Massively http://massively.joystiq.com Massively http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Massively http://massively.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Lord of the Rings Online Spring Festival is live]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/24/lord-of-the-rings-online-spring-festival-is-live/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/24/lord-of-the-rings-online-spring-festival-is-live/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/24/lord-of-the-rings-online-spring-festival-is-live/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Image
It's that time of year again in Middle-earth, as Turbine has blown the dust off Lord of the Rings Online's annual Spring Festival. A Casual Stroll to Mordor opines that this year's edition won't depart too much from years past, so you can expect to find the usual hedge maze, horse-racing, and Inn League shenanigans out in full force.

The site's annual festival guide isn't ready for prime time just yet, but you can check out the 2011 version while you wait for the update.

[Update: ACSTM's guide to the Spring Festival 2012]

MassivelyLord of the Rings Online Spring Festival is live originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 24 May 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f2pfantasyfree-to-playin-game-eventslord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotrolotro-festivallotro-spring-festivalspring-festivalturbineturbine-entertainmentThu, 24 May 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Turbine hosts 300 job-seekers at Rhode Island hiring event]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/23/turbine-hosts-300-job-seekers-at-rhode-island-hiring-event/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/23/turbine-hosts-300-job-seekers-at-rhode-island-hiring-event/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/23/turbine-hosts-300-job-seekers-at-rhode-island-hiring-event/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Lord of the Rings Online - landscape screenshot
If you were vying for one of the 50 jobs Turbine put up for grabs at last night's job fair, well, get in line. The Providence Journal reports that 300-odd people showed up at the event, a turnout that the paper says was "higher than expected."

How many of the 300 were 38 Studios refugees? That's hard to say since neither Turbine nor the job-seekers who came down wearing 38-branded jackets and sweatshirts would offer a comment. Turbine's Adam Mersky said the timing and the location of the meet-and-greet was no accident, as Turbine set up shop in a hotel mere blocks away from 38 Studios headquarters. "It's no coincidence that we're down here looking for talent," Mersky told the Journal.

MassivelyTurbine hosts 300 job-seekers at Rhode Island hiring event originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 23 May 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>38-studios38-studios-layoffsadam-merskyhiringmiscellaneousmmo-industryturbineTurbine-Entertainmentturbine-hiringWed, 23 May 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DDO expansion screens show off dryads, werewolves]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/23/ddo-expansion-screens-show-off-dryads-werewolves/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/23/ddo-expansion-screens-show-off-dryads-werewolves/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/23/ddo-expansion-screens-show-off-dryads-werewolves/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Dungeons and Dragons Online - dryads
Want the latest Dungeons and Dragons Online expansion screenshots? We've got them for you in our gallery below, and they focus on dryads and werewolf monsters from the forthcoming Menace of the Underdark patch. The shots are set in the Eveningstar region of the Forgotten Realms, which players will initially encounter after porting over from DDO's original Eberron locale.

Menace of the Underdark will add quite a bit of new content to DDO, including a new Druid class, epic destinies, and an old familiar campaign setting. The expansion is now available for pre-order on Turbine's website. It launches on June 25th.

[Source: Turbine press release]

Gallery: Dungeons and Dragons Online: Menace of the Underdark

MassivelyDDO expansion screens show off dryads, werewolves originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 23 May 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ddodnddryadsdungeons-and-dragonsdungeons-and-dragons-onlineexpansionf2pfantasyfree-to-playgallerymenace-of-the-underdarkscreenshotsturbineturbine-entertainmentwerewolvesWed, 23 May 2012 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Leaderboard: Permadeath vs. no permadeath]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/21/leaderboard-permadeath-vs-no-permadeath/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/21/leaderboard-permadeath-vs-no-permadeath/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/21/leaderboard-permadeath-vs-no-permadeath/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Permadeath
Permadeath is one of those game mechanics that seems destined to forever be nibbling away at the fringe of the MMO genre than invited to the cool kids' table. Many players find themselves aghast at the notion of losing all their hard-earned progress with one untimely demise, and it seems like game developers agree with them: Very few MMOs have any sort of permadeath option.

However, this most-severest-of-severe death penalties does persist. Some players elect to form guilds and meta-groups to pursue a permadeath lifestyle in their games. A few upcoming titles, such as Salem and Wizardry Online, have permadeath as a core mechanic. Even the recently released Diablo III has a "hardcore" permadeath mode for the brave at heart.

The question we put before you today is yet another nibble that may never be noticed by the mainstream, but it's important to consider: Is permadeath worth including in MMO design, even as an optional mechanic or server, or should this brand of death penalty kick the bucket once and for all? Vote after the jump!

Continue reading Leaderboard: Permadeath vs. no permadeath

MassivelyLeaderboard: Permadeath vs. no permadeath originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 21 May 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>action-rpgbattle-royalbattlenetblizzardblizzard-entertainmentbrowserbrowser-basedcash-shopd3ddodiablodiablo-2diablo-3diablo-iidiablo-iiidnddungeons-and-dragonsdungeons-and-dragons-onlinef2pfantasyfree-to-playgothic-fantasyhistoricalleaderboardmultiplayernew-englandone-on-oneone-vs-oneonline-multiplayeropinionparadoxparadox-interactivepermadeathpermanent-deathpollpollsroguelikerpgsalemsandboxturbineturbine-entertainmentversusvotevotesvotingvswizardry-onlineMon, 21 May 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Road to Mordor: Five ways LotRO should be streamlined]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/19/the-road-to-mordor-five-ways-lotro-should-be-streamlined/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/19/the-road-to-mordor-five-ways-lotro-should-be-streamlined/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/19/the-road-to-mordor-five-ways-lotro-should-be-streamlined/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

LotRO
You would think that growth and expansion is nothing but a good thing for MMOs -- after all, those are the hallmarks of the genre. But as these games get bigger, issues emerge as the developers add new zones, features, and systems. In short, maturing MMOs gravitate toward complexity, and this can have an adverse effect on the game as a whole.

The problem is that there is eventually too much a brand-new player has to absorb and master, not to mention the hassle of rolling alts and having to navigate all of that content once more. If developers don't stay on top of the situation, then the game starts to lose overall cohesion and becomes a befuddling mess.

With three expansions and numerous updates under its belt, Lord of the Rings Online is venturing deep into this territory. I have friends who are leveling up for the first time and finding themselves overwhelmed with everything that needs doing as well as all the systems that are not clearly explained. So today I want to play backseat developer and talk about five ways that LotRO should be streamlined for the good of all players, old and new.

Continue reading The Road to Mordor: Five ways LotRO should be streamlined

MassivelyThe Road to Mordor: Five ways LotRO should be streamlined originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 19 May 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>action-rpgactivisionbattlenetblizzardblizzard-entertainmentcash-shopd3deed-logsdeedsdiablodiablo-2diablo-3diablo-iidiablo-iiievendimf2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playgothic-fantasylegendary-itemslegendary-traitlegendary-traitslilord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelorebooklotromoriamultiplayeronline-multiplayeropinionrevampreworkroad-to-mordorroguelikerpgstatsstreamlinethe-road-to-mordorturbineturbine-entertainmentvirtue-systemvirtueswarcraftwikiworld-of-warcraftwowSat, 19 May 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New DDO Menace of the Underdark video profiles Druid class]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/18/new-ddo-menace-of-the-underdark-video-profiles-druid-class/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/18/new-ddo-menace-of-the-underdark-video-profiles-druid-class/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/18/new-ddo-menace-of-the-underdark-video-profiles-druid-class/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

Dungeons and Dragons Online - Druid wolf form
Turbine continues its Menace of the Underdark info blitz this morning with a new video centering on Dungeons and Dragons Online's maiden expansion. If you've been hiding in a troll cave for the last month, you may not be aware that the devs are taking players from Eberron to the Forgotten Realms starting on June 25th.

