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[Shin Megami Tensei transferred to Atlus in North America]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/01/atlus-assumes-control-of-shin-megami-tensei-mmo-in-north-america/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/01/atlus-assumes-control-of-shin-megami-tensei-mmo-in-north-america/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/01/atlus-assumes-control-of-shin-megami-tensei-mmo-in-north-america/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Shin Megami Tensei Imagine - some anime dudes (I think)
If you're a fan of the venerable Shin Megami Tensei RPG franchise, you might be pleased to know that Atlus is taking over publishing duties on the Shin Megami Tensei: Imagine online title from California-based Aeria Games.

Gamasutra reports that Atlus views the forthcoming April move as a "homecoming" for the game, which was originally released in 2007. Prior to the move, Atlus managed the Japanese servers while Aeria handled the North American operations. Gamasutra says that "all characters and player data will be carried over automatically, although there will be a short period of downtime while this occurs."

MassivelyShin Megami Tensei transferred to Atlus in North America originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 01 Mar 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aeriaaeria-gamesAtlusf2pfantasyfree-to-playpress-releaseserver-moveShin-Megami-Tenseishin-megami-tensei-imagineThu, 01 Mar 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[First Impressions: Pandora Saga beta event]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/23/first-impressions-pandora-saga-beta-event/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/23/first-impressions-pandora-saga-beta-event/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/23/first-impressions-pandora-saga-beta-event/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

When I was asked to check out Atlus Games' Pandora Saga in its new form, I was slightly excited. Only slightly, though. See, I've taken a look at it before and found a lonely game with nothing but grinding to offer -- at least at first. So I hoped that the game had changed some, perhaps matured a bit for this newer offering for a newer audience. I didn't know it back then, but the game I was playing was not really the North American release. I just signed up and played it, and I didn't pay attention to any warnings that "This is not the North American version!" if there were any.

As it goes, this new version is really just a more localized and tweaked version of the previous game. The big difference for me came not in the form of quests and content, but in playerbase. The game space was flooded with players, most of them pining to hit level 30 first or run off to reported huge PvP matches. Again, I kind of felt left behind. Yes, I was given some handy experience potions and stat-increasing aids, but normally I play a First Impressions game a few hours a day for five to seven days. I had this game for only about three days.

Click past the cut and I'll tell you more.

Continue reading First Impressions: Pandora Saga beta event

MassivelyFirst Impressions: Pandora Saga beta event originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 23 Dec 2010 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Atlusatlus-gamesbeau-hindmanbetabeta-eventbeta-eventsfeaturedFirst-Impressionsgalleryhands-onopinionpandora-sagascreenshotscreenshotsso-much-runningThu, 23 Dec 2010 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively's Neo Steam free item pack giveaway]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/11/massivelys-neo-steam-free-item-pack-giveaway/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/11/massivelys-neo-steam-free-item-pack-giveaway/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/11/massivelys-neo-steam-free-item-pack-giveaway/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Are you a Neo Steam player looking for more in-game stuff? Are you just a fan of stuff, but also curious about Neo Steam? We can help you out, either way. To celebrate Valentine's Day and the fact that we love all of you so much, we're giving away a single reusable key code for all Neo Steam players to enjoy a special mount, angel wings costume and Kirin Incense Premium Boost item.

In addition to this, Neo Steam is also hosting a number of special in-game events running through the 24th for Valentine's Day and the Winter Olympics. Look for more info on that to come and keep reading past the jump below for the code and instructions on redeeming it.

Continue reading Massively's Neo Steam free item pack giveaway

MassivelyMassively's Neo Steam free item pack giveaway originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 11 Feb 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Atlusatlus-onlinegiveawayin-game-itemneo-steamvalentines-dayvalentines-day-2010Thu, 11 Feb 2010 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Motorbikes, alchemy, and demon friend quests now in Shin Megami Tensei: Imagine]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/16/motorbikes-alchemy-and-demon-friend-quests-now-in-shin-megami/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/16/motorbikes-alchemy-and-demon-friend-quests-now-in-shin-megami/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/16/motorbikes-alchemy-and-demon-friend-quests-now-in-shin-megami/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Demon Busters in Shin Megami Tensei: Imagine Online are now enjoying a fresh content update, which includes motorbikes courtesy of the Shinjuku Babel mechanics. This new mode of transportation in the game allows players to travel between zones quickly and in first person perspective. Atlus has also introduced alchemy, a crafting system where players can create new objects with unusual properties. Runes that boost abilities for your demons or potions that augment your own abilities are a few possibilities with the new item mixing system. They've also released more PvE content in the form of demon friend quests, provided your friendships with the infernal powers-that-be are at the appropriate levels.

