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[Darkfall update brings new clan permissions system]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/27/darkfall-update-brings-new-clan-permissions-system/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/27/darkfall-update-brings-new-clan-permissions-system/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/27/darkfall-update-brings-new-clan-permissions-system/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Darkfall screenshot
The folks at Aventurine are still working hard on a number of improvements for Darkfall such as new weapons styles, performance optimization, and UI modifications, but in the meantime they've decided to roll out a new feature that should be a great boon to clan leaders and officers. Currently, clan leaders are only allowed to grant clan-related permissions to their members based on clan rank. With the new system, clan leaders will be able to assign permissions to individual players, regardless of their ranks within the clan.

In addition, each clan permission will have an associated title that any member with that permission can choose to display if they so desire. For instance, a clan member with permission to recruit members can choose to show the "recruiter" title. Military ranks will remain in the game, but they are now governed by PvP performance and each new military rank is granted automatically upon the completion of specific goals. These ranks have no bearing on clan permissions. The full details on the new system are available for perusal over at the Darkfall official site.

[Thanks to Dengar for the tip!]

MassivelyDarkfall update brings new clan permissions system originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 27 May 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agonaventurineclanclan-permissionclan-permissionsclan-rankclan-ranksclansdarkfalldffantasymilitary-rankmilitary-ranksopen-pvppvprankrankssandboxSun, 27 May 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Some Assembly Required: Can Darkfall and The Repopulation end the sandbox drought?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/13/some-assembly-required-can-darkfall-and-the-repopulation-end-th/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/13/some-assembly-required-can-darkfall-and-the-repopulation-end-th/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/13/some-assembly-required-can-darkfall-and-the-repopulation-end-th/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

Some Assembly Required - Catching up with Darkfall and The Repopulation
It's not often that we use this space for news recaps. Generally MJ and I have a particular topic (or game) in mind for Some Assembly Required's biweekly rotation. This time, though, I figured we should highlight some of the recent goings-on with a couple of pertinent sandbox titles simply because Massively news posts don't offer enough space to expound on anything other than the basics.

Join me after the break, then, for a rundown on what's new with Darkfall and The Repopulation.

Continue reading Some Assembly Required: Can Darkfall and The Repopulation end the sandbox drought?

MassivelySome Assembly Required: Can Darkfall and The Repopulation end the sandbox drought? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 13 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>above-and-beyondabove-and-beyond-technologiesagonaventurinecity-buildingcraftingdarkfalldarkfall-2.0darkfall-craftingdffantasyfeaturedgame-mechanicsnation-buildingopen-pvpopinionpgcplayer-contentplayer-generated-contentpvprepopulationsandboxsarsci-fisome-assembly-requiredthe-repopulationtradeskillinguser-contentuser-generated-contentFri, 13 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New Darkfall development blog touches on key points]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/30/new-darkfall-development-blog-touches-on-key-points/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/30/new-darkfall-development-blog-touches-on-key-points/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/30/new-darkfall-development-blog-touches-on-key-points/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Points not granted for equipping a dog with a hat, for the record.
Development on the next incarnation of Darkfall continues, promising big changes to the game's core mechanics. The latest update on the official blog addresses a variety of systems that hadn't previously been covered, starting with the game's large-scale UI improvements. The biggest revelation and item of interest, however, is the promise of the upcoming point system, which allows players to receive rewards for accomplishments that in turn fuel new play options.

Although the terminology used in the blog is a bit vague due to the fact that specifics on the system are under wraps, it's made very clear that the point system is not simply an achievement system (which will also be added). Rather, using points in-game will fuel certain abilities or grant access to new abilities, allowing players to open new paths as a reward for their accomplishments. There's also a few updates on the future of crafting, all of which should give Darkfall players something to look forward to when version 2.0 finally goes live.

MassivelyNew Darkfall development blog touches on key points originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 30 Mar 2012 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2.0achievementsagonaventurinedarkfalldarkfall-2.0developmentdevelopment-previewdffantasygame-systemopen-pvppoint-systempointspvpsandboxFri, 30 Mar 2012 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Darkfall polishes content until it shines]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/23/darkfall-polishes-content-until-it-shines/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/23/darkfall-polishes-content-until-it-shines/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/23/darkfall-polishes-content-until-it-shines/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Darkfall
Heigh-ho, heigh-ho, it's off to work Darkfall's development team goes (and now that tune is stuck in your head. You're welcome.)! And as the game's 2.0 edition slowly takes shape, we're given yet another dev blog about the massive undertaking of this project.

Improved visuals are one of the priorities for the team, and players will be pleased to hear that SMAA -- uber-anti-aliasing -- should make the game's graphics shine. Weapons are being modified to have distinctive looks based on which rank they are, and the team reports that there are six weapons styles with nine ranks apiece, each requiring a unique design.

Also on the table for examination is the improved crafting process. Aventurine is introducing two new professions dedicated to converting one material into a more refined product. Tanning will take on skinning's former duty of taking hides and turning them into leather, and weaving will be the primary avenue to create cloth from cotton. On top of these new professions is the expansion of the crafting system to allow professions to "infuse" rare materials into common ones, resulting in special crafting mats for high-quality gear.

MassivelyDarkfall polishes content until it shines originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 23 Mar 2012 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2.0agonanti-aliasingaventurinecraftingdarkfalldarkfall-2.0dffantasygraphicsopen-pvppvpsandboxskinningsmaatanningweapon-ranksweavingFri, 23 Mar 2012 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Darkfall believes in magic]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/15/darkfall-believes-in-magic/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/15/darkfall-believes-in-magic/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/15/darkfall-believes-in-magic/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Okay, not believing in magic is a mite hard at times in a magical fantasy world.
There are a lot of changes in the pipeline for Darkfall, but it's safe to say that whatever else changes in the game, magic will remain important. The newest development blog for the game discusses the revised state of low-level magic and some of the basics of more powerful magic as well. Every character can use the lowest tier of magic, which mixes both Intelligence and Wisdom as important stats and can be cast regardless of what the character is wearing. Known as Minor Incantations, the school contains only five spells, but they're all of basic utility, ranging from basic magical damage to a simple self-healing spell.

Beyond the earliest steps, the developers have taken pains to try to make magic more balanced and interesting. The biggest element in spell potency is the governing attribute of the spell (Intelligence or Wisdom), but the level of the spell, the staff being used by the caster, and the overall level of the magic school in question all come into play. Take a look at the full diary to get a better sense of where the game's mystical arts are heading in the future.

[Thanks to Dengar for the tip!]