There's also a new Druid class, which is the focus of today's dev diary clip. Executive producer Fernando Paiz calls the Druid the single most requested feature by the DDO playerbase over the last six years. Click past the cut to learn more about the class and see if it measures up to your expectations.

[Source: Turbine press release]

Continue reading New DDO Menace of the Underdark video profiles Druid class

MassivelyNew DDO Menace of the Underdark video profiles Druid class originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 18 May 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ddoddo-videodnddruiddruid-videodungeons-and-dragonsdungeons-and-dragons-onlinef2pfantasyfree-to-playmenace-of-the-underdarkmenace-of-the-underdark-videoturbineturbine-entertainmentvideoFri, 18 May 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Perfect Ten: The truth about lockboxes]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/17/the-perfect-ten-the-truth-about-lockboxes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/17/the-perfect-ten-the-truth-about-lockboxes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/17/the-perfect-ten-the-truth-about-lockboxes/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Perfect Ten
Call them lockboxes, lootboxes, super packs, gift packs, treasure boxes, mystic chests, or Chupacabra's lunchpails, but these virtual boxes of mystery, fame, and fortune are all the rage in MMOs these days. Few studios have resisted the siren's call of such easy money, much to the dismay of many-a-gamer.

The idea is that a game will dish out to players free locked treasure boxes that require purchased keys to open. The allure of the box's mystery prize is often too strong to resist, especially when there's the possibility of a huge reward inside. The result too often is strong buyer's remorse and studio glee.

There's been a lot of conversation around lockboxes here on Massively, so I wanted to dedicate this week's Perfect Ten to dissecting the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth of these items for you.

Continue reading The Perfect Ten: The truth about lockboxes

MassivelyThe Perfect Ten: The truth about lockboxes originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 17 May 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetcasinoChupacabracity-of-heroescity-of-villainscohcovcoxcrypticcryptic-studiosf2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playfreedomgamblinggift-packsguild-wars-2gw2humorlockboxlockboxeslootboxlootboxeslord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromystic-boxmystic-chestncsoftoddsopinionp10paragonparagon-studiosperfect-10perfect-tenperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentpwereal-money-tradingrmtroundupsci-fistar-trekstar-trek-mmostar-trek-onlinestosuper-packsuper-packssuperherosuperheroesthe-perfect-10the-perfect-tentop-10top-10-listtop-tentop-ten-listtreasure-boxesturbineturbine-entertainmentThu, 17 May 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively Speaking Episode 201: No more secrets]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/massively-speaking-episode-201-no-more-secrets/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/massively-speaking-episode-201-no-more-secrets/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/massively-speaking-episode-201-no-more-secrets/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Secret World
Massively Speaking Episode 201 gets into all of your dirty little secrets -- not to mention Funcom's, as well! We're joined by Jef, who gives us the full scoop on The Secret World now that the NDA's come tumbling down. Will this be another Failcom or possibly a Fabulouscom? Only Jef knows, and he's highly resistant to torture and bribery.

Have a comment for the podcasters? Shoot an email to podcast@massively.com. We may just read your email on the air!

Get the podcast:
[iTunes] Subscribe to Massively Speaking directly in iTunes.
[RSS] Add Massively Speaking to your RSS aggregator.
[MP3] Download the MP3 directly.
Listen here on the page:



Read below the cut for the full show notes.

Continue reading Massively Speaking Episode 201: No more secrets

MassivelyMassively Speaking Episode 201: No more secrets originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 15 May 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionanetarenanetblizzardblizzard-entertainmentbrantbrian-greenbrian-psychchild-greenbrianna-roycebricksbrowserbrowser-basedddodnddungeons-and-dragonsdungeons-and-dragons-onlineearthrisef2pfactionfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playfuncomguild-wars-2gw2historicalhorrorhumorjustin-olivettilord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromassively-speakingmastheadmasthead-studiosmythologynamastenamaste-entertainmentnamaste-incncsoftnew-englandopinionparadoxparadox-interactivepermadeathpgcplayer-generated-contentpodcastpodcastingpodcastspsychochildsalemsandboxsci-fantasysci-fisecret-worldskill-basedstorybricksthe-secret-worldtswturbineturbine-entertainmentvirtual-worldwarcraftworld-of-warcraftwowTue, 15 May 2012 16:00:00 ESTMassively Speaking Episode 201Massively.com Staff01:03:33podcasts<![CDATA[Lord of the Rings Online releases Update 7: Shades of the Past]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/14/lord-of-the-rings-online-releases-update-7-shades-of-the-past/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/14/lord-of-the-rings-online-releases-update-7-shades-of-the-past/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/14/lord-of-the-rings-online-releases-update-7-shades-of-the-past/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

LotRO
Lord of the Rings Online's Update 7 is upon us, and it's established itself as taking a step forward... and a step back into the past. Featuring a new skirmish, a revamp of both Moria and the old Fornost instance, and an interesting addition to the legendary item system, Update 7 has a smattering of both endgame and mid-game content for most players to enjoy.

As always, it's worth combing through the notes for the smaller changes. Some of these include new and updated maps, friendlier Elves in Lothlorien who won't shoot you on sight, and Audacity lowering power costs in PvMP.

The official patch notes are up and the game will have the servers patched up by mid-morning. In the meantime, make sure to read up on what we think of the update's big selling points in our recent Road to Mordor column.

MassivelyLord of the Rings Online releases Update 7: Shades of the Past originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 14 May 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f2pfantasyfornostfree-to-playlegendary-itemslord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromines-of-moriamoriapatchpatch-notesshades-of-the-pastskirmishturbineturbine-entertainmentupdateupdate-7update-notesMon, 14 May 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Road to Mordor: What Update 7 means for you]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/12/the-road-to-mordor-what-update-7-means-for-you/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/12/the-road-to-mordor-what-update-7-means-for-you/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/12/the-road-to-mordor-what-update-7-means-for-you/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

LotRO
Without fail, the second I'm done writing this column for Massively, Turbine releases the big news of a major patch, and I have to wait a whole week to talk about it. In the case of Lord of the Rings Online's Update 7, I'm not that upset. I definitely was underwhelmed by it all initially, but now that I have had a whole week to digest it, read through the test server notes, and scope out the Moria dev diary that was posted, I feel like I'm in a much better position to talk about it.

So what does this game update mean for you? That's a good question, and it really depends on where you are in your leveling journey. New players won't be fazed by it whatsoever, but both mid-game and endgame adventurers are going to have some new (and reworked) content to devour. I am heartened that Turbine doesn't have tunnel-vision for the endgame and is still willing to go back and examine what does and doesn't work about its earlier content.

So let's walk through the major highlights of Update 7: Shades of the Past and give it the ol' Road to Mordor analysis, shall we?

Continue reading The Road to Mordor: What Update 7 means for you

MassivelyThe Road to Mordor: What Update 7 means for you originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 12 May 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f2pfantasyfeaturedfornostfree-to-playinventorylegendary-itemlegendary-item-systemlegendary-itemslilord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromoriaopinionroad-to-mordorsapienceshades-of-the-pastskirmishstar-lit-crystalstar-lit-crystalsStorm-on-Methedrasthe-road-to-mordorturbineturbine-entertainmentupdate-7Sat, 12 May 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[LotRO's Fornost 'joining the modern MMO world']]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/10/lotros-fornost-joining-the-modern-mmo-world/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/10/lotros-fornost-joining-the-modern-mmo-world/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/10/lotros-fornost-joining-the-modern-mmo-world/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

LotRO
"Fornost was designed and built in a different era of MMO," Turbine's devs said about the newly revised dungeon. "It is time for Fornost to join the modern MMO world." With Fornost slated for a massive overhaul with Update 7, the team posted a developer diary to explain the history of the instance and its hopeful future.

