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<generator>Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/</generator><item><title><![CDATA[Blade Hunter beta gets big content update]]></title><link>http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/01/27/blade-hunter-beta-gets-big-content-update/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/01/27/blade-hunter-beta-gets-big-content-update/</guid><comments>http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/01/27/blade-hunter-beta-gets-big-content-update/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/betas/" rel="tag">Betas</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/fantasy/" rel="tag">Fantasy</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/game-mechanics/" rel="tag">Game Mechanics</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/new-titles/" rel="tag">New Titles</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/patches/" rel="tag">Patches</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/news-items/" rel="tag">News Items</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/free-to-play/" rel="tag">Free-to-Play</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/01/27/blade-hunter-beta-gets-big-content-update/"><img data-credit="R2Games" data-mep="104425" src="http://o.aolcdn.com/hss/storage/adam/24f62966b7e2f09c5df874e8e107ccd9/blade.jpg" alt="" /></a></div>
The side-scroller <em><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/Blade-Hunter/">Blade Hunter</a></em>, which <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/12/18/blade-hunter-transitioning-to-beta-tomorrow/">started beta</a> a little over a month ago, just received a large content update that brought UI improvements, new game systems, mounts, quest lines, cosmetic options, and a raised level cap to the action MMO.<br />
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Players can boost their stats with elemental companions called sprites starting at level 39, and higher level characters can equip more sprites. Additionally, players at any level can nab a pair of wings through either in-game challenges, crafting item recipes, or Diamond recharge bonuses; however, only level 80s can upgrade and personalize wings beyond the standard buff.<br />
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If faster travel is more your speed, combat mounts are now available in a variety of types, from horses to dragons. You can ride that mount to the Citadel, a new instance unlocked at level 79 that promises a challenge that puts even Nightmare Mode to shame.<br />
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[Source: R2Games press release]<p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/01/27/blade-hunter-beta-gets-big-content-update/">Blade Hunter beta gets big content update</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Mon, 27 Jan 2014 12:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://legal.aol.com/terms-of-service/full-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/01/27/blade-hunter-beta-gets-big-content-update/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20816705/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/01/27/blade-hunter-beta-gets-big-content-update/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>action-MMO</category><category>beta</category><category>Blade-Hunter</category><category>browser-based</category><category>f2p</category><category>free-to-play</category><category>freemium</category><category>microtransaction</category><category>microtransactions</category><category>premium</category><category>R2Games</category><category>reality-squared-games</category><category>side-scroller</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[MJ Guthrie]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 27 Jan 2014 12:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Blade Hunter transitioning to beta tomorrow]]></title><link>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/12/18/blade-hunter-transitioning-to-beta-tomorrow/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/12/18/blade-hunter-transitioning-to-beta-tomorrow/</guid><comments>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/12/18/blade-hunter-transitioning-to-beta-tomorrow/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/betas/" rel="tag">Betas</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/fantasy/" rel="tag">Fantasy</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/free-to-play/" rel="tag">Free-to-Play</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/12/18/blade-hunter-transitioning-to-beta-tomorrow/"><img alt="Blade Hunter" data-credit="AOL" data-mep="61004" src="http://o.aolcdn.com/hss/storage/adam/5289f2e33ca747884e586d0c082a0bff/blade.jpg" /></a></div>
<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/Blade-Hunter/"><em>Blade Hunter</em></a> is preparing to transition from its alpha test to beta tomorrow, December 19th, and is inviting players to check out the beat-em-up MMO.<br />
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The game had an extremely short alpha period that started just a week ago. The new beta test begins at 9:00 am EST and could be considered a soft launch for <em>Blade Hunter</em> as characters will be permanent from here on out.<br />
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<em>Blade Hunter</em> features three classes that engage in side-scrolling action and the option to play solo or with parties. There are also time-limited events that players can engage in to strive for top rankings and special rewards.<br />
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[Source: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/R2Games/">R2 Games</a> press release]<p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/12/18/blade-hunter-transitioning-to-beta-tomorrow/">Blade Hunter transitioning to beta tomorrow</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Wed, 18 Dec 2013 09:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://legal.aol.com/terms-of-service/full-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/12/18/blade-hunter-transitioning-to-beta-tomorrow/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20791167/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/12/18/blade-hunter-transitioning-to-beta-tomorrow/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>action-mmo</category><category>alpha</category><category>beta</category><category>beta-test</category><category>beta-testing</category><category>Blade-Hunter</category><category>browser-based</category><category>f2p</category><category>free-to-play</category><category>freemium</category><category>microtransaction</category><category>microtransactions</category><category>premium</category><category>R2Games</category><category>side-scroller</category><category>soft-launch</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Justin Olivetti]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 18 Dec 2013 09:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Betawatch: December 7 - 13, 2013]]></title><link>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/12/13/betawatch-december-7-13-2013/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/12/13/betawatch-december-7-13-2013/</guid><comments>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/12/13/betawatch-december-7-13-2013/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/betas/" rel="tag">Betas</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/mmo-industry/" rel="tag">MMO Industry</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/news-items/" rel="tag">News Items</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/betawatch/" rel="tag">Betawatch</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/misc/" rel="tag">Miscellaneous</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/12/13/betawatch-december-7-13-2013/"><img alt="It's archaic, yes, but there have been worse approaches to saving the print industry." data-credit="Sony Online Entertainment" data-mep="55109" src="http://o.aolcdn.com/hss/storage/adam/4f5e48cb71e8df5d2bd739fe5801ec64/betawatch-epl-1213.jpg" /></a></div>
