MMO Updates

MMO Updates


New PvP warzone coming with SWTOR's Legacy patch

Posted: 06 Apr 2012 10:00 AM PDT

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Star Wars: The Old Republic - Novare coast PvP
Want more details on Star Wars: The Old Republic's 1.2 Legacy patch that's due later this month? The official SWTOR website is the place to go, and the latest update features a new PvP Warzone called the Novare Coast.

The planet Denova is home to a vital beachhead that leads to its open oceans, and whoever controls the coastline will have a leg up on controlling the planet. Three mortar turrets represent the contested objectives along the beach, and players can blast each other with artillery fire as well as engage in more personal combat throughout the instance. Get a load of the teaser video after the break.

Continue reading New PvP warzone coming with SWTOR's Legacy patch

MassivelyNew PvP warzone coming with SWTOR's Legacy patch originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 06 Apr 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Firing Line: Can you hate EVE and love DUST?

Posted: 06 Apr 2012 09:00 AM PDT

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The Firing Line - Can you hate EVE and love DUST?
Hoo boy, CCP and EVE Online.

Wait, what? Isn't this Massively's shooter column? Well, yes, yes it is, and if you weren't already aware, CCP has made a shooter called DUST 514 set in the EVE universe. I bring this up for two reasons. One, I'm really looking forward to the game (as I might have mentioned last time). Two, CCP has taken some lumps in the PR department over the past couple of weeks primarily because of its annual alcohol-fueled sausage-fest.

I'm not going to rehash cyber-bully scandals today, but since e-thug players will undoubtedly have some sort of DUST presence, and since DUST shares certain unforgiving gameplay tenets with its sister title, should those of you who love sandbox shooters but hate EVE Online even bother with the game?

Continue reading The Firing Line: Can you hate EVE and love DUST?

MassivelyThe Firing Line: Can you hate EVE and love DUST? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 06 Apr 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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    WildStar records score, dishes out free music

    Posted: 06 Apr 2012 08:30 AM PDT

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    WildStar
    This week's WildStar spotlight takes the focus off the look of the game and puts it on the melodious strains of its soundtrack. In it, Carbine Studios Lead Composer Jeff Kurtenacker steps in front of the camera to talk about creating and recording the score for this upcoming MMO.

    "The recording process is pretty fascinating and pretty complicated, actually," Kurtenacker began. He said that the score starts with his recording basic MIDI tunes for use in the game's early testing. Following that, he assembles musicians to record the proper score, including "cues" (short pieces) and longer tracks.

    His favorite part of the recording day comes when there's silence right at the beginning and then the first notes fill the air. "That always to me is a fantastically amazing moment," he said.

    On top of the video, which you can check out after the jump, Carbine's provided two free music tracks to download and enjoy: Enemy Camp Battle and Rescue Mission.

    Continue reading WildStar records score, dishes out free music

    MassivelyWildStar records score, dishes out free music originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 06 Apr 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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    World of Tanks 7.3 patch revamps Soviet tech tree, brings new maps

    Posted: 06 Apr 2012 08:00 AM PDT

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    World of Tanks - 7.3 video
    It was just last week that Wargaming.net rolled out patch 7.2 for its World of Tanks action title. Today the company has announced the followup, and while we don't have a release date on 7.3 as of yet, we do know that it features quite a lot of new content.

    First and foremost is the revamp to the game's Soviet tech tree, which sees heavy tanks split into two separate branches. The 7.3 update also brings a new South Coast battle arena to World of Tanks as well as Dragon's Ridge, the first of the game's maps to be set in Asia.

    "We've got loads of exciting new content to share with our players," said Victor Kislyi, CEO of Wargaming.net. "The new machines should give players a taste for heavy vehicles, and with the help of the upcoming battle arenas, the game will get a fresh look from both a visual and tactical point of view." You can get a visual preview of 7.3 via the video after the cut.

    [Source: Wargaming.net press release]

    Continue reading World of Tanks 7.3 patch revamps Soviet tech tree, brings new maps

    MassivelyWorld of Tanks 7.3 patch revamps Soviet tech tree, brings new maps originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 06 Apr 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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      Karos Online shutting down, Rosh Online welcoming refugees

      Posted: 06 Apr 2012 07:30 AM PDT

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      Karos Online
      We haven't heard much about Karos Online since its 2010 launch. It seems as though the title struggled to find an audience over the past two years and is now facing the end of its days. The team announced that Karos Online will be shutting down soon and urged its community to migrate to Rosh Online.

