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Modding tools released for Torchlight II

Eliot Lefebvre — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 19:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Game Mechanics, News Items

If you're a Torchlight II fan, you've got GUTS now. As does the rest of the community. The game's latest patch doesn't just add new armor sets, pets, and tilesets, it also adds the game's primary modding tool known as GUTS. And this isn't just a halfhearted implementation, as the modding functionality extends through the game to the very core.

Playing the game through Steam? It's integrated through Steam Workshop. Want to play a multiplayer game with your favorite mod? There's full multiplayer support and the ability to see which mods are enabled in a given game. Want to start modding but have no idea where to start? There's a whole wiki filled with documentation on how to get started.

Don't own the game but love the idea of modding a multiplayer game? That's cool, too. The game is on sale until April 8th for $9.99 to celebrate the release of the modding tools. So if this sort of thing tickles your fancy, you've got almost no reason not to check it out.

Modding tools released for Torchlight II originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 01 Apr 2013 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Path of Exile open beta starts January 24

Jef Reahard — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 08:30:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, MMO Industry, New Titles, News Items, Free-to-Play

Free-to-play dungeon crawler Path of Exile will enter its open beta phase on January 24, 2013. AusGamers notes that this represents a delay of about a month from Grinding Gear's previous open beta target, and the company has released a statement on its official forums explaining its decision.

"Our development team have worked incredibly hard year-round and this will be their first break in a long time. For most of them, this is the only time they get to travel to see their families or not have to worry about the constant challenges we throw at them at work. Grinding Gear Games is not going to ask them to cancel their holidays. Instead, they'll come back well-rested and just as eager as you to launch Open Beta."

Path of Exile open beta starts January 24 originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 05 Dec 2012 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Game Archaeologist: When dead MMOs come back to life

Justin Olivetti — Tue, 01 May 2012 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Sci-Fi, The Matrix Online, Star Wars Galaxies, Hellgate: London, Tabula Rasa, Shadowbane, Mythos, Free-to-Play, All Points Bulletin, LEGO Universe, The Game Archaeologist, Faxion Online

Maybe I'm alone in this, but my jaw just dropped when I came home this past week to see that Massively posted the news that Shadowbane is coming back to life. Granted, it's only going to happen in China, but still, that's pretty incredible. Shadowbane's been in the ground for three years now, and if I had to pick an MMO that deserved resurrection, this particular one would be farthest from my mind (no offense if you liked the game; it's just that there are so many others that are even more worthy).

But how can this not give you hope? Many of us have lost an MMO we loved or at least had a decked-out character populating the character select screen, and the thought of that game coming back against all odds is a goosebump-rising one. It may also smack of justice served, as some MMOs fail not because of faulty gameplay but because of mismanagement by the studio, complex legal wrangling, or bad marketing.

Today let's look at a few examples of dead MMOs that were brought back to life and what this may mean for the future of the industry. Zombie MMOs! Not, you know, MMOs with zombies.

Continue reading The Game Archaeologist: When dead MMOs come back to life

The Game Archaeologist: When dead MMOs come back to life originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 01 May 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Runic not ready for Torchlight MMO anytime soon

Jef Reahard — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Interviews, MMO Industry, News Items

So when's that Torchlight MMO coming out? When it's ready, and when Runic can muster the money and resources needed to properly handle the long-term commitment that an MMO represents, according to CEO Max Schaefer.

"An MMO is a hell of a commitment," Schaefer tells Rock, Paper Shotgun. "It means we're gonna be doing that for a few years at least prior to release and then committing years of support for it afterward. So it's a decision we take very, very seriously."

RPS says that a Torchlight MMO has always been Runic's end goal, but given the fact that the 30-man company is still fiddling with Torchlight II, we suspect the massively multiplayer version remains a ways off.