The third instance ever created for Lord of the Rings Online will be chopped up from its current super-long state to four manageable dungeons. The devs said that it was designed from an EverQuest mindset of long dungeon crawls, but so much has changed over time and most players no longer have the time or effort to conquer it.

With Update 7, Fornost will turn into four element-themed six-person dungeons. Each of these dungeons should take well less than an hour to complete and scale from level 30 to 75 with two tiers of difficulty. The team's reworked positioning, bosses, and quests to reflect the upgraded experience. For those who might miss the old Fornost, the team says that playing all four instances back-to-back will replicate the grand tour that it used to be.

MassivelyLotRO's Fornost 'joining the modern MMO world' originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 10 May 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dev-blogdev-diarydungeonf2pfantasyfornostfornost-revampfree-to-playinstancejoe-barrylord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotroshades-of-the-pastturbineturbine-entertainmentupdate-7Thu, 10 May 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Druids, Drow, and destinies in an epic DDO expansion tour]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/09/druids-drow-and-destinies-in-an-epic-ddo-expansion-tour/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/09/druids-drow-and-destinies-in-an-epic-ddo-expansion-tour/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/09/druids-drow-and-destinies-in-an-epic-ddo-expansion-tour/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

DDO
On Thursday, Turbine will take the wraps off of Dungeons and Dragons Online: Menace of the Underdark and commence with the closed beta. It's a heady time for both the team and playerbase, as this 2007 title steps into the big leagues of expansion-holding MMOs. And because we know you hate waiting for all the goods, we joined Turbine on the test server for an advance look at some of the hottest features coming with June's launch.

On the phone with us was Senior Producer Eric Boyer, Community Specialist Amanda Grove, and Design Director Ian Currie. "We want to show players how big the expansion pack is and how much it'll be changing the game," Boyer began, telling us that levels one through 20 were merely "heroic" -- now it'll be time to make the move into epic territory.

From a look at the much-anticipated Druid and the previously vague Epic Destinies to a lightning tour of your first day in the Forgotten Realms, the team was out to convince us that Menace of the Underdark is fully worthy of the "expansion" moniker. How's it looking so far? Take a look for yourself!

Continue reading Druids, Drow, and destinies in an epic DDO expansion tour

MassivelyDruids, Drow, and destinies in an epic DDO expansion tour originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 09 May 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amanda-grovebetacharacter-customizationddodnddrowdruiddungeons-and-dragonsdungeons-and-dragons-onlineeberronepic-destiniesepic-destinyepic-destiny-systemeric-boyerEveningStarexpansionf2pfantasyfate-pointsforgotten-realmsfree-to-playhands-onian-currielevel-cap-increaselord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromenace-of-the-underdarkmoriapreviewthe-darkeningturbineturbine-entertainmenttwist-of-fateuiupdate-15wolf-packWed, 09 May 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Lord of the Rings Online's Update 7 features new high-level skirmish]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/lord-of-the-rings-onlines-update-7-features-new-high-level-skir/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/lord-of-the-rings-onlines-update-7-features-new-high-level-skir/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/lord-of-the-rings-onlines-update-7-features-new-high-level-skir/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Lord of the Rings Online - Update 7 skirmish
Turbine's been pumping out a bunch of screenshots for its Dungeons and Dragons Online expansion lately, so it's only natural that Lord of the Rings Online gets equal treatment. While Update 7 isn't a full-blown expansion, it is a pretty significant content drop that is focused on revamping Moria and Fornost.

Today's gallery features a look at the update's new skirmish, which pits players against a sorceress named Gwyllion at the southern end of the Misty Mountains. The Storm on Methedras instance supports one to 12 players and is designed for levels 70 to 75.

[Source: Turbine press release]

Gallery: Lord of the Rings Online Core Gallery

MassivelyLord of the Rings Online's Update 7 features new high-level skirmish originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 08 May 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f2pfantasyfree-to-playgwyllionlord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotrolotro-skirmishlotro-update-7skirmishskirmishesStorm-on-Methedrasturbineturbine-entertainmentTue, 08 May 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Do progression barriers annoy you?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/the-daily-grind-do-progression-barriers-annoy-you/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/the-daily-grind-do-progression-barriers-annoy-you/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/the-daily-grind-do-progression-barriers-annoy-you/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Lord of the Rings Online - Hobbit fishing (but only 10 dings per day!)
It's been several years since I played Lord of the Rings Online on a daily basis. For the most part, I'm loving my latest Middle-earth rediscovery tour. After the initial honeymoon phase wore off, though, I did re-encounter some of the things that irritate me about the game (in particular, Turbine's fondness for artificially limiting progression).

Now, I'm not a grinder at all, but on the rare occasions when I do want to put my nose to the proverbial stone and check some things off the list, there's nothing more frustrating than running up against the you-can't-advance-that-skill-any-further-today brick wall. This type of arbitrary limitation is somewhat common in LotRO, and whether we're talking about fishing or even the lengthy cool-downs on festival horse races, it rubs me the wrong way to have my gameplay directed in such a fashion.

What about you, Massively readers? Do progression barriers annoy you, or do you shrug it off and do something else?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Do progression barriers annoy you? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 08 May 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artificial-barriersdaily-grindf2pfantasyfree-to-playgrindgrindinglord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotrolotro-deedslotro-fishingopinionprogression-barrierstdgthe-daily-grindturbineturbine-entertainmentTue, 08 May 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Looking at the brighter Moria in Lord of the Rings Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/07/looking-at-the-brighter-moria-in-lord-of-the-rings-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/07/looking-at-the-brighter-moria-in-lord-of-the-rings-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/07/looking-at-the-brighter-moria-in-lord-of-the-rings-online/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

LotRO
Does Lord of the Rings Online's Moria benefit from a brighter night-light? The folks over at A Casual Stroll to Mordor went on the test server to investigate just how different the underground zones look now that Turbine's gone back to give the area additional lighting effects.

The fansite examines four different locales on both the live and test server and took screenshots to document the changes. The Great Delving, Silvertine Lodes, The Waterworks, and Durin's Way are the stops on the tour, and out of all of them, Silvertine is the most noticeably brighter.

"While playing, I can say that I do feel like it's easier to see," Goldenstar writes. "I don't know if I would fall into 'it's too bright' category. It still feels like Moria to me."

A revamp to half of Moria is planned with Update 7. Head on over and check out the differences for yourself!

MassivelyLooking at the brighter Moria in Lord of the Rings Online originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 07 May 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a-casual-stroll-to-mordorcompare-and-contrastf2pfantasyfree-to-playlightinglord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromines-of-moriamoriamoria-brighteningmoria-revampmoria-updatepatch-7shades-of-the-pastturbineturbine-entertainmentupdateupdate-7Mon, 07 May 2012 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Road to Mordor: Seven player events you must attend]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/05/the-road-to-mordor-seven-player-events-you-must-attend/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/05/the-road-to-mordor-seven-player-events-you-must-attend/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/05/the-road-to-mordor-seven-player-events-you-must-attend/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

LotRO
More than any other MMO I've played, Lord of the Rings Online seems to draw out player events like crazy. Maybe it's the setting, Tolkien's world-building, the renaissance fair outfits, or the disproportionately large RP crowd, but LotRO seems to be graced with far more of these kinds of player-driven initiatives than elsewhere.

