MMO Updates

MMO Updates


The Firing Line: PlanetSide 2's Matt Higby on the MMOFPS revolution

Posted: 26 May 2012 10:00 AM PDT

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The Firing Line interviews PlanetSide 2's Matt Higby
Sony Online Entertainment has begun carpet-bombing media outlets with publicity relating to its upcoming PlanetSide 2 MMOFPS. The game has been in development for quite a while now, but up until very recently the devs have kept a low profile. Now the title's Twitter feed is exploding on a daily basis, awe-inspiring alpha gameplay videos are finding their way into the public eye, and interviews abound.

I managed to get creative director Matt Higby's attention for a few moments, and he's got some interesting things to say about PS2's upside. Would you believe that MMOFPS is about to become a new industry buzzword? Read on after the break.

Continue reading The Firing Line: PlanetSide 2's Matt Higby on the MMOFPS revolution

MassivelyThe Firing Line: PlanetSide 2's Matt Higby on the MMOFPS revolution originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 26 May 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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    WRUP: Kingdoms of Amalur was pretty cool edition

    Posted: 26 May 2012 08:00 AM PDT

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    Not my character, but you know I'm awful at taking screenshots.
    By now pretty much everyone has heard the bad news about 38 Studios. This makes me extremely sad for all of the people who have lost their jobs as a result, but it also makes me extremely sad for the future of Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning. Despite having been lackluster about the game before launch, I fell in love with the demo and then fell further in love with the main game. The game has a lot of neat ideas, and it's a franchise that could really benefit from a sequel to polish things up. Sad news all around, really.

    This week's WRUP isn't full of bad news -- it's just filled with the facts about what we'll be up to over the weekend. It's also filled with our opinions on judging all MMOs by the same standard instead of more varied criteria. So skip on past the cut to see our weekend plans, and let us know in the comments what you're going to be doing over the long weekend!

    Continue reading WRUP: Kingdoms of Amalur was pretty cool edition

    MassivelyWRUP: Kingdoms of Amalur was pretty cool edition originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 26 May 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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      The Daily Grind: Do you stay loyal to your MMO guild?

      Posted: 26 May 2012 06:00 AM PDT

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      Ultima Online wedding, my guild as honor guard, circa 1998
      When I joined a guild in Ultima Online in 1997, I had no idea I was going to still be in a version of that guild almost 15 years later. Heck, I doubt I even realized that MMOs would still be a thing 15 years later! But from chatting with my fellow Massively staffers and you lovely readers, I've realized that my experience isn't shared by most people. Guilds implode. New games emerge. People move on. Drama develops. Real life happens. That sense of loyalty just isn't always worth the trouble. Guilds often exist to help members meet their goals in a single game, and when those goals are met, that's it -- it's over.

      But I'll move to (and stay in) games past their expiration dates just to hang out with guildies. What about you guys? Are you loyal to a single guild or group of gaming friends, or do you drop from a guild when you drop out of a game, knowing you'll find new mates in the next big thing?

      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: Do you stay loyal to your MMO guild? originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 26 May 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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        Betawatch: May 19 - 25, 2012

        Posted: 25 May 2012 06:00 PM PDT

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        The test is coming, it's plane to see.
        This week in Betawatch, the biggest news is that the game everyone expected to be in beta isn't around. Guild Wars 2 is not running a beta weekend this weekend, meaning that anyone hoping to spend their long weekend in Tyria is going to have to go with the classic version. We also say farewell to Star Supremacy in wake of its launch.

        However, for those who love testing unreleased games, it's not all bad news. World of Warplanes has announced its closed beta kicking off at the end of the month, and MechWarrior Online is heading into its closed beta this week. While you won't have a chance to get your paws on The Secret World just yet, we do have a nice new shiny set of impressions from the beta to help tide you over.

        Jump on past the break to see the full list of what's still in testing!

        Continue reading Betawatch: May 19 - 25, 2012

        MassivelyBetawatch: May 19 - 25, 2012 originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 25 May 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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          Some Assembly Required: City of Heroes' Mission Architect

          Posted: 25 May 2012 05:00 PM PDT

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          Some Assembly Required
          The few. The proud. The quest writers.

