MMO News

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• Firefall Manga Coming Soon
• Planet Cyrene Officially Launches
• Dota 2 Officially Free to Play With Early Access
• SmashMuck Champions Announces Closed Beta
• Double Events for Mythos This June
• Hellgate Celebrates June Anniversary
• MicroVolts Introduces North American Beta Server
• CJ Internet Announces Sin Streets
• First Annual Midgard Exposition And Bazaar Arrives in Ragnarok
• ROSE Online Celebrates Graduates

Firefall Manga Coming Soon Posted: 01 Jun 2012 02:33 PM PDT Red 5 Studios, developer of Firefall, has announced their upcoming manga, Firefall Affinity, will be released June 5 with a new video. The manga is written by Orson Scott Card and Emily Janice Card, and has been illustrated by Udon Comics. The manga is a prequel to the game that fills out the lore of the game in weekly issues to be released throughout the year. Firefall’s website has also been updated with a new, more efficient look. The Official Firefall Manga: Affinity

Planet Cyrene Officially Launches Posted: 01 Jun 2012 02:24 PM PDT Planet Cyrene has officially launched as the newest addition to the Entropia Universe. Planet Cyrene, like other Entropia worlds,  is free-to-play but features a real cash economy where virtual currency has a real world value. The new world introduces PvP arenas, where players can battle each other from a 2.5 cent to $1 fee, with rewards of 2 cents to 80 cents per kill. Players can now utilize their FPS skills in Planet Cyrene to earn real money, or continue to partake in PvE content including crafting and trading gear. The game also features dynamic content that changes the game’s environments based on player interactions. Planet Cyrene is published by Creative Kingdom. Planet Cyrene Gameplay Screenshot Source: Earn Cash for Frags in Planet Cyrene‘s Real Money Economy More than just reputations are on the line in the new MMOFPS from Creative Kingdom   Los Angeles and Chiang Mai, Thailand - June 1, 2012 - Planet Cyrene, the real cash economy massively multiplayer online first-person shooter (MMOFPS) from Creative Kingdom Inc., is putting players’ skills to the test starting today with its official launch. Every bullet fired, every death and every respawn will have a direct impact, positive or negative, on players’ wallets as Planet Cyrene’s virtual currency has real-world value. Anyone can register to play Planet Cyrene for free by signing up at the game’s official website.   Planet Cyrene is the newest planet in Mindark’s Entropia Universe system, and features a rich world powered by CryENGINE®2 technology to create luscious environments, which range from cityscapes to jungles to barren desert wastelands. Entropia Universe is the leading platform for microtransaction-driven 3-D virtual worlds and MMO games, and the system generates more than $400 million per year in user-to-user transactions, according to Mindark.   Unique to Planet Cyrene are deadly player-versus-player (PvP) arenas where gamers engage in mortal combat with each other. The entry fees for the battlegrounds range from 2.5 cents to $1 worth of in-game currency. Once inside, skillful combatants can reap financial rewards from the arena, as each kill nets between 2 cents to 80 cents. With real money on the line for every death and every kill, patience, calculation and skill become more valuable than bravado.   “The new PvP arenas in Planet Cyrene constitute the most revolutionary update to Entropia Universe yet,” said Ed Robles III, creative director on Planet Cyrene. “It’s a completely new way for players to make money in the best way possible – using their FPS skills to dominate the battlefield. We’re mindful of all skill levels though, so we also included a great deal of player-versus environment content where players can find gear, craft trade goods and turn a profit on the in-game auction house.”   Planet Cyrene is a lush world where a conflict rages between its inhabitants and the Imperium galactic forces. Over the course of an intricate story arc, players unravel the mysteries of Cyrene and come to understand the battle being waged for its resources. Additionally, dynamic gameplay content changes the face of the game to keep things fresh. For example, well-trafficked quest hubs will grow in size and its merchants will offer better gear, while neglected outposts will get overrun and could eventually vanish. This organic content will help shape the story and simultaneously unlock additional items and quests. For more information or to register and play Planet Cyrene for free, please visit the official website at http://www.planetcyrene.com or become a fan by liking the game’s Facebook page.

Dota 2 Officially Free to Play With Early Access Posted: 01 Jun 2012 02:07 PM PDT Valve has officially announced that Dota 2 is free-to-play, and has revealed more details about the game’s business model. All heroes will be free to play, as Valve believes offering purchased heroes will imbalance gameplay. Heroes will be customizable through the Steam Workshop and the in-game store from content created by the community. Players will also earn items as they play and as their Battle level increases. The store opens today with an initial 200 items for purchase, 80% of which came from the community. This means that everything will be a level playing field, and players will only pay to customize their hero with cosmetic items. PC Gamer has also reported that an Early Access Package is available for $39.99 for players who would like to start testing and playing Dota 2 now. DOTA 2 Gameplay Screenshot Source: Dota 2 is Free to Play and you can now customize your Heroes. With the introduction of the Steam Workshop and the in-game store, you can create your own look from the wide selection of content created by the community. Stand out from the crowd with your favorite Hero. Customize yourself with a wide variety of cosmetic items to create the look you want, and make sure your enemies never forget who you are. You’ll earn items as you play, and every time your Battle Level increases. When you find your next favorite hero, trade those old clothes away for some new equipment. Opening with just shy of 200 items, this is just the start for the Dota store. It will keep expanding with new equipment, couriers, tools, bundles, and more cool stuff. Anything you purchase today will stay with you all through Dota 2, so you can make your purchases now or keep an eye out for what’s new coming from the Steam Workshop. When the store opened its doors today, Steam Workshop artists had already been hard at work. Over 80% of all the items in the store are from the community. The Steam Workshop allows artists in the community to create and upload content to be a part of the game. They receive a portion of each sale of that item. In Team Fortress 2, over $3.5 million has been paid out to Workshop contributors since the system went live in Fall of 2010. Don’t worry if you aren’t up for creating the content yourself. The Steam Workshop allows you to vote for content you would like to see in the game. It is important to Dota’s competitive design that all players have access to all Heroes and that players can’t purchase a competitive advantage. We solve that in a simple way, the game is free, all the Heroes are free, and items are earnable in-game. That means, you’ll never have to pay to play and win at Dota.

