Massively http://massively.joystiq.com Massively http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Massively http://massively.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2015 AOL, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[The Game Archaeologist: Kingdom of Drakkar]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/07/26/the-game-archaeologist-kingdom-of-drakkar/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/07/26/the-game-archaeologist-kingdom-of-drakkar/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/07/26/the-game-archaeologist-kingdom-of-drakkar/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

drakkar
You'd think that by now I would be running out of older MMOs and their kin to cover, but I just keep discovering more. Some of those discoveries are helped by Massively readers, who have urged me from time to time to investigate certain games. One such commenter, Space Cobra, has been after me for quite a while (as in years) to do a write-up about Kingdom of Drakkar, and I finally caved. Here you go, good buddy!

Kingdom of Drakkar, also known as Drakkar or Kingdom of Drakkar II, is a really odd duck in the MMO history books. While being very small potatoes for the industry as a whole throughout its entire lifespan, it's notable for an extraordinary long run (it began in the 1980s, people!) that's traversed through several format changes and handlers. I've seen it described, somewhat unkindly, as a "shoddier Ultima Online," but I think that is a surface judgment that doesn't take the effort to get to know the game or its legacy. There must be something to this game if it's been around for three decades, yes? Let's find out!

Continue reading The Game Archaeologist: Kingdom of Drakkar

MassivelyThe Game Archaeologist: Kingdom of Drakkar originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 26 Jul 2014 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2-Dbrad-linebergerclassicclassic-mmosclassicscompuservedrakkardrakkarzoneempiref2pfallen-earthfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playgame-archaelogisthackicarus-studiosisometrickingdom-of-drakkarkingdom-of-drakkar-iilegends-of-kesmaimoriampg-netmudnostalgiaopinionrealmtantalusthe-game-archaeologistultima-onlineuoSat, 26 Jul 2014 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Valentine's Day around the virtual world]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/14/valentines-day-around-the-virtual-world/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/14/valentines-day-around-the-virtual-world/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/14/valentines-day-around-the-virtual-world/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Valentine's Day around the virtual world
Do you hear the chirping of songbirds in love? Do you see the flirtacious glance that cute Orc is giving you from across the battlefiend? Do you smell the flowers of romance in bloom all around you? If so, man, you've got it bad.

Fortunately for those suffering from VDAS -- Valentine's Day Addiction Syndrome -- plenty of MMOs are on hand to provide you with a temporary fix until you get proper medication and are carted away to a professional love care facility. It may not be the biggest of holidays in the virtual world, but when love arrives in February, it cannot be denied.

And who knows for you single folk? The man, woman, or one-eyed Gnome of your dreams might just stumble over you on this fine day! Read on as we sum up some of the larger Valentine's events in MMOs today.

Continue reading Valentine's Day around the virtual world

MassivelyValentine's Day around the virtual world originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 14 Feb 2013 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aionallodsallods-onlinecash-shopcomedycostumesdc-universe-onlinedcuoEQ2eq2xeqiieverquest-2everquest-2-extendedeverquest-iieverquest-ii-extendedfestivalfree-to-playfunguild-wars-2heartholidayholidaysicarus-studiosin-game-eventslovey-doveyncsoftnexonromancesarcasmsoesony-online-entertainmentspot-the-princess-bride-referencetlbbvalentinevalentinesvalentines-dayvalentines-day-2013vdasvindictusvirtual-worldThu, 14 Feb 2013 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Why I Play: Fallen Earth]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/22/why-i-play-fallen-earth/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/22/why-i-play-fallen-earth/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/22/why-i-play-fallen-earth/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Fallen Earth
I'm going to start my Fallen Earth testimony by echoing the same sentiment that Shawn shared last week with WURM Online: I really didn't get it the first couple of times I tried it. I had heard great things about this post-apocalyptic title from Massively and elsewhere at the time, but it felt so different and kind of raw when I logged in that I didn't stay for long. In fact, it wasn't until I forced myself to sit down and devote an entire evening to Fallen Earth that I got past my initial objections and it clicked for me.

It clicked hard.

Since that time, I've been an ardent fan of Fallen Earth, using it as Exhibit A whenever people complain that all MMOs are too much alike and boring. Well, here you go, I say. An MMO in a contemporary setting that also happens to embrace apocalyptic themes. An MMO that revels in dark humor and edgy themes. An MMO where 95% of the gear in the game can be crafted and used by you. An MMO with free-form character growth and -- this is important -- motorcycles. An MMO with a world that's genuinely fun to explore (and might I add, huge).

It's not perfect, it's not my main MMO squeeze, but it is a title I've carried a torch for since my first days in the wasteland. I've got no shortage of words when it comes to this game, especially if there's a chance that my verbosity will get you to take a closer look at Fallen Earth (which is easier than ever since its free-to-play conversion).

Continue reading Why I Play: Fallen Earth

MassivelyWhy I Play: Fallen Earth originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>craftingfallen-earthfeaturedgamersfirsticarus-studiosopinionsandboxsandparktheme-parkwhy-i-playwurm-onlineWed, 22 Feb 2012 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What game do you wish you had time for?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/08/the-daily-grind-what-game-do-you-wish-you-had-time-for/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/08/the-daily-grind-what-game-do-you-wish-you-had-time-for/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/08/the-daily-grind-what-game-do-you-wish-you-had-time-for/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Fallen Earth - dude looking at zombies
There's no shortage of MMOs, and whether your tastes include big budget titles like The Secret World or EverQuest II or small-scale niche products like Glitch or Darkfall, these are the salad days in terms of choice.

While you probably won't find many folks complaining about the genre explosion we've witnessed over the past few years, it is becoming harder to see it all, even though the free-to-play movement has removed many of the financial obstacles inherent in the game-hopping lifestyle. There's always one game (or two, or seven) that you never seem to have time for, despite the fact that it looks really cool and dammit you're going to make time for that starting... sometime.

For me, that game is Fallen Earth, and I'm bummed out by the fact that I'm still saying that two years after its launch. What about you, Massively folk? Is there a game (or games) that you keep meaning to play?

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: What game do you wish you had time for? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 08 Dec 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fallen-earthfeaturedgame-discussiongamer-discussiongamers-firstgamersfirsticarusicarus-studiosmmo-discussionmmo-hot-topicsmmo-issuesmmo-topicsmmorpg-discussionmmorpg-hot-topicsmmorpg-topicsopinionpost-apocalypticsci-fitdgthe-daily-grindThu, 08 Dec 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fallen Earth partners with MAINGEAR for Play2Win contest]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/16/fallen-earth-partners-with-maingear-for-play2win-contest/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/16/fallen-earth-partners-with-maingear-for-play2win-contest/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/16/fallen-earth-partners-with-maingear-for-play2win-contest/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Screenshot -- Fallen Earth
Are you in the market for a spankin'-new gaming rig? Of course you are. Well, GamersFirst wants to help you out. The company has partnered with MAINGEAR to run a contest that will reward one lucky winner with a shiny new MAINGEAR F131 gaming PC. But there's a catch, of course. In order to win the custom Fallen Earth computer, players must venture into the wastelands of Fallen Earth to collect MAINGEAR computer parts from unique resource nodes scattered about the world. Whoever has the most parts when the contest ends on December 14th will be declared the winner. Head over to MAINGEAR's website for the full contest rules, and then sign up to play at the Fallen Earth official site and get to scavengin'.

