MMOGaming News

MMOGaming News


Catastrophe Coming to Dragon Nest (KR)

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Catastrophe Coming to Dragon Nest (KR)


Eyedentity hasn't told too much about the story of this part, however, a Katastrophe teaser trailer does unveil the key characters and the dragon in this update.

WoW PTR Patch 4.3 Notes: Updated On Oct. 18

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WoW PTR Patch 4.3 Notes: Updated On Oct. 18


Latest updates to the patch 4.3 notes can be found in this article. Renewed on Oct. 18.

Rift Releases The Endless Adventure Trailer

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Rift Releases The Endless Adventure Trailer


In celebration of Rift's seven month launch, Trion Worlds has released a brand new trailer called "Endless Adventure" during the New York Comic-Con. The two-minute trailer highlights all the awesome features Rift has to offer to those players who haven't taken a look at the game.

WoW 2011 Hallow's End New Pets: Feline Familiar, Little Wickerman, and Creepy Crate

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WoW 2011 Hallow's End New Pets: Feline Familiar, Little Wickerman, and Creepy Crate


The new companion pets Feline Familiar, Little Wickerman and Creepy Crate in 2011 Hallow's End have showed up. And we can get Feline Familiar and Little Wickerman from vendors, each of them will cost us 150 Tricky Treat! Check out the pictures below.

Facebook Conquer Online Beta Coming Soon - Preview Released

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Facebook Conquer Online Beta Coming Soon - Preview Released


NetDragon and Kalydo will be joining forces to bring the full-featured client-based MMO - Conquer Online to Facebook users at the end of this month.

Dota 2 Heroes 3D Models

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Dota 2 Heroes 3D Models


Take a closer look at the 3D models of DotA 2 heroes. They are really cool and much better than what they look like in games. Enjoy!

Continue reading Dota 2 Heroes 3D Models.

The Secret World: New Artwoks of the Dragon Released

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The Secret World: New Artwoks of the Dragon Released


Funcom has released four new artworks to celebrate the Week of the Dragon. This Asian group is the most secretive of societies in The Secret World. With no fixed territory or structure, the Dragon have dissolved and reformed throughout history. They believe that a closed, controlled society is a sick society.

Do You Like A Game Be Available In Many Platforms?

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Do You Like A Game Be Available In Many Platforms?


Facebook can bring a lot of gamers for a game, and if it is possible, I think some game developers would like to transplant a client-based to facebook to be a browser-based game.

Frogster Unveiled a Flythrough Video of The Fyrmount for TERA

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Frogster Unveiled a Flythrough Video of The Fyrmount for TERA


A breathtaking flythrough video and more information on the seductive Castanic race have been unveiled by the Berlin based publisher, Frogster. The emblematic Castanics are one of 7 races from the forthcoming triple-A MMO TERA, due to be released in Spring 2012.

Meet Firefall's New Battleframe Dreadnaught

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Meet Firefall's New Battleframe Dreadnaught


Exclusively announced at g4tv, Dreadnaught is the 5th Battleframe of Firefall, and the previous 4 are Assault, medic, Recon and Engineer.

Wakfu - Ecaflip, The Gambler

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Wakfu - Ecaflip, The Gambler


I decided to make a new character to take a break from the rotton politics going on right now. I've seen Ecaflip players around but i've never really seen one in combat.

What to Play This Fall? SD Gundam Capsule Fighter OL Comes to NA

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What to Play This Fall? SD Gundam Capsule Fighter OL Comes to NA


OGPlanet, an provider of multiplayer online games, announced they have signed an agreement with Bandai Korea to publish the popular multiplayer third-person shooter game, SD Gundam Capsule Fighter Online in North America. With its fast-paced, easy-to-learn gameplay, Gundam fans and newcomers alike will collect a wide variety of SD Gundam Online customizable units and battle in missions based on events from the series.

Conquer Online for iPad Preview

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Conquer Online for iPad Preview


The most famous titles from NetDragon Websoft Inc., Conquer Online, is now coming to the iPad!

Soul Master: Class Skills Intro

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Soul Master: Class Skills Intro


Arario made public an introduction to the main skills of 3 classes and a video showcasing actual skill effects. Please take a quick look!

WoW: 2011 Hallow's End Introduction

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WoW: 2011 Hallow's End Introduction


Once again Hallow's End approaches, promising tricks, treats, and triumphs for boys and ghouls (heh) all across Azeroth! This year, starting on October 18, you'll find a special Hallow's End Wickerman set up and ready to burn in Stormwind and near the Undercity within the Ruins of Lordaeron.