SmashMuck Champions Announces Closed Beta Posted: 01 Jun 2012 01:39 PM PDT Kiz Studios has announced that the closed beta for SmashMuck Champions has begun. Players wanting to guarantee a closed beta spot must sign up for a $5 PRO account at the official game site. The account also rewards 800 SmashBucks, Boosts, and other perks. SmashMuck Champions is a uniquely-themed MOBA, featuring 17 customizable champions, over 600 customizable items, 10 players per game, 5 arenas, and four unique game types. You can check out the game in our First Look video. SmashMuck Champions Gameplay Screenshot Source: GET SMASHED!  Kiz Studios Announces SmashMuck Champions Closed Beta   Atlanta, GA June 1, 2012   Are you looking for fast-paced action and intense arena combat?  Do you have what it takes to be a Champion?   Kiz Studios is excited to bring you the new online MOBA game, SmashMuck Champions!   "SmashMuck Champions is the action packed, accessible MOBA we all secretly wished we were playing," says Ashley Johnson, President, Kiz Studios. "Our unique graphics, zany characters and action packed combat are unlike anything else out there."   For those wishing to guarantee a spot in the closed beta, you must sign-up for your $5 PRO account at www.smashmuck.com and receive 800 SmashBucks, Boosts and more!  GET SMASHED with us today!   About SmashMuck Champions   SmashMuck Champions is an online, arena combat game that combines action, skill and strategy while offering customizable champions, weapons, teams and combat experiences.   SmashMuck Champions features: -          Free to Play online multiplayer -          17 customizable champions each with unique skills, weapons and attacks -          Fast paced combat -          Up to 10 players per game -          5 interactive arenas -          4 Unique gametypes -          Over 600 customizable in-game items -          Worldwide leagues and rankings   To follow SmashMuck Champions on Facebook click here

Double Events for Mythos This June Posted: 01 Jun 2012 01:28 PM PDT Mythos Global is doubling up with in-game and Facebook events for the month. In-Game, players can earn a Skill Reset Scroll, Stamina Potion, EXP Boost Potion, and other rewards for being one of the top five Crystal Defense players for the week. New accounts created in June will earn a +2 Upgrade to any tradeable item, which will also be given maximum sockets. Or strike a pose in a screenshot to earn a Stamina Potion, Relic Item, and Magical Rune Crest. On Facebook, players can screenshot what they like the most about the most recent Mythos Global update, and share it on the Fan page for a Stamina Juice and Luck Increase potion. Or be one of the first to post a screenshot that fits the posted scenario posted by staff to earn Superior Protection Aid and 5 Perfect Luck Potions. Round out your month by asking in-game questions on Facebook for the GMs to answer; players who stump GMs by having their questions unanswered will get a Skill Reset Scroll. Mythos Global is published by T3Fun, which also publishes Hellgate. Mythos Gameplay Screenshot Source: Mythos Global Welcomes Players Worldwide With Loads of Events and Prizes This June   LOS ANGELES – June 1, 2012 – Hanbitsoft and T3Fun introduced the largest content update yet for their Action MMORPG Mythos Global in May. Many returning players and long-time fans have been knee-deep in the new zone, challenging the God of the Undead and exploring 23 new dungeons. A barrage of new players have also been populating the starting zones of Mythos. To celebrate the game's worldwide success, the Mythos team has created a line-up of events and prepared lots of prizes for all players.   In-Game Events   Crystal Defense – Crystal Defense is one of the new features in Mythos Global, in which players have to defend the Aura Crystal from a horde of monsters. Complete the challenge and be one of the top 5 for the week to win a Skill Reset Scroll, Stamina Potion, Exp Boost Potion, and a random "cool" reward!   "Strike a Pose" – Relax for a while from the perilous dungeons and take a screenshot of your character doing an interesting, attractive or funny pose. The top 3 entries chosen by the GMs will win a Stamina Potion, Relic item, Magical Rune Crest, and a random reward.   Visit Planet Uld – New players will receive a hearty welcome to Planet Uld. For the whole month of June, any new account created will receive a +2 upgrade to any tradable item of their choice! The item will also be given maximum sockets.   Facebook Events   Mythos Global is also conjuring a lot of events on their official Facebook fan page:   "Patched Up Memories" – Players must simply take a screenshot of what they like the most about the new content update in Mythos Global, then post it on the fan page. All players who will do this will win a Stamina Juice and a Luck Increase Potion. It's that easy!   Answer Me GM – Test the knowledge of GMs and players alike in Mythos. On the fan page, players can ask any in-game question and the GMs must answer it. All players whose questions remain unanswered will get a Skill Reset Scroll!   "Online Bring Me" – Mythos Global is bringing a childhood game to its players. A scenario will be posted on the Facebook fan page of Mythos and players have to get a screenshot that follows the scenario. The first three players to post the required screenshot will win a Superior Protection Aid and 5 Perfect Luck Potions.   By filling the month of June with events and treasure troves of prizes, players' will always have new challenges and things to do in Mythos Global.   Visit Mythos Global's website at: http://mythos.t3fun.com/Home/Home.aspx for more information. Like the official Facebook fan page at http://www.facebook.com/mythosglobal to receive updates and to participate in our monthly events.