MassivelyDarkfall believes in magic originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 15 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agonaventurinedarkfalldffantasygame-mechanicsmagicmechanicsnewsopen-pvppvpsandboxupdatesThu, 15 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Darkfall slices away at 'initial unforgiving experience' with 2.0]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/24/darkfall-slices-away-at-initial-unforgiving-experience-with-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/24/darkfall-slices-away-at-initial-unforgiving-experience-with-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/24/darkfall-slices-away-at-initial-unforgiving-experience-with-2/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Darkfall
"In the current version of the game, we've had many occasions where the steep learning curve and initial unforgiving experience, unnecessarily kept people out of the game," Aventurine's Tasos Flambouras comments on the latest Darkfall 2.0 post.

This week's post illuminates three major systems on which the team is working to make Agon a more approachable world. With Darkfall 2.0, new players will start out in a safe training zone that is designed to teach the fundamentals of the game without the risk of imminent ganking. Plus, the devs promise "a nice adventure with an epic ending" to boot.

The other two systems are coming up with a way to protect mount theft and to encourage the player economy. Mounts in 2.0 will remember their owners for a time, and any thief will have to contend with being branded a criminal and coming under fire by guard NPCs. Finally, new markets will appear in all major cities and allow players to buy, sell, and place orders for others to fill. There is one catch to shopping, however: If you buy an item from another city's market, you have to either travel there personally to get it or pay a surcharge for delivery.

MassivelyDarkfall slices away at 'initial unforgiving experience' with 2.0 originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 24 Feb 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2.0aventurinedarkfalldarkfall-2.0dev-blogdev-diaryeconomymarketmarket-systemmount-protectionmount-theftnew-player-experienceTasos-Flambourasupdateupdate-postFri, 24 Feb 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Darkfall specializes magic schools, replaces death with limbo system]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/10/darkfall-specializes-magic-schools-replaces-death-with-limbo-sy/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/10/darkfall-specializes-magic-schools-replaces-death-with-limbo-sy/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/10/darkfall-specializes-magic-schools-replaces-death-with-limbo-sy/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Darkfall
Aventurine continues its trek toward Darkfall's game revamp, aka Darkfall 2.0, and in a new producer letter, Tasos Flambouras drops a few interesting info nuggets to tide loyal players over until the job is done.

He states that the team is retuning each of the game's eight schools of magic so that each one feels more unique and focused. For example, air magic will be specialized to do more damage in close quarters against fewer targets, while fire magic will excel at long-distance AoE attacks.

The team also thinks it has figured out this pesky "death" problem by coming up with a more interesting limbo system. The way it works is that when players are taken down, they have a choice between either respawning back at a bind stone or waiting for a timer to count down to zero and initiate a respawn on the spot. If players opt to endure the limbo period, they can re-equip their characters from their bank boxes.

Aventurine continues to hire on new team members for the project, including a designer who will facilitate communication between devs and the community.

MassivelyDarkfall specializes magic schools, replaces death with limbo system originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aventurinebankbank-boxesdarkfalldarkfall-2.0death-penaltydeath-systemdev-diarylimbolimbo-systemmagicmagic-schoolsproducer-letterproducers-letterrespawnschools-of-magicTasos-FlambourasFri, 10 Feb 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Aventurine shows off Darkfall 2.0 visual test video]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/16/aventurine-shows-off-darkfall-2-0-visual-test-video/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/16/aventurine-shows-off-darkfall-2-0-visual-test-video/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/16/aventurine-shows-off-darkfall-2-0-visual-test-video/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Darkfall - 2.0 test and water effects
Well, it seems as if Darkfall hasn't fallen off the face of the earth even though Aventurine's game updates have been pretty sporadic of late.

As of today there's a new video on the official site that gives us an early glimpse of Agon 2.0. It's worth mentioning that Aventurine has been slaving away on a completely retooled Darkfall client for months now, and even though today's clip clocks in at a relatively paltry 47 seconds, it's good to see some of the fruits of that labor.

Hop past the cut for a look at new water effects, dynamic lighting, a human NPC city, and a new dungeon. Aventurine's Tasos Flambouras also notes that the team plans to issue a development update sometime next week.

Continue reading Aventurine shows off Darkfall 2.0 visual test video

MassivelyAventurine shows off Darkfall 2.0 visual test video originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 16 Dec 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aventurinedarkfalldarkfall-2.0dungeonsfantasynew-citypatchessandboxstatus-updatetasos-flambourasvideowater-effectsFri, 16 Dec 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Darkfall devblog addresses Darkfall 2.0 progress, lack of communication]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/02/darkfall-devblog-addresses-darkfall-2-0-progress-lack-of-commun/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/02/darkfall-devblog-addresses-darkfall-2-0-progress-lack-of-commun/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/02/darkfall-devblog-addresses-darkfall-2-0-progress-lack-of-commun/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Screenshot -- Darkfall
Darkfall fans, rejoice! More news about Darkfall 2.0 is upon us. Tasos Flambouras stopped by the game's blog today to mention that the team does "notice the anxiety on the forums concerning development progress, timing of Darkfall's re-launch, speculation about a wipe between Darkfall and the re-launch, and our spotty communication as of late." He then set out to make amends for these transgressions by giving fans an update on Darkfall 2.0's development progress. Flambouras noted that "the remaining work is broken down... and supported with a clear timeframe... so at this point we know exactly when we're done with the development." More details on Darkfall 2.0 will be revealed in upcoming updates.

But Darkfall 2.0 isn't the only thing on the Aventurine head-honcho's agenda. He also takes some time to talk about whether or not there will be a full wipe when 2.0 launches (the team hasn't decided yet), business deals (the studio is in "final stages of cooperation with several partners"), and the studio's lack of communication (the studio says it's sorry and promises to do better). For the full, unabridged dev blog update, just head on over to the game's official site.

MassivelyDarkfall devblog addresses Darkfall 2.0 progress, lack of communication originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 02 Dec 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aventurinebusinesscommunicationdarkfalldarkfall-2.0dev-blogdev-diarymiscommunicationrelaunchsandboxtasos-flambouraswipeFri, 02 Dec 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Aventurine hosting free Darkfall weekend, quadruple XP]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/18/aventurine-hosting-free-darkfall-weekend-quadruple-xp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/18/aventurine-hosting-free-darkfall-weekend-quadruple-xp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/18/aventurine-hosting-free-darkfall-weekend-quadruple-xp/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Darkfall - Mahirrim fighting
If you've ever wanted to see what all the Darkfall fuss is about, this weekend would be a great time to clear your calendar. Aventurine is making the fantasy sandbox accessible to everyone for free, and the devs are also quadrupling the normal experience gain through Sunday.

Previously active accounts have been reactivated, and new players can sign up on the game's official website prior to rolling a character. Darkfall is set in the harsh realm of Agon, a huge medieval fantasy world filled with dungeons, dangerous mobs, and open PvP. The game also features full corpse-looting, crafting, and clan-based warfare.