Nexon to Showcase 7 Titles at G-Star 2011

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Nexon to Showcase 7 Titles at G-Star 2011


According to its official website, Nexon will bring seven different platform-based titles to G-STAR 2011(Official Site: http://gstar.nexon.com/) which is scheduled to be held in Bexco, Busan from November 10 to 13.

DK Online(KR) Promo Video Released, Four Classes Unveiled

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DK Online(KR) Promo Video Released, Four Classes Unveiled


DK Online (full name: The Legend of Dragon Knights)(Official site: http://www.dkonline.co.kr/main), a traditional MMORPG respectively developed and published by South Korea-based RPG Factory and SG Network released a new promo video recently.

CJ E&M Bringing Its Most Powerful Lineup Ever to G-Star 2011

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CJ E&M Bringing Its Most Powerful Lineup Ever to G-Star 2011


Korea-based CJ E&M has just unveiled its lineup for this year's G-Star. Six titles, including Rift, a western-style blockbuster MMORPG, and Ghosts 'n Goblins Online, an MMORPG adapted from a classic arcade game, will be showcased at G-Star 2011. CJ E&M also announced that these six games will be launched one by one starting from next year.

Luvinia - New Player Leveling Guide

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Luvinia - New Player Leveling Guide


Sometimes starting a new game can be a daunting task. But here at Luvinia, we'd love for everyone to have a fast track to the meat and potatoes of Luvinia Online!

Dragon Nest PVP Review

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Dragon Nest PVP Review


Whats up MMOsite.com, im Zach Sharpes here with my Dragon Nest PVP Review.

Continue reading Dragon Nest PVP Review.

MMORPG Reviews

MMORPG Reviews


Shaiya is giving away 1000 newbie packs (only for France)

Posted: 18 Oct 2011 11:10 AM PDT

Aeria Games with MMOreviews and Freemmorpglist is giving away a Shaiya Newbie pack. (only for France) With the newbie cap you can pick every 12 hours one of the next items: Etain Potion x 1 – Consumable potion that restores 75% of PV, PM, PE. Rune Warehouse x 1 – Provides access to the warehouse [...]

Exclusive Colby PMG 28 SMG giveaway for APB Reloaded

Posted: 18 Oct 2011 11:10 AM PDT

ABP Reloaded with FREE MMORPG and MMO Reviews is giving away a free Permanent Colby PMG 28 SMG. To get your SMG enter here and create and account and login. Once in game bring up the "ESC" Menu and select "Armas Marketplace" and at the top Left of the Armas Marketplace you'll find a link [...]

4Story has presented some new upgrade visual effects

Posted: 18 Oct 2011 09:42 AM PDT

Zemi Interactive, Inc., has made an announcement of the brand new upgrade effects in 4Story. Currently in the game there are only 5 upgrade effects which are water, fire, ice, lightning, and darkness. After the upcoming patch, there will be additional 4 more effects in-game. The new effects are Violet, Sky-Blue, Green & Yellow, and [...]

League of Legends Graves patch preview

Posted: 18 Oct 2011 06:30 AM PDT

The latest Patch Preview of League of Legends has arrived. In the video you can see the upcoming changes to Skarner, Corki, Hextech Gunblade, and Dominion. In addition a new playable character has been presented, Graves. Graves is a ranged dps armed with a modified shotgun. "They got a saying in the locker: ain't got [...]

Gamepot has released the open beta of commercial service of Wizardry Online in japan

Posted: 18 Oct 2011 05:10 AM PDT

Gamepot Inc. has launched the open beta of Wizardry Online in Japan last week with a positive response, and Gamepot quickly added multiple new servers to accommodate the more than 100,000 sign-ups acquired on the first day of testing alone. Commercial service is now live in Japan and Gamepot is working to deliver an English [...]

Dungeon Defenders has presented its fifth Developer diary

Posted: 18 Oct 2011 04:25 AM PDT

Trendy Entertainment has presented the fifth developer diary for the upcoming co-op action-RPG tower-defense game, Dungeon Defenders. The video features an in-depth look at all of the content in Dungeon Defenders. - Campaign Missions with four different difficulty levels, which follow the heroes on their quest to rid their castle from evil. - Challenge Missions, [...]