Hellgate Celebrates June Anniversary Posted: 01 Jun 2012 01:17 PM PDT T3Fun is celebrating Hellgate Global’s first anniversary with special events this June. Events this month are: - Conclave Within Hell: Visit Hellgate daily to earn special prizes; logging in on consecutive days increases your rewards. - Level Rush: Race your experience on the leaderboards to earn rewards for leveling the fastest and the farthest. - Anniversary Coins: Collect special coins from enemies which can be exchanged for prizes. - Anniversary Sale: Items in the cash shop will be on sale throughout the month, and will grant bonus items when purchased. T3Fun also publishes Mythos Global. Hellgate Gameplay Screenshot Source: Hellgate Global Celebrates a Hellacious Anniversary This June   This June, Hellgate Global will be filled with rewarding events to celebrate the milestone LOS ANGELES – June 1, 2012 – T3fun today announced a torrent of new events for Hellgate Global in June to commemorate its one year anniversary. Players who brave the flames of Hell daily will be rewarded for their unwavering courage with tantalizing in-game prizes. To kick off this special month in Hellgate Global's history, coins will drop from the most sinister legions of Hell that players can exchange for rare goodies—there's enough to incite a worldwide demon hunt!   Events this month include:   Conclave Within Hell – The minions of Hell invade the humans' abode every day. Tireless and courageous crusaders who brave the demon-infested world of Hellgate daily will be greatly rewarded for their actions. Consecutive logs on specific days bring the promise of even better prizes! Level Rush – One of the most popular community events returns this month to satisfy the competitive nature of skilled level climbers. Those who manage to surpass the competition will be granted special rewards for their efforts. Anniversary Coins – With the forces of Hell growing by the day, humans have been protected by the ever-courageous players of Hellgate Global. To celebrate this one year anniversary of demon hunting, special coins will dropped by the forces of darkness which can be exchanged for big prizes. Hellgate Anniversary Sale – For the discerning shoppers, items in the Cash Shop will be put on sale for the whole month and players who purchase these sale items will get additional items for free! This is a rare opportunity for players to take advantage of.   Hellgate Global continues to bring more exciting events to its players and with continued strong support from the community, the team promises to deliver even more thrills and excitement to everyone. It's time to gear up and strengthen that resolve against the legions of Hell. The fight for the survival of mankind is about to get even hotter!   Visit the offical Hellgate Global site and start playing at http://hellgate.t3fun.com/home/home.aspx

MicroVolts Introduces North American Beta Server Posted: 01 Jun 2012 01:07 PM PDT Rock Hippo Productions has announced the launch of a special new server for MicroVolts players in North America. To celebrate the new server, plus the start of Euro 2102, a set of events will take place through June. The 1 Million RT Challenge lets players purchase a Euro Ball accessory for the team they think will win the cup; players who pick the winning team will split a 1 million RT pool and earn a permanent Euro Ball accessory. Players must pick a team by June 7. From June 7 until July 1, the Game Day Challenge will take place; this challenge is similar to the larger challenge but only relates to the day’s matches. All items will earn a bonus 1000MP, but the winning predictors will earn double their rewards. Clans can also show off their support for a particular team. Rock Hippo also publishes Brawl Busters. Microvolts Gameplay Screenshot Source: MICROVOLTS DEBUTS NEW SERVER TO GROWING NUMBER OF NORTH AMERICAN PLAYERS Variety Of New Events, Contests And Prizes Markham, Canada June 1, 2012 – Rock Hippo Productions Ltd. announced today it is making room in the Micro World with the launch of a brand new North American Beta Server for its popular cartoon style third-person shooter, MicroVolts as part of its latest MicroUpdate. To celebrate this new update and the start of the European Cup right around the corner, MicroVolts will host a variety of exciting events featuring all-new challenges and in-game prizes! To check out the new server and all of the events, players can visit www.MicroVolts.com. More MicroVolters means more servers, and to kick off the latest North American server as well as the start of Euro 2012, MicroVolts is launching an array of exciting events including two prize-grabbing challenges for players! In the 1 Million RT Challenge, players can purchase a Euro Ball accessory item that shows which team they think will win the cup. Players who predict the winning team correctly will get their equal share of 1 million RT plus a permanent Euro Ball Accessory item! The entry deadline is the morning of June 7th so players should submit their predictions now at http://mall.microvolts.com/eurocup.aspx From June 7th -July 1st, players can also participate in the Game Day Challenge, where every day players can purchase a Euro Ball accessory item to select which team they think will win in that day’s matches. All items include a bonus 1,000 MP, but if players predict correctly, they will double up on their rewards! Players who are super confident in their team can purchase more items to increase their winnings. Additionally, MicroVolts will be adding all-new Clan Logos for each of the Euro 2012 participating countries allowing players to show off which team their clan supports! MicroVolts’ Montage Mania event was such a huge success it was hard to pick a winner! This time around, the MicroVolts Team is leaving it up to the MicroVolts community to decide! Players can check out the MicroVolts’ YouTube page at http://www.youtube.com/microvolts to view the “MicroVolts Montage Mania: Final 12″ playlist to “Like” their favorite montage video. In addition, ever-observant MicroVolters that noticed a bit of a surprise “trollage” at the end of the last “Rumpus Room Ruckus” trailer, can look forward to the chance to exclusively win these quirky rage faces for their in-game character throughout the summer! To check out current and upcoming events, visit www.MicroVolts.com

