MMO Updates

MMO Updates


Namco executive: F2P titles 'can't be high quality'

Posted: 19 Jan 2012 09:00 AM PST

Filed under: , , , ,

Namco Bandai logo
Just when we thought every game development firm on the planet had jumped on the free-to-play bandwagon, along comes Namco-Bandai and executive Olivier Comte.

The senior vice president recently spoke at the Cloud Gaming Europe conference, and he had some pretty harsh words for the industry's new business model darling. "Free-to-play games can't be high quality," Comte said. "The business model for smaller, easier titles is making an expectation to consumers that is whittling away at AAA development."

He went on to stress that larger companies have to think long-term, and he opined that the proliferation of cheap games is going to be problematic for the industry if the trend continues.

MassivelyNamco executive: F2P titles 'can't be high quality' originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 19 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

RIFT revenues reached $100 million in 2011, Trion secures new funding

Posted: 19 Jan 2012 08:30 AM PST

Filed under: , , , ,

RIFT - combat gameplay
How successful is RIFT? That's hard to say without knowing how much it cost, but it's safe to assume that Trion executives are smiling after the game generated $100 million in revenue in only 10 months.

CEO Lars Buttler told Reuters that the company is still considering an initial public stock offering, and it has also secured an additional $85 million in funding as it readies RIFT for the South Korean and Chinese gaming markets later this year. Trion is also developing an MMO shooter called Defiance and an MMORTS known as End of Nations.

MassivelyRIFT revenues reached $100 million in 2011, Trion secures new funding originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 19 Jan 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Elsword unleashes a new update for the new year

Posted: 19 Jan 2012 08:00 AM PST

Filed under: , , , , , ,

This guy is apparently a Nasod Inspector.  I'm not sure what a Nasod is, but he inspects them.
The new year may have lost a little of its luster, but it's still pretty new. So what better way to enjoy it than with new content? Elsword's developers have apparently decided that there's no better way, bringing players a trio of new dungeons to celebrate the new year and provide plenty of action-based enjoyment for the game's fans. And of course, new dungeons means new enemies to tear apart.

Each new dungeon is meant to challenge players at a variety of skill levels, from experienced veterans to relative newcomers. Players who find that even the hardest challenges of the dungeons aren't enough can also turn on "Hell Mode," which promises to give players exactly what it says on the tin. A trailer for the new dungeons is just past the break, showing off the new areas and new enemies included in the update -- and really, who wouldn't like a new fistfight for the new year?

[Source: Kill3rcombo press release]

Continue reading Elsword unleashes a new update for the new year

MassivelyElsword unleashes a new update for the new year originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 19 Jan 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

    New TERA video features Castanic race

    Posted: 19 Jan 2012 07:30 AM PST

    Filed under: , , , , , , ,

    TERA - male castanic berserker
    The excitement surrounding TERA ramped up a few levels with the recent announcement of the title's May 1st release date. The action MMO from Korea's Bluehole Studio has been a long time in the making, and En Masse Entertainment has hinted at more details to come over the next couple of months.

    Today the company has partnered with IGN to release a new gameplay video focused on the Castanic race. The clip runs for about a minute and a half, and features a smattering of action vignettes starring our favorite horned warriors. Check it out after the break.

    Continue reading New TERA video features Castanic race

    MassivelyNew TERA video features Castanic race originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 19 Jan 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

    Permalink | Email this | Comments

    Allods Online bringing out Game of Gods next month

    Posted: 19 Jan 2012 07:00 AM PST

    Filed under: , , , , , , ,

    I always assumed the gods had a pretty good game.  Like, say, a version of Risk where you get free bacon.
    If you're a dedicated Allods Online player, you've got something to be very excited about. The game's next expansion, Game of Gods has been announced for release in February, bringing what's being described as a year's worth of content to players in North America and Europe. This announcement is concurrent with the release of a corresponding mini-site previewing some of the upcoming features while still leaving teasers. Players will be able to explore over 100 new quests, take part in a new 10-boss raid, and enjoy the new Bard class.

    But in true TV-product-announced style, there's still more, including a bump in the level cap, and epic quest to improve your character permanently, and expanded astral space to explore. There's also a teaser trailer and gameplay trailer just after the break to drum up further excitement. While an exact date in February hasn't yet been announced, considering that the month is nearly over it likely won't be too long.