Check out our Darkfall Choose My Adventure series for an in-depth look at the title's gameplay and community, and be sure to hit up the gallery below for the latest screenshots.

Gallery: Darkfall main gallery


[Source: Aventurine press release]

MassivelyAventurine hosting free Darkfall weekend, quadruple XP originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 18 Nov 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agonaventurinebonus-xp-weekendcorpse-lootingdarkfallfantasyfree-trialfree-weekendopen-pvppvpquadruple-xpsandboxxp-bonusFri, 18 Nov 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New Darkfall blog post addresses reactivation weekend, upcoming patch]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/11/new-darkfall-blog-post-addresses-reactivation-weekend-upcoming/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/11/new-darkfall-blog-post-addresses-reactivation-weekend-upcoming/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/11/new-darkfall-blog-post-addresses-reactivation-weekend-upcoming/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Screenshot -- Darkfall
Last week, we reported that Darkfall would be hosting a reactivation weekend with increased skill-up rates and loot drops. Head-honcho Tasos Flambouras stopped by the official site today to announce that the festivities will be beginning on Friday, November 18th, and that they will last through the weekend until the 21st. He warns, however, that the team is also busy preparing a patch, which -- understandably -- takes priority over the reactivation weekend. As such, it's possible that the event will be postponed.

The patch itself includes a number of bug fixes and other adjustments, "more specifically addressing emotes cutting off animations and sounds." The team is also working to combat some of the game's exploits such as using the trading system to bypass over-encumberance. For the full details, head on over to the Darkfall official site.

MassivelyNew Darkfall blog post addresses reactivation weekend, upcoming patch originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 11 Nov 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aventurineaventurine-sabugsdarkfallexploitsincreased-skill-upsincreased-skillingpatchreactivation-weekendtasostasos-flambourasFri, 11 Nov 2011 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Darkfall announces reactivation weekend]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/04/darkfall-announces-reactivation-weekend/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/04/darkfall-announces-reactivation-weekend/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/04/darkfall-announces-reactivation-weekend/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Screenshot -- Darkfall
Are you a Darkfall fan who just never got around to giving the game a shot? Or maybe you're a former player who's been waiting for the right time to make a return. Well, the Darkfall team has an opportunity for you. In two weeks, Aventurine will be hosting a free reactivation weekend. All previous accounts will be reactivated for a weekend full of accelerated skilling and shiny loot. So mark that one down on your calendars, Darkfall fans, and go give the game another whirl.

MassivelyDarkfall announces reactivation weekend originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 04 Nov 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accelerated-skillingaventurineaventurine-sadarkfallincreased-lootincreased-skillingreactivationreactivation-weekendFri, 04 Nov 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Darkfall update talks camera, physics improvements]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/03/darkfall-update-talks-camera-physics-improvements/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/03/darkfall-update-talks-camera-physics-improvements/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/03/darkfall-update-talks-camera-physics-improvements/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Darkfall - plate armor
What's up in the lands of Agon recently? Quite a lot if the latest Darkfall dev update is any indication. The lengthy wall o' text touches on current development tasks including the possibility of an improved third-person camera, momentum mechanics, and ragdoll physics for the game's animations.

Starter areas are also getting a makeover, and Aventurine producer Tasos Flambouras says that new and more powerful guard towers will deter newbie ganking without creating full-blown safe zones. Additionally, there's a bit more explanation regarding the ongoing siege and clan tweaks, and the devs continue to work on Darkfall's new armor specialization mechanics.

Unfortunately there's still no word on either character wipes or a timeline for Darkfall 2.0's release, but there is quite a bit of other info available to peruse on the game's official site.

MassivelyDarkfall update talks camera, physics improvements originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 03 Oct 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agonaventurinedarkfallfantasymomentum-mechanicsnewb-areasphysicsragdoll-physicssandboxsiege-mechanicssiegesstarter-areastasostasos-flambourasMon, 03 Oct 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[So long and thanks for all the pics: One Shots favorites]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/01/so-long-and-thanks-for-all-the-pics-one-shots-favorites/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/01/so-long-and-thanks-for-all-the-pics-one-shots-favorites/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/01/so-long-and-thanks-for-all-the-pics-one-shots-favorites/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

We bid a final farewell to One Shots yesterday, but we couldn't let almost four years and 1,500 reader-submitted screenshots go without a little nod to some of our favorites.

First up, of course, is the first-ever One Shots entry. Liz Harper had this to say about the image:
I wanted to start our daily screenshot feature on Massively off with something, well, massive. A memorable, recognizable, and important scene from MMO history... and while you may all argue with me about what makes this particular shot important, it was the first thing that came to mind. Here we see a group of City of Heroes players gathering at City Hall in Atlas Park to "salute the memory and inspiration that is Christopher Reeve on the 2nd anniversary of his death." It's rare to see an in-game event that brings players together for a cause other than slaying dragons and similar.
Ready for more? Follow along after the jump for more of the best of One Shots!

Continue reading So long and thanks for all the pics: One Shots favorites

MassivelySo long and thanks for all the pics: One Shots favorites originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 01 Oct 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Activision-Blizzardanetarenanetaventurinebest-of-one-shotsblizzardchronicles-of-spellborncity-of-heroescity-of-villainscohcovcoxdarkfallgalleriesgalleryguild-warsgwlord-of-the-rings-onlinelotroncsoftone-shotsplaydomscreenshotscreenshotsthe-chronicles-of-spellbornturbineworld-of-warcraftwowSat, 01 Oct 2011 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Aventurine publishes Darkfall siege system dev notes, manual]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/15/aventurine-publishes-darkfall-siege-system-dev-notes-manual/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/15/aventurine-publishes-darkfall-siege-system-dev-notes-manual/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/15/aventurine-publishes-darkfall-siege-system-dev-notes-manual/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Darkfall - siege screenshot
Yes, yes, Darkfall's getting a new siege system. You've heard this many times before, amirite? Well, today we're happy to report that the details are now public knowledge. Aventurine has jumped the gun on its usual Friday update window and posted the dev notes for the siege patch (as well as a lengthy PDF manual) on the Darkfall website.

Highlights include a breakdown of the new attacker/defender roles for clans, information on initiating and progressing challenges, and a bit about the new wager system. It's clear that Aventurine has completely rewritten the old siege mechanics, and the manual document touches on why such a huge change was necessary. "The key reason for this was to remove any hard limits imposed by the system, and make this whole aspect of the game much more open and free for all players to enjoy."

