MMO News

MMO News


LaYa

Posted: 05 Jun 2012 02:25 PM PDT

In LaYa, join with one of four races on a mission to control the cosmos. Each race brings their own lore, units, and technology to the field. Join up with other players to strike at your opponents jointly, and make your mark on the universe.

52012  320x240 laya voidspawn

Publisher: Playdox
Playerbase: ??
Graphics: Medium
Type: MMORTS
EXP Rate: ??
PvP: Enabled
Filesize: N/A

Pros: +Unique Races. +Colorful graphics using the Unity 3D engine. +Races have unique units.

Cons: -Very reliant on other players. -Limited information available.

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Overview

LaYa Overview

LaYa allows you to choose to be a commander of one of four different races: the Voidspawn, the Vortzu, the Frey, and the Yin. Each race possesses different strengths, weakness, and unit types. The game focuses on cooperative combat against other players, using tactical strikes to overcome. Battles are not determined by AI; you must participate in each one. This will allow you to change the tide in your favor, or fail miserably, depending on your tactics.

LaYa Screenshots

 

Full Review

LaYa Review

Coming Soon…

Screenshots

LaYa Screenshots

Coming Soon…

Videos

LaYa Videos

Coming Soon . . .

Links

LaYa Links

Official Game Page

System Requirements

LaYa System Requirements

Coming Soon. . .

 

Runes of Magic Releases New Trailer For Chapter V Expansion

Posted: 05 Jun 2012 01:47 PM PDT

Frogster has released a new cinematic trailer for Fires of Shadowforge, the Runes of Magic: Chapter V expansion.

The expansion is set to release next week on June 12. With it come a new race, the Shadowforge Dwares, plus two new classes: Champion and Warlock. Also introduces are a new starter zone and dungeon, three new high level dungeons and zones, and a new equipment swap for the third class.

Players can catch a live stream on June 7, starting at 11am Pacific (own3d.tv) to see some of the new content, including the high-level instance the Aeternal Circle.

Runes of Magic: Chapter V – Fires of Shadowforge Official Trailer

Source:

FROGSTER RELEASES CINEMATIC TRAILER FOR RUNES OF MAGIC: CHAPTER V

New Trailer Recounts Shadowforge Dwarves Storyline

BERLIN, Germany – June 5, 2012 – Leading into the launch of the newest content update for Runes of Magic: Chapter V, Frogster today announced a new cinematic trailer for  Chapter V, Frogster today an a new cinematic trailer for “Fires of Shadowforge, which is slated for a June 12 release.

In a sequence of breathtaking shots, the Shadowforge Dwarves story unfolds with the new playable race lending its name to the chapter. For generations, the Shadowforge Dwarves laid undiscovered in suspended animation; now they are set to unleash their magical powers and advanced smithery on the demons of Taborea.

The Shadowforge Dwarves, who once belonged to the clan of the Fireboot Dwarves, experimented with dark magic and the elements from time immemorial. When a dark magic experiment went terribly wrong, all inhabitants of their underground kingdom were turned to stone. Not until centuries later did the royal reconnaissance patrols discover their dormant bodies and lift the curse plaguing their race. Soon Runes of Magic players will be able to create their own Dwarven characters and will have the option of assigning them to two new exclusive classes: the Champion and the Warlock. The Shadowforge Dwarves have slept for long enough; now they must rise to action!

Frogster is also hosting a special event in the form of a live stream on Thursday, June 7. Anyone interested can tune in via the hosting service own3d.tv from 11AM PST / 8PM CEST to watch players take their first steps into the new region. In addition to the new race and its exclusive classes, the new high-level instance, the Aeternal Circle, will also be presented.

Visit the official website for up-to-date information on the game: www.runesofmagic.com

Wargaming.net Announces New Integrated Service

Posted: 05 Jun 2012 12:41 PM PDT

Wargaming.net, publisher and developer of World of Tanks, World of Warplanes, and World of Battleships, has announced that it will unite all three games on a new portal later this year.

The portal, which will be located at wargaming.net, will service all three games with single IDs, giving players a single destination for the games. This also supports the games’ single battle realm and economy system, in which all three games will interact with each other and share a single, working economy with account-wide gold and free experience.

The corporate website for Wargaming.net, meanwhile, will move to Wargaming.com, and showcase news, game updates, careers, and more.

Wargaming.net Service Presentation

Source:

Wargaming.net Announces Global Wargaming.net Service to Unite Gamers in the Company's MMO War Series

Portal for World of Tanks, World of Warplanes and World of Battleships to Give Gamers Instant Access to All Titles

5th June 2012 — Wargaming.net, the award-winning online game developer and publisher, today announced that the company's MMO war series, which includes World of Tanks, World of Warplanes, and World of Battleships, will unite under an integrated, worldwide Wargaming.net Service scheduled for release later this year.

Wargaming.net Service will be the epicenter of a battle-centric gaming universe that will gather the series under a single portal ­— www.wargaming.net. With the introduction of Wargaming.net Service and its renovated website, players will receive unified Wargaming.net IDs that will provide instant access to all their games and services; as well as any partner or fan websites.