    [Source: Gala-Net press release]

    Continue reading Allods Online bringing out Game of Gods next month

    MassivelyAllods Online bringing out Game of Gods next month originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 19 Jan 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

    Permalink | Email this | Comments

    SOE shows off PlanetSide 2's Galaxy transport

    Posted: 19 Jan 2012 06:30 AM PST

    Filed under: , , , , , ,

    PlanetSide 2 - Galaxy transport
    Another day, another PlanetSide 2 vehicle reveal. The latest update from Sony Online Entertainment features the venerable Galaxy, and if that doesn't quicken your pulse a little bit, you must've missed the original PlanetSide.

    The Galaxy is a heavily armored troop transport designed to "hot drop" 12 soldiers into the heart of enemy territory. What's a hot drop? It's basically the game's sci-fi twist on the traditional parachute, and SOE says that it "automatically encapsulates any soldier or MAX unit that bails out with a protective barrier that slows their fall."

    Galaxies are also sturdy enough to serve as mobile infantry bases after landing, and the ships feature respawn tubes, equipment terminals, and four weapon systems that may be operated on the ground.

    MassivelySOE shows off PlanetSide 2's Galaxy transport originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 19 Jan 2012 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

    Permalink | Email this | Comments

    Turbine makes 'biggest announcement since free-to-play' for Dungeons and Dragons Online

    Posted: 19 Jan 2012 06:00 AM PST

    Filed under: , , , , ,

    Lolth
    The Dungeons and Dragons Online developers have been enjoying the game's success, and things are running smoothly, but fans know that doesn't mean the team's been kicking back and relaxing. We've had content updates regularly, and not just little token patches but rather new adventure packs, new races and classes, the addition of crafting, and much more.

    Have you enjoyed the past year or so in DDO? Well, hang on to your hats because we spent some time chatting with Eric Boyer and Fernando Paiz and... well, those updates aren't the only thing the developers have been working on.

    Click past the break to see what's about to take DDO by storm.

    Continue reading Turbine makes 'biggest announcement since free-to-play' for Dungeons and Dragons Online

    MassivelyTurbine makes 'biggest announcement since free-to-play' for Dungeons and Dragons Online originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 19 Jan 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

    Permalink | Email this | Comments

      SWTOR unsubscribe option goes missing for some

      Posted: 19 Jan 2012 05:30 AM PST

      Filed under: , ,

      SWTOR
      Call it the Case of the Canceled Sub: Many players have written in to us to report that the "cancel subscription" button on their Star Wars: The Old Republic account pages has mysteriously gone missing. Considering that tomorrow is the one-month mark where accounts are set to be billed following the free month of gameplay for those who started on launch day, this is particularly troublesome.

      Some players have found a workaround link, but have received a warning and seen their threads shut down by moderators as violating the Rules of Conduct.

      BioWare is investigating the situation and has alluded to an issue with certain types of browsers. In the meantime, the CS team has asked for those affected customers to contact the company by phone if looking to cancel their subscription.

      For those looking to stay subbed, BioWare is awarding those who pay for an additional month of game time by March 19th with a special "Founder" title.

      [Thanks to the many, many people who sent us in this tip!]

      MassivelySWTOR unsubscribe option goes missing for some originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 19 Jan 2012 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

      Permalink | Email this | Comments

        The Daily Grind: How political should game companies be?

        Posted: 19 Jan 2012 05:00 AM PST

        Filed under: , , ,

        Stop SOPA. And Seagulls. Wait, no.
        So, who here has heard about this SOPA thing? PIPA? Anyone? I would venture a guess that most of you out there have not only heard about it, but you're violently opposed to it, as are Massively, Joystiq, and our parent company AOL. To think we're not is silly because the internet is our livelihood. But politics and videos games don't usually mix, so this is new ground for us.

        When you read about game companies boycotting SOPA/PIPA, the reaction is mixed among players. Some respect the fact that these companies are rising up against this piece of legislation while others think these studios should just concentrate on making (or fixing) their games. But the entertainment industry is far from a stranger to politics. From Neil Young to Dave Mustaine to Kanye West, politics are a staple of music, and movies usually do their part in portraying every opinion on major political issues. So why should games and game companies be any different?

        Let us know what you think of the mix of politics and gaming in the comments below!

        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: How political should game companies be? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 19 Jan 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

        Permalink | Email this | Comments

          A Mild-Mannered Reporter: Be the nemesis

          Posted: 18 Jan 2012 06:00 PM PST

          Filed under: , , , , , , ,

          A Mild-Mannered Reporter header by A. Fienemann
          I have a nemesis, but it's not a person. It's an idea, and that idea is optimization.

