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[New Firefall dev blog discusses raising the skill ceiling]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/24/new-firefall-dev-blog-discusses-raising-the-skill-ceiling/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/24/new-firefall-dev-blog-discusses-raising-the-skill-ceiling/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/24/new-firefall-dev-blog-discusses-raising-the-skill-ceiling/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Screenshot -- Firefall
The other day we talked about Red 5 Studios' new development philosophy for its upcoming MMOFPS, Firefall, and its decision to take things in a direction that's more focused on player skill than levels or gear. Today, the studio has released a new dev diary that expounds on this philosophy by discussing how it plans to make the game "approachable and exciting to players of all skill levels," while ensuring that it remains rewarding to the truly hardcore.

The post begins by taking a look at the game's core combat, which contains "a number of weapons and abilities that are lower-twitch and lower-skill," such as beam weapons, AoE abilities, and splash damage. The post goes on to discuss a number of potential solutions to these problems, such as changing the high-splash-damage plasma cannon into a gun that deals lower splash damage, but with devastating direct-hit damage. It's an interesting read for players who are looking for a bit more skill-based gameplay in their MMOs, and Firefall fans in general would do well to go check out the full post on the game's official site.

MassivelyNew Firefall dev blog discusses raising the skill ceiling originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 24 May 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dev-blogdev-diarydeveloper-blogdeveloper-diaryf2pfirefallfirst-person-shooterfpsfree-to-playmmo-shootermmofpspvpred-5red-5-studiossci-fishooterskillskill-ceilingwarThu, 24 May 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[World of Tanks' 7.4 update to feature new game modes, maps]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/23/world-of-tanks-7-4-update-to-feature-new-game-modes-maps/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/23/world-of-tanks-7-4-update-to-feature-new-game-modes-maps/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/23/world-of-tanks-7-4-update-to-feature-new-game-modes-maps/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

World of Tanks - French SPG
Two new game modes are coming to World of Tanks. Encounter battle and assault will both debut with the 7.4 patch, as Wargaming.net looks to up the ante in terms of complicated combat assignments.

The patch will also expand the French tank tree as well as add two new maps to the mix. The first map is called Widepark, and it takes place amidst the ruins of a bombed out German town. The second map is called Airfield. It transports players to a Mediterranean location surrounded by temple ruins and rocky hills.

The most noteworthy 7.4 changes, though, are the game modes. Encounter battle "invites two sides to fight for one base," according to a Wargaming.net press release. Assault "sets the players in the roles of attackers and defenders where the former have superior combat capabilities," the company says.

[Source: Wargaming.net press release]

MassivelyWorld of Tanks' 7.4 update to feature new game modes, maps originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 23 May 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>7.4-updatef2pfree-to-playhistoricalnew-mapspvptanktankswarwargaming.networld-of-tanksworld-of-tanks-7.4world-of-tanks-assaultworld-of-tanks-encounter-battleworld-of-tanks-game-modeswotWed, 23 May 2012 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Firefall video blog says farewell to levels, hello to skill]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/22/firefall-video-blog-discusses-a-farewell-to-levels-and-a-return/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/22/firefall-video-blog-discusses-a-farewell-to-levels-and-a-return/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/22/firefall-video-blog-discusses-a-farewell-to-levels-and-a-return/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Not a farewell to arms, mind you. That would make the game kind of silly.
The team at Red 5 Studios has been working hard on making Firefall the best game it can be, and as it turns out, that happens to be a game without traditional levels. A new video blog featuring lead designer Scott Youngblood and development VP James Macauley drops the news that the level system is being discarded and replaced with a much more organic system for player growth.

Under the new system, players still earn EXP. That EXP will be spent on specific upgrades at a player's discretion rather than marking off specific levels, allowing you to unlock the upgrades that feel relevant in the order you want them. It also places less emphasis on levels in head-to-head matchups, something Macauley stresses is important to the team.

There's more than just the removal of levels at work, however; the development team is also overhauling crafting to be more complex and rewarding as well as developing a new system of equipment tiers to keep players advancing. The full diary just past the break only gives brief glimpses of several new systems, but Firefall fans should be quite happy with what's over the horizon.

Continue reading Firefall video blog says farewell to levels, hello to skill

MassivelyFirefall video blog says farewell to levels, hello to skill originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 22 May 2012 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>design-blogdevelopmentdevelopment-blogf2pfirefallfirst-person-shooterfpsfree-to-playfuture-patchesfuture-updatesjames-macauleylevelsmmo-shootermmofpsnewsno-levelspvpred-5red-5-studiossci-fiscott-youngbloodshootervideovideo-blogvideosvlogwarTue, 22 May 2012 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[World of Warplanes closed beta starts May 31st]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/22/world-of-warplanes-closed-beta-starts-may-31st/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/22/world-of-warplanes-closed-beta-starts-may-31st/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/22/world-of-warplanes-closed-beta-starts-may-31st/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

World of Warplanes closed beta starts May 31st
If you've been holding out hope for an invite to the World of Warplanes global alpha, take heart. Wargaming.net has just announced that it's moving its aviation shooter into closed beta on May 31st.

The company says its "army of test pilots will be increased drastically" as a result, so be sure to sign up on the official WoWP website. World of Warplanes is a lobby-based flight combat game set during aviation's golden age. It features aircraft ranging from 1930s biplanes to 1950s jets. For more on the game, check out our recent interview with producer Anton Sitnikau.

[Source: Wargaming.net press release]

MassivelyWorld of Warplanes closed beta starts May 31st originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 22 May 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betaclosed-betaf2pfree-to-playglobal-alphahistoricalplaneplanespvpwarwargaming.netwarplanewarplanesworld-of-warplanesworld-of-warplanes-betaworld-of-warplanes-closed-betawowpwowp-betawowp-closed-betaTue, 22 May 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Aeria Games unveils new multiplayer shooter, Born to Fire]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/21/aeria-games-unveils-new-mmofps-born-to-fire/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/21/aeria-games-unveils-new-mmofps-born-to-fire/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/21/aeria-games-unveils-new-mmofps-born-to-fire/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Born to Fire image
Aeria Games, with numerous free-to-play titles already under its belt, just unveiled a new multiplayer first-person shooter called Born to Fire. This character-driven game is set following the Cold War, when rules of engagement are thrown out the window and the world is a free-fire zone.