Runic not ready for Torchlight MMO anytime soon originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 19 Apr 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gazillion shutting down Fortune Online

Jef Reahard — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, MMO Industry, News Items, Free-to-Play, Browser, Casual

Gazillion's new Fortune Online title is headed for the scrap heap, according to our friends at Joystiq. The Diablo-style browser MMO was born of a desire to simplify dungeon crawling for casual gamers, but apparently it's taking too much time (and too many resources) away from Gazillion's Marvel projects.

"We will continue delivering and refining content for Super Hero Squad Online, along with building and developing the Marvel Heroes game," a Gazillion spokesman told Joystiq. The firm also denied speculation that it is preparing for a Disney acquisition, and it declined to announce a timetable or job losses resulting from the Fortune closure.

[Thanks to Space Cobra for the tip!]

Gazillion shutting down Fortune Online originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 14 Feb 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Game Archaeologist dials up Phantasy Star Online: The players

Justin Olivetti — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Classes, Culture, Interviews, Consoles, The Game Archaeologist

After last week's foray into the colorful world of Phantasy Star Online, I knew I had to step it up for a great follow-through. That's why I got in touch with three excellent MMO bloggers who have long histories with PSO and were more than eager to share their perspective on this unique game world!

The Game Archaeologist: Who the heck are you and how did you first get into Phantasy Star Online? What class and race did you play?

David: I'm David Lambert, but many people know me better as Branick, host and producer of the LOTRO Academy podcast. I first got into Phantasy Star Online with the original Dreamcast release, which I picked up only about two weeks after it came out. I actually had eight different characters (I bought six VMUs in addition to the two I already had specifically for this purpose), but I definitely favored the HUcast. I wasn't big on using techniques, and the HUcast had the highest attack power in the game.

Continue reading The Game Archaeologist dials up Phantasy Star Online: The players

The Game Archaeologist dials up Phantasy Star Online: The players originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mythos content update includes 23 new dungeons, skill tweaks

Jef Reahard — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 17:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Game Mechanics, MMO Industry, Patches, News Items, Mythos, Free-to-Play, Dungeons, Crafting

The last time we profiled Mythos on Massively, it was in service of some new content. It's no surprise, then, that Frogster is once again expanding the free-to-play hack-and-slash MMO. This time the new bells and whistles can be found on the Fog Island of Horror, and in case the name didn't drive the point home, it's a pretty scary place.

The isle is home to a horde of ravenous zombies and is the base of operations for two opposing queens. Their majesties Vyle and Neperta make their home on the fog-shrouded island, as do the denizens of 23 new dungeons ripe for the plucking by adventurers from across the realm. Oh yeah, that level cap, previously stuck on a piddling 51? It's been bumped to 55, the better for you to get a handle on some changes to cooldowns and the skill system whilst you're grinding your way through packs of monsters.

Today's Mythos press release also alludes to a massive crafting system overhaul, but since it's a little light on the details where tradeskilling is concerned, you'll just have to log in and see for yourself. Alternatively, you could hit up the official website for more details.

Mythos content update includes 23 new dungeons, skill tweaks originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 31 Aug 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Drakensang Online moving into closed beta

Eliot Lefebvre — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, News Items, Free-to-Play, Browser

If game development had trending topics a la Twitter, "play in your browser" would be at the top of the list. After all, a game you can play in your browser takes all of the slow download and install times out of the equation. Drakensang Online is the latest such game in development heading for a release, with the closed beta having just begun. If you've never heard of the game before now, don't fret -- applications for testers are still being accepted.

How much social interaction will be present in the game remains to be seen, although the game's page boasts that players can engage in battle with and against other players around the world. There's a definite Diablo vibe to the screenshots and the trailers, so if that's up your alley, it might well be worth taking a look at the game during its beta testing phase.

[Thanks to B1GG1N for the tip!]

Drakensang Online moving into closed beta originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 11 Apr 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Impressions: Mythos

Beau Hindman — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Previews, PvE, Opinion, Mythos, Free-to-Play, Hands-On, First Impressions

I've played plenty of Diablo-style games, games filled with endless hours of dungeon grinding and loot collecting. I'll be honest: They're not usually my thing. I like a little more variety in my adventure and not such a linear experience. When I was asked to take a look at Mythos, a "new" (read: older title that is receiving a re-do) game that is currently in closed beta, I was pretty skeptical. After all, I've played this style of game before and enjoyed it in Torchlight and others, and the developers are adding on an MMO element to it now.