      As of today, new accounts for Karos are disabled, and current players will be unable to purchase in-game currency for the cash shop. Karos Online will spend its next week spinning down its wheels before turning off the lights on April 13th.

      Happily, Ignited Games has created a generous welcome package for Karos players willing to make the jump to Rosh Online. The benefits for doing so include in-game goodies and the conversion of cash shop currency to a compatible equivalent. On top of that, Karos players can jump into higher-level Rosh characters depending on how high they leveled their Karos contemporaries.

      [Thanks for the tip, Jeff!]

      MassivelyKaros Online shutting down, Rosh Online welcoming refugees originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 06 Apr 2012 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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      PAX East 2012: Cryptic shows new Neverwinter trailer

      Posted: 06 Apr 2012 07:00 AM PDT

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      Neverwinter - when dragons attack
      The first reveal of PAX East 2012 belongs to Cryptic and its Neverwinter title. The game began its life as a co-op RPG in 2010 but was then converted to a full-fledged MMO when Cryptic was acquired by Perfect World Entertainment last year.

      If you're heading to the Boston convention, the game is playable on the show floor. If you can't make it, feast your eyes on the new CG trailer that we've got for you after the break, and look for our report on the game itself later this weekend.

      Massively's on the ground in Boston during the weekend of April 6-8, bringing you all the best news from PAX East 2012. Whether you're dying to know more about TERA or PlanetSide 2 or any MMO in between, we aim to have it covered!

      Continue reading PAX East 2012: Cryptic shows new Neverwinter trailer

      MassivelyPAX East 2012: Cryptic shows new Neverwinter trailer originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 06 Apr 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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      The Daily Grind: Is your character modeled after you?

      Posted: 06 Apr 2012 06:00 AM PDT

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      Everywhere you look
      Earlier this week, we ran a story about someone who made celebrity look-alikes in the Guild Wars 2 character creator. While this ability isn't new, we've reached a point in our MMO technology at which our characters can be tweaked to look more easily identifiable as real, recognizable human beings.

      With those tools in hand, we may also experiment with our own doppelgangers from time to time, although that may be a little too creepy for some people.

      So what do you say? Do you regularly, or have you ever created an MMO character in your image? Or do you tend to steer clear of resemblances in favor of creating a character you'd rather be instead?

      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: Is your character modeled after you? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 06 Apr 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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        Newest Ask Cryptic for Star Trek Online takes a look at the road ahead

        Posted: 05 Apr 2012 09:00 PM PDT

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        It should be more like classic Trek, where you have to jettison the warp core every three episodes and the holodeck regularly tries to kill everyone on board.
        There's a great big galaxy out there in Star Trek Online, so much so that some things occasionally fall through the cracks. The latest installment of Ask Cryptic focuses on a few of these elements, like the Andorian ship and the addition of a playable Romulan faction. Neither of these elements is on the table for immediate inclusion, but both are in the pipe for future updates; the former is planned for sometime the next year, while the Romulans are on the more distant horizon.

        Not everything comes down to a simple "not right now," however. The KDF, for instance, is slated to continue receiving new updates and additional features to bring the faction more in line with the Federation's content level. The development team is also hard at work trying to allow older ships to be retrofitted into higher-level content, letting players take classic designs into modern engagements. It's certainly not a question of whether the development team has a plan or not, just a matter of how soon all of these fabled upgrades will be implemented.

        MassivelyNewest Ask Cryptic for Star Trek Online takes a look at the road ahead originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 05 Apr 2012 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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        The MMO Report: Shut up about Mass Effect edition

        Posted: 05 Apr 2012 07:00 PM PDT

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        MMO Report
        This week on The MMO Report, Casey tells everyone to stop whining about Mass Effect 3's ending, laments the loss of the "online" part of Warhammer 40K: Dark Millennium Online, touches on the World of Darkness keynote, and outlines The Secret World's preorder plans. He also reveals the identity of one of TERA's key voice actors: Michael Hogan (of Battlestar Galactica fame), who will play Samael in the final game. Finally, he pulls one measly letter from the mailbag and debates which class he represents in TERA.

        Enjoy the full MMO Report after the cut!