The Secret World is celebrating the week of the Dragon

Posted: 18 Oct 2011 03:01 AM PDT

Funcom is celebrating the Week of the Dragon; a full week of focus on the Dragon secret society. Throughout the week, all eyes will be on the chaotic and secretive Dragon society, one of three secret societies represented in the upcoming, modern-day MMO 'The Secret World'. "Revealing new things about the Dragon is exciting for [...]

Exclusive gameplay videos of Spiral Knights

Posted: 18 Oct 2011 02:01 AM PDT

Today we present some exclusive gameplay videos of Spiral Knights. Spiral Knights is a Action free to play MMO with 3D graphics which offers a co-op gameplay within dungeons with monters to fight and puzzles to solve. - Character Creation - Gameplay tutorial - Emotes and Interface - Dungeon Gameplay

Aion Game Guides of the Arena of Discipline and Padmarashka’s Cave

Posted: 18 Oct 2011 01:03 AM PDT

NCsoft has distributed game guides with details about two of the essential contents of the PVP update 2.7 for Aion. Guide 1 – Arena of Discipline The Arena of Discipline, part of the Crucible Coliseum, is a 1 on 1 duel between two players. Just like the Arena of Chaos, you will need an Arena [...]

MMORPG Videos

MMORPG Videos


MapleStory: MapleStory: GDC Online Presentation Video

Posted: 16 Oct 2011 07:03 PM PDT

Nexon and the MapleStory Online teams have released their GDC Online presentation. The video presentation goes into detail about all of the changes in MapleStory over the past year. Check it out!

Transformers Universe: NYCC '11 Panel Video

Posted: 18 Oct 2011 07:09 AM PDT

Jagex and Hasbro were on-hand to give gamers a taste of Transformers Universe, the upcoming MMO based on the Transformers IP, during a panel at this year's New York Comic-Con. Check out the full video!


General Gaming Article

General Gaming Article


Wi-Fi Basics: A Beginner's Guide to the Wireless Web

Posted: 18 Oct 2011 02:42 PM PDT

Mind your Bs, Ns, and Gs as we break down the ABCs (and many Ws) of Wi-Fi

The popularity of home networks has increased dramatically over the last decade, a phenomenon which can be directly attributed to the increase in broadband availability, but credit is also due to the accessibility that Wi-Fi provides to consumers. Not only are Wi-Fi products easy to configure and relatively inexpensive to implement, but many home computing devices have wireless radios pre-installed.

While connecting to a wireless network can be as simple as a few button presses or taps, there is a lot that goes into making the bits magically travel through the ether. We're going to take a look at some of the building blocks that go into making your wireless network stable and fast, with an eye toward security and standards. We'll also cover some of the devices that can improve your wireless network and ways you can use your Wi-Fi while away from home.

Important Terms

In order to have an intelligent conversation about Wi-Fi, there are a couple of key terms that need to be defined up front. The first is the SSID (Service Set Identifier) or network name. The SSID is the door to connecting to a Wi-Fi network, and is often the only piece of information you will need to get connected.

More of a concept than a term is the idea of channels. Like any Radio Frequency based technology, Wi-Fi uses radio waves of different band-widths to transmit data. Channels define the range of wave-lengths that a transmitter uses. For example several of the Wi-Fi standards use the 2.4GHz frequency, which ranges from 2.4000-2.4835GHz. This frequency range is divided into 13 channels which includes substantial overlap. To make matters more confusing only certain channels are usable from a legal standpoint in different countries. The United States for example uses channels 1-11.

802.11 Standards

The term Wi-Fi refers specifically to the IEEE 802.11 set of standards for wireless networks. Different individual standards are designated by a letter following the 802.11, such as in 802.11g or 802.11n. In general all of the 802.11 standards operate on either a 2.4GHz or 5GHz radio frequency, though some can work on both bands.

802.11a and 802.11b are some of the oldest the Wi-Fi standards and operate on the 5GHz and 2.4GHz frequencies respectively. It could be said that 802.11b was the standard that popularized Wi-Fi, and many legacy devices still utilize this standard today. The biggest differentiators between these original standards from a practical standpoint are speed and range. 802.11a enables speeds of up to 54Mbit/s but the shorter wavelength isn't as effective at penetrating walls and other obstructions making it less feasible for home networks. 802.11b is limited to 11Mbit/s of throughput, but the 2.4GHz frequency handles signal degradation better.

802.11g combined the benefits of its predecessors, offering 54Mbit/s using a 2.4GHz radio. An additional benefit of using 802.11g is the backward compatibility with 802.11b client devices, though using an 802.11b device on an 802.11g network will reduce the data rate for all clients to 11Mbit/s.