This could mean a few things.

First, the game could be a horrible, buggy mess that would turn me off instantly. Or second, it could be something completely charming and different that could work really well as an MMO. Which did I find?

Click past the cut and I promise to tell you.

Continue reading First Impressions: Mythos

First Impressions: Mythos originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 12 Mar 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Impressions: Fortune Online

Beau Hindman — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 15:30:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Galleries, New Titles, PvE, Browser, Hands-On, First Impressions

You know, there is no shortage of "Diablo clones" out there. We've all played them, and we've probably enjoyed many. It's safe to say that "Diablo-esque" is a real word with real meaning -- something you can say to your gaming buddy and he'll know exactly what you mean. However, as with any other genre, it's very easy for it to become repetitive and boring. The initial thrill of the game or style that inspired the movement tends to pass away if developers continue to regurgitate it in the hopes of profiting from gamer nostalgia.

In some cases, it works pretty well. Torchlight, for example, is a lot of fun and easy enough to play -- as evidenced by the success of the game. The fact that it was really nothing new didn't stop us from having a lot of fun with it. The tales of an online version tantalize us, but wouldn't it be nice if we could play a Diablo-esque game that truly offers MMO benefits?

It's possible that we can with Fortune Online. I was asked to spend some time with the beta to see how it's going. Is it really a good choice for fans of top-down dungeon grinding? Click past the cut to see what I thought.

Gallery: Fortune Online

Continue reading First Impressions: Fortune Online

First Impressions: Fortune Online originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Still clicking: Our exclusive interview with the Mythos dev team

Brianna Royce — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Interviews, New Titles, Mythos, Interviews (Massively's)

Considering Mythos' stormy post-Flagship past and its relatively low profile over the past half year, we were pleased to see the team at Redbana unveil a website revamp last month, complete with a slew of vibrant new screenshots to tease the upcoming closed beta. The infrastructure revealed in the images suggests that the game has come a long way since we last checked in with the team; although many players might once have pigeon-holed Mythos as "just another Diablo clone," it's now maturing into a hybrid MMORPG that seems to have as much in common with Blizzard's other fantasy game as with the click-fests of yesteryear.

Curious, we commandeered the team at Redbana in order to ask about the progress of the game. Meet up with us after the break as we discuss the transition to Redbana, overcoming the Diablo stigma, camera perspectives, map travel, character customization, and the likelihood that Mythos will be free-to-play. Oh, and did I mention you can play satyrs and cyclopes?!

Continue reading Still clicking: Our exclusive interview with the Mythos dev team

Still clicking: Our exclusive interview with the Mythos dev team originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 15 Jul 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dev shop-talk on Hellgate: London's factions and classes

Matt Warner — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: At a glance, Fantasy, Horror, Classes, Hellgate: London

Say it with me: "It's not another Diablo clone. It's not another Diablo clone." Okay, on the outside maybe it is a little, and I see why people think that since a few of the same developers who whipped up this hellacious game set in a futuristic London backdrop did a little something-something called Diablo 2. Yea, it's easy drawing comparisons between the two because both games have different settings, different classes with different skill trees -- oh freakin' hell, that's Diablo 2 slapped right-on-top of Hellgate: London!

I laugh giddily at those who think it's the same game without even trying it first. You should decide if the game is fun as hell to play and the best way to do that is opening the gates and checking out the Hellgate: London demo. If a download is out of the question, but you are still interested in the different classes; a developer-diary posted on Pro-G keeps the gates to hell open by discussing Hellgate: London's character classes, the factions, weapons, and the hellish cycle classes went through to get to where they are today.

Dev shop-talk on Hellgate: London's factions and classes originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 26 Oct 2007 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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