[Source: GamersFirst press release]

MassivelyFallen Earth partners with MAINGEAR for Play2Win contest originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 16 Nov 2011 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>contestf2pfallen-earthfefree-to-playgamersfirsticarusicarus-studiosmaingearplay2winWed, 16 Nov 2011 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Fallen Earth's Halloween sale refunds all G1 Credits spent]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/29/fallen-earths-halloween-sale-refunds-all-g1-credits-spent/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/29/fallen-earths-halloween-sale-refunds-all-g1-credits-spent/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/29/fallen-earths-halloween-sale-refunds-all-g1-credits-spent/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Screenshot -- Fallen Earth
Who amongst Fallen Earth's wasteland wanderers doesn't love saving money? No one, that's who. In light of that fact (and in celebration of Halloween), GamersFirst is providing a 100% rebate on every G1 Credit spent in the Fallen Earth cash shop from now until November 3rd. That mount you've always wanted? Snag it! Not satisfied with your character name? Change it! Those deliciously steampunk brass goggles you've always wanted? Rock 'em!

Not only will you receive a complete rebate on all G1 Credits spent (that means everything is free, for the economically disinclined), but many everyday items have had their prices slashed as well. For the full details on what's on sale, head on over to the Fallen Earth official site.

MassivelyFallen Earth's Halloween sale refunds all G1 Credits spent originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 29 Oct 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brass-goggles-are-awesomef2pfallen-earthfefree-to-playgamersfirsthalloweenhalloween-saleicarusicarus-studiossaleSat, 29 Oct 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Two years after the fall of the world: Fallen Earth's second anniversary]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/22/two-years-after-the-fall-of-the-world-fallen-earths-second-ann/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/22/two-years-after-the-fall-of-the-world-fallen-earths-second-ann/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/22/two-years-after-the-fall-of-the-world-fallen-earths-second-ann/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Fallen Earth second anniversary
It's no secret that Fallen Earth is somewhat of a staff favorite here at Massively. While its combat system may not hold the same polish of other titles, it more than makes up for it in sheer exploration, incredibly deep crafting, an engagingly different game world, and the dark humor that seeps into every aspect of the game. In fact, Massively is what convinced me to give Fallen Earth a shot when it came out two years ago.

At the time, I was just a regular gamer looking for something a little different than the elves-'n'-fantasy fare that 99% of MMOs were dishing my way. Fallen Earth's semi-familiar setting -- modern guns, post office boxes, motorcycles, sunglasses, giant mutated ants -- was at once familiar and foreign. It took me two solid tries to get into the game, but once I did, I was hooked.

I've always felt bad that Fallen Earth never got more popular than it already is, although I can understand why. The post-apocalypse setting is enough to weird players out, and the paradigm shift from getting your gear via looting to building your own gear via crafting takes some getting used to. Plus, the troubles that Icarus Studios ran into early on didn't help matters any.

Fortunately, the future looks bright for Fallen Earth, and as it celebrates its second anniversary, we should look back at this past year to see just how far this cult MMO has come. Clones, assemble!

Continue reading Two years after the fall of the world: Fallen Earth's second anniversary

MassivelyTwo years after the fall of the world: Fallen Earth's second anniversary originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 22 Sep 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2nd-anniversaryability-pointsalpha-countyanniversaryapboneclawchotacombat-overhaulf2pfallen-earthfallen-earth-llcfeaturedfree-to-playgamersfirstglobaltechicarusicarus-studiosMarie-Croallplayer-housingprogress-townssecond-anniversarysectorsector-foursector-oneterminal-woodsThu, 22 Sep 2011 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Fallen Earth dev diary talks economic changes, world events, and more]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/20/fallen-earth-dev-diary-talks-economic-changes-world-events-and/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/20/fallen-earth-dev-diary-talks-economic-changes-world-events-and/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/20/fallen-earth-dev-diary-talks-economic-changes-world-events-and/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Fallen Earth - cooking
Earlier today we told you about the Fallen Earth devs answering a few of your free-to-play questions. Now it's time to dive a bit further down the rabbit hole courtesy of this month's state of the game update.

Producer Marie Croall checks in with us to talk about the game's two-year anniversary celebration, which includes "PvP, PvE, and RP components." She also says that the event will be run at EU- and US-friendly times (though said times aren't specified as of yet).

In terms of game updates, the major portion of the September recap concerns the ongoing economic changes. Inconsistencies dealing with recipe and component rarity have been dealt with, and the dev team has "redone the placement of most of the nodes in the game" to make the rarer nodes more of an incentive to enter PvP-enabled areas. Finally, Croall says that the release of the new world event system has been bumped back to coincide with the free-to-play conversion on October 12th. Grab your favorite wasteland beverage and read all the details at the official Fallen Earth dev blog.

MassivelyFallen Earth dev diary talks economic changes, world events, and more originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 20 Sep 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>craftingdev-blogdev-diaryeconomic-changeseconomic-tweakseconomyfallen-earthgamersfirsticarusicarus-studiosmarie-croallpatchespost-apocalypticrare-recipesrarityrecipessci-fiState-of-the-gameupdatewastelandworld-event-systemworld-eventsTue, 20 Sep 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fallen Earth devs answer your F2P questions]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/20/fallen-earth-devs-answer-your-f2p-questions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/20/fallen-earth-devs-answer-your-f2p-questions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/20/fallen-earth-devs-answer-your-f2p-questions/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Fallen Earth - sunrise
You've got questions about Fallen Earth's free-to-play conversion, and the dev team's got answers. The latest Fallen Earth blog entry spills the beans on everything from what happens to existing subscriptions to character slots to various functionality limitations.

Surprisingly, GamersFirst is allowing free-to-play customers to make use of the auction house, mail, and trading systems, but this may change "if gold farmers get totally out of control." There's also good news for pre-existing Fallen Earth subscribers who would like to convert to a free-to-play account but are worried about losing access to their alts. "If you had ever bought the game or paid for a subscription, those character slots were included with your game, so they belong to you regardless of the change in business model," writes Joseph "Linus" Willmon. Head to the official Fallen Earth dev blog for more.

MassivelyFallen Earth devs answer your F2P questions originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 20 Sep 2011 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auction-housecharacter-slotsdev-blogdev-diaryf2pfallen-earthfree-accountsfree-to-playgamersfirstgold-farmersgold-farmingicarusicarus-studiosjoseph-willmonmailpost-apocalytpicsci-fitradeTue, 20 Sep 2011 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Wasteland Diaries: Scavenger's guide]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/16/wasteland-diaries-scavengers-guide/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/16/wasteland-diaries-scavengers-guide/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/16/wasteland-diaries-scavengers-guide/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Killing White Crow
The economy in Fallen Earth is due to get a major overhaul in the next month. The devs have been pretty tight-lipped about what exactly is going to change. They may do something as bold as doing away with NPC vendors altogether (unlikely) or maybe just tweaking the rarity of materials (confirmed). Since we aren't exactly sure what is going to change, we can't really prepare ourselves properly, can we? We can guess which materials are going to become rarer with the revamp by looking at the recipes, but they will be undergoing changes as well. So trying to figure out what to hoard for the new economy is purely a guessing game.