802.11n is the current Wi-Fi standard, and supports the use of both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. This ability to use both sets of frequencies is known as MIMO (Multiple-Input Multiple-Output). The key benefits to using 802.11n devices are data rates up to 600MBit/s, and some additional security features. 802.11n offers backward compatibility, though for performance reasons these features are optional, and are not always enabled.

Device Types

Much of the confusion with Wi-Fi is due to the number of devices on the market and the range of terms that are used to describe hardware that perform the same functions. The simplest way to look at a wireless network is to realize that there are essentially only two types of devices, Access Points and Clients, both of which can come in a variety of form factors.

An Access Point is generally the core of your wireless network and is generally physically connected to a wired network as well. Configuration of your wireless settings such as the radio channel, security, and SSID is managed on the Access Point itself. Some examples of Access Point type devices are Wireless Routers or Wireless Range Extenders. While the differences between these monikers are subtle, they can be important to how your network is configured. In its purest form, an Access Point is simply a device that connects a wireless network to a wired network. A Wireless Router indicates that the device includes additional functionality from a networking standpoint that will allow various devices to talk to each other and share an internet connection. Range Extenders are a little hard to explain, but essentially combine features of both Access Point and Client to extend the range of your wireless network without requiring you to run additional networking cable.

Wi-Fi Client devices are any device that connects to the wireless network offered up by an Access Point. These could be laptop or desktop computers, tablets, cellular phones, printers, or even home theater equipment. Typically a Wi-Fi client will have some means of connecting to a specific SSID or list of SSID's, and the ability to configure security settings like an encryption key or passphrase. Clients can also create an ad-hoc or peer-to-peer network, which is made by two clients connecting to each other. This doesn't offer the same flexibility or power of an Access Point based network, but there are scenarios where a peer-to-peer network makes sense.


Use Cases

Ok, so now that you know the basics let's get our hands dirty by running through a few common scenarios where you would use a Wi-Fi connection and detail the basic steps to get things working.

The most common example is a basic home wireless network. Let's say you have two computers, one wired desktop and one wireless laptop. The first device you would need for your wireless network would be an Access Point. For cost reasons it makes a lot of sense to buy one device that will perform multiple roles, so we'll recommend some sort of wireless router.

Typically a wireless router will offer wired connectivity, so you should connect your desktop in to one of the Ethernet ports. Following the manufacturer's instructions you will want to enable the wireless interface, configure an SSID, and enable the wireless security features. You will want to make a note of your SSID and security key for later use. The laptop will then need to be configured to use the SSID and security key to communicate to the wireless router.

A second common example is using a public Wi-Fi hotspot, such as a coffee shop or library. This is a much easier scenario as generally there is no security key involved. Simply find the SSID for the Wi-Fi network you wish to connect with and away you go. Be aware that public networks should be treated as such, and using computer security features like antivirus and firewall software is highly recommended. It's also worth noting that public hotspots also have "terms of agreement" that must be agreed to, and you may want to give those a look before using the connection.

Our third use case is a little more advanced. Let's pick up where we left off with the home networking example, we have an existing network with a wireless router, but we need to extend the reach of the wireless network into another part of the house. The best solution is to run an Ethernet cable from your wireless router to a location that is central to the area you want Wi-Fi signal. An additional Access Point can be added to the network to provide better signal to a larger area. When adding a second Access Point there are some additional things to consider. You will typically want to configure the same SSID and security key, to allow your wireless devices to roam between Access Points. However, you need to make sure that the Wi-Fi channels are configured differently, and that your frequency use does not overlap. This will help prevent interference which could potentially degrade the usability of your wireless network.

Best Practices

Wi-Fi networking offers great flexibility over wired networks and the speed increases in the latest standards make it a very attractive solution, but there are tradeoffs. The biggest area of concern for people trying to get the most from their wireless network is signal strength. Wi-Fi signals are fairly robust, and will generally function throughout a good sized house, but sometimes there are simple solutions for improving your coverage.

The best rule of thumb for getting the best coverage from your Access Point is to centrally locate it in the area where you want to be able to get a signal. If your house is the primary area of use you should find a location as close to the center of the house as possible. If you want coverage in your back yard you might think about moving the Access Point closer to the rear of the house.

An additional thing to consider is the height at which you place your Access Point. Generally there are more physical obstructions the closer you get to the floor. Small furniture, electronics, even pets or other people have a negative effect on radio frequency. Placing your Access Point on a bookshelf or even mounting it on a wall can increase your signal dramatically. Of course adding variables like a house with multiple floors adds complexity, and your results will vary.

