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SDCC reveals new details about the Warcraft movie

Eliot Lefebvre — Mon, 28 Jul 2014 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: World of Warcraft, Fantasy, Culture, News Items, Miscellaneous

Are you excited for a movie about World of Warcraft? Because the Warcraft movie won't be about that, exactly; it's focused on the backstory of World of Warcraft, specifically how the First War got started before the first Warcraft game. At SDCC, some new details were revealed about the title, which is currently set for release in theaters in March of 2016.

The story will focus on both sides of the conflict, with Durotan being the central character of the orcish side and Anduin Lothar taking up the protagonist mantle on the human side. A teaser trailer was also shown with a blend of both CGI and live effects, although the trailer has not yet been released to the general public. Director Duncan Jones stressed that he wants the film to be accessible to everyone and not just existing fans of the fanchise; it'll be a couple more years until fans can see how well that goal was accomplished.

SDCC reveals new details about the Warcraft movie originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 28 Jul 2014 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Riot Games promises to increase diversity in League of Legends

Eliot Lefebvre — Fri, 25 Jul 2014 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Culture, Events (Real-World), News Items, Free-to-Play, MOBA, League of Legends

League of Legends features a lot of diversity among its male champions, but the female champions all feature a fairly uniform body type. That's something the developers at Riot Games are keen on changing. In response to a fan question at SDCC, producer Omar Kendall said that the company has been introducing new ways of looking at body types and shapes, with the end goal of making female champions who don't look like the others.

Kendall went on to specify that the call for more diversity is one that players should see represented soon in a new character coming out. He also noted that diversity is being strongly considered with further character designs and any new champions. Game designer Brian Feeney noted that it would be a net boon to the game as a whole -- as Riot is very concerned with distinctive silhouettes, a more robust selection of body types makes it easier to tell champions apart.

Riot Games promises to increase diversity in League of Legends originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 25 Jul 2014 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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WildStar team hosting panel and gathering at SDCC

Eliot Lefebvre — Tue, 09 Jul 2013 09:30:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-Fi, Culture, Events (Real-World), Previews, News Items, WildStar

Heading out to California for San Diego Comic Con? As long as you're out there, would you like a nice dose of WildStar entertainment? The team at Carbine Studios is hosting a panel on Friday discussing how story and narrative are developed in the game, featuring lead narrative designer Chad Moore, content director Mike Donatelli, creative director Matt Mocarski, and design producer Stephen Frost. Anyone attending the convention will want to be at the panel if you've got even the vaguest interest in the game.

But what if you're in San Diego and aren't attending the con? You can still get some special face time with WildStar at the fan gathering on Friday in the Hotel Palomar. More to the point, this gathering promises to allow players a look at two new races -- in all likelihood the last two playable races that have been teased for some time. So Friday should be a good time for fans of the game in San Diego, and anyone else watching from afar.

[Source: Carbine Studios press release]

WildStar team hosting panel and gathering at SDCC originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 09 Jul 2013 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PlanetSide 2 will be playable on Friday at SDCC

Eliot Lefebvre — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 18:30:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Sci-Fi, Events (Real-World), Previews, News Items, MMOFPS, PlanetSide 2

If you're making the trek out to California for the San Diego Comic-Con, you probably already know about most of what to expect. But the team behind PlanetSide 2 just surprised any fans en route to the convention with the announcement that PS2 will be playable on Friday. From noon until 9:00 p.m. PDT, players can try out the current build of the game, chat with the development team, and even pick up a special set of Empire-themed dog tags.

Some fans can't make the trek out to San Diego for the game, of course. These fans have to look forward to the game's upcoming beta test, but there's good news on that front as well. Matt Higby has clarified via Twitter that the beta will occur sometime before the end of July, meaning that beta testers will get to start in on the game very soon. So even if you can't make it out to the convention, you won't be deprived of the game too much longer.

[Thanks to Dengar and Scott for the tips!]