I don't want to get into theorycrafting on what may or may not change economy-wise. I'll leave it up to your best guess as to what materials you think you'll need to stock up on. My purpose in this post will be to help you get said materials. I can't think of a single material in the entire gameworld of Fallen Earth that is out of my grasp. I'm pretty sure I can find anything. I have compiled a list of useful materials and the best places that I know of to find them. There are some things that I will not divulge, but I'm going to be very generous considering most of the loot tables will be drastically altered very soon. Click past the cut and have a look at the list.

Continue reading Wasteland Diaries: Scavenger's guide

MassivelyWasteland Diaries: Scavenger's guide originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 16 Sep 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>craftingcrateseconomyfallen-earthfallen-earth-llcfeaturedgamersfirsticarus-studiosmaterialsmatsmerchantsmobsnodesscavengingscavenging-nodesFri, 16 Sep 2011 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Wasteland Diaries: F2P -- What to expect]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/09/wasteland-diaries-f2p-what-to-expect/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/09/wasteland-diaries-f2p-what-to-expect/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/09/wasteland-diaries-f2p-what-to-expect/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Emerging from the cloner
Fallen Earth is going free-to-play on October 12th. That's the plan, anyway. Four different subscriber levels will be available. The free accounts will actually have quite a bit of freedom with in the game (in fact, I'm shocked at how few restrictions they will have). The highest tier is a bit pricey for what you get, but we don't want a pay-to-win system, right? There's a fine line between giving paying customers something worthwhile and upsetting the balance of the entire universe. I'll discuss each subscription level later on in the post.

There are still a few concerns that many in the Fallen Earth community (including me) have about the F2P transition, and not all of them are technical concerns. I'm really not sure what to expect exactly as far as numbers of players, but I'm sure we'll see a huge influx of players both new and returning. How many exactly? I don't have a clue. I'll cover the sub levels first and then discuss my fears about what's to come afterward. So click past the cut and let's get started.

Continue reading Wasteland Diaries: F2P -- What to expect

MassivelyWasteland Diaries: F2P -- What to expect originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 09 Sep 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Commandercommander-auraf2pfallen-earthfallen-earth-llcfeaturedfree-to-playgamersfirsticarus-studiosp2ppay-to-playreward-pointsscavengersubscription-modelsurvivalistwastelanderFri, 09 Sep 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[One Shots: Function over form]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/08/one-shots-function-over-form/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/08/one-shots-function-over-form/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/08/one-shots-function-over-form/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Fallen Earth screenshot
Today's screenshot comes to us from Fallen Earth, courtesy of our very own Justin Olivetti:
While being able to craft 95% of the armor you'll wear in Fallen Earth is a major attraction of the game, early on you'll have to suffer through outfit pieces that don't quite go well together (although some may argue that's in step with the game's setting). Probably the worst aspect of the armor system is that there's no way to turn off helmet graphics unless you simply take it off.
It's ugly armor week all week on One Shots, so whether you have an eye-searing color scheme, a set of armor pieces that clash like crazy, or something that you just put together for a laugh, we want to see.

Next week we'll be revisiting starting zones, so if you want to get a jump on things, grab a screenshot of your favorite starting zone and send it in to oneshots@massively.com and we'll feature it in next week's One Shots!

Gallery: One Shots: 2011

MassivelyOne Shots: Function over form originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 08 Sep 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f2pfallen-earthfree-to-playgalleriesgallerygamersfirsticarus-studiosone-shotsscreenshotscreenshotsThu, 08 Sep 2011 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fallen Earth set to go free-to-play on October 12th]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/02/fallen-earth-set-to-go-free-to-play-on-october-12th/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/02/fallen-earth-set-to-go-free-to-play-on-october-12th/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/02/fallen-earth-set-to-go-free-to-play-on-october-12th/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The dawn of a new era. See what I did there?
It's been two and a half months since we heard the news that GamersFirst acquired Fallen Earth and planned to implement a free-to-play business model. In those months, the question on everyone's lips was "When?"

Tonight we finally get our answer: GamersFirst has released a new dev blog announcing an October 12th free-to-play conversion date, details of a "mostly-finalized structure of free accounts and Premium Subscriptions," and appreciation gifts for veterans.

While the date and details are exciting, the Fallen Earth team is bringing more to the table for players. There is a new world event system coming as well as some celebratory events for Fallen Earth's second birthday. You can check out all the details on the Fallen Earth dev blog.

MassivelyFallen Earth set to go free-to-play on October 12th originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 02 Sep 2011 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f2pfallen-earthfree-to-playgamersfirsticarusicarus-studiosFri, 02 Sep 2011 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Wasteland Diaries: The old vs. the new]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/02/wasteland-diaries-the-old-vs-the-new/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/02/wasteland-diaries-the-old-vs-the-new/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/02/wasteland-diaries-the-old-vs-the-new/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Bunker bar
When it was first introduced, the new combat system seemed pretty awkward and cumbersome. As with all new game systems, you just have to get used to it. Luckily, due to the extreme familiarity I have with Fallen Earth, I adapted fairly quickly. But I didn't like it much at first. It was too healer-centric in PvP, and it was nearly impossible to die in PvE with such a large health pool and awesome self-heals. Instead of grinning and bearing it, I complained and hoped for a fix. It got fixed, and though it's not perfect, it's pretty close.

In this post, I will take a look at the new system and how it differs from the old one, now that I've had some time to think it over. I'm still not sure whether I like it better than the old system yet, but it's growing on me. There's a lot of stuff that I miss from the old system and a lot of stuff I'll never miss. Knockdown and stuns are two of those things. A lot of players were worried that the new combat system would take ages to tweak, but it seems like it's pretty close to the mark already. A few minor adjustments might be needed, but it's already close to a finished product from what I see. After the cut, I'll tell you why I think that.

Continue reading Wasteland Diaries: The old vs. the new

MassivelyWasteland Diaries: The old vs. the new originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 02 Sep 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abilitiescombat-systemconsumablesfallen-earthfallen-earth-llcfeaturedfurballgamersfirsthealinghealsicarus-studiosknockdownsmutationsnew-combat-systemnew-systemsold-combat-systempatchpatch-1.9skillsstunsFri, 02 Sep 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Proposed Fallen Earth F2P chart separates the scavengers from the commanders]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/30/proposed-fallen-earth-f2p-chart-separates-the-scavengers-from-th/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/30/proposed-fallen-earth-f2p-chart-separates-the-scavengers-from-th/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/30/proposed-fallen-earth-f2p-chart-separates-the-scavengers-from-th/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Fallen Earth membership chart
While we didn't get much out of GamersFirst at PAX this past week about Fallen Earth's plans for this fall and the free-to-play conversion, it looks like news will find a way nevertheless. Creep the Prophet posted a proposed (please note that word) membership matrix for Fallen Earth when the F2P switch is triggered.

Similar to other F2P charts we've seen, this boasts a variety of subscription levels, from the F2P "Scavenger" to the ultra-deluxe "Commander." The good news is that a majority of the game would, under this matrix, become simply free to all, including all zones, all levels, and skills. Free players will face a few restrictions, including crafting limitations, no access to global chat, only one character slot, and a slower rate of gaining XP and AP. The better subscription levels offer discounts to the game's store, faster progress in the game, monthly gifts, and a full range of features.

Subscribers will also receive an in-game "aura," that will allow them to share some of these bonuses with their less-fortunate F2P brothers and sisters.

No prices have been attached to this chart, and it could be subject to change between now and the F2P conversion, which should happen sometime between October and December.

