MMO Updates

MMO Updates


The Mog Log: Duo feature

Posted: 06 Aug 2011 10:00 AM PDT

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A few weeks back, I got an email from a reader talking asking about getting back into Final Fantasy XI after a long absence. As he put it, he and his girlfriend were thinking of going back to the game together, duoing their way through Vana'diel. Which is a great idea, as it's a game very well suited toward duoing, now more than ever with the existence of varied regimes and training manuals.

Of course, there's more to the equation than just throwing two classes together and hoping for the best. There are a lot of things that you can do to make your experience harder than it needs to be, something that I'm unfortunately familiar with from my own experience. So this week, I'm going to take a look at what you can do to make your life easier when running as a team, no matter what resources are available to you in terms of jobs, gil, and fellow players.

Continue reading The Mog Log: Duo feature

MassivelyThe Mog Log: Duo feature originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 06 Aug 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DC Universe Online rolling out megaservers on Monday

Posted: 06 Aug 2011 09:00 AM PDT

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DC Universe Online has been quiet on the announced megaservers for quite some time, but it turns out that the update is just around the corner. Specifically, the new server structure will be going into effect on Monday, and players have been given a brand-new developer diary on the benefits and the procedure to help get everyone up to speed. In short, it's more people on servers and more people to group up with, albeit still segregated between PC and PS3 players.

Character names will have to be changed in some cases, but the system being used ensures that characters whose names are changed will also receive a free subsequent change if they want. According to comments, the determination will essentially be comparing hours played -- so if you have two characters with the same name on active accounts, but one's been active since launch, the older character will get to keep the name. While it's not quite the cross-platform servers many players had hoped for, it should help bolster the population of each game server as a whole.

MassivelyDC Universe Online rolling out megaservers on Monday originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 06 Aug 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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WRUP: Wonderful edition

Posted: 06 Aug 2011 08:00 AM PDT

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Share a website with you. Welcome to Massively, the website wholesale for many kinds of MMOs including family, free-to-play, console, and fantasy. Believe you will love it. Accept PayPal free shipping. Also including developers and game columns with everything. All theca tegories are free shipping, and the price. Important point is that free shipping PayPal is accepted. Accept into heart and mind with true understanding of shipping, and the price. Brand-name MMOs covered wholesale shipping of all kinds free accept.

Spam joking of meta concludes with share a feature with you. WRUP. Believe you will love it. Contains many of Massively staff members discussing weekend activities, games, books, movies, also all of their feelings on pen-and-paper games to MMOs. All of the entries can be read beyond the link below, and the comments. Add your own weekend plans into this field, accept free shipping. Believe you will love it, and the price. Wonderful.

Continue reading WRUP: Wonderful edition

MassivelyWRUP: Wonderful edition originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 06 Aug 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Daily Grind: Would you pay money for in-game housing?

Posted: 06 Aug 2011 06:00 AM PDT

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Champions Online recently unveiled its newest batch of hideouts, giving all players a chance for a virtual superhero lair... provided that said players can shell out the cash. There are definite arguments that can be made about whether or not the price is too high or the functionality of said hideouts too limited, but there's something to be said for the fact that housing is being offered at all. Despite the near-ubiquity of player housing in the early days of MMOs, these days any housing is a surprise.

On the one hand, it's a feature that frequently has limited to no utility, with the main advantage simply being a sense of connection to a virtual world. On the other hand, for many people, a sense of connection to a virtual world is a pretty significant function to begin with. So what do you think? Would you pay real money for in-game housing, or would you eschew the feature even if it were free?

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: Would you pay money for in-game housing? originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 06 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Betawatch: August 5-11, 2011

Posted: 05 Aug 2011 06:00 PM PDT

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Welcome to Betawatch, Massively's weekly report on the state of MMO betas. In each installment, we'll report everything from the latest open betas, closed betas and even alphas in one convenient place. Plus, we'll make sure to include as much info on each game's current status, including projected release dates (if known) and links to the sign-up forms to get yourself into that beta you've been seeking.

Bounty Hounds Online joins our closed beta list this week, and we've got some beta keys for those of you who'd like to check it out. That's not the only new closed beta, though. Scarlet Legacy has begun closed beta testing as well, and we've got keys for that too!