PlanetSide 2 will be playable on Friday at SDCC originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 11 Jul 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Game of Thrones Seven Kingdoms releases its first trailer

Eliot Lefebvre — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Trailers, Video, Game Mechanics, Previews, News Items, Browser

We know a little bit about the game, but up until now, nothing has actually been seen of the upcoming Game of Thrones Seven Kingdoms. But the wait is now over, as a trailer for the browser-based game has been unveiled to show off some of what players can expect when the game finally goes live. And if you're hoping for the opportunity to cross swords with rival houses in a massive political battle... well, that does seem to be on the plate.

There's admittedly not too much that can be displayed via a trailer running under a minute long. But the trailer does show off the graphics and some hints of the combat, which looks to be very much a matter of skill. Check out the full trailer just past the break, and keep your eyes open for more information as the game ramps up for more reveals at San Diego Comic-Con.

[Update: George R.R. Martin himself has also posted the video and the original press release. He notes that he'll be at SDCC checking out the game at the Dark Horse booth.]

Continue reading Game of Thrones Seven Kingdoms releases its first trailer

Game of Thrones Seven Kingdoms releases its first trailer originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 11 Jul 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Marvel Universe reveals a mouthy merc

Larry Everett — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Super-hero, Classes, New Titles, Free-to-Play, Marvel Heroes

Attention, Marvel Universe fans: if you missed some of the reveals at San Diego Comic-Con, we are here to help you catch up.

As we have mentioned in a prior article, the man behind the pen of the great Ultimate Spider-Man reboot, Brian Michael Bendis, is set to write the story behind this first-ever Marvel MMO. Although few other details of this highly anticipated free-to-play MMO have been revealed, we now know that a very iconic mutant will grace your screen when you play the game. This, of course, is none other than the Merc-with-a-mouth himself, Deadpool.

As the Editorial Director for Marvel.com, Agent M, announced, you will be able to don the secret identity of Mr. Wade Wilson. Will you be as indestructible and athletic as this wise-acre? We will have to wait and see. As more information is revealed, we will be sure to send it your way.

[Updated with Agent M's exact title. Thanks, Agent M]

Marvel Universe reveals a mouthy merc originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 03 Aug 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SWTOR walks us through the Flashpoint 'Esseles'

Larry Everett — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-Fi, Trailers, Video, New Titles, Star Wars: The Old Republic

BioWare and LucasArts have said since the first announcement of Star Wars: The Old Republic that choices will matter. No one witnessed that more than visitors to the BioWare booth at San Diego Comic-Con. These fans had to choose between saving the engineering crew or saving the bridge crew in the Flashpoint called The Esseles.

In this fast-paced instance, you and your party are trapped aboard the Republic cruiser called the Esseles. Like Darth Vader asking for the ambassador on board the Corellian Corvette at the beginning of A New Hope, the commander of an Imperial Star Destroyer in this Flashpoint is also seeking a Republic ambassador. The difference here is the Imperial forces haven't boarded yet. It is your job to hold them off.

After the break, catch the full 13-and-a-half-minute walkthrough narrated by Director of Production Dallas Dickinson, sans epic beard unfortunately.

Continue reading SWTOR walks us through the Flashpoint 'Esseles'

SWTOR walks us through the Flashpoint 'Esseles' originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 29 Jul 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hyperspace Beacon: Nuna bites

Larry Everett — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 15:30:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-Fi, Events (Real-World), New Titles, Opinion, Star Wars: The Old Republic, Hyperspace Beacon

If you happened to be in San Diego this weekend then you may have noticed a large gathering of geekery known as Comic-Con. Usually, this mecca of nerdom focuses on comic book related publications. Although Star Wars: The Old Republic isn't exactly comic book gold, Dark Horse comics rose through the ranks of pulp royalty because of its vast library of Star Wars-related publications. It only seems right that TOR presents itself to this audience.

