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Lineage II celebrates its eighth anniversary with a Massively giveaway

Shawn Schuster — Fri, 11 May 2012 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Lineage 2, Contests, Giveaways, Anniversary

To celebrate the eighth Anniversary of Lineage II, NCsoft and Massively have teamed up to bring you a special in-game item to give away. The item is the two-slot head accessory known as the Warrior's Helmet (pictured above), complete with the Vampiric Rage skill, which increases attack speed by 33% and bestows the ability to recover as HP 9% of the physical damage inflicted upon the enemy for one hour. Reuse delay is four hours, and this item is seven-day use only.

If you'd like to grab one of these special items for your Lineage II character, head on over to our giveaway page to grab a code. And be sure to visit the item redemption page for complete instructions on how to add the code to your account!

Lineage II celebrates its eighth anniversary with a Massively giveaway originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 11 May 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lineage II brings a full update of Harmony

Eliot Lefebvre — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Lineage 2, Patches, Previews, News items, Free-to-play

Harmony is a good thing wherever you can find it. It's true in work, it's true in friendship, and it seems to be true in Lineage II as well. The latest patch, Harmony, will be launching on March 7th and bringing a number of improvements to the upper tiers of leveling: new quests, a new dungeon, and several updates for skills. If you're already near the top of the leveling game, the new dungeon of Kartia's Labyrinth is your primary destination, with the option to enter solo or in a party at level 85, 90, or 95.

There are also a variety of new quests introduced, starting at level 76 and moving up. For lower-level characters, new Campaigns have been added; Campaigns are special zone-wide events that happen on a regular schedule and give everyone a chance at some bonus experience and Marks. New mentoring skills are also available to help low-level characters reach their full potential, the sort of thing that really inspires some harmonious behavior among players.

Lineage II brings a full update of Harmony originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 05 Mar 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Choose My Adventure: How Lineage II feels to a Western newcomer

Jeremy Stratton — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Galleries, Polls, Screenshots, Lineage 2, Opinion, Free-to-play, Choose My Adventure

We're down to the wire for Lineage II's Choose My Adventure, with one more week to go. My Abyss Walker quickly rushed to the 40s, at which point leveling has slowed down considerably. I've talked about pets, explored (only a fraction of) the countryside, and touched on crafting and other features. What else could we possibly talk about?

I haven't really shared a lot of my experiences with my character class or how the class-transfers and skills affect my overall enjoyment of Lineage II. My third class-transfer is set in stone thanks to your poll choices and the game mechanics; now that I'm an Abyss Walker, I'm locked-in to become a Ghost Hunter, which makes sense. Ghost Hunter is melee, like my Abyss Walker. I can't really jump ship at this point and go ranged. So let's look a little more at my character, what the future could hold for him in terms of more class-transfers, and my opinions on non-situational combat and how that makes the game feel to me.

Gallery: CMA: Lineage 2

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Choose My Adventure: How Lineage II feels to a Western newcomer originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 04 Jan 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Game Archaeologist seals up 2011

Justin Olivetti — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: A Tale in the Desert, Asheron's Call, Dark Age of Camelot, EverQuest, Lineage, Meridian 59, PlanetSide, Shadowbane, Everquest Online Adventures, The Game Archaeologist, Miscellaneous

You know what I love about the end of each year? The lists. Man, but I'm a sucker for lists, especially when they come in "best of" varieties. In the lull between Christmas and New Year's, there typically isn't a lot happening in the world of entertainment, so it's a good time to look back before we head forward.

And so it is for The Game Archaeologist. 2011 marks the second year I've been doing this column, and it's been one of my personal favorite series to write. Every week I'm learning more and more about the history of the MMO genre, and I'm encouraged to see just how much passion and interest there are for the titles that started it all and got us to where we are today.

So before we head into 2012, let's take one last glimpse back at the road we've traveled. If you've missed out on any of these columns or want to revisit your favorite classic MMO, I've compiled a huge list of everything I talked about this year, from histories to interviews to player stories. There's also a special request for you (yes, you) at the end of this column, so do me a favor and hit that jump!

Continue reading The Game Archaeologist seals up 2011

The Game Archaeologist seals up 2011 originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 03 Jan 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Former Lineage II artist returns to NCsoft for new MMO project

Justin Olivetti — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Aion, Lineage, Lineage 2, MMO industry

NCsoft's prodigal son has returned, and with him the hopes and dreams of the future of gaming. Well that might be a smidge melodramatic, but fans of the company's games certainly have a good reason to celebrate today as former Lineage II artist Juno Jeong has come back to the fold.

Jeong signed back on with NCsoft as of yesterday to be the art director of an unknown MMO project. This is a marked step up from his previous role in the company as a member of the character production team, and those who know Jeong's art style are already expressing excitement with his current role. Following his stint on Lineage II, Jeong worked for several other game companies including Gravity, NHN, and Npluto.

While speculation is swirling over the exact nature of the project to which he's been assigned, the most common assumptions are either that he's working on another Lineage or Aion title.

Former Lineage II artist returns to NCsoft for new MMO project originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 03 Jan 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Choose My Adventure: Post-Christmas update

Jeremy Stratton — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Galleries, Lineage 2, Opinion, Free-to-play, Choose My Adventure, Livestream

A turkey and ham coma, family soiree, and the biggest calendar holiday of the year have left my Lineage II escapades a wee bit smaller this week, but not without some fun happenings. Speaking of holidays, I hope everyone had a terrific one!