Director of Publishing Tom Nichols describes the game: "In Born to Fire, players step in the boots of five distinct classes of elite operatives engaged in a global firefight for domination. With the instant gratification of one-click matchmaking and the in-depth analysis provided by elaborate replay tools, Born to Fire represents a new class of character-driven, highly customizable MMOFPS that's easy to get into but nearly impossible to fully master."

The five classes available for play are Rifleman, Duelist, Ranger, Heavy-Hitter, or Warden; each comes with unique backstory, tactics, and a fully customizable arsenal.

Sign-ups for closed beta are going on now! Players can keep informed of the latest news, updates, and contests by "liking" Born To Fire's Facebook page. Also, be sure to check out the screenshots and artwork in the attached gallery.

Gallery: Born to Fire

Born to Fire


[Source: Areia Games press release]

MassivelyAeria Games unveils new multiplayer shooter, Born to Fire originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 21 May 2012 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aeriaaeria-gamesBorn-to-Firefirst-person-shooterfpsgalleriesgallerynew-titlesscreenshotswarMon, 21 May 2012 07:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Insider gets into the nitty gritty of the new ally system]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/18/eve-insider-gets-into-the-nitty-gritty-of-the-new-ally-system/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/18/eve-insider-gets-into-the-nitty-gritty-of-the-new-ally-system/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/18/eve-insider-gets-into-the-nitty-gritty-of-the-new-ally-system/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Evil Pair of Ducks v. Pair of Ducks: FIGHT
In a never-ending effort to facilitate the spread of war and destruction, the good folks at CCP have cooked up an Ally System for EVE Online's upcoming Inferno expansion -- a system that will enable players to put their services on hire or find a buddy to join them in a war. In a dev diary update today, the system was brought out into the light and displayed in detail.

Wars you're engaged in will show up in the Our Wars tab (under the Wars tab, under the Corporation tab in your Neocom), as will any wars that you're an ally in. If you're a CEO or Director, you can list yourself as Open For Allies and decide whether or not to accept offers for help -- which you should expect, naturally, to come at a price. Negotiation of prices can be carried out through normal communication channels, as the current UI allows you only to accept or decline the offer.

If trouble hasn't found you and you want to spice things up, the All Wars tab is the place for you: It's a list of, well, all active wars, with information like who's asking for an ally and wars with one or more allies. By default, the list shows the 50 most recent wars, but it's also searchable by corporation/alliance. There's an "Assitance requests only" box that you can check to speed up the sword-selling process. Once you've made an offer, possibly done some negotiating, and been accepted, you'll be counted as an ally, although you'll have to wait 24 hours to start fighting.

The purpose of this system is to give more options to defenders, introduce some risk for attackers, and provide ways for mercenaries to support themselves. There's a whole list of extra rules and explanation over on the blog proper, so be sure to check it out.

MassivelyEVE Insider gets into the nitty gritty of the new ally system originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 18 May 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>allyally-systemccpccp-gamesceos-and-directors-have-all-the-fundefenderseveeve-onlineinternet-spaceshipsmercenaryour-warssandboxsci-fisophisticated-war-systemsspreadsheets-onlinewarFri, 18 May 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Firing Line: World of Warplanes producer talks matchmaking, progression]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/18/the-firing-line-world-of-warplanes-producer-talks-matchmaking/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/18/the-firing-line-world-of-warplanes-producer-talks-matchmaking/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/18/the-firing-line-world-of-warplanes-producer-talks-matchmaking/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Firing Line - World of Warplanes producer interview
Last week I talked a bit about a couple of flight sim shooters coming soon to a PC near you. One of them is World of Warplanes, the followup title to Wargaming.net's ubiquitous World of Tanks hit.

The World War II action MMO masters are slipping the surly bonds of earth with a new lobby-based battler that's currently flying through the early phases of its global alpha test. I had a few burning questions for the devs, including specifics on the matchmaking system, progression, and the possibility of historical scenarios. Producer Anton Sitnikau was gracious enough to answer those and more, so head past the break to see what he had to say.

Continue reading The Firing Line: World of Warplanes producer talks matchmaking, progression

MassivelyThe Firing Line: World of Warplanes producer talks matchmaking, progression originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 18 May 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anton-sitnikauexclusivef2pfeaturedfpsfree-to-playhistoricalinterviewinterviewsmassively-exclusivematchmakingmmofpsopinionplaneplanespvptflthe-firing-linethird-person-shootertpswarwargaming.netwargaming.net-matchmakingwarplanewarplanesworld-of-warplanesworld-of-warplanes-interviewworld-of-warplanes-matchmakingworld-of-warplanes-producer-interviewwowpwowp-interviewwowp-matchmakingFri, 18 May 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Warhammer's 1.4.6 patch brings RvR and scenario changes]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/18/warhammers-1-4-6-patch-brings-rvr-and-scenario-changes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/18/warhammers-1-4-6-patch-brings-rvr-and-scenario-changes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/18/warhammers-1-4-6-patch-brings-rvr-and-scenario-changes/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Warhammer Online - 1.4.6 patch
There's a new patch on Warhammer's public test server. The 1.4.6 update is designed to tweak both realm vs. realm and scenario PvP. In terms of RvR, one of the biggest changes is the shift from multiple city invasion instances to a single instance. The instance will support 60 players from each realm -- 120 total. "Once that number is reached, no further reinforcements will be allowed," according to the update notes on the WAR website.

Scenario brackets are also being altered. Whereas the old system grouped players into tiers based on character level, the new mechanic uses both levels and renown rank. Players from level one to 15 go into bracket one, while players of renown ranks zero to 69 and 70 to 100 go into brackets two and three, respectively.