        Continue reading The MMO Report: Shut up about Mass Effect edition

        MassivelyThe MMO Report: Shut up about Mass Effect edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 05 Apr 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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        Ask Massively: The diversity of New England edition

        Posted: 05 Apr 2012 06:00 PM PDT

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        Admittedly, it all looks pretty much the same in Google Maps 8-Bit.
        Every year, when I head up to PAX East, some well-intentioned soul will point out that it must be nice to have a convention so close to home. Except it's really not. I live in Connecticut, and PAX East is in Boston. Despite what years of media exposure may have led you to believe, New England is not a uniform sea of snow, lobsters, and wizened old men spouting curmudgeonly wisdom. The lobsters are pretty much all Maine, for instance, and Rhode Island has the mafia instead of wizened old men. Also, no one in Connecticut says "cah." We say "car."

        But you didn't click on through for me waxing poetic about my home region, I imagine. No, you came here for this week's installment of Ask Massively, which is all about how we schedule articles and why it seems like time occasionally passes us by. If you've got a question you'd like to see answered in a future installment of the column, leave it down in the comments or mail it along to ask@massively.com. Questions may be edited slightly for clarity and/or brevity.

        Continue reading Ask Massively: The diversity of New England edition

        MassivelyAsk Massively: The diversity of New England edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 05 Apr 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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          Phantasy Star Online 2 posts a benchmark and character creator for all

          Posted: 05 Apr 2012 05:30 PM PDT

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          If there was ever an excuse for breaking out the Genesis for some 16-bit nostalgia, this is it.
          If you're an American fan of Phantasy Star Online 2 -- or heck, just a non-Japanese fan -- you're kind of out of luck at the moment. The game is currently not anywhere near a translated state, and testing has thus been mostly limited to Japanese players. If you're in that unlucky boat, however, things are getting at least a little bit better now. The game's character creator and benchmark has just been released for all, whether or not you're testing the game or even able to read the language.

          A fan blog for the game features both screenshots of the character creator and corresponding benchmark as well as a guide to getting the program to work on your machine. While it's not quite the same as being able to log into the game and enjoy the testing sequence, it's at least a chance to get a taste of what the game will be like when (and if) it comes to our shores.

          [Thanks to Venova for the tip!]

          MassivelyPhantasy Star Online 2 posts a benchmark and character creator for all originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 05 Apr 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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          Massively Exclusive: Trion previews End of Nations' armory

          Posted: 05 Apr 2012 05:00 PM PDT

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          End of Nations - armory
          Trion's super-secret End of Nations is moving right along in its alpha cycle, and today Massively has an exclusive piece of news for you regarding the upcoming MMORTS.

          The game differs from traditional real-time strategy titles because it doesn't have base-building, but what it does have is something called an armory. Trion tells us that players will "set their loadouts, create companies, modify units, customize skins, and more" inside the armory. The dev team has just revamped the armory mechanics, and you can get a good look at the armory window in the image after the cut (click on it to zoom in!).

          Continue reading Massively Exclusive: Trion previews End of Nations' armory

          MassivelyMassively Exclusive: Trion previews End of Nations' armory originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 05 Apr 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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            New Guns of Icarus video shows off cooperative airship battles

            Posted: 05 Apr 2012 04:30 PM PDT

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            Image
            Remember Guns of Icarus? If not, let's recap: small indie studio, steampunk, airships. That probably rings a few bells, and you'll be happy to know that the dev team has parlayed a successful Kickstarter campaign into an extended development cycle.

            As a result, we have a spiffy new video that shows off cooperative airship combat. Muse Games also wants you to know that you can download the single-player game (and sign up for the multiplayer beta) at its official website. Before you go, check out the full clip after the cut.

            Continue reading New Guns of Icarus video shows off cooperative airship battles

            MassivelyNew Guns of Icarus video shows off cooperative airship battles originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 05 Apr 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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            ArenaNet details Guild Wars 2's squad mechanics and region-locking [Updated]

            Posted: 05 Apr 2012 04:00 PM PDT

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            Guild Wars 2 - WvW group
            So what the heck is a squad as it relates to Guild Wars 2? I surely don't know, but ArenaNet's Jordan Massey does. Fortunately for all of us, he's explained it via the latest GW2 dev blog that's hot off the presses.

            Essentially, squads are ANet's answer to the problem of WvW communication. As Massey says, "team chat was too large because everyone in the entire map could talk in it, resulting in too much noise. On the other hand, parties [...] were too small."