As such, today I wanted to scout around the forums and official calendar to highlight a few of the many, many events that festoon this great game of ours. These are great to check out, particularly when you're a little bored with the same-old, same-old of questing, raiding, skirmishing, or PvMPing. The ingenuity and spirit of these events is often quite infectious, and I never regret going to one once I make the effort.

So check out seven great player events in LotRO, coming to a server near you!

Continue reading The Road to Mordor: Seven player events you must attend

MassivelyThe Road to Mordor: Seven player events you must attend originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 05 May 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ales-and-talesf2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playlord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotroopinionplayer-driven-eventplayer-eventplayer-musicroad-to-mordorroleplayroleplayingrpthe-road-to-mordorturbineturbine-entertainmentweatherstockweatherstock-2012weatherstock-ivSat, 05 May 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Lord of the Rings Online explains Moria revamp]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/04/lord-of-the-rings-online-explains-moria-revamp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/04/lord-of-the-rings-online-explains-moria-revamp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/04/lord-of-the-rings-online-explains-moria-revamp/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

LotRO
Since the word came down recently that Turbine is revamping much of Lord of the Rings Online's Moria, players have been buzzing about the merits and scope of such a project. Content Developer Lauren Salk posted an article on the official site explaining the reasoning behind the decision as well as the specific changes involved.

Salk said that Turbine wanted to respond to player complaints about the difficulty and pace of Moria's leveling experience. She admits that the quests did not always lead to the best places and resulted in a frustrating stint underground instead of an amazing journey. Salk confessed that the zone even frustrated her mother, who never made it all the way through.

With Update 7, LotRO will update half of Moria, while the latter half will come later on down the road. In addition to a smoother quest flow, additional quests, and an easier difficulty level, Turbine's adding tasks for all to enjoy.

Travel through Moria will become more pleasant, as the lighting will be adjusted, additional stable routes added, monsters moved out of the major pathways, and a no-reputation goat made available from the start.

MassivelyLord of the Rings Online explains Moria revamp originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 04 May 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>challengedev-blogdev-diarydev-postdifficulty-levelf2pfantasyfree-to-playlauren-salklord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromines-of-moriamoriamoria-revampshades-of-the-pasttravelturbineturbine-entertainmentupdate-7Fri, 04 May 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[LotRO Update 7 to add new skirmish, revamp old content]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/04/lotro-update-7-to-add-new-skirmish-revamp-old-content/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/04/lotro-update-7-to-add-new-skirmish-revamp-old-content/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/04/lotro-update-7-to-add-new-skirmish-revamp-old-content/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

LotRO
Even a good anniversary celebration can't delay Turbine from delivering the content through snow, rain, and volcanic ash from Mount Doom. The team has posted an outline of Lord of the Rings Online's next content patch, Update 7, with word that it will go to the test server soon.

Update 7: Shades of the Past promises to add a new endgame skirmish called Storm on Methedras. The skirmish will be free for VIP players and tasks groups of one to 12 players with taking on Saruman's ally, Gwyllion, in the Misty Mountains.

The update will also contain two huge renovations to existing content. Turbine will be divvying up the massive Fornost dungeon into four scalable instances accessible from levels 30 on up. More importantly, the team is renovating great parts of Moria with better graphics and a smoother quest flow.

MassivelyLotRO Update 7 to add new skirmish, revamp old content originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 04 May 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>content-patchcontent-updatef2pfantasyfornostfree-to-playlord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromines-of-moriamoriarevampshades-of-the-pastskirmishStorm-on-Methedrasturbineturbine-entertainmentupdate-7Fri, 04 May 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DDO's Menace of the Underdark expansion beta starts May 10th]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/03/ddos-menace-of-the-underdark-expansion-beta-starts-may-10th/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/03/ddos-menace-of-the-underdark-expansion-beta-starts-may-10th/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/03/ddos-menace-of-the-underdark-expansion-beta-starts-may-10th/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Dungeons and Dragons Online - when dark elves attack
Last week we showed you some screenshots of Eveningstar, a new town in Dungeons and Dragons Online's upcoming Menace of the Underdark expansion. Today Turbine has released four additional shots taken in and around the small settlement that greets players as they transition from Eberron to the Forgotten Realms.

Turbine has also told us that the expansion closed beta will kick off on May 10th. The testing period will be exclusive to pre-order purchasers of MotU, so head to the official DDO site to learn more!

[Source: Turbine press release]

Gallery: Dungeons and Dragons Online: Menace of the Underdark

MassivelyDDO's Menace of the Underdark expansion beta starts May 10th originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 03 May 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ddoddo-expansionddo-gallerydnddungeons-and-dragonsdungeons-and-dragons-onlineeveningstarf2pfantasyfree-to-playgallerymenace-of-the-underdarkscreenshotsturbineturbine-entertainmentThu, 03 May 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Why I play Star Wars: The Old Republic]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/02/why-i-play-star-wars-the-old-republic/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/02/why-i-play-star-wars-the-old-republic/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/02/why-i-play-star-wars-the-old-republic/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

SWTOR
I believe I'm like most people when I say that I cling to nostalgia. I love it when parts of my adolescence are made into movies or video games. Yes, despite it being an explode-y Michael Bay movie, I loved Transformers, and I can't tell you how many times I watched Lord of the Rings when Peter Jackson adapted J.R.R. Tolkien's masterpiece into a blockbuster. But despite Ghostbusters' status as my favorite single movie of all time, the original Star Wars trilogy had more impact on my childhood than anything else in my life. I still get childhood chills when I think about it.

From the music to the action figures, I loved them all. I still have a picture of me at six years old riding an AT-AT. Yes, even at six, I knew exactly what an AT-AT was. And although I called a lightsaber a light-saver, I grew up with Star Wars entrenched in my psyche. It was only natural that when the video games revolving around the series came out, I would take up that cause. You guys remember the crazy wireframe Death Star trench arcade? You'd better believe I was there playing that.

When Star Wars entered the MMO space, I was there with bells on. But it's not just this longing to recapture my childhood that propels me to that galaxy far, far away in Star Wars: The Old Republic. The spice addiction runs quite a bit deeper.

Continue reading Why I play Star Wars: The Old Republic

MassivelyWhy I play Star Wars: The Old Republic originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 02 May 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acactivisionasherons-callbiowareblizzardblizzard-entertainmentcommunityeaelectronic-artseqeverquestfantasyfeaturedgalaxieshyperspace-beaconlucasartsmythicmythic-entertainmentnostalgiaopinionsandboxsci-fisoesony-online-entertainmentstar-warsstar-wars-galaxiesstar-wars-the-old-republicstorytellingswgswtorthe-old-republictorturbineturbine-entertainmentultimaultimaonlineuowarcraftwhy-i-playworld-of-warcraftwowWed, 02 May 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Road to Mordor: Is LotRO's questing system over the hill?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/28/the-road-to-mordor-is-lotros-questing-system-over-the-hill/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/28/the-road-to-mordor-is-lotros-questing-system-over-the-hill/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/28/the-road-to-mordor-is-lotros-questing-system-over-the-hill/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

LotRO
There's a good chance you're not reading this column right now but instead are fully immersed in the weekend beta for Guild Wars 2: Guild Harder. That's OK. I won't hold it against you -- I may even be playing it as well. Oh, those ArenaNet folks. They make such lofty promises, don't they? They're going to rewrite MMOs as we know them and show us once and for all that we've been playing with Tinker Toys when we could have fully functional jetpacks and whatnot.

