General Gaming Article

General Gaming Article


Cisco Kills The Cius Tablet

Posted: 27 May 2012 09:43 AM PDT

CiusThe little big tablet that almost nobody has ever heard of… has died. The Cisco Cius tablet was an Android based device that was customized from the ground up to be a corporate solution, which as it turns out nobody wanted to buy. In a blog post entitled "Empowering Choice in Collaboration", Cisco used every marketing term they could think of before admitting, "they will no longer invest in the Cius tablet".

To make matters worse anyone who bought devices up to this point will be forever stuck in time since development of the platform is also coming to a halt. We are paraphrasing a bit of course, but you get the idea. If you are one of the unfortunate few who picked up a Cisco Cius, you got yourself a fancy piece tablet history, but sadly not much else.

Announcements like these are not just a blow to owners of the platform, but the entire non-iPad tablet movement. Abandoning users means no future updates or support, and that's never a good thing. At least with the iPad you know Apple has you covered, and Windows 8 should theoretically offer the same piece of mind.

Toshiba Gives Up On Netbooks in North America

Posted: 27 May 2012 08:08 AM PDT

ToshibaTwo years ago netbooks were all the rage, but how quickly fortunes can fade. Over the last year the market has been losing share to low cost notebooks and tablets at an astonishing pace, leading some manufacturers to back out completely. Toshiba is the latest OEM to call it quits, and the new Toshiba Portege Z830 shown here will never see the light of day here in North America.

The Portege looked like a pretty impressive machine by netbook standards, featuring the new N2600 Cedar Trail Intel chip, however unless you happen to find yourself vacationing in "emerging markets" it will probably be a bit hard to track down. Acer, Asus, and HP are still selling netbooks in North America if you are looking for alternatives, but we can't help but wonder if this isn't the start of a larger trend.

With volumes dropping off, and margins so thin, will netbooks die a slow painful death over the next few years? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. 

Steve Ballmer has 80 Inches....of Computing

Posted: 27 May 2012 07:27 AM PDT

Windows 8 MetroIn a recent interview with Wired UK, Microsoft VP Frank Shaw admitted that CEO Steve Baller has an 80-inch Windows 8 tablet hanging on the wall in his office. What did you think I was going to say?  "It's his whiteboard, his e-mail machine," Shaw said, "and it's a device we're going to sell." Windows 8 was shown off at last years CES on an 80-inch Sharp Aquos touch display, however the model Shaw is referencing here is something new.

According to Ballmer "Every screen should be touch, every screen should be a computer and should be able to see out as well as see in. That is the way the world is heading [and] those screens are going to be big, small, wall-sized and desk-sized."

Microsoft's decision to focus so many of their resources on products without a proven market demand is arguably one of the boldest moves the company has ever made, and it will be interesting to see where this goes. Windows 8 will ship on exponentially more laptops and desktops when it hits the scene later this year, we just hope they strike the right balance. The last thing Microsoft needs at this point is a Vista style reputation blow that leaves people scrambling post launch to find Windows 7 downgrade options.

Would you hang an 80-inch Windows 8 Touch PC on your wall? If you cut a hole in the wall and mount a camera on the back you could actually make it into a real window!

MMO Updates

MMO Updates


RIFT hints at expansion details with strange box

Posted: 27 May 2012 10:00 AM PDT

Filed under: , , ,

RIFT - strange gift box
Trion's coy marketing campaign for RIFT's next update continues. Yesterday we received a mysterious box containing the following: two posters featuring historical raids, a level with a "10" sticker on it, four soles, six keys (one of which was labeled Port Tempest), five glass prisms, and a red hooded cloak.

What does all this mean?

PCGamer received a similar bundle and has posted its thoughts, and we tend to agree. Chances are good that we're looking at a major RIFT expansion featuring new raids, new souls, a level-cap increase, and six new areas. And the glass prisms? We have no idea, so stay tuned.