            The squad, then, is a "one-to-many" command structure with its own chat channel that only accepts chat from the leader. Squad leaders also get squad map markers, which function much as normal waypoints. Massey also says that while the squad mechanics were designed with PvP in mind, they'll be quite helpful for larger PvE events. Read all about it at the official ArenaNet blog.

            [Update: ArenaNet has also clarified whether GW2 will be region-bound. The Facebook statements are after the break.]

            Continue reading ArenaNet details Guild Wars 2's squad mechanics and region-locking [Updated]

            MassivelyArenaNet details Guild Wars 2's squad mechanics and region-locking [Updated] originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 05 Apr 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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            En Masse reveals TERA crafting guide

            Posted: 05 Apr 2012 03:30 PM PDT

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            TERA - crafting interface
            Crafting probably isn't the first (or even the second) thing that springs to mind when someone says TERA, but thankfully Bluehole and En Masse didn't opt to leave the system on the cutting room floor when designing the new fantasy MMO.

            En Masse recently released a fairly detailed tradeskilling guide, and while it won't tell you exactly where to get rare materials, it does give you plenty of info on the basics. TERA features six different crafting disciplines, and your character can learn them all at any time. There are no training costs; all you'll need to worry about is finding patterns and raw materials.

            Crafted items are usually better than random loot drops, but generally you'll be outpacing your gear every five levels, so you'll want to upgrade fairly often anyway. There's a lot more info on TERA's tradeskilling system at the official website.

            MassivelyEn Masse reveals TERA crafting guide originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 05 Apr 2012 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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            Get your PAX strategy guides here

            Posted: 05 Apr 2012 03:00 PM PDT

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            PAX East strategy guide
            Heading to PAX East this weekend? If so, you're in good company, as the Massively and Joystiq crews are going too! ThriftyNerd has put together a brief PAX strategy guide, and it's well worth a look if you don't have your itinerary planned out to the minute (or heck, even if you do, because you might have forgotten something).

            The guide has a rundown on essential mobile apps as well as plenty of tips for both the seasoned con-goer and the wet-behind-the-ears rookie. Be sure to follow Massively all weekend as we'll be bringing you all the best MMO news direct from Boston.

            MassivelyGet your PAX strategy guides here originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 05 Apr 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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            Star Conflict blasts into beta

            Posted: 05 Apr 2012 02:00 PM PDT

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            Star Conflict
            Star Conflict may not be the MMO on everyone's tongue right now, but give it time -- it might just catch on. The gestating title from Star Gem Inc. has passed through the beta barrier and is looking for testers to help take it to the cosmos and beyond.

            Star Conflict is a free-to-play PvP-based game in which players team up to launch fully armed spaceships at each other in the hopes of winning a game of galactic chicken. It's set over 3,000 years from now, when factions battle over a discovered planet containing important ancient technology. Players begin their careers as wealthy mercs who have enough money to buy a few ships and outfit them the way they want.

            From there, players will join one of six factions and engage in instanced PvP maps. Star Conflict has several game modes in which factions look to extend dominion over each other.

            You can sign up for Star Conflict's beta today, and be sure to check out the first teaser trailer after the jump and let us know what you think!

            [Thanks to our tipster for the heads-up!]

            Continue reading Star Conflict blasts into beta

            MassivelyStar Conflict blasts into beta originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 05 Apr 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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            The Summoner's Guidebook: Practice makes perfect

            Posted: 05 Apr 2012 01:00 PM PDT

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            League of Legends screenshot
            If you haven't noticed from previous editions of The Summoner's Guidebook, I emphasize practicing new techniques a lot. Practice is the only thing separating novice League of Legends players from experts. Talent can help speed up the process, but the best summoners are those who work hard to improve their skills. No pro player got to where he is today by playing only one or two games a day.

            However, merely playing a lot of games doesn't make you a good player. In fact, the wrong kind of practice builds bad habits that are hard to break. When I first got into League of Legends, I knew quite a few people who also played the game. Although a few (who are semi-pro players) are still much better than I am, I became vastly better than the rest of my peers in a very short amount of time. Want to know my secrets? Read on!