Random events, miraculously revived dead pets, more amazing scenery, and lots of killing are on deck in today's Choose My Adventure. It turns out that I am terrible at raising my pet wolf and even got into an accidental scuffle with another player that left her pet dead and me even deader. I returned to the Path to Awakening because that's what you voted for last week. I've also neared the end of the uber-fast leveling cycle via quests and am turning to grinding for the majority of my experience gain. The fun-level has yet to dip for me; there's higher level gameplay I'm really hoping to dip my dagger into, and I'm curious to see what level I can reach by the end of this trip. As always, check out the extensive gallery and livestreams, and tune in to MV Guide to see when my next livestream will be.

Gallery: CMA: Lineage 2

Continue reading Choose My Adventure: Post-Christmas update

Choose My Adventure: Post-Christmas update originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 28 Dec 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ask Massively: Christmas Eve eve eve edition

Eliot Lefebvre — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, Opinion, Massively Meta, Humor, Ask Massively, Miscellaneous

After years of railing against the idea that Christmas gets pushed back further every single year, with most major retailers now preparing for it in mid-May, I finally understand why it's necessary to turn the entire month of December into a martyr for one appropriated pagan holiday: It's because sometimes it's really hard to come up with anything else to talk about, so you just look to the next landmark on the calendar and go with it. Coming up next week: Freedom Day Eve edition!

Moving on... this week's installment of Ask Massively is not all about Star Wars: The Old Republic, but as you probably expected around now, it's still poking its nose in. Also, last week's Lineage II questions continue. As always, further questions for future editions can be left in the comments or mailed along to ask@massively.com. Questions may be edited slightly for grammar and/or clarity.

Continue reading Ask Massively: Christmas Eve eve eve edition

Ask Massively: Christmas Eve eve eve edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 22 Dec 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Choose My Adventure: Exploration week

Jeremy Stratton — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 18:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Galleries, Polls, Video, Lineage 2, Opinion, Free-to-play, Choose My Adventure, Livestream

From desert wastelands and salty shorelines to plateaus and ocean floors, I've been busy traveling in Aden, and I've seen but a glimpse of the entire continent. Last week, you voted for me to stray from the Path to Awakening and explore the world in Lineage II, and I've been having a blast doing just that.

I discovered a monster racetrack, ran into raid bosses in the middle of nowhere, discovered a vast undersea temple, and so much more. I've also added 47 more screenshots to the gallery, uploaded a walkabout video, and have another livestream this week. We still aren't done yet. There are more chances for you to decide my fate in this week's Choose My Adventure.

Gallery: CMA: Lineage 2

Continue reading Choose My Adventure: Exploration week

Choose My Adventure: Exploration week originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 21 Dec 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ask Massively: Not everyone wants to be your friend edition

Eliot Lefebvre — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Game mechanics, Opinion, Humor, Ask Massively, Miscellaneous

I don't dislike Lineage II, but my experiences with it sort of cemented my feelings on non-consensual PvP. Suffice it to say that it involved someone who had set herself up a little sniping-hole from which she would murder any and all low-level characters with an arrow through the neck. As she explained in the area chat, this wasn't for rewards or anything. She was doing it because she found it funny.

Lots of of people do find that fun. But I'm personally not keen on that as a motivational technique. I don't want to level up so I can be one of the bullies instead of the bullied; I'd rather just opt out.

Why did I tell you that story to lead off Ask Massively? As Bill Cosby would put it, I told you that story so I could tell you this one, or at least so I could answer one of this week's questions about Lineage II. Also, thermodynamics. If you've got a question for a future installment, you can leave it in the comment field or mail it along to ask@massively.com.

Continue reading Ask Massively: Not everyone wants to be your friend edition

Ask Massively: Not everyone wants to be your friend edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 15 Dec 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Choose My Adventure: Lineage II by a landslide

Jeremy Stratton — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Polls, Lineage 2, Classes, Opinion, Free-to-play, Races, Choose My Adventure, Miscellaneous

It was no contest from the get-go. Lineage II took an early lead in last week's poll and firmly held on to it. Color me shocked. I really thought that a few of the entries would be closely tied. Some contestants recently added some juicy content releases, but Lineage II crushed them, and all the others, by getting 1,320 votes. The runner-up, Black Prophecy, only managed to secure 299 votes.

All its servers going F2P and the release of Age of Discovery weren't enough to put EverQuest II in the running. The F2P population boom in DC Universe Online's and its recent Lightning Strikes update weren't enough to create competition. Nope. The allure of Lineage II's F2P mode and the launch of the Goddess of Destruction expansion were just too much for voters to pass up.

Now it's your turn to start steering my course in the lands of Lineage II. Race, class, gender and my first class-transfer are all on the table.

I've tried to make voting as easy and clear as possible, but given how each race, and gender determine which classes you can choose from, you should make an effort to understand how all the choices work. Here's one example: Voting Dwarf and then Mystic is wasting a vote because Dwarves can only be Fighters, and it skews the results for those who are voting for a race that can be Mystics. You'll see what I mean.

Continue reading Choose My Adventure: Lineage II by a landslide

Choose My Adventure: Lineage II by a landslide originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 07 Dec 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lineage Eternal trailer shows off drag-and-hold combat

Jef Reahard — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Trailers, Video, Game mechanics, MMO industry, New titles, News items

Lineage fans have a lot to be excited about this week, as NCsoft has finally announced the third franchise entry at G-Star 2011. Lineage Eternal is shaping up to be a throwback to the original Lineage title due to its overhead camera, and it also sports a fairly unique "drag-and-hold" mechanic designed to make combat more immersive via drawn mouse patterns for various actions like spell-casting.