MassivelyRIFT hints at expansion details with strange box originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 27 May 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Previously on MV TV: The week of May 19th

Posted: 27 May 2012 08:00 AM PDT

Filed under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Previously On banner
Missing livestreams is so 2011! There's no excuse now, what with the livestream schedule page going up every week, the constant reminders across Twitter, and the super-cool regulars we have who hang out in the chat room with us. But, alas, some of you do occasionally miss a stream or two and need someone to point out what you might have missed. That someone would be me, and this column is the place to go.

Last week we had all sorts of cool stuff. Some of the highlights? First we had Richie with some Diablo III Hell-smashing action, MJ deciding to run some dungeons in EverQuest II and Aion, finishing up her Choose My Adventure run in City of Heroes and checking up housing decorations in Vanguard. I'm known to run a stream or two as well, and this week I showed off the new fully voice-acted quest Song from the Depths in RuneScape.

Click past the cut and enjoy!

Continue reading Previously on MV TV: The week of May 19th

MassivelyPreviously on MV TV: The week of May 19th originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 27 May 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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    The Daily Grind: What's your ideal group size?

    Posted: 27 May 2012 06:00 AM PDT

    Filed under: , , , ,

    Three's a crowd.  Unless you're doing a quest requiring a group of three.
    Every MMO lets you team up with other players. This is unsurprising, seeing as how it's one of the main selling points of the genre. But there's always an upward limit, and always target team sizes that the game bases content around. Content is largely designed in World of Warcraft to target groups of five, Guild Wars tailors most of its content for groups of eight, and Final Fantasy XI expects a team of six. But each of these games also provide content for more variable sizes.

    Today's question isn't whether or not you like teaming up, it's about what your ideal majority size would be. Do you generally prefer to have a group of three? Groups of two? Groups of five? How many people do you like to party up with on a regular basis? Or would you prefer that most content simply scaled to the number of participants involved?

    Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

    MassivelyThe Daily Grind: What's your ideal group size? originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 27 May 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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      The Mog Log: The Legacy rewards and what they mean

      Posted: 26 May 2012 04:00 PM PDT

      Filed under: , , , , ,

      The Mog Log header by A. Fienemann
      So, who here remembers the Final Fantasy XIV launch? I certainly do; I was there and I've been here since, after all. And who here remembers how the game launched to critical acclaim and overwhelming popularity?

      Yeah, okay. I liked the game at launch, but that was more because of the underlying philosophies and approaches, not because the whole thing was polished to a fine shine. It was almost two years ago now, and the game has had to go through a lot of growing pains in that time, fixing a lot of elements that didn't work and adjusting stuff that was almost there but not quite. It's been a long process of hammering out fixes and improvements, one that included a long stretch of no subscription fee as the game cleaned itself up.

      We're nearly at the end of that process now, but Square-Enix is trying to show everyone that the company appreciates players who have been around during the game's teething troubles. That's the Legacy program in a nutshell -- a chance for players to signify having been around for an extended period of time. A badge of honor, a show of loyalty, and arguably another little bit of bait to get people to subscribe now instead of later.

      Continue reading The Mog Log: The Legacy rewards and what they mean

      MassivelyThe Mog Log: The Legacy rewards and what they mean originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 26 May 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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        The Tattered Notebook: The passing of Ribbitribbitt

        Posted: 26 May 2012 12:00 PM PDT

        Filed under: , ,

        Ribbitribbitt
        This week's Tattered Notebook started off business as usual. I was putting together part two of a look at the layers of change in EverQuest II through the years. But I was also mulling over a column about the new Hero's Edge items that arrived on the Marketplace; something I had just speculated about in a recent column. There was also the news about upcoming crafting changes to talk about.

        And then, suddenly everything gets put into perspective. Ribbitribbitt, the young EQII fan who had been battling cancer, passed away at the age of six. A couple of months ago, the EQII community got a request for assistance in building an in-game playground from his mother, and what followed was an unprecedented show of support. His mother, Myrose, passed along the sad news to the community this past week with a brief forum post, and the community mourned his loss.