Our last recommendation is harder to troubleshoot, and can be painful to execute. Wi-Fi devices use radio frequencies that are open game for other wireless standards and devices like Bluetooth, cordless phones, or wireless peripherals like a mouse or keyboard. Interference is often caused when two wireless devices are attempting to operate using the same radio frequency. Most Wi-Fi Access Points allow for the user to change the channel used by the radio, which will sometimes help mitigate interference caused by other wireless devices.

Security

We would be remiss if we didn't point out that Wi-Fi networks need to be secured. There are many reasons for this ranging from protecting your personal information to not getting sued because of what an unauthorized user was doing with your network. The bottom line is security is worth being concerned about.

Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) was once the standard for Wi-Fi security, but has been frequently maligned and is not considered secure. Several tools exist that will analyze encrypted Wi-Fi traffic and provide the security key with little technical knowledge required.

Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) is a more secure solution than WEP, and is supported on most modern Wi-Fi devices. WPA also has vulnerabilities, but may be your best option if you're using an older Access Point.

WPA2 is the current standard for Wi-Fi security, and is required for new devices seeking Wi-Fi certification. WPA2 supports backwards compatibility with WPA clients, so there shouldn't be any client compatibility reasons to revert to WPA.

An additional security step that is commonly used is a hidden SSID. This isn't a full security measure, but can help prevent unauthorized users from seeing your network.

Our last security recommendation is to change the username and password used to log in to your Access Point itself. This will prevent unauthorized users or even viruses from modifying the configuration of your network.

Conclusion

Wi-Fi networks are pretty well here to stay, so you might as well get familiar with the various ins and outs provided by your current configuration. The convenience and flexibility offered by the standard is unparalleled, and the stability, speed, and security are improving by leaps and bounds. When configuring or troubleshooting your wireless network keep our best practices in mind.

For reviews of specific hardware visit our Networking section under Reviews. Also feel free to post your suggestions or ask your questions in the comment section below.

Google Will Soon Encrypt All Your Searches

Posted: 18 Oct 2011 02:37 PM PDT

googleIf the idea of sending your shady search queries into the ether makes you a little nervous, Google is coming to the rescue with a plan to encrypt searches. In the next few weeks, users that are signed into their Google account will automatically be directed to the HTTPS search page for secure searches.

Google says this change will be especially important to users that do searches from public Wi-Fi networks. SSL encryption has traditionally been used in banking and other financial sites, but it is increasingly being implemented in other ways. For instance, most email service how have SSL as the default view. 

Sites that get clicks from searches will still see a list of aggregated search terms that were big winners, but will not get information about individual clicks. Users that don't have a Google account, but want to be more secure can manually navigate to the HTTPS google site and search that way. 

Droid RAZR Unveiled: 1.2GHz Dual-Core, Water Resistant, $299

Posted: 18 Oct 2011 02:24 PM PDT

razrAs expected, Motorola has announced the new Droid RAZR Android phone for Verizon's 4G LTE network. The iconic name evokes images of something impossibly thin, and the Droid RAZR delivers on that count. The device is powerful, but only 7.1mm thick. That's thinner than the iPhone, and Motorola claims over 12 hours of talk time per charge.

The new RAZR runs on a TI OMAP4430 SoC clocked up to 1.2GHz, 1GB of RAM, and 16GB of internal storage. The 8MP camera is capable of shooting 1080p video, and there is a front camera as well. The screen is a first of its kind qHD resolution Super AMOLED. The phone itself is splash resistant and has a tough kevlar back. However, that form factor comes with a drawback; the battery is apparently non-removable.

The RAZR is running an Android 2.3 Gingerbread with is going to be the current version of the platform for all of 4 more hours at the time of posting. Moto has also locked the bootloader on this device. The Droid RAZR will be available for pre-order on October 27 for $299 on contract.

Android App of the Week: Twonky Beam Browser

Posted: 18 Oct 2011 12:40 PM PDT

Twonky is a name many readers of this site will find familiar. Twonky's media server provides DLNA functionality in high-end NAS appliances like the QNAP TS-459 Pro II, and is a great solution for those looking to serve media from their PC. Twonky Beam Browser is an application for Android devices that makes use of the company's experience with DLNA, but takes it to an entirely new level.