          At the best of times, the fruits of their labors guide us along in our progression of a local or global story, immersing us in the world. Even the nefarious "kill 10 rats" versions can be mini stories that pull players in when done well. But how many of us have ever had a "I could do better than that" moment or have simply wanted to live out a personal story or share in a customized grand adventure with our friends? Someone wished upon the right star because with features like the Mission Architect in City of Heroes you can do just that.

          I am just going to come right out and say it -- the quest builder is one of the greatest boons ever for player-generated content in MMORPGs. Besides housing, it is the feature du jour for the creative crowd; I honestly can't see how any game can actually go without one. During this latest round of Choose My Adventure, I had the opportunity to check out the system in City of Heroes and revel in the creativity of others as well as try my hand at developing missions. And I tell you, it is addicting.

          Feel like trying your hand at shaping some stories for heroes (and villains) to star in? Stick with me, kid, and you'll be directing your own missions in no time.

          Continue reading Some Assembly Required: City of Heroes' Mission Architect

          MassivelySome Assembly Required: City of Heroes' Mission Architect originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 25 May 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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            The MMO Report: Pre-E3 edition

            Posted: 25 May 2012 04:30 PM PDT

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            The MMO Report
            Heads up, ladies and gents; it's time for a special pre-E3 edition of The MMO Report. That's right, the biggest event in the industry is rolling out the proverbial red carpet next week, and MMOs have plenty on the slate for the big event. G4's fabulous Casey Schreiner has a look at some of the big pre-E3 MMO news, as well as a taste of what players can expect from the convention.

            For your appetizer, we have a look at the three factions of ZeniMax's upcoming title, The Elder Scrolls Online. You can wash that down with a tall glass of Trion Worlds' MMO-television crossover game, Defiance. That should be sufficient to prepare you for the main course of PlanetSide 2's delicious MAX suit reveal, as well as a few more post-meal treats. So what are you waiting for? Pull up a seat and check out the full video below.

            Continue reading The MMO Report: Pre-E3 edition

            MassivelyThe MMO Report: Pre-E3 edition originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 25 May 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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            MMObility: Command and Conquer's new twist on the MMORTS

            Posted: 25 May 2012 04:00 PM PDT

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            Command and Conquer screenshot
            I've had my fill of MMORTS games. I love them, and I mean love them, but after being asked to look at the 567,386th title from the genre, I am getting a wicked case of tunnel vision. Sometimes I wish I could hit a switch and see these games with the eyes of a brand-new player, to truly judge their quality without any preconceptions. That's not possible, unfortunately.

            Luckily, once in a while there comes along a title that feels fresh or does enough with design to seem new and clever. Command and Conquer Tiberium Alliances stands out from the crowd with its interesting combat and a casual approach to hardcore gaming. I have to admit that, at first, I was a bit bummed at having to take a look at yet another epic strategy game that would probably not feel that epic, but my mind was changed after a solid week of playing.

            Continue reading MMObility: Command and Conquer's new twist on the MMORTS

            MassivelyMMObility: Command and Conquer's new twist on the MMORTS originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 25 May 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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              R.A. Salvatore: Project Copernicus would "blow you away"

              Posted: 25 May 2012 03:00 PM PDT

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              Screenshot -- Project Copernicus
              The future isn't looking particularly bright for 38 Studios and its in-development MMO Project Copernicus, but the game's writer, esteemed fantasy author R.A. Salvatore, took to the comments on a post on Daily Kos to tell everyone how great the game would have been.

              Salvatore claims that the game is "much further along than is being reported," and that he wishes he could show us some of it (though sadly, he cannot). He goes on to state that the developers behind Copernicus were "an amazing team of [developers]... pushing the envelope in their respective fields," and that "the environments, the animations, and the game-play would blow you away." Unfortunately, it's looking like we'll never get to judge the veracity of Salvatore's words for ourselves, but the statements do help to shed a bit of light on what might have been.