I don't harbor any ill will against Guild Wars 2; in fact, I'm quite looking forward to it. But as everyone's focused on the game's excising of traditional questing as popularized by World of Warcraft, I thought it would be worth examining just how dated Lord of the Rings Online's questing system has become, if at all.

In an era of dynamic events, public quests, full voice-over, and other techniques designed to get us away from the text box questing model, will LotRO hold its ground against these fads or is it truly becoming a relic of the past? Let's dig in!

Continue reading The Road to Mordor: Is LotRO's questing system over the hill?

MassivelyThe Road to Mordor: Is LotRO's questing system over the hill? originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 28 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionanetarenanetbiowareblizzardblizzard-entertainmenteaelectronic-artsepic-questsepic-storyepic-storylinef2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playguild-wars-2gw2jrr-tolkienlord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotrolucasartsncsoftopinionquestquestingquesting-systemriders-of-rohanriftrift-literift-planes-of-telararoad-to-mordorsci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicsubsubscription-feeswtorthe-old-republicthe-road-to-mordortolkientortriontrion-worldsturbineturbine-entertainmentwarcraftworld-of-warcraftwowSat, 28 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Turbine extends LotRO anniversary festival]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/27/turbine-extends-lotro-anniversary-festival/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/27/turbine-extends-lotro-anniversary-festival/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/27/turbine-extends-lotro-anniversary-festival/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Lord of the Rings Online - fireworks horse
Still working feverishly on your Eriador Cartographile title? Take heart (and take a breather) because Turbine has just announced that it is extending Lord of the Rings Online's fifth anniversary festival.

This weekend was originally slated to mark the end of beer brawling and mass firework displays, but now the tomfoolery will continue through May 9th. If you're a festival newb and in need of some direction, A Casual Stroll to Mordor has a pretty extensive guide to point you on your way. You might also want to check out the LotRO wiki for a complete list of items attainable via the various festival quests and activities.

MassivelyTurbine extends LotRO anniversary festival originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 27 Apr 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anniversaryf2pfantasyfree-to-playlord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotrolotro-5th-anniversarylotro-anniversary-festivallotro-festival-extendedlotro-fifth-anniversaryturbineturbine-entertainmentFri, 27 Apr 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Why I Play: Lord of the Rings Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/25/why-i-play-lord-of-the-rings-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/25/why-i-play-lord-of-the-rings-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/25/why-i-play-lord-of-the-rings-online/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Lord of the Rings Online - Oatbarton archway
It's confession time, folks. I change MMOs like most people change socks, so while many of my colleagues write about their long-term MMO love and possibly a backup game or two in this column, I'm more inclined to write about four different titles in as many weeks. In fact, by the time you finish reading this, I may well have moved on to something else.

That's OK, though, and that's one of the great things about the modern MMO space: There are just so damn many games that there's really no excuse for ever getting bored. And this week's infatuation is Lord of the Rings Online.

Continue reading Why I Play: Lord of the Rings Online

MassivelyWhy I Play: Lord of the Rings Online originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 25 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>editorialf2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playlord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotrolotro-inn-leaguelotro-music-systemmassively-metametamiddle-earthmmo-musicmusicmusic-systemnon-combatnon-combat-gameplaynostalgiaop-edopinionplayer-generated-contentroast-muttontolkienturbineturbine-entertainmentuser-generated-contentwhy-i-playwhy-i-play-lotroWed, 25 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[See Eveningstar under siege in new DDO expansion screenshots]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/25/see-eveningstar-under-siege-in-new-ddo-expansion-screenshots/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/25/see-eveningstar-under-siege-in-new-ddo-expansion-screenshots/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/25/see-eveningstar-under-siege-in-new-ddo-expansion-screenshots/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Dungeons and Dragons Online - Eveningstar under siege
Another week, another set of screenshots for Dungeons and Dragons Online's new Menace of the Underdark expansion. This time around, we've got two new areas to explore: the town of Eveningstar (and some night battles set therein) and the Ruins of Temple Mystra.

DDO players can check these areas out after leaving Eberron behind and stepping into Turbine's version of the beloved Forgotten Realms campaign setting. The expansion, DDO's first, is slated for June 25th. Head to the official website for more, but not before you peruse our screenshot gallery below.

Gallery: Dungeons and Dragons Online: Menace of the Underdark


[Source: Turbine press release]

MassivelySee Eveningstar under siege in new DDO expansion screenshots originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 25 Apr 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ddoddo-expansionddo-gallerydnddungeons-and-dragonsdungeons-and-dragons-onlineeveningstarexpansionf2pfantasyfree-to-playgalleriesmenace-of-the-underdarkscreenshotsturbineturbine-entertainmentWed, 25 Apr 2012 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Celebrate Lord of the Rings Online's 5th Anniversary with free stuff from Massively!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/24/celebrate-lord-of-the-rings-onlines-5th-anniversary-with-free-s/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/24/celebrate-lord-of-the-rings-onlines-5th-anniversary-with-free-s/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/24/celebrate-lord-of-the-rings-onlines-5th-anniversary-with-free-s/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Lord of the Rings Online: Rise of Isengard
Exactly five years ago today, Lord of the Rings Online launched to eager MMO fans, bringing J.R.R. Tolkien's world to life in a persistent land for the first time in a video game. The game has enjoyed consistent success since then, keeping the MMO world on its toes with three expansion packs and a move to free-to-play that earned the game several awards and more success than most MMOs are able to enjoy long after launch.

To help celebrate this success after five years, Turbine has teamed up with Massively to offer special prizes for three lucky winners: 5,000 Turbine Points, 10,000 Turbine Points, and a Lifetime account!

To be eligible, you must reside in North America (these are for NA accounts) and be over 18 years of age. If that checks out, just head on over to our contest post in our forums and leave a reply to the thread letting us know what your favorite moment was from the last five years of LotRO. Be sure to get your responses in before 8 a.m. EDT on Friday, April 27th. We'll then randomly select the first-, second-, and third-place winners and notify them by the end of the day Friday.

Also be sure to check out the 5th anniversary video just after the cut below. Best of luck to everyone!

CONTEST FAQ OFFICIAL RULES

Continue reading Celebrate Lord of the Rings Online's 5th Anniversary with free stuff from Massively!

MassivelyCelebrate Lord of the Rings Online's 5th Anniversary with free stuff from Massively! originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 24 Apr 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>contestcontestsf2pfantasyfree-to-playgiveawaygiveawayslifetime-subscriptionlord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotroturbineturbine-entertainmentturbine-pointsTue, 24 Apr 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Do you grind for fluff items?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/24/the-daily-grind-do-you-grind-for-fluff-items/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/24/the-daily-grind-do-you-grind-for-fluff-items/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/24/the-daily-grind-do-you-grind-for-fluff-items/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Lord of the Rings Online - map of the Shire
Lord of the Rings Online's anniversary festival has another six days to go, which just might be enough time for me to grind out the tokens necessary to complete my map collection (and the spiffy Eriador Cartographile title that comes with it).

I say "grind" here pretty loosely, as the horse-races, fireworks displays, and dwarven beer-brawling are highly enjoyable even though I've done them dozens of times each at this point.