          Given enough time (about seven minutes), people will figure out the best builds and abilities for pretty much every single character class in any game. This is great if all you're interested in doing is banging out the best possible character to tackle endgame challenges, but it's kind of disappointing if you like creating odd characters, ones that play strangely or feature under-utilized abilities or specs. That's the sort of stuff that I like, the things I find fascinating.

          City of Heroes is hardly the first game to do this, so I've had plenty of time to learn how to fight my nemesis. And so I offer you today the lessons of nemeses, the path to figuring out how to make your bad character into a force to be reckoned with. There are certain rules to being a nemesis rather than simply an adversary, and some of them aren't what you think.

          Continue reading A Mild-Mannered Reporter: Be the nemesis

          MassivelyA Mild-Mannered Reporter: Be the nemesis originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 18 Jan 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

          Permalink | Email this | Comments

            Turbine: LotRO cash shop stat armor 'creates solutions for players'

            Posted: 18 Jan 2012 05:00 PM PST

            Filed under: , , , , , ,

            Lord of the Rings Online - someone's been drinking
            It's been an interesting week for Turbine, and the development firm has spent some of it doing damage control resulting from its decision to sell stat gear in its Lord of the Rings Online cash shop.

            As we reported last Friday, the company has reversed course, first by selling stat tomes and PvMP gear, and now with new low-level stat armor pieces. Turbine's Adam Mersky tells Gamefront that this is a matter of the firm looking out for its customers. "This is us coming up with solutions to problems players are reporting to us. We're trying to create solutions for players," he says, before stating that Turbine is "not averse to puling things off the store if they don't work."

            What about the eventual sale of high-level stat gear? Mersky says Turbine has "no intention at this time of selling any raid gear in the store."

            MassivelyTurbine: LotRO cash shop stat armor 'creates solutions for players' originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 18 Jan 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

            Permalink | Email this | Comments

            Pathfinder Online takes a look at death

            Posted: 18 Jan 2012 04:30 PM PST

            Filed under: , , ,

            Death is frequently preceded by sneering disdain at the concept of dying to lizardmen.
            No matter what happens, sooner or later you're going to die in an MMO. It's pretty much a given. So it's probably for the best that the fourth developer blog on Pathfinder Online is all about death -- what happens when you die, what happens when another player kills you, and what you can do about it.

            The death system is reminiscent in some ways of what would happen on death in EverQuest. You respawn at a predetermined location, and while you keep any equipment you were wearing, the rest of your inventory is on your soulless husk of a body. Retrieve it first and you get everything back. If someone else loots your body first, though, he or she gest a random assortment of items from your inventory and the rest are destroyed.

            The blog entry also covers the issue of bounties, player-killing, and attempting to dissuade others from killing players in lawful regions. Players can set bounties on their killers, potentially refreshing the bounty each time said killer is successfully killed in retaliation, making a bounty hunter or group of same very rich indeed. Those interested in Pathfinder Online should check out all the details and keep watching as the game moves through development.

            MassivelyPathfinder Online takes a look at death originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 18 Jan 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

            Permalink | Email this | Comments

            Tell us your most epic MMO stunt and win a copy of the Guinness World Records 2012 Gamer's Edition!

            Posted: 18 Jan 2012 04:00 PM PST

            Filed under: , ,

            Largest competitive Pokemon videogame family
            The Guinness World Records 2012 Gamer's Edition is complete, highlighting the best scores, most jaw-dropping achievements, and every "first" you can imagine in the gaming world. On the book's home page you'll find a big yellow "Buy The Book" link, but hold on. Don't click that quite yet, even though it's a great read.

            If you'd love to have a copy of the book we'll save you some money and let you do a little bragging at the same time. Guinness World Records has provided us with two copies of the Gamer's Edition to share with a couple of our readers. All you have to do is enter to win one by leaving a comment here telling us about the biggest highlight of your MMO gaming time. It can be your first big achievement, your most impressive battle, or your most epic fail.

            Impress us, make us laugh, make us wince in sympathy. No matter what you do, do it by this Friday, January 20th, at 5:00 p.m. EST. We'll choose two winners once the deadline hits and send out the books right away.

            As always, read the contest rules for eligibility information, and best of luck!