Perhaps the biggest content addition to Shin Megami Tensei: Imagine Online is the Team Battle system. The title's publisher Aeria Games writes: "Gather your allies and friends to crush your enemies in fast-paced, high intenseity group versus group combat for glory and god-like gear. Choose to fight solo in sided matches against other solo players, or combine your strength with others to demolish the competition in team versus team battle."

MassivelyMotorbikes, alchemy, and demon friend quests now in Shin Megami Tensei: Imagine originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aeria-gamesatlusatlus-usaf2pfree-to-playimagineitem-mixingmotorbikepatchespvepvpquestsshin-megami-tenseismtteam-battleMon, 16 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Neo Steam lets in the soul reapers]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/08/neo-steam-lets-in-the-soul-reapers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/08/neo-steam-lets-in-the-soul-reapers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/08/neo-steam-lets-in-the-soul-reapers/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


It's October, and that means all of the spooky Halloween events are coming out of the woodwork. But how many of them are offering you a pair of steampunk goggles for completing them? Well, only one right now -- Neo Steam.

Atlus is throwing open the doors to the Underworld, and all sorts of creepy-crawlies are invading their fantasy steampunk MMO. Defeating these event monsters will get you souls to trade in to special soul reapers to claim pumpkin seeds and pumpkin pie for recovery purposes, but the big 250 soul turn in will get you a special pumpkin hat (as seen above) to commemorate the event.

However, some monsters will drop event tickets, which enters your account in for a chance to win a pair of handcrafted steampunk goggles. So, what are you waiting for, an invitation? Kill stuff, get loots!

MassivelyNeo Steam lets in the soul reapers originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 08 Oct 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atlusatlus-onlineatlus-usaghostsgoggleshalloween2009neo-steamoctoberpumpkinsteampunksteampunk-gogglesunderworldThu, 08 Oct 2009 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Neo Steam editor Jason Ruper on bringing steampunk to MMOs]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/30/neo-steam-editor-jason-ruper-on-bringing-steampunk-to-mmos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/30/neo-steam-editor-jason-ruper-on-bringing-steampunk-to-mmos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/30/neo-steam-editor-jason-ruper-on-bringing-steampunk-to-mmos/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


One of the upcoming free-to-play titles that Massively had a chance to see this month is Neo Steam: The Shattered Continent from Atlus. Our hands-on gallery feature is a good introduction to the look and feel of the game world, but now that Neo Steam is in open beta, we're expecting more info about the game to be forthcoming.

We came across a ZAM interview with Neo Steam: The Shattered Continent lead editor Jason Ruper, conducted by Andrew "Tamat" Beegle. Ruper gives some background on the game's setting and lore, saying, "The game has a lush, fantasy-steampunk setting, and everything -- from the machine wasteyards and polluted rivers to the rickety vehicles and the ancient ruins from before the shattering -- contributes to this setting and reminds you that your nation is in a state of reconstruction as well as in the middle of a cold war."

Continue reading Neo Steam editor Jason Ruper on bringing steampunk to MMOs

MassivelyNeo Steam editor Jason Ruper on bringing steampunk to MMOs originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 30 May 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>andrew-beegleatlusatlus-onlineatlus-usaclassesfree-to-playinterviewsjason-ruperneo-steamneo-steam-the-shattered-continentpvpsteampunktamatzamSat, 30 May 2009 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Neo Steam launches into open beta, promises beta accounts will become permanent characters]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/27/neo-steam-launches-into-open-beta-promises-beta-accounts-will-b/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/27/neo-steam-launches-into-open-beta-promises-beta-accounts-will-b/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/27/neo-steam-launches-into-open-beta-promises-beta-accounts-will-b/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


Not only has Atlus Online begun their open beta of their first game, Neo Steam: The Shattered Continent, but they've also unleashed a second piece of interesting news -- characters created during beta will be available when the game goes live.

Yes, that's right, Atlus Online will not be doing the standard database purge once the open beta is over and switched into live mode. All of your hard work leveling up your characters during the open beta will roll over into the live game.

Plus, Atlus will be giving one lucky tester a set of handcrafted steampunk goggles created exclusively for Neo Steam. The goggles are shown in the picture above and they don't look too bad, if you ask us. All you have to do to be entered is simply play in the open beta and hit level 20! That's it!

You can run on over to the Neo Steam website and grab the open beta until June 8th, or visit our sister site, Big Download, for the client as well..

MassivelyNeo Steam launches into open beta, promises beta accounts will become permanent characters originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 27 May 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atlusatlus-onlinebetabreakingcontestgogglesneo-steamneo-steam-the-shattered-continentopen-betaprizessteampunkWed, 27 May 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively Hands-on: Neo Steam]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/14/massively-hands-on-neo-steam/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/14/massively-hands-on-neo-steam/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/14/massively-hands-on-neo-steam/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,


Yesterday, Massively was invited to the first official developer tour and hands-on for Neo Steam: The Shattered Continent. This tour took us through some of the game's gorgeous landscapes, travel mechanics, pet system, mounts, PvP and even a light-hearted race around the fountain in the middle of town square.