What about you, dear readers? What's your tolerance when it comes to grinding for fluff items? Do you do it, and what's the best (or worst) such grind you've ever experienced?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Do you grind for fluff items? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 24 Apr 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>daily-grindf2pfantasyflufffluff-itemsfree-to-playgrindlord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotrolotro-anniversaryopiniontdgthe-daily-grindturbineturbine-entertainmentTue, 24 Apr 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Road to Mordor: Happy fifth anniversary, LotRO!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/21/the-road-to-mordor-happy-fifth-anniversary-lotro/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/21/the-road-to-mordor-happy-fifth-anniversary-lotro/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/21/the-road-to-mordor-happy-fifth-anniversary-lotro/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Image
Great Ghost Bear, has it really been five years? Why... it must have been, although it truly seems like yesterday that a magazine article caught my eye about an upcoming game based on Lord of the Rings. Just yesterday it was, when I called my brother-in-law to tell him that he could drop his World of Warcraft subscription because something better was on the horizon. It wasn't but a day ago that we Founders jumped into the head-start and power-leveled all the way to 15.

Let me tell you, those Tuckborough Library raids were brutal back then!

So it has indeed been five years since Lord of the Rings Online released, a half-decade of Middle-earth stomping, Brandywine swimming, and Weathertop free-climbing. I can't even believe that this is the third such anniversary that I've covered for Massively; boy, how the time flies.

Perhaps to make up for last year's lackluster and flawed anniversary celebration, Turbine's pulled out all the stops to make LotRO's birthday an event to remember. We've got a lot to cover and plenty of fireworks left to shoot off, so let's get to it!

Continue reading The Road to Mordor: Happy fifth anniversary, LotRO!

MassivelyThe Road to Mordor: Happy fifth anniversary, LotRO! originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 21 Apr 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>5th-anniversaryanniversaryanniversary-festivalf2pfantasyfeaturedfestivalfifth-anniversaryfree-to-playgrindaversaryin-game-eventlord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotroopinionroad-to-mordorthe-road-to-mordorturbineturbine-entertainmentSat, 21 Apr 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Turbine talks Eberron vs. Forgotten realms in new DDO video]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/20/turbine-talks-eberron-vs-forgotten-realms-in-new-ddo-video/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/20/turbine-talks-eberron-vs-forgotten-realms-in-new-ddo-video/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/20/turbine-talks-eberron-vs-forgotten-realms-in-new-ddo-video/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Dungeons and Dragons Online - spider queen
Turbine has released the next installment in its Menace of the Underdark dev diary series. The video clip runs for two-and-a-half minutes and features various developer personalities discussing Dungeons and Dragons Online's jump from one fantasy world to another.

"It's really important to us that Faerun feels unique and is more true to the classic high-fantasy setting," says producer Fernando Paiz. Whereas Eberron featured elements of fantasy-tech and magicpunk, the Forgotten Realms is one of the more iconic and traditional high fantasy settings around. As such, Turbine says, it has collaborated closely with Wizards of the Coast to ensure the authenticity of the expansion experience.

So what is the link between these two different realms? In a word, Lolth, the drow spider-queen goddess who is powerful enough to connect the worlds. Turbine remains mum on the specifics, though, so you'll have to check out the expansion to see for yourself.

[Source: Turbine press release]

Continue reading Turbine talks Eberron vs. Forgotten realms in new DDO video

MassivelyTurbine talks Eberron vs. Forgotten realms in new DDO video originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 20 Apr 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beyond-the-gamebeyond-the-web-trailerddoddo-expansionddo-expansion-videoddo-videodnddungeons-and-dragonsdungeons-and-dragons-onlineexpansionf2pfantasyforgotten-realmsfree-to-playmagicpunkmenace-of-the-underdarkmenace-of-the-underdark-videoturbineturbine-entertainmentvideoFri, 20 Apr 2012 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Dungeons & Dragons Online invites players to build a guild]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/19/dungeons-and-dragons-online-invites-players-to-build-a-guild/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/19/dungeons-and-dragons-online-invites-players-to-build-a-guild/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/19/dungeons-and-dragons-online-invites-players-to-build-a-guild/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Fight the Drow, fight random strangers in a bar. Either one.
If you're going to take on the Drow in Dungeons & Dragons Online, you're going to need help. You'll need allies, people you can count on no matter what. In other words, you need a guild. That means recruiting some good players -- and the new Build Your Guild event is aimed at giving players incentives for just that. Running until late June, the event offers players two different ways to gain fantastic advantages just by being in a guild.

All players can gain extra experience and loot by grouping with fellow guild members, whether you're a new player or an old hand. You can also gain special bounties for reaching leveling milestones, which grants bonus guild renown and astral diamonds. Last but not least, guilds will randomly be rewarded a variety of prizes during the length of the event, culminating with a level 85 airship in late June. The event should provide plenty of incentive for players to work together in a guild, and if you happen to get some prizes along the way, so much the better.

MassivelyDungeons & Dragons Online invites players to build a guild originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 19 Apr 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>build-your-guildddodnddungeons-and-dragonsdungeons-and-dragons-onlinef2pfantasyfree-to-playguildguildsin-game-eventsnewpromotionsturbineturbine-entertainmentThu, 19 Apr 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Perfect Ten: Free-to-play holdouts]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/19/the-perfect-ten-free-to-play-holdouts/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/19/the-perfect-ten-free-to-play-holdouts/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/19/the-perfect-ten-free-to-play-holdouts/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Perfect Ten
In the increasingly diminishing field of subscription-only MMOs, two distinct camps have formed. There is the Old Guard that has its established playerbase and is simply not interested in jumping on board the F2P train, and then there are the New Kids on the Block (which would make an excellent band name, by the way), who argue that their premium features and AAA content warrant a subscription in the F2P age.

A few years ago, doing a list of the final few F2P holdouts would have been a ridiculous proposition, but now it's actually difficult to get to 10 of these. Each company has a different reason that it hasn't given these games more flexible payment options (FPO should replace F2P; pass it on!), and while some have addressed this publicly, others say nothing and leave us to speculate on it.

For today's Perfect Ten, we're going to look at the 10 biggest current F2P holdouts in the industry and muse about what's going on behind the scenes. Will this list be impossible to do in a few years or will subscription-only titles come back in a big way? Hey, I don't predict things; I just make lists.

Continue reading The Perfect Ten: Free-to-play holdouts

MassivelyThe Perfect Ten: Free-to-play holdouts originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 19 Apr 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acactivisionAndy-Cataldoasherons-callbiowareblizzardblizzard-entertainmentcamelotccpccp-gamesclassic-mmoconsoleconsolesdaocdark-age-of-cameloteaelectronic-artsendless-trialeveeve-onlinef2pfantasyfeaturedffff11ff14ffxiffxivfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xifinal-fantasy-xivfpsfree-to-playhumorinternet-spaceshipsKai-Schoberlord-britishlucasartsmmofpsmythicmythic-entertainmentmythologyopinionp10perfect-10perfect-tenplanetsidepsps1pvpriftrift-literift-planes-of-telararounduprvrsandboxsci-fiscott-hartsmansoesony-online-entertainmentspreadsheets-onlinesquaresquare-enixstar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicsubsubscription-feeswtorthe-old-republicthe-perfect-10the-perfect-tentop-10top-10-listtop-tentop-ten-listtortriontrion-worldsturbineturbine-entertainmentultimaultima onlineuowarwarcraftwarhammerwarhammer-onlineworld-of-warcraftwowThu, 19 Apr 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Choose My Adventure: Ultimate road trip edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/18/choose-my-adventure-ultimate-road-trip-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/18/choose-my-adventure-ultimate-road-trip-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/18/choose-my-adventure-ultimate-road-trip-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Choose My Adventure
Let's go for another spin!

Just like Mikey of Life cereal fame, I ventured into the realm of Choose My Adventure once before, and I liked it! Grand adventures, camaraderie with readers, exploring the unknown... what more could I ask for? More time, obviously!