MassivelyProposed Fallen Earth F2P chart separates the scavengers from the commanders originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 30 Aug 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>commandercraftingcreepcreep-the-prophetf2pfallen-earthfefree-to-playgamersfirsticarusicarus-studiosmembership-chartmembership-matrixpaxpax-prime-2011scavengersubscriber-chartsubscriptionTue, 30 Aug 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wasteland Diaries: Why do I PvP?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/26/wasteland-diaries-why-do-i-pvp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/26/wasteland-diaries-why-do-i-pvp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/26/wasteland-diaries-why-do-i-pvp/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

A break from the grind.
Lately I've been asking myself, "Why do I PvP in Fallen Earth?" The game isn't designed around PvP combat; it's more of a sideshow. The factional conflict was what made me decide to try it out in the first place. But after getting to max level, I realized that there wasn't a true faction conflict. There were just sporadic skirmishes arranged by the same core of players. So what is it that motivates me to do it? What is it that motivates other PvPers to do it? I can think of a few possibilities, but even if I look at my best reasons as objectively as possible, they aren't even remotely good reasons. Yet I keep doing it.

In this post I will take a look at what drives one to PvP in Fallen Earth. What are the benefits? What are the risk vs. reward factors? Are there objectives or goals? When I look at the cold, hard facts, I'm still not quite sure what motivates me (or the others who still hang around). After the cut, I'll go over all the potential reasons to PvP in FE (that I can imagine) and possibly narrow it down.

Continue reading Wasteland Diaries: Why do I PvP?

MassivelyWasteland Diaries: Why do I PvP? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 26 Aug 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blood sportsBloodSportscombat-systemconflict-townsdeath tollDeathTolldynamic-contentfaction reputationfaction-control-pointsFactionReputationfactionsfallen-earthfallen-earth-llcfcpsfeaturedgamersfirstGrindicarus-studiosmerchantspvppvp-zonesterritory-controlFri, 26 Aug 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New Fallen Earth dev blog talks fixing the economy]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/24/new-fallen-earth-dev-blog-talks-fixing-the-economy/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/24/new-fallen-earth-dev-blog-talks-fixing-the-economy/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/24/new-fallen-earth-dev-blog-talks-fixing-the-economy/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Fallen Earth - nice economy
What does the Fallen Earth dev team mean when it says "fixing the economy?" The latest dev blog has your answer, and there's nary a tax cut, stimulus plan, or partisan political argument in sight. Instead, producer Marie Croall waxes on about what's wrong with wasteland supply and demand, with a specific focus on crafting component drops and rarity.

The end goal is to "give value to basic, improved, and advanced recipes," and Croall hopes this will happen as a result of the team's manipulation of the market. "We had to, in some cases, actually create rarity where there was none or -- in the case of cooking components -- create common items where there were only rare and uncommon," she explains.

Fallen Earth's cooking mechanic is also receiving special attention, due in part to the large number of required components and the lack of rare ingredients in the current game build. The dev team is also taking a hard look at consumable buffs, and Croall states that more details on the upcoming fixes will be available as the patch nears release.

MassivelyNew Fallen Earth dev blog talks fixing the economy originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 24 Aug 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>commoncookingcraftingcrafting-componentsdev-blogdev-diaryeconomyfallen-earthfixing-the-economyicarusicarus-studiosmarket-manipulationnon-combat-gameplaypost-apocalypticraressci-fitradeskillinguncommonwastelandWed, 24 Aug 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wasteland Diaries: Mutations 2.0]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/19/wasteland-diaries-mutations-2-0/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/19/wasteland-diaries-mutations-2-0/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/19/wasteland-diaries-mutations-2-0/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Sunset over Citadel
We have a new skills and abilities system in Fallen Earth. I wrote a short guide about the new skills a couple of weeks ago, so this week I'd like to cover the new mutations. If you haven't played Fallen Earth in the past few months, you will log into a very empty hot-key bar and have a very messed-up build. You will have a lot more AP than you did, though. But that AP is useless if you don't know how to spend it. There are no more capstones to plan builds around; you'll have to build a clone that will suit your particular play-style. My skills post and this post will give you a pretty good idea of what each line does and what abilities or mutations they offer.

All clones still have alpha mutations, but they are only low-level mutations and are intended to introduce new players to the mutation system. These mutations are based soley on Charisma now rather than Willpower. Every mutation line also has a primary stat attached to it, which determines 75% of the maximum attainable skill level. The other 25% is determined by Willpower. Total gamma (gamma is the mutation stamina pool that you deplete when you use mutations) is now determined by Charisma and Intelligence. Willpower is not nearly as important to mutation-heavy characters as it used to be. Those are the fundamental changes to mutations, and after the cut I'll describe what each line has in its arsenal.

Continue reading Wasteland Diaries: Mutations 2.0

MassivelyWasteland Diaries: Mutations 2.0 originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 19 Aug 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alpha-mutationsapempathyenhancementfallen-earthfallen-earth-llcfeaturedgamersfirstguideicarus-studiosIlluminationmutationsnano-manipulationpatho-transmissionPrimalsonic-manipulationsuppressiontelekenesisthermal-controlFri, 19 Aug 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fallen Earth store goes all the way with a 100% rebate event]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/17/fallen-earth-store-goes-all-the-way-with-a-100-rebate-event/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/17/fallen-earth-store-goes-all-the-way-with-a-100-rebate-event/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/17/fallen-earth-store-goes-all-the-way-with-a-100-rebate-event/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

You could buy a gun! You know, to shoot back.
You know what's better than spending a bunch of money on buying in-game items for your character in the soon-to-be free-to-play Fallen Earth? Spending a bunch of money on buying in-game items for your character and then getting all of that money back. Sounds too good to be true? It's not. From August 18th to August 23rd, GamersFirst is holding a 100% rebate promotion for the game, where every purchase will come with a nice big rebate of every credit used in the purchase.

Now, before you ask, it's not quite free -- the rebate comes after the end of the promotion, meaning that if you spend $20 during the promotion, you will be credited with $20 after the promotion ends. Still, it's a chance to pick up all sorts of fun accessories, several of which are deeply discounted during the promotion. Fallen Earth players would be well advised to browse the market and decide if there's anything worth buying -- after all, it all comes back to you in the end.

MassivelyFallen Earth store goes all the way with a 100% rebate event originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 17 Aug 2011 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f2pfallen-earthfallen-earth-llcfefree-to-playgamersfirsticarus-studiosmicrotransactionspromotionsrebatesstore-creditsstore-rebatesWed, 17 Aug 2011 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Wasteland Diaries: It's fixed]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/12/wasteland-diaries-its-fixed/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/12/wasteland-diaries-its-fixed/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/12/wasteland-diaries-its-fixed/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Victors at Blockade
During the past couple of weeks, I haven't been playing Fallen Earth too much. I have been waiting for some changes to come along. I found the new combat system to be a bit too slow-paced and dull. It was very centered around healing. He who healed the best generally won the fights. I prefer a system in which he who deals the most damage is more likely to win. There are, of course, other tactical considerations involved in both types of combat, but the overall feel was just plain wrong in the healer-centric combat system.

I'm happy to report that some changes have been made to the system. There are still a few things I don't like about the 1.9 patch, but 1.9.2 fixed almost all of these issues. I won't say it was a perfect patch, but it was very close. There are still some minor issues I'd like to see addressed, but these are probably conscious design choices that are working as intended. In this post, I'd like to cover what has changed, why it's so great, and what we will see in the coming months. The urge to log into Fallen Earth is coming back to me, and it is all due to this new patch. After the cut, I'll explain why.