            CONTEST FAQ OFFICIAL RULES

            MassivelyTell us your most epic MMO stunt and win a copy of the Guinness World Records 2012 Gamer's Edition! originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 18 Jan 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

            Permalink | Email this | Comments

              City of Heroes sets the date for the next Freedom Player Summit

              Posted: 18 Jan 2012 03:00 PM PST

              Filed under: , , , , , ,

              First item on the summit, more carnival attire.
              Did you miss the first City of Heroes player summit? It's understandable -- no matter how much of a fan you might be, a trip to California in November is hard to swing sometimes with the holidays fast approaching. But perhaps you'll have better luck in April, as that's the announced month for the second Freedom Player Summit taking place (once again) in the San Francisco Bay Area. Specifically, the summit is planned for Saturday, April 28th, 2012.

              It's also quite possible, of course, that you did attend the first summit and found certain areas of the event to be sorely lacking. That's something that the staff at Paragon Studios is looking at very seriously; it's made a change to a single panel track rather than multiples and will host more interactive panels instead of static ones. Keep an eye over the next few weeks for more details on pricing and location if you're interested in going; for fans of the game, it's a great chance to get your feedback heard in person.

              MassivelyCity of Heroes sets the date for the next Freedom Player Summit originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 18 Jan 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

              Permalink | Email this | Comments

              Free for All: A second look at Fallen Earth's free model

              Posted: 18 Jan 2012 02:00 PM PST

              Filed under: , , , , , , ,

              Fallen Earth screenshot
              I used to be head-over-heels in love with Fallen Earth. I was on an immersion kick and had even designed a set of rules that dictated how my character would "live" in the world. Fallen Earth provided me with a lot of great tools to become immersed, and it was the type of game that really stuck out from the pack. Of course, it also sported uglier character models than Lord of the Rings Online and was more brown than a bakery at the earlier levels, but it was neat.

              I gave up on the title after a while and became too busy with other games to return. Then, the free-to-play version of the title came out. I still ignored it because of scheduling, but recently I have been returning to it. I am finding a lot of bugs and an overall lack of polish that I had forgotten about, but it's still a really cool game.

              So how does the free version stack up to the subscription model? How free is it? Let's take a look.

              Continue reading Free for All: A second look at Fallen Earth's free model

              MassivelyFree for All: A second look at Fallen Earth's free model originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 18 Jan 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

              Permalink | Email this | Comments

                Silkroad-R R-elaunches

                Posted: 18 Jan 2012 01:30 PM PST

                Filed under: , , , , , , ,

                Silkroad-R
                Don't let the fancy title fool you: Silkroad-R (the R is for "rebirth") isn't a completely new game but an updated version of Joymax's previous Silkroad. Brought into the shop for some body work and a new paint job, Silkroad-R is back and better than ever.

                Silkroad-R will exist on its own servers, seperate from its Silkroad ancestor. Joymax is particularly proud of a "buffed-up" cash shop, as CEO Nam-chul Kim explains: "There's many aspects of Silkroad-R that we changed or improved based on user feedback, and we took a long time investigating the cash shop and evaluating each item."

                To celebrate the relaunch, Joymax is sponsoring a string of giveaways through February 7th. Players who reach specific levels have a chance at Amazon gift cards and in-game boosts and items. Other launch events include a special XP-boosting NPC and a player-submitted wallpaper/greeting card contest.

                You can check out the official trailer for Silkroad-R after the jump!

                [Source: Joymax press release]

                Continue reading Silkroad-R R-elaunches

                MassivelySilkroad-R R-elaunches originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 18 Jan 2012 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

                Permalink | Email this | Comments

                  MechWarrior Online Q&A gives you six devs for the price of none

                  Posted: 18 Jan 2012 01:00 PM PST

                  Filed under: , , , ,

                  Concept art -- MechWarrior Online
                  MechWarrior Online continues to unleash a steady barrage of new information with today's newly released developer Q&A. Piranha Games has outdone itself with the latest post, which brings you answers from not one, not two, but six MWO developers. The devs begin by giving fans some insight into how BattleMech modules will work to augment pilot abilities; for example players can sacrifice night-vision distance for higher visual detail. The remainder of the Q&A covers a great wealth of different topics, such as intelligence-gathering, the BattleGrid, and -- most importantly -- hula girls. For the full Q&A, just click on through the link below to the MechWarrior Online official forums.

