MMO Updates |
- SyFy photo contest to award trip to Defiance premier party
- Get your Guild Wars 2 final beta weekend key here!
- CCP wins Best Indie Studio award at Develop
- Amazon adds selection of free-to-play games and services with Game Connect
- The Secret World devs to host exclusive livestream on Friday the 13th
- Phantasy Star Online 2 hacked, NPCs clock flight time
- DayZ shooter mod reaches 500k users
- Funcom working on The Secret World's chat issues
- EA's Paul Barnett: Ultima Forever reboot is not an MMO
- Soul Captor Online goes into open beta, adds two new classes
- The Daily Grind: What's the best guild you ever joined?
- Rusty Hearts: Reborn first look released
- DCUO announces Tides of War summer event
- A Mild-Mannered Reporter: City of Heroes' Summer Blockbuster in review
- PlanetSide 2 will be playable on Friday at SDCC
- Game of Thrones Seven Kingdoms releases its first trailer
- Colin Johanson talks about Guild Wars 2 betas and more
- Research firm says League of Legends tops WoW as most-played PC game
- Enter at Your Own Rift: Leveling the achievements way
- DDO opens a window to Menace of the Underdark raid
- End of Nations' elite units and 56-player battles
- Free for All: Ryzom might still be the most original MMO there is
- BioWare-Mythic says F2P is the 'democratization of game prices'
| SyFy photo contest to award trip to Defiance premier party Posted: 12 Jul 2012 10:30 AM PDT Filed under: Sci-fi, Contests, Events, real-world, New titles, News items, Promotions, Defiance  The contest is open to US residents 18 years and older and will end on July 16, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. EDT. Full contest rules are available on the official entry form.
|
| Get your Guild Wars 2 final beta weekend key here! Posted: 12 Jul 2012 10:00 AM PDT Filed under: Betas, Giveaways, Miscellaneous  As part our final key giveaway on the site (that's right, we're not doing any more key giveaways after this!), we're happy to end on a high note with 3,000 keys for our readers. Simply head on over to our giveaway page to grab yours before they run out, then head to http://register.guildwars2.com to redeem the key and start the download. Good luck and see you in Tyria! [Update: Keys are gone already!]
|
| CCP wins Best Indie Studio award at Develop Posted: 12 Jul 2012 09:45 AM PDT Filed under: Fantasy, Horror, Sci-fi, EVE Online, Events, real-world, MMO industry, News items, Free-to-play, World of Darkness, DUST 514, Sandbox  CCP CEO Hilmar Petursson accepted the award on behalf of the company, and thanked Develop and his industry peers in the process. He also hinted at CCP's full plate, which includes the launch of DUST on the PlayStation 3, the 10th anniversary of EVE, and a World of Darkness event scheduled for September in Atlanta. [Source: CCP press release]
|
| Amazon adds selection of free-to-play games and services with Game Connect Posted: 12 Jul 2012 09:00 AM PDT Filed under: MMO industry, News items, Free-to-play, Browser, World of Tanks, Miscellaneous  A bonus to using this new service is that when players create game accounts right from the Amazon product page, the account is automatically linked to their Amazon account so subscriptions and purchased virtual goods are sent directly to the game without the need of additional codes. Additionally, players who use Game Connects to link their accounts to some of the games will unlock exclusive in-game content. [Source: Amazon.com press release]
|
| The Secret World devs to host exclusive livestream on Friday the 13th Posted: 12 Jul 2012 09:00 AM PDT Filed under: Horror, Real life, Sci-fi, Events, real-world, MMO industry, New titles, News items, The Secret World, Livestream  Don't want to wait until tomorrow to see some The Secret World action? Then watch Massively TV tonight at 8:00 p.m. EDT for a two-hour special showing off investigation missions. You can still catch the special developer livestream tomorrow! [Source: Funcom press release]
|
| Phantasy Star Online 2 hacked, NPCs clock flight time Posted: 12 Jul 2012 08:30 AM PDT Filed under: MMO industry, New titles, News items, Free-to-play, Browser  Sega stated it knows of the hack and is currently investigating, assuring customers that no player data was leaked in this hack. However, the company does ask that should any player notice NPCs moved to strange locations that the player move to another area. Players can also report any cheating they discover in game.