              MassivelyR.A. Salvatore: Project Copernicus would "blow you away" originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 25 May 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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              Spacetime Studios' Cinco Barnes talks Dark Legends design

              Posted: 25 May 2012 02:00 PM PDT

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              Google Plus hangout screenshot
              If you have wondered about what was going on in Spacetime Studios' Cinco Barnes' head while designing Dark Legends, wonder no more. I was asked to sit in on a Google + hangout, essentially a public video conference call, with Cinco, Carter Dotson from 148apps and Heidi Duran from GirlGamer. The event was moderated by Ashley Esqueda from G4TV. Cinco fielded some questions from us and fans of the game.

              Want to see some cool concept art? Need to know if the energy mechanic in Dark Legends was created just to make fast cash? Have you heard about Spacetime's newly announced title Arcane Legends, but have no idea what might be involved with the game? Have you wondered about the images in the opening video, the appearance of top hats, and the possibility of obtaining all of those great costumes through in-game means? You can find out the answers to these and other important questions in the video, embedded just after the cut.

              Continue reading Spacetime Studios' Cinco Barnes talks Dark Legends design

              MassivelySpacetime Studios' Cinco Barnes talks Dark Legends design originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 25 May 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                Latest RuneScape behind-the-scenes video details cryptic clue fest, evolution of combat

                Posted: 25 May 2012 01:00 PM PDT

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                Screenshot -- RuneScape
                It's time yet again for another RuneScape behind-the-scenes video, and this time we get to take a look at the newly announced Evolution of Combat changes that players are surely awaiting with bated breath. Jagex's developers say that they want to keep players from having to navigate through multiple interfaces in order to cast spells, change combat styles, and so forth. To this end they plan the addition of an action bar that will allow players easy access to spells, emotes, items, and anything else they want to keep at their fingertips.

                The video also touches on an upcoming very special cryptic clue-fest in honor of the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. A mysterious royal visitor is on her way to the city of Varrock, and it's up to players to help ensure that everything is in tip-top shape when she arrives. Players will be responsible for assisting Varrock's Tourist Office in keeping supplies for the grand celebration sufficiently stocked. For the full details on both of these exciting upcoming features, head on past the cut and check out the behind-the-scenes video for yourself.

                Continue reading Latest RuneScape behind-the-scenes video details cryptic clue fest, evolution of combat

                MassivelyLatest RuneScape behind-the-scenes video details cryptic clue fest, evolution of combat originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 25 May 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                Flyff getting revamped with Flyff Gold

                Posted: 25 May 2012 12:30 PM PDT

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                Screenshot -- Flyff
                The world of gPotato's long-running free-to-play MMO Flyff is about to change in a big way. In a press release today, the studio announced the upcoming July launch of Flyff Gold, which will add a whole slew of features and revamps, many of which have been requested by the community. According to the press release, players can look forward to "a fresh new look and dynamic interface," as well as features such as "achievements redeemable for item shop goodies" and a "set-and-forget consignment marketplace for easy trading," plus much more.

                To celebrate the update's imminent release, gPotato is beginning "game-wide log-in and level-up events" that will reward players for, as the name would imply, logging in and leveling up. These events make for the perfect time for new players to jump into the game and get some shiny loot in preparation for the Flyff Gold release. For more details on the game's upcoming additions, you can go check out Flyff Gold's teaser site.

                [Source: gPotato press release]

                MassivelyFlyff getting revamped with Flyff Gold originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 25 May 2012 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                  PlanetSide 2 unveils the Mechanized Assault Exo-Suit

                  Posted: 25 May 2012 12:00 PM PDT

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                  Screenshot -- PlanetSide 2
                  Heads up, PlanetSide 2 fans; today, Sony Online Entertainment has released some new battlefield intel for you on the game's "most heavy-duty class": the Mechanized Assault Exo-Suit, or MAX. PlanetSide 2's MAX suit "serves as a mobile weapons platform, capable of unleashing a serious beating," and will prove incredibly valuable to players in the field.