CJ Internet Announces Sin Streets Posted: 01 Jun 2012 12:36 PM PDT CJ Internet (CJ E&M, also known as Netmarble), has announced the opening of its first North American office, located in Los Angeles, California. The new office will be known under “CJ Games Global,” and aims to expand the company’s audience further while adding new games to its roster. In addition, the company has announced Sin Streets. Described as an “urban online FPS,” Sin Streets is being developed from the same developer that created Sudden Attack (GameHi). Little else is known about the title, although a sneak peek is available on Facebook and at E3 next week. CJ Internet also publishes Uncharted Waters Online. Sin Streets Concept Art Source:   CJ E&M Opens New US Office, Announces New FPS Title Sin Streets Top Korean Gaming Company Bolsters American Presence with Expanded Game Lineup SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA — June 1, 2012 — CJ E&M, a leading global entertainment company, today announced the opening of a new office in Los Angeles, California to strengthen their operating capacity in the United States. The US subsidiary, known as CJ Games Global, will allow the company to offer expanded support and service to a wider audience, and increase the number of top-quality games that CJ E&M can launch and offer to gamers everywhere. Bolstered by this new office, CJ E&M is announcing Sin Streets, a new urban online FPS, as the latest addition to its catalog. The success of CJ E&M's titles has allowed the company to focus on growing its operations in the US and elsewhere. These titles include such hits as Uncharted Waters Online, an MMORPG which has been in operation for over three years with many updates. The next title scheduled for release, the urban action shooter Sin Streets, is currently in development from the celebrated creators of Sudden Attack, and is scheduled to launch in Q3 2012. These games, and several others, will be on display at CJ Games Global's booth at E3 2012 in Los Angeles, June 5-7. Get a sneak peek at Sin Streets concept art on Facebook.

First Annual Midgard Exposition And Bazaar Arrives in Ragnarok Posted: 01 Jun 2012 11:57 AM PDT Ragnarok Online is celebrating its 9th anniversary with a special new event for players. This year, the Eden Group and Lighthalzen Chamber of Commerce is launching the 1st Annual Midgard Exposition and Bazaar. The Expo celebrates the defeat of Satan Morroc and the discovery of the New World; where the grounds are a recreation of the old town of Morroc. The theme this year is “Progress and Harmony for Midgard.” The expo will feature a special storyline and quests for players, although only level 70+ players will be able to see all the events and protect Midgard once again. Ragnarok Online is published by Gravity Interactive, which also publishes Maestia and Requiem. Ragnarok Online: Midgard Exposition and Bazaar Invitation Source: RAGNAROK ONLINE KICKS OFF AN INTERNATIONAL 9TH ANNIVERSARY EVENT “Welcome to the Annual Midgard Exposition And Bazaar” Marina Del Rey, California -June 01, 2012 – Gravity Interactive, a publisher of exciting massive multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs), launches their yearly tradition: an annual celebration for their wildly popular anchor title, Ragnarok Online. To celebrate the game’s nine years of service, “Where the Old Meets the New” is this year’s slogan in what is to be one of the biggest in-game celebrations to date for RO veterans! Players should run, not walk, to the official site and prepare for a day at the fair via Play Ragnarok Online, and join the community on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/playragnarok “We’re celebrating nine amazing years this summer and want to wish a happy birthday to Ragnarok Online,” said Jason Heimdallr Koerperich, Ragnarok Online Producer at Gravity Interactive. “Our players are diving into their summer for some hard earned fun and there’s plenty of celebrating going on in Midgard. ” Welcome to the 1st Annual Midgard Exposition And Bazaar. Presented by the Eden Group and the Lighthalzen Chamber of Commerce, this festive event is a grand Expo celebrating the defeat of the Demon, Satan Morroc, and the discovery of the New World. The Expo’s grounds are a painstakingly accurate recreation of the old town of Morroc where the Demon first appeared, and the theme of this year’s festivities is ‘Progress and Harmony for Midgard’. Adventurers are invited to visit the Expo, which has run into some … well, let’s just say … difficulties. During the course of their exploration of the Expo and its quests, players will be pulled into an unusual story where they will be aiding the Expo in getting up and running as well as unravelling a sinister secret that is lurking within the middle of otherwise peaceful fairgrounds. Players will need to be at least level 70 to experience the full breadth of the Expo events but no cutting in the ticket line! One thousand years of peace have reigned, and the world has forgotten the horrors of the age of myth; as in all things, peace can never last forever and evil waits patiently. Once friendly monsters turned aggressive; soon after followed demons attacking and the dead rising from their graves. Heroes appeared to beat back the invasions until the fateful day that Satan Morocc destroyed the peaceful town of Morroc with his freedom granted by the insane and corrupt humans of Midgard. The heroes re-gathered themselves and pushed back with everything they had but only a stalemate was possible. The delicate seals that protect the world from spilling into complete chaos weaken and break, and only the knowledge and power from the age of myth can save Midgard from certain doom. Can you and your allies push back the threat of total annihilation and protect Midgard from the final Ragnarok? Join now at Play Ragnarok Online, or follow the official Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/playragnarok