MassivelyAventurine publishes Darkfall siege system dev notes, manual originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 15 Sep 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agonaventurinedarkfallendgamefantasypatchsandboxsiegesiege-mechanicssiege-revampsiege-systemsiege-updatesiegesupdateThu, 15 Sep 2011 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Darkfall under siege as of tomorrow]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/14/darkfall-under-siege-as-of-tomorrow/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/14/darkfall-under-siege-as-of-tomorrow/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/14/darkfall-under-siege-as-of-tomorrow/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Darkfall siege
Darkfall players, better stock up on Twinkies and Red Bull, because you might well be under siege by tomorrow! Massively recommends a hearty defense of pillow fortifications and cootie barriers to keep the enemy at bay.

In preparation for the much-anticipated siege update, Aventurine is deploying a small patch today to counter any sneaky players looking to initiate sieges before the team is ready. On Thursday, September 14th, Darkfall will go offline for an extended period of maintenance, after which the game will be brought back up with the new siege system in place.

Patch notes will be available tomorrow as well. The new siege system is designed to replace the issues with the old one while allowing the team to respond and tweak it as needed.

MassivelyDarkfall under siege as of tomorrow originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 14 Sep 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aventurinedarkfallpatchpvpred-bullsiegesiege-patchsiege-systemsiegestwinkiesWed, 14 Sep 2011 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Darkfall update talks sieges, again]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/09/darkfall-update-talks-sieges-again/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/09/darkfall-update-talks-sieges-again/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/09/darkfall-update-talks-sieges-again/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Darkfall - Khamset mobs
Darkfall's much-hyped new siege system may actually see the light of day next week according to the latest Aventurine dev blog. We say much-hyped here in terms of the number of times it's been mentioned in one of Darkfall's traditional Friday updates. Players and fans of the FFA PvP sandbox are no doubt more interested in when Darkfall 2.0 is coming out as well as who these mysterious partners are that producer Tasos Flambouras occasionally hints at in the weekly news blurbs.

Alas, this week's announcement steers clear of reveals and instead offers a few more specifics on the new siege mechanics as well as a new concept art sketch of the revamped Khamset monster family. Finally, there's a short lore blurb to go along with a ton of unanswered questions.

MassivelyDarkfall update talks sieges, again originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 09 Sep 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agonaventurinedarkfalldarkfall-2.0darkfall-onlinefantasyffalorepvpsandboxsiegesiege-mechanicssiege-revampsiege-systemtasostasos-flambourasFri, 09 Sep 2011 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Darkfall blog update teases new dungeon video]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/05/darkfall-blog-update-teases-new-dungeon-video/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/05/darkfall-blog-update-teases-new-dungeon-video/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/05/darkfall-blog-update-teases-new-dungeon-video/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Darkfall - Niflheim yeti dungeon
Another Darkfall update, another letdown in terms of a release window for Darkfall 2.0. Aventurine updated its blog over the weekend and acknowledged fan anticipation for the sweeping revamp, but remained coy on the timeframe. "We're in a better position to estimate but we haven't concluded our discussions with our partners yet," wrote producer Tasos Flambouras.

If the new video that accompanies the blog update is any indication, we're a ways off from release since the clip is described as an "alpha version." What's in the video? It's basically a quick look at the new Niflheim dungeon, and there are a lot of yetis running around as well as a lot of bloodspray courtesy of the newly implemented splatter system. You can also see a few of the dynamic elements that make the dungeon more challenging than its old-world Darkfall predecessor, and there's even a paragraph related to the lore behind the lair. Check out the clip after the cut and head to the official Darkfall website for more.

Continue reading Darkfall blog update teases new dungeon video

MassivelyDarkfall blog update teases new dungeon video originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 05 Sep 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agonaventurineblogdarkfalldarkfall-2.0dev-blogdev-diarydungeonsfantasyniflheimniflheim-dungeonsandboxtasostasos-flambourastenderizerpassvideoMon, 05 Sep 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Some Assembly Required: Is the sandbox dead?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/02/some-assembly-required-is-the-sandbox-dead/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/02/some-assembly-required-is-the-sandbox-dead/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/02/some-assembly-required-is-the-sandbox-dead/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Some Assembly Required - header with plans
Let's face it, folks, 2011 has been a fairly bad year for sandbox MMORPGs. Whether we're talking about the premature (and, ahem, forced) demise of Star Wars Galaxies, EVE Online's public relations disasters and its capitulation to the cash-shop-in-a-sub-based game fad, or Earthrise's rough launch, there hasn't been a lot to celebrate for fans of non-linear MMO gameplay in quite a while.

I've even had several friends ask me point blank: Is the sandbox dead? The short answer is not just no, but hell no. Join me after the cut for a few bright spots as we look to the future, take stock of the present, and try to forget about the past.

Continue reading Some Assembly Required: Is the sandbox dead?

MassivelySome Assembly Required: Is the sandbox dead? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 02 Sep 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a-tale-in-the-desertasherons-callavataravatar-creationsaventurinecraftingdarkfalldawntideearthriseemergent-gameplayeveeve-onlinefeaturedis-the-sandbox-deadmastheadmasthead-studiosopinionperpetuumplayer-contentplayer-generated-contentsandboxsandbox-optionssome-assembly-requiredstar-wars-galaxiesswgturbineultimaultima-onlineuoworking-as-intendedwurmwurm-onlinexsyonFri, 02 Sep 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Darkfall blog talks crafting update, forthcoming relaunch timeline]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/29/darkfall-blog-talks-crafting-update-forthcoming-relaunch-timeli/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/29/darkfall-blog-talks-crafting-update-forthcoming-relaunch-timeli/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/29/darkfall-blog-talks-crafting-update-forthcoming-relaunch-timeli/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Darkfall - crafted axe designs
There may be a little light at the end of the Darkfall 2.0 tunnel if the latest Aventurine blog update is any indication. The entry bills itself as a crafting system update, but it spends the first paragraph or so giving fans an update on the revamped siege system (which is now scheduled to be done in about a week). After that, producer Tasos Flambouras says, "We'll go into more detail about more relaunch features and the production schedule."

So anyway, crafting.

In a nutshell, the new Darkfall tradeskilling system places greater importance on rare ore, unique item appearance, more customization options, and "more opportunities to excel as a crafter." The new system will offer mastery skills as well as a choice between six distinctive base designs for each weapon type. You can read all about it at the game's official website, linked below.

MassivelyDarkfall blog talks crafting update, forthcoming relaunch timeline originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 29 Aug 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aventurinebase-designscraftingcrafting-revampecrafting-updatedarkfalldarkfall-2.0fantasymastery-skillsrare-oresandboxsiegesiege-systemsiegestasostasos-flambourastradeskillingtradeskillsMon, 29 Aug 2011 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[New Darkfall video shows off bone armor]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/24/new-darkfall-video-shows-off-bone-armor/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/24/new-darkfall-video-shows-off-bone-armor/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/24/new-darkfall-video-shows-off-bone-armor/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Darkfall - bonescale armor
Aventurine missed its usual Friday update last week, and we can only hope it's because the devs were too busy working on Darkfall 2.0 to bother with blogging. The latest Darkfall media sneak peek is out today instead, and it features a brief look at more of the new armor fans are looking forward to in a future patch.