Besides the panel in Comic-Con proper, BioWare developers hosted three separate question and answer sessions focusing on Star Wars: The Old Republic. As with most Q&As, the majority of questions asked have been answered already in the past. If you were hanging out in Darth Hater's Ventrilo server like I was during the live broadcasts, then you heard a lot of "We knew that already." That being said, there were some pieces of juicy meat tossed to the crowd that we had not heard before. I will call them nuna bites, and you can find your slice after the break.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Nuna bites

Hyperspace Beacon: Nuna bites originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 26 Jul 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SDCC 2011: SWTOR invites you to join the fight with a new in-game trailer

Larry Everett — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-Fi, Trailers, Video, New Titles, Star Wars: The Old Republic

Earlier today, Massively reported about some of the new announcements BioWare gave us at San Diego Comic-Con. However, with Star Wars the Old Republic, the visuals always out weigh the prose, so the community team created a brand new video highlighting the motivation of each character class. The Jedi Knight is looking to rid the universe of darkness; the Trooper wants all Imperials dead; the Smuggler has nothing more to lose; and the Consular follows the Force. On the flip side, a Sith Warrior writhes with hatred; the Bounty Hunter lives for danger; Agents fight for the Empire; and Inquisitors wish to wipe them out... all of them. Which side will you take when you join the fight?

As previously stated, SWTOR will have a limited launch, so the BioWare team is encouraging you to pre-order as soon as possible. Catch the full trailer after the break, and pay close attention to the warzone in which the factions are fighting. Is that Corellia? Let us know what you think in the comments below.

Continue reading SDCC 2011: SWTOR invites you to join the fight with a new in-game trailer

SDCC 2011: SWTOR invites you to join the fight with a new in-game trailer originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 22 Jul 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NCsoft announces San Diego Comic-Con events and schedule

Matt Daniel — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: City of Heroes, City of Villains, Guild Wars, Events (Real-World), News Items, Guild Wars 2

If you're planning to attend the San Diego Comic-Con next month, and if you happen to be a fan of Guild Wars or City of Heroes, then NCsoft wants you to swing by its booth while you're in the neighborhood. Attendees will be able "to meet artists and developers from City of Heroes Freedom and Guild Wars 2." NCsoft will be giving the latest news on City of Heroes' recently announced free-to-play transition as well as giving fans the opportunity to take Guild Wars 2's Engineer class for a spin. In addition to all of that, City of Heroes' Desdemona will be making appearances at the booth while City of Heroes comic artist David "Noble Savage" Nakayama whips up free illustrations of selected CoH players' characters. The artists of Guild Wars 2 will also be present to sign limited-edition postcard art books.

But of course the party doesn't stop at the convention; NCsoft's Fan Meet & Greet takes place Friday the 22nd. Fans will have to check the NCsoft schedule for details on how to acquire tickets as it is a ticketed event, but those fortunate enough to attend will have the privilege of rubbing elbows with CoH and GW2 developers and artists. And of course, fans will be afforded the opportunity to go hands-on with City of Heroes Freedom and Guild Wars 2. For more information, check out the official announcement and NCsoft's Comic-Con schedule.

NCsoft announces San Diego Comic-Con events and schedule originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 24 Jun 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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City of Heroes heading for San Diego Comic Con

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

Filed under: Super-hero, City of Heroes, City of Villains, Events (Real-World), News Items

It's understandable that a lot of people might be in convention overload at the moment -- after all, E3 is just now wrapping up with all the information that entails. But for City of Heroes fans, the next big convention is still around the corner. San Diego Comic Con 2011 is taking place at the end of July, and Paragon Studios will be showing off on the show floor, celebrating both the game's four-color roots and the latest developments in gameplay.

While the team has given several presentations in recent conventions, this year the game will have a booth on the show floor from July 21st to July 24th, giving players a chance to stop by and talk about the game with both developers and community managers. And if that's not enough, the team will also be giving away a new costume card, transforming characters into the Mk-VI Victoria assassin droid. City of Heroes players should keep their eyes peeled for more news of a meet-and-greet to accompany the gathering.

City of Heroes heading for San Diego Comic Con originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 09 Jun 2011 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Star Wars: The Old Republic lists 2011 event appearances

Justin Olivetti — Fri, 20 May 2011 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-Fi, Culture, Events (Real-World), MMO Industry, Star Wars: The Old Republic

Are you ready for the Star Wars: The Old Republic Hyperdrive or Bust World Tour 2011? OK, that might not be an official thing (and seriously, wouldn't you love a t-shirt with that on it?), but BioWare has announced the community events that TOR will be attending this year.