We say fairly unique here because while the mechanic is new to AAA MMO franchises, a similar idea was employed earlier this year in the Shadow Cities iPhone game. You can get a look at the mechanics in action, as well as over 14 minutes of Lineage Eternal gameplay, in the trailer after the cut.

[Thanks to John for the tip!]

Continue reading Lineage Eternal trailer shows off drag-and-hold combat

Lineage Eternal trailer shows off drag-and-hold combat originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 10 Nov 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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North Korea employing MMO hackers to fund government

Jef Reahard — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Lineage, Business models, Culture, MMO industry, News items

What's a dictator to do when his third-world economy is wheezing along on its last legs? Hack some video games, of course! According to a report in the New York Times, North Korea's Kim Jong-il unleashed an army of young computer crackers on popular South Korean online gaming portals to find ways to make quick cash.

South Korean authorities claim that a squad of approximately 30 hackers operated from a base in China and were given the mission of breaching online gaming servers (including those of the immensely popular Lineage) to set up bot factories and automated farming collectives. The digital booty was then sold to gamers for a reported $6 million over two years.

Chung Kil-hwan, a senior officer at South Korea's International Crime Investigation Unit, says that the hacker group "reports to a shadowy Communist Party agency called Office 39, which gathers foreign hard currency for Mr. Kim through drug trafficking, counterfeiting, arms sales, and other illicit activities."

North Korea employing MMO hackers to fund government originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 06 Aug 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Looking for the hit formula: NCsoft's Jeremy Gaffney on creating successful MMOs

Justin Olivetti — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Interviews, MMO industry, Miscellaneous

Jeremy Gaffney knows MMOs, having spent a great portion of his life working at Turbine and NCsoft, so when he speaks about building successful games, he's not just spitballing -- he's got experience in his back pocket and forward-thinking in the palm of his hand. Speaking with Develop, Gaffney gave clear, practical advice about how MMO studios can pull ahead and succeed in this cutthroat market.

Like many gamers, Gaffney is concerned with the growing aversion to risk-taking that studios exhibit as MMO gaming's gone more mainstream. "I worry, for example, that mass market equals mass budget equals risk aversion equals conservative design. The great thing about the early MMOs - games like Asheron's Call, Ultima Online, EverQuest and Lineage - was the fact they experimented; they weren't afraid to take different directions," he says.

Even so, Gaffney is excited for the possibilities in the industry, simply because there are so many of them. Whether studios choose to develop for the mainstream or niche, console or mobile markets, using free-to-play or subscription business models, he sees avenues for success in all of them: "The common denominator will always be the gamer. And with gamers comes diversity, especially now."

Gaffney's Carbine Studios is hard at work on an as-of-yet unnamed MMO which will be revealed at Gamescom later this month.

Looking for the hit formula: NCsoft's Jeremy Gaffney on creating successful MMOs originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 03 Aug 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Game Archaeologist and the What Ifs: Ultima Worlds Online: Origin

Justin Olivetti — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Trailers, Video, Ultima Online, Humor, The Game Archaeologist

Two months ago, we heard a rumor (which has since gone quiet) that a new Ultima Online sequel might be in the oven in Electronic Art's kitchen. As with any rumor, it was important to take it with a grain of disbelief, although a pinch of hope seems appropriate in this case as well. After all, Ultima Online's been begging for a sequel ever since the hit MMO started facing stiff competition in the form of 3-D worlds like EverQuest and Asheron's Call.

For some of us gamers, word of a UO sequel feels like deja vu, and rightly so. This wouldn't be the first time that EA embarked on a project to make a more modern Ultima Online, nor would it be the second time. Indeed, the saga of Ultima Online's canceled sequels is as torrid as it is steamy and lusty. Ignore the words in the previous sentence, as those are just to up the hits on search engines.

In our continuing series on the "what ifs?" of axed MMOs, we're going to head into a two-parter full of savage truth, dangerous decisions, and full-frontal nerdery. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the saga of Ultima Online 2.

Continue reading The Game Archaeologist and the What Ifs: Ultima Worlds Online: Origin

The Game Archaeologist and the What Ifs: Ultima Worlds Online: Origin originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 28 Jun 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Game Archaeologist traces his Lineage: The highlights

Justin Olivetti — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Lineage, The Game Archaeologist

If we judged MMOs by their numbers alone -- and I'm not suggesting we do so -- then Lineage would be the crowing rooster strutting about the hen house. It's also been one of those games that I've always intellectually acknowledged was a huge hit for some reason, but I never gave it much attention. I think it's because, contrary to many of the "big name" games we cover here, Lineage was and always will be an Asian phenomenon. That doesn't mean it should be shunned, of course, but just that it may be difficult to understand when you're on the outside of it.

So let's back up the memory truck to September 1998, when a then-fledgling NCsoft rolled out a Diablo-esque isometric MMO and struck virtual gold in South Korea. At the time, gaming rooms were becoming a huge thing in the country; a recession had hit (giving people a lot of time with nothing to do), and the government was rapidly expanding the broadband network. In the face of this perfect storm, titles like StarCraft and Lineage became overnight household fixtures -- and the country hasn't looked back.