Continue reading Wasteland Diaries: It's fixed

MassivelyWasteland Diaries: It's fixed originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 12 Aug 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alpha-countyblockadecitadelcombat-systemecoomy-overhaulfallen-earthfallen-earth-llcfast-travelfeaturedgamersfirsthealingicarusicarus-studiospowerprecisionpvepvpsector-4staminaterritory-controlFri, 12 Aug 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[One Shots: Aye aye, Cap'n Tightpants!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/12/one-shots-aye-aye-capn-tightpants/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/12/one-shots-aye-aye-capn-tightpants/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/12/one-shots-aye-aye-capn-tightpants/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

One Shots Fallen Earth
Today's One Shots takes us to Fallen Earth's wasteland, where visitors to Watchtower in Sector 1 will find a subtle nod to Firefly.
Icarus Studios didn't go over the top when creating Captain Reynolds. He's not wearing a brown coat and chatting about spaceships, but the name alone is familiar enough that most fans will smile in recognition.
We're celebrating pop culture in our MMOs this week. Developers sneak references in all over games, whether it be via NPCs, quests, or items, and we want to see your favorites. Grab a screenshot, tell us a bit about what it is, and send it to oneshots@massively.com. We'll be featuring the best of these all week.

It's also time to start thinking about next week's One Shots theme, and we'll be revisiting an old favorite: environments. Snap a screenshot of your favorite MMO vista and send it in, and we'll feature it on One Shots next week!

Gallery: One Shots: 2011

MassivelyOne Shots: Aye aye, Cap'n Tightpants! originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 12 Aug 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fallen-earthfireflygalleriesgalleryicarusicarus-studiosone-shotsscreenshotscreenshotsFri, 12 Aug 2011 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fallen Earth state of the game talks 1.9.2, economics, and more]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/11/fallen-earth-state-of-the-game-talks-1-9-2-economics-and-more/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/11/fallen-earth-state-of-the-game-talks-1-9-2-economics-and-more/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/11/fallen-earth-state-of-the-game-talks-1-9-2-economics-and-more/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Fallen Earth
Curious -- and perhaps a tad impatient -- regarding the status of Fallen Earth's free-to-play transition? We were, and fortunately for everyone, producer Marie Croall just penned a dev blog that's given us a bit more insight into the goings-on around the wasteland as of late.

The good news is that "the heavy lifting is over" in terms of the account and services migration to GamersFirst. Croall says that the Fallen Earth team is a smidge over halfway through the entire transition process, so for now it'll still cost you a few bucks to log in and get your post-apocalyptic sandpark fix.

Croall spends some virtual ink talking about this month's fast travel/1.9.2 patch, and she also goes into a bit more detail on the combat changes that came with it. Finally, she touches on the game's second anniversary (yeah, it's been two years already!), which happens next month and will also herald some economic changes designed to make the game's well-regarded crafting system pack a little more punch. There's more too, but much of it is farther down the development pipeline, and we highly recommend heading to the official Fallen Earth dev blog to check it out.

MassivelyFallen Earth state of the game talks 1.9.2, economics, and more originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 11 Aug 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1.9.22-year-anniversarycraftingdev-blogdev-diaryeconomyf2pfallen-earthfast-travelfree-to-playgamers-firstgamersfirsticarusicarus-studiosmarie-croallpost-apocalypticsandparksci-fiwastelandThu, 11 Aug 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fallen Earth 1.9.2 debuts tomorrow, expands fast travel options]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/09/fallen-earth-1-9-2-debuts-tomorrow-expands-fast-travel-options/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/09/fallen-earth-1-9-2-debuts-tomorrow-expands-fast-travel-options/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/09/fallen-earth-1-9-2-debuts-tomorrow-expands-fast-travel-options/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

There's a lot going on in the wasteland these days, and the Fallen Earth dev blog updated with a bird's eye view of all the shenanigans over the weekend. First and foremost, the 1.9.2 patch is on the way (it's currently scheduled for tomorrow, in fact), and the blog entry has the patch notes ready for your perusal.

Along with the requisite combat, skills, and recipe updates, the big news is the expansion of the game's fast travel mechanics. Players are now able to zip between certain LifeNet pod locations, with additional destinations becoming available as LifeNet's supplies are restocked. The fast travel system necessitates mission turn-ins at each pod location that a player wishes to use, and the mechanic also features level, chip, and knowledge requirements.

That's not all there is to 1.9.2, of course, and the update notes are pretty extensive. Head to the Fallen Earth dev blog to read new info on progress towns, mission updates, and a laundry list of other tweaks.

MassivelyFallen Earth 1.9.2 debuts tomorrow, expands fast travel options originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 09 Aug 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1.9.21.9.2-patchf2pfallen-earthfallen-earth-llcfast-travelfree-to-playgamersfirsticarusicarus-studiosinstant-travellifenetlifenet-podpatchespost-apocalypticsci-fiskill-basedtravelupdateswastelandTue, 09 Aug 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wasteland Diaries: I got skills]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/05/wasteland-diaries-i-got-skills/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/05/wasteland-diaries-i-got-skills/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/05/wasteland-diaries-i-got-skills/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Sector 4, a new skill and abilities system and a new... well, a new everything has come to Fallen Earth. Even the forums will be migrating over to GamersFirst's little piece of cyberspace. While the transition hasn't gone completely smoothly, it could have been a lot worse. I don't know why they decided to do all this stuff at once, but it went well, considering how major an undertaking it probably was. The skills and abilities (also known as the "combat system") didn't fare too well with the wastelanders, and the devs have promised some fixes. With everything going on right now, I don't think we'll see them any time soon, though I may be wrong.

One thing is for sure: The new combat system is here to stay. Many of us would like to see them scrap it, go back to the old system and just patch up its imperfections (it was so close). But, I have been told emphatically that it's here to stay. So, instead of dwelling on the what-ifs, I'd like to take a look at all of the new skills and mutations, since they are definitely permanent -- although they may be changing a little bit in the coming days while this brand-new system is tested and balanced.

Mostly what we have now is what we are going be using. Some of them are the same, but by and large, this new system is an entirely different animal. You may recognize some of the names, but most of the abilities (actually, I think all of them) function differently. After the cut, we will take a look at every skill and their associated abilities in the game.

Continue reading Wasteland Diaries: I got skills

MassivelyWasteland Diaries: I got skills originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 05 Aug 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abilitiesf2pf2p-modelfallen-earthfallen-earth-llcfeaturedgamersfirsticarus-studiosnew-combat-systemnew-skillssector-4skillsstatisticstransitionFri, 05 Aug 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wasteland Diaries: The story of the fall]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/29/wasteland-diaries-the-story-of-the-fall/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/29/wasteland-diaries-the-story-of-the-fall/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/29/wasteland-diaries-the-story-of-the-fall/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

I've determined that I'll make this week's post a bit of a history lesson. How did Fallen Earth fall? I'll tell you, because if there is one thing I can't possibly fault about the Fallen Earth dev team, it's their writing. Though it's a little far-fetched (in my opinion), the background lore is pretty good. The game dialogue is second to none, but it's the lore we are going to take a closer look at.