        In this week's Tattered Notebook, we'll explore how Ribbitribbitt brought a community together, and look at the grieving process from losing an in-game friend.

        Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: The passing of Ribbitribbitt

        MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: The passing of Ribbitribbitt originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 26 May 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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          The Elder Scrolls Online using HeroEngine 'as a whiteboard'

          Posted: 26 May 2012 11:00 AM PDT

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          The Elder Scrolls Online - using HeroEngine as a whiteboard
          Fan outcry over the announcement of The Elder Scrolls Online was long and loud, not just for the presumed MMOification of a beloved single-player franchise, but for the toolset chosen by ZeniMax Online Studios to bring the world of Tamriel to its new audience.

          Game Informer confirms that ZeniMax is using the HeroEngine -- which also powers Star Wars: The Old Republic, and which has come under fire from some in the MMO fan community. Game director Matt Firor says that the firm isn't using the engine like you may expect, though.

          "Think of HeroEngine as a whiteboard for us -- a great tool to get some ideas in the game and start looking at them while the production engine was in development," he explains.

          [Thanks to Austin for the tip!]

          MassivelyThe Elder Scrolls Online using HeroEngine 'as a whiteboard' originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 26 May 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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          MMOGaming News

          MMOGaming News


          Combat and Skill in The Elder Scrolls Online

          Posted:

          Combat and Skill in The Elder Scrolls Online


          There is a skill bar with 6 slots, according to gameplay designer Nick Konkle, and the first 2 slots are for weapon skills since you can equip various types of weapons.

          Details to Retina System of Code X7

          Posted:

          Details to Retina System of Code X7


          The retina is one of the most important human organs, even Apple Inc named its iPhone HD screen after it. While the next-gen MMORPG Code X7 announced by Changyou applies a retina simulation system that is made by Darkfire engine.

          PlanetSide 2 Massive Air Combat Trailer

          Posted:

          PlanetSide 2 Massive Air Combat Trailer


          Take a look at the latest trailer for Sony's upcoming MMOFPS PlanetSide 2.



          MMO News

          MMO News


          Atlus Online Launches BattleSpace

          Posted: 25 May 2012 05:20 PM PDT

          Atlus Online has announced today’s commercial launch of BattleSpace, both on Atlus Online and Kongregate.

          As a limited celebration event, players can earn 100 Honor Medals for reaching level 5 and a Ship parts gift package for reaching level 10. Players who spend Crowns will earn 300 Honor Medals (7000 Crowns) or the exclusive commander Godwin (21000 Crowns). In addition, the game’s servers will offer a 20% bonus commander EXP and 20% increased flight speed until June 11.

          Atlus Online also publishes Pandora Saga and Megaten.

          BattleSpace Trailer:

          Source:

          BATTLESPACE, FREE-TO-PLAY, BROWSER-BASED SCI-FI MMORTS FROM ATLUS ONLINE, CELEBRATES COMMERCIAL SERVICE LAUNCH WITH SPECIAL EVENTS, INCENTIVES

           

          IRVINE, CALIFORNIA – MAY 25, 2012 – ATLUS ONLINE, a division of ATLUS dedicated to massively online gaming and entertainment, today launched commercial service for BattleSpace, their exciting new free-to-play, browser-based sci-fi MMORTS.  Continuing their partnership with Kongregate, ATLUS ONLINE confirmed that BattleSpace is also now available via the popular gaming portal.  To celebrate the official launch, ATLUS ONLINE is offering limited-time level up and Crowns events to encourage players to explore all of the rewards the game has to offer:

          Players receive free in-game rewards for reaching each of the following level milestones:

          •  100 Honor Medals for level 5
          •  Ship parts gift package for level 10

          For a limited time, players who use Crowns will earn bonuses with purchases:

          •  300 Honor Medals for 7000 Crowns
          •  Exclusive commander, Godwin, for 21000 Crowns

          Players who opt not to participate in these events will still enjoy the server-wide benefits of 20% bonus commander EXP and 20% increase in flight speed till the 6/11 maintenance.

