MMO Updates

MMO Updates


WildStar Wednesday tours Algoroc

Posted: 12 Apr 2012 10:00 AM PDT

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WildStar
Who doesn't fancy a trip to the wild and lawless frontier to try and strike it rich? Blue crystal fever has spread in Carbine Studios' sci-fi title WildStar and galactic prospectors will have the opportunity to stake their claims in the new land of Algoroc. Complete with boomtowns, murders, slave-traders, rampaging killer security bots, and ancient ruins, this place sounds perfect, right?

Shake off those civilized shackles and prepare for a gritty adventure. Adventurous types can head towards Tremor Ridge, a small mining camp in the western part of the land. Though dangerous before, recent attacks by space pirates make the stay there just that much more exciting. Fancy a trip to a boomtown? Head east to Gallow where the the peace needs to be kept after the local lawman was brutally murdered. Or if you prefer ancient civilizations to current ones, an Eldan facility is being excavated in the western mountains -- just watch out for the security system that the archaeologists accidentally triggered!

MassivelyWildStar Wednesday tours Algoroc originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 12 Apr 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Celebrate the launch of Tribes: Ascend with a new weapon on us

Posted: 12 Apr 2012 09:30 AM PDT

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Tribes: Ascend Spinfuser
To celebrate the launch of Hi-Rez Studios' Tribes: Ascend today, we're giving away a special in-game weapon that will help new players gain some ground, or act as a boost for current players who have yet to unlock the gun.

This special medium Spinfuser is equipped with three upgrades just for the Soldier class. You can check out the full image of the weapon, along with details on the upgrades, after the cut.

To claim your Spinfuser, simply grab a code from our giveaway page, use the in-game menu to select "Extras" then "Redeem Promotion." Enter in your code and you're all set!

GET YOUR KEY

Continue reading Celebrate the launch of Tribes: Ascend with a new weapon on us

MassivelyCelebrate the launch of Tribes: Ascend with a new weapon on us originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 12 Apr 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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    Forget guild housing -- Spirit Tales is bringing guild islands

    Posted: 12 Apr 2012 09:00 AM PDT

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    Spirit Tales
    With a plethora of free-to-play games to choose from, developers who come up with something unique will have an edge in attracting players. That's exactly what KoramGame Ltd. did with the guild island system in its upcoming title Spirit Tales. Why settle for just a house when you can own an entire private island?

    "Guilds have had a long standing tradition in most MMORPGs, but never has there been a feature this extensive and dedicated to guilds. We're convinced that our Guild Island system will not only add to the traditional guild experience, but also take it in an exciting new direction," says General Manager Yann Wang

    When guild members need a break from battling creatures and capturing magical pets they can relax in their very own customizable guild island where they can access special buffs and content. Amenities that can be constructed on the islands include: hot springs that provide power buffs; statues to immortalize guild members; a throne room meeting hall; a warehouse to store additional guild gear; and a buff vendor to access unique buffs.

    If you want to get a glimpse of guild islands live and in action, join the Spirit Tales live stream event on April 13th at 5 p.m. EDT. There will even be prizes!

    MassivelyForget guild housing -- Spirit Tales is bringing guild islands originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 12 Apr 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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    ArenaNet shows the making of Guild Wars 2's collector's edition statue

    Posted: 12 Apr 2012 08:00 AM PDT

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    Guild Wars 2
    When Guild Wars 2's pre-purchase program started two days ago, scores of fans descended upon their local retailers looking to secure one of its few, highly desired collector's editions. For those fortunate enough to grab one, ArenaNet has posted an inside look at the centerpiece of the CE: the Rytlock Brimstone statue.

    While the team considered statues of each of the races, it decided that the Charr was the most iconic and worthy of star treatment. ArenaNet partnered up with Canada's Happy Worker to fashion the detailed statue that shows Rytlock with his flaming blade, standing over a field of skulls. The heavy statue is 10 inches tall and painstakingly hand-painted.

    If you're still attempting to hunt down a collector's edition of Guild Wars 2, head over to the pre-purchase page on the official site for the list of retailers in your country.

    MassivelyArenaNet shows the making of Guild Wars 2's collector's edition statue originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 12 Apr 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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    Fishing, Survival, and Dragons: The Trion Team talks about RIFT's Update 1.8 and beyond

    Posted: 12 Apr 2012 07:30 AM PDT

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    RIFT
    As the Carnival of the Ascended draws to a close, and the last of the pinatas and balloons are put away from RIFT's first birthday, Update 1.8 is just around the corner. It's full of new content, including the new raid zone Infernal Dawn, fishing and survival skills, and lots of game improvements. Massively took part in a roundtable discussion with Trion CEO and RIFT Executive Producer Scott Hartsman, Design Director Hal Hanlin, and Producer Adam Gershowitz, to get all the details on Update 1.8 and more. Read on for highlights!