It ended all too soon. I was totally revved up and ready to jump right back in, but unfortunately neither pleading nor bribery worked to continue my stint as your plucky puppet (and locking the other staff members in a dark closet didn't pan out either -- they escaped), so I had to park it and wait my turn. It took much too long, but finally my time has come again. *happy dance*

Now the boss may have handed me the keys, but you will be the ones driving. The top is down, and I've got snacks and shades; all that is left to begin our adventure for the next six weeks is to pick which direction to head and floor it. Although a lot of good places have already been visited, there are plenty more to choose from. In the mood for fantasy? Capes? Nebulas? Heavy artillery? Cast your votes by Sunday, April 22nd, 2012, at 11:59 p.m. EDT for your chance to steer me to the world of your choice. Our possible destinations (in no particular order) are...

Continue reading Choose My Adventure: Ultimate road trip edition

MassivelyChoose My Adventure: Ultimate road trip edition originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 18 Apr 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acaeriaaeria-gamesage-of-conanage-of-conan-unchainedanarchy-onlineaoaocaoc-unchainedasherons-callchampionschampions-onlinechampschoose-my-adventurechoose-my-adventure-mj-guthriecity-of-heroescity-of-villainsclassic-mmocmacocohconanconsoleconsolescovcoxcrypticcryptic-studiosdc-universedc-universe-onlinedcuoeden-eternalf2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playfreedomfuncomhands-onhistoricalhyboriancsoftopinionparagonparagon-studiosperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentplaystation-3playstation3pollpollsps3pvppwereaders-choicesandboxsci-fisoesony-online-entertainmentstar-trekstar-trek-mmostar-trek-onlinestosuperherosuperheroestanktanksturbineturbine-entertainmentunchainedvotevotingwarwargaming.networld-of-tankswotWed, 18 Apr 2012 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Turbine shows off new DDO expansion beasties]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/17/turbine-shows-off-new-ddo-expansion-beasties/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/17/turbine-shows-off-new-ddo-expansion-beasties/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/17/turbine-shows-off-new-ddo-expansion-beasties/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Dungeons and Dragons Online - dire carebear
Those coy devils at Turbine have released another batch of screenshots hyping the upcoming expansion pack for Dungeons and Dragons Online. As you're probably aware, the Menace of the Underdark update will transport players from Eberron to the Forgotten Realms. As such, there are certain iconic D&D monsters that simply must make an appearance.

Chief among these are the drider, the dire bear, the green dragon, and the draegloth. We've got these and a few more available for your perusal in our DDO gallery below, so give them a good look before you head to the game's official site for more info on the expansion. And hurry up already; the new content is coming June 25th!

[Source: Turbine press release]

Gallery: Dungeons and Dragons Online: Menace of the Underdark

MassivelyTurbine shows off new DDO expansion beasties originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 17 Apr 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ddoddo-expansiondnddungeons-and-dragonsdungeons-and-dragons-onlineexpansionf2pfantasyfree-to-playgallerymenace-of-the-underdarkscreenshotsturbineturbine-entertainmentxpacTue, 17 Apr 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Do you play classes you don't like?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/17/the-daily-grind-do-you-play-classes-you-dont-like/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/17/the-daily-grind-do-you-play-classes-you-dont-like/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/17/the-daily-grind-do-you-play-classes-you-dont-like/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Lord of the Rings Online - view from the rez pad
I recently returned to Lord of the Rings Online in anticipation of the Rohan-themed expansion pack due later this year.

As I was looking over my character page and deciding which of my toons I should take to 75, I reluctantly decided to abandon my highest level avatar. You see, he's a Guardian, and despite the fact that I'm basically throwing away 58 levels and some pretty decent gear, I simply can't bear the thought of playing what is absolutely the most boring class in any MMO, ever.

Why did I roll one, then? Mainly because my launch-day guild was going for class balance, and no one else wanted to play a tank. And that's my long-winded way of leading into today's Daily Grind question. Do you play classes you don't like (and if so, why)?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Do you play classes you don't like? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 17 Apr 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>classesdaily-grinddo-you-play-classes-you-dont-likef2pfantasyfree-to-playguardianlord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelord-of-the-rings-online-guardianlotrolotro-guardianmiddle-earthopinionrohanrohan-expansiontankingtankstdgthe-daily-grindturbineturbine-entertainmentTue, 17 Apr 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Captain's Log: Interview with Star Trek Online's Executive Producer, Daniel Stahl]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/16/captains-log-interview-with-star-trek-onlines-executive-produ/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/16/captains-log-interview-with-star-trek-onlines-executive-produ/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/16/captains-log-interview-with-star-trek-onlines-executive-produ/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Image
Next in this series of interviews conducted on my visit to Cryptic Studios in Los Gatos, California, last month is a chat with Daniel Stahl, Executive Producer of Star Trek Online.

I first asked Stahl to give me an overview of his responsibilities as Executive Producer, as there are many people who are either new to STO (or even to gaming overall) who may not have a clear understanding of his role entails.

He stated his job is "similar to making movies." He has several direct reports, the first being the software person or the person responsible for the team of people who actually create the code for the game. The second is the Content Lead, who is responsible for new missions, new features, and anything to with player experience. Finally, the Quality Assurance team also reports to him.

Continue reading Captain's Log: Interview with Star Trek Online's Executive Producer, Daniel Stahl

MassivelyCaptain's Log: Interview with Star Trek Online's Executive Producer, Daniel Stahl originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 16 Apr 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>captains-logchampions-onlinecrypticcryptic-studiosdan-stahldaniel-stahlf2pfeaturedfree-to-playinterviewinterviewslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotroopinionperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentpwesci-fistar-trekstar-trek-mmostar-trek-onlinestoturbineTurbine-EntertainmentMon, 16 Apr 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Leaderboard: Hobbits vs. Gnomes]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/16/leaderboard-hobbits-vs-gnomes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/16/leaderboard-hobbits-vs-gnomes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/16/leaderboard-hobbits-vs-gnomes/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Leaderboard
We shorties have been looked down upon our entire lives, so it's not without some sympathy that I champion the cause of the shorter races in MMOs. Happily, there are a lot of them, and they have their ardent supporters, with the added bonus of seemingly irritating the "Tallies" around them.

Yet out of all of the diminutive races in online games, two seem to stand out as the kingpins of the Shortie Empire. The first is Hobbits, the classic heroes of Tolkien's novels as well as Lord of the Rings Online. With their genial attitude, disregard for shoes, and fondness for multiple breakfasts, they've endeared themselves to millions and influenced the development of the RPG genre. The second is Gnomes, the tenacious inventors of the underworld who seem to pop up in every MMO that isn't afraid of a steampunk fringe.

So if a Hobbit and a Gnome fell into a pit together and there was only one breakfast to be had, which would go hungry and which would be satisfied? In other words, which race rules more than the other? Vote after the jump!

Continue reading Leaderboard: Hobbits vs. Gnomes

MassivelyLeaderboard: Hobbits vs. Gnomes originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 16 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battle-royalf2pfantasyfree-to-playgnomegnomeshobbithobbitsleaderboardlord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotroone-on-oneone-vs-oneopinionpollpollssecond-breakfastturbineturbine-entertainmentversusvotevotesvotingvsMon, 16 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[LotRO launches its Fifth Anniversary Festival]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/16/lotro-launches-its-fifth-anniversary-festival/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/16/lotro-launches-its-fifth-anniversary-festival/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/16/lotro-launches-its-fifth-anniversary-festival/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

LotRO
Lord of the Rings Online's fifth anniversary is upon us, and Turbine is determined to make it a party to remember! Today the studio has released LotRO's Update 6.1, the centerpiece of which is the completely revamped and upgraded Anniversary Festival.