Twonky Beam Browser is built as a streaming video client, giving users the ability to view Internet-based content on their mobile device. The app includes links to the usual suspects such as YouTube, Vimeo, and ESPN. Where Twonky differentiates itself from other streaming video clients is the ability to use DLNA to push, or "beam," the video stream to a device serving as a DLNA Renderer, making the video available to a larger display such as an HDTV. Note that you will need a DLNA Renderer to use the Beaming function, and Flash video streams cannot be beamed to a DLNA Renderer.

Twonky Beam Browser is available from the Android Marketplace as a free download. You can learn about Twonky's other applications at Twonky.com.

Samsung Unveils Full HD Surveillance Gear, See the Freckles on Your Intruder's Face

Posted: 18 Oct 2011 11:58 AM PDT

Samsung is taking its surveillance game to the next level by introducing a new series of Full HD analog video products. Included in the new lineup is the HD-SDI 1920x1080 box camera, HD-SDI 1920x1080 dome camera, and a four-channel HD-SDI digital video recorder (DVR). Samsung's HD-SDI technology makes it possible to transmit uncompressed and non-packetized digital video signals with no loss of image data and zero latency, the company said.

The obvious benefit here is improved image quality, which is more than five times better than conventional analog technology, Samsung says. But it also offers a "more cost-effective and easier alternative to network-based systems, using standard coax cable."

Samsung's top-of-the-line SNB-7000 box camera features the company's advanced WiseNetII digital signal processing, Full HD resolution, up to 3MP of image quality, wide dynamic range (WDR), onboard video analytics, bi-directional audio, SD memory card slot, and true day/night (ICR) functionality.

Image Credit: Samsung

Battlefield 3 Torrent Leaked, But You Can't Play It

Posted: 18 Oct 2011 11:37 AM PDT

Can't wait for the October 25th launch of Battlefield 3? Neither can a lot of other people – and some of them aren't waiting. As can only be expected for such a high-profile title, a leaked copy of the PC version of the game has worked its way onto the Internet in the form of – you guessed it – a torrent. Aspiring pirates shouldn't rush out to download the torrent, though. You still won't be able to play Battlefield 3 even with those illegal disc images in hand thanks to EA's always-on DRM.

Remember that you'll need an active Internet connection and Origin account in order to play BF3, even in single-player mode. While those limitations really, truly suck for gamers on the up-and-up who actually shell out hard-earned dollars for the game, that strict DRM is currently preventing file sharers from enjoying multi-person mayhem prior to the game's release date.  Of course, it's only a matter of time before a crack becomes available, of course, but for now, Softpedia reports that the 9.96Gb files won't do anything other than take up space on your hard drive.

Fast Forward: Whither Apple, After Steve?

Posted: 18 Oct 2011 11:24 AM PDT

Apple is pronounced dead every 10 years or so, inevitably before another miraculous revival. Although Steve Jobs's recent resignation as CEO didn't provoke the same gloomy predictions as the company's previous setbacks, there was widespread moaning about Apple's future. Conspicuously missing was speculation about the ways in which Jobs's diminished role might improve Apple.

To some, any such speculation is heresy. So first, let me affirm that Jobs was perhaps our brightest entrepreneur. His marketing savvy was uncanny. His standards were extraordinarily high, and he attracted some of the best talent on the planet.

Like everyone, however, Jobs was flawed. One flaw was well known but was mainly an internal company matter. Another was less recognized but eventually will harm Apple's competitiveness.

The famous flaw was that Jobs was a hothead. At times, his behavior exceeded the allowances made for a "tough boss." His abuse could become unprofessional and wouldn't be tolerated at most companies if he were a middle manager. But this character flaw mainly affected the relatively few people immediately around him, so it was tolerable—unless his successors believe it was a key to his success.

His more relevant shortcoming was a blind spot for software development. Unlike, say, Bill Gates, Jobs never made his mark as a programmer. Apple's iOS is a restrictive platform that requires Objective-C, a programming language rarely used elsewhere. Mac OS is more open but heavily favors the same nonstandard language. This complaint may seem trifling now, because Apple's products are wildly popular. Over time, however, Apple's captive developers will defect to platforms offering more choices.

Apple executives proclaim that they will follow in Jobs's footsteps because his DNA is woven into the company. For the most part, I hope they are right. But there is always room for improvement.

HP's Not-Quite-Dead TouchPad Gets WebOS Update

Posted: 18 Oct 2011 11:21 AM PDT

"I'm not dead!" It's one of our favorite quotes in "Monty Python and the Holy Grail." We don't picture TouchPad owners shouting that from the rooftops, though. HP basically called the tablet (along with WebOS) dead in the water and tossed it on the shelves at $99 to clear inventory; after a fire sale like that, you can't expect much ongoing support. But surprise, surprise! TouchPad owners aren't quite dead to HP yet. The company has just released a WebOS update for the tablet.