[Edit: Clarified 120 total players in the instance]

MassivelyWarhammer's 1.4.6 patch brings RvR and scenario changes originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 18 May 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1.4.6-patcheaelectronic-artsendless-trialfantasymythicmythic-entertainmentpvprvrscenarioswarwar-1.4.6warhammerwarhammer-1.4.6warhammer-onlineFri, 18 May 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[World of Warplanes video diary details classes, roles]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/world-of-warplanes-video-diary-details-classes-roles/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/world-of-warplanes-video-diary-details-classes-roles/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/world-of-warplanes-video-diary-details-classes-roles/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

World of Warplanes - dev diary title screen
Looking for the latest World of Warplanes news? Wargaming.net has you covered with part two of its developer diary video series.

The clip introduces us to some of the dev personalities working on the game as well as the three main aircraft classes (fighters, heavy fighters, and ground attack planes). "Fighters top the food chain," according to historical consultant Yuri Pasholok. "They are the most widespread, versatile, and -- pound for pound -- the deadliest class in the game."

In comparison, ground attack birds are "slow, clumsy, and very heavy." Pasholok says, "To imagine what flying a ground attack plane is like, think of flying a tank." Why would you want to fly a tank? Well, for the ridiculous amounts of destructive firepower, of course. Finally, heavy fighters are something of a middle ground between the previous two classes. They can take a beating better than their light fighter counterparts, but their main objective is defense and interception. Click past the cut to view the full video, and be sure to check out The Firing Line this Friday for an exclusive World of Warplanes producer interview.

Continue reading World of Warplanes video diary details classes, roles

MassivelyWorld of Warplanes video diary details classes, roles originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 15 May 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dev-diaryf2pfightersfree-to-playground-attack-planesheavy-fightershistoricalplaneplanespvptrailervideovideo-dev-diarywarwargaming.netwarplanewarplanesworld-of-warplanesworld-of-warplanes-classeswowpwowp-classeswowp-dev-diarywowp-video-dev-diaryTue, 15 May 2012 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[New End of Nations trailer shines some light on the Shadow Revolution]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/09/new-end-of-nations-trailer-shines-some-light-on-the-shadow-revol/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/09/new-end-of-nations-trailer-shines-some-light-on-the-shadow-revol/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/09/new-end-of-nations-trailer-shines-some-light-on-the-shadow-revol/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

End of Nations -- Shadow Revolution
Last month, we got a look at the Liberation Front faction of Trion Worlds' upcoming MMORTS, End of Nations. Today, the company released a trailer highlighting the Liberation Front's enemy of war, the forebodingly named Shadow Revolution.

Players of the Shadow Revolution faction have their choice of two classes: the Wraith class, which focuses on utilizing guerrilla tactics to strike quickly and retreat before counterattacks can be made, and the Phantom class, which takes advantage of cloaking devices in order to launch devastating surprise attacks that can cripple enemy forces before they know what hit them. To get a look at the Shadow Revolution's units in action, just check out the official trailer below.

Continue reading New End of Nations trailer shines some light on the Shadow Revolution

MassivelyNew End of Nations trailer shines some light on the Shadow Revolution originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 09 May 2012 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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World of Warplanes - heavy fighters
Wargaming.net has taken the wraps off its next World of Warplanes aircraft class. Heavy fighters are the subject of a new teaser video and a new press release, with the former featuring just over a minute of gameplay footage. Right now, the interceptors are confined to the German tech tree, but Wargaming.net promises that they'll be added to other nation rosters as well.

"Their size, power and armament allow heavy fighters to fulfill a great variety of objectives including interception, head-on attacks, and bombing, making them one of the most versatile classes of air forces," the company says.

German heavy fighters include the Fw.57, the Bf.110, the Me.410, and the Me.P.1102. Get a look at the full video clip after the cut.

[Source: Wargaming.net press release]

Continue reading World of Warplanes heavy fighter class revealed

MassivelyWorld of Warplanes heavy fighter class revealed originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 08 May 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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World of Tanks - French destroyer
One of these days we're going to write a story about how Wargaming.net has colonized another planet and is busy converting its indigenous population into fiendishly addicted action MMO players. Today, though, the company is settling for Korea.

The month of May brings the latest territorial expansion for the firm's ubiquitous World of Tanks brand as well as a new Korean office. "We are proud to announce that Wargaming.net is just a couple of steps away from establishing its Korean presence," says CEO Victor Kislyi. "Now that we're fully prepared to meet [the] high expectations of the Korean gaming community, I don't see any reasons for World of Tanks not to become a success."

Wargaming.net launched World of Tanks in 2011. The company is currently conducting global alpha tests for its World of Warplanes followup as well as developing World of Battleships.

[Source: Wargaming.net press release]

MassivelyWargaming.net looking to conquer Korea originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 07 May 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f2pfree-to-playhistoricalpvptanktankswarwargaming.networld-of-tanksworld-of-tanks-koreawotMon, 07 May 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Firing Line: Hands-on with Firefall's beta]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/04/the-firing-line-hands-on-with-firefalls-beta/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/04/the-firing-line-hands-on-with-firefalls-beta/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/04/the-firing-line-hands-on-with-firefalls-beta/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Firing Line - Hands on with Firefall's beta
I'm dying on the beautiful beach outside Firefall's starter town. As I lay bleeding from a hundred holes and generally making a mess of my shiny new bumble bee-colored battleframe, my avatar collapses to the sand and says the funniest thing I've heard in a while.

"Grandpa!"

This is delivered in his best rural Georgia twang, and it lessens the sting of my latest newbie move. The whole scene is Firefall in a nutshell: It's fun, frustrating, and funny all at once.

Continue reading The Firing Line: Hands-on with Firefall's beta

MassivelyThe Firing Line: Hands-on with Firefall's beta originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 04 May 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If you've actually been shot at in a tank, this game is probably a bit less fun.
When you log in and play World of Tanks, you're playing the entertaining part of war, the part with cool machines wreaking havoc. Real wars obviously aren't fought by logging in and choosing a tank; they're fought by brave men and women willing to lay down their lives for their country if necessary. Thus, in honor of National Military Appreciation Month, Wargaming.net is donating to several charities for American veterans with your purchases.