Much of the story unfolds and is fleshed out throughout the game while talking to various NPCs. But knowing the back-story will help you understand a little better about what is going on in the Grand Canyon Province, especially how the factions inter-relate. So click past the cut and let's get started.

Continue reading Wasteland Diaries: The story of the fall

MassivelyWasteland Diaries: The story of the fall originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 29 Jul 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alec-mastersaro-seichotaenforcersfallen-earthfallen-earth-llcfeaturedgamersfirstglobaltechicarus-studioslifenetlorenano-technologyredhandrothium-kegsshiva-viruswhite-crowFri, 29 Jul 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[GamersFirst's Fallen Earth account transitions begin today]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/29/gamersfirsts-fallen-earth-account-transitions-begin-today/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/29/gamersfirsts-fallen-earth-account-transitions-begin-today/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/29/gamersfirsts-fallen-earth-account-transitions-begin-today/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Today's the big day for Fallen Earth and GamersFirst account integration, and the Icarus team has posted a brief how-to on the game's official website. Fallen Earth will go dark at approximately 5:00 p.m. EDT, and "the process is expected to take quite some time."

When the server comes back up, players will need a free GamersFirst account to log in, and they'll also be prompted to merge their old Icarus accounts with the new account before continuing. Credit card payment information will automatically transfer, but Paypal users will need to manually update their info on the account settings page.

Finally, ClickandBuy will no longer be an option for subscription accounts, and the Fallen Earth team is inviting former users to continue their subs via Paypal or traditional credit card payments. Icarus also points out that today's migration has nothing to do with either game content or the impending free-to-play conversion (i.e., subscriptions will still be required for game access after today's merge is complete).

MassivelyGamersFirst's Fallen Earth account transitions begin today originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 29 Jul 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>account-conversionaccount-migrationaccountsf2pfallen-earthfree-to-playgamersfirstgamersfirst-accounticarusicarus-studiosmmo-industrypost-apocalypticsci-fiserver-downtimewastelandFri, 29 Jul 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fallen Earth subscriber appreciation gifts detailed]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/26/fallen-earth-subscriber-appreciation-gifts-detailed/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/26/fallen-earth-subscriber-appreciation-gifts-detailed/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/26/fallen-earth-subscriber-appreciation-gifts-detailed/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

If you're a Fallen Earth subscriber, you're about to get a few thank you gifts from Icarus and GamersFirst. A new blurb on the post-apocalyptic MMORPG's website outlines the goodies in store for loyal wastelanders that stay subbed from August through October.

Fancy white boots, hats, and jackets are the order of the day, so if you've ever had the urge to dress your clone like a pimp or an extra from the Matrix, now's the time. The devs are giving away some pretty cool pets as well, and you'll take home a skin dog, a chupacabra, and an old creeper if you stay subbed for all three months.

Subscribers "won't have to buy these or do anything out of the ordinary to get them; they will gravitate towards you like mosquitoes to freshly exposed skin," says the Fallen Earth website. It's also worth noting that these gifts are not part of the veteran rewards system which Icarus says will be taking effect when the free-to-play transition is complete.

MassivelyFallen Earth subscriber appreciation gifts detailed originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 26 Jul 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chupacabraf2pfallen-earthfree-to-playgamers-firstgamersfirsticarusicarus-studiosold-creeperpetspost-apocalypticrewardssci-fiskindog-petsubscriber-rewardsveteran-rewardswastelandTue, 26 Jul 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wasteland Diaries: Triumphant return]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/22/wasteland-diaries-triumphant-return/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/22/wasteland-diaries-triumphant-return/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/22/wasteland-diaries-triumphant-return/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

I remember way back when the Fallen Earth team released Deadfall there were many people didn't partake because they were waiting for Sector 4. And Deadfall was a pretty major update. It was practically a sector unto itself, with the level cap raised by four. As far as content goes, it wasn't far behind Alpha County in terms of scale.

Yet for some reason, many players were holding off on re-subbing until the elusive Sector 4 raised its mythical head. Hopefully those players are willing to wait another week or two. Sector 4 is finally here, but I don't feel it's quite ready yet. It's not S4 itself, it's a slew of other things which I'll cover that later.

The important thing is if you decide to head into Alpha, be prepared. You might be a little rusty after all of this time away from the wasteland and in need a refresher course in the finer points of not taking a Kaibab dirtnap. If that's the case, don't sweat it, we all are still working out kinks due to the new combat system. But even if you are stumbling back into the game in the most ungainly of fashions, an ounce of prevention is still much better than a pound of cure. There are a few things you can do to help yourself thrive in the new sector. After the cut, I'll give you some advice that may or may not help you along your way. I'm hoping on the former.

Continue reading Wasteland Diaries: Triumphant return

MassivelyWasteland Diaries: Triumphant return originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 22 Jul 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alpha-countycombat-systemconsumablesdeadfallfallen-earthfallen-earth-llcfeaturedfirst-aidgamersfirsticarus-studiosintelligenceInterceptorinterceptor-security-modellevel-caplevel-cap-increasenew-combat-systemsector-4Fri, 22 Jul 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[GamersFirst talks Fallen Earth account changes]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/21/gamersfirst-talks-fallen-earth-account-changes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/21/gamersfirst-talks-fallen-earth-account-changes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/21/gamersfirst-talks-fallen-earth-account-changes/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

If you're a current Fallen Earth subscriber, you'll want to head over to the official Fallen Earth dev blog to get the skinny on the upcoming account shenanigans scheduled to take place on August 1st and beyond.

In a nutshell, Fallen Earth's acquisition by GamersFirst has necessitated that all users acquire a GamersFirst account to log into the game. Never fear, though, it's a free account, and it's just another step in the changeover process. In fact, GamersFirst's Joseph "Linus" Willmon writes that the account gymnastics are part of "phase two, where we fully integrate Fallen Earth into the GamersFirst publishing platform." Phase one has already been completed, and it involved a lot of behind-the-scenes hardware moves and the like.

This week's Fallen Earth dev blog contains a complete rundown of the rest of the changes scheduled to occur in phase two, including payment and subscription tweaks.

MassivelyGamersFirst talks Fallen Earth account changes originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 21 Jul 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>account-changeoveraccount-migrationaccountsdev-blogf2pfallen-earthfree-to-playg1gamersfirstgamersfirst-accounticarusicarus-studiosjoseph-willmonlinuspost-apocalypticsci-fiwastelandThu, 21 Jul 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[One Shots: And the rocket's red glare]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/19/one-shots-and-the-rockets-red-glare/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/19/one-shots-and-the-rockets-red-glare/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/19/one-shots-and-the-rockets-red-glare/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

I searched high and low for an old Tabula Rasa screenshot for my turn at the One Shots helm today, but hooking up old hard drives did not sound like a fun morning to me. So I've decided to show off my new bazooka (that I'm borrowing from the clan) on my Fallen Earth character, Ampersand.

I'm a huge fan of the guns in Fallen Earth, and this Omega Arms Valkyrie will literally blast your face off. It looks a bit odd on a scrap-armored CHOTA, but I'm willing to break immersion to melt some faces.

All this week, we Massively writers are spotlighting some of our personal favorite One Shots. What exciting stories revolve around our screenshots? Stay tuned to find out. Next week, after staff picks week, will be free-for-all week for you, our readers. Send any eye-catching, beautiful, scary, or generally epic screenshot to oneshots@massively.com, and we'll pick the best of the best for next week's One Shots!