The over-the-air update brings several new features and improvements to the TouchPad. According to the HP Palm blog, you'll find the following after installing WebOS 3.0.4:

  • A new Camera app for photos and video
  • The ability to pair non-webOS phones to your TouchPad, so you can answer calls on your TouchPad. Pairing with non-webOS Bluetooth keyboards has also been streamlined
  • Support for OGG Vorbis music files
  • Online/offline messaging status support

Jon Zilber, HP/Palm's Director of Online Communications writes, says, "You'll also experience better performance, user interface improvements, and other enhancements such as support for accelerometer events in Adobe Flash Player, and more robust Skype video calling."

There's no reason not to check the free update out now if you're a TouchPad owner.

Stinky Apple Supplier Shut Down Due To Terrible Odor

Posted: 18 Oct 2011 10:48 AM PDT

An apple a day may keep those pesky, prodding doctors at bay, but apparently, the odor from an Apple supplier's factory is all it takes to keep nearby residents away. Catcher Technology builds those oh-so-sleek aluminum cases that give Apple's laptops their distinct look, but Chinese citizens near the company's Fenghuang City factory say they stink. In fact, things got so bad that officials recently temporarily shut the facility down.

Residents from the area told Computerworld that the smell exuded by Catcher's factory was an unappetizing mixture of "chemical fertilizer and burning plastic." Several people have reported difficulty breathing. The smell is reportedly so strong that it penetrates sealed windows.

On their end, Catcher Technology claims that the factory might be stinky, but it fully meets all air safety requirements. However, they aren't simply ignoring the problem; the company is working on improving its exhaust systems and taking other steps to reduce the odor. Meanwhile, the government's shutdown of the facility will remain active until state monitors can assess the situation and determine if the odor is damaging to the health of nearby citizens.  

Image credit: lonestar7766 on sketchfu.com

StarTech Drive Duplicator Copies Three Drives at Once, No PC Required

Posted: 18 Oct 2011 10:47 AM PDT

StarTech specializes in hard-to-find connectivity parts and the occasional gee-whiz device, the latter of which is what the company's new USB 3.0/eSATA to SATA Standalone 1:3 Hard Drive Duplicator Dock falls under. In case it's not obvious from the product title, this is a device that performs 1:3 sector-by-sector duplication from a single SATA drive onto three others all at the same time, and you don't need to plug it into a PC.

"IT professionals are always looking for ways to make their jobs more efficient and this new multi-drive duplicator allows them to accomplish just that," commented StarTech.com Senior Product Manager, Carey Cline. "The ability to perform a sector by sector duplication on up to three drives simultaneously, frees up the user's time to perform other functions while the back-ups are created in the background. The fact it acts as a standalone unit also means it doesn't use up resources on their computer system."

You can also use the device as an external 4-bay hard drive dock connected via USB 3.0 or eSATA. It supports up to 72MB/s transfer rates in duplication mode and up to 5Gbps or 3Gbps as an external dock, has a Secure Erase feature, dual 60mm cooling fans, integrated LCD display, and supports both 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch form factor drives. There's a SATA to IDE apapter included with the dock.

IT gurus interested in something like this can find it online for around $400, or 20 percent less than it's MSRP ($500).

Image Credit: StarTech.com

MMO News

MMO News


Firefall reveals the Dreadnaught

Posted: 18 Oct 2011 03:30 PM PDT

The fifth battleframe for Red 5′s Firefall has been revealed: the Dreadnaught.

The Dreadnaught offers heavy armor for defense, along with a powerful turret mode that lets the player take a stationary stance to mow down their enemies. They are also equipped with two force-fields: one of which will push enemies away and do plasma burn damage, while the other encloses the player (and any enemies within range) and prevents incoming damage or escape.

You can see these features in the trailer below:

OGPlanet to publish SD Gundam Capsule Fighter Online

Posted: 18 Oct 2011 11:41 AM PDT

OGPlanet – publisher of LaTale, Lost Saga, and Rumble Fighter – has announced their partnership with Bandai Korea to publish SD Gundam Capsule Fighter Online in North America.