Four charities -- AMVETS, Homes for our Troops, the Military Families Fund, and Paralyzed Veterans of America -- will be receiving 10% of the proceeds from all American purchases of larger Gold packs and 75% of the proceeds for all American purchases of the T14 package. To help raise awareness of veteran concerns, the company will also be hosting several giveaways through the month. It's a nice nod toward the reality of armed conflicts, and it lets you play at a private little war while still donating to survivors of real battles.

MassivelyWorld of Tanks appreciates the military with a World of Thanks originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 03 May 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>charitycharity-donationscharity-eventsf2pfree-to-playhistoricalin-game-eventsmilitarymilitary-appreciation-monthpvptanktankswarwargaming.networld-of-tankswotThu, 03 May 2012 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Red 5 Studios CEO denounces consoles and publishers]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/03/red-5-studios-ceo-denounces-consoles-and-publishers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/03/red-5-studios-ceo-denounces-consoles-and-publishers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/03/red-5-studios-ceo-denounces-consoles-and-publishers/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Firefall
"Who needs publishers any more? I certainly don't. I couldn't care less about them at this stage," said Red 5 Studios CEO Mark Kern. In a candid interview with Eurogamer, Kern ripped into both consoles and publisher-led models as relics on their way out the door.

Kern said that the pressure that publishers put on studios are death to the industry, resulting in either "an indie game or... a massive AAA, IP-backed sequel with derivative gameplay." He thinks that there's no middle ground, and it disturbs him how many studios fire staff right after a game launches.

Instead, the man behind Firefall believes that the free-to-play model puts the power back in the hands of the developers who then can concentrate on making games without having to kowtow to the publishers and distributors. "Look at Riot Games and League of Legends. They have more users than World of Warcraft does. That's crazy. And they don't have a publisher," Kern said.

Citing the expense and sluggish reaction of console development, Kern also predicts that mobile and PC gaming are on their way to take over the field. "Something has to change," he concludes. "Consoles, I believe, are dead."

MassivelyRed 5 Studios CEO denounces consoles and publishers originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 03 May 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionblizzardblizzard-entertainmentbusiness-modelconsoleconsoles-are-deaddistributordistributorsdotae-sportesporteurogamerf2pfantasyfirefallfirst-person-shooterfpsfree-to-playinterviewleagueleague-of-legendslolmark-kernmmo-shootermmofpsmobapublisherpublisherspvpred-5red-5-studiosriotriot-gamessci-fishooterwarwarcraftworld-of-warcraftwowThu, 03 May 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: How dark do you like your MMO nights?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/01/the-daily-grind-how-dark-do-you-like-your-mmo-nights/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/01/the-daily-grind-how-dark-do-you-like-your-mmo-nights/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/01/the-daily-grind-how-dark-do-you-like-your-mmo-nights/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Firefall - Kinda hard to see at night
I spent some quality time with the Firefall beta build last weekend. One of the things I noticed is that the game's version of night bears more than a passing resemblance to actual night. As in, it's kinda dark and stuff. Helpfully, the devs at Red 5 Studios have provided flashlight functionality in the form of your X key (because the night is dark and full of terrors, according to the cheekily written patch notes on the launcher).

Anyway, it was a refreshing change from most of the MMOs nights I've experienced, which are basically MMO days with a blue lens filter. What about you? How dark do you like your MMO nights?

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: How dark do you like your MMO nights? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 01 May 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>daily-grinddarkf2pfirefallfirefall-nightfirst-person-shooterfpsfree-to-playmmo-nightmmo-nightsmmo-shootermmofpsnightopinionpvpred-5red-5-studiossci-fishootertdgthe-daily-grindthe-night-is-dark-and-full-of-terrorswarTue, 01 May 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Firing Line: Five reasons to love Tribes: Ascend]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/27/the-firing-line-five-reasons-to-love-tribes-ascend/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/27/the-firing-line-five-reasons-to-love-tribes-ascend/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/27/the-firing-line-five-reasons-to-love-tribes-ascend/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Firing Line - Five reasons to love Tribes: Ascend
Oh, Tribes: Ascend, if only you were an MMO.

Actually, wait a minute. When I think on it, if Hi-Rez Studios' new free-to-play sci-fi shooter were an MMO, I probably wouldn't like it as much. There's something to be said for frequent updates and instant gameplay gratification, and Tribes provides those things (and more) in spades.

Continue reading The Firing Line: Five reasons to love Tribes: Ascend

MassivelyThe Firing Line: Five reasons to love Tribes: Ascend originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 27 Apr 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ascendccpccp-gamesconsolecustom-serverscustom-sharddustdust-514e-sportesporteveeve-onlinef2pfeaturedfiring-linefirst-person-shooterfpsfree-to-playhi-rezhi-rez-studioshistoricalmmofpsopinionplaneplanesplaystationplaystation-3private-serverprivate-serversprivate-shardsps3pvpraid-and-pillageshootertanktankstflthe-firing-linethird-person-shootertpstribestribes-ascendtribes-ascend-raid-and-pillagetribes-clan-servertribes-custom-servertribes-mmotribes-private-servertribes-raid-and-pillagetribes-universewarwargaming.netwarplanewarplanesworld-of-tanksworld-of-warplaneswotwowpFri, 27 Apr 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[World of Tanks launches in Southeast Asia this week]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/26/world-of-tanks-launches-in-southeast-asia-this-week/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/26/world-of-tanks-launches-in-southeast-asia-this-week/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/26/world-of-tanks-launches-in-southeast-asia-this-week/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

World of Tanks - burning tank
World of Tanks has some gaudy user numbers. Even though MMO companies and PR firms are known for their Hollywood accounting when it comes to player statistics, 24 million users is a lot any way you slice it.

It's not enough for Wargaming.net, though, so the company is shipping its brand of lobby-based World War II tank action to Southeast Asia this week. The game is coming to Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand, and it's bringing its arsenal of more than 150 armored vehicles with it.