You may remember our coverage and first look at Neo Steam at GDC earlier this year. Since then, the game has come a long way, and this hands-on tour will show the latest and most current state of the game as we enter the beta stages. Follow along by clicking on the first image in the gallery below for a closer look at our time with Neo Steam.

Gallery: Neo Steam Hands-on

Taxn Human WardenCreature dungeons and petsGorgeous trees and sceneryMaster CraftsmenTraveling by air

MassivelyMassively Hands-on: Neo Steam originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 14 May 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atlusf2pfeaturedfree-to-playgalleryhands-onneo-steamsteampunkThu, 14 May 2009 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[European NeoSteam reveals closed beta]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/30/european-neosteam-reveals-closed-beta/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/30/european-neosteam-reveals-closed-beta/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/30/european-neosteam-reveals-closed-beta/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


We've spoken about Neo Steam a few times now as the upcoming steampunk MMO being re-engineered for English speaking audiences by Atlus Online, the new division of Atlus Games. What we haven't mentioned, however, is that there will be two versions of Neo Steam for English audiences -- the Atlus American version and Gamigo's European version.

Gamigo has recently thrown open the doors on their open beta test for Neo Steam, letting all interested parties enter the battle between Rogwel and Elerd. For the sake of not confusing the two games, Gamigo has subtitled their version "Steam Wars Begin" while Atlus has dubbed their version, "Neo Steam: The Shattered Continent," as we have reported on before.

So if you're itching to see what exactly Atlus is working on, you can jump over to Gamigo to sign up for a free account and check out the game. We're excited to see what exactly Atlus is adding to Neo Steam, as they've said before that their localization is going beyond just a short translation and name changes

MassivelyEuropean NeoSteam reveals closed beta originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 30 Apr 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atlusatlus-onlinebetaeuropeaneuropean-versionfree-to-playgamigoneo-steamneo-steam-the-shattered-continentopen-betasteam-wars-begin-neo-steamsteampunkThu, 30 Apr 2009 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Shin Megami Tensei: Imagine beta keys now available]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/03/shin-megami-tensei-imagine-beta-keys-now-available/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/03/shin-megami-tensei-imagine-beta-keys-now-available/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/03/shin-megami-tensei-imagine-beta-keys-now-available/#commentsFiled under: , ,

If you've played Persona 3 or Digital Devil Saga, then you're already familiar with Atlus Games's Shin Megami Tensei line. While the laurels of that line lie in the many single player games, the Shin Megami Tensei series is going into the MMO realm with the new game, Shin Megami Tensei: Imagine.

Imagine is being carried in the US region by Aeria Games, the people behind Shaiya and Dream of Mirror Online, and they've just started their beta test via Filefront. Just simply click on the link and you'll be given a key and a download link to the client. The game will be free to play, and supported by a microtransaction system.

Also, as a small side note, Aeria is currently having trouble with the ImagineUpdate.exe file. If you download the client, run the ImagineClient.exe file without running the launcher shortcut. Otherwise, if the launcher is run, you corrupt the installation and have to re-install.

Otherwise, happy demon hunting!

[Thanks Tony!]

Update: Aeria Games has gotten the launcher back to normal. Double click it and run it to update properly!

MassivelyShin Megami Tensei: Imagine beta keys now available originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 03 Dec 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aeriaaeria-gamesatlusbetadigital-devil-sagadomodream-of-mirrior-onlinefree-to-playimagineimagine onlineImagineOnlinemegatenmicrotransactionspersona3shin-megami-tenseishin-megami-tensei-imagineWed, 03 Dec 2008 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Xbox out, Nintendo in]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/30/xbox-out-nintendo-in/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/30/xbox-out-nintendo-in/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/30/xbox-out-nintendo-in/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Close to one year ago, we stumbled onto a new Microsoft island in Second Life, called Microsoft Xbox. The island was brand-new, and was still closed to the public, and there was a lot of speculation as to what it was for. This was fueled by talk of Microsoft having explored the idea of Second Life running on the Xbox platform, but the facilities specification for the system isn't adequate for running the virtual world, as-is.

Microsoft stayed mum on both topics, declining to comment on either the island or its Xbox investigations, and time dragged on. While the island eventually vanished without fanfare, it appears that Nintendo Island has just appeared on the Second Life grid. Still closed to the public, and with nothing built there yet, but with the likes of Atlus getting into the act, and an increasingly strong representation of Japanese industries in the virtual world, a Nintendo presence in Second Life makes a lot of sense.

MassivelyXbox out, Nintendo in originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 30 Apr 2008 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atlusmicrosoftnintendonintendo-islandsecond-lifevirtual-worldsxboxWed, 30 Apr 2008 07:00:00 EST