          In BattleSpace, players take control of one of many different races vying for resources and dominance in an unclaimed galaxy overflowing with resources.  With real-time resource management, full-scale space wars, and limitless strategic possibilities that directly affect all allies and foes within the player-driven universe, BattleSpace delivers an accessible yet satisfyingly deep massively online strategy experience.  No download or installation requirements allow players to instantly command their own vast solar system and battle for control of the sector!

          To register, play, and find more info about Battlespace, visit the ATLUS ONLINE game site at   http://battlespace.atlusonline.com.

          APB Reloaded Launches Version 1.8.0

          Posted: 25 May 2012 05:02 PM PDT

          GamersFirst has announced the release of version 1.8.0 for APB Reloaded.

          The update adds 14 new weapon skins in the Armas Marketplace, plus more through in-game progression. Also new is the Joker Mystery Box 3 (which includes the OCA Nano ‘Connoisseur’, a silenced automatic secondary weapon).

          For Memorial Day weekend (May 26 through 28),  Premium Members will get a 20% bonus discount at the Armas Marketplace. Meanwhile, players who complete 10 Action District Missions every day for three days in a row (May 25 through May 27) will earn five Joker Mystery 3 Boxes and an entry to win a 4-slot Vegas G24 and Hot Rod Kit.

          GamersFirst also publishes Fallen Earth and Sword2.

          37951  420x310 apb reloaded shoot out

          APB Reloaded Gameplay Screenshot

          Source:

          New Content Bonanza Ignites APB Reloaded
          Update 1.8.0 invades San Paro with new weapon skins, a new Joker Mystery Box and events with up to a 40% discount on purchases

          Irvine, Calif., May 25, 2012 –Reloaded Productions, the wholly-owned creative development studio for GamersFirst, today announced the live release of version 1.8.0 for the Free2Play® online action game, APB Reloaded. Following the successful 1.7.0 update last month, update 1.8.0 introduces new Weapon Skins that give the citizens of San Paro the power to customize the look of their weapons, a new Joker Mystery Box, an exclusive reward for completing the 1.8.0 Challenge, and a hefty 40% marketplace discount.

          Key Features of the Update Include:

          1.      Weapon Skins – The Armas Marketplace is stocked with 14 new Weapon Skins and even more are available through in-game progression!
          2.      Joker Mystery Box 3 – Gives players a chance at the new OCA Nano ‘Connoisseur,' and other cool prizes. The Nano is a never-before released unique, silenced automatic secondary weapon and is the most wanted prize for this box. In the spirit of San Paro, every box contains a prize!
          3.      Memorial Day Double Discount Weekend– From May 26thto May 28th, Premium members can add an additional 20% to their existing 20% Armas Marketplace discount and get their favorite weapons and items, including the new Weapon Skins for 40% off!
          4.      The 1.8.0 Challenge – Citizens that complete 10 Action District Missions, each day, for 3 days in a row (Friday – Sunday, 5/25/2012 – 5/27/2012 PDT) will be rewarded with five Joker Mystery 3 Boxes! Completion of this challenge also grants players an entry into a drawing to win the never before released 4-slot Vegas G24 and Hot Rod kit! 10 Lucky winners per server will be the first to cruise the streets of San Paro in this brand new ride.