    Continue reading Fishing, Survival, and Dragons: The Trion Team talks about RIFT's Update 1.8 and beyond

    MassivelyFishing, Survival, and Dragons: The Trion Team talks about RIFT's Update 1.8 and beyond originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 12 Apr 2012 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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      Star Trek Online adds Ferengi lock boxes and in-game store

      Posted: 12 Apr 2012 07:00 AM PDT

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      STO
      Thought that the Cardassian lock boxes and those ever-present "So-and-so opened a lock box and got a Galor-class cruiser!" messages were the end of Star Trek Online's foray into pay-for-treasure items? Think again! As of today, STO players will begin to see Ferengi lock boxes dropping in the game.

      As with the Cardassian boxes, the Ferengi boxes can only be unlocked with a special key that must be purchased in the C-Store. The contents of the boxes contain a mystery prize that ranges from the D'Kora Marauder Class starship to combat pets to Lobi Crystals. Gold lock boxes have a higher chance of delivering a better prize.

      In addition to the proliferation of lock boxes across the galaxy, STO's Ferengi are opening a store on Drozana Station that will sell a variety of fun items in exchange for Lobi Crystals. The store will offer Ferengi shuttles, photonic tactical bridge officers, costume pieces, and pets.

      MassivelyStar Trek Online adds Ferengi lock boxes and in-game store originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 12 Apr 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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      The Daily Grind: Has F2P piqued your interest in Aion?

      Posted: 12 Apr 2012 06:00 AM PDT

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      Aion - instance run
      I used to know a thing or two about Aion. Covering the game was my first assignment for Massively, in fact, and throughout the spring of 2010, that's exactly what I did.

      The high-level grind (and an incurable case of wanderlust) ultimately did me in, though, so I waved goodbye to Atreia aside from the occasional dungeon-running guild reunion. Now that the game is back on everyone's radar -- complete with some shiny new features like player housing -- I'm patching my NCsoft launcher, frowning at the forced Pando Media Booster installation, and preparing to dust off my 55 Sorcerer.

      What about you, early-birds? Is free-to-play and a ton of new content enough to (re)kindle your interest in Aion?

      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: Has F2P piqued your interest in Aion? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 12 Apr 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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        Dark Legends goes live for mobile devices and Chrome

        Posted: 11 Apr 2012 07:00 PM PDT

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        He bit her right in her main catsup artery.
        So you like vampires? It's kind of a thing these days. Maybe you like vampires so much that you really want to play around with some vampiric content on your mobile device. That's for the best, as Spacetime Studios has released Dark Legends today. Building off the success of the studio's previous mobile/browser titles (Pocket Legends and Star Legends), the newest game allows players to take on the role of a bloodsucking monster of the night.

        The game is currently available in the App Store for iPad/iPhone users, the Google Play Store, and the Chrome app store. Like previous offerings, it's free-to-play, and you can log in from separate devices to play both on the road and at home. Unlike previous games, this one is definitely not aiming for the family market, being a fair bit more overtly violent and bloody. Still, if you feel the urge to rampage through dark alleys while you are walking through said alleys in real life, Dark Legends has you covered.

        MassivelyDark Legends goes live for mobile devices and Chrome originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 11 Apr 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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          Ranked PvP to be cut from SWTOR's Legacy patch

          Posted: 11 Apr 2012 06:30 PM PDT

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          SWTOR ranked PvP cut short
          Despite extensive testing on the private test server, BioWare has decided to not include ranked PvP warzones in the latest patch for Star Wars: The Old Republic.

          Although Update 1.2: Legacy will still go live tomorrow with a brand-new warzone, Novare Coast, the new reward and leveling system for level 50 players will sadly be missing. In an announcement on the official site, Lead Game Designer Daniel Erickson stated, "After careful consideration, it is clear that to make Ranked Warzones the feature we all want it to be is going to take a bit more time. I apologize for any disappointment this may cause and ask for your patience as we work to make sure the Ranked Warzone Preseason launch is polished and fun."

