Massively

Not So Massively: D3 launches European beta and HoN celebrates 100th hero

Brendan Drain — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Trailers, Video, Game mechanics, New titles, PvP, News items, Not So Massively, MOBA, League of Legends

League of Legends announced a new photo contest this week and continued its world tour series with a look at the game's French playerbase. Fans have also been preparing for the Intel Extreme Masters world championship. Dota 2 implemented a new co-op matchmaking mode that pits players against bots, and the studio released classic hero Atropos, the Bane Elemental.

The Diablo III beta grew significantly this week with the first round of European invites making its way to potential players. Blizzard confirmed that a big game announcement is almost here and discussed its recent layoff of over 600 employees. Blacklight: Retribution celebrated its open beta this week with a new an impressive new trailer filmed with entirely in-engine footage.

Heroes of Newerth celebrated its 100th hero this week with the gripping intelligence hero Kinesis, who deals massive damage by hurling trees and creeps at foes. Rise of Immortals released its spotlight on Kaos and revealed details of upcoming immortal Azcadelia.

Continue reading Not So Massively: D3 launches European beta and HoN celebrates 100th hero

Not So Massively: D3 launches European beta and HoN celebrates 100th hero originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 05 Mar 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Perfect Ten: MMO cataclysms

Justin Olivetti — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: World of Warcraft, Fantasy, Sci-fi, City of Heroes, EverQuest II, Fallen Earth, Final Fantasy XI, Guild Wars, MapleStory, Star Wars Galaxies, Star Trek Online, Free-to-play, Humor, Champions Online, Post-Apocalyptic, Perfect Ten

Today sees the launch of World of Warcraft: Cataclysm, which represents a destructive "reboot" button on the world of Azeroth. The old has been made new by virtue of fiery explosions that have rent the very earth in twain, and WoW gamers will have to find their footing all over again. As you might imagine, it's made one big-ass mess, which is compounded by the fact that there are no janitor classes in the game to sweep it up (the next hero class, perhaps?).

However, the notion of an in-game cataclysm is hardly the sole domain of Activision-Blizzard; on the contrary, large-scale apocalypses pop up all the time in MMOs. After all, nothing grabs the attention like the end of the world (but hey, you still feel fine)!

In a list that in no way is meant to capitalize on any expansions that may or may not be on the market, we're going to strap on our Kevlar suits, slather our arms with 1000 SPF sunblock, and take a brief tour of 10 worlds that have dated cataclysms -- and lived to tell the tale.

Continue reading The Perfect Ten: MMO cataclysms

The Perfect Ten: MMO cataclysms originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 07 Dec 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aliens, strongmen, clowns, and doom featured in new shots from DCUO

Larry Everett — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Super-hero, Galleries, Screenshots, New titles, Previews, DC Universe Online

DC Universe Online continues to break the boundaries of what makes a great MMORPG. The action-based game by SOE and Warner Bros. features the amazing art of Jim Lee and WildStorm Studio. The riggers and texture artists at SOE's Austin studio have done their best to capture what it feels like to live and breathe in the DC Comics world.

Today, the development team has sent us some brand-new screenshots showcasing the locations your legendary hero can visit in DCUO. If you're a Batman fan, you know Bane, the super-strong villain who pumps himself up on a serum called Venom. And if you don't know the Joker, then you don't know DC Comics. Of course, the Hall of Doom is the underwater fortress at which all the baddy-bads of the world can gather. Brainiac is amassing forces against the research centers at Area 51. Bane's Venom Lab, Joker's Amusement Mile, Area 51, and the Hall of Doom are all featured in the gallery below.

After you check out the screenies, visit the official DCUO website to preorder the game. The next legend could be you!

Gallery: DCUO location reveals

Aliens, strongmen, clowns, and doom featured in new shots from DCUO originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 19 Nov 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tabula Rasa's shutdown salute schedule

Seraphina Brennan — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Events, in-game, MMO industry, News items, PvE, Tabula Rasa

Listen up, soldiers! We're going to post this once and only once, so I want all eyes and ears on this blog post! Do you get me!?

*Waits to hear the chorus of "We get you, sir!" coming from the computer monitor.*

We have gotten word from AFS High Command that the Bane are preparing for an all out attack against the Allied Free Sentients in Tabula Rasa. This will be the single largest troop movement that the battlefields have seen to date. This is why all soldiers are being asked to fortify all AFS bases in preparation of an attack on Saturday at 8 PM GMT for the Centarus (EU) server and again at 8 PM CST for the Hydra server.

These attacks will be lead by the infamous Neph, cousin race to the benevolent Eloh. Neph are the most intelligent commanders that the Bane has to throw against us, but we will fight them back!

The attacks are expected to last until midnight GMT and midnight CST. If we are unsuccessful with our defense, and should we be overrun, then we will make sure that their victory will cost them everything! The Penumbra Division has been ordered to ready the last resort weapon and only fire it should we still be under attack at midnight. If we're going down, we're taking them, and the server, with us!

Hoo-rah, soldiers!

Tabula Rasa's shutdown salute schedule originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 27 Feb 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tabula Rasa introduces new Epic Bane

Shawn Schuster — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Events, in-game, Game mechanics, PvE, Tabula Rasa

In the worlds of Tabula Rasa, the Bane have been relentless in their attacks against the remaining humans who threaten their plans of complete domination. In response to this, they have developed a new type of super-troop to turn the tide in their favor a bit. These new Bane are called E.P.I.C., or Enhanced Primary Invasion Conscripts. They have shown up in small groups sporadically throughout Foreas and Arieki, killing all AFS they encounter.

According to the most recent Feedback Friday, these Epics will need a full squad of high-ranking soldiers to take them down. Among the Epics spotted so far, there have been reports of Caretakers, Technicians, Grenadiers, Pistol and Rifle Soldiers wreaking havoc across the two planets. Is this a last-ditch effort by the Bane, or a simply a distraction used while they focus their true power elsewhere? Hop in game and find out as the interesting elements of TR's lore continue to unfold.

Tabula Rasa introduces new Epic Bane originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 17 Nov 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Major Tabula Rasa event only days away?

Adrian Bott — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Events, in-game, Tabula Rasa

According to an in-character communique from Tabula Rasa postergirl Sarah Morrison, something big is about to hit the proverbial fan. The implication is that a large-scale Bane attack is coming, and scuttlebutt among the game's players suggests that General British himself may make an appearance:

'Increasing Bane activity has been detected across Foreas and Arieki over the past few days. [...] seeking to get as much intel as possible to explain this and have managed to intercept a message between what we believe to be one of their primary Tactical Operations Centers and one of their motherships [...] hard at work trying to decipher the entirety of the message [...] contained information on a possible large scale assault scheduled to take place in approximately 9 days. [...] is probably the last message I am able to send through this channel. It has become increasingly difficult to [...]. Hopefully the bulk of this message will reach you.'

The date of the event, November 2nd, should be familiar to Tabula Rasa players as the day the game went live, almost a year ago. It's also the anniversary of Massively - good heavens, hasn't the time flown?

Major Tabula Rasa event only days away? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 28 Oct 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NEWS FