MMO Updates

MMO Updates


Bethesda and Interplay may be close to settling Fallout dispute

Posted: 30 Dec 2011 09:00 AM PST

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Brotherhood of Steel dude
Is the long-running war of words between Bethesda and Interplay nearing its end? The two firms have been engaged in a legal tug-of-war over the Fallout IP (and its potential entry into the MMO space via Fallout Online) for several years now, but a new blurb on GamePolitics suggests that there could be some light at the end of the tunnel.

GamePolitics cites a Fallout wiki entry and the leak of a partial court transcript from earlier this month that says "both sides have previously agreed to drop this from the case (Bethesda raised it, and Interplay agreed). The case now just concerns future Fallout games."

The website points to another source that claims that Bethesda is attempting to seal parts of the case (which is often a harbinger for an out-of-court settlement).

MassivelyBethesda and Interplay may be close to settling Fallout dispute originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 30 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Star Trek Online holds 'last chance sale' before F2P kicks in

Posted: 30 Dec 2011 08:00 AM PST

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Star Trek Online
Have you been eying that sexy cruiser, extra character slot, or those nostalgic uniforms you've always wanted in Star Trek Online? Then you may be in for a shopping spree during the final hours of this year -- and the first few of the next -- as Cryptic is holding a "Last Chance Sale" to give faithful players a chance to pick up a good deal or two over the holiday season.

During the sale, players can snag anything they want -- excluding duty officer roster slots -- for 20% off the regular price. According to Cryptic, this will mark the last time (hence the name) that players can buy these items before the new free-to-play pricing kicks in.

The Last Chance Sale begins today at 1:00 p.m. EST and will wrap up on January 5th at the same time.

MassivelyStar Trek Online holds 'last chance sale' before F2P kicks in originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 30 Dec 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SWTOR's Daniel Erickson on pulling players' moral strings

Posted: 30 Dec 2011 07:00 AM PST

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SWTOR
BioWare's Daniel Erickson said that for the writing team, the crunch time came way ahead of everyone else since the script for the game had to be done first. As such, the team has had plenty of time to reflect on how the game's developed while it's moved on to future content. In speaking with GameSpy, the Star Wars: The Old Republic head writer opened up about the difficulties and fun of penning a game with so many personalities, choices, and plot twists.

Probably the most revealing is how Erickson admits that the writers are trying to pull players in multiple directions through a series of moral influences: the game's own light and dark side system, players' own morality, companions' own likes and dislikes, and multiplayer dialogue. Ideally, he said, one of the goals of the writing team was to make quests that would challenge players' set paths to make them want to change. "It's interesting to watch all those dynamic forces affect the player, see how they interact with the storytelling method," he said.

Erickson also says that the project got initial pushback over the notion of centering it on story, because of the past limitations of MMOs and "the expected norm" that had grown over the years: "It was clear, when you played the early MMOs, that they were trying to put as much as they could in for what was there. There were people on each one of these projects that clearly cared passionately about the lore, and were really trying to get it across to the players. So we knew that that was there and we knew from the single-player games what did it."

The interview continues to cover a wide range of writing challenges, including coming up with the script for Huttball, quests that the team was sure would get cut by the ESRB, and how the team enjoyed coming up with intricate stories, connections, and romances for companion characters.

MassivelySWTOR's Daniel Erickson on pulling players' moral strings originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 30 Dec 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Daily Grind: What are your 2012 MMO resolutions?

Posted: 30 Dec 2011 05:00 AM PST

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Times Square ball drop
Here we are at the end of yet another year and our list of promising MMOs just keeps growing. We try to play them all, but it's just impossible to keep up sometimes. After months of trying to juggle as many as we can, we usually enter some sort of plea bargain with ourselves to cut back or concentrate on only one or two at a time. But this never seems to work out. Curse you, BioWare!

Ahem. So now we're curious about your own resolutions for the new year. Have you promised yourself (or your family) that you'll cut back on MMOs? Are you looking forward to returning to an old favorite to spite the new shinies? Let us know what your MMO plans are for 2012, and as an extra bonus, let us know if you kept 2011's resolutions!

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: What are your 2012 MMO resolutions? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 30 Dec 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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    Behind the Mask: Between this world and the next

    Posted: 29 Dec 2011 05:00 PM PST

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    One of the exciting things about writing about Champions Online is that there is a huge amount of lore and backstory behind the game. Although Behind the Mask has a definite focus on concrete game information (that's just how I roll), the lore is always something I'm excited to cover. It offers a look into Champions that can't be experienced with just the online game.