So if you're willing to make the journey and eager to get some face-time with both the game and the developers, here's where you can make it happen:

E3 in Los Angeles, CA (June 7-9)
San Diego Comic-Con, CA (July 21-24)
Gamescom in Cologne, Germany (August 17-21)
PAX Prime in Seattle, WA (August 26-28)
Eurogamer Expo in London, UK (September 22-25)
New York Comic Con (October 13-16)
Paris Games Week (October 21-25)
DreamHack in Jönköping, Sweden (November 24-27)

You can read all of the details of The Old Republic's worldwide journey on the Star Wars: The Old Republic Community Events page.

Star Wars: The Old Republic lists 2011 event appearances originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 20 May 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hyperspace Beacon: Proper PAX preparation prevents poor PAX performance

Larry Everett — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-Fi, Events (Real-World), New Titles, Opinion, Star Wars: The Old Republic, Hyperspace Beacon

Welcome once again to your guide through everything Star Wars: The Old Republic, which is soon to be released by EA-BioWare. Larry Everett presents the Hyperspace Beacon.

Deborah Shin, the Marketing Manager for Star Wars: The Old Republic told TOROcast at E3 that PAX was going to be the game's biggest event of the year. When I heard that announcement about a month and a half ago, I decided that I would have to make it to this event. Prior to that I was willing to let others do the reporting while I snagged some stories at home. I want Massively to be your source of SWTOR news, so how could I not go to the biggest SWTOR bash of the year?

This week's agenda is quite simple in scope, but a bit more complicated in execution. I hope to give you a very brief overview of what we know of our favorite game going into PAX, followed by a few directions I could go with information gathering. Ultimately, I want the fan's opinion. What information do you want to see come out of this fan-tastic exposition? Follow me after the jump, where I break down the possibilities.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Proper PAX preparation prevents poor PAX performance

Hyperspace Beacon: Proper PAX preparation prevents poor PAX performance originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 31 Aug 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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James Phinney discusses Guild Wars 2 classes, events, and combat at Comic-Con

Rubi Bayer — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Video, Classes, Events (Real-World), Guild Wars 2

Comic-Con may be over, but the news keeps rolling in. The newest video over at GameTrailers is of a chat with ArenaNet's Design Director James Phinney.

James gave a brief rundown of what we know about Guild Wars 2 so far, explaining the combat roles of the classes we know: elementalist, warrior, and ranger. He also covered the dynamic event system that we've heard so much about, as well as the reasoning behind it.

Finally, he addressed the burning question of "When?" Unfortunately, it looks like we'll have to wait for that coveted date a bit longer: "When it's ready."

For now, you can look after the jump to see the video for yourself.

Continue reading James Phinney discusses Guild Wars 2 classes, events, and combat at Comic-Con

James Phinney discusses Guild Wars 2 classes, events, and combat at Comic-Con originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 03 Aug 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SDCC 2010: Part two of our DCUO panel report

Dan O'Halloran — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Super-hero, Events (Massively's Coverage), DC Universe Online

Today we have more from the question-and-answer portion of the DC Universe Online panel at the San Diego Comic-Con last week. (Part one of the panel was posted earlier this week.) Panelists included Creative Director Jens Andersen, Game Director Chris Cao, legendary comic book writer Marv Wolfman, Jim Lee, and the voice of the Joker, Mark Hamill.

Will there be a mechanic for switching from hero to villain or vice versa?

No. You make the choice of hero or villain at character creation, and it can't be changed after that. This is so it is clear to other players in PvP who is on what team.

Will current storylines in the DC comic universe affect the MMO?

The game will launch "pristine"; that is, the DC Universe in the game will be the popular, well-known one. Wonder Woman will be in her classic costume; Bruce Wayne will be Batman; etc. From there, storylines from the comics may start altering the MMO universe, but at least from the get-go, the game will start with a clean slate.

DCUO will be getting its own bi-weekly comic as well.

Continue reading SDCC 2010: Part two of our DCUO panel report

SDCC 2010: Part two of our DCUO panel report originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 01 Aug 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SDCC 2010: A new Super Hero Squad Online trailer in the Mighty Marvel tradition

Eliot Lefebvre — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Super-hero, Trailers, Video, New Titles, Previews, News Items, Casual, Kids, Family, Super Hero Squad Online

If you're looking for a superhero MMO, you have a lot of options these days, which is part of the reason that Gazillion Entertainment has gone in a very different direction with Super Hero Squad Online. Rather than being a more adult-oriented game, it features colorful characters in a cartoonish setting, with an emphasis on family playability. Some players are going to immediately turn up their noses and sneer at the idea, of course, but after viewing the latest trailer, it sure does look like fun.