The new service will inherit the Wargaming.net URL, while the corporate website will transition to Wargaming.com. The corporate site will share the company's latest news, game updates, job opportunities and more.

Key features of the globally integrated Wargaming.net Service, will include:

  • · One Destination: The portal will give gamers one-stop access to all three titles and showcase a world at war – whether they are playing with Tanks, Warplanes or Battleships.
  • · Common Economics: The introduction of common economics for the three titles allows players to transfer Gold and Free Experience between them.
  • · Single MMO Battle Realm: Tank, Warplane, and Battleship clans will be assisting each other in their ground, air and sea attacks for world domination.

"Wargaming always strives for excellence in generating intense and action-filled global online battles for gamers," said Wargaming CEO Victor Kislyi. "With the introduction of Wargaming.net Service, we will deliver an advanced gaming experience that gives gamers a world stage for their preferred war scenario."

LOTRO: Riders of Rohan Gets Official Release Date

Posted: 05 Jun 2012 12:17 PM PDT

Turbine has announced that The Lord of the Rings Online: Riders of Rohan will launch on September 5.

Riders of Rohan is the next official expansion to The Lord of the Rings Online. The update introduces mounted combat with new War-steeds, introduces an area of land almost three times as large as Moria, advances the epic story, and raises the level cap to 85. As of today, the expansion is available for pre-purchase, with special bonuses including unique story lines and a special mount with matching cosmetic armor.

Turbine also publishes Dungeons and Dragons Online.

The Lord of the Rings Online: Riders of Rohan Trailer

Source:

THE LORD OF THE RINGS ONLINE™: RIDERS OF ROHAN™ TO LAUNCH SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

Players may Pre-Purchase the Fourth Major Expansion to the Award-Winning MMO Starting Today!

 

NEEDHAM, MA – June 5, 2012 — Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and Turbine announced today The Lord of the Rings Online™: Riders of Rohan™, the next expansion to the award-winning free-to-play massively multiplayer online roleplaying game (MMORPG), will launch on September 5, 2012. Players can pre-purchase Riders of Rohan and gain special benefits starting today by visiting http://rohan.lotro.com.

"Riders of Rohan is our biggest expansion yet, and raises the bar technically and artistically much like Mines of Moria did in 2008. We're introducing the largest area we've ever built and a combat system unlike anything that has been built before in MMOs," said Kate Paiz, Executive Producer of The Lord of the Rings Online, Turbine. "We're excited for players to be able to continue the epic story as players immerse themselves in Rohirrim culture and support King Théoden himself as they strive to keep the eyes of Mordor distracted from the Ringbearer's task."

 

THE LORD OF THE RINGS ONLINE: RIDERS OF ROHAN FEATURES:

 

Introducing Mounted Combat — Ride into Combat atop your loyal War-steed as you defend the people of Rohan from the forces of Isengard and Mordor. Customize your War-steed's armor and level its skills over time to aid you in mounted defense of King Théoden's lands. Mount your steed and gather your fellows to fight against Warbands, contingents of roving wargs and orcs that have been scouted all over the Plains of Rohan! It falls to you to head off and defeat this new threat before they over take the land.

 

Explore Largest Landscape Yet! — Nearly three times as large as Moria! Join with the Rohirrim and ride across the sprawling Eastern Plains of Rohan. Raise high your sword to fight for honor and glory in the name of Théoden King! Experience hundreds of new quests, earn new favor, gear, deeds and more!

 

The Epic Story Continues — The Fellowship is on the move once again and must achieve their task at all cost. It falls to you to clear the path and turn the Eye of the Enemy away from their progress as you aid the Rohirrim in their own struggle close by. Witness the breaking of the Fellowship at Amon Hen; forge alliances with the Ents of Fangorn; and aid Éomer, nephew of Théoden, as he seeks to protect his homeland from the growing Shadow.

 

· Advance to Level 85 — Learn what it means to be Rohirrim as you face new challenges throughout the Riddermark on your journey to level 85. Continue your legend as you grow in power with new skills and deeds and earn new armor and gear to aid you in the battles to come.

Starting today, players can take can take advantage of three special pre-purchase offers to celebrate the release of the next major expansion to LOTRO:

 

Ø Legendary Edition — Includes the full Riders of Rohan Expansion plus:

o The Steed of the Eastemnet – An exclusive Rohirrim Mount available immediately with matching War-steed appearance available when Riders of Rohan launches

o Armor of the Eastemnet — An exclusive full set of Rohirrim cosmetic armour

o Friend of the Mark — An exclusive in-game Rohirrim title

o 6th Inventory Bag – An inventory bag that grants 15 additional storage slots

o Crystal of Remembrance – Adds one additional legacy to your legendary weapon

o Exclusive Rohan Content — Discover the lineage of the great War-steeds and earn a mounted combat deed that grants an exclusive skill for your War-steed

o Pre-Purchase Bonuses:

§ Rohan Elite Guard Statted Cloak — A box of four level 75 statted cloaks that allows you to choose a power bonus for your hero type