ROSE Online Celebrates Graduates Posted: 01 Jun 2012 11:29 AM PDT It’s graduation season, and Gravity Interactive is offering special grad-themed events in ROSE Online. Players can enjoy these special events until June 12, with unique gifts and limited edition quests found in Junon. Start by speaking with Adalric and completing his quests, then turning in extra credits to Mairard to earn a blue and purple graduation gown, cap, and 2012 Yearbook. Meanwhile, the Sunshine Coast will host graduation parties with dance parties, costume contests, screenshot contests, and more every day during the event. Gravity Interactive also publishes Ragnarok Online and Dragon Saga. ROSE Online Gameplay Screenshot Source: ROSE ONLINE GRADUATES AT THE HEAD OF ITS CLASS Collect Your Yearbook Today!   Marina del Rey, California – June 01, 2012 – Gravity Interactive, a publisher of exciting massive multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs), is celebrating the success of another school year in ROSE Online. Starting now and running until June 12th, players can jump into the graduation events for quests and unique prizes, but hurry because these unique 2012 gifts won’t be available again! Players can bounce straight over to http://www.roseonlinegame.com/ and log in for the cutest summer celebration yet!   Do you feel the summer heat coming? You know what that means: School’s Out! ROSE is celebrating graduation with in-game events, costumes, and more. Head back to Junon to reunite with former classmates for a hot hot party. All the residents of Junon are ready to celebrate this momentous day in ROSE’s history.   Junon’s graduation journey begins by speaking with Adalric. Once players have completed his requests, turn in the “extra credits” to Mairard to receive a lovely blue and purple graduation gown and cap, along with a 2012 Yearbook. These items will not be seen again after June 12th, so hurry to the square before it’s too late.   Head over to the Sunshine Coast to meet up with fellow players for the biggest celebrations on all of ROSE. Dance parties, costume contests, and much more await the players on a daily basis. Take a screen shot and post it to the official ROSE Online Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/playrose so other players can see your grad pride.

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MMO Updates

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• Webzen gearing up for C9 PvP tourney, Witchblade reveal at E3
• SOEmote tech brings live facial expressions, voice to EverQuest II avatars
• Former 38 Studios employees defend Schilling, talk political misinformation
• ZeniMax devs 'unapologetic' about making Elder Scrolls MMO
• Defiance to launch April 2013, shows off E3 trailer
• The Firing Line: Zomg it's almost time for PlanetSide 2 edition
• The Daily Grind: Do you subscribe to offline gaming publications?
• Perpetuum rolling out Gamma Frontier tomorrow
• The Guild Counsel: How to leave a guild gracefully
• The Summoner's Guidebook: Dealing with Heimerdinger
• The Perfect Ten: Worst MMO launches of all time
• Defiance could link up an Xbox 360 with a PS3 -- but can't
• Exclusive City of Heroes dev diary: Design insights from the Magisterium trial
• RIFT: Storm Legion expansion coming this fall
• Funcom soliciting Age of Conan feedback via annual summer survey
• Ask Massively: Haven't had an animal picture since March edition
• New DUST 514 dev diary talks fittings, lore
• City of Heroes Issue 23: Where Shadows Lie launches today
• So who wants a Guild Wars 2 closed beta key?

Webzen gearing up for C9 PvP tourney, Witchblade reveal at E3 Posted: 01 Jun 2012 10:00 AM PDT Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Events, real-world, Game mechanics, MMO industry, New titles, News items, Free-to-play Webzen's Continent of the Ninth Seal, otherwise known as C9, hasn't made a lot of noise in the West as of yet. That may change after next week's E3, when the South Korean action MMO import will introduce a new class and strut its stuff via the championship finals of its PvP tournament. The new class is called the Witchblade, and E3 attendees will get some hands-on time with it as they battle the forces of evil in the game's Blenheim region. Webzen is also showing off Arctic Combat, a new online FPS set on the frozen tundra of World War III. Check in with Massively next week as we'll be on the ground in Los Angeles to bring you all the latest MMO news and views. [Source: Webzen press release] Webzen gearing up for C9 PvP tourney, Witchblade reveal at E3 originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 01 Jun 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

SOEmote tech brings live facial expressions, voice to EverQuest II avatars Posted: 01 Jun 2012 09:00 AM PDT Filed under: Fantasy, EverQuest II, Game mechanics, MMO industry, News items, Free-to-play, Roleplaying Roleplaying is the red-headed stepchild of MMO design considerations these days, but at least one studio hasn't forgotten immersion enthusiasts. Sony Online Entertainment has announced a new EverQuest II feature called SOEmote which converts your webcam input into avatar facial expressions. The suite also gives users the option to modulate their voice to something appropriate for their character. "Any game that calls itself a roleplaying game absolutely needs this feature. For other games, it's just a really good idea that your players will want. Pick a character. Pick a class. And then be that character instead of just being yourself. That's what a roleplaying game is supposed to be," SOE producer Dave Georgeson explains. Head to PCGamer for the full interview and a tech demo video. SOEmote tech brings live facial expressions, voice to EverQuest II avatars originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 01 Jun 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Source: PCGamer