            Continue reading The Summoner's Guidebook: Practice makes perfect

            MassivelyThe Summoner's Guidebook: Practice makes perfect originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 05 Apr 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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              The Guild Counsel: The six most embarrassing things you can do in a guild

              Posted: 05 Apr 2012 12:00 PM PDT

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              Vanguard riding a camel
              There are some things in life that just go hand in hand, like peanut butter and jelly, Bert and Ernie, sun and sand, and guilds and embarrassing moments. In fact, one thing that makes guild life so memorable is our collection of those little screw-ups that leave us laughing and wondering what on earth someone was thinking. There are tons of things people do in game that leave them flustered (believe me, I know!), but some go down in history as classic moments of mortification. Let's take a look at a few epic embarrassments in this week's Guild Counsel.

              Continue reading The Guild Counsel: The six most embarrassing things you can do in a guild

              MassivelyThe Guild Counsel: The six most embarrassing things you can do in a guild originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 05 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                RuneScape revamps starting experience, releases new trial and trailer

                Posted: 05 Apr 2012 11:00 AM PDT

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                RuneScape - The Troll Warzone cinematic
                RuneScape's starting experience has a new coat of paint, and Jagex has released a cinematic teaser trailer to celebrate. The long-running browser MMO now features a fresh newbie area called The Troll Warzone that comes complete with a new quest line and plenty of introductory accoutrements.

                That's not all, as Jagex has also told us that it is offering a free 14-day trial for new RuneScape adventurers. This includes "full access to the entire RuneScape world, hundreds of hours of members' quests, an additional nine powerful skills, 20 compelling mini-games, full-screen gaming and much, much more."

                The new cinematic introduces some of the lore behind The Troll Warzone, so be sure and click past the cut to view it in full.

                [Source: Jagex press release]

                Continue reading RuneScape revamps starting experience, releases new trial and trailer

                MassivelyRuneScape revamps starting experience, releases new trial and trailer originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 05 Apr 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                  BioWare kicks off SWTOR's third weekend free trial

                  Posted: 05 Apr 2012 10:30 AM PDT

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                  Star Wars: The Old Republic - agent and bounty hunter
                  So you still haven't played Star Wars: The Old Republic, eh? Well, BioWare's not giving up on you yet. The company is trotting out its third Weekend Pass Free Trial starting today, and you've got through April 9th to join in the fun.

                  As in the previous events, there's no payment or credit card required, and you'll get full access to the game's first 15 levels, all eight character classes, all the origin worlds, and your factional capital.

                  Also as before, your previously canceled account (or your previous Weekend Pass Free Trial account) is not valid, since these events are designed specifically for new blood. More details are available on the official SWTOR website.

                  MassivelyBioWare kicks off SWTOR's third weekend free trial originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 05 Apr 2012 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                  Latest Gaming and MMORPG Updates

                  Latest Gaming and MMORPG Updates


                  Hulu Plus Expands to 3DS and Wii by Year’s End

                  Posted: 06 Apr 2012 08:23 AM PDT

                   Hulu Plus Expands to 3DS and Wii by Years End

                  3DS and Wii were each a bit late to get Netflix support as compared with Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, but they do both have capable (albeit non-HD) Netflix apps. Following in the wake of Microsoft and Sony‘s home consoles, both of Nintendo’s platforms will soon be getting support for another on-demand video provider: Hulu Plus.

                  Nintendo today announced Hulu support would be coming by the end of the year to both 3DS and Wii. It’ll be available through a free app download and requires a Hulu Plus subscription, currently priced at $7.99 per month. With a subscription you’ll be able to stream TV shows to your system of choice from a number of different networks — NBC, Comedy Central, FX, and others.

                  Today’s press release also mentions the upcoming 3DS system update that will be out at the end of November. Nintendo of Japan’s 3DS press conference earlier today revealed some of what to expect from that — namely the ability to record 3D movies. The press release also touches upon features like new puzzles for StreetPass Mii Plaza and a new Find Mii dungeon; beyond that it said more aspects of the update would be “announced in the future.”

                  It did reference what we knew earlier today as Itsumo Henkan nikki, a 3DS messaging app that supports handwritten notes, sound, and pictures. In North America this will be out for free in December under the name Swapnote.

                  Find similar article at: http://www.1up.com/news/hulu-plus-coming-3ds-wii

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                  Civilization V: Gods And Kings Expansion Pack Release Date Confirmed

                  Posted: 06 Apr 2012 03:52 AM PDT

                  Schedule your workload, you're going to need some time free…

                  The highly anticipated expansion pack to very excellent strategy game Civilization V has finally been given a release date. You're going to be thankful summer isn't often filled with games with this one.