                  MassivelyMechWarrior Online Q&A gives you six devs for the price of none originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 18 Jan 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

                  Permalink | Email this | Comments

                  SWTOR's new patch makes a mess, BioWare looking into it [Updated]

                  Posted: 18 Jan 2012 12:30 PM PST

                  Filed under: , , , , , , ,

                  Star Wars: The Old Republic - Ilum PvP
                  Welp, Star Wars: The Old Republic's 1.1 patch has arrived, and it's brought a bit of baggage with it. Imperial PvPers have been taking advantage of faction imbalances to farm hapless Republic players on the level 50 world of Ilum, and BioWare has responded to the resulting outcry with a discussion thread and a plea for sanity.

                  "We're currently investigating potential issues related to the Ilum open world PvP area post-1.1. We understand that this is a topic of much discussion and we ask that you please direct all discussions to this thread," writes Joveth Gonzalez on the official SWTOR forums.

                  The devs adjusted both daily and weekly missions to require the killing of factional enemies, and they also increased the PvP currency rewards for doing so. As of right now, it's anyone's guess what the fix will entail, and we'll keep our eyes on it as the situation develops.

                  [Update: BioWare has issued a formal statement, which we've posted in its entirety after the break.]

                  Continue reading SWTOR's new patch makes a mess, BioWare looking into it [Updated]

                  MassivelySWTOR's new patch makes a mess, BioWare looking into it [Updated] originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

                  Permalink | Email this | Comments

                  Enter at Your Own Rift: Server merges? Call Henny Penny!

                  Posted: 18 Jan 2012 12:00 PM PST

                  Filed under: , , ,

                  Rift
                  When I was younger, I used to love Bobcat Goldthwait (before he went on late night TV and tried setting the studio on fire). One of my favorite jokes was about him losing his job, and he'd say, "Well, I didn't really lose it. I know where it is, but every time I go there, there's this new guy doing it." In RIFT, I find myself saying, "A while back, my server merged. Well, OK, it didn't really merge, but every time I log in, all the guilds and players who were there are on another server." I still have a low-level character over on Dimroot, a server that became a trial server during the summer, but I really can't do anything with her unless I transfer her to another non-trial server.

                  Last week, 11 more servers were flagged as trial, and while players were given suggestions on which servers to transfer to, everyone is free to transfer to any non-trial servers. But how should we interpret the news, and what does it mean for RIFT players?

                  Continue reading Enter at Your Own Rift: Server merges? Call Henny Penny!

                  MassivelyEnter at Your Own Rift: Server merges? Call Henny Penny! originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

                  Permalink | Email this | Comments

                    Choose My Adventure: The sequel!

                    Posted: 18 Jan 2012 11:00 AM PST

                    Filed under: , , , ,

                    Here I go, here I go, here I go again.  Girls, what's my weakness?  MMOs!
                    When I was halfway through my tenure on Choose My Adventure, I had already made it clear that I wanted to come back around for another pass. After all, I had a grand time in Warhammer Online, and I wanted to see what would happen with another run through the gauntlet. I hadn't expected it would be quite so soon, but here we are: It's time for a sequel adventure.

                    And as we all know, sequels have to be bigger. They have to be louder. And they need a bigger budget.

                    We've got nine games listed past the cut, all candidates for my play for the next several weeks. Some of these games are returning old favorites, and some of them are new to the cut, but all of them should provide for some interesting adventures. So check out the descriptions, make your vote before 11:59 p.m. EST on January 21st, and tune in next week when we kick this sequel off properly.

                    Continue reading Choose My Adventure: The sequel!

                    MassivelyChoose My Adventure: The sequel! originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 18 Jan 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

                    Permalink | Email this | Comments

                      Vindictus invites players to explore sewers and fight with monsters in newest update

                      Posted: 18 Jan 2012 10:00 AM PST

                      Filed under: , , , , , , ,

                      Fighting... LIKE A BOSS.
                      Nexon Europe is pushing Vindictus forward with the game's newest update, which brings two large content improvements to the game. Players mostly interested in the PvE side of the game can start investigating Rocheste's sewers, braving dangerous beasts in the hopes of obtaining new treasures and three new armor types. Fortunately, the three characters of the game each receive a new skill to go along with all of the dangerous, hopefully making it just a little easier to tear through whatever lies beneath.