          Erickson did not reveal when we will see see ranked warzones on the live servers, but he did say that the team will roll out the feature in phases, starting with full-team (eight-player) queuing. He also noted that players can still earn the highly anticipated War Hero armor in Update 1.2 through other means.

          [Thanks to Marc for the tip!]

          MassivelyRanked PvP to be cut from SWTOR's Legacy patch originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 11 Apr 2012 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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          Free for All: Looking for the near-perfect MUD-like browser MMO

          Posted: 11 Apr 2012 06:00 PM PDT

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          Browser screenshot
          I need your help. If you are a reader, then I need you to open your memory boxes and take a look around at the bottom. Shuffle around where all the remnants of favorite past MMOs settle and see if you can find me something. If you are a developer who is reading this, then you might indeed have some special insight into my issue.

          I need a game. A special game. It must fit a certain mold that is very particularly fitted to my very specific needs and wants. It's a tall order, to say the least.

          Now, I understand how to use Google. At least once a week I am asked something along the lines of "Where do you find these weird games you cover?" I am always tempted to link the questioner to Google and walk away, but generally I tell him it is a combination of different efforts: some searching, some tipping from readers, and more than a smidge of good luck. Also understand that I have a lot of good titles keeping me busy, but I tend to become sort of obsessed with little projects along the way. So what do I need this week?

          I need a semi-graphical, browser-based MUD-like MMO that features great customization for characters, text, and interface, that's what.

          Continue reading Free for All: Looking for the near-perfect MUD-like browser MMO

          MassivelyFree for All: Looking for the near-perfect MUD-like browser MMO originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 11 Apr 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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            Abduct yourself a UFO Online beta key from Massively!

            Posted: 11 Apr 2012 05:30 PM PDT

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            Technically, UFO just refers to an unidentified aircraft.  So, really, this could just be a game about looking up in the sky and not being sure what kind of plane that is.  And then shooting someone.
            You've seen our first impressions -- does that make you want to get in on UFO Online? For a lot of people, that's not quite possible yet, seeing as how the game is still in closed beta testing. However, as in the past, the team at Massively has you covered. Thanks to the folks over at gamigo, we've got 2,000 keys for the second closed beta test, and we're handing them out to whoever wants one.

            If you're up for some tactical browser action, go ahead and click the button below, grab a code, then enter it in the appropriate spot on the front page of the official site. After that, you should be golden. Luckily, unlike many other betas, this one doesn't make you worry about a cumbersome client download since the entire game plays in your browser. So grab yourself a key, and please, go gentle with your probing of the game. It's still in testing.

            GET YOUR KEY

            MassivelyAbduct yourself a UFO Online beta key from Massively! originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 11 Apr 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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              RIFT unveils changes to queued quest reward system

              Posted: 11 Apr 2012 05:00 PM PDT

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              Screenshot -- RIFT
              RIFT's patch 1.8 is just around the corner, and the patch is bringing not only a new raid and new activities but a few quality of life improvements as well. Community manager James "Elrar" Nichols stopped by the forums today to give players a heads up on the changes coming to the game's queued quest rewards system. What are queued quest rewards? Pretty much what they sound like. Completing certain quests and dungeons will bring up a queued quest loot button that players can press at their convenience to receive the loot and XP from the activity.

              This has led some players to keep these rewards queued so that they can claim them all at once for massive XP gains. In light of that, Trion Worlds is changing the way these rewards work by causing them to be automatically granted to the player upon completion. Of course, players will still have to choose their reward for quests that grant the option, but there will now be a limit on how many rewards you can have queued at any given time. Players are advised to claim all pending queued quest rewards before patch 1.8 hits because the team can't guarantee that doing so will be possible after the patch. For the full details, head on over to the full forum post.

              MassivelyRIFT unveils changes to queued quest reward system originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 11 Apr 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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              Blizzard highlights the Barbarian in Diablo III's newest video

              Posted: 11 Apr 2012 04:30 PM PDT

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              Jump around.
              There are some classes in every game meant to explore arcane mysteries, to sneak through trials with subtlety and focus upon finesse and careful action. The Barbarian of Diablo III is not one of those classes. No, the Barbarian is the class for when you want to just smash everything until it stands no taller than dust, and then smash yourself some dust for good measure. It's the latest reveal for the game, and as expected, it comes with an accompanying video.

              In lore terms, as a Barbarian you play one of the last members of a proud nomadic people whose tireless defense of Mount Arreat ultimately failed, leaving the Barbarians to wander disillusioned and hopeless. Meanwhile, in game terms, you'll focus on savage melee attacks, thundering war shouts, and a variety of extremely powerful weapons and armor. So go ahead and pound on your mouse until you get past the break to view the Barbarian in all his bloody, savage, not-quite-housebroken glory.