Former 38 Studios employees defend Schilling, talk political misinformation Posted: 01 Jun 2012 08:45 AM PDT Filed under: Culture, MMO industry, News items, Miscellaneous Gamers and other outsiders have been quick to label Curt Schilling as the primary villain in the 38 Studios drama, but a new piece at Gamasutra intimates that that might not be the whole story. The website cites multiple anonymous sources who say that 38's situation wasn't helped by Rhode Island governor Lincoln Chafee. "Once things went bad, Chafee's office started leaking any information it could to make 38 Studios look like it had been a bad deal. Unfortunately, a lot of these leaks involved partial and complete misinformation," the source said. Another source dispelled notions of excessive spending at the shuttered studio. "I can say that the company didn't spend money extravagantly at all. We didn't have giant statues in the halls, or supercomputers with 30-inch monitors at every desk. We had what we needed to work on the game and that was it," the source tells Gamasutra. Former 38 Studios employees defend Schilling, talk political misinformation originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 01 Jun 2012 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Source: Gamasutra

ZeniMax devs 'unapologetic' about making Elder Scrolls MMO Posted: 01 Jun 2012 08:30 AM PDT Filed under: Fantasy, Game mechanics, MMO industry, New titles, News items, The Elder Scrolls Online ZeniMax Online recently called in to the Game Informer podcast to talk up its Elder Scrolls Online title. Game director Matt Firor and creative director Paul Sage were the devs of record, and the 30-minute chat featured some interesting tidbits. Firor mentions that the game will release simultaneously on PC and Mac, but ZeniMax has no plans for a console version. Sage talked a bit about the progression system, which, while level-based, does feature skill-based advancement as well. In the current build, characters gain experience in skills that are slotted. Sage also mentions that you do get better with weapons as you wield them, though the gain is not 100 percent usage-based. There's also a bit of discussion about art style, camera modes, and the decision to MMOify the Elder Scrolls IP. "We're making an MMO, we're unapologetic about that. This is the Elder Scrolls MMO. It's not Skyrim, Skyrim already exists and you can go play Skyrim. We're making the MMO version of the Elder Scrolls, and with that comes some conventions that are different from a console RPG," Firor says. ZeniMax devs 'unapologetic' about making Elder Scrolls MMO originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 01 Jun 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Source: Game Informer

Defiance to launch April 2013, shows off E3 trailer Posted: 01 Jun 2012 08:00 AM PDT Filed under: Betas, Sci-fi, Trailers, Video, Events, real-world, Launches, MMOFPS, Massively Event Coverage, Defiance It's just a few days until this year's E3, and one of the titles we're definitely going to be scoping out is Trion Worlds' "transmedia" MMO, Defiance. However, if you're willing to spoil your trade show appetite for a small advance reveal, we've got a treat for you: the Defiance E3 trailer. The trailer shows more of Defiance's gameplay, including an arkfall event that will be one of the cornerstone of the game's experience. The narration in the trailer is performed by the show's star Grant Bowler. We also learned that both Defiance the TV show and Defiance the MMO will simultaneously launch in April 2013. Check out the trailer after the jump, and stay tuned as we get our hands on the first-ever public demo of this game at E3 next week. [Source: Trion Worlds press release] Continue reading Defiance to launch April 2013, shows off E3 trailer Defiance to launch April 2013, shows off E3 trailer originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 01 Jun 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

The Firing Line: Zomg it's almost time for PlanetSide 2 edition Posted: 01 Jun 2012 07:00 AM PDT Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Sci-fi, Business models, Game mechanics, Lore, MMO industry, New titles, News items, Opinion, Free-to-play, DUST 514, Sandbox, World of Warplanes, The Firing Line It's taking all of my willpower to avoid reducing this week's column down to four words: PlanetSide 2 hands-on. I guess technically that might be three words, or even two, depending on how you classify numbers and hyphens. The point, though, is that this time next week, I will have gotten my grubby little paws on Sony Online Entertainment's MMOFPS, and I'm so excited that little else matters. OK, some stuff still matters, namely the interesting shooter news that happened this past week. Join me after the jump for a recap. Continue reading The Firing Line: Zomg it's almost time for PlanetSide 2 edition The Firing Line: Zomg it's almost time for PlanetSide 2 edition originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 01 Jun 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

The Daily Grind: Do you subscribe to offline gaming publications? Posted: 01 Jun 2012 06:00 AM PDT Filed under: Opinion, The Daily Grind, Miscellaneous Some people say print media is already dead, but as a fan of magazines myself, I tend to disagree. Online media may be taking over for online-themed topics more than anything else, but there are still those of us who enjoy the look and feel of a paper publication in our hands. Plus, I'm a bit of a graphic design nerd, so the aesthetics and layout of these magazines make it even more worth while to me. But what about you? Do you feel that the popularity of the iPad and other mobile devices is driving just another nail in the coffin of print media for tech and gaming news, or will there always be a place for it on your coffee table? 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! The Daily Grind: Do you subscribe to offline gaming publications? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 01 Jun 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

Perpetuum rolling out Gamma Frontier tomorrow Posted: 31 May 2012 06:00 PM PDT Filed under: Sci-fi, Galleries, Patches, Previews, News items, Perpetuum, Sandbox Home is where you hang your hat, but in Perpetuum home is also where you ensure that your mining operations remain stable with the aid of several high-powered turrets. The next major update to the game, Gamma Frontier, is all about making sure that your home is the best it can be. Player corporations will be able to make use of the game's new Modular Private Colony system, setting up static buildings and defenses for large-scale industrial operations, helped by the addition of 24 new teraformable islands. Obviously, player-run structures are a pretty big deal all by themselves, but the update also includes a new rendering engine for land and sky textures. There's also a new public test server available so that players can take the measure of future updates before they go live. If you're a longtime fan of the mech-based game, you can tide yourself over a little longer by taking a look through the several new screenshots of the update below. [Source: Avatar Creations press release] Gallery: Perpetuum gallery Perpetuum rolling out Gamma Frontier tomorrow originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 31 May 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