The armor is called bonescale, and before the clip is over, viewers will also get a glimpse of a new nasty called the necroguardian. Long-time Darkfall players may recognize the creature as an offshoot of the old obsidian golem, albeit with a bit more attitude this time around. As far as the armor goes, the blog entry also says that it will be a high-end medium set that will require special components to craft.

So when can we expect to see the bonescale, the necroguardian, and the rest of Darkfall 2.0? That's still up in the air, as Aventurine makes no mention of a release date for its massive game overhaul.

Continue reading New Darkfall video shows off bone armor

MassivelyNew Darkfall video shows off bone armor originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 24 Aug 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>armoraventurinebonescalebonescale-armordarkfalldarkfall-2.0fantasygolemnecroguardianpatchpatchestrailerupdatevideoWed, 24 Aug 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Aventurine reveals a few Darkfall 2.0 changes]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/14/aventurine-reveals-a-few-darkfall-2-0-changes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/14/aventurine-reveals-a-few-darkfall-2-0-changes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/14/aventurine-reveals-a-few-darkfall-2-0-changes/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Darkfall - dragon wallpaper
Aventurine has updated the Darkfall Epic Blog again, and this time there's a good bit of info regarding the upcoming 2.0 reboot. Producer Tasos Flambouras reiterates that 2.0 is "a new game created on top of the current game rather [than] simply an expansion." He also states that the devs don't want to get too specific and give everything away just yet. That said, this week's entry does provide a very interesting list of changes "that are already implemented."

First and foremost is the game's new skill set customization which is in turn tied to a new armor system. In a nutshell, your armor choice will affect your usable skills by rendering certain abilities ineffective and leading to highly specialized character roles (as opposed to the current game where every character can learn every skill, given enough grinding).

Skill and attribute gains have also been tweaked, and players who focus on skilling up a single role will excel at it in short order through "casual play." The catch, though, is the inability to have more than one specialization active at a time. Crafting has also been overhauled, and the world map has been "completely changed." There's more big news where that came from too, including UI tweaks, alignment tweaks, incapacitation, dungeon and magic school redesigns, and new combat mechanics like momentum and crosshair wobble. Read all about it at the official Darkfall website.

MassivelyAventurine reveals a few Darkfall 2.0 changes originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 14 Aug 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agonarmor-systemaventurinecan-we-have-a-date-pleasecombat-mechanicscrafting-overhaulcrafting-revampcrosshair-wobbledarkfalldarkfall-2.0fantasygame-mechanicsmomentumsandboxskill-basedskill-systemspecializationstasostasos-flambouraswobbleworld-revampSun, 14 Aug 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New Darkfall video shows off redesigned Sandbrook]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/05/new-darkfall-video-shows-off-redesigned-sandbrook/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/05/new-darkfall-video-shows-off-redesigned-sandbrook/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/05/new-darkfall-video-shows-off-redesigned-sandbrook/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

It's time for Aventurine's weekly Darkfall update, and today's blurb contains a few interesting nuggets about the town of Sandbrook. Apparently, the hamlet is undergoing a substantial facelift for Darkfall 2.0, and while it will remain a human village and hold on to its geographical location, players will find that it looks and plays quite differently.

Aventurine producer Tasos Flambouras tells us that "the city has been completely optimized and everything is conveniently located where players can find it easily." He also mentions that Sandbrook is no longer a starter town but is instead a human factional city.

Sandbrook is a picturesque location despite the proximity of a nasty goblin tribe, and the town is home to a small band of humans who settled on the banks of a river in the shadow of some enormous Nithron ruins. Head past the cut for a brief look at the new and improved Sandbrook courtesy of Aventurine's latest Darkfall video.

Continue reading New Darkfall video shows off redesigned Sandbrook

MassivelyNew Darkfall video shows off redesigned Sandbrook originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 05 Aug 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agonaventurinedarkfalldarkfall-2.0darkfall-epic-blogfaction-cityfactionsfantasynithronnithron-giantsnithron-ruinssandboxsandbrooktasostasos-flambourastown-revampvideoFri, 05 Aug 2011 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Darkfall video and screenshots highlight new leather armor]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/30/darkfall-video-and-screenshots-highlight-new-leather-armor/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/30/darkfall-video-and-screenshots-highlight-new-leather-armor/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/30/darkfall-video-and-screenshots-highlight-new-leather-armor/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Aventurine snuck in a couple of quick Darkfall updates while we weren't looking, and though there's still no definitive word on Darkfall 2.0, there is an armor video and some nifty screenshots to sort of make up for it.

This week's Darkfall blog update is a short one, and basically pays a bit of lip service to the siege system that's still in progress (and that Aventurine hopes to have in final testing next week). As for the screenshots, they feature some closeups of the new "intricate leather armor" that took a bow in Thursday's short video release. The set is a bit of a departure from the game's grungy medieval aesthetic, with clean lines and some appealing sleekness but for the giant spikes protruding from the helmet and and limbs. Head past the cut to get a look at the video.

Continue reading Darkfall video and screenshots highlight new leather armor

MassivelyDarkfall video and screenshots highlight new leather armor originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 30 Jul 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agonarmorarmor-videoaventurinedarkfalldarkfall-epic-blogdarkfall-onlinefantasyleather-armorsandboxscreenshotssiegesiege-mechanicssiege-revampsiege-systemstill-no-2.0-infovideoSat, 30 Jul 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New Darkfall siege mechanics detailed]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/25/new-darkfall-siege-mechanics-detailed/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/25/new-darkfall-siege-mechanics-detailed/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/25/new-darkfall-siege-mechanics-detailed/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Aventurine has spilled the beans on Darkfall's new siege mechanics in a lengthy blog entry posted over the weekend. Producer Tasos Flambouras writes that the "new system brings substantial changes to how sieges work, and will not only eliminate issues like self-sieging, but will also make sieges a lot more strategic, profitable and interesting."

How so?

Well, for starters there's the fact that clan size now affects your ability to initiate a siege, and actions against a rival clan city will require more members than actions against a hamlet (and trial accounts won't count towards your clan size). All attacking clans will also need to pay a wager, the amount of which is affected by several variables. First up is the target city's power level, which is derived from how many buildings are in evidence. Your clan's wager will also change according to how many clans are already sieging by the time you join.