§ The Outriders Token — A 25% XP Boost for all characters on your account that will last up to level 75

§ Rohirrim Soldier on Landscape Appearance — Upon reaching level 20, you can customize your Soldier on Landscape with a Rohirrim Appearance

 

Ø Heroic Edition – Includes the full Riders of Rohan Expansion plus:

o The Steed of the Eastemnet – An exclusive Rohirrim Mount

o Hauberk of the Eastemnet — An exclusive Rohirrim cosmetic chest piece

o Friend of the Mark — An exclusive in-game Rohirrim title

o Evendim, Moria, and Lothlórien Quest Packs — Over 650 quests, 10 fellowship instances, and two raids

o Pre-Purchase Bonuses:

§ Rohan Elite Guard Statted Cloak — A box of four level 20 statted cloaks that allows you to choose a power bonus for your hero type

§ The Outriders Token — A 25% XP Boost for all characters on your account that will last up to level 75

§ Rohirrim Soldier on Landscape Appearance — Upon reaching level 20, you can customize your Soldier on Landscape with a Rohirrim Appearance

Ø Base Edition — Includes the full Riders of Rohan Expansion plus:

o The Steed of the Eastemnet – An exclusive Rohirrim Mount

o Friend of the Mark — An exclusive in-game Rohirrim title

o Pre-Purchase Bonuses:

Rohan Elite Guard Statted Cloak — A box of four level 20 statted cloaks that allows you to choose a power bonus for your hero type

Rohirrim Soldier on Landscape Appearance — Upon reaching level 20, you can customize your Soldier on Landscape with a Rohirrim Appearance

Players will have access to all of the bonus items including the Steed of the Eastemnet, the Armour and Hauberk of the Eastemnet, the Friend of the Mark in-game title, the 6th inventory bag, the Crystal of Remembrance, the Exclusive Rohan Content, the Evendim, Moria, and Lothlórien Quest Packs, the Elite Guard Statted Cloaks, the Outrider's Token, and, upon hitting level 20, the Rohirrim Soldier on Landscape Appearance after purchase. The Riders of Rohan expansion itself and the Steed of the Eastemnet War-steed appearance will be available to play on September 5, 2012. These special offers will only be available for a limited time. For more information, please visit www.lotro.com.

 

InnoGames Debuts Kartuga

Posted: 05 Jun 2012 11:28 AM PDT

InnoGames has announced its newest title, Kartuga, at E3 in Los Angeles.

Kartuga will be a 3D browser-based MMO, using Unity 3D, and promising to offer “cooperative PvP gameplay with several role-playing elements.” The game is developed by Ticking Bomb Games and is set to launch later this year.

The game will feature three customizable classes of ships (Destroyer, Protector, and Engineer) in a world with three distinct regions and populated with factions. The game will offer PvE quests and missions, a unique battle system, and team-based PvP.

InnoGames also publishes Forge of Empires and Tribal Wars.

52008  420x310 kartuga 12

Kartuga Gameplay Screenshot

Source:

Kartuga: 3D Pirate Action Game to be Debuted at E3

InnoGames presents browser game to launch this year

 

Hamburg, June 5, 2012. Today, InnoGames presents a first look at its upcoming 3D browser title, Kartuga, at E3 in Los Angeles. The action-packed MMOG is based on Unity 3D and focuses strongly on cooperative PvP gameplay with several role-playing elements. Hamburg-based Ticking Bomb Games is responsible for the development of the title, which is set to launch in 2012. www.kartuga.com gives players a peek into its stylized fantasy world with screenshots and a feature list.

InnoGames co-founder Eike Klindworth is convinced of the game’s potential and is looking forward to the success of the company’s first joint venture with Ticking Bomb Games: “We are bringing out a high quality product with Kartuga. The game offers multiple PvP modes, intuitive controls, plus detailed and vibrant 3D graphics. This action MMOG is an extremely useful addition to InnoGames’ portfolio.”

The developer also has high expectations for the title: ” We have been working hard on this project for some years now, and the results are fantastic. The player completely loses the feeling of playing in a browser with Kartuga – it really stands up to client games, ” says Ticking Bomb Games Development Director Tobias Severin.

Kartuga players choose one of three customizable classes of ships to sail through a series of quests and missions. The ingenious battle system, along with a strong focus on cooperative PvP, guarantees long lasting fun.

Firefall Launches Official Weekly Manga

Posted: 05 Jun 2012 11:03 AM PDT

Red 5 Studios has officially launched Firefall’s official manga series, Firefall Affinity.

Firefall Affinity is written by Orson Scott Card and Emily Janice Card, and is illustrated by UDON Comics. The story features a rebellious 17-year-old girl named Pilgrim, and begins just before the Arclight Incident that unleashes the Melding.

The manga begins today with a two page release, and each week will release two more pages. The story will be built up to an 80-page manga by the end, carrying its weekly releases into 2013.