Tribal Trouble 2
has entered open beta for those who like their MMOs with a side of Viking. Finally, Dungeon Blitz rounds out the week by jumping into open beta.

Follow along after the jump for the updated Betawatch list!

Continue reading Betawatch: August 5-11, 2011

MassivelyBetawatch: August 5-11, 2011 originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 05 Aug 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Final Fantasy XIV's patch 1.18a due for Monday

Posted: 05 Aug 2011 05:30 PM PDT

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Final Fantasy XIV's last major update wasn't so long ago, but another patch is set to go live on Monday. 1.18a contains nothing as large as the mechanical revisions found it its predecessor, but there are still some pretty big improvements, starting with an improvement to skill point rewards for levequests across the board. The biggest improvements will come for the rank 20-30 leves, but all players leveling Disciplines of War and Magic should notice an improvement. The leves will also reward points for shield skill when players have a shield equipped, something that has thus far been lacking.

In quality of life improvements, the visibility of several frames has been adjusted, a supplementary log window is being added for players to use, and the process of setting a crystal as the destination for Return has been changed. There's also a new emote being added to the system and the beginnings of the new tool-hiding functionality that will be finished in 1.19. 1.18a won't be the game-changer that 1.18 proved to be, but it looks to still be a solid update in its own right.

MassivelyFinal Fantasy XIV's patch 1.18a due for Monday originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 05 Aug 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nexon concludes MapleStory's Chaos series with loads of new content

Posted: 05 Aug 2011 05:00 PM PDT

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MapleStory's Chaos series of updates is ending with a bang with the Age of Triumph, which according to Nexon, is "a huge update that brings unique content exclusively to those players who traverse Maple World on Global MapleStory servers."

So what does the final update have in store for Maple World? Well, for starters it brings an all-new storyline titled The Silent Crusade. The storyline quests are available for players in the incredibly broad level range of 37-110, and they introduce players to a force that specializes in the elimination of Master Monsters (a new faction of enemies). Alongside the new storyline, the update will also introduce PvPers to the new Capture the Flag mode. And lastly, players will find in their inventory a Crusader Codex, which is essentially an encyclopedia of the monsters of Maple World. Each page can be filled with Monster Cards, which drop from various enemies. Once a page is completed, the page will display the monster's information such as levels, locations, and item drops, and players will receive unique prizes such as medals. For some new screenshots of the upcoming update, check out the gallery below.

Gallery: MapleStory

MassivelyNexon concludes MapleStory's Chaos series with loads of new content originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 05 Aug 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Rusty Hearts dev diary delves into delicious design decisions

Posted: 05 Aug 2011 04:30 PM PDT

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It's time for another dev diary from the fine folks at Perfect World Entertainment, this time detailing the art of Rusty Hearts. We're sure that by now most of you have seen Rusty Hearts and its crisp cel-shaded anime style, but the dev diary goes into detail on what the team is aiming for with the art, and outlines the inspiration behind it.

The team is careful to note that while the overall vibe of the game is decidedly dark and gothic, that by no means insinuates that the world will be dull or muddled. Taking inspiration from popular anime such as Bleach and Full Metal Alchemist, Rusty Hearts aims to carve a niche for itself as a "living comic." For the full dev diary, hop on past the cut!

Continue reading New Rusty Hearts dev diary delves into delicious design decisions

MassivelyNew Rusty Hearts dev diary delves into delicious design decisions originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 05 Aug 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Road to Mordor: What to do with Destiny Points?

Posted: 05 Aug 2011 04:00 PM PDT

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To say that Lord of the Rings Online has many types of currencies is like saying that Firefly has a couple fans out there. My characters' homes are like those houses you see on Hoarders, except that instead of collecting used newspapers and bobbleheads, I've stuffed every nook and cranny with tokens, barter chips, gold, and the odd Orc head.

Yet there's one type of currency that always seems to fly under the radar in my gaming experience: Destiny Points. I'm forever forgetting they're there and I almost never use them. To be honest, I'm not quite sure why they're in the game in the first place.

Destiny Points are a shared currency between your characters that seem to be vitally important to PvMPers (monster play) and vastly less pertinent to your average PvE adventurer. Still, as they exist and offer you an opportunity to get an edge -- however slight -- in the game, I figured it was about time to dive into the subject and see if they're worthwhile or just more junk for the closet.

