MMORPG News

MMORPG News


Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn: Fantasy Hybrids: The Support Class

Posted: 01 Oct 2014 05:27 PM PDT

Fantasy Hybrids: The Support Class

Victor delves into a fantasy topic for FFXIV: ARR. How would a hybrid support class that can fulfill multiple roles work in a game like Square Enix's?

Elder Scrolls Online: Guild Summit Reveals New Information

Posted: 03 Oct 2014 05:30 AM PDT

Guild Summit Reveals New Information

The first Elder Scrolls Online Guild Summit is currently ongoing and is a veritable treasure trove of new information about what the ESO team is working on and what it has planned for the future. The Tamriel Foundry has a massive number of posts covering what has been said on subjects as far-ranging as Combat Responsiveness, dungeon scaling, collections and more.

Rift: Nightmare Tide Release Delayed

Posted: 01 Oct 2014 07:53 PM PDT

Nightmare Tide Release Delayed

The Rift team has announced that the next expansion, Nightmare Tide, has had its release date pushed back to October 22nd. The good news is that the open beta for the expansion will continue until near that point.

Firefall: Chosen Offensive - Final Assault Coming October 5th

Posted: 02 Oct 2014 04:36 PM PDT

Chosen Offensive - Final Assault Coming October 5th

Players are invited to attend the third and final Chosen Offensive. The developers will be suited up in elite Chosen monstrosities and will be taking on the players in a battle royal. The event is slated to take place on Sunday, October 5th from 11:00 a.m. PDT to 2:00 p.m. PDT (2:00 p.m. EDT - 5:00 p.m. EDT). Developers were trounced last week by the players and devs are out for revenge.

Star Wars: The Old Republic: Crafting and Galactic Strongholds

Posted: 01 Oct 2014 03:13 PM PDT

Crafting and Galactic Strongholds

We've all been trained long enough by the folks at BioWare Austin to remember that they'll tell us when they tell us and there isn't much we can do to hurry the process up. So I'm going to be constructive and cover some of the basics of how Galactic Strongholds has finally given crafters something relatively meaningful to do since the advent of the massive glut of orange moddable gear.

Trove: Neon Ninjas Flip Into Game

Posted: 02 Oct 2014 12:29 PM PDT

Neon Ninjas Flip Into Game

The Trove team has announced the latest class to be added to the game, now in closed beta. The Neon Ninja, the game's stealthiest class, is considered the deadliest assassin and is available in all Starter Packs or from the in-game store.

DC Universe Online: New UI a Work in Progress

Posted: 02 Oct 2014 12:25 PM PDT

New UI a Work in Progress

The DC Universe Online team is hard at work making some significant changes to the game's UI and have created a video to show off the work in progress.

Pillars of Eternity: Paradox & Obsidian Delay Game to Early 2015

Posted: 02 Oct 2014 12:02 PM PDT

Paradox & Obsidian Delay Game to Early 2015

Paradox Interactive and Obsidian Entertainment have announced that Pillars of Eternity will be delayed until "early 2015", likely Q1 2015. According to the announcement, PoE is being delayed to give the team adequate time to take beta feedback and implement suggestions from the community.

ArcheAge: Review in Progress 3 - Farmville Deluxe

Posted: 01 Oct 2014 04:42 PM PDT

Review in Progress 3 - Farmville Deluxe

ArcheAge is starting to become as addicting as Farmville. Only in this case, I don't really hate myself for liking the game. I've just spent inordinate amounts of time roving the countryside, exploring crafting, and dabbling in a whole bunch of other things. The question I ask myself though is: am I focused on ArcheAge's crafting and farming because they're fun, or is it because the questing and combat progression is so old hat?

Star Trek Online: Video Developer Walkthrough Shows Off Delta Rising

Posted: 02 Oct 2014 10:36 AM PDT

Video Developer Walkthrough Shows Off Delta Rising

Cryptic Studios Art Director Brad Stoken takes to the airwaves in a new video developer diary where he takes viewers on a video tour of the forthcoming Star Trek Online expansion, Delta Rising. Stoken shows off some of the new content and features that players will find when the expansion launches later this month.