|
| DayZ shooter mod reaches 500k users Posted: 12 Jul 2012 08:00 AM PDT Filed under: Game mechanics, News items, MMOFPS, Sandbox  The mod has taken the shooter world by storm with its blend of realism, unforgiving gameplay, and brain-munching undead. The project turns Bohemia Interactive's Arma 2 into a desperate fight for survival in a world ravaged by zombie apocalypse. While the mod isn't technically an MMO, its persistence and massive world are certainly MMO-like. DayZ is on track to overtake the sales of the game on which it is based. "Currently we're running 22,000 concurrent at full peak, and 10,000 off peak, which is pretty huge numbers considering the original data structure and system was designed to handle 100 concurrents and two servers," he said.
|
| Funcom working on The Secret World's chat issues Posted: 12 Jul 2012 07:30 AM PDT Filed under: Fantasy, Horror, Bugs, MMO industry, New titles, News items, The Secret World  Funcom is working on a solution according to a post that showed up on the game's forums late last night. In a nutshell, the game's single-server tech necessitates a distributed load across multiple pieces of chat-focused hardware, and some of the boxes "stop talking to the other servers for periods of time." Funcom says that this issue was impossible to detect until hordes of players started stressing the systems, and even now it's difficult to reproduce and debug. That said, the company is currently working on "several fixes and some backup plans."
|
| EA's Paul Barnett: Ultima Forever reboot is not an MMO Posted: 12 Jul 2012 07:00 AM PDT Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Business models, Game mechanics, Interviews, MMO industry, New titles, News items, Free-to-play  The game is coming to both PC and iPad platforms courtesy of a thin-client download. The full title is Ultima Forever: Quest for the Avatar, and gameplay consists primarily of four-person parties and various dungeon crawls set in the world of Britannia. "We're doing what BioWare does well, and we're doing it on an iPad, and the PC, for a more casual player," Barnett said. Did we mention that the game is free? Barnett told us that EA-BioWare is committed to thoroughly exploring the industry's new business model darling. "Here we are: We're going to give you all this stuff, it costs a lot of money to make, and it's really beautiful, so how the hell do we make any money out of it?" Continue reading EA's Paul Barnett: Ultima Forever reboot is not an MMO
|
| Soul Captor Online goes into open beta, adds two new classes Posted: 12 Jul 2012 06:30 AM PDT Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Classes, Free-to-play  To celebrate Soul Captor Online's open beta, the CM team is putting on a series of events. The first of these is an in-game anima hunt that will reward the winners with prizes. In addition to the four classes shown in the closed beta testing phase, Gamania has added two new classes for the open beta: the Celestial Master and Mystic Fighter. The Celestial Master is a strong support class that buffs teammates while debuffing the enemy, while the Mystic Fighter is a melee warrior who relies on evasion to keep the worst hits from landing. You can check out the introductory video for these classes after the jump. [Source: Gamania press release] Continue reading Soul Captor Online goes into open beta, adds two new classes
|
| The Daily Grind: What's the best guild you ever joined? Posted: 12 Jul 2012 06:00 AM PDT Filed under: Culture, Guilds, Opinion, The Daily Grind, Miscellaneous  I've been part of many wonderful guilds over the years, but one of the most special in my heart was
|
| Rusty Hearts: Reborn first look released Posted: 11 Jul 2012 07:00 PM PDT Filed under: Fantasy, Trailers, Video, Expansions, Patches, News items, Free-to-play  Rusty Hearts, part of Perfect World Entertainment's free-to-play stable, is receiving its first expansion! On July 24th, the MMO brawler will be getting its largest update since launch. The expansion, Rusty Hearts: Reborn, includes both high-level content tailored toward advanced characters and new areas and features for new players and characters. Other updates to long-standing features will also enhance the Rusty Hearts experience. The first look trailer, which you can see below the cut, tells players to "get ready" and promises new bosses, new weapons, and new combos. Continue reading Rusty Hearts: Reborn first look released
|
| DCUO announces Tides of War summer event Posted: 11 Jul 2012 06:00 PM PDT Filed under: Super-hero, Events, in-game, Free-to-play, DC Universe Online  Tides of War is set against the backdrop of Aquaman fighting Ocean Master for the crown of the seas. Their respective followers have amassed fleets around DCUO's cities, and players can assist the side of their choice via with new missions, feats, collections, and a four-person alert. There are plenty of rewards to entice super-loyalty during this event, including pets and costumes. The event will go live with Game Update 16.