    This week we're going to look at alternate dimensions in the Champions universe. I was going to take a more indepth look at the background behind the war between Heaven and Hell, but unfortunately there is so much information that paints necessary frameworks for those story elements. It's unfortunate, but the information I have to go over this week is pretty crazy stuff.

    Before you go through this, you may want to check out some of my other lore articles, including my magic lore article and my general lore primer. I do restate all the necessary stuff here, but having a broader understanding of what's going on can do nothing but help. A lot of the information here is from The Mystic World sourcebook, but there's also a fair bit of stuff cobbled together from ingame lore and some other sourcebooks. Definitely check them out if you want more information on these subjects.

    Continue reading Behind the Mask: Between this world and the next

    MassivelyBehind the Mask: Between this world and the next originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 29 Dec 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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      Ask Massively: Further answers to the same questions edition

      Posted: 29 Dec 2011 03:00 PM PST

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      All right, just the Sith Lords on the left sing this verse!
      Apparently, people like talking about Star Wars: The Old Republic. Or perhaps more accurately, people enjoy arguing about it. According to comments, the game is a huge hit and failure that is in no way an accomplishment but is still unparalleled, and you can tell it will succeed and fail using a variety of metrics. Me, I've just been playing the heck out of it. Also drinking cranberry juice, but you didn't really need to know that part.

      As you may have guessed, this week's installment is all about the persistent question of Star Wars: The Old Republic's getting a devoted Joystiq-flavored site. I suspect most of our regular readers are playing the game and not really thinking about asking questions. If you've got a question for next week, you can leave it in the comments below or send it along to ask@massively.com. Questions may be edited slightly for brevity or clarity.

      Continue reading Ask Massively: Further answers to the same questions edition

      MassivelyAsk Massively: Further answers to the same questions edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 29 Dec 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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        MechWarrior Online rolls out the '12 Catapult

        Posted: 29 Dec 2011 02:00 PM PST

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        MechWarrior Online
        Some people like to drool over car statistics, with their V-8s and turbo-injections and rearview adjustable mirrors. Others like to fawn over every last detail of fictional battle robots as if they were coming soon to a dealership near them. Both, in our opinion, are acceptable.

        If you're in the latter category, then you're going to love MechWarrior Online today, as the devs revealed the latest in the 26th century lineup: the CPLT-C1 Catapult. This heavy 'Mech may be a tad on the slow side, but it more than makes up for it with firepower and 10 tons of armor. The two-legged Catapult boasts missiles, lasers, and jumpjets, although it can only go a little less than 65 kph on the battlefield.

        The Catapult will be available to the Terran Hegemony and seems suitable for those who prefer slow, powerful brutes to quick, nimble machines. If walking piles of death metal are your thing, make sure to catch up on our preview of MechWarrior Online.

        MassivelyMechWarrior Online rolls out the '12 Catapult originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 29 Dec 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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        The Guild Counsel: Does SWTOR need a better LFG tool?

        Posted: 29 Dec 2011 01:00 PM PST

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        swtor
        Often, this column has focused on guilds and communities in MMOs, both the good and the bad. With the launch of Star Wars: The Old Republic, it's interesting to look at the ways in which a community is slowly gelling on each server. Already there are players I'm bumping into more and more often, and while I tend to huddle around guildies most of the time, I find that I enjoy things much more when I'm surrounded by a good community of players.

        There's already been a lively discussion among SWTOR fans about whether the current LFG tool is good enough or something more is needed. Do we need something more "meaty" to help do the job of grouping for us or not? Read on for some pros and cons, and weigh in on whether more is needed to help bring the community closer.

        Continue reading The Guild Counsel: Does SWTOR need a better LFG tool?

        MassivelyThe Guild Counsel: Does SWTOR need a better LFG tool? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 29 Dec 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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          The Perfect Ten: Most significant MMO stories of 2011

          Posted: 29 Dec 2011 11:00 AM PST

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          Perfect Ten
          2011 was an odd duck of a year for MMO news. A huge chunk of the year felt devoid of significant releases, but that was mitigated somewhat by the major launches of RIFT and Star Wars: The Old Republic. Titles got shoved back to 2012 or beyond, MMOs that we thought never would go free-to-play did, and the industry continually surprised us with revelations, ideas, and controversy.