Continue reading The Road to Mordor: What to do with Destiny Points?

MassivelyThe Road to Mordor: What to do with Destiny Points? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 05 Aug 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Win a free EverQuest II mount from Massively!

Posted: 05 Aug 2011 03:30 PM PDT

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If you're an EverQuest II player, you've most likely noticed some cool new mounts running around this summer. If you thought they looked pretty cool and would love one for your own, you're in luck! Sony Online Entertainment was kind enough to share codes for Terrorbird and Storm Wind Komodo mounts with us, and we're passing them along to you!

All you have to do to enter and win one is leave a comment here letting us know which one you'd like. We'll continue taking comments until 11:59 p.m. EST on Sunday, August 7th. Monday morning we'll choose winners and share codes. Make sure you read our contest rules, leave your comment here, and best of luck!

OFFICIAL RULES

MassivelyWin a free EverQuest II mount from Massively! originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 05 Aug 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Storyboard: Ten tips to avoid drama burnout, part two

Posted: 05 Aug 2011 03:00 PM PDT

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Last week, I posted the first half of ten tips to avoid getting burnt out on roleplaying drama. Ironically enough, it immediately preceded a week which involved almost nonstop in-character drama which was, not coincidentally, completely free of any real-world drama. (At least to the best of my knowledge.) My hat goes off to the people involved (I'm lucky to be part of some excellent groups), and I'm very glad that I had all of this fresh in my mind.

If you haven't read the first part of the column, I advise you to do so first, but let's recap just in case. The goal here is to provide tips to help reduce real-world drama and minimize hurt feelings spilling into the real world. I don't claim that this will be in any way a cure-all, but these tips should at least help reduce the odds of screaming matches that scare you off roleplaying for good. Everyone on the same page? Then let's move on to the second half.

Continue reading Storyboard: Ten tips to avoid drama burnout, part two

MassivelyStoryboard: Ten tips to avoid drama burnout, part two originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 05 Aug 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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One Shots: Remembering when

Posted: 05 Aug 2011 02:00 PM PDT

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One of the great things about large-scale player-created content is that it continually evolves. Our very own Beau shared an image for today's One Shots that illustrates that perfectly:
When I look at this older screenshot of Massively's Wurm Online village, it makes me smile. It wasn't so long ago that the hard working citizens of Hindmania (the official name of the village) planned out a boat dock and started building boats.

Now when you approach the village you'll see several huge boats and a lot of lanterns. It's very pretty at night, and makes me feel good any time I return to it after a long voyage. That land in the background is the mainland, and when we want to visit it, the trip might take hours.
Now it's your turn to show off your items. This week's theme is Some Assembly Required -- a little nod to the newest addition to our column lineup. Some Assembly Required covers player-created content, so we want to see the best of what you've created.

We're preparing for next week's theme too: Pop culture in MMOs. Developers sneak references in all over games, whether it be via NPCs, quests, or items, and we want to see your favorites. Grab a screenshot, tell us a bit about what it is, and send it to oneshots@massively.com. We'll be featuring the best of these next week.

MassivelyOne Shots: Remembering when originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 05 Aug 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SWTOR's meet the Medic -- er, Consular

Posted: 05 Aug 2011 01:30 PM PDT

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Some fans have wondered if the rumors about a the Jedi Consular video were just vapor. Thankfully, the community team at BioWare has proven that wrong. This afternoon, we were introduced to the Jedi Consular class for Star Wars: The Old Republic.

This keeper of Force tradition is split up into two advanced classes: The Sage and the Shadow. As their names imply, the Sage is a healer and ranged Force wielder, and the Shadow is a stealth and melee class.

As we have seen in past screenshots, the Trandoshan hunter Qyzen Fess will join the Consular on his travels across the galaxy. This reptilian humanoid has hunted all the galaxy's most deadly beasts from the swamps of Belkadan to the Tatooine deserts, according to his bio on the official website.

Witness all the wonder of this class in the screenshots below, and be sure to catch the full Consular trailer after the break!

Continue reading SWTOR's meet the Medic -- er, Consular

MassivelySWTOR's meet the Medic -- er, Consular originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 05 Aug 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SWTOR Alderaan warzone playable at Gamescom

Posted: 05 Aug 2011 01:00 PM PDT

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It's no secret that Star Wars: The Old Republic will be making a big splash at this year's Gamescom. What we didn't know prior to today, however, was the fact that one of the title's PvP warzones will be playable in a dedicated area "away from the rest of the hustle and bustle of the show floor."