General: Chaos Heroes Online Open Beta Begins with a Bang

Posted: 02 Oct 2014 10:30 AM PDT

Chaos Heroes Online Open Beta Begins with a Bang

Aeria Games has announced that the open beta for its MOBA, Chaos Heroes Online, has officially kicked off with new skins, heroes for purchase, in game boosts and much more. Interested players are invited to go to the site to get signed up.

Lego Minifigures Online: Beta Ends, Series 12 Toys & Beyond Integrated

Posted: 02 Oct 2014 10:09 AM PDT

Beta Ends, Series 12 Toys & Beyond Integrated

Funcom has sent word that the beta phase of LEGO Minifigures Online has officially ended. Even better than that is the announcement that the Series 12 figures will be shipping soon and each packet/figure will come with a code that allows players to unlock that figure in the game.

Das Tal: Latest Update Released with New Features

Posted: 02 Oct 2014 10:02 AM PDT

Latest Update Released with New Features

The latest Das Tal update has been released that includes a new stealth/tracking feature and an overhaul of the skills system. To provide more detail about the update, the team has released a video that you can check out below.

General: State of the Game: Rewarding Loyalty

Posted: 01 Oct 2014 11:45 AM PDT

State of the Game: Rewarding Loyalty

When players support your game in its pimply, awkward, squeaky-voice stage, you reward them appropriately when the cocoon bursts open to reveal a beautiful butterfly. But what you never, ever do is later offer those early founder's rewards in the cash shop for a few extra bucks. It's just not worth it. Betraying loyalty like that is a sure-fire way to lose the respect of those people who would probably still play your game after the tourists have come and gone.

MMOGaming News

MMOGaming News


Warframe: Storm Files S2/Ep.29 "Dos Helmuts for my Tiberon"

Posted:

Warframe: Storm Files S2/Ep.29


Strike down targets with swift precision with the Tiberon Rifle! Forged by a master gunsmith, this Tenno burst rifle will give you the speed and accuracy you need to take the upper hand.

Conquer Online's New Storyline: Connection Between Bruce Lee and Lee-Long

Posted:

Conquer Online's New Storyline: Connection Between Bruce Lee and Lee-Long


Introducing Lee-Long, the new playable class to pay tribute to the greatest martial artist and the legendary Kung-Fu superstar of all time, Bruce Lee! What's the connection between Bruce Lee and Lee-Long? Why does Lee-Long appear in Conquer Online? All the information about Lee-Long is soon to be revealed!

MMORPG Reviews

MMORPG Reviews


Chaos Heroes Online Enters Open Beta

Posted: 03 Oct 2014 01:18 AM PDT

In order to celebrate the open beta start of Chaos Heroes Online, Aeria Games has released a brand-new trailer. From now on, everyone is able to join the free-to-download and free-to-play MOBA game with its unique mechanics such as the ability to re-equip during battle and a 50-minute time limit. Hardcore MOBA enthusiasts will appreciate […]

The post Chaos Heroes Online Enters Open Beta appeared first on MMORPG Reviews.

Mythborne Gameplay Commentary

Posted: 02 Oct 2014 02:16 AM PDT

We had a glimpse on one of R2Games' new massively multiplayer online role-playing games: Mythborne, which is inspired by Greek mythology. The publishing company of this team-building MMO that's playable for free is already well-known for popular titles such as Wartune or League of Angels. As lots of this publisher's games pretty much take the […]

The post Mythborne Gameplay Commentary appeared first on MMORPG Reviews.



General Gaming Article

General Gaming Article


Windows 8 Market Share Headed Back Towards Single Digits

Posted: 02 Oct 2014 11:13 AM PDT

Windows 8Windows 10 will go up against Windows 7, not Windows 8/8.1

Now that Microsoft has unveiled Windows 10 and is even serving up a Technical Preview for curious folks to check out, Windows 8 is already feeling like old news. Some felt that way even before Microsoft's announcement, which might explain why Windows 8 lost market share in the desktop OS market in the month of September. At this rate, it won't be long before Windows 8's share drops back into single digits.