These tweaks are the tip of the proverbial iceberg, and there's much more reading material at the official Darkfall Epic Blog.

MassivelyNew Darkfall siege mechanics detailed originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 25 Jul 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agonaventurineclan-siegedarkfallfantasygame-mechanicsnew-siege-systempvpsandboxsiegesiege-mechanicsiege-revampsiegessiegingMon, 25 Jul 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Aventurine releases new Darkfall dungeon video]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/22/aventurine-releases-new-darkfall-dungeon-video/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/22/aventurine-releases-new-darkfall-dungeon-video/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/22/aventurine-releases-new-darkfall-dungeon-video/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

While speculation continues to swirl around Darkfall 2.0 and character wipes, Aventurine is staying the course by revealing new tidbits every week that serve as both a teaser for upcoming game goodness and a distraction from the larger issues.

Case in point is the new Yssam dungeon video. As the press release on the game's official blog states, "there's a little bit of new in quite a few things that you will see," including the new lair, a new lighting system, a new AI monster, and a new armor model.

There's still no definitive word on 2.0, though, and the when, why, and how of the huge upcoming reboot is by far the most important 'new' for denizens of Agon.

Continue reading Aventurine releases new Darkfall dungeon video

MassivelyAventurine releases new Darkfall dungeon video originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 22 Jul 2011 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agonaventurinedarkfalldarkfall-onlinelighting-effectslighting-systemnew-armornew-dungeonnew-monstersandboxtrailersvideoyssamyssam-dungeonFri, 22 Jul 2011 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Ask Massively: We do in fact have rules edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/21/ask-massively-we-do-in-fact-have-rules-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/21/ask-massively-we-do-in-fact-have-rules-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/21/ask-massively-we-do-in-fact-have-rules-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

I feel that right now would be an excellent time to refer everyone to a bit of supplemental reading that should be really fun -- our Code of Conduct! Yes, we have a set of rules that we expect everyone to follow, and no, we are not stupid. If you spend months trying to skirt those rules very carefully, we will be watching hawk-like for the moment you step out of line. And when that happens? There is cake.

Moving right along, it's time for another edition of Ask Massively. This time, we're discussing issues of balance and overall character depth as brought on by recent developments within the world of Darkfall. If you'd like to have a question answered in a future edition of the column, send it along to ask@massively.com or leave it in the comments afterward. Or use the comments to discuss something else; that does seem equally likely.

Continue reading Ask Massively: We do in fact have rules edition

MassivelyAsk Massively: We do in fact have rules edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 21 Jul 2011 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ask-massivelyaventurinebalancebehaviorcode-of-conductdarkfalldffeaturedgame-mechanicsmassively-metaopen-skillsopinionskill-systemsskillsThu, 21 Jul 2011 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Gods and Heroes discusses price reduction, exclusive minion and new classes]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/19/gods-and-heroes-discusses-price-reduction-exclusive-minion-and/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/19/gods-and-heroes-discusses-price-reduction-exclusive-minion-and/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/19/gods-and-heroes-discusses-price-reduction-exclusive-minion-and/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Heatwave Interactive, makers of the new indie MMO Gods and Heroes, has been refreshingly upfront about their business lately. Recently, they talked about the need for even more players, despite having one of the top selling games on Steam for a while. It should be a sign of how payment models or pricing can seemingly make or break a game, especially at launch. Within even just a few years, the mainstream audience has gone from hating on free-to-play, treating it as though it was some sort of oddball political party, to snickering whenever a game actually asks for money upfront.

Will Heatwave's game pay the price for not releasing for free immediately? Well, that is yet to be seen. In a recent interview with Anthony Castoro, Executive Producer and CEO, he was very open and honest about all of these perceived issues, and seemed ready to continue using such open language with his audience.

Click past the cut and let's talk about the upcoming new price, a new class, and a little surprise for all of the players who paid for the game upfront.

Continue reading Gods and Heroes discusses price reduction, exclusive minion and new classes

MassivelyGods and Heroes discusses price reduction, exclusive minion and new classes originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 19 Jul 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Anthony-Castoroaventurinebeau-hindmandarkfallfeaturedgods-and-heroesheatwave-interactivemythologyTue, 19 Jul 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Darkfall dev update beats around the free-to-play bush]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/15/darkfall-dev-update-beats-around-the-free-to-play-bush/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/15/darkfall-dev-update-beats-around-the-free-to-play-bush/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/15/darkfall-dev-update-beats-around-the-free-to-play-bush/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

It's Friday and that usually means an update of some sort from the folks at Aventurine. True to form, Tasos Flambouras has checked in with his weekly Darkfall blog post. This time around we're treated to a round of Q&A with a couple of Aventurine devs, and reader-submitted questions are the order of the day.

The discussion meanders from Darkfall 2.0's crafting changes, which are described as "a complete overhaul," to mechanical concerns like AoE melee damage as well as surges and fizzles.

Flambouras also drops an interesting comment regarding Darkfall free-to-play rumors. "We also read around the internet about Darkfall going free-to-play. Rumor has it that if you start a sentence with 'rumor has it' you can say pretty much anything you want. Not true," he writes. Whether the "not true" was a reference to Darkfall's alleged F2P conversion or a reference to the latter portion of the sentence isn't completely clear, and we'll be interested to hear a definitive answer as it relates to business models.

MassivelyDarkfall dev update beats around the free-to-play bush originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 15 Jul 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aventurinebusiness-modelscraftingdarkfalldarkfall-2.0darkfall-revampdev-blogdev-diaryf2pfantasyfree-to-playrevampsalvagingsandboxtasostasos-flambourasFri, 15 Jul 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Would you keep playing if your character was wiped?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/14/the-daily-grind-would-you-keep-playing-if-your-character-was-wi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/14/the-daily-grind-would-you-keep-playing-if-your-character-was-wi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/14/the-daily-grind-would-you-keep-playing-if-your-character-was-wi/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

So the scuttlebutt has it that Darkfall is getting ready to give way to an entirely new version. The PvP sandbox has gone through several iterations since its early 2009 launch, but one thing that has always been consistent is the player characters.

Aventurine recently hinted at character wipes in conjunction with Darkfall 2.0, and while front man Tasos Flambouras hasn't said definitively that there will be a fresh start, he also hasn't said there won't be.

For today's Daily Grind, we'd like to know your thoughts on character wipes. Whether it's a game like Darkfall or any other sort of progression-based affair, would you keep playing if your progress was reset?