While the anniversary was perceived as a haphazard affair in previous years, Turbine's devs have fleshed it out to rival the other four annual festivals. The focus of the Anniversary Festival is on fireworks and lots of them. There are several new quests to discover, a new fireworks-themed mount to obtain, and beer battles to win.

Because reaching five years is a big deal for any MMO, Turbine's also showering players with free gifts if they log in during this period. The gifts range from fireworks to cloaks to a special mount that is reserved for five-year veterans of the game.

During the anniversary, monsters will drop special tokens that can be redeemed for a wide variety of prizes. There's also a double-XP weekend coming up, which will run from April 24th through the 30th.

MassivelyLotRO launches its Fifth Anniversary Festival originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 16 Apr 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>5th-anniversary5th-anniversary-festival6.16.1-updateanniversaryanniversary-festivalf2pfantasyfestivalfifth-anniversaryfifth-anniversary-festivalfireworksfree-to-playgiftslord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromountpatchpatch-6.1patch-notesprizesturbineturbine-entertainmentupdateupdate-6.1update-notesMon, 16 Apr 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Road to Mordor: The truth behind weapon damage types]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/14/the-road-to-mordor-the-truth-behind-weapon-damage-types/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/14/the-road-to-mordor-the-truth-behind-weapon-damage-types/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/14/the-road-to-mordor-the-truth-behind-weapon-damage-types/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

LotRO
Part of the allure of Lord of the Rings Online is its surprising depth and complexity, particularly for those who like to get the best performance out of their characters. Part of the frustration of LotRO is its obtuse or absent explanations behind the many systems in the game.

One of these systems remained on the outer edges of my attention span until one day I gave it my full focus. This was the field of weapon damage types, a subject I was vaguely aware of yet assumed I didn't have to know much about it to get along in the game. After some examination, I realized that while you don't need to understand weapon damage types to have an enjoyable play experience, it does affect the game in a small but important way.

So if you've ever wondered what "Beleriand" or "Westernesse" in your weapon tooltip was all about, today's column is here to help you navigate the somewhat confusing area of damage types.

Continue reading The Road to Mordor: The truth behind weapon damage types

MassivelyThe Road to Mordor: The truth behind weapon damage types originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 14 Apr 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ancient-dwarfBeleriandcriesdamage-typesf2pfantasyfeaturedfirefree-to-playlightlord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotroopinionroad-to-mordorshadowthe-road-to-mordorturbineturbine-entertainmentweapon-damage-typeweapon-damage-typesWesternesseSat, 14 Apr 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Win a trip to Turbine by making a LotRO fifth anniversary fan video]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/11/win-a-trip-to-turbine-by-making-a-lotro-fifth-anniversary-fan-vi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/11/win-a-trip-to-turbine-by-making-a-lotro-fifth-anniversary-fan-vi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/11/win-a-trip-to-turbine-by-making-a-lotro-fifth-anniversary-fan-vi/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

LotRO
With the fifth anniversary of Lord of the Rings Online a little over a week away, Turbine has sprung a most excellent contest to reward the hardiest Hobbits and most fanatical Fellowshippers in the community. By creating and submitting a fan video, one lucky player will win a trip to visit Turbine's studio in Boston, Massachusetts.

Entering the Who is the Biggest LotRO Fan Contest is pretty simple. To do so, you'll need to head over to the contest site, download a package of assets, and then create your own fan video celebrating the game's big milestone. Each player can submit one entry, due by May 4th, which is then judged on creativity, composition, and appropriateness to theme.

While there will be 500 TP daily winners in the contest, the big grand prize is a trip for two to Boston, a three-day stay in a hotel, a tour of Turbine's offices, a lifetime membership to LotRO, and 1,000 TP.

MassivelyWin a trip to Turbine by making a LotRO fifth anniversary fan video originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 11 Apr 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bostoncontestf2pfan-contestfan-made-videofan-videofantasyfree-to-playlifetime-membershiplord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotrotpturbineturbine-entertainmentturbine-pointsvideoWho-is-the-Biggest-LotRO-Fan-ContestwinnerwinningsWed, 11 Apr 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New DDO trailer goes behind the scenes on Underdark expansion]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/11/new-ddo-trailer-goes-behind-the-scenes-on-underdark-expansion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/11/new-ddo-trailer-goes-behind-the-scenes-on-underdark-expansion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/11/new-ddo-trailer-goes-behind-the-scenes-on-underdark-expansion/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Dungeons and Dragons Online - Menace of the Underdark combat
Can't get enough of Turbine's new Dungeons and Dragons Online expansion, eh? We can't either, and fortunately the firm has released a new trailer that takes us behind the scenes on the making of the Menace of the Underdark content.

The clip features producer Fernando Paiz, who calls the expansion the largest content push in the game's six-year history. Since the expansion is delving into a new IP (the Forgotten Realms, as opposed to DDO's original Eberron setting), the devs have had to adjust their thinking in terms of both content and art direction. Turbine's Jeff De Puy says that "almost all the monsters [the devs are] creating for Forgotten Realms are epically large and big."

How epically large and big? You'll have to click past the cut and view the video to find out.

Continue reading New DDO trailer goes behind the scenes on Underdark expansion

MassivelyNew DDO trailer goes behind the scenes on Underdark expansion originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 11 Apr 2012 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>art-directionbeyond-the-webbeyond-the-web-trailerddoddo-beyond-the-webddo-expansiondnddungeons-and-dragonsdungeons-and-dragons-onlineexpansionf2pfantasyfernando-paizforgotten-realmsfree-to-playjeff-de-puymenace-of-the-underdarkturbineturbine-entertainmentvideoWed, 11 Apr 2012 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Leaderboard: Hotbar combat vs. action combat]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/09/leaderboard-hotbar-combat-vs-action-combat/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/09/leaderboard-hotbar-combat-vs-action-combat/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/09/leaderboard-hotbar-combat-vs-action-combat/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Leaderboard

I've noticed that whenever a studio is developing an MMO that features action combat (i.e., faster-paced combat that's more dependent on positioning, reflexes, and mouse usage), it acts as though it's developing the savior of the genre -- even though action combat is nothing new (just ask Dungeons and Dragons Online or Age of Conan). Instead of seeing it as a revolution that will bring us out of the supposed dark ages, I look at it as a different style of play that some prefer while others shun.

Both have their pros and cons. Hotbar combat allows for quick access to a wide variety of skills, levels the playing field for those of us old fogeys who aren't so tight in the reflex department, and focuses more on strategic thinking. However, it's typically slower and not as visceral as many non-MMO video games tend to be. Action combat, on the other hand, is certainly more in-line with its non-MMO contemporaries, with exciting pitched battles at the expense of time to think and a more limited selection of input.

So for today's Leaderboard, we're going to tackle the grand ol' staple of MMOs, hotbar combat, vs. the action combat upstarts. Will reflexes or brains win the day? Cast your vote after the jump!

Continue reading Leaderboard: Hotbar combat vs. action combat

MassivelyLeaderboard: Hotbar combat vs. action combat originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 09 Apr 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanage-of-conan-unchainedaocaoc-unchainedbattle-royalconanddodnddungeons-and-dragonsdungeons-and-dragons-onlinef2pfantasyfree-to-playfuncomhyborialeaderboardone-on-oneone-vs-oneopinionpollpollsturbineturbine-entertainmentunchainedversusvotevotesvotingvsMon, 09 Apr 2012 13:00:00 EST