The trailer, straight from SDCC 2010, features a variety of standbys within the Marvel universe that most viewers will have no problem recognizing. It's evident from the footage that the game is placing a high emphasis on retaining the feel of each signature hero's skills and powers, even if the stylized graphics might throw some players for a bit of a loop. Take a look at the trailer just past the cut, and keep your eyes peeled for more information on Super Hero Squad Online as we approach the release date in 2011.

Continue reading SDCC 2010: A new Super Hero Squad Online trailer in the Mighty Marvel tradition

SDCC 2010: A new Super Hero Squad Online trailer in the Mighty Marvel tradition originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 27 Jul 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SDCC 2010: TERA by the numbers

Justin Olivetti — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Classes, Previews, Races, TERA

If looks were everything, then TERA would certainly place as a finalist in the Miss Upcoming MMO Universe pageant. Yet as visually sumptuous as it may be, we're more interested in its personality. Can the brains match the beauty? So far, it looks promising. We've been locked on to TERA's unique brand of fantasy play since this year's E3 (and before), and as such, it's great to check back in with the title, take it out for a quiet romantic dinner, and see how it's shaping up.

We caught up with En Masse Entertainment at the 2010 San Diego Comic-Con and spent a half hour putting the game through its paces and chatting up with TERA's devs. While TERA's dev team is working with a more recent build of the game, our hands-on demo was the same build as the one we saw at E3. Even so, it's always worth spending a few more minutes with an upcoming MMO to see what new facts and impressions can be gleaned. Hit the jump to read more about classes, races and an idea about not getting hit that's so crazy, it just might work!

Continue reading SDCC 2010: TERA by the numbers

SDCC 2010: TERA by the numbers originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 26 Jul 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SDCC 2010: You can play as iconic characters: Massively's interview with DC Universe Online

Rubi Bayer — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Super-hero, Events (Real-World), Interviews, PvP, News Items, DC Universe Online

Last week we had a chat with Sony Online Entertainment's President John Smedley about preorders and beta for DC Universe Online. We talked quite a bit about the ability to play as Batman via a preorder bonus, and one of the questions we asked was "Will there be more opportunities in the future to play as familiar DC Universe villains or heroes?"

John replied that they were thinking about it, but it sounds like the DCUO team has been doing a lot more than just thinking about it. We caught up with DCUO Studio Art Director Mike Daubert at Comic-Con this weekend, and he had some pretty exciting news for us.

Follow along after the jump to see what he had to say!

Continue reading SDCC 2010: You can play as iconic characters: Massively's interview with DC Universe Online

SDCC 2010: You can play as iconic characters: Massively's interview with DC Universe Online originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 26 Jul 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SDCC 2010: Our interview with Guild Wars 2's Jeff Grubb

Rubi Bayer — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Events (Real-World), Interviews, Guild Wars 2

The hype for Guild Wars 2 seems to get bigger every week, so it was a natural choice for the Massively staff at Comic-Con to seek out some time with Guild Wars 2 designer and Ghosts of Ascalon author Jeff Grubb.

If you're relatively new to the Guild Wars world, Jeff provides a nicely detailed overview of what's been happening with Guild Wars, Guild Wars 2, and the first tie-in novel. If you're a firmly established citizen of Tyria, you'll enjoy the look back, and you'll certainly enjoy the hints he drops here and there for upcoming events and reveals.

Follow along after the jump to see what Jeff had to say.

Continue reading SDCC 2010: Our interview with Guild Wars 2's Jeff Grubb

SDCC 2010: Our interview with Guild Wars 2's Jeff Grubb originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 26 Jul 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SDCC 2010: Massively's interview with Aion producer Lani Blazier

Rubi Bayer — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Aion, Events (Real-World), Expansions, Interviews

San Diego has been the place to be for the past few days, with developers bringing out all the latest and greatest to show off at Comic-Con 2010. We at Massively have been pretty busy, in part with Aion's web producer Lani Blazier.