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: Would you keep playing if your character was wiped? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 14 Jul 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aventurinecharacter-wipedarkfallfantasygame-discussiongamer-discussionmmo-discussionmmo-hot-topicsmmo-issuesmmo-topicsmmorpg-discussionmmorpg-hot-topicsmmorpg-topicsopinionsandboxtasostasos-flambourastdgthe-daily-grindwipesThu, 14 Jul 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Darkfall video shows off new chainmail armor]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/12/darkfall-video-shows-off-new-chainmail-armor/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/12/darkfall-video-shows-off-new-chainmail-armor/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/12/darkfall-video-shows-off-new-chainmail-armor/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Character wipes and the 2.0 relaunch may be foremost in the mind of Darkfall fans these days, but Aventurine has just released a new video that demonstrates its ongoing commitment to improving the existing game (not to mention its ongoing sense of humor).

Though the clip clocks in at a paltry 50 seconds, that's time enough to get a good look at Darkfall's upcoming chainmail armor improvements. You'll also want to stick around to the end of the video for a cameo appearance by... well, we're honestly not sure what that was, but it looked big, angry, and vaguely like one of Agon's notorious AI mobs.

Today's video release is the second part of a new Aventurine initiative called Media Sneak Peek, and you can view it after the cut as well as on the official Darkfall website.

Continue reading Darkfall video shows off new chainmail armor

MassivelyDarkfall video shows off new chainmail armor originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 12 Jul 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>armoraventurinechain-armorchainmail-armordarkfallfantasymailmedia-sneak-peeksandboxtrailervideoTue, 12 Jul 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Aventurine talks Darkfall 2.0, character wipes, and more]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/08/aventurine-talks-darkfall-2-0-character-wipes-and-more/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/08/aventurine-talks-darkfall-2-0-character-wipes-and-more/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/08/aventurine-talks-darkfall-2-0-character-wipes-and-more/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Last week we told you about an Aventurine blog entry that touted Darkfall's forthcoming update as a "new game." This week, producer Tasos Flambouras sheds a wee bit more light on the Darkfall 2.0 situation, but readers of his latest blog post will likely be left with more questions than answers.

To summarize, the new game is not a sequel but rather an iteration on all the lessons learned after two-plus years of operating and updating Darkfall. Aventurine now boasts a much larger dev team than the one that shipped the original game in 2009, and "no aspect of the game has been left untouched" when it comes to the revamp and relaunch.

Speaking of relaunches, Flambouras addresses the seemingly odd decision to incorporate Darkfall 2.0's extensive siege mechanic changes into the current game. As it turns out, Aventurine is planning some sort of epic end-of-1.0 event before transitioning to the new game, and sieges will play a part in the action. Finally, those of you who have already purchased Darkfall will not be charged again for the 2.0 client.

What about character transfers and/or wipes? That's a bit murkier, and though Flambouras says "it would not be necessary to wipe" in the new version, he also says that the topic is still under discussion. Head to the Darkfall Epic Blog to read this week's activity report.

MassivelyAventurine talks Darkfall 2.0, character wipes, and more originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 08 Jul 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aventurinecharacter-wipedarkfalldarkfall-2darkfall-2.0darkfall-character-wipedarkfall-relaunchdarkfall-revampdev-diaryfantasysandboxsiegesiege-mechanicssiegestasostasos-flambourasFri, 08 Jul 2011 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Upcoming Darkfall relaunch is 'a new game']]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/01/upcoming-darkfall-relaunch-is-a-new-game/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/01/upcoming-darkfall-relaunch-is-a-new-game/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/01/upcoming-darkfall-relaunch-is-a-new-game/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

How does a fresh start in the world of Agon grab you? The devs at Aventurine have been making noises about relaunching Darkfall for a while now, but in a new dev blog released earlier today, producer Tasos Flambouras gives us a hint at just how significant the changes are going to be.

"This relaunch is not an expansion. It's a new game we've been developing in parallel with the current version of Darkfall. The scope is massive, and it has been difficult to stay on schedule after several unexpected issues," Flambouras writes.

So, yeah. Whoa. In our best Keanu Reeves voice.

The blog features some further discussion about a new siege system and a political map for the current version of Darkfall, but frankly we're still recovering from the previous paragraph and unsure as to how it all fits together. Is this Darkfall II? Is the current version going away when the relaunch hits? Inquiring minds want to know, and we'll bring you the latest on this story as we learn more.

MassivelyUpcoming Darkfall relaunch is 'a new game' originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 01 Jul 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agonaventurinedarkfalldarkfall-epic-blogdarkfall-onlinedev-blogdev-diaryfantasygame-revampnew-darkfall-gamepolitical-maprevampsandboxsiegesiege-systemsiegessiegingtasostasos-flambouraswhoaFri, 01 Jul 2011 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Darkfall possibly headed to Asian market]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/17/darkfall-possibly-headed-to-asian-market/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/17/darkfall-possibly-headed-to-asian-market/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/17/darkfall-possibly-headed-to-asian-market/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Darkfall's brand of FFA PvP and sandbox-style fantasy elements may be headed to the Asian market, according to a new post on Aventurine's weekly dev blog. Tasos Flambouras reports that company staffers recently traveled to the Far East for discussions with "several of the Asian majors." What became of those discussions is still shrouded in secrecy, but Flambouras does hint at more news in this regard down the road.

"This will be good for the game overall since we'd be tapping into some vast development resources. Unfortunately I can't be more specific but there will be announcements when we can," he explains.

Today's Epic Blog entry also talks a bit about some new PvE dungeons in the works, and there are some interesting pieces of concept art as well as a screenshot or two of the new Cairn dungeon. Read all about it at the official Darkfall site.

MassivelyDarkfall possibly headed to Asian market originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 17 Jun 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>asian-marketaventurineconcept-artdarkfalldev-blogdev-diarydungeonsepic-blogfantasylocalizationpvesandboxtasostasos-flambourasFri, 17 Jun 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Darkfall dev blog talks armor system updates, roles, and PvP viability]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/11/darkfall-dev-blog-talks-armor-system-updates-roles-and-pvp-via/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/11/darkfall-dev-blog-talks-armor-system-updates-roles-and-pvp-via/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/11/darkfall-dev-blog-talks-armor-system-updates-roles-and-pvp-via/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

The latest Darkfall dev blog update has an interesting new Q&A session dealing with the game's armor system (and ongoing attempts to balance it). Aventurine devs collected a sampling of related questions from users on the sandbox title's official forum, and Tasos Flambouras has a pretty lengthy list of answers that should be of interest to Agonian veterans and newbs alike.

Aventurine's goals for the upcoming revamp are threefold: more diversity in terms of the number of combat roles available to the player, a reduction of the time it takes to become viable in PvP, and retaining the ability for players to freely select, combine, and change roles at any time.

Flambouras also spends a bit of time explaining Aventurine's stance on Darkfall physics, particularly bunny-hopping. "It's a fun way of using physics," he says, "but we never intended for players on foot to be able to keep up with mounts." Head to the official Darkfall website to see the changes coming to Agon in the near future.