                  Coming to the US on the 19 June and the rest of the world on the 22 June, this expansion pack is perfectly poised to eat up the entirety of yours and ours summer.

                  For those not up-to-speed, Civilization V: Gods And Kings expansion pack's major feature – as suggested by its name – will be the addition of religion. Unlike the throwaway feature it was in Civ IV however (Yes! It was.), religion will be focused on a more mythical set of gods – and providing bonuses befitting their roles. The God of the Sea, for example, would provide a bounty of coastal resources.

                  There's more to it than that – such as a basis on the civs you decide to play as – but it certainly sounds like it'll have more impact on proceedings that previous attempts have done.

                  While mystical elements like faery folk and goddesses are a large part of Gods And Kings, espionage will be making a return too. It's always nice to have a little peek at what your enemy are doing, so hopefully there will be a return to Civ III's excellent system.

                  Little is fully known at the moment, though it will be its own menu system – enabling you to check up on the progress of wonders in other civilizations (THANK GOD!), while there are other features to rig elections in City States so they're more likely to appeal to you than anyone else.

                  It all sounds brilliant, which will make the short wait until June all the more unbearable.

                  Related posts:

                  1. Diablo 3 release date and price set
                  2. Civilization V: Game of the Year Edition Includes a Lot, But Leaves Out Some Recent DLC
                  3. TGS: Ni No Kuni Confirmed for North American Release

                  Dungeon Striker (KR)

                  Posted: 05 Apr 2012 09:51 PM PDT

                  e3ef2 d1 Dungeon Striker (KR)

                  You know it will not be long before Eyedentity Games, the developer of Dragon Nest, reveals its 2nd online title. With Dragon Nest celebrating its 2nd anniversary this year, there can’t be a better time. Introducing Dungeon Striker, a new action MMORPG. It certainly is a give-away with its game title that combat will take place mostly in dungeons. Focusing on even faster action found in Dragon Nest, players are able to attack up to 10 times in 1 second in the game. And notice the cuter design!

                  As you can see in the videos and screenshots, the game has an isometric view, which seems to be very popular nowadays with upcoming games such as Lineage Eternal, the MOBA titles such as Dota 2 and of course, Diablo III. Controls will also be much simpler in Dungeon Striker, with players able to successfully engage in combat and moving around by using just the mouse. 

                  e3ef2 d2 Dungeon Striker (KR)

                  25d04 d3 Dungeon Striker (KR)

                  According to the explanation given by the media, characters will automatically attack monsters even when characters are moving, even during PvP. Eyedentity Games touted that they have solved the problem with current action MMOs needing too many active keys, and with Dungeon Striker, players can enjoy intensive combat with gorgeous action effects without much effort. Similar to the system in Diablo III, the dungeon layouts will be randomly generated each time players enter the same one.

                  There are currently over 19 classes (including advancements) in Dungeon Striker, but the twist will be the ability to learn other classes’ skills. For example, a Dark Mage who can heal, a Warrior who can go stealth and place traps. There will be many different combinations of characters in the game. Dungeon Strikers will go into Closed Beta in Korea from 27th April to 29th April.

                  21305 d4 Dungeon Striker (KR)

                  ec1f2 d5 Dungeon Striker (KR)

                  Find similar article at: http://www.mmoculture.com/2012/04/dungeon-striker-kr-from-dragon-nests.html

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                  Related posts:

                  1. Dungeon Keeper Online (CN)
                  2. Dungeon & Fighter (KR)
                  3. Dragon Nest goes to Russia

                  What to Expect From BlizzCon 2011

                  Posted: 05 Apr 2012 08:23 PM PDT

                   What to Expect From BlizzCon 2011

                  Blizzard’s annual fan convention, BlizzCon, kicks off tomorrow and runs through Saturday, October 22 at the Anaheim Convention Center. Despite an increase in ticket prices — from $150 in 2010 to $175 this year — the show sold out very quickly. Those who aren’t lucky enough to be attending the event can still experience much of the event by purchasing a Virtual Ticket for $39.99 that will allow you to watch panels, take part in contests, get any in-game items given out to attendees, and more.

                  A map of the convention center can be found here. That could come in handy — Blizzard may only be focused on three franchises but you probably wouldn’t guess that based on the amount of space BlizzCon takes up.