52006  420x310 firefall affinity reveal

Firefall Affinity

Source:

RED 5 STUDIOS LAUNCHES THE OFFICIAL FIREFALL MANGA


Weekly Issues to Rollout Through 2013


Laguna Hills, CA – June 5, 2012 – Red 5 Studios™ today announced the release of a new manga series based on its highly anticipated open world sci-fi action shooter, Firefall. Penned by Orson Scott Card and Emily Janice Card with artwork provided by UDON Comics, Firefall Affinity begins today at: www.firefallthegame.com/manga

 

Firefall Affinity is a sci-fi journey through a bleak, apocalyptic vision of future Earth. As a prequel to Firefall the game, the manga begins just before the catastrophic "Arclight incident" unleashed the Melding upon the planet. Readers will follow a rebellious, seventeen-year-old "gifted" girl named Pilgrim, who's struggling to come to terms with her growing power as she attempts to survive the most devastating event to ever hit humanity.

 

Orson Scott Card, Emily Janice Card, Mark Kern, and Adam McMahon discuss the manga's creation in the official announcement trailer here: http://youtu.be/zZjdJKVtxG0

 

"We have a very deep and intriguing story to tell with Firefall and fans are finally going to be able to dive in this year," said Mark Kern, CEO of Red 5. "The manga is a way for us to flesh out Firefall's universe and key characters, to set the stage for what players will be doing, and why, in the game. It's going to be a thrilling ride, with twists, turns, and all-around great storytelling that sci-fi fans have come to expect."

 

The first two pages of Firefall Affinity are now live and ready to read. Red 5 Studios will be adding an additional two pages per week, building up to more than 80 pages before the entire story has been told. Fans can continue to follow the manga at www.firefallthegame.com/manga as it's unveiled this year.

 

Firefall is currently in the first stage of its exclusive, invite-only beta – planned to rollout during 2012. Players can sign-up for the chance to be invited into the beta and meet Firefall's enthusiastic community at the official homepage: http://www.firefallthegame.com/home

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E3 2012: Jet Li Becomes the face of Age of Wushu

Posted: 05 Jun 2012 10:00 AM PDT

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Jet Li Becomes the Face of Age of Wushu
Age of Wushu, the martial arts MMO, features wuxia-style combat with some impressive acrobatic moves. So it seems a perfect fit that Snail Games has announced Jet Li to be the face of the MMO, as announced today at E3. The International action film star has signed a two-year deal to promote the game, and as spokesperson, he'll be featured in a TV commercial and make public appearances at events.

Li began his training in Wushu at the age of eight, and was a multiple champion in China before retiring at the age of 19 to begin his film career. His film titles include Lethal Weapon 4, Unleashed, The Forbidden Kingdom, and The Expendables. He's also wrapping up work on The Expendables II, which is due in theaters this August.

Age of Wushu is an upcoming free-to-play MMO by Snail Games, set in the age of the Ming Dynasty in China. It features Wuxia-style combat and some interesting concepts such as no levels or classes and a boss sidekick system. Massively will be meeting the team at E3, so keep your eyes open for more news this week!

Massively's on the ground in Los Angeles during the week of June 4-7, bringing you all the best news from E3 2012. We're covering everything from PlanetSide 2 and SWTOR and ArcheAge to RIFT's and LotRO's upcoming expansions, so stay tuned!

MassivelyE3 2012: Jet Li Becomes the face of Age of Wushu originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 05 Jun 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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    Flameseeker Chronicles: Guild Wars 2 PvP primer

    Posted: 05 Jun 2012 09:00 AM PDT

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    Guild Wars 2 - Battle of Kyhlo loading screen
    Welcome to the PvP primer, the post with a small taste of everything you didn't think you wanted to know about PvP content in Guild Wars 2. Some folks regard Guild Wars 2 as a PvP-centric game with PvE content tacked on as an occasional diversion. If that's you, this post is probably full of stuff you already know. Think of this as crib notes for the uninitiated. Are you unsure how to find your way around WvW? Are you trying to find your way into a PvP match? This primer is for you.

    Last week we took a look at world vs. world (WvW), which pits three servers against each other in grand-scale, pitched battles. Now it's time to give some love to structured PvP (some folks are getting sPvP started as a term for that), which is all about quicker battles with fewer people on smaller maps.

    Continue reading Flameseeker Chronicles: Guild Wars 2 PvP primer

    MassivelyFlameseeker Chronicles: Guild Wars 2 PvP primer originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 05 Jun 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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      The Repopulation's May report highlights new crafting and combat goodies

      Posted: 05 Jun 2012 08:00 AM PDT

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      The Repopulation screenshot
      Another month has come and gone, which means it's time for another end-of-the-month status report for The Repopulation, the upcoming sci-fi sandbox game that plans to start a round of alpha testing this month. To get ready for this next step, Above and Beyond Technologies has been hard at work adding new elements to the game and tweaking many existing ones.