The Guild Counsel: How to leave a guild gracefully Posted: 31 May 2012 05:00 PM PDT Filed under: Guilds, Opinion, The Guild Counsel Last week, we talked about ways to leave with extreme drama and much messiness. One thing I intended to add in that column was the "right way" to leave a guild, but it's really something that deserves a column of its own. MMO players are really good at knowing how to push buttons, get under skin, and create drama. But what if you joined a nice guild and it just wasn't the right fit? How do you leave without looking like the bad guy? In this week's Guild Counsel, we'll look at ways to leave gracefully. Continue reading The Guild Counsel: How to leave a guild gracefully The Guild Counsel: How to leave a guild gracefully originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 31 May 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

The Summoner's Guidebook: Dealing with Heimerdinger Posted: 31 May 2012 04:00 PM PDT Filed under: PvP, Opinion, Free-to-play, Guides, MOBA, League of Legends, The Summoner's Guidebook When I was a League of Legends nooblet, I latched onto Heimerdinger during a free week and found him really fun. He was my first taste of bottom lane Dominion play, and he contributed a lot to my early wins. I felt pretty invincible as bottom lane Heimerdinger, and while he was highly gankable, I used it as a way to practice flashing to escape. A lot of my mid-levels were gained by playing Heimerdinger. In Dominion, he's a strong bottom pick, though he has a lot of weaknesses that can be exploited. On Summoner's Rift, he's a strange pick that nobody knows where to place. We'll talk about either case this week and some things you can do to handle them. Continue reading The Summoner's Guidebook: Dealing with Heimerdinger The Summoner's Guidebook: Dealing with Heimerdinger originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 31 May 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

The Perfect Ten: Worst MMO launches of all time Posted: 31 May 2012 03:00 PM PDT Filed under: World of Warcraft, Age of Conan, Aion, Anarchy Online, Star Wars Galaxies, Vanguard, All Points Bulletin, Humor, Final Fantasy XIV, Allods Online, Perfect Ten, Miscellaneous First things first: Whatever MMO release is currently ticking you off is the worst launch of all time. It would be folly of me to try to convince you otherwise. You've been roundly slapped in the face and you don't want me to convince you that the pain was in vain. I understand. Getting past that, however, would it be possible to examine the subsequent 10 worst launches in the MMO industry? If your trauma isn't too great, that is. It would be? Terrific! What constitutes a horrible game launch is varied, although each and every one of the following games made an unfortunate blunder that caused the title to stumble instead of sprint out of the gate. It's not the end of the story, of course, but it does make for a good tale to tell to youngsters camping in the open woods or a particularly seedy LAN center. Continue reading The Perfect Ten: Worst MMO launches of all time The Perfect Ten: Worst MMO launches of all time originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 31 May 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

Defiance could link up an Xbox 360 with a PS3 -- but can't Posted: 31 May 2012 02:30 PM PDT Filed under: Betas, Sci-fi, MMO industry, MMOFPS, Miscellaneous, Defiance In this slowly unifying world of technology and gameplay that we live in, it seems weird how we still have the segregation between consoles in the online space. Trion Worlds put on a private demonstration on development hardware to show just how that barrier can be easily knocked down. Unfortunately, the console companies involved will never let it happen. The game in question is Trion Worlds' upcoming Defiance, an MMOFPS that will interact with the Syfy television series of the same name. Trion showed a crowd how it's entirely possible for one player on an Xbox 360 to fight against or with another player on a PlayStation 3. Trion Global Brand Director Alex Rodberg said that while this cross-platform mingling can be done, it's extremely unlikely that such a thing would ever reach live servers: "Microsoft won't let Sony players play against them." A Microsoft spokesperson agreed with that sentiment: "We have a high level of expectation for our game developers to ensure that all Live experiences remain top notch. Because we can't guarantee this level of quality, or control the player experience on other consoles or gaming networks, we currently do not open our network to games that allow this cross-over capability." Defiance could link up an Xbox 360 with a PS3 -- but can't originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 31 May 2012 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Source: Kotaku

Exclusive City of Heroes dev diary: Design insights from the Magisterium trial Posted: 31 May 2012 02:00 PM PDT Filed under: Sci-fi, Super-hero, City of Heroes, Patches, Dev Diaries Today the war ends in City of Heroes. Today players are taking up arms (and mutated plant spores) in the final battle of the Praetorian War, and it will be a glorious eruption of particle effects and superheroic feats. The Magesterium incarnate trial is arguably the centerpiece of Issue 23, and Associate Designer Jeff Hamilton flew in to give us the skinny on this chaotic fight. You can get all the details on the Magisterium as well as an exclusive sneak peek at images from the fight, all after the jump! Continue reading Exclusive City of Heroes dev diary: Design insights from the Magisterium trial Exclusive City of Heroes dev diary: Design insights from the Magisterium trial originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 31 May 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