Gallery: One Shots: 2011

MassivelyOne Shots: And the rocket's red glare originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 19 Jul 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ampersandbazookaface-meltingfallen-earthgamersfirsticarusicarus-studiosone-shotsrocket-launcherTue, 19 Jul 2011 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fallen Earth dev blog talks builds, combat mechanics, and more]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/12/fallen-earth-dev-blog-talks-builds-combat-mechanics-and-more/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/12/fallen-earth-dev-blog-talks-builds-combat-mechanics-and-more/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/12/fallen-earth-dev-blog-talks-builds-combat-mechanics-and-more/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Let it never be said that the devs at GamersFirst and Icarus fail to communicate with Fallen Earth players. The latest wasteland-flavored dev blog is longer than your average George R. R. Martin novel, and just about as complex.

This week's installment is heavy on builds and mechanical info following the recent combat revamp, and theorycrafters, min-maxers, and folks whose eyes don't glaze over at the thought of number-driven minutiae will no doubt find it instructive.

There's also a brief mention of current subscriber rewards, as well as some hinting at the various subscriber levels (and premium access benefits) that the dev team is still in the process of tweaking. Read all about it at the official Fallen Earth dev blog.

MassivelyFallen Earth dev blog talks builds, combat mechanics, and more originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 12 Jul 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>buildscombat-buildscombat-mechanicscombat-revampdev-blogdev-diaryfallen-earthgame-mechanicsgamersfirsticarusicarus-studiospost-apocalypticsci-fiskill-buildsskillswastelandTue, 12 Jul 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Icarus and GamersFirst collaborate on new MMO]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/12/icarus-and-gamersfirst-collaborate-on-new-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/12/icarus-and-gamersfirst-collaborate-on-new-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/12/icarus-and-gamersfirst-collaborate-on-new-mmo/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Icarus Studios and Gamersfirst's Reloaded Productions have announced today that the two studios will be partnering yet again on an upcoming MMORPG. The game, titled Hailan Rising, will be based on Icarus' xScape platform, which is being modified to support Unity 3D.

Hailan Rising is "slated to be the industry's first full scale PvP-based Fantasy MMORPG developed in Unity 3D," and places players in the role of one of eight character classes in the post-apocalyptic fantasy world of Hailan. After the world is destroyed by a huge flood, land is at a premium, so players must battle it out for the newly created islands and the resources they hold. For more information on this upcoming title, head over to the game's official site.

Gallery: Hailan Rising Core Gallery

MassivelyIcarus and GamersFirst collaborate on new MMO originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 12 Jul 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fantasygamersfirsthailanhailan-onlineicarusicarus-studiospost-apocalypticpvppvp-basedunityunity-3dunity-engineunity3dxScapeTue, 12 Jul 2011 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Fallen Earth launches Alpha County expansion [Updated]]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/06/fallen-earth-launches-alpha-county-expansion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/06/fallen-earth-launches-alpha-county-expansion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/06/fallen-earth-launches-alpha-county-expansion/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Welcome to Alpha County, wasteland wanderers! That's right, the big day is here, as GamersFirst has finally launched (see below) the newest expansion to Fallen Earth. What does this new addition bring to Fallen Earth players? Well... (deep breath!) the largest addition is the eponymous Alpha County zone, which provides endgame-level players with a wealth of new content. The expansion brings the level cap to 55 and introduces a brand-new conflict town called Blockade. Also included are new areas known as Progress Towns. These towns are PvP-centric areas that players can fight over, command, defend, and hopefully, hold.

The expansion also brings a wealth of combat balance changes and new skill lines. The new system "allows for wider varieties of player builds and roles in combat." In addition, skills will no longer increase alongside the character's base statistics, thereby requiring more specialized skill investment in order to receive the most powerful abilities. New players aren't getting left in the dust either, as they will now begin the game with 30 Advancement Points from the get-go, allowing them to take steps toward customizing and defining their characters much earlier in the game. For more information, and to jump into the post-apocalyptic wasteland of Fallen Earth for yourself, head on over to the game's official site.

[Update: And it's just been announced that the Alpha County update is delayed until tomorrow. So there's that.]

MassivelyFallen Earth launches Alpha County expansion [Updated] originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 06 Jul 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alpha-countyblockadecombat-balanceexpansionexpansionsfallen-earthfallen-earth-llcfegamersfirsticarusicarus-studiosprogression-townsWed, 06 Jul 2011 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Wasteland Diaries: Playstyles]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/01/wasteland-diaries-playstyles/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/01/wasteland-diaries-playstyles/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/01/wasteland-diaries-playstyles/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Most MMOs have three playstyles. Well, that's incorrect; they actually have any number of play-styles with varying degrees of three types of play. PvE (player vs. environment) is the style of play in which the antagonists are a part of the gameworld itself. PvP (player vs. player) pits the players against each other. And RP (roleplaying) has the players vying for... whatever they decide they need to vie for. Most players engage Fallen Earth (or any MMO, for that matter) with a mix of the three.

Fallen Earth is a great setting for the RPers. Its vastness and its interesting-looking locales make for a variety of backdrops. The interesting locales usually make for some great locations for open world PvP. And there are hundreds and hundreds of PvE missions here, there, and everywhere. All three types of players can get a lot out of Fallen Earth if they approach the game properly. The purpose of this post is to help you along with getting what you can out of the game with your preferred playstyle. So without any further ado, click past the cut and read on.

Continue reading Wasteland Diaries: Playstyles

MassivelyWasteland Diaries: Playstyles originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 01 Jul 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alpha-countyauction-houseblockadeCraftercraftingfallen-earthfallen-earth-llcfefeaturedgamersfirsticarusicarus-studioslevel-capPlayStylepvepvproleplayRolePlayingRPsocialtraderFri, 01 Jul 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fallen Earth announces cash shop sale]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/29/fallen-earth-announces-cash-shop-sale/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/29/fallen-earth-announces-cash-shop-sale/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/29/fallen-earth-announces-cash-shop-sale/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Even after the apocalypse, price-slashing still appears to be a running tradition. GamersFirst announced today that everything in the Fallen Earth cash shop must go! Or something like that, anyway. Many Fallen Earth cash shop items have had their prices lowered drastically, with the sale lasting until the launch of Alpha County on July 6th.

The selection of items on sale is extensive, with extra character slots -- usually $30 -- dropping to a comparatively dirt-cheap $11. Faction resets drop from $15 to $9, and many other items, such as a fashionable pair of brass goggles and a terrifyingly fowl (ha ha) prairie chicken mount, have had their prices lowered by 50% or more. So if you're a Fallen Earth player looking to part with your hard-earned cash, head on over to the official site for the full sale listings.

MassivelyFallen Earth announces cash shop sale originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 29 Jun 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alpha-countybad-punscash-shop-salefallen-earthfallen-earth-llcfegamersfirsticarusicarus-studiosmicrotransactionsmmm-brass-gogglespost-apocalypsepost-apocalypticprairie-chickensaleWed, 29 Jun 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fallen Earth dev blog talks Alpha County, factional territory control, and more]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/27/fallen-earth-dev-blog-talks-alpha-county-factional-territory-co/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/27/fallen-earth-dev-blog-talks-alpha-county-factional-territory-co/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/27/fallen-earth-dev-blog-talks-alpha-county-factional-territory-co/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

There's a new Fallen Earth dev blog in town, and it's so big that it requires the input of two devs. Producer Marie Croall outlines the game's upcoming development schedule and even drops a release date for the much-anticipated Alpha County/Progress Towns/combat changes patch. That date is July 6th, and Croall provides a recap for those of you who've forgotten about the fact that the update will raise the level cap to 55 and introduce new resources, gear, missions, and a town to fight over.