Local support, distribution, marketing, and operational concerns are in the hands of SEA Gaming. World of Tanks originally launched in March of 2011 as the first game in a planned trilogy of World War II-based action titles.

[Source: Wargaming.net press release]

MassivelyWorld of Tanks launches in Southeast Asia this week originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 26 Apr 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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End of Nations - Liberation Front trailer
Trion's End of Nations MMORTS features two playable factions. One of them is the heroic Liberation Front, which is featured in the company's latest video release. The Front boasts two classes: the hard-hitting Spartan, who drives tanks and "other infantry units with high defenses and high damage output," and the Patriot, who specializes in multi-role support units.

Both classes, as well as a number of selectable (and customizable) units, are highlighted in the new trailer, so take a look past the break and get a leg up on building your battle-ready company.

End of Nations is a free-to-play strategy title that is currently in alpha testing.

[Source: Trion press release]

Continue reading End of Nations Liberation Front info and trailer

MassivelyEnd of Nations Liberation Front info and trailer originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 25 Apr 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>end-of-nationsend-of-nations-classesend-of-nations-factionsend-of-nations-unitsend-of-nations-videoeonf2pfree-to-playliberation-frontmmortspatriotpetroglyphpetroglyph-gamesrtssci-fispartantrailertriontrion-worldsvideowarWed, 25 Apr 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Not So Massively: Diablo III open beta weekend edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/23/not-so-massively-diablo-iii-open-beta-weekend-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/23/not-so-massively-diablo-iii-open-beta-weekend-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/23/not-so-massively-diablo-iii-open-beta-weekend-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Not So Massively title image
Diablo III's open beta weekend was a huge success, giving developers the chance to stress test the servers that will be used when the game goes live in just over three weeks. Torchlight II teased fans this week with the release of its official opening trailer, which picks up the story from the end of the first game. Web series Extra Credits ran a special episode this week discussing Firefall's plan to let players work together to push back the map boundaries and unlock new content.

Rise of Immortals rolled out a new guild system in this week's patch and released its new area-effect tank immortal, Shard. Dota 2 added classic hero Brewmaster to the beta roster, and Bloodline Champions began preparing patch 2.4 with its new healer bloodline, Dryad. Wrath of Heroes released a hero spotlight video on melee fighter Bax Dreadtoof, and League of Legends highlighted some awesome fan-made art.

Continue reading Not So Massively: Diablo III open beta weekend edition

MassivelyNot So Massively: Diablo III open beta weekend edition originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 23 Apr 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>action-rpgbattlenetbiowareblizzardblizzard-entertainmentbloodline-championsbrewmastercompetitive-gamingd3diablodiablo-2diablo-3diablo-iidiablo-iiidotadryade-sporte-sportseaelectronic-artsesportesportsextra-creditsf2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playfuncomgothic-fantasyhyun90league-of-legendslilypichulolmobamonkmultiplayermythicmythic-entertainmentnewsnot-so-massivelynsmonline-multiplayerpetroglyphpetroglyph-gamespvpred-5-studiosriotriot-gamesrise-of-immortalsroiround-uprounduprpgrvrshardstunlockstunlock-studiosvideowarwarhammerwarhammer-onlinewarhammer-wrath-of-heroeswohwrath-of-heroesMon, 23 Apr 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Firing Line: World of Tanks first-anniversary retrospective]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/20/the-firing-line-world-of-tanks-first-anniversary-retrospective/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/20/the-firing-line-world-of-tanks-first-anniversary-retrospective/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/20/the-firing-line-world-of-tanks-first-anniversary-retrospective/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Firing Line - World of Tanks anniversary retrospective
We've been hearing about World of Tanks for so long that it seems crazy to think the title is just now celebrating its first anniversary. Sure enough, though, Wargaming.net's lobby-based multiplayer title is barely a year old. Well, OK. It's almost two years old if you count its summer 2010 beta release, which we won't since the title up there says first anniversary.

Anyhow, what's even scarier than the passage of time is the fact that World of Tanks (and the company behind it) is showing no signs of slowing down.

Continue reading The Firing Line: World of Tanks first-anniversary retrospective

MassivelyThe Firing Line: World of Tanks first-anniversary retrospective originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 20 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f2pfeaturedfiring-linefirst-anniversaryfpsfree-to-playhistoricalmmofpsopinionpvptanktankstflthe-firing-linethird-person-shootertpswarwargaming.networld-of-tanksworld-of-tanks-anniversaryworld-of-tanks-first-birthdayworld-of-tanks-retrospectivewotwot-anniversaryFri, 20 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Mount & Blade: Warband DLC features 250-player battles]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/20/mount-and-blade-warband-dlc-features-250-player-battles/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/20/mount-and-blade-warband-dlc-features-250-player-battles/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/20/mount-and-blade-warband-dlc-features-250-player-battles/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Mount and Blade: Warband - Napoleonic Wars
A Mount & Blade MMO is something we've wanted to see for a long time. While that's not exactly happening, 250-player battles is probably the next best thing. Paradox has just released a new DLC pack for Mount & Blade: Warband called Napoleonic Wars. It brings the game's signature real-time combat to 19th century Europe and gives players the ability to use soldiers, artillery, and even battlefield musicians to wage epic multiplayer battles.

Napoleonic Wars features five nations, a wide range of artillery pieces, over 220 new units, an Engineer class that uses barricades, trenches, and explosives. There's also a new commander battle mode for your squad-leader gameplay needs. The DLC pack will set you back $9.99. Oh, and don't forget to check out the launch trailer after the cut.

[Source: Paradox press release]

Continue reading Mount & Blade: Warband DLC features 250-player battles

MassivelyMount & Blade: Warband DLC features 250-player battles originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 20 Apr 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>250-player-battlesbattlefield-musiciansdlcengineerfantasyflying-squirrelhistoricalmount-and-blademount-and-blade-dlcmount-and-blade-expansionmount-and-blade-warbandmount-and-blade-warband-napoleonic-warsnapoleonic-warsparadoxParadox-InteractivetaleworldstrailersvideowarFri, 20 Apr 2012 10:00:00 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.