                  Thanks to the game's modular weapons system, MAX suits can be customized to deal with specific threats, or they can be outfitted with a more generic loadout to provide all-around support on the warzones. Each faction's version of the MAX suit will come with abilities specific to that faction. Add to that a nice, hefty layer of armor plating, and you've got a force to be reckoned with in any battlefield situation. For a first look at the formidable exosuits, check out the gallery below.

                  [Source: Sony Online Entertainment press release]

                  Gallery: PlanetSide 2

                  MassivelyPlanetSide 2 unveils the Mechanized Assault Exo-Suit originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 25 May 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                    Editorial: Learning from the 38 Studios disaster

                    Posted: 25 May 2012 11:00 AM PDT

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                    Curt Schilling getting tattooed
                    The closure of 38 Studios and Big Huge Games yesterday sparked a series of interesting events that make me both sad and proud to be a part of the greater gamer community. Job offers were overflowing from current game companies looking to snatch up some of 38's talented designers and a Twitter hash tag was even created to spread the word and get new jobs for those affected by the layoffs. I am proud of the outreach and camaraderie of the game development community, but the hate being thrown at Curt Schilling isn't going to solve anything.

                    The most important thing we can do at this point is to tape off the crime scene, look at the evidence, and figure out what went wrong.

                    Continue reading Editorial: Learning from the 38 Studios disaster

                    MassivelyEditorial: Learning from the 38 Studios disaster originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 25 May 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                      MMORPG News

                      MMORPG News


                      MechWarrior Online: Closed Beta Invites Incoming

                      Posted: 25 May 2012 04:15 PM PDT

                      Closed Beta Invites Incoming

                      The MechWarrior Online team has announced that the first round of closed beta invites have been sent out and that potential testers should run to their inboxes.

                      Diablo 3: Review-in-Progress Part Two

                      Posted: 25 May 2012 03:16 AM PDT

                      Review-in-Progress Part Two

                      After 12 years was Diablo III worth it? That's far too loaded a question to answer in just a single piece, so we're putting together a review-in-progress series leading up to our final review. Today, we look at Diablo III now that we've beaten the Normal playthrough.

                      General gaming

                      General gaming


                      What If EA Didn't Have Exclusive Rights to the NFL?

                      Posted: 25 May 2012 05:42 PM PDT

                      Feature

                      1UP COVER STORY

                      Header

                      1UP COVER STORY | WEEK OF MAY 21 | WHAT IF?

                      What If EA Didn't Have Exclusive Rights to the NFL?

                      Cover Story: Football runs rampant in a very different video gaming space.

                      F

                      ootball persists because its goals are simple even though the rules are complex. One team has four tries to move an egg-shaped ball to the end of a field and if they don't move it at least a certain distance within those tries, they have to give it to the team trying to stop them.

                      The actual rules of the NFL are dense though. NFL football makes baccarat look like rock-paper-scissor in terms of complexity, and the literal hundreds of NFL video games that have popped up in the past decade certainly aren't helpful for anyone who wants to learn about the intricacies of the sport. All Zynga's NFLVille teaches you about the game is that Peyton Manning looks horrifying as a big-eyed cartoon character and that convincing Facebook friends to help you gain yards is surprisingly easy and addictive.

                      Video Game Rumors from Another World

                      Posted: 25 May 2012 05:25 PM PDT

                      Feature

                      1UP COVER STORY

                      Header

                      1UP COVER STORY | WEEK OF MAY 21 | WHAT IF?

                      Video Game Rumors from Another Reality

                      Cover Story: Not only are these game rumors not true, they're not even real rumors... at least, not in our world.

                      I

                      n another world -- a more interesting world than our own -- the rumors below rule Internet forums, spread like the plague through the school yard, and merit regular debunking by Snopes' video game urban legends section (which doesn't even exist in our reality; that's how lame real life is). Please enjoy this glimpse into the playground lies of another universe's video game fandom.

                      Spot Art

                      Parappa the Rapper's Brown Note

                      From the Chiptuned blog: "Parappa the Rapper's next-to-last stage features the hero rapping through a medley against his instructors for the right to jump to the front of the line of a gas station restroom before disaster strikes, messily. Rumor has it that this rap battle contains a brown note in order to increase the realism of the sequence. Gamers with audio setups capable of rendering a wide range of sound frequencies play this sequence at their own risk."