                  On Friday and Saturday there are multiple events going on at any one time. The opening ceremony will kick things off at 11am Pacific on Friday at the main stage, though this will be livestreamed into the other halls of the convention center. That may be where we get some big announcements from Blizzard, and there are numerous possibilities for what those could be.

                  This December will mark a year since World of Warcraft received its third expansion pack, Cataclysm. We’ve been told a number of times Blizzard wants to release expansion packs for WoW more frequently. If it’s serious about making that happen, it seems like Blizzard should be able to talk about its next expansion by now. There were rumors that the fourth expansion would be called Mists of Pandaria, though Blizzard has cast doubt on Pandaria being used as the key component of an expansion pack.

                  93c76 652 What to Expect From BlizzCon 2011

                  As for Blizzard’s other two franchises, release dates would be more than welcome. The second part of the StarCraft II trilogy, Heart of the Swarm, is expected out next year and we should be getting a first look at multiplayer. Diablo III is without a release date beyond early 2012 — it was potentially going to be out this year before Blizzard, as always, opted to take its time. It extended the ongoing beta and announced last month that the game wouldn’t be coming until next year.

                  Following BlizzCon’s opening ceremony, Friday is filled with StarCraft and World of Warcraft matches and panels covering subjects like WoW’s class talent system, Diablo III’s auction house, how Blizzard handles music and sound, and future updates to WoW. Comedian Jay Mohr will be back once again to host contests on Friday night like best costume, dance, and so on. Hopefully no one breaks their leg this year.

                  Saturday is again filled with more StarCraft II and WoW action with the each tournament’s grand finals taking place at 4pm and 4:15pm, respectively. There will also be open QAs for Diablo III and different World of Warcraft subjects as well as a live raid featuring some of the best guilds in the country racing against each other.

                  The show will finish up with the closing ceremony at 6pm on Saturday night. That’s where fans will get to attend a live conert featuring The Artist Formerly Known as Level 80 Elite Tauren Chieftain, Blizzard’s in-house band performing music from Blizzard’s different games, and the show’s headliners: the Foo Fighters.

                  1UP will have live coverage from the event. Keep your eyes on our BlizzCon hub for all the latest happenings from the show starting tomorrow morning with the opening ceremony.

                  Find similar article at: http://www.1up.com/news/what-to-expect-blizzcon-11

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                  The Best and Worst Video Game Compilations

                  Posted: 05 Apr 2012 03:51 PM PDT

                • Greatest Attempt to Ruin an Emotional Experience – Silent Hill HD Collection (PS3. Xbox 360, 2012)

                  30bcd 515 The Best and Worst Video Game Compilations

                  For a series full of dread, perhaps the constant delays behind the Silent Hill HD Collection were appropriate; as the release date lurched forward weeks at a time, fans of the series could only wait as the knots in their stomachs grew larger. When the Collection finally hit store shelves, their greatest fears had been confirmed — Silent Hills 2 and 3 still made players quake with fear, but for an entirely different reason: Hijinx Studios’ so-called “upgrade” adds a bevy of technical flaws that completely ruin the experience. Granted, many of these games’ graphical effects relied on certain PlayStation 2 hardware tricks, but that’s not an adequate excuse for releasing this collection as-is. For now, anyone looking to tour the foggy streets of Silent Hill will have to rely on the PS2 originals, or the later PC ports, which do a much better job of enhancing the games’ graphics.

                • Related posts:

                  1. Why Every Elder Scrolls Game is the Best and Worst in the Series
                  2. The Video Game Fashion Revue
                  3. Hollywood’s Video Game Invasion of the ’90s

                  Shadowrun Returns: Kickstarter Revitalises Classic RPG For PC & iPad

                  Posted: 05 Apr 2012 09:51 AM PDT

                  Pen and paper RPG Shadowrun and its creator return through Kickstarter.

                  Shadowrun means different things to different people – for some it's a favourite pen and paper RPG like DD and others it's a classic SNES-based RPG.

                  Shadowrun Returns is the latest Kickstarter project to appear, with original pen and paper creator Jordan Weisman buying back the license to produce a Shadowrun RPG for PC and tablets.

                  The Kickstarter project is well thought out, with a video from Weisman himself introducing the series and explaining what the Kickstarter would involve (and even apologising for the Xbox 360 shooter).

                  The game itself will be a 2D turn-based RPG for PC, Android tablets and iPad. A story with "fascinating characters whose motivations actually make sense", plenty of exploration in the unique Shadowrun world and – of course – character development are the three key focuses for the game, according to Weisman.