      Amid the UI tweaks and bug fixes, this update includes world, skill, crafting, and combat changes. Two new areas (Oasis Valley and Wreckage Site 94) have opened and other areas have been revamped. Over fifty new decoration items have been added, including benches and chairs where players can sit. Stealth has been reworked so that players can now detect others using their own skill check. Crafting has a new system in place that will require players to respond to occasional events and the responses will affect the result of the craft. Combat sees new immunity timers for daze and stun effects that will prevent players from becoming stun-locked in PvP.

      And that's just the tip of the update iceberg; full details can be found in the patch notes.

      MassivelyThe Repopulation's May report highlights new crafting and combat goodies originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 05 Jun 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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      Guild Wars 2 beta brings new zones, PvP tournaments, and more

      Posted: 05 Jun 2012 07:15 AM PDT

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      Guild Wars 2 concept art
      With the second Guild Wars 2 beta weekend event fast approaching, the ArenaNet blog has been updated with some new details about updates to beta client.

      As we've been told before, players' characters from the previous BWE and stress test will roll over into this event, allowing people who put the effort into leveling their toons to reap the sweet, sweet rewards of higher-level content. That higher-level content comes in the form of the Ascalonian Catacombs dungeon's story mode (for level 30 characters), explorable mode (for level 35 characters), and a new map human-territory map, Gendarran Fields (for level 25-35 characters). Additionally, players can travel to Lion's Arch and give their unwanted weapons and items to the Mystic Forge to see what it spits out in return. Apparently, the forge runs on pure djinn power (253% more green than any fuel we've got, we're guessing) -- the djinn Zommoros is held within the Mystic Forge, and is evidently content to take players' stuff in exchange for mysterious goods of unknown value.

      On the PvP side of things, WvW maps have received quite an update! Along with the normal face-stopping and zerging associated with WvW, players will now be able to participate in a newly-added mini-dungeon, skill challenges, jumping puzzles, and even dynamic events. Players participating in structured PvP will have the option to form into five-player groups and take part in eight-team tournaments for chests full of goodies, and will find that structured PvP matches reward them with Rank as well as Glory.

      Updates have been made to general gameplay and design, as well. Overflow server technology is now being made functional by the ability to see when party members are on overflow worlds, travel to those party members' worlds, and stick together between zones. Chat has been improved with chat bubbles, map chat, and an update to local chat. Those of you who've been waiting on key-binding functionality will find that it's got a new interface (which includes the binding of modifier keys, thank the five gods). Skills have been split into three tiers -- players now have to unlock a certain number of skills on one tier to be able to unlock any skills on the next level, in order to encourage a sense of progression and to make adding new skills more feasible in the future.

      Full details of the update can be read on the ArenaNet blog.

      MassivelyGuild Wars 2 beta brings new zones, PvP tournaments, and more originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 05 Jun 2012 09:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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      LotRO: Riders of Rohan website, pre-purchase available [Updated]

      Posted: 05 Jun 2012 07:00 AM PDT

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      LotRO Riders of Rohan website, prepurchase available
      Turbine's sounded the rallying horn today to its legion of Lord of the Rings Online fans to come south to Rohan. The official Riders of Rohan website has launched, and the fall's expansion is now available to pre-purchase for special bonuses.

      The website shows off the mounted combat, epic story, and regions of Rohan through images, descriptions, and a teaser video. There's also an interesting story section that boasts a short film with live actors portraying some of the key characters in the expansion.

      While we're still some time off from the expansion's release, Turbine is tempting us into pre-purchasing Riders of Rohan by offering a slew of different packages and bonuses. There are three editions ranging from $39.99 to $69.99. The editions include different amounts of extra content including a special mount, older zone quest packs, and the much-desired sixth inventory bag. By pre-purchasing, players will get many of these bonuses immediately as well as a few extras that won't be available after the expansion launches.

      You can watch both the teaser video as well as the story trailer for Riders of Rohan after the jump!

      [Update: Turbine has confirmed that the expansion will release on September 5th, 2012.]

      Continue reading LotRO: Riders of Rohan website, pre-purchase available [Updated]

      MassivelyLotRO: Riders of Rohan website, pre-purchase available [Updated] originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 05 Jun 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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      The Daily Grind: How do you feel about Kickstarter MMOs?

      Posted: 05 Jun 2012 06:00 AM PDT

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      Kickstarter MMOs
      Kickstarter is all the rage these days, particularly when it comes to indie sandbox MMORPGs. Recently both The Repopulation and Embers of Caerus unveiled crowd-funding drives, and we're always pleased to see other in-development MMOs join the parade.

      Massively's inbox has been flooded with tips about these games, and yet as of press time, EoC's drive boasts under 300 contributors while The Repopulation's has yet to top the hundred backer mark. Due to the way Kickstarter works, the devs are still able to meet funding goals thanks to large donations, but we have to wonder if hundreds of backers quicken the pulses of venture capitalists who know that MMOs need thousands of players to flourish.

      What say you, morning crew? Are you encouraged by crowd-funding initiatives, or are you a bit skeptical? How do you feel about Kickstarter MMO projects?