Even if you haven't played Lineage and you don't know anyone who does, trust me: There are a lot of people playing this 13-year-old title, to the tune of millions and millions. As former Senior Producer Chris Mahnken said, "Lineage keeps going because it's just plain fun."

This month we'll be looking back at the incredible legacy that Lineage has given the industry, starting with an overview of the highlights of these past 13 years. Hit the jump and mind the gap!

Continue reading The Game Archaeologist traces his Lineage: The highlights

The Game Archaeologist traces his Lineage: The highlights originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 07 Jun 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The MMO Report: Lineage shutdown, Lion's Arch, and Sith Inquisitor trailer

Matt Daniel — Thu, 19 May 2011 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Video, Lineage, News items, Guild Wars 2, Star Wars: The Old Republic, Ether Saga Online, The MMO Report, Miscellaneous

Today's MMO Report, sadly, suffers from a distinct lack of Casey Schreiner. But all is well, as G4's Morgan Webb has stepped up to the plate to cover for Casey as he celebrates his 30th birthday.

The first order of business is the announcement that NCSoft will be shutting down the North American Lineage servers on June 29th. All inactive accounts for the 13-year-old game have been reactivated, and the game will be free-to-play until the servers go dark.

Secondly, we move on to the much-anticipated Guild Wars 2 and the confirmation that Lion's Arch, a social hub featured in the first game, would be making its return in Guild Wars 2. Be sure to check out our coverage of the unveiling of the fly-through video and some analytical commentary from our own Rubi Bayer.

Next up is some screen-time for Minecraft. While the game is not strictly an MMO, there's no doubt that the indie title has gained immense popularity in the gaming community. Morgan reports that Minecraft creator Notch is contemplating holding a Las Vegas launch party... err, convention tentatively dated for November 11th.

Star Wars: The Old Republic's Sith Inquisitor made its trailer debut earlier this week. Being described by Morgan as "the one player character you really don't want to meet in a dark alley," the class incorporates elements of both spellcasters and stealth classes into one mean, Force-fueled combination.

Lastly, we have a fly-through video of the starting zones of Perfect World Entertainment's Ether Saga Odyssey. The free-to-play MMO launched late last month.

For the full Casey-and-mailbag-deprived video, scuttle on past the cut.

Continue reading The MMO Report: Lineage shutdown, Lion's Arch, and Sith Inquisitor trailer

The MMO Report: Lineage shutdown, Lion's Arch, and Sith Inquisitor trailer originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 19 May 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Perfect Ten: Sequelitis

Justin Olivetti — Thu, 19 May 2011 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: EverQuest II, Lineage 2, Neocron 2, Sword of the New World, Guild Wars 2, Everquest Online Adventures, Humor, Final Fantasy XIV, DUST 514, Vindictus, EverQuest Next, Perfect Ten, Miscellaneous

As a long-time movie buff, I've always been fascinated by sequels. I know, they have a terrible reputation and everyone gets this face like he's digesting a porcupine when discussing them, but there's something fun about them as well. I think we always want a good story to continue, to see what happens next, and to answer the question, "What would the first film be like if it were put in the hands of a complete boob?" It would be an entertaining trainwreck, that's what.

Even though the MMORPG genre is in its toddler stage, it's seen a number of sequels, prequels and spin-offs, just the same as other types of entertainment. Video game sequels for hit titles are safer financial investments than striking out into new territory, so it makes sense that MMO studios would follow this pattern as well.

Right now there are loads of MMO sequels and spin-offs in the works -- including EverQuest Next, PlanetSide Next, Guild Wars 2, Mabinogi 2, MapleStory 2, Phantasy Star Online 2, Dust 514, and even a possible Ultima Online sequel -- so it's safe to say that the trend won't be dying down anytime soon. However, today I want to look at 10 sequels that already made it to release and briefly examine how they stacked up to their predecessors. Oh yes, there will be blood after the jump -- and I will drink your milkshake!

Continue reading The Perfect Ten: Sequelitis

The Perfect Ten: Sequelitis originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 19 May 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NCsoft increases profits, maintains revenues

Justin Olivetti — Tue, 17 May 2011 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Aion, Lineage, Lineage 2, MMO industry, Miscellaneous

It's a banner year over at the NCsoft household, as the company is showing a strong rise in net profits for the first quarter this year. Even though NCsoft's revenues have held relatively steady during Q1 2011, profits are up by 30% for a total of $37.5 million due to recent promotions in Lineage and Aion.

The vast majority of NCsoft's money comes from Korea, with Chinese and Western markets trailing behind. According to Gamesindustry.biz, Aion is making the most bank for the company (accounting for 44% of revenues), followed by Lineage (28%) and Lineage 2 (22%).

NCsoft's Sara Rogers sees nothing but good news in these numbers: "NCsoft consistently delivers strong figures in a way that most other games publishers can only dream of. These results prove that we have the MMO brands that people want to play and that we're able to grow and maintain customer loyalty, which is crucial in successful MMO publishing. This year, Gamescom will be very significant for us. We'll have a major presence and maybe even steal a headline or two."

NCsoft increases profits, maintains revenues originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 17 May 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NCsoft shutting down Lineage in North America

Eliot Lefebvre — Wed, 11 May 2011 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Lineage, Events, real-world, News items

Before Aion, before Guild Wars, before anything else for NCsoft, there was Lineage. Not the sequel (which actually takes place significantly before the first title) but the original game, released not too long after Ultima Online came on to the scene. While the game is old, it's long maintained a viable community within North America... but apparently not quite viable enough. Today, NCsoft announced that as of June 29th, the game's servers will be shutting down for good in North America.