                      The Popularity of Atari's E.T. Shows No Signs of Slowing Down

                      Posted: 25 May 2012 05:06 PM PDT

                      Feature

                      1UP COVER STORY

                      Header

                      1UP COVER STORY | WEEK OF MAY 21 | WHAT IF?

                      The Popularity of Atari's E.T. Shows No Signs of Slowing Down

                      Cover Story: But is it too little too late?

                      A

                      lamogordo, New Mexico -- The dusty town of Alamogordo seems more like a relic of the highway culture of the 1950s and '60s than it does a future player in the world of video gaming. Currently known by few outside of the town and airmen who passed through a term at nearby Holloman Air Force Base, most of what would be considered "downtown" is nothing more than gas stations, hotels, and fast food. It's as though the town accepted its fate as a pass-through rather than a destination and grew-up accordingly. Even in the gilded age, when railroads ruled the vast expanses of America's west, steam engines passed right by Alamogordo (the local water is very hard, and reacted corrosively with the tanks on the great bellowing machines). In spite of the rugged beauty of the surrounding southwestern wilderness, including White Sands National Monument, Alamogordo would probably be largely ignored and its place in time and relevance set in stone. But a certain consumer electronics company has decided to give Alamogordo its own footnote in the history of video games (should such a book ever be written). The Atari corporation, makers of the hugely successful video game adaptation of Stephen Spielberg's film "E.T., The Extra-Terrestrial," have decided that the sleepy town an hour north of El Paso will be home to a grand new distribution and shipping center for their games and consoles.

                      In July of last year, when Howard Scott Warshaw was asked by his superiors to develop an E.T. game before Christmas, he told them flat-out "no way."

                      Because We May Sale Makes Indie Games Cheap(er) for a Week

                      Posted: 25 May 2012 04:03 PM PDT

                      Because We May

                      Independent game developers have at their disposal a wide variety of methods for trying to boost sales. Some of these include banding together with other indie titles to generate publicity, as seen time after time with the Humble Indie Bundle and its many imitators. The latest such scheme doesn't actually package unrelated games together or sell them at any price the buyer decides (as is the case with the HIB), but it is eye-catching in that there are a ton of indie games available right this very moment at heavily discounted prices.

                      The promotion, Because We May, runs for the last week of May (May 24 through June 1) and features games from Steam, iOS, Google Play, the Mac App Store, and the official websites of computer game developers. There is a wide array of titles available with more still being added, and none of this accounts for games that are on sale right now outside of the promotion (like Infinity Blade II, Grand Theft Auto III, and many of EA's titles).

                      Gravity Rush Review: A Topsy-Turvy Adventure

                      Posted: 25 May 2012 11:29 AM PDT

                      After a few minutes of playing Gravity Rush, you'd be hard-pressed not to fall head-over-heels-in-love with its stylish visuals and mechanics: An awfully fitting metaphor, given the game's emphasis on falling as a play mechanic. It's a topsy-turvy adventure that unfolds by allowing players to alter the direction of gravity at will. To some, the rules of Gravity Rush could look like flying, but it's actually more like falling with style. And like any free-fall, Gravity Daze eventually hits a stopping point at the end -- one that will either leave players satisfied or feeling severe disappointment.

                      The world of Gravity Rush comes to life through a beautiful cel-shaded art style that stands out considerably when compared to the realistic style of the Vita's other top-tier release, Uncharted: Golden Abyss. Color and expression dominate this game. Its style also helps to accentuate the incredibly fluid character animation of Kat, the game's mysterious protagonist. When you lean the Vita's analog stick forward, Kat gracefully slides into a fluid running motion that's both detailed and carries a feeling of actual momentum, all the way down to the bouncy movement of her blonde hair. Kat has no memory of her life before she woke up in floating city of Hekseville; with no other goals at hand, she decides to set up shop as a heroine and put her gravity-shifting powers to good use.

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