      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: How do you feel about Kickstarter MMOs? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 05 Jun 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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        Aion releases next auction schedule for housing

        Posted: 05 Jun 2012 05:00 AM PDT

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        Aion screenshot
        It's vicious! Foes duking it out, consistently trying to one-up each other until only the victor remains. It really is brutal out there. Are we talking about PvP? Nope -- it's Aion's housing market.

        Aion's non-instanced real estate has been a hot commodity. One reason larger homes are so popular is the benefits afforded the owner: mansion and estate owners never suffer from soul sickness and estate owners also get a 5% increase in crafting proc rates.

        Due to the limited number, many Daevas did not manage to secure the home of their dreams during the last round of auctions. But all is not lost; NCsoft announced that many new places are opening up for bid in three separate phases with the first starting tomorrow, June 6th, for all servers. The second phase of auctions, however, will not begin until after all of the homes in the first phase have sold out. Likewise, phase three homes will not become available until all of the homes in phase two are gone. With this set-up, each server will progress individually though the phases.

        For a complete listing of which properties are available when, check out the new housing schedule.

        MassivelyAion releases next auction schedule for housing originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 05 Jun 2012 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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        Diablo III to benefit from big brother World of Warcraft's features

        Posted: 04 Jun 2012 09:00 PM PDT

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        Diablo III to benefit from big brother World of Warcraft's features
        Over on the Diablo III forums, player Matthest posted a thoughtful list of 35 improvements that he wanted to see added to the game. Lo and behold, his list was picked up by the game's CM and treated to a point-by-point response that revealed several upcoming changes, including those inspired by World of Warcraft's design.

        Coming to the game is a lock for the action bar, font size changes, allowing players to sell damaged items, social and quick join improvements, and tweaks to the game's auction house interface. The team's also considering allowing players to resize and move the chat window.

        Not all ideas were embraced, as the devs had reasons for keeping them out: "We're really trying hard to avoid quickly bloating the game options, and since [numerical countdowns] would be an option, we're cautiously approaching it and a few other toggle/option requests."

        MassivelyDiablo III to benefit from big brother World of Warcraft's features originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 04 Jun 2012 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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        E3 2012: DUST 514 announces Home Space, Vita companion app

        Posted: 04 Jun 2012 08:00 PM PDT

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        E3 2012 DUST 514 announces PS Home Space, Vita companion app
        The firefight's only begun between DUST 514 and the competition, as CCP Games is showing off the many subsidiary features of its upcoming PlayStation 3 MMOFPS at E3 this week. The studio used the expo as a platform to announce that DUST 514 will have its own dedicated Home Space on the console as well as a tie-in app with the portable PlayStation Vita.

        DUST 514's Home Space is intended to be a hangout for up-and-coming mercenaries, and CCP invites all interested players to check out the thematic virtual place over the summer. It will also be one of the best places to snag a beta key; CCP is kicking off DUST 514's Home Space by giving away 10,000 all access keys to the first people who visit.

        The studio's also developed a companion app for the PlayStation Vita called DUST 514: Neocom. While the app does not let players fight in the game, it does allow them to experiment with loadouts, customization, market exchanges, and social features.

        The premiere beta weekend event for DUST 514 will kick off on June 29th. CCP's released a new trailer for E3 that showcases the game in action, including several in-game shots of tanks, ships, and soldiers blowing stuff up -- check it out after the jump!

        [Source: CCP Games press release]

        Continue reading E3 2012: DUST 514 announces Home Space, Vita companion app

        MassivelyE3 2012: DUST 514 announces Home Space, Vita companion app originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 04 Jun 2012 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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        Not So Massively: Free Firefall manga, MOBA news, and D3 server woes

        Posted: 04 Jun 2012 06:00 PM PDT

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        Not So Massively title image
        There's no shortage of MOBA news this week, as Valve announced that Dota 2 will be free-to-play and Warner Bros. unveiled its new Lord of the Rings-themed MOBA, Guardians of Middle Earth. League of Legends ran its first invitational player-vs.-developer tournament in Las Vegas this week and released details on upcoming champion Draven, the Glorious Executioner. Heroes of Newerth published its first community-driven balance patch, and Rise of Immortals announced details on upcoming melee mage Kreed.

        Diablo III faced its worst week of server stability yet, with sporadic auction house availability and frequent unscheduled maintenance periods lasting several hours each. Some players have been reporting success in getting a refund for the game, and Blizzard's Korean office was even raided by officials when the company declined to give refunds in that country.

        The Path of Exile team announced that the game will be entering open beta in mid-August and that once the game is in open beta, characters will not be wiped. Red 5 Studios unveiled a new Firefall manga, written by Ender's Game author Orson Scott Card, which the company will be releasing online completely free.

        Continue reading Not So Massively: Free Firefall manga, MOBA news, and D3 server woes

        MassivelyNot So Massively: Free Firefall manga, MOBA news, and D3 server woes originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 04 Jun 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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          TERA offers a sneak peek at future updates

          Posted: 04 Jun 2012 05:30 PM PDT

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          Tanks for the attention.
          It's been a month since TERA launched on Western shores, and that means it's time to start thinking about the future. A new official post is offering a sneak peek at future updates for the game, starting with changes to the game's two tank classes. Warriors and Lancers are both getting new abilities and a new resource to help make tanking less of a chore. Lancers will get two new moves, including one to help with overall mobility, and Warriors get three moves, including the option to block attacks with paired swords.