          So in my last Perfect Ten of 2011, I put together the 10 most significant MMO stories of the year. Ten seems like an awfully small number for such a great big field, so I had the rest of the staff members chime in with their nominations just to make sure I wasn't too off-base with any of these.

          It was a whopper of a year, and Massively was there for all of it -- the ups, the downs, the queues, and the QQs. It's time to wrap it up with a pretty bow and dedicate it to the history museum!

          Continue reading The Perfect Ten: Most significant MMO stories of 2011

          MassivelyThe Perfect Ten: Most significant MMO stories of 2011 originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 29 Dec 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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            MMORPG News

            MMORPG News


            EverQuest II: Age of Discovery Review

            Posted: 29 Dec 2011 10:22 AM PST

            In early December, EverQuest II officially went 'free to play' and the "Age of Discovery" expansion was released at the same time. In our latest combo video and text review, we take a look at EQ II: AoD to see how it measures up to the glory days of the franchise. Check it out in your favorite format and then let us know what you think in the comments.

            Star Wars: The Old Republic: The Droid I Was Looking For

            Posted: 29 Dec 2011 10:02 AM PST

            Isabelle Parsley admits it: She's hooked on Star Wars: The Old Republic. In today's Player Perspectives, we examine that state of hookedness and why it's such an unusual phenomenon these days. Read on!

            Star Wars: The Old Republic: The Razer Gaming Mouse Review

            Posted: 29 Dec 2011 10:41 AM PST

            Nothing says success like hardware branded around a popular MMO. In today's hardware review, we take a look at the Star Wars: The Old Republic gaming mouse made by Razer. See if it measures up and is useful for SWTOR players. Tried it yourself? Let us know what YOU think!

            Star Wars: The Old Republic: Guide to the HUTTBALL Warzone

            Posted: 29 Dec 2011 10:48 AM PST

            In the latest Game Face, MMORPG.com's "Pokket" takes a look at the Hutball Warzone from Star Wars: The Old Republic. You'll get tips and tricks for surviving this action-packed PvP zone. Check it out!

            General: The MMO Report: Blooper Edition

            Posted: 30 Dec 2011 04:51 AM PST

            The MMO Report has been updated with the team's annual blooper edition. That easy charm and pithy wit doesn't always fall from golden lips and sometimes blasts forth with the fiery furnace of a hellishly twisted tongue. Check out The MMO Report: Blooper Edition.

            Tales of Pirates II: The Grand Line

            Posted: 30 Dec 2011 04:47 AM PST

            IGG has let us know that developers are working away at an "all new version" of Tales of Pirates II. Players are promised new quest lines and several new instances in The Grand Line that pit players against five pirate lords.

            Star Wars: The Old Republic: Write Us a PvP Guide, Make Some Scratch!

            Posted: 29 Dec 2011 09:53 AM PST

            We recently kicked off a new series of Advanced Class guides for Star Wars: The Old Republic, and we're looking to branch out a bit, so we want your help!

            Runes of Magic: Now In Browsers Everywhere

            Posted: 29 Dec 2011 07:39 AM PST

            Runes of Magic can now be played via browsers. The new site for beta version of browser-based RoM is now live. The beta is scheduled to run through January 9th.

            Star Wars: The Old Republic: Mercenary Player Guide

            Posted: 29 Dec 2011 05:08 AM PST

            With the amazing success of Star Wars: The Old Republic, players are often looking for direction on how to play their favorite classes. Today, MMORPG.com is pleased to present our Mercenary Player Guide. Check it out!

            The Secret World: The Sound of Silence

            Posted: 28 Dec 2011 10:27 AM PST

            The Secret World has gone largely off the grid in the last month and a half or so. Is this a good thing for a game that is due to hit the MMOniverse in just over four months? Read on and then let us know what you think in the comments.

            Rift: Chronicles - Hammerknell

            Posted: 28 Dec 2011 02:36 PM PST

            In today's Chronicles of One Telaran, we find out that Caedryn the Dwarf has finally earned his first, albeit weird, mount AND is ready to take on the Chronicles. Caedryn describes Hammerknell in the way that only he can. Check it out and then leave us a comment or two.

            General: Beam Me Up, Please

            Posted: 28 Dec 2011 08:45 AM PST

            With last week's launch of Star Wars: The Old Republic, many folks' imaginations have been opened to the idea of space-themed MMOs. In today's Coyote's Howling, we opine that the fantasy genre "needs a well-deserved rest". See if you agree and then leave us your ideas in the comments.

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