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World of Warplanes - Bf-109
Wargaming.net has released another brief gameplay video from its upcoming World of Warplanes opus. The footage focuses on fighter-class aircraft, which the firm says are designed for "offensive reconnaissance, engaging in close one-on-one dogfights, and effective attacking in groups of two or three."

Like all of WoWP's aircraft, fighters will feature various engines, ammunition types, and assorted customizable modules that allow players to tune for optimum combat performance.

World of Warplanes is currently in global alpha, but Wargaming.net says that closed beta is "coming soon." In the meantime, check out the clip after the cut.

[Source: Wargaming.net press release]

Continue reading New World of Warplanes gameplay video showcases fighters

MassivelyNew World of Warplanes gameplay video showcases fighters originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 19 Apr 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alphabetaf2pfighters-videofree-to-playglobal-alphahistoricalplaneplanespvpvideowarwargaming.netwarplanewarplanesworld-of-warplanesworld-of-warplanes-videowowpwowp-fighters-videowowp-videoThu, 19 Apr 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Warhammer Online is cross-promoting with Wrath of Heroes]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/18/warhammer-online-is-cross-promoting-with-wrath-of-heroes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/18/warhammer-online-is-cross-promoting-with-wrath-of-heroes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/18/warhammer-online-is-cross-promoting-with-wrath-of-heroes/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

PvP in WAR, then in WoH, then back to WAR, then back to WoH...
Are you the sort of player who just can't get enough of Warhammer Online, whether in classic form or the new Wrath of Heroes bite-sized version? Or are you a fan of the latter game and not sure if you want to keep up a subscription to the former? The latest cross-promotional deal for the games is aimed directly at players like that -- starting now, any players with active Warhammer Online subscriptions will receive a 50% bonus to gold and experience in Wrath of Heroes.

There's no complicated process to getting the bonus; if you have both accounts on the same EA/Origin account, your characters will reap the benefits, although it may take up to 24 hours for the system to line up if you've just started a subscription. The bonus also stacks with items from the Wrath of Heroes store, letting veterans of Warhammer Online get ahead in the new game.

MassivelyWarhammer Online is cross-promoting with Wrath of Heroes originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 18 Apr 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accountaccount-bonusbiowarebonuscross-promotioneaelectronic-artsendless-trialfantasymobamultiple-accountsmythicmythic-entertainmentpromotionpvprvrwarwarhammerwarhammer-onlinewarhammer-wrath-of-heroeswohwrath-of-heroesWed, 18 Apr 2012 19:00:00 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[Wargaming.net releases World of Warplanes video dev diary]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/17/wargaming-net-releases-world-of-warplanes-video-dev-diary/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/17/wargaming-net-releases-world-of-warplanes-video-dev-diary/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/17/wargaming-net-releases-world-of-warplanes-video-dev-diary/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

World of Warplanes - Video dev diary #1
Anxious for an update on World of Warplanes? If so, Wargaming.net has just the thing in the form of a new video dev blog that features gameplay footage and talking head interviews with various project principals.

The clip resides on Wargaming.net's YouTube portal (and we've also got it for you after the cut, below). It's entirely in Russian, but fortunately it's also packed with sub-titles for the rest of us. Much of the info is a recap if you've been following the game for some time, but there are some interesting tidbits regarding aircraft prototypes (i.e., avatars that are quite different from the usual Mustang, Spitfire, and Sturmovik suspects found in most flight sims).

The dev diary also tells us that while WoWP will initially ship with 20 planes per nation, the roster will gradually expand up to 100 aircraft for each faction.

Continue reading Wargaming.net releases World of Warplanes video dev diary

MassivelyWargaming.net releases World of Warplanes video dev diary originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 17 Apr 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dev-diaryf2pfree-to-playhistoricalplaneplanespvpvideowarwargaming.netwarplanewarplanesworld-of-warplanesworld-of-warplanes-dev-diarywowpwowp-dev-diaryTue, 17 Apr 2012 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: Fixing the wardec system]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/15/eve-evolved-fixing-the-wardec-system/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/15/eve-evolved-fixing-the-wardec-system/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/15/eve-evolved-fixing-the-wardec-system/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

EVE Evolved title image
EVE Online's new Inferno expansion is almost here, bringing with it a massive PvP revamp. CCP will try to resurrect the dead faction warfare system, and new modules will be introduced to significantly shake up the PvP landscape for the first time in several years. The war declaration system is also getting a complete overhaul, with the goal of forcing the aggressor to commit to the war and making wars more structured and meaningful. Unfortunately, the implementation described at Fanfest doesn't look like it will achieve that and doesn't fix any of the system's other problems.

The attacking corp can no longer stop a war mid-week, and the defender can hire mercenaries to join his war, but this doesn't add any risk for the attacking corp and doesn't force it to commit. The attacker can always stop paying the war bill, and the war will then finish at the end of the week. As most empire wardecs are initiated by small shell corps full of PvP alts, the attacking players won't mind logging out for a few days if the war backfires. The current war system is plagued with issues, from a complete lack of victory conditions to the fact that the attacker can pay for the war indefinitely. It allows bizarre asymmetries, like tiny alt corps declaring war on major military alliances, and offers no way for even the most militarily powerful defender to win the war.

In this week's EVE Evolved, I lay out some of the problems with EVE Online's upcoming wardec revamp and propose an alternative system that fixes them.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: Fixing the wardec system

MassivelyEVE Evolved: Fixing the wardec system originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 15 Apr 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BOOM!
Last weekend we gave you a look at Red 5 Studios' upcoming MMOFPS, Firefall, and all of its glorious shooter action. What we didn't really take a look at, however, is the lore of the game. After all, why is everyone running around in crazy armor and shooting everyone else? And why is the last bastion of humankind on the planet a Brazilian island resort? The studio intends to answer some of these questions with today's release of the game's introductory cinematic.

