone to those of us who weren't able to attend (and who may have missed out on the extensive livestream coverage). A new post on the official EVE website has links to CCP's YouTube page, and there you'll find footage from CCP Presents, the EVE keynote speech, the DUST keynote speech, and the Tesselation tech demo. You can also check them out after the cut. Happy viewing! Continue reading EVE Fanfest videos viewable on YouTube EVE Fanfest videos viewable on YouTube originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 28 Mar 2012 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Source: Video links

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General gaming

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• RE: Operation Raccoon City Review: A City Worth Saving
• PS4 May Join Xbox Successor in Restricting Used Games
• Silent Hill Downpour Review: A Faithful Sequel that Struggles to Define Itself

RE: Operation Raccoon City Review: A City Worth Saving Posted: 28 Mar 2012 05:00 PM PDT When I put out the call for help with 1UP's Resident Evil Operation Raccoon City review, I wasn't sure what to expect. The idea seemed simple enough in theory: 1UP would give this multiplayer-heavy game a fair shake by inviting fans and members of our community to play along and help shape the site's review. Review together or die alone, and stuff like that. I was happy to see our community participate and share their opinions and unique perspectives with us. While a few entries didn't make the final cut, I appreciate the effort and contributions made by all. Honorable mention goes out to 1UP user dayeight, someone who chose not to participate in our multiplayer sessions but offered this surprisingly succinct take on ORC: "Moving parts create a puppet menagerie of pain, online is fun-ish but isn't it always." Nicely put, dayeight. And with that, let's kick off our first community review and see what our panel had to say about ORC's strengths and weaknesses.

PS4 May Join Xbox Successor in Restricting Used Games Posted: 28 Mar 2012 01:12 PM PDT The PlayStation 4 is widely believed to be between one-and-a-half and two-and-a-half years away, meaning it may still be more than a year before any official details make their way out. Yet we're already hearing some preliminary information about Sony's next home game console, including details which will not be welcomed by those who value the ability to buy, sell, and trade used videogames. As digital content has become more commonplace, games have increasingly become non-tradable commodities. Anything purchased through Steam is yours forever; even if you never play a game you've bought (unless it's purchased as a gift), it is linked to your account for good and cannot be borrowed or sold. Digital games on consoles, whether they be from the Xbox Live Arcade, Wii Virtual Console, or PlayStation Network are also permanent purchases. The same can be said for app purchases on iOS or Android, and this extends beyond games to digital music and movies acquired through iTunes or Amazon.

Silent Hill Downpour Review: A Faithful Sequel that Struggles to Define Itself Posted: 28 Mar 2012 08:05 AM PDT Silent Hill is the most ambitious survival horror series in video games -- one that (ideally) tosses aside its previous characters and repurposes a sleepy tourist town into a home for scattered souls and psychological terrors. This philosophy of starting anew each time is one of the signature elements that define the series, while other factors have contributed to making the horror more psychological. Rather than play on with the same terrifying creatures and gimmicks, the best Silent Hill games go one step further by attempting to challenge the player's understanding of reality, often presenting emotionally weary characters who slowly unravel a looming, and sometimes personal, mystery. While Silent Hill Downpour gets a lot of this right, it also stretches that last aspect a little too far. Downpour is the eighth Silent Hill game and the third created outside Konami. Of course, the Silent Hill series has never thrived on consistency, but this approach both helps and hurts the latest entry. Developer Vatra takes impressive steps to help revive the series after the abysmal Homecoming, but Downpour gets tied down by lackluster combat and inconsistent plot progression and, in the end, struggles to define itself.

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