              Continue reading Blizzard highlights the Barbarian in Diablo III's newest video

              MassivelyBlizzard highlights the Barbarian in Diablo III's newest video originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 11 Apr 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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              EVE Online offers video cards for PLEX

              Posted: 11 Apr 2012 04:00 PM PDT

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              Screenshot -- EVE Online
              Are you in the market for a video card? Are you an internet spaceship pilot? If you answered yes to both of these questions, then boy are you ever in luck. As you may have already heard at Fanfest 2012, CCP and NVIDIA have teamed up to bring EVE Online players a new initiative that will allow them to trade in their PLEX for new video cards.

              That's right, players will be able exchange 20 PLEX for a shiny new GeForce GTX 560 video card, courtesy of NVIDIA. The supplies are limited to 100 video cards for now, and players are limited to a single video card purchase per account. The folks at CCP note that the reason for the limited quantities is because they are "proceeding carefully... to enable [the studio] to evaluate any impacts of this unique and innovative offer on the EVE economy, and understand any challenges arising from this form of exchange of game world currency for real world goods." So get to it, space cowboys, and earn yourself a new shiny.

              MassivelyEVE Online offers video cards for PLEX originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 11 Apr 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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              TERA's new launch features section adds economic changes

              Posted: 11 Apr 2012 03:30 PM PDT

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              Screenshot -- TERA
              TERA's May release date is less than a month away now, and En Masse Entertainment is filling the days leading up to the big event by unveiling a series of new launch features. Today's piece is focused on a number of adjustments that have been made to the game's economic system.

              For starters, the trade broker has been vastly improved with "robust search features," while private stores have been abolished in order to make the broker the true hub of the game's economy. Enchanters will be pleased to know that the penalty for failing an enchantment has been removed, so while an enchantment can still fail, it won't weaken the target piece of equipment in the process. And to top it off, the currency demoninations have been changed up to prevent players from having to deal with astronomical amounts of gold. The full details, as well as previous new launch features, can be found over on the game's official site.

              MassivelyTERA's new launch features section adds economic changes originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 11 Apr 2012 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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              Win a trip to Turbine by making a LotRO fifth anniversary fan video

              Posted: 11 Apr 2012 03:00 PM PDT

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              LotRO
              With the fifth anniversary of Lord of the Rings Online a little over a week away, Turbine has sprung a most excellent contest to reward the hardiest Hobbits and most fanatical Fellowshippers in the community. By creating and submitting a fan video, one lucky player will win a trip to visit Turbine's studio in Boston, Massachusetts.

              Entering the Who is the Biggest LotRO Fan Contest is pretty simple. To do so, you'll need to head over to the contest site, download a package of assets, and then create your own fan video celebrating the game's big milestone. Each player can submit one entry, due by May 4th, which is then judged on creativity, composition, and appropriateness to theme.

              While there will be 500 TP daily winners in the contest, the big grand prize is a trip for two to Boston, a three-day stay in a hotel, a tour of Turbine's offices, a lifetime membership to LotRO, and 1,000 TP.

              MassivelyWin a trip to Turbine by making a LotRO fifth anniversary fan video originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 11 Apr 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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              Tribes: Ascend releases tomorrow, mass casualties predicted

              Posted: 11 Apr 2012 02:30 PM PDT

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              Tribes: Ascend
              We apologize for giving you only a few hours' notice to call your boss or parental unit and inform him or her that you'll be "sick" tomorrow, but any edge you can get for an early start to Tribes: Ascend is better than none. That's right, Hi-Rez Studios' frantic FPS is releasing first thing in the morning, and you're invited to join the fight.

              With jetpacks, skiing, and a strong lineage dating back to the original 1998 game, Tribes: Ascend has a lot going for it. The free-to-play title promises to bring back all of the frantic action that fans loved with a few new twists, such as a capture and hold game mode and the return of the classic map Raindance. Players will log in tomorrow to new social options as well and can test out unowned weapons in a special target practice area.

              Wondering if Tribes: Ascend is right for you? Check out Jef's Firing Line column in which he attempts to convince you that this will suck you in and keep you entertained for a long time to come. If you're antsy, you can play tonight, as the game is currently in open beta.

              You can watch a new dev diary featuring the Raindance map after the jump!