BioWare's Chris Collins gives us the details on the official SWTOR boards, and you'll need to sign up via email ahead of time if you and your mates want to get in on the action. The warzone matches will feature eight vs. eight teams and will pit Republic forces against their imperial counterparts in the Alderaan Civil War scenario.

Whether your taste runs to the clumsy randomness of a blaster or elegant weapons from a more civilized age, you'll need to get your signups in by Monday, August 8th.

MassivelySWTOR Alderaan warzone playable at Gamescom originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 05 Aug 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Make like a tree and check out ArenaNet's Sylvari Week

Posted: 05 Aug 2011 12:30 PM PDT

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Forget Shark Week, it's Sylvari Week! ArenaNet announced today that, in honor of the Sylvari race being playable at Gamescom later this month, it is declaring next week (beginning Monday, August 8th) to be Sylvari week on the ArenaNet blog and the Guild Wars 2 official site.

So what's the schedule looking like for Sylvari week? Well, things will kick off on Monday with ArenaNet artist Kristen Perry discussing the aesthetic of the Sylvari and explaining how it has evolved over time. Tuesday we get writer Angel McCoy talking about how the writing team intends to bring the race to life through its dialogue. Wednesday, Lore and Continuity Designer Ree Soesbee swings by -- with returning guest Kristen Perry -- the ANet blog to to discuss the roots (Ha Ha! Sylvari are trees.) and development of the Sylvari race. Thursday sees the Sylvari page on the official Guild Wars 2 site updated with buckets of new content, and things finally wrap up on Friday as Ree Soesbee returns with a narrative blog post that expands on the lore of the Sylvari even further.

MassivelyMake like a tree and check out ArenaNet's Sylvari Week originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 05 Aug 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wasteland Diaries: I got skills

Posted: 05 Aug 2011 12:00 PM PDT

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Sector 4, a new skill and abilities system and a new... well, a new everything has come to Fallen Earth. Even the forums will be migrating over to GamersFirst's little piece of cyberspace. While the transition hasn't gone completely smoothly, it could have been a lot worse. I don't know why they decided to do all this stuff at once, but it went well, considering how major an undertaking it probably was. The skills and abilities (also known as the "combat system") didn't fare too well with the wastelanders, and the devs have promised some fixes. With everything going on right now, I don't think we'll see them any time soon, though I may be wrong.

One thing is for sure: The new combat system is here to stay. Many of us would like to see them scrap it, go back to the old system and just patch up its imperfections (it was so close). But, I have been told emphatically that it's here to stay. So, instead of dwelling on the what-ifs, I'd like to take a look at all of the new skills and mutations, since they are definitely permanent -- although they may be changing a little bit in the coming days while this brand-new system is tested and balanced.

Mostly what we have now is what we are going be using. Some of them are the same, but by and large, this new system is an entirely different animal. You may recognize some of the names, but most of the abilities (actually, I think all of them) function differently. After the cut, we will take a look at every skill and their associated abilities in the game.

Continue reading Wasteland Diaries: I got skills

MassivelyWasteland Diaries: I got skills originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 05 Aug 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aika's Epic II: Exodus expansion debuts August 11th

Posted: 05 Aug 2011 11:00 AM PDT

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Next week is a big one for fans of Aika Online, as the free-to-play fantasy title will be rolling out its first expansion. The patch is called Epic II: Exodus, and judging by the amount of new content in gPotato's latest press blurb, epic is an apt descriptor.

Aika players are getting a new zone, a level cap increase (to 75), new mounts, and a few choice pre-launch bonus events. These include triple (yes, triple) XP and play-for-rewards summer events which offer a laundry list of cool prizes just for logging in. As for the new zone, Traband was formerly a temperate and beautiful island but is now a frozen wasteland "where only the most bloodthirsty beasts survive." That's OK, though, because what self-respecting MMO adventurer wants to hang out in a tropical safe zone bereft of killable monsters?

The Aika website has more details on Epic II, and you'll also find the client download front and center on the new splash page.

MassivelyAika's Epic II: Exodus expansion debuts August 11th originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 05 Aug 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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