Aion's free expansion Assault on Balaurea is just over a month away, so Lani had plenty to talk about. She gave us a look at what we can expect with 2.0, and spent a bit of time answering our questions afterward. Follow along after the jump to see what she had to say.

Continue reading SDCC 2010: Massively's interview with Aion producer Lani Blazier

SDCC 2010: Massively's interview with Aion producer Lani Blazier originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 25 Jul 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Super Hero Squad Online video highlights fun and accessibility

Rubi Bayer — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 16:30:00 EST

Filed under: Super-hero, Video, Game Mechanics, Super Hero Squad Online

Yesterday brought the news that Super Hero Squad Online will be playable at Comic-Con this week, but what if you can't attend, or simply can't wait to get a good look at the game?

Well, the fine folks at The Amazing Society have you covered with their new walkthrough video of SHSO, which takes a look at character creation, character progression, and some of the more lighthearted aspects of Super Hero Squad Online.

Characters will play in the familiar Marvel world; if you want to have a dance party on top of the Daily Bugle or fly around Oscorp, you can. And speaking of dancing, the character emotes are something that the team obviously had a lot of fun creating. From dances to "snow angels" in the concrete, each character has his or her own unique emotes to enjoy.

Finally, the game is all about accessibility. You're a superhero, and the developers want you to feel like one from character creation on. There will be character progression, but you'll have some powers to reckon with right away.

Check out the video after the jump for the full tour!

Continue reading Super Hero Squad Online video highlights fun and accessibility

Super Hero Squad Online video highlights fun and accessibility originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 21 Jul 2010 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Marvel Super Hero Squad Online playable at Comic-Con

Rubi Bayer — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Super-hero, Events (Real-World), News Items, Kids, Family, Super Hero Squad Online

If you're attending Comic-Con later this week, make sure you leave some time in your schedule to visit the Marvel Entertainment booth.

Marvel and Gazillion Entertainment will be fully unveiling Super Hero Squad Online for the first time, allowing attendees to play the game. Super heroes, combat missions, and social spaces will be available for play, and the game's headquarters system will be revealed as well. Players can customize their headquarters based on the S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier, adding trophy collections to dress it up even more.

Amazing Society Vice President and Studio Manager Jason Robar thinks attendees will like what they see: "Combining hundreds of items, realistic physics and the unique personalities of the Super Hero Squad members makes an unforgettable experience. We're looking forward to sharing it with all Comic-Con attendees."

Marvel Super Hero Squad Online playable at Comic-Con originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 20 Jul 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SOE makes big plans for Comic-Con

Rubi Bayer — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Super-hero, Events (Real-World), DC Universe Online

Comic-Con is just a handful of days away, and Sony Online Entertainment has announced its lineup for the event. It's a hefty schedule, but there are several highlights for MMO fans.

Saturday the 24th will feature a panel discussion including Jim Lee, Mark Hamill, Marv Wolfman, and members of the DC Universe Online dev team. They'll be going behind the scenes of DCUO, discussing the backstory and giving fans a first look at the game's intro cinematic. Those attending the panel will receive a DCUO VIP beta key.

Saturday evening there is a fan event for attendees to meet Jim Lee and Marv Wolfman, have another chance at a DCUO beta key, and participate in a Q & A with the development team.

Finally, the SOE block party is a free event on Saturday that welcomes fans into the SOE studios for music, food, tours, previews, prizes, and kids events. Shuttle buses will provide transportation to Comic-Con as part of the event.

If you're attending Comic-Con, be sure to visit the SOE booth for the full schedule!

SOE makes big plans for Comic-Con originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 19 Jul 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rift: Planes of Telara and End of Nations get exclusive comics at Comic-Con

Eliot Lefebvre — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Galleries, Events (Real-World), Previews, News Items, War, RIFT, Post-Apocalyptic

San Diego Comic-Con is traditionally not known for its game-related content. (The name is something of a dead giveaway.) But this year it's hosting quite a bit of MMO-related content, such as a large NCsoft presence covering Aion, City of Heroes, and Guild Wars 2. Add Rift: Planes of Telara and End of Nations to the mix, as both will be previewing a special comic mini-series with a limited-edition #0 issue at the convention. They've also provided some previews of the rough art for each series, included in the gallery below.