                      If you'd rather go for the PvP route, however, the update is introducing a new combat mode known as M-Match. It's two teams of players pitted against one another, with the added twist that each side has a boss monster under its control. The first team to take out the opposing team's boss is the winner. The new arena also contains a number of chained boss fights for players to pit themselves against, either one at a time or multiple bosses in sequence, just to reward players who decide to hack their way through greater challenges.

                      [Source: Nexon Europe press release]

                      Continue reading Vindictus invites players to explore sewers and fight with monsters in newest update

                      MassivelyVindictus invites players to explore sewers and fight with monsters in newest update originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 18 Jan 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

                      Permalink | Email this | Comments

                        General gaming

                        General gaming


                        Top Games of 2012 Video

                        Posted: 18 Jan 2012 06:41 PM PST

                        You may have noticed us spamming the site with games of 2012 lists for the past week. Or you may not have been paying attention. But we've been spending a lot of time thinking about the future, and as the final entry in that bag of fun, everyone around here picked their most anticipated game for the year ahead. Then we made a video!

                        Then we went all crazy and embedded that video into this news story so you guys could make your own picks easily below. If you feel like it!

                        The Top 3DS and DS Games of 2012

                        Posted: 18 Jan 2012 04:25 PM PST

                        Feature

                        By: 1UP Staff

                        Four Reasons You'll Never See an HD Final Fantasy VII Remake

                        Posted: 18 Jan 2012 04:19 PM PST

                        Give up. It's not going to happen. Square Enix is not making and will not produce a Final Fantasy VII remake. Series diehards jump at even the merest hint that their dream game might exist, but all the fan-love in the world can't change the four reasons below.

                        1) They Would Have Done it by Now

                        Over the last ten years, Square Enix began to rely on Final Fantasy games in a way they never did before. At one time, the FF series was special -- something the company brought out only once every few years. Square signed off on a few spin-offs and licensing deals, but until the early part of the last decade, each Final Fantasy stood alone as something special. Then Square arrived at the 2003 Tokyo Game Show.

                        Mass Effect 3 Asks: Who's Your Shepard? A Renegade Responds

                        Posted: 18 Jan 2012 04:00 PM PST

                        For me, Mass Effect 3 happens to be a sort of déjà vu moment from nearly a decade ago. Specifically, this is the second time that BioWare has taken a consistent player character across three games. Back in 1998, I rolled a little half-elf ranger for Baldur's Gate; by that game's conclusion, I took special care to transfer the character save over to a 3.5-inch floppy. Holding onto said floppy proved handy for Baldur's Gate II's release in 2000, where I turned that scrappy half-elf into a ranger worthy of Strider/Aragon -- able to lead a band of warriors, wizards, and animals into a victorious battle against a wizard who could bend time itself. And I rounded out this ranger's tale with Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal in 2001 -- where he became a sort of god-king that could call in elementals and beasts when he's not slinking in the shadows like some sort of forest ninja. So the idea of taking a character that I have slavishly developed over three games to a grand conclusion again is what excites me about Mass Effect 3 the most.

                        But what sort of Shepard am I playing for the conclusion to this crazy grand sci-fi saga? That ranger eventually retired to a quiet life in his cabin surrounded by wolves, rabbits, and other fauna. That was the last time I followed the "good" path in an RPG. Since then, I've generally played evil -- I was the Devil in Fallout 3; and I grew horns and featured sickly skin in Fable 2. I reserved Jennifer Hale's excellent acting for a proper heroic Paragon female Shepard, and in line with my "I play asshole fellows" mentality, I created a male Shepard. The result: while Jeremy played Yukiko Shepard with a healthy amount of meticulous thinking, Hobo Shepard (I also don't take character names seriously) played fast and loose. For nearly every red dialog choice or Renegade interrupt, I promptly chose that option -- with exceptions being in rare times where I personally didn't want the result (more on that in a bit). Since Jeremy and I both played as Infiltrators, our general styles showed two sides of the sniper Shepard space coin.

                        SOPA & PIPA: IGN's View

                        Posted: 18 Jan 2012 02:03 PM PST

                        SOPA

                        While this editorial was drafted for IGN, the sentiment expressed here holds for 1UP as well. Thanks to Colin Campbell for so eloquently stating this stance on SOPA.

                        IGN is made up of a group of people who love games and entertainment. We are extremely privileged to be able to write about the things that we love, to be able to make videos, podcasts and all the other things that we do. We love to share our ideas and our opinions on matters that are relevant to games and entertainment.

                        Total Pageviews

                        statcounter

                        View My Stats