If you really want to get into the <em><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/EverQuest-Next-Landmark/">EverQuest Next Landmark</a></em> beta, the good news is that there's a more or less foolproof way to do so. The bad news is that <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/12/11/everquest-next-beta-keys-available-in-us-pc-gamer/">you're going to have to buy a magazine first</a>, as US editions of PC gamer contain a code this month. And yes, that's just the print edition. I know; you haven't actually bought a magazine in years. It's all right. It's a means to an end.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/12/12/elite-dangerous-alpha-starts-today/"><em>Elite: Dangerous</em> began its alpha phase</a>, <a href="http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/12/13/diablo-iii-reaper-of-souls-closed-beta-has-begun/"><em>Diablo III's Reaper of Souls</em> expansion has officially entered closed beta</a>, <em><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/Shroud-of-the-Avatar/">Shroud of the Avatar</a></em> <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/12/12/shroud-of-the-avatar-enters-first-phase-of-early-access-testing/">opened up its first playtest for backers</a>, <em><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/Aura-Kingdom/">Aura Kingdom</a></em> <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/12/11/aura-kingdom-reveals-guild-towns-endgame/">showed off more of its endgame</a>, <em><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/Inferno-Legend/">Inferno Legend</a></em> <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/12/10/inferno-legend-moves-into-closed-beta-testing/">started closed beta</a>, and <em><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/Blade-Hunter/">Blade Hunter</a></em> <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/12/11/side-scrolling-blade-hunter-starts-alpha-tomorrow/">kicked off its own testing cycle</a>. The beta testing for <em><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/World-of-Tanks/">World of Tanks</a></em> on the Xbox 360 is also now open to everyone, if you really can't get enough console-based tank shooting. Not to mention the full list of games in some form of testing past the break. Let us know down in the comments if something has installed a cash shop or changed testing phases without our noticing.<p><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/12/13/betawatch-december-7-13-2013/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Betawatch: December 7 - 13, 2013</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/12/13/betawatch-december-7-13-2013/">Betawatch: December 7 - 13, 2013</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Fri, 13 Dec 2013 20:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://legal.aol.com/terms-of-service/full-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/12/13/betawatch-december-7-13-2013/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20788171/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/12/13/betawatch-december-7-13-2013/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>alpha</category><category>alphas</category><category>aura-kingdom</category><category>beta</category><category>beta-test</category><category>beta-testing</category><category>betas</category><category>betawatch</category><category>blade-hunter</category><category>closed-beta</category><category>d3</category><category>diablo-3</category><category>diablo-iii</category><category>elite-dangerous</category><category>eqn-landmark</category><category>everquest-next-landmark</category><category>featured</category><category>game-testing</category><category>inferno-legend</category><category>launch</category><category>launches</category><category>massively-meta</category><category>open-beta</category><category>roundup</category><category>shroud-of-the-avatar</category><category>sota</category><category>testing</category><category>world-of-tanks</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Eliot Lefebvre]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 13 Dec 2013 20:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Side-scrolling Blade Hunter starts alpha tomorrow]]></title><link>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/12/11/side-scrolling-blade-hunter-starts-alpha-tomorrow/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/12/11/side-scrolling-blade-hunter-starts-alpha-tomorrow/</guid><comments>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/12/11/side-scrolling-blade-hunter-starts-alpha-tomorrow/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/betas/" rel="tag">Betas</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/trailers/" rel="tag">Trailers</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/video/" rel="tag">Video</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/new-titles/" rel="tag">New Titles</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/news-items/" rel="tag">News Items</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/free-to-play/" rel="tag">Free-to-Play</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/browser/" rel="tag">Browser</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/12/11/side-scrolling-blade-hunter-starts-alpha-tomorrow/"><img data-credit="R2Games" data-mep="52283" src="http://o.aolcdn.com/hss/storage/adam/a025d6e12cfac186d3ba94cb6d367f4c/blade.jpg" alt="" /></a></div>

<div>What do you do when you just have an urge to log in and beat something up? <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/R2Games/">R2Games</a> invites you to come try <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/Blade-Hunter/"><em>Blade Hunter</em></a>, a new free-to-play fantasy side-scroller billed literally as "The beat 'em up MMORPG." This browser-based action title begins alpha on Thursday, December 12th at 10:00 a.m. EST, and interested players from all over the world can sign up on the <a href="http://blade.r2games.com/">official site</a> to be a part of the testing.</div>
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In <em>Blade Hunter's</em> alpha, players can be either a Knight, a Rogue, or a Valkyrie. The game can be enjoyed solo, thanks to independent companions that can be gathered and equipped, but greater strength is achieved when forming parties and guilds. Players can also unlock Bladesouls, which are spirits of war that can change the course of encounters by creating such things as time-limited multiplayer events and ranked cross-server PvP duels. Check out the action in the official trailer below.<br />
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[Source: R2Games press release]<p><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/12/11/side-scrolling-blade-hunter-starts-alpha-tomorrow/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Side-scrolling Blade Hunter starts alpha tomorrow</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/12/11/side-scrolling-blade-hunter-starts-alpha-tomorrow/">Side-scrolling Blade Hunter starts alpha tomorrow</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Wed, 11 Dec 2013 11:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://legal.aol.com/terms-of-service/full-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/12/11/side-scrolling-blade-hunter-starts-alpha-tomorrow/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20786420/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/12/11/side-scrolling-blade-hunter-starts-alpha-tomorrow/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>action-mmo</category><category>alpha</category><category>Blade-Hunter</category><category>browser-based</category><category>f2p</category><category>free-to-play</category><category>freemium</category><category>microtransaction</category><category>microtransactions</category><category>premium</category><category>R2Games</category><category>side-scroller</category><category>trailer</category><category>trailers</category><category>video</category><category>videos</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[MJ Guthrie]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 11 Dec 2013 11:00:00 EST</pubDate></item></channel></rss>