Both series will be written by Ricardo Sanchez, with the interior art for Rift: Planes of Telara provided by Pop Mhan and the interior art for End of Nations by Yvel Guichet. Published under the Wildstorm imprint of DC Comics, both limited series should be hitting store shelves in the fall, but attendees of SDCC will be getting a special preview. If you're attending, you may well want to pick up a copy, and even if you're not you can take a gander at the rough art in the gallery below.

Gallery: Trion Worlds SDCC comics preview

Rift: Planes of Telara and End of Nations get exclusive comics at Comic-Con originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 14 Jul 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NCsoft announces Comic-Con schedule for Aion, City of Heroes, and Guild Wars 2

Rubi Bayer — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Super-hero, Aion, City of Heroes, Culture, Events (Real-World), News Items, Guild Wars 2

Comic-Con is just over a week away, and if you're a fan of any of NCsoft's games you'll be happy about the latest news: NCsoft has released the full schedule for its Comic-Con presence.

Fans will be treated to some merchandise giveaways and signings, and there will be speaking sessions centered around Guild Wars 2 and City of Heroes: Going Rogue. While we can't play Guild Wars 2 quite yet, NCsoft will have stations set up to experience Aion and Going Rogue.

Events are scheduled daily from the 22nd through the 25th, so check out the NCsoft events calendar to be sure you don't miss anything!

NCsoft announces Comic-Con schedule for Aion, City of Heroes, and Guild Wars 2 originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 13 Jul 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bioware's Erickson: TOR is your dream game

Jef Reahard — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-Fi, Interviews, New Titles, News Items, Star Wars: The Old Republic

Bioware developer and lead storyteller Daniel Erickson has the writer's gift of gab and consequently has dropped some juicy quotes regarding The Old Republic (and MMORPGs in general) over the last few months. Today he continues the tradition in a portion of a new interview conducted by CVG. Erickson doesn't shy away from calling the forthcoming Star Wars MMO the best thing since sliced bantha bread, and he also has a few choice words for folks who aren't exactly thrilled with the RPG-maker's story, story, and more story mantra.

"If you are a hardcore, traditional Bioware fan - a Mass Effect or especially Dragon [Age] fan - this is the dream game. It is an RPG forever. It is an RPG that at the speed and pace that I play RPGs as a gamer, five or ten hours a week, I could never finish this game," Erickson says. He doesn't stop there though. "If the idea of story and context really turns you off, if what you want is [just the] complete Disneyland experience, where you run on the rides and repeat the stuff, this probably isn't your favorite MMO," he says.

Check out the original post at CVG. And if you're lucky enough to be attending the San Diego Comic Con later this month, you can even check out Bioware's SWTOR offerings in person; they are set to include a panel on multiplayer story, among others.

Bioware's Erickson: TOR is your dream game originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 10 Jul 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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City of Heroes announces Going Rogue release date and hands-on at SDCC

Eliot Lefebvre — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Super-hero, City of Heroes, City of Villains, Expansions, New Titles, Previews, News Items

While dates have been thrown left and right for the upcoming expansion, City of Heroes players will be happy to know that the much-awaited expansion, Going Rogue, will officially release on August 17th, 2010. That leaves a little under two months until all of the promised features, including two more powersets, a new starting experience, the ability to switch sides, and the start of the new Incarnate system. Although it's a bit later than the previously-rumored date of July, players can still look forward to the fact that it's not so very far in the future.

Can't wait that long? If you're going to the inimitable San Diego Comic Con this year, you're in luck, as the City of Heroes team will be granting lucky players a hands-on experience for the expansion. Not only that, but they'll be hosting a panel and the equally inimitable David Nakayama will be sketching select heroes and villains. Keep your eyes peeled for more news regarding Going Rogue as we approach release, and take a look at the official itinerary for the Paragon Studios team at SDCC.

City of Heroes announces Going Rogue release date and hands-on at SDCC originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 22 Jun 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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