Players who had registered previously have had their accounts reactivated in good standing, and all recurring billing has been cancelled from this date onward. The community team for the game is also promising some live events to help memorialize the game and let it go out with a bang rather than a whimper. We can also expect to see a few new live server rule pushes. Still, it's a sad day for Lineage fans, who are well advised to look at the official announcement and the refund policy to see how the plans for the remaining time will affect them.

NCsoft shutting down Lineage in North America originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 11 May 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lineage II's 7th anniversary kicks off with three weeks of events

Brendan Drain — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 21:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Lineage 2, Culture, Events, in-game, MMO industry, News items

It's sometimes hard to believe that the MMO genre is already over a decade old. Lineage II celebrates its 7th Anniversary this month, demonstrating an impressive longevity that not all MMOs can hope to match. To celebrate, NCSoft has three weeks full of events planned for current and ex-players of the game. Starting today and lasting until May 4th, all expired Lineage II accounts have been temporarily reactivated for free. During this time, any subscription purchases will be rewarded with special in-game anniversary rewards such as a chest full of gear or a pitch black version of the 7th anniversary cloak.

During the first week of the celebrations, players will benefit from free teleports at gatekeepers and double experience and skill points from monster kills. Extending the celebrations for a third week, an anniversary letters event will run from April 27th until May 11th. Players will sometimes find letter blocks when hunting monsters. Special rewards will be available for players who collect enough letters to spell out the words "NCSoft" or "Lineage II."

On April 27th and May 4th, the highest level characters on each account will be gifted with anniversary gift packs full of goodies. All characters above level 80 will also get an impressive-looking blood red endgame cloak on April 27th. For more details head over to the official announcement on the Lineage II website.

Lineage II's 7th anniversary kicks off with three weeks of events originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 20 Apr 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NCsoft's Lineage enjoys record year, Aion growth boosts total revenue

Jef Reahard — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Aion, Lineage, Lineage 2, Business models, Economy, MMO industry, News items

It's been an up and down year for NCsoft, literally. GamesIndustry.biz writes that the Korean MMO titan has reported increases in both its sales and operating profits but a drop in net income in the recently concluded fiscal 2010 period. Surprisingly, the company's total revenue was up two percent due to unprecedented sales of the 12-year-old Lineage MMORPG.

Much to the chagrin of fail-trolls across the internet, NCsoft has also publicized the fact that Aion continues to be a financial success after "recording consecutive growth for the last three years." Taken together, NCsoft's big three (Lineage, Lineage 2, and Aion) have now accounted for $2.7 billion in lifetime sales.

NCsoft's largest success came courtesy of the booming Korean market (which represented a $370 million cut of its $576 million total revenue). Next up was the Japanese market at $70 million, followed by North America at $43.4 million and Europe at $30.1 million.

NCsoft's Lineage enjoys record year, Aion growth boosts total revenue originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 11 Feb 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Game Archaeologist and the NeverEnding Quest: The vets

Justin Olivetti — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, EverQuest, Interviews, The Game Archaeologist

We just had to start 2011 in style, didn't we? I knew that by invoking the sacred name of EverQuest, I'd be opening the door for thousands of collective years' worth of memories, opinions, frustrations, nostalgia, gushing and blocky screenshots. But the Game Archaeologist fears not even the greatest mountain in MMO legend; it had to be climbed sooner or later. And of course, who better to guide you up the mountain than a few EQ Sherpas who know the way? Sure, they might try to steal the idol and not throw me the whip in the end, but that was a very real risk I was willing to take to get the full story.

So today I'd like to introduce you to three EverQuest veterans who are all now world-famous bloggers. If you sense a connection between these two facts, I will only hint at the possibility of a secret society in SOE's headquarters that bestows great blessings upon its faithful fans.

Hit the jump to meet this EQ trio and hear what they had to say about the MMO that profoundly affected their playing careers!

Continue reading The Game Archaeologist and the NeverEnding Quest: The vets

The Game Archaeologist and the NeverEnding Quest: The vets originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 11 Jan 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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G-Star 2010: From the show floor

Shawn Schuster — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Galleries, Culture, Events, real-world, MMO industry, New titles, Opinion, Hands-on, Massively Hands-on, Massively Event Coverage

With the booming popularity of Korean games in western culture, the G-Star convention in Busan, South Korea is quickly turning into an international event. We had an opportunity to attend the four-day convention to see the latest and greatest from Korean online gaming.

Follow along after the jump as I describe my experiences on the first day of the convention, as well as take a look at what else you can expect as we go into days two, three and four.

Continue reading G-Star 2010: From the show floor

G-Star 2010: From the show floor originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 18 Nov 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Take a two-week MMOcation: Lineage reactivates lapsed accounts for new update

Justin Olivetti — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Lineage, Promotions, Family

It may be an oldie, but Lineage shows no sign of slowing down in its middle age. In fact, NCsoft is on the verge of releasing a mega-update and is throwing open the doors to all previous Lineage players from the past decade-plus to give it a whirl.