And man, is it heavy. From the looks of things, humanity decided it was about time to try its luck with faster-than-light travel and failed miserably, causing a gargantuan starship to come crashing into the Earth... right on top of Brazil. But wait! If the starship crashed on Brazil, then why is it still around? Because the starship's wreckage, and the energy field it generates, is the only thing currently keeping the Melding at bay, leaving the surrounding area as the only currently inhabitable site on Earth. Could have been worse, I say; at least Brazil's pretty even after the apocalypse.

Continue reading Discover the origins of New Eden and the Melding in Firefall's opening cinematic

MassivelyDiscover the origins of New Eden and the Melding in Firefall's opening cinematic originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 13 Apr 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cinematicf2pfirefallfirst-person-shooterfpsfree-to-playintrointro-cinematicintroductionintroduction-cinematicintroductory-cinematicloremmo-shootermmofpsnew-edenpvpred-5red-5-studiossci-fishooterthe-meldingtrailertrailersvideovideoswarFri, 13 Apr 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Firing Line: Firefall, Defiance, John Romero, and more]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/13/the-firing-line-firefall-defiance-john-romero-and-more/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/13/the-firing-line-firefall-defiance-john-romero-and-more/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/13/the-firing-line-firefall-defiance-john-romero-and-more/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Firing Line - Shooter news roundup
Dude, there was a ton of big shooter news this week!

I mean, this isn't terribly unusual, particularly since the genre is expanding at a rapid rate, but when I've got to cut interesting items out of this column for length reasons, you know it's been an eventful few days.

Join me after the break for a recap on everything from Firefall to Defiance to John Romero and beyond.

Continue reading The Firing Line: Firefall, Defiance, John Romero, and more

MassivelyThe Firing Line: Firefall, Defiance, John Romero, and more originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 13 Apr 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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World of Tanks anniversary
Bring on the armored confetti! World of Tanks is celebrating its first anniversary, and Wargaming.net is "tankful" for the over 24 million registered players worldwide. Has the growth caused some shell-shock? "Our growth over the last year has been nothing short of amazing. A year ago, no one in the company could possibly imagine that World of Tanks would have skyrocketed like this," said Wargaming.net CEO Victor Kislyi.

So what have all these users been up to over the last 12 months? They have participated in 350 million battles, fired more than 75 billion shells (scoring 48 billion direct hits), and destroyed more than eight billion armored vehicles. On top of that, World of Tanks secured the Guinness World Record for the Most Players Online Simultaneously on One MMO Server in January 2011 with 91,311 simultaneous players. The game has even broken that record multiple times, reaching a hefty 450,000 players online at one time.

WoT has no intention of resting on its laurels; Kislyi assures us that "the game isn't slowing down anytime soon." In fact, he says, "We have massive expectations for the upcoming year, and we'll continue to drive game development that will keep our players engaged and excited."

Join in the celebration: Watch the video after the cut and then check out our one-year retrospective in next week's The Firing Line.

[Source: Wargaming.net press release]

Continue reading World of Tanks celebrates its first year

MassivelyWorld of Tanks celebrates its first year originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 12 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DAoC
As I headed into my final week of playing Dark Age of Camelot, I found myself thinking about Warhammer Online more often than not. That shouldn't be surprising, really, as both games were made by Mythic and share a focus on RvR. I suppose it's because I finally hit a point in the game when DAoC started to emulate experiences I had in WAR, and thus a comparison between the two began to unfold.

While I'm sure plenty of folks who played DAoC went on to WAR, I'm curious whether there are many like me who went through the games in the reverse order. I may not be a veteran DAoC player after a few weeks in the game, but I certainly have a mountain of experience in WAR, and it intrigues me to be able to identify the connections between the two.

So as I plundered the battlefields of DAoC this week, I started to examine the game through the lens of a WAR vet to see whether I could spot the traits each game had in common and which traits each game handled better than the other.

Continue reading Choose My Adventure: Dark Age of Camelot, week five

MassivelyChoose My Adventure: Dark Age of Camelot, week five originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 11 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarecamelotchoose-my-adventureclassic-mmocmadaocdark-age-of-cameloteaelectronic-artsendless-trialfantasyfeaturedhands-onmythicmythic-entertainmentmythologyopinionpollpollspvpreaders-choicervrvotevotingwarwarhammerwarhammer-onlineWed, 11 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ready, aim, Firefall: Impressions of the closed beta]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/08/ready-aim-firefall-impressions-of-the-closed-beta/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/08/ready-aim-firefall-impressions-of-the-closed-beta/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/08/ready-aim-firefall-impressions-of-the-closed-beta/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Screenshot -- Firefall
Last year at PAX Prime, I had the opportunity to get my hands on an early version of Red 5 Studios' upcoming MMOFPS, Firefall. The game's come a long way since then, having gone into closed beta shortly after PAX Prime.

As of Friday, the game's NDA has finally dropped, and I can finally tell you fine folks all about my experiences with the game's beta. For those of you somehow not in the know, Firefall is essentially two games in one. On the one hand, you have the title's open-world PvE content that sees players exploring the lands of New Eden in an attempt to find a way to fight back the destructive alien force known as the Melding. On the other, there's the competitive e-sports-esque PvP, which lets players test their skills against each another to see who's the best shot in New Eden. So how much has Firefall changed between PAX Prime '11 and PAX East '12?

Continue reading Ready, aim, Firefall: Impressions of the closed beta

MassivelyReady, aim, Firefall: Impressions of the closed beta originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 08 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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This is a game about basketball.
Much like its predecessor, World of Warplanes is not a game with an ambiguous title. This is a game about planes, and not the sort that flies cargo from one point on the globe to another. If flying around and getting into aerial dogfights sounds like an unappealing concept to you, well, you can pretty much just exit stage left when you hear the name.

But the lack of subtlety in the name, however noteworthy, doesn't really say much about the game itself. Is it fun to play? Does it succeed in what it sets out to do? Really, is it just World of Tanks up in the air? I can't speak to the last one, but I can say that it definitely delivers on its stated design goals. This is a game all about maximizing the rush of an aerial fight and striking a balance between crafting an in-depth flight simulation and providing accessibility to those new to the genre.