          "We are proud to fulfill our community's desire for wanting the option to customize the look of their weapons," said Myra Widodo, producer for APB Reloaded. "As always, we continue incorporating feedback from the APB community and our development team is burning the midnight oil to bring new content to the game"

          Released in 2011, APB Reloaded melds player-on-player combat within the immersive world of a city on the edge of total chaos. Powered by Epic's Unreal 3 engine, APB Reloaded features a robust set of customization tools second to none, providing gamers the ability to create the exact look of their in-game avatar, character symbols, clothing and even customize cars they drive. To get up-to-date information on GamersFirst and APB Reloaded's Community and Fan Pages, check out the following links:

          Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/apbreloaded
          Development Blog – http://apbreloaded.gamersfirst.com/
          Website– www.apb.com
          Twitter – @apb_reloaded

          Flyff Gold Announced

          Posted: 25 May 2012 04:39 PM PDT

          gPotato has announced that Flyff will launch a new “Flyff Gold” update this July.

          Flyff Gold will present some major changes to the game’s systems and interface. To start with, players will notice that the home zone of Flaris has been improved with a new layout and improved graphics. A new black-and-gold user interface will let players customize their UI with sliding inputs, plus a six-action “revolver” for faster, improved combat. Players will also discover achievements that reward items found in the cash shop, a consignment marketplace, in-game social networking, weapon transformations, and better PvP rewards.

          Starting this week, players can get a daily item until June 20, plus level up prizes until the launch of Flyff Gold. Players who come celebrate Flyff gold at FanimeCon will also get temporary tattoos with a free code for a three-day tiny Tanuki pet, plus more prizes for participating by sharing a photo of themselves wearing the tattoo.

          gPotato also publishes Rappelz and Iris Online.

          Flyff Gold Announcement Trailer

          Source:

          Flyff Gold Announced

          Beloved MMO Gears Up for Big Changes

          Sunnyvale, Calif. May 25, 2012 – Everything about Flyff is going to change. The launch of Flyff Gold on all English servers this July will mark a major evolution for the beloved MMO, introducing a fresh look, sleek interface, and brand new systems. The official Flyff Gold teaser page launched today with a look at the cool new clockwork style and a feature video showcasing the biggest changes.

          Longtime fans and new players alike will immediately discover a brighter, cleaner Flaris home zone with sharper graphics and a broad new layout. That smooth style meets dynamic function thanks to a brand new black-and-gold interface which lets players customize their screen with sliding inputs and queue up to six actions in a rotating "revolver" slot for faster, more strategic combat.

          Flyff Gold turns many popular player requests into a reality, from achievements that can be redeemed for item shop goodies to a set-and-forget consignment marketplace for easy trading. That's just the start of an extensive change list that will also introduce in-game social networking, weapon transformations, greater PvP rewards, and much more!

          Preparations for Flyff Gold's official launch have already begun with game-wide Log-In and Level-Up events. Starting this week, players will receive an item the moment they log in and can get one item every day until June 20. Each character will also receive prizes as they level from now until the launch of Flyff Gold in July, so new adventurers can start their journey with great rewards right away.

          20,000 lucky anime fans will get an additional chance to celebrate the announcement of Flyff Gold at FanimeCon, the largest anime convention in Northern California, between May 25 and May 28. Temporary tattoos with beloved Flyff characters have been added to every goodie bag, and each tattoo comes with a free code for a three-day tiny Tanuki pet. Plus, anyone who shares a picture of themselves wearing the tattoo will receive a prize for participating, and three random winners will get a full Rudolph Jewelry Set. Check out the details on the official Flyff Forum!

          With a packed schedule of events for its thriving community and a full set of feature upgrades on the way, the future looks very bright for Flyff Gold. Check out the details at the official teaser page and get ready to go gold this July!

          Heroes & Generals

          Posted: 25 May 2012 04:28 PM PDT

          Heroes & Generals pits you in the role of a soldier on the front lines, or as a general, calling the shots from behind. Both action and strategy are represented in Heroes and Generals, as players vie for control in a persistent online war. Experience AAA a quality shooter as you combat others in an FPS mode, and enjoy outmaneuvering your opponents with the in-depth strategy the RTS involves.