On Wednesday, November 10th, the new update will be released in conjunction with a two-week period of reactivated accounts. From the 10th through the 24th, all previous Lineage players will find their accounts dusted off and unlocked for their gaming pleasure. Getting back into the swing of things is fairly simple, too: All one needs to do is just log in.

The succinctly named Tikal + Antharas update features a new dungeon (Tikal) as well as the first-ever raid dungeon for the game (Antharas). The patch notes show that there is plenty of content for everyone of all walks of play, as the update offers new pets, a revamped dungeon, plenty of additional items, and resting XP for higher levels.

You can read the full announcement as well as an account reactivation FAQ over at the Lineage website.

Take a two-week MMOcation: Lineage reactivates lapsed accounts for new update originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 09 Nov 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Game Archaeologist and the Quest for Camelot: The history

Justin Olivetti — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Dark Age of Camelot, The Game Archaeologist

After a two-week hiatus to recover from rattlesnake bites and a bear to the face, the Game Archeologist returns to travel to England, but not the England we know today. No, this is the England-That-Could-Have-Been, the England of King Arthur, Excalibur and pointy-hatted Vikings. This is the England of fairy tales and legends and blocky 2001-era polygon models. It is the England of three realms constantly jockeying for supremacy and power. It is Dark Age of Camelot.

It's a pretty awesome place to live, even though the property values are way, way down after the last 18 marauding hordes trampled through the neighborhood.

This month, the Game Archaeologist is trading in his copyright-infringement fedora and whip for a sturdy suit of armor and a fiery sword as he slashes his way into Dark Age of Camelot. It doesn't matter if it's only a model -- it still inspires him to break out into song anyway.

Continue reading The Game Archaeologist and the Quest for Camelot: The history

The Game Archaeologist and the Quest for Camelot: The history originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 03 Aug 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lineage readies Season 3, Episode 1 update

Jef Reahard — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Lineage, Expansions, Patches, News items

Massively is traveling back in time this week with regard to NCsoft titles, first with news about updates to Lineage II and now with word on an exciting bit of new content for the original Lineage. Yes, you heard right -- the first-gen MMORPG (originally released in 1998) is still alive, kicking, and updating.

July 29th will bring players the opportunity to experience Episode 1 of Season 3 on NCsoft's Play Test Servers. Subtitled Crack of Time and featuring new classes, a dungeon, and an expanded storyline, the update has yet to receive an official live release window.

New classes include the dragon knight (a damage-dealer featuring the ability to shape-shift into beast forms) and the illusionist (a PvP-centric class with substantial debuff magic and area-of-effect attacks). The update also brings revamped starting areas, Thebes Dungeon (which features a random entrance-spawn and a challenging completion timer), and tweaks specifically designed to cater to North American audiences. These changes include double XP, higher item drop-rates, and higher boss-spawn rates.

Lineage readies Season 3, Episode 1 update originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 26 Jul 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ArcheAge closed beta announced

Jef Reahard — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, New titles, News items, ArcheAge

We'll forgive you if you haven't yet heard of ArcheAge, an in-development MMORPG from XLGames. You probably have heard of lead developer Jake Song, though, or at the very least, you've probably played one of his games. The native South Korean is the brains behind the original Lineage, and he worked with Richard Garriott on Tabula Rasa. Also while at NCsoft, Song lent his talents to the conceptualization and creation of an MMORPG called Lineage Forever, which subsequently morphed into Aion.

These days, Song's XLGames is busily putting the CryENGINE 2 through its paces to bring you ArcheAge, and it is gearing up for the game's first closed beta test. The testing, scheduled for late July, looks to gather player feedback on some of the title's more unique features including destructible architecture.

Unfortunately, you'll need to speak Korean (and probably know someone on the inside) to get an invite, but stay with Massively for more on this new game as it develops.

ArcheAge closed beta announced originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 12 Jul 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Looking back at six years of Lineage II

Justin Olivetti — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Lineage 2, Events, in-game

Released in South Korea in 2003 and North America a year later, Lineage II came out as an old-school hardcore grind just as MMOs like City of Heroes, World of Warcraft and Guild Wars arrived on the scene and signaled a decisive shift toward more user-friendly, casual-accessible gameplay. Even so, Lineage II charged ahead to capture an impressive amount of players -- a reported 610,000 gamers were playing the title three years after launch -- and the game both endured and grew as time progressed.

A six-year anniversary doesn't have quite the gravitas as a five- or ten-year one, yet it's still an accomplishment that many of Lineage II's contemporaries failed to achieve before closing their doors. Travel with us then as we step back in time to an era when MMOs were the equivalent of a dangerous playground, with players leaping about despite rusty swings, harsh death penalties and a never-ending monkey bar grind. Join us as we examine Lineage II's history and seek to understand the secrets of this game's popularity, and what it still has to offer for the contemporary gamer.

Continue reading Looking back at six years of Lineage II

Looking back at six years of Lineage II originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 27 Jun 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lineage I patch to go live tomorrow

Rubi Bayer — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 21:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Lineage, Patches

Lineage I players who think they've done everything there is to do in the game, hold that thought, because Episode U goes live tomorrow and you won't be bored for a very long time.

The patch notes encompass a very long list of new content as well as updates to old content. There are new zones, bosses, and quests, as well as some new mini-games such as pet racing. The content isn't limited to gameplay, however. Take a look at the new mail system, the many new furniture items, and the new alliance system as well.

The patch has been in testing, and there are still some bugs to be worked out. The patch announcement states "We are still committed to fixing more bugs, but we do not wish to delay the patch any longer," and notes that none of the current bugs are game-breaking.