Gallery: World of Warplanes

Continue reading PAX East 2012: World of Warplanes impressions

MassivelyPAX East 2012: World of Warplanes impressions originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 06 Apr 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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World of Tanks - 7.3 video
It was just last week that Wargaming.net rolled out patch 7.2 for its World of Tanks action title. Today the company has announced the followup, and while we don't have a release date on 7.3 as of yet, we do know that it features quite a lot of new content.

First and foremost is the revamp to the game's Soviet tech tree, which sees heavy tanks split into two separate branches. The 7.3 update also brings a new South Coast battle arena to World of Tanks as well as Dragon's Ridge, the first of the game's maps to be set in Asia.

"We've got loads of exciting new content to share with our players," said Victor Kislyi, CEO of Wargaming.net. "The new machines should give players a taste for heavy vehicles, and with the help of the upcoming battle arenas, the game will get a fresh look from both a visual and tactical point of view." You can get a visual preview of 7.3 via the video after the cut.

[Source: Wargaming.net press release]

Continue reading World of Tanks 7.3 patch revamps Soviet tech tree, brings new maps

MassivelyWorld of Tanks 7.3 patch revamps Soviet tech tree, brings new maps originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 06 Apr 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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End of Nations - armory
Trion's super-secret End of Nations is moving right along in its alpha cycle, and today Massively has an exclusive piece of news for you regarding the upcoming MMORTS.

The game differs from traditional real-time strategy titles because it doesn't have base-building, but what it does have is something called an armory. Trion tells us that players will "set their loadouts, create companies, modify units, customize skins, and more" inside the armory. The dev team has just revamped the armory mechanics, and you can get a good look at the armory window in the image after the cut (click on it to zoom in!).

Continue reading Massively Exclusive: Trion previews End of Nations' armory

MassivelyMassively Exclusive: Trion previews End of Nations' armory originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 05 Apr 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Smaus dragon
In a press release from early this morning, Wargaming.net has announced that it's adding dragons to its upcoming World of Warplanes.

I'll just let that line sink in a bit before I continue. Yes, the studio is adding dragons; there's a video and everything (included past the cut). According to the release, the "initial tech tree will include 12 dragons and will eventually expand to more than 60 creatures. Each mystical animal will have its own peculiarities and strategic employment. Players can upgrade several key characteristics including fire intensity level, color, number of claws, horns, wingspan and skin thickness."

Now, I should remind you what this Sunday is, so you can put two and two together, but it's an interesting thought nonetheless.

Will we see more early April Fool's jokes today? Stay tuned!

Gallery: World of Warplanes Dragon Faction

Continue reading World of Warplanes is adding dragons for that extra kick of historical accuracy

MassivelyWorld of Warplanes is adding dragons for that extra kick of historical accuracy originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 30 Mar 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Screenshot -- World of Tanks
The World of Tanks is about to get just a bit bigger with the advent of the game's patch 7.2, which will hit the servers tomorrow morning. The update adds two new maps, 22 new crew skills and perks, and a number of new tanks (and some adjustments to existing ones).

But hey, why settle for words when you can have sweet, explosion-filled video? Wargaming.net has released a new trailer to get players excited about the new update. So while you (im)patiently await the patch's arrival on the live servers, why don't you grab yourself some popcorn and have a look?

[Thanks to Pharaoh for the tip!]

Continue reading World of Tanks' patch 7.2 locks and loads tomorrow

MassivelyWorld of Tanks' patch 7.2 locks and loads tomorrow originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 29 Mar 2012 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>7.2f2pfree-to-playhistoricalpatchpatch-7.2patchespvptanktankstrailertrailersvideovideoswarwargaming.networld-of-tankswotThu, 29 Mar 2012 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Choose My Adventure: Dark Age of Camelot, week three]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/28/choose-my-adventure-dark-age-of-camelot-week-three/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/28/choose-my-adventure-dark-age-of-camelot-week-three/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/28/choose-my-adventure-dark-age-of-camelot-week-three/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

DAoC
Frustrating and boring: These are two words that don't bode well for any MMO, and yet that's exactly what my Dark Age of Camelot experience this past week was.

Now, granted there's always an adjustment period with new MMOs, and I like to think of myself as a fairly patient person. I know that sometimes it might be a matter of minutes or understanding to flip "frustration" into "joy" and "boring" into "addictive," which is why it's good to stick games out until you're sure that the issue isn't with you playing the game wrong or being ignorant of what makes it work.

That said, if I wasn't covering DAoC for this column but was just trying it out for myself, I certainly would not have subscribed after finishing the 14-day trial. New player journey or no, I found more aggravation than fun this past week and kept wondering to myself, "When does it start to get good? Where's all that great stuff players are telling me about? And as a Troll, how much lotion do I need to get my skin feeling silky soft?"

Continue reading Choose My Adventure: Dark Age of Camelot, week three

MassivelyChoose My Adventure: Dark Age of Camelot, week three originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 28 Mar 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Vanguard
Massively Speaking Episode 194 welcomes aboard resident Star Trek Online expert Terilynn Shull to talk about Tribbles and bits and why Star Trek doesn't have more "The Fly" incidents involving the transporter and local flora or fauna. Captain Archer would have been vastly improved by beaming him into a badger.

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

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Read below the cut for the full show notes.

Continue reading Massively Speaking Episode 194: Bookah bookah!

MassivelyMassively Speaking Episode 194: Bookah bookah! originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 27 Mar 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetbrantbrianna-royceccpccp-gamesend-of-nationseonf2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playfrogsterfrogster-americafrogster-interactivegothicguild-wars-2gw2horrorhumorjustin-olivettimassively-speakingmmortsncsoftopinionpetroglyphpetroglyph-gamespodcastpodcastingpodcastsromrtsrunes-of-magicrunewakerrunewaker-entertainmentsandboxsci-fisoesonysony-online-entertainmentsupernaturaltaboreatelontriontrion-worldsvampirevampiresvanguardvanguard-saga-of-heroesvgwarwhite-wolfwodworld-of-darknessTue, 27 Mar 2012 13:00:00 ESTMassively Speaking Episode 194Massively.com Staff01:05:44podcasts