          The development team is also planning on adding new instances; one of these, a high-end instance, will pit players against the argon queen Shandra Manaya. The instances will likely include new high-end glyphs for players as well as other drops. Cross-server 15-vs.-15 battlegrounds are also in the works; the whole pile of updates is en route for later this summer. It's good news for any avid TERA fans looking for more content over the next several months.

          MassivelyTERA offers a sneak peek at future updates originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 04 Jun 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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          Warhammer Online rolls out patch 1.4.6 with major RvR changes

          Posted: 04 Jun 2012 05:00 PM PDT

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          But still no full Skaven faction.
          Warhammer Online isn't a strict PvP game, but the energy of RvR is one of the major draws that keeps players interested. That means a lot of balancing to maintain interest and avoid unfair matchups. The latest patch, 1.4.6, is aimed at revising several mechanics to do just that, keeping players on an even footing in Scenarios and open PvP encounters. And it's all being accomplished by switching the focus away from character level and to renown rank.

          From now on, rather than being divided by character level, scenarios will be divided into brackets based on renown, with players in any given bracket boosted to the same level to keep challenges fair. Other major changes come in the Campaign mechanics, which will now allow players to take down Keep doors with siege engines other than rams and will also allow players below renown rank 80 to benefit from additional level bolstering in Tier 4. Before you go to WAR, you might want to take a look at the full patch notes to digest all the particulars.

          MassivelyWarhammer Online rolls out patch 1.4.6 with major RvR changes originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 04 Jun 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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          Rusty Hearts unleashes the Month of the Dragon

          Posted: 04 Jun 2012 04:00 PM PDT

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          Screenshot -- Rusty Hearts
          It's the Month of the Dragon in Perfect World Entertainment's free-to-play beat-'em-up, Rusty Hearts. Throughout the month, players will have the opportunity to snag the rare three-piece Dragon Armor costume set and a unique Mini-Bone Dragon pet.

          The first piece of Dragon Armor up for grabs is a dashing pair of boots styled after the claws of a dragon. So what are the folks at PWE asking for this new finery? They want players to head over to the official Rusty Hearts Facebook page and share it with their friends. After the page has reached the goal share-count, "the items will be inserted and [players] will be able to wear the most bone-chilling costume pieces ever seen in Bramunez." If the Facebook page manages to reach 100,000 Likes during the Month of the Dragon, PWE will also be rewarding 1,000 lucky players with the Mini-Bone Dragon pet. So get to it, social-media people, and earn yourself some new threads.

          MassivelyRusty Hearts unleashes the Month of the Dragon originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 04 Jun 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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          DC Universe Online releases game update 14, Last Laugh trailer

          Posted: 04 Jun 2012 03:30 PM PDT

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          Screenshot -- DC Universe Online
          DC Universe Online's game update 14 went live today, bringing players some delicious player-vs.-player goodness. For starters, the update introduced Task Force X/Suicide Squad to the game's PvP matchmaking, which will allow players from opposing factions to fight on the same team in matchmade PvP, thereby reducing waiting times for PvP matches. In addition, tier 3 PvP gear is now available for purchase in the Watchtower and Hall of Doom.

          Sony Online Entertainment is also setting its sights on the upcoming DLC pack, The Last Laugh. The trailer features a monologue from The Joker (voiced by the fantastic Mark Hamill) laid over some shiny action footage that shows off the new Shield power while highlighting the DLC's PvP-focused content. To check out the trailer for yourself, head on past the cut.

          Continue reading DC Universe Online releases game update 14, Last Laugh trailer

          MassivelyDC Universe Online releases game update 14, Last Laugh trailer originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 04 Jun 2012 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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          E3 2012: SWTOR's limited F2P trial, content plans, and new trailer

          Posted: 04 Jun 2012 03:00 PM PDT

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          SWTOR
          During Electronic Arts' E3 press conference earlier this afternoon, BioWare's Dr. Ray Muzyka took to the stage to toot the horn of Star Wars: The Old Republic. He outlined the game's accomplishments over the last half year, bragged about its status as the biggest MMO launch in history, and promised to provide a "living service that's always on" and "set a new standard for a premium MMO service."

          But the team has big plans for the future too, starting with a limited F2P trial set to arrive in July that will allow anyone to pick up and play the game up to level 15. Muzyka also revealed a new trailer heralding upcoming new companions (including an HK assassin droid), level cap increases, enhanced story, a new PvP warzone (Ancient Hypergates), new playable species (the Cathar), a new version of the nightmare difficulty mode, a new endgame operation (Terror From Beyond), a new space combat mission, and a new planet called Makeb, complete with requisite storylines.

          The video is now behind the break. Stay tuned as we bring you more TOR news from E3!