Take a look at the full patch notes here, and enjoy Episode U!

Lineage I patch to go live tomorrow originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 23 Feb 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NCsoft shows record profits in latest quarterly report

Rubi Bayer — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Aion, Lineage, Lineage 2, News items

NCsoft has released information on the latest fiscal quarter, and the numbers presumably made some happy faces at NCsoft according to a report at Gamasutra.

Just a few short months after the September launch of Aion for North America and Europe, NCsoft reports record profits in its fiscal fourth quarter. Sales were up 99% year-on-year, thanks in large part to the hugely hyped Aion, which sold over 300,000 copies through pre-order alone.

While Aion is responsible for 48% of the sales numbers, the Lineage IP held its own easily, with Lineage accounting for 27% of sales and Lineage 2 holding 20%. Lineage has been around and performing steadily since 1998, but the recently revitalized franchise was a big factor in NCsoft's success over the past year.

The full report can be viewed here.

NCsoft shows record profits in latest quarterly report originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 11 Feb 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Massively's 2009 Winter Holiday Event Guide

Rubi Bayer — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Sci-fi, Super-hero, Aion, City of Heroes, Dark Age of Camelot, Dungeons and Dragons Online, EVE Online, EverQuest II, Fallen Earth, Final Fantasy XI, Guild Wars, Lineage, Lineage 2, Lord of the Rings Online, MapleStory, Culture, Events, in-game, Warhammer Online, Star Wars Galaxies, Ultima Online, MetaPlace, Free-to-play, Runes of Magic, Dragonica Online, Cities XL

It's that time of year again -- whatever holiday you are celebrating, the denizens of your favorite MMO are sure to be celebrating it too. Whether it's Festivult in Dungeons and Dragons Online, Wintersday in Guild Wars, or the Starlight Celebration in Final Fantasy XI, the theme is the same. There are presents, some sort of sugary treats, and tons of fun. Follow along with us as we check out who's partying in your favorite MMO and what you need to do to get in on the fun.

Continue reading Massively's 2009 Winter Holiday Event Guide

Massively's 2009 Winter Holiday Event Guide originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 16 Dec 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The gaming renaissance, part 2

Brendan Drain — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:00:00 EST

Continue reading The gaming renaissance, part 2

The gaming renaissance, part 2 originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The gaming renaissance

Brendan Drain — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, MMO industry, Opinion, Academic, Virtual worlds

In the early 70's, some clever chap programmed a pile of circuits to create a primitive game we all know as Pong. Fast-forward some forty years down the line and we're now battling Orcs in Azeroth and flying spaceships in the far-reaches of another galaxy. An entire games industry has erupted from those first simple arcade systems, with people designing and programming games for kids and adults alike. In the 90's, the first generation of kids that grew up with those early game systems became the ones making them and a virtual renaissance in game design ensued. Those kids that grew up wishing they could make their own games started to realise their dreams and the games industry as we know it came forth. More recently, the people that grew up with early MMOs have begun to hit the games industry and we're seeing a rebirth of the genre.

In this article, I look at the games industry explosion and how it relates to the generations growing up with games. I ask whether the MMO genre is headed for its own great gaming renaissance and take a speculative look ahead at the future for MMOs and the games industry as a whole.

Continue reading The gaming renaissance

The gaming renaissance originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Watch "Another Perfect World" live in Metaplace at 3 PM ET here on Massively

Seraphina Brennan — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Video, Culture, Events, in-game, MMO industry, MetaPlace, Academic, Virtual worlds

"Another Perfect World", a documentary featuring some of our favorite MMO developers, is going to be shown today in Metaplace at 3 PM ET, 12 PM PT. Jump in with other virtual users and watch the video live via streaming connection, all from the comfort of your home computer.

The documentary focuses on the creation of virtual utopias and how man strives to create the perfect world, even if it's only a virtual one. Speakers in the documentary include Raph Koster from Metaplace, Philip Rosedale from Second Life, Jae-Kyung Song from Lineage, and Hilmar Veigar Petursson from EVE Online, making this an interesting tale for many MMO users.

The best part about all of this is that you don't even have to leave Massively to jump into Metaplace! We've embedded The Stage here after the break, so you can watch the movie and chat with fellow virtual world enthusiasts (and Massively readers) right from the comfort of this very post! It can't better than that! So make the leap and continue reading to log into Metaplace and watch "Another Perfect World" today at 3 PM!

Continue reading Watch "Another Perfect World" live in Metaplace at 3 PM ET here on Massively

Watch "Another Perfect World" live in Metaplace at 3 PM ET here on Massively originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 10 Sep 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Score some cheap NCsoft game time

Krystalle Voecks — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Aion, City of Heroes, City of Villains, Lineage, Lineage 2, News items

If you, like us, are always looking for a way to save a few dollars in your monthly MMO budget, then you may be glad to hear this news. After all, replacing all those robot minions when they get trashed can be really expensive - or maybe that's just us. In either case, if you're an avid City of Heroes or City of Villains, Lineage, or Lineage II player, then you'll be glad to hear that our friends over at GoGamer have a great sale on NCsoft time cards going on now. (We'd assume they'll work on Aion as well, considering their site lists these cards as being valid for Auto Assault....)