              Continue reading Tribes: Ascend releases tomorrow, mass casualties predicted

              MassivelyTribes: Ascend releases tomorrow, mass casualties predicted originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 11 Apr 2012 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                Aion: Ascension launches and class begins

                Posted: 11 Apr 2012 02:00 PM PDT

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                Aion screenshot
                And we have lift off! Aion Ascension has launched at last, and finally, some of those tidbits we were teased with in the notorious Visions Trailer are in-game. Housing! Mounts! New Zones! Choirs of winged Daevas singing!

                Not only are these much anticipated features available, but the new Truly Free business model has now made its way to another NCsoft title. Edward Chang, Director of Product Management at NCsoft, states,
                "We started converting current players to the new business model late last week in preparation for today's launch and we couldn't be happier with the response, tripling concurrency in a matter of hours. We spent a considerable amount of time focused on optimizing Aion Ascension for the Truly Free business model, and early feedback from the community indicates that we made the right decisions."
                What more could be added to this good news? How about a free introductory course of helpful hints to offer Daevas a little boost! It just so happens we have the syllabus for Ascension 101 right here, penned by none other than Producer Adam Christensen. Read on for Adam's very own tips and tricks for the 3.0 patch. Don't worry -- there won't be a quiz at the end!

                Continue reading Aion: Ascension launches and class begins

                MassivelyAion: Ascension launches and class begins originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 11 Apr 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                  A Mild-Mannered Reporter: Positive charge

                  Posted: 11 Apr 2012 01:00 PM PDT

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                  A Mild-Mannered Reporter header by A. Fienemann
                  PAX East this past weekend was indeed filled with revelations, but none of them had to do with City of Heroes or any other NCsoft game, really, so I can't even complain about one getting all the love while the others were ignored. And while I could probably try to spin a thousand words out of wanting to insert a Rock Band Blitz-style minigame into the game under discussion, I have the feeling I'd get some odd looks and a rejected column.

                  What I did have opportunity to consider, however, is how pretty much the only thing I've brought up in regard to the Paragon Market has been the many, many choices made regarding it that I consider debatable. The Super Pack and the numerous power sets both have been targets for negativity, and I honestly haven't said anything corresponding about the positives. This seems unfair on many levels. Sure, I think the implementation is sometimes dicey, but there are a lot of parts of the market that are great, and I happily doff my hat to the team for them. So instead of burying the shop, let's praise it.

                  Continue reading A Mild-Mannered Reporter: Positive charge

                  MassivelyA Mild-Mannered Reporter: Positive charge originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 11 Apr 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                    Choose My Adventure: Dark Age of Camelot, week five

                    Posted: 11 Apr 2012 12:00 PM PDT

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                    DAoC
                    As I headed into my final week of playing Dark Age of Camelot, I found myself thinking about Warhammer Online more often than not. That shouldn't be surprising, really, as both games were made by Mythic and share a focus on RvR. I suppose it's because I finally hit a point in the game when DAoC started to emulate experiences I had in WAR, and thus a comparison between the two began to unfold.

                    While I'm sure plenty of folks who played DAoC went on to WAR, I'm curious whether there are many like me who went through the games in the reverse order. I may not be a veteran DAoC player after a few weeks in the game, but I certainly have a mountain of experience in WAR, and it intrigues me to be able to identify the connections between the two.

                    So as I plundered the battlefields of DAoC this week, I started to examine the game through the lens of a WAR vet to see whether I could spot the traits each game had in common and which traits each game handled better than the other.

                    Continue reading Choose My Adventure: Dark Age of Camelot, week five

                    MassivelyChoose My Adventure: Dark Age of Camelot, week five originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 11 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                      Why I Play: EverQuest II

                      Posted: 11 Apr 2012 11:00 AM PDT

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                      EverQuest II screenshot
                      Because.

                      Remember back when this answer was lobbed at you as the definitive answer (often by moms tired of incessant "why"s or as a precursor to "I said so!")? But since I am not your mom -- and more importantly, the boss isn't about to pay me for a one word article -- let me elaborate, though, I warn you, you may regret it; once I get going I may not be able to stop! Seriously, they had to restrain me from taking over Why I Play. Obviously I broke free mwuahahahaha!

                      Simply put, I love EverQuest II. I log into it daily. Sometimes I don't leave for more hours than I am willing to admit. I can hum the guild hall music from memory. I have a list of things I want to do so long I can't possibly get it all done. All this after taking a multi-year break. Yes folks, I left the game for a long time -- a move I am still kicking myself for. But certain features pulled me back, and let me just say, I am so glad I came back.