According to Net Applications, Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 fell to a combined 12.26 percent of the desktop OS market by the end of September, down more than a percentage point from 13.37 percent at the end of August, which is the highest it's ever been.

It will be interesting to see how things shake out from there. On one hand, it's possible that Windows 8/8.1 peaked in August and will never see a higher share of the market now that Windows 10 is on the horizon. However, it's also possible that Windows 8/8.1 will see a small surge as companies continue to migrate away from Windows XP, though the numbers don't yet support that notion.

Since having support pulled back in April (except for firms who pay for extended support), Windows XP has dropped less than 3 percentage points, going from 26.29 percent at the end of April to 23.87 percent at the end of September, a decline of 2.42 percent. During that same time, Windows 8/8.1 has gone from 12.24 percent to 12.26 percent, or virtually nowhere.

Windows 7 is the one that's benefiting from XP's demise -- it's share of the market has gone from 49.27 percent at the end of April to 52.71 percent at the end of September, a bump of 3.44 percent. Barring an extreme turn of events, Windows 10 will find itself competing with Windows 7 instead of Windows 8/81.

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1.3 Million People Tuned into Nvidia's GAME24 PC Gaming Celebration

Posted: 02 Oct 2014 10:36 AM PDT

GAME24PC gaming is alive and well

Nvidia earlier this month launched a 24 hour celebration of PC gaming called GAME24. In addition to being the first GAME24 of (hopefully) many more to come, it was also the first live streamed 24-hour global celebration of PC gaming. By the numbers, it was a success -- GAME24 attracted more than 1.3 million gamers from nearly 150 countries who tuned into the live stream to see tech talks, a 24-hour modding competition, and more.

GAME24 was home to a Dota 2 tournament, product giveaways, and the launch of new hardware -- Nvidia used GAME24 as a launchpad for its flagship Maxwell-based GeForce GTX 970 and 980 graphics cards.

"We wanted to bring the PC gaming industry together so we could celebrate all the great things that gaming has to offer. And gamers responded, crowding into events in Shanghai, London, Los Angeles, Chicago, Indianapolis, Mission Viejo and Stockholm," Nvidia stated in a blog post. "Even more showed up online."

Those who tuned in didn't just take a peek and leave -- the average time spent was 15 minutes per person, with a total of 30,000,000 minutes watched collectively. GAME24 also raised $50,000 to Donate to Games in the fight against cancer, Nvidia said.

If you missed it, you can check out some of the highlights below:

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Samsung Shares Human Butt Testing Details in Wake of Bendgate

Posted: 02 Oct 2014 09:55 AM PDT

Samsung butt testGalaxy Note 4 takes on the human gluteus maximus

The issue of Apple's iPhone 6 Plus being prone to bending out of shape may be blown out of proportion -- Apple claims that the problem is "extremely rare" -- but whether it is or isn't, you can bet that Samsung is going to use the ammunition to fire at its rival. Having already taken to Twitter with digs at Apple, Samsung today posted a video showing the process its Galaxy Note 4 phones go through to ensure they stay rigid.

"Samsung makes and sells hundreds of millions of smart devices each year, and it's very important that each and every one is in line with its strict quality control standards. So, to make sure you can rely on its devices, including Galaxy Note 4, Samsung runs rigorous tests both during and after development and production," Samsung says.

According to Samsung, its devices undergo a three-point bend test. Part of that entails applying enough pressure to the middle of the handset to break three pencils. And, believe it or not, there's a test that simulates human weight by plopping a fake buttocks up and down on the device several hundred times. Check it out below:

Samsung credits the Galaxy Note 4's abilty to stay rigid to its metal frame, magnesium bracket, and mutually reinforcing structure between parts. Indeed, similar tests performed by Consumer Reports verified that the Galaxy Note 3 is stronger than much of the competition by being able to withstand 150 pounds of force before deforming (for whatever reason, Consumer Reports didn't test the Galaxy Note 4), versus 130 pounds for the LG G3 and iPhone 5, 90 pounds for the iPhone 6 Plus, and 70 pounds for the iPhone 6 and HTC One (M8).