          51681  320x240 heroes and generals 04

          Publisher: Reto-Moto
          Playerbase: ??
          Graphics: High
          Type: MMO
          EXP Rate: ??
          PvP: FPS and RTS
          Filesize: ~2GB

          Pros: +Unique blend of FPS action and RTS play. +AAA development team. +Persistent world for an FPS.

          Cons: -May not appeal to fans of one or another genre. -Limited information available.

          download nowcreate accountofficial site

          Overview

          Heroes & Generals Overview

          Heroes & Generals is a unique blend of MMOFPS and MMORTS games. The game world is persistent, which is generally not done for an FPS game. Players may specialize their character to become a war hero on the front lines, or pursue the path of strategy as a general. The action content allows players to ride in vehicles and planes, in addition to being on foot. Both game modes are interconnected; what happens in the action mode carries over into the strategy mode, allowing players to keep tabs on things like supply-lines and production.

          Heroes & Generals Screenshots

          Heroes & Generals Featured Video

          Click here to view the embedded video.

          Full Review

          Heroes & Generals Review

          Coming Soon…

          Screenshots

          Heroes & Generals Screenshots

          Coming Soon…

          Videos

          Heroes & Generals Videos

          Heroes & Generals Debut Trailer

          Click here to view the embedded video.

          Links

          Heroes & Generals Links

          Official Game Page

          System Requirements

          Heroes & Generals System Requirements

          Coming soon. . .

          Official Launch Date Announced for Runes of Magic: Fires of Shadowforge

          Posted: 25 May 2012 12:26 PM PDT

          New information has been released for Frogster’s upcoming update for Runes of Magic, titled Fires of Shadowforge.  The update is set to release on June 12.

          The update releases a brand new race to the game: the Shadowforge Dwarves.  New dwarves begin in the Yrvandis Hollows in the Kingdom of Taffrock, which holds host to a challenging beginning instance “Outskirts of Taffrock.”

          The capital city of Taffrock consists of five main zones:  Administration District, Crafting District, Arena Quarter, Trade Quarter, and Mining District.  The boss of Outskirts of Taffrock is called Dark Gargoylem, and has holed himself up with other nasties in the lower halls of the dwarven halls.

          51677  420x310 runesofmagic darkgargoyle

          Runes of Magic “Fires of Shadowforge” Gameplay Screenshot

          Source:

          Witness the Rise of the Dwarves in Runes of Magic: Chapter V – Fires of Shadowforge
          Frogster Announces Official 'Chapter V' Launch Date; Provides Details on New Zones and Instances in Runes of Magic

          With Fires of Shadowforge, the fifth chapter of the successful MMORPG Runes of Magic, set to release on June 12, a new race will be introduced to the world of Taborea. The Shadowforge Dwarves, with their homeland in the Kingdom of Taffrock, will begin their adventure in the new starting area, the Yrvandis Hollows. Here players will find the beginner instance, the Outskirts of Taffrock, particularly challenging.

          Taffrock, the subterranean kingdom of the Dwarves, was created long before the Great Banishment and the historic battle between the demons and the peoples of Taborea. However, through a failed experiment, the Dwarves fell in to a prolonged slumber and slipped away into oblivion. Yet, when the royal scouts discovered them, they were awakened to new life, and the grandeur of their once forgotten kingdom unfolded once again. The magnitude of their architecture pays tribute to their ingenuity and craftsmanship, and allows Dwarves to explore five main zones: the central Administration District, the Crafting District in the east, the Arena Quarter in the north, the Trade Quarter in the west, and the Mining District in the south.

          In the Outskirts of Taffrock, players find the entrance to the new beginner instance, where they face off against the final boss, Dark Gargoylem. He and his horde of aggressive spirits have entrenched themselves in the lower levels of the old Dwarven halls, and will be the first challenge that players of the new Dwarven race will pit themselves against.

          For more up-to-date information, be sure to visit the official website at:
          www.runesofmagic.com

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