Croall also hints at upcoming changes to Fallen Earth's fast travel system, and she's quick to point out that the team isn't "dumbing anything down -- just putting emphasis on the features that drive the game." Speaking of features, we learned that a world event system is coming, as is faction territory control. It sounds as if the details haven't been ironed out just yet, as Croall doesn't offer any specifics. She also invites players to ask plenty of questions "so [they] can explore all angles together."

GamersFirst's Joseph "Linus" Willmon checks in to update players on the status of the PTS as well as the new monitoring tools that G1 is putting in place to isolate those pesky server performance issues. Finally, there's a quick blurb about skill and faction respec items that have been added to the Fallen Earth store. Catch up on all of this and more at the official Fallen Earth dev blog.

MassivelyFallen Earth dev blog talks Alpha County, factional territory control, and more originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 27 Jun 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dev-blogdev-diaryf2pfactional-territory-controlfactional-warfarefallen-earthfree-to-playgamersfirsticarusicarus-studiosjoseph-willmonmarie-croallpost-apocalypticrespecssci-fiterritory-controlwastelandMon, 27 Jun 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wasteland Diaries: Coming soon]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/24/wasteland-diaries-coming-soon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/24/wasteland-diaries-coming-soon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/24/wasteland-diaries-coming-soon/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Due to the new partnership between Fallen Earth and GamersFirst, there are some huge changes coming in the very near future and massive changes headed our way before the end of the year. Sector 4 is going to be released soon along with a major re-write of the skills and abilities system. There are still a great many questions that remain unanswered, but the developers on both sides have dropped some subtle and not-so-subtle hints here and there.

There are still many players asking questions in global chat and on the forums that have been answered already. A few of the answers given have left me scratching my head, but I'm still optimistic at this point. But there's still a lot of confusion within the community about what is coming and when. I've dug up many of the responses to the toughest questions by Marie Croall of Fallen Earth and Joe Willmon of GamersFirst, who are holding their cards close to their chests but have nevertheless given up some good info. After the cut, I'll try to clarify what's going on in the short and long term, but it may result in some speculation on both our parts.

Continue reading Wasteland Diaries: Coming soon

MassivelyWasteland Diaries: Coming soon originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 24 Jun 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alpha-countydynamic-contentf2pfactionsfallen-earthfallen-earth-llcfeaturedfree-to-playgamersfirsthousingicarusicarus-studiosjoe-willmonmarie-croallpatchplayer-housingrespecrevampsector-4subscriptionsubscription-modelwasteland-diariesFri, 24 Jun 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wasteland Diaries: Weapon balance]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/17/wasteland-diaries-weapon-balance/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/17/wasteland-diaries-weapon-balance/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/17/wasteland-diaries-weapon-balance/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Rock, scissors, paper. It's not quite that simple when referring to the three weapon classes in Fallen Earth. You have the two ranged disciplines: rifles and pistols. And then you have melee weapons. They all have distinct advantages in combat, and they are all viable in PvP and PvE when played properly. There is a lot of debate about weapon balance on the forums and in the game (gotta love global chat) about weapon balance.

I come from the school of thought that believes the weapons are currently as balanced as they have ever been. Many people will disagree with me on that point. But the vast majority of people who agree that the combat is well-balanced in Fallen Earth's current system are my contemporaries who have been PvPing since alpha, beta or launch. Many newer, less experienced players feel that certain weapon classes are overpowered or useless. I say that is not the case. Continue past the cut and I'll explain why I feel that way.

Continue reading Wasteland Diaries: Weapon balance

MassivelyWasteland Diaries: Weapon balance originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 17 Jun 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abilitiesclassesdual-wieldingfallen-earthfallen-earth-llcfefeaturedgamersfirsticarusicarus-studiosknockdownmeleepistolpvepvpriflerocket-launchershotgunsniper-riflesubmachingunweapon-balanceweapon-classesweaponsFri, 17 Jun 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Inaugural Fallen Earth dev blog talks PvE, PvP, and roleplay content]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/16/inaugural-fallen-earth-dev-blog-talks-pve-pvp-and-roleplay-con/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/16/inaugural-fallen-earth-dev-blog-talks-pve-pvp-and-roleplay-con/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/16/inaugural-fallen-earth-dev-blog-talks-pve-pvp-and-roleplay-con/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Yesterday we broke the news that GamersFirst had acquired Fallen Earth and has set about molding the post-apocalyptic sci-fi title into a free-to-play experience. Today we're happy to tell you about the new Fallen Earth dev blog and its lengthy inaugural post.

The entry comes courtesy of associate game director Joseph "Linus" Willmon, and he expends a good deal of virtual ink on topics that include the free-to-play roadmap, various changes that will result from the conversion, a transition time frame, and post-F2P design priorities. While the entire post is quite intriguing for fans of the game's grungy wasteland shtick, that last bit is particularly interesting since it specifically targets three groups of players (one of which is almost universally ignored in dev circles) and promises them content updates.

"Anyone who's played Fallen Earth knows there are three core groups -- sometimes always at odds with one another -- that form the basis of the community: PvP players, PvE players, and roleplayers. The design priorities for the future will look towards building specific features and content aimed at each group, making the world much more robust and, we hope, exciting to experience," Willmon writes.

MassivelyInaugural Fallen Earth dev blog talks PvE, PvP, and roleplay content originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 16 Jun 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>designdesign-prioritiesdev-blogdev-diaryfallen-earthgamersfirsticarusicarus-studiosjoseph-willmonlinuspost-apocalypticpvepvproleplayrpsci-fiwastelandThu, 16 Jun 2011 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[GamersFirst announces acquisition of Fallen Earth with new F2P business model]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/15/gamersfirst-announces-acquisition-of-fallen-earth-with-new-f2p-b/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/15/gamersfirst-announces-acquisition-of-fallen-earth-with-new-f2p-b/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/15/gamersfirst-announces-acquisition-of-fallen-earth-with-new-f2p-b/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

After last month's announcement by GamersFirst that the company is taking over the hardware side of Fallen Earth, most of us made the obvious connection that the post-apocalyptic MMO would be heading into free-to-play territory. Even while hinting at it in a recent E3 interview, GamersFirst never really came out and said anything definitively.

Well, it has now. Today, GamersFirst has given us the exclusive news that it will be taking over the operations of Fallen Earth immediately. Of course, following all other games in the GamersFirst library, Fallen Earth will also adopt a F2P business model.

But what does this mean for the development of Fallen Earth? Will GamersFirst take over production and content design? Just how free will the game be? Follow along after the jump for answers to those questions and more.

Continue reading GamersFirst announces acquisition of Fallen Earth with new F2P business model

MassivelyGamersFirst announces acquisition of Fallen Earth with new F2P business model originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 15 Jun 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acquisitionBjorn-Book-LarssonBreakingNewsexercisef2pfallen-earthfallen-earth-llcfefree-to-playgamersfirsticarusicarus-studiosjoe-rushjoseph-willmonmarie-croallrahul-sandilreloaded-productionsWed, 15 Jun 2011 18:00:00 EST