At the same time, Consumer Reports also concluded that at 70 pounds and 90 pounds of force, fears of a design flaw in either the iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus respectively are "overblown." Be that as it may, 150 pounds of force on the Galaxy Note 3 is mighty impressive. Assuming no major designs to the overall structure, the same or similar should be true of the Galaxy Note 4.

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Netflix Inks Adam Sandler to Four Movie Deal

Posted: 02 Oct 2014 09:24 AM PDT

Adam SandlerAdam Sandler goes streaming for laughs

Netflix on Thursday announced a deal that will see the release of four full-length feature films starring comedian and actor Adam Sandler exclusively through the streaming service. Sandler's Happy Madison Productions will work with Netflix to develop each of the four films, so you can probably expect a similar style of humor as past Sandler movies, and perhaps a continuation of the usual cameos.

Sandler has grossed more than $3 billion globally at the box office, but more importantly for Netflix's decision to do a deal like this is that his films "consistently rank among the most viewed by Netflix members in the U.S. and across its global territories from Brazil to the U.K.," Netflix said.

The stand-up comedian turned actor has appeared in numerous films such as Happy Girlmore, Billy Madison, The Wedding Singer, Punch Drunk Love, The Waterboy, The Longest Yard, 50 First Dates, Grownups (1 and 2), and more.

"When these fine people came to me with an offer to make four movies for them, I immediately said yes for one reason and one reason only. Netflix rhymes with Wet Chicks. Let the streaming begin!!!!," Sandler said.

Other than being on the hook for four movies in collaboration with Happy Madison Productions, other terms of the deal were not disclosed. Traditional studios typically pay Sandler $20 million per movie along with a percentage of the film. For his role in Anger Management, Sandler earned $25 million plus 25 percent of the gross, which was around $150 million, giving him an additional $37.5 million, according to Celebrity Networth.

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Study: Playing Portal 2 Improves Cognitive Skills

Posted: 02 Oct 2014 08:31 AM PDT

Portal 2"Portal 2 kicks Lumosity's ass"

Most of the time when you hear about video games in the news, it's some bonehead politician trying to win votes by condemning virtual violence while trying to make a connection to real world crimes. We know that's bunk, but on the flip side, are there positive benefits to playing games? You betcha. A new study shows that playing Portal 2 might actually be better than Lumosity at improving cognitive skill sets.

In case you're not familiar with it, Lumosity is a "human cognition project" consisting of scientifically designed games intended to work out your brain and improve cognitive functions. It works, but maybe not as well as Portal 2, according to a study that compared the two titles.

The study focused on 77 undergraduates who were randomly assigned to play either Portal 2 or Lumosity for eight hours. Before playing their assigned game, they each took a set of online tests related to problem solving, spatial skill, and persistence.

"Results revealed that participants who were assigned to play Portal 2 showed a statistically significant advantage over Lumosity on each of the three composite measures...Portal 2 players also showed significant increases from pretest to posttest on specific small- and large-scale spatial tests while those in the Lumosity condition did not show any pretest to posttest differences on any measure," the researchers concluded.

Val Shute, one of the study's three researchers, put it in plain English for The Wall Street Journal -- "Portal 2 kicks Lumosity's ass," Shute said.

This study alone isn't extensive enough to definitely say that Portal 2 is better for the brain than Lumosity, but the results also can't be ignored. WSJ spoke with Shawn Green, a psychologist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison who studies video games (but wasn't involved in this particular study), who brought up an interesting point.

"If entertainment games actually do a better job than games designed for neuroplasticity, what that suggests is that we are clearly missing something important about neuroplasticity," Green says.

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Newegg Daily Deals: Kingston SSDNow V300 240GB SSD, Dell 23-inch LED Monitor, and More!

Posted: 02 Oct 2014 05:44 AM PDT

Kingston SSDNow V300 240GB SSDnewegg logo

Top Deal:

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