                  A level editor is planned to ship alongside the game, enabling players to create their own adventures and share them with friends and fellow Shadowrunners.

                  The project is asking for (which, at the time of writing, has claimed of that target in a matter of hours) with a range of special gifts for the highest pledges and will be developed by Jordan Weisman and his team at Harebrained Schemes.

                  So go and pledge for the Shadowrun Returns Kickstarter project now.

                  Related posts:

                  1. Double Fine Kickstarter Gets $2 million
                  2. Wasteland 2 Kickstarter May Start an Admirable Trend
                  3. Wasteland to Get Kickstarter-Funded Sequel After Almost 25 Years

                  General gaming

                  General gaming


                  The Best and Worst Video Game Compilations

                  Posted: 05 Apr 2012 02:31 PM PDT

                  Feature

                  Header

                  The Best and Worst Video Game Compilations

                  Playing some of your old favorites doesn't always make for a flawless experience.

                  By: Bob Mackey April 5, 2012

                  The HD collection wave is upon us. And while some would craft elaborate conspiracy theories relating the phasing out of backwards compatibility to our current onslaught of anthologies, the video game industry has always found ways for consumers to relive their misspent youth by purchasing games they played ages ago. Sometimes, these bundled collections do an excellent job of letting us bask in the warm, comforting rays of nostalgia, typically at a fraction of the originals' cost -- and with the bonus effect of preserving gaming history. But, when moving old games from one platform to another, problems can crop up, and often do; from technical flaws to poorly ported controls, any number of issues can make the re-released version of a game markedly inferior to the original. The following collections' attempts to bring older games to a new format made each of them notable in some way -- though not always for the right reasons.

                  • Most Boneheaded Control Choice - Mega Man Anniversary Collection (GameCube, 2004)


                    Mega Man Anniversary Collection Spot Art

                    If the video game equivalent of Moses brought down two tablets from Mount Sinai, one of them would be inscribed with the immortal phrase "A jumps, B shoots." From time immemorial, this unspoken Commandment of controller layouts gave NES games a standard that just made sense -- and the few outliers ended up playing much more awkwardly than intended. Atomic Planet Entertainment decided to change this Mega Man standard for the little guy's 15th-ish anniversary by reversing one of the most reliable control setups known to man and beast alike. And with no way to flip the A and B inputs (outside of controller surgery), most folks ended up spending their cash on the superior PS2 and Xbox versions in lieu of trying to withstand the blasphemy forced on them by Atomic Planet.

                  • Best Japanese RPG Bang for Your Buck - Arc the Lad Collection (PlayStation, 2001)

                    Arc the Lad Collection Spot Art

                  Mass Effect 3 Ending Gets Expanded in Upcoming DLC

                  Posted: 05 Apr 2012 11:40 AM PDT

                  Mass Effect 3

                  Following an incredible backlash over the ending of Mass Effect 3, BioWare promised last month that it would address the complaints of those who were displeased with the way Commander Shepard's story came to an end. The way in which it plans to do that was briefly outlined today, although we won't be getting our hands on the solution for another few months.

                  Put simply, there were two sides that most people could fall on in this debate: Those who are upset with the ending and want a new one (or at least more content) and those who believe BioWare should be free to do what they want with their game's story (and therefore don't want a new ending). As intimated last month, BioWare is going for a middle ground between the two. It today announced plans to release a downloadable content pack called Mass Effect 3: Extended Cut. The goal of it is to provide additional closure for fans who are seeking it after pouring in dozens of hours across the Mass Effect games.

                  Why We Love Castlevania: Symphony of the Night

                  Posted: 05 Apr 2012 08:13 AM PDT

                  sotn

                  In case you couldn't tell, we here at 1UP like Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. Alright, so like might be a bit of an understatement. Over the past few weeks, we've waxed poetic regarding its unprecedented twist, and debated the shocking depth of its classic soundtrack. And honestly, we could write another dozen articles on the various facets of the game. Might seem like overkill to some, but hey, you only turn 15 once, right?

                  We wrangled up the 1UP editors to weigh in on exactly why we loved SotN 15 years ago, why we still love it, and why we'll probably be playing it in another 15 years. The fact that the four of us can all have very different, yet very valid reasons why we love SotN is a true testament to the game's undying quality.

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