|
| A Mild-Mannered Reporter: City of Heroes' Summer Blockbuster in review Posted: 11 Jul 2012 05:00 PM PDT Filed under: Super-hero, City of Heroes, Events, in-game, Game mechanics, Opinion, Free-to-play, A Mild-Mannered Reporter  The idea behind the Summer Blockbuster is a pretty clever one, although you have to be willing to accept the kind of meta structure of the whole thing. It's still a chance for players to go into the meat of a big summer blow-out extravaganza, which would seem like exactly the right time for the developers to just give us some enormous brawls. Instead, the event consists of two parts that actually show off some of what City of Heroes is capable of despite its age. It's good stuff, in other words, and there are some things worth taking away for the future. Continue reading A Mild-Mannered Reporter: City of Heroes' Summer Blockbuster in review
|
| PlanetSide 2 will be playable on Friday at SDCC Posted: 11 Jul 2012 04:30 PM PDT Filed under: Betas, Sci-fi, Events, real-world, Previews, News items, MMOFPS, PlanetSide 2  Some fans can't make the trek out to San Diego for the game, of course. These fans have to look forward to the game's upcoming beta test, but there's good news on that front as well. Matt Higby has clarified via Twitter that the beta will occur sometime before the end of July, meaning that beta testers will get to start in on the game very soon. So even if you can't make it out to the convention, you won't be deprived of the game too much longer. [Thanks to Dengar and Scott for the tips!]
|
| Game of Thrones Seven Kingdoms releases its first trailer Posted: 11 Jul 2012 04:00 PM PDT Filed under: Fantasy, Trailers, Video, Game mechanics, Previews, News items, Browser  There's admittedly not too much that can be displayed via a trailer running under a minute long. But the trailer does show off the graphics and some hints of the combat, which looks to be very much a matter of skill. Check out the full trailer just past the break, and keep your eyes open for more information as the game ramps up for more reveals at San Diego Comic-Con. [Update: George R.R. Martin himself has also posted the video and the original press release. He notes that he'll be at SDCC checking out the game at the Dark Horse booth.] Continue reading Game of Thrones Seven Kingdoms releases its first trailer
|
| Colin Johanson talks about Guild Wars 2 betas and more Posted: 11 Jul 2012 03:30 PM PDT Filed under: Fantasy, Interviews, News items, Guild Wars 2  Johanson talked about how "incredibly nerve-wracking" taking the first demo to Gamescom two years ago was and how those nerves have transitioned steadily into "excitement as the game edges closer to release with each beta weekend." He also described how the beta events invigorate the team and get everybody champing at the bit to get back into making the game better. "Pride and hubris are dangerous things in this industry, though," he added, saying that the team members work diligently to listen to and incorporate feedback and remember who it is they are making the game for. Continue reading Colin Johanson talks about Guild Wars 2 betas and more
|
| Research firm says League of Legends tops WoW as most-played PC game Posted: 11 Jul 2012 03:00 PM PDT Filed under: World of Warcraft, Fantasy, Business models, MMO industry, News items, Free-to-play, Miscellaneous, League of Legends  A research firm known as DFC Intelligence has released a report claiming that Riot's MOBA was the most popular PC game in North America and Europe last year in terms of hours played. The title took home the top spot with 1.3 billion hours of activity, while WoW dropped to second place with 622.4 million user hours. The numbers purportedly represent "a list prepared by extrapolating from actual usage data from more than 21 million Xfire members." The top 10 list also includes MOBAs and MMOs like Heroes of Newerth, Diablo III, MapleStory, and World of Tanks.