          Continue reading E3 2012: SWTOR's limited F2P trial, content plans, and new trailer

          MassivelyE3 2012: SWTOR's limited F2P trial, content plans, and new trailer originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 04 Jun 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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          Leaderboard: News dump vs. paced information

          Posted: 04 Jun 2012 02:00 PM PDT

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          Leaderboard News dump vs paced information
          This week's E3 is on all our minds, and I know that I can't wait to hear what big reveals or juicy tidbits developers have to drop on us. Conventions, expos, and trade shows are great platforms to back up a dump truck full of information to the microphones in an attempt to grab the spotlight and deny it to others.

          But that makes me think of how there's really two methods that studios use for delivering information about their games' futures. The first is to store it all up for a single mass press explosion that floods players and the media with loads of new information. While that can be fun and get the headlines, it also means that there tends to be a lot of silence and waiting between said infodumps.

          The other method is to spread out the love with regular but smaller updates. Some MMOs, like SWTOR and WildStar, even go so far as to schedule a weekly info day so that fans know when to expect something new. It may not always seem as impressive when paced like that, but some players really do appreciate knowing that there is news coming at regular intervals rather than having to wait.

          So what do you say? Vote with your mouse and then sound off in the comments: Is it better to have big news dumps or to pace that information out?

          Continue reading Leaderboard: News dump vs. paced information

          MassivelyLeaderboard: News dump vs. paced information originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 04 Jun 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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            ArenaNet and SteelSeries unveil Guild Wars 2 gaming peripherals

            Posted: 04 Jun 2012 01:00 PM PDT

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            SteelSeries Guild Wars 2 gaming peripherals
            With Guild Wars 2's release creeping slowly closer, it's the perfect time for fans and potential players to invest in some new gaming peripherals. With this in mind, ArenaNet has partnered with the folks at SteelSeries to produce a new line of Guild-Wars-2-branded gaming peripherals for the discerning fan who wants red dragons on everything.

            The peripheral line includes the Guild Wars 2 gaming headset, which features "a slim, on-ear headset design that delivers a quality, immersive audio experience," and the Guild Wars 2 gaming mouse, an "ambidextrous mouse that features seven programmable buttons, red illumination, and industry-leading technology." But what good is a fancy new mouse without a fancy new mousepad? No good at all, obviously, but fortunately SteelSeries has you covered with a trio of high-quality mouse pads featuring Logan Thackeray, Eir Stegalkin, and of course, the Guild Wars 2 dragon logo. A keyboard has also been announced, but specific details are still forthcoming.

            The full line of products will be released later this year, but it's not gonna be cheap. The headset will run for $99.99 US, while the mouse and mousepads will go for $69.99 US and $14.99 US, respectively. The keyboard's price has not been announced.

            MassivelyArenaNet and SteelSeries unveil Guild Wars 2 gaming peripherals originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 04 Jun 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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            ArenaNet doubles servers for beta weekend event

            Posted: 04 Jun 2012 12:00 PM PDT

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            ArenaNet's server guru in action
            The folks over at ArenaNet are gearing up for yet another Guild Wars 2 beta weekend event, and this time they mean business. In an official blog post today, the team announced that it has doubled the number of servers available to BWE players, which should help provide a smoother and more accessible experience for everyone involved.

            Remember folks, the beta weekend event is this weekend, from June 8th to June 10th, so if you're one of the lucky folks taking part, be sure to get your client downloaded and updated before Friday. We'll see you in Tyria.

            MassivelyArenaNet doubles servers for beta weekend event originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 04 Jun 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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            Wings Over Atreia: Twelve activities for Daevas under max level

            Posted: 04 Jun 2012 11:00 AM PDT

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            Wings Over Atreia
            You know me: I'm the lollygagger. In no rush to zoom through games, I tend to wander about just taking a gander at things. I peek into all the nooks and crannies and am easily sidetracked by all the shinies. In the journey vs. destination debate, I am a proud pompom-waving, card-carrying member of "the journey is half the fun" crowd. It's a wonder I progress at all! But progress I do, and in Aion I had been max level for quite some time. Emphasis on "had." Then 3.0 rolled around.

            It's actually odd being lower-level again, unable to participate in everything because of level restrictions. Sorry MJ, no dungeon for j00! It's my fault really, since I could level but have been distracted with housing, mentoring, etc. Then I got to thinking about just how many things there are to do even without being max level. Whoa! Sometimes people have the (in my humble opinion, erroneous) idea that Aion doesn't really start until max level, that everything you do before reaching that exalted pinnacle isn't playing. Don't be absurd! The game doesn't start at level 60; it starts at level 1. Remember the part about enjoying the journey? Why worry about reaching some magical number! Just play. After all, experience happens -- before you know it, you will level up.

            Previously, Wings Over Atreia discussed some things to do once you reach endgame. Here, in no particular order, are 12 ways to take your eyes off your experience bar and just play with reckless abandon before maxing out.

            Continue reading Wings Over Atreia: Twelve activities for Daevas under max level

            MassivelyWings Over Atreia: Twelve activities for Daevas under max level originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 04 Jun 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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