MassivelyDarkfall dev blog talks armor system updates, roles, and PvP viability originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 11 Jun 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agonarmorarmor-systemaventurineaventurine-sabalancebunny-hoppingcombat-rolescommunity-questionsdarkfalldarkfall-epic-blogdev-blogdev-diaryfantasypvpquestion-and-answersandboxviabilitySat, 11 Jun 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Darkfall dev blog talks new dungeons, siege changes]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/03/darkfall-dev-blog-talks-new-dungeons-siege-changes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/03/darkfall-dev-blog-talks-new-dungeons-siege-changes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/03/darkfall-dev-blog-talks-new-dungeons-siege-changes/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

A while back we brought you word that Aventurine was looking for feedback on Darkfall's siege mechanics. Though the process is still ongoing, it seems as if the devs have gotten a good sampling from the community thus far according to this week's activity report.

Your opinion is still needed, though, so head to the Darkfall Epic Blog and weigh in on the maximum number of clan attackers during sieges. This week's report also details a bit of the PvE-related goings-on, and the world of Agon is getting a new themed dungeon for each continent in the very near future. "All of them are huge and have different areas that you need to traverse. Doing this, however, leaves you with choices as to which way to go and which challenges to face," says the blog entry.

There's a bit of PvP info as well, and the requisite teases for the new expansion. Read all about it at the official website.

MassivelyDarkfall dev blog talks new dungeons, siege changes originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 03 Jun 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agonaventurinedarkfalldarkfall-epic-blogdev-blogdungeonsepic-blogfantasynew-dungeonspvepvpsandboxsiegesFri, 03 Jun 2011 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Aventurine looking for feedback on Darkfall siege revamp]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/20/aventurine-looking-for-feedback-on-darkfall-siege-revamp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/20/aventurine-looking-for-feedback-on-darkfall-siege-revamp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/20/aventurine-looking-for-feedback-on-darkfall-siege-revamp/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Aventurine is in the process of revamping Darkfall's siege system, and the devs are in need of your assistance. A new entry at the Darkfall Epic Blog fills in the details, and perennial coolest dev name contest winner Tasos Flambouras has published a snippet of an internal design document in order to give players a better understanding of why some changes are necessary.

Flambouras lays out four key points of particular interest to Darkfall's devs, and interested players are invited to leave feedback via the blog's comment system. Topics up for discussion include minimum numbers of active clan players, win conditions, timer issues, and automatic vulnerability. Head to the official Darkfall blog to make your voice heard.

MassivelyAventurine looking for feedback on Darkfall siege revamp originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 20 May 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aventurineaventurine-sacommunity-discussioncool-dev-namesdarkfalldarkfall-epic-blogfantasyfeedbackfeedback-solicitationpvpsandboxsiegesiege-mechanicssiegessiegingtasostasos-flambourasFri, 20 May 2011 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[New Darkfall video offers GM perspectives on Agon]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/19/new-darkfall-video-offers-gm-perspectives-on-agon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/19/new-darkfall-video-offers-gm-perspectives-on-agon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/19/new-darkfall-video-offers-gm-perspectives-on-agon/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Darkfall's two-year anniversary may have come and gone, but the game continues to inspire awesome video productions celebrating its unique blend of sandbox-style mayhem. The latest such is the pet project of Aventurine developer Tascha, and the clip offers up some unique flyby perspectives on life in the world of Agon.

Tascha witnessed many an epic battle and GM event, virtual camera in hand, and the resulting montage is an unofficial love note to Darkfall and its loyal players. The clip runs a tad over four minutes and features everything from heart-pounding cavalry charges to individual PvP scraps to gargantuan player ships and scary PvE mobs. See for yourself after the break.

Continue reading New Darkfall video offers GM perspectives on Agon

MassivelyNew Darkfall video offers GM perspectives on Agon originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 19 May 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agonaventurineaventurine-saaventurine-taschacavalry-chargedarkfallpvepvpsandboxsiegestaschatrailervideoThu, 19 May 2011 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[New Darkfall video highlights environmental sounds]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/13/new-darkfall-video-highlights-environmental-sounds/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/13/new-darkfall-video-highlights-environmental-sounds/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/13/new-darkfall-video-highlights-environmental-sounds/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Asking a room full of MMORPG enthusiasts what the word Darkfall brings to mind isn't likely to net you many serene responses. The game and its associated tomfoolery certainly don't trigger tranquil thoughts or conjure idyllic fantasy scenes complete with beautiful deserts, atmospheric forests, and stoic mountain terrain. No, the sandbox title from Aventurine is most famous for its cutthroat FFA full-loot PvP implementation, which makes a new video designed to show off the game's stunning environmental soundscapes all the more curious.

This isn't the first time Aventurine has experimented with environmental sounds, but it is the very latest iteration of how Agon is seen and heard.

The clip runs for over five minutes and features a multitude of characters traversing many of the terrain types found in the huge game world. The trailer also highlights the upcoming tweaks that link Darkfall sounds to specific locations as well as the continuous randomization of environment sounds and 3-D emitter effects. Immerse yourself in the world of Agon after the cut, or head to the Darkfall Epic Blog to learn more.

Continue reading New Darkfall video highlights environmental sounds

MassivelyNew Darkfall video highlights environmental sounds originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 13 May 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3d-soundsaventurineaventurine-sadarkfallenvironmental-soundsfantasysandboxsoundsound-emitterssoundssoundscapetrailervideowork-in-progressFri, 13 May 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Darkfall patch brings major alignment tweaks]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/11/darkfall-patch-brings-major-alignment-tweaks/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/11/darkfall-patch-brings-major-alignment-tweaks/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/11/darkfall-patch-brings-major-alignment-tweaks/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Significant alignment tweaks are the order of the day in the latest Darkfall patch, and Aventurine has updated its website to help Agonian residents wrap their heads around the system proper.

Today's patch divides the world into lawful and lawless sections, the latter of which boast no alignment penalties upon entry. Clan cities remain under the control of their owners when it comes to alignment decisions, so even if the area surrounding your fort has shifted due to the update, city visitors will still be subject to the prevailing clan interpretations regarding alignment and consequences for aggression.

Today's patch also introduces a few smaller gameplay tweaks in addition to the alignment changes, chief among them an increase to loot drops while fishing and various changes to the fish box on player ships. The Darkfall Epic Blog has all the details.

MassivelyDarkfall patch brings major alignment tweaks originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 11 May 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alignmentalignment-changesalignment-penaltyaventurineaventurine-sadarkfallfantasyfishinglorepatchpatch-notessandboxupdateWed, 11 May 2011 15:30:00 EST