                      So why do I play EQII? Where to begin...

                      Continue reading Why I Play: EverQuest II

                      MassivelyWhy I Play: EverQuest II originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 11 Apr 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                        General gaming

                        General gaming


                        Dark Souls PC Gets Saddled With Games for Windows Live Support

                        Posted: 11 Apr 2012 03:46 PM PDT

                        Dark Souls

                        After a lot of hopeful wishing and petition-signing, Dark Souls has been officially confirmed for release on PC. That's all well and good; the game and its predecessor have an ardent fanbase, with many of them feeling Souls was the best game released last year. Seeing a niche product like this brought to a new platform is a very encouraging sign for the series, though unfortunately those who decide to play the Prepare to Die Edition on PC will be forced to use Games for Windows Live.

                        As pointed out by GameSpy, the box art Namco Bandai showed for the game at a Las Vegas event today carried the GfWL logo, a fact that has not sat well with many PC gamers who would prefer to avoid Microsoft's online setup whenever possible. (Microsoft ruffled some feathers when it tried charging PC gamers for the service like it does Xbox Live members, though it later realized the error of its ways.) Just as Namco Bandai was encouraged to bring Dark Souls to PC through a petition -- which was praised by those at the company for raising awareness for the issue -- it's now being urged to release the game sans Games for Windows Live support by fans signing a new petition.

                        Rare Breeds: Video Game Genres on the Verge of Extinction

                        Posted: 11 Apr 2012 03:34 PM PDT

                        Feature

                        Header

                        Rare Breeds: Video Game Genres on the Verge of Extinction

                        Four endangered species within the wilderness of the game industry.

                        By: Todd Ciolek April 11, 2012

                        The game industry has little room for failures. Like a vast and cruel wilderness, it's rarely merciful to the games that can't adapt to a changing environment. Yet it's rare that an entire breed of game goes completely extinct; as long as there's one small developer or semi-profitable fan following, a genre can survive. It'll just be on the endangered list -- that's where you'll find all of the following species, which were once healthy or prosperous in some way. But time and technology dulled their appeal, and faster, leaner, more appealing games took over.

                        Some genres have made comebacks in recent years. Between Telltale Games' catalog and Double Fine's newly funded project, the classic point-and-click adventure game isn't doing so badly. But other kinds of games aren't so lucky, as the current market finds these formerly proud creatures subsisting only through independent studios or cheap downloadable software. So let's take a look at them, their history, and the many small ways they endure today.

                        Fez Review: Defying Your Feeble Human Comprehension of Space and Time

                        Posted: 11 Apr 2012 01:14 PM PDT

                        The idea behind Cubism, the school of art pioneered by Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque, was to represent three-dimensional objects within two-dimensional spaces. Those strange-looking people Picasso painted had less to do with peyote hallucinations and more to do with the challenge of simultaneously presenting all sides of the human body upon a flat surface. I'm not entirely sure how the Cubists would have approached modern video games, but Fez just might fit the bill.

                        If Picasso were to design a collect-a-thon, it would probably look a lot like Fez. It's not that Fez depicts objects with the same strange, unearthly multi-dimensionality Picasso employed; if the game owes its look to any one inspiration, it would be Daisuke Amaya's Cave Story. Nevertheless, Fez embodies the spirit of the Cubist style by taking objects that exist in a three-dimensional virtual space and ignoring their internal relations in favor of the viewer's external perception. Here, dozens of 3D spaces built to incorporate volume and distance become compressed and flattened based on the angle from which they're viewed. Fez tackles a problem that's bothered game designers since the very beginning -- how to you create the illusion of depth on a flat surface? -- and leverages the fact that 3D games really are just an illusion. It's not quite Cubism, but it's certainly of a kindred spirit. And hey, everything in the game is built of cubes, so there's your kismet for the day.

                        Dark Souls: Prepare to Die Edition Set to Make a Whole New Audience Cry

                        Posted: 11 Apr 2012 11:44 AM PDT

                        PC gamers who have spent the past six months preparing to die can now rest easy knowing that one of 2011's finest titles is coming their way. The Dark Souls: Prepare to Die Edition is set for release on August 25, and the extra content will focus on an episode called "Artorias of the Abyss," which will offer new areas, enemies and bosses for players to swear at when they get consistently slaughtered. In honor of this announcement, we've rounded up our resident Dark Souls masochists to share their hopes and fears for the PC port.

                        Bob Mackey, Associate Editor

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