Right now, you can score two months of prepaid game time for the seriously cheap price of $18.90. While there is a shipping cost, the charge becomes very minor compared to the overall savings when you stock up on multiple cards. Of course, if you don't really want several months of cheap game time, you could always go in on an order with friends - or just send them to us. We'd gladly take any spare pre-paid time off your hands. Expensive robot minion replacements and all that, you know.

Score some cheap NCsoft game time originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 31 Jul 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NCsoft's open letter to the Aion community targets all players of NCsoft games

Seraphina Brennan — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Aion, Culture, MMO industry

It's not everyday that we find a letter addressed to an entire company's audience when it's posted on a specific game site, but that's what NCsoft West's executive producer, Lance Stites has done with his recent letter to the Aion community.

To sum up his letter, it's been a busy series of restructuring the company and preparing for their next big release: Aion. While much of the focusing has been on Aion, the company isn't looking away from Lineage, Lineage II or Exteel. Those are still high on the company's priority list, according to Stites.

But things are going along smoothly for Aion, as more voice overs are currently being recorded, the localization is continuing smoothly, and tutorial videos are in production. It sounds like Aion really is the golden game of the studio, but it's also nice to hear about all of the staffing changes going on with the other games.

For the full letter and all of the nitty gritty of what's going on with the studio, head on over to Aion's website and check out Stites's report.

NCsoft's open letter to the Aion community targets all players of NCsoft games originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 27 Jun 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Buy some MMO games, save some cash on Steam this weekend

Seraphina Brennan — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 19:10:00 EST

Filed under: At a glance, Business models, Culture, Events, real-world, News items

We're not usually ones who talk about sales or point out discounts, but this is one of those offers that we just couldn't refuse. It's the weekend, so Steam has to put some of their games on sale, as per the usual. This weekend however, it's most of their massively multiplayer collection.

This isn't just a select few games. No sir. We're talking about EverQuest, Everquest II, Pirates of the Burning Sea, Lineage, Lineage II, City of Heroes, the Guild Wars trilogy pack, Age of Conan, EVE Online, and Vanguard have all been discounted. Most of the games have been marked down by 20%, but EVE Online has been cut down by 50% while EverQuest II: The Shadow Odyssey has been slashed by a 75% hit, bringing it down to the wonderful price of 10 bucks! That's all of EverQuest II for 10 bucks!

So why are you still here, reading this post? Get over to Steam!

Buy some MMO games, save some cash on Steam this weekend originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 12 Jun 2009 19:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Should MMOs have sequels?

Brendan Drain — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: World of Warcraft, Fantasy, Sci-fi, EVE Online, EverQuest, EverQuest II, Lineage, Lineage 2, Business models, Culture, Expansions, MMO industry, Opinion, RuneScape, Academic, Education, Virtual worlds

From movies and books to computer games, the concept of the sequel is firmly embedded in the entertainment industry. It's usually a much safer bet to make a new part to an existing successful intellectual property than it is to back an untested product. In the games industry, sequels are a great way to make more money from the same game concept but as usual MMOs have proven to be something of a different animal. Subscription MMOs don't conform to the same rules as non-subscription games, favouring recurring orders and longer-term customer commitment over single purchases. While development studios often take sequels for granted, I'm forced to ask whether MMOs should have sequels at all or if a different paradigm is more appropriate.

In this article, I explore the games industry's obsession with repetition as I ask the question "Should MMOs have sequels?"

Continue reading Should MMOs have sequels?

Should MMOs have sequels? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 11 Jun 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NCSoft adds its titles to Steam

Lesley Smith — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 15:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Sci-fi, Super-hero, Aion, City of Heroes, City of Villains, Guild Wars, Lineage, Lineage 2, News items, Free-to-play

If you're one of those gamers who prefers the digital minimalist approach as opposed to having game boxes everywhere then you're in luck. MMO-giant NCSoft have announced they will be offering their titles -- including City of Heroes, Guild Wars, and Lineage -- via Steam. They're also planning to offer their latest, most anticipated and shiny MMO, Aion as well when the game launches later this autumn.

The company seem really excited and the press release sent to Massively Towers includes not one but two quotes. NCSoft are especially keen to note that there will be plenty of special offers on their products via the site and it's a great opportunity for anyone who prefers digital downloading.

NCSoft adds its titles to Steam originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 22 Apr 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Putting MMOG research under the ethical microscope

Brooke Pilley — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, MMO industry, News items, Academic, Virtual worlds

As MMOGs creep into mainstream culture they are becoming a valuable place to conduct scientific research on social systems and behaviors. Are certain MMOGs as addictive as cocaine? Do certain MMOG players use these games to escape from real life or stay more connected? Do certain MMOG players make better citizens? These are just some of the recent questions being asked by academics around the world.

An interesting and informative paper titled Playing a Good Game: Ethical Issues in Researching MMOGs and Virtual Worlds has just been published in the International Journal of Internet Research Ethics. The paper examines a number of ethical issues encountered when researching MMOGs and virtual worlds. What should be considered public or private in these spaces? What can researchers study, record, and reproduce without informed consent or permission? Should researchers simply observe or actively participate in the online community/ies they are studying? Part one of this paper develops a theoretical framework for researching MMOGs and part two presents qualitative data from interviews with five MMOG researchers (City of Heroes, City of Villains, Lineage I, Lineage II, and Second Life). The resulting data can be used to guide future research ethics in the MMOG space.

[Via Terra Nova]

Putting MMOG research under the ethical microscope originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 05 Mar 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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