RIFT: Storm Legion expansion coming this fall Posted: 31 May 2012 01:30 PM PDT Filed under: Fantasy, Trailers, Video, Classes, Expansions, RIFT, Dungeons The RIFT army cannot be stopped, and neither can Trion Worlds' incredibly hard-working team. Trion officially announced today that RIFT's first expansion, Storm Legion, will be hitting the stores this fall. Executive Producer Scott Hartsman said that the expansion will "triple in size" the amount of content and territory that players currently have. "RIFT: Storm Legion is about more, more, more," he said. Storm Legion will open up two new continents for play: Dusken (a horror-themed continent) and Brevane (which hosts the cradle of Telaran civilization). Another major city will join the map, the dual-faction town of Tempest Bay. Each continent will feature its own storyline, with the promise by the devs that the term "story" will feature far more heavily than mere busy work. The main story of the expansion is driven by Crucia, the Queen of Storms, who's bringing her huge entourage to Telara through the Infinity Gate. Players have much to anticipate when the expansion releases. In addition to the new continents, the expansion will increase the level cap to 60, add capes to our wardrobes, experiment with a player housing system called "dimensions," introduce seven new dungeons and three new raids, add a crafting tier, and see another Chronicle join the roster. Players will also get to play with four new souls, one for each calling (Warrior, Rogue, Mage, and Cleric). Finally, for the brave at heart, the expansion will bring the immense colossus to terrorize the realms, and these open-world colossus battles are supposed to be like nothing we've ever seen before. Get excited for RIFT: Storm Legion by watching the trailer after the jump! Continue reading RIFT: Storm Legion expansion coming this fall RIFT: Storm Legion expansion coming this fall originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 31 May 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Source: Gamespot

Funcom soliciting Age of Conan feedback via annual summer survey Posted: 31 May 2012 01:00 PM PDT Filed under: Fantasy, Age of Conan, Game mechanics, MMO industry, News items, Free-to-play If you've ever wanted to give Funcom a piece of your mind when it comes to Age of Conan's development, now's your chance. The latest monthly development update is live, and with it comes the annual AoC summer survey questionaire. It's a pretty lengthy set of questions, and it covers everything from item store prices, to PvP, to potential player housing. And lest you think the survey is just for show, AoC game director Craig Morrison begs to differ. "It genuinely does have an impact. Many of the answers in the previous surveys became the templates for specific additions, features and new content. People voted for a 12v12 minigame two years ago, and that was what we made for the next minigame. People wanted more solo instances, those arrived as well," he writes. Funcom soliciting Age of Conan feedback via annual summer survey originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 31 May 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Source: May dev update

Ask Massively: Haven't had an animal picture since March edition Posted: 31 May 2012 12:00 PM PDT Filed under: Culture, Lore, Opinion, Ask Massively, Miscellaneous So I was looking at the Wikipedia page for capybaras when I realized that I haven't had an animal picture as my header here since March. That just doesn't seem right. I do try to make a conscious effort to avoid putting animals up here all the time, but considering that a good portion of my day is spent thinking about critters, two months seems a really long while. So, here's a capybara. I was originally going to go with a tapir, but I have to pace myself. What was this column supposed to be about? Oh, right, it's the new installment of Ask Massively, discussing the issue of non-European fantasy settings and the potential for more love of crowdsourced projects. If you've got a question you'd like to see answered in a future installment of the column, mail it along to ask@massively.com or leave it in the comments below. Questions may be edited slightly for clarity and/or brevity. Continue reading Ask Massively: Haven't had an animal picture since March edition Ask Massively: Haven't had an animal picture since March edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 31 May 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

New DUST 514 dev diary talks fittings, lore Posted: 31 May 2012 11:30 AM PDT Filed under: Betas, Sci-fi, Trailers, Video, EVE Online, Game mechanics, Lore, MMO industry, New titles, News items, Free-to-play, Consoles, MMOFPS, DUST 514, Sandbox If you're unfamiliar with the new PlayStation 3 shooter DUST 514, and the PC MMO EVE Online on which it's based, the latest CCP video dev diary is for you. See, DUST mercenaries inhabit the same universe (and the same server) as EVE capsuleers, and like their EVE counterparts, DUST mercs are immortal. The new video is the second part of CCP's Welcome to New Eden series, and while the lore stuff will probably seem somewhat fluffy to the EVE-newb target audience, there is a bit of gameplay info to be had. It centers around DUST's fitting system, which differentiates the game from traditional role-based shooters by allowing extreme flexibility when it comes to kitting out a character and adjusting to a dynamic battlefield. See for yourself after the break. Continue reading New DUST 514 dev diary talks fittings, lore New DUST 514 dev diary talks fittings, lore originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 31 May 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

City of Heroes Issue 23: Where Shadows Lie launches today Posted: 31 May 2012 11:15 AM PDT Filed under: Super-hero, City of Heroes, Business models, Game mechanics, MMO industry, Patches, News items, Free-to-play City of Heroes' Issue 23 launches today, and Paragon says that Where Shadows Lie is "the culmination of two years' worth of storytelling as it heads to its epic conclusion." It's not all about story, though, as the patch also includes the new Night Ward zone, the Magisterium Incarnate Trial, a server-wide chat channel for both VIP and free players, and new incarnate powers. Perhaps the best part of all this is that it's a free update. You can head to the official CoH website for a complete breakdown of all the patch additions. [Source: Paragon press release] City of Heroes Issue 23: Where Shadows Lie launches today originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 31 May 2012 13:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Source: Issue 23

So who wants a Guild Wars 2 closed beta key? Posted: 31 May 2012 11:00 AM PDT Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Guild Wars 2, Giveaways I could write a bunch of stuff here about how Guild Wars 2 is the most anticipated MMO launch of the year and we bet you really want to play in the next beta if you didn't already pre-purchase the game, but we know you just want that key! So go getchoo one! Just click past the cut for a link to our giveaway page and complete redemption instructions for your chance to get started in June 8th's closed beta weekend. Continue reading So who wants a Guild Wars 2 closed beta key? So who wants a Guild Wars 2 closed beta key? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 31 May 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

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