The game will feature over 350 units, from Mobile Suit Gundam to Mobile Suit Gundam OO, each with its own set of weapons, style, stats, and customization. PvP will support up to 12 players across 30 maps, in four different game modes: Points, Tag, Stock, and Greed.

A teaser site is now online at http://sdgo.ogplanet.com/en/teaser.og, where you can also apply for beta.

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SD Gundam Capsule Fighter Online Gameplay Screenshot

Source:

OGPlanet Brings SD Gundam Capsule Fighter Online  to North America

Popular multiplayer fast-action shooter will launch this fall

Torrance, Calif.–October 18, 2011–OGPlanet, an innovative provider of multiplayer online games, announced they have signed an agreement with Bandai Korea to publish the popular multiplayer third-person shooter game, SD Gundam Capsule Fighter Online in North America. With its fast-paced, easy-to-learn gameplay, Gundam fans and newcomers alike will collect a wide variety of SDGundamOnline customizable units and battle in missions based on events from the series.

“Gundam is one of the most popular anime franchises ever, and SD Gundam Capsule Fighter Onlineis a perfect fit for our portfolio of games,” said Sangchul Park, president and founder of OGPlanet. “We’re thrilled to be working with Bandai Korea to bring this exciting game to all online gamers as well as the Gundam fans in North America.”

With over 350 planned units from across the Gundam universe, from the original Mobile Suit Gundam to the latest Mobile Suit Gundam OO, players have tons to collect. Each unit has unique SDGundamOnline2stats, weapons, movement and style, as well as options for customization so players can really stand out on the battlefield. Even create your own!

Each battlefield supports up to 12 players in PvP combat where players can put their units to the test in four modes of play: Points, Tag, Stock or Greed. Over 30 maps of varying size and difficulty offer a huge range of challenge and excitement. Improve your ranking by mastering all the different fighting styles.

OGPlanet has launched an SD Gundam® Capsule Fighter Online teaser site where more information, art, screens and movies can be found. The site is located at SD Gundam Capsule Fighter Online Teaser Site

Khun Phaen arrives in Atlantica Online

Posted: 17 Oct 2011 06:12 PM PDT

Atlantica Online is celebrating its third anniversary with special rewards for its players.

A new warlord mercenary, Khun Phaen, has arrived in Atlantica Online, and possesses the ability to use an orb and a sword, making him a powerful magical melee mercenary. He can be recruited through the new “Hunt for the Warlord’s Poem” event. Players can collect Poem Pieces through hunting Thief Acongs, opening the Third Anniversary Combatant’s Box or Warlord’s Hoard, and by continuing the play the game, up until November 16.

A new Grand Championship Battle Royale will offer a new PvP tournament (taking place on October 31) with a 100,000 NX Prize.  On October 30, Atlantica Online will also offer 24 hours of double experience (Game, Craft, and Workload) plus special auctions, giveaways, and sales.

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

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Atlantica Online Gameplay Screenshot

Source:

Good Things Come in Threes for Atlantica Online

Players can acquire the powerful Khun Phaen mercenary as part of Atlantica Online's Three Year Anniversary celebrations.

Nexon America's strategic turn-based massively multiplayer online game, Atlantica Online has kicked off a series of three year anniversary celebrations with in-game events, items and NX giveaways, and a new mercenary. The anniversary-exclusive Hunt for the Warlord's Poem event allows players to hunt and craft their way towards obtaining the elusive mercenary Khun Phaen, while the Grand PvP Championship will fire up some competition. In addition, 24 hours of EXP bonuses and login rewards on October 30 will rev up the engine for the next chapter in Atlantica Online.

The debut of the warlord mercenary Khun Phaen is stirring up the Atlantica world with his powerful skills and exclusive ability to use an orb, in addition to a sword which grants him the highest levels of magical defense and intelligence of all melee mercenaries.

Players can recruit the legendary Khun Phaen as their mercenary by participating in the Hunt for the Warlord's Poem. The Poem Pieces can be collected through extended play time, hunting Thief Acongs, or earning the Third Anniversary Combatant's Box and the Warlord's Hoard. The event will be available through November 16.

The stakes are higher than ever in the Grand Championship Battle Royale. On October 31 players can compete in PvP matches against players from all servers where eight champions will bask in their glory winning up to 100,000 NX.

Last but not least, an anniversary calls for a grand celebration. Atlantica Day on October 30 will welcome players to enjoy 24 hours of special mercenary auctions, item giveaways, and exclusive sales. As an added perk, players will be rewarded for simply logging in, with 200% EXP bonuses on Game, Craft and Workload EXP all day.

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