|
| Enter at Your Own Rift: Leveling the achievements way Posted: 11 Jul 2012 02:30 PM PDT Filed under: Fantasy, Game mechanics, RIFT, Enter at Your Own Rift  When I came back to RIFT last month and started a new character, I had a choice as to how I would level back up through the game. There was the traditional questing path, pursuing dynamic events, running endless streams of dungeons, engaging in (shudder) PvP, or queuing up for instant adventures. I decided to blend them all together like premium yogurt and use the achievements system as a guide. I don't tether myself to achievement systems in all MMOs I play, but RIFT's makes it fun and natural. It's easy to parse what's left to be done on a zone by zone or system by system basis, and the little noise and graphic that pops up makes me feel like a good doggy, indeed. It's turned out to be an incredibly good decision. I've had so much more fun this time around than the first, greatly in part to achievements nudging me off the path well-traveled. Continue reading Enter at Your Own Rift: Leveling the achievements way
|
| DDO opens a window to Menace of the Underdark raid Posted: 11 Jul 2012 02:00 PM PDT Filed under: Fantasy, Galleries, Screenshots, Dungeons and Dragons Online, Expansions, PvE, Free-to-play  Turbine's sent in a few pictures showing this intense battle between level 25 players and her royal spiderness in the Demonweb. Check them out! That's not a suggestion; it's an order. [Source: Turbine press release]
|
| End of Nations' elite units and 56-player battles Posted: 11 Jul 2012 01:00 PM PDT Filed under: Betas, Sci-fi, Interviews, Free-to-play, MMORTS  While End of Nations has instanced battles as small as 2v2, the crown jewels of the system are its massive 56-player battles. Vacher said that the team is preparing to test the large battles and gives a good reason that players will want to do their best to take over the game world. "Usually you get some type of bonus -- for example, a loot bonus of, say, five percent -- because you control the territory," he said. "For some of the maps, it changes the objective. On the Bluewater map, you're defender or attacker, so your objective will be completely different." Vacher also commented on the new elite units that were recently added to the game. "It's hard to say [whether] they're overpowered or underpowered -- sometimes when I'm playing, I don't take any heroes because they don't fit with my other units. We'll be working more on balance in the beta, as our alpha's been more about the technical aspects of the game."
|
| Free for All: Ryzom might still be the most original MMO there is Posted: 11 Jul 2012 12:00 PM PDT Filed under: Fantasy, Sci-fi, Video, Culture, Game mechanics, Ryzom, Opinion, Free-to-play, Casual, Humor, Free for All, Post-Apocalyptic, Livestream, Miscellaneous, Sandbox  Then I log back in to a game like Ryzom and see just how far things have come. That is to say, not very far. After all, if you really look at what Ryzom does (and you have no excuse; it's free to play to half max-level now), it will sort of depress you that no other games are being made like it nowadays. At least, not exactly. Continue reading Free for All: Ryzom might still be the most original MMO there is
|
| BioWare-Mythic says F2P is the 'democratization of game prices' Posted: 11 Jul 2012 11:00 AM PDT Filed under: Business models, MMO industry, News items, Free-to-play, Consoles, Miscellaneous  What's this, another studio bigwig has said that microtransactions are the consumer-friendly way of the future? We're positively shocked!This time around, the refrain was sung by BioWare-Mythic vice president Eugene Evans. The occasion was the Develop conference in Brighton, where Evans also opined that cheaper needs to be better. "The lower the price, the better your product needs to be, especially if it's going to stand out. Any notion of pay-to-win means we've done a bad job of it," Evans said. He also touched on the challenges developers will face as the current console generation gives way to the next. Gamers are already part of large communities connected to their current hardware, he says, and the company that best manages a large-scale community migration from one platform to the next will be "the most successful," according to Evans.
|
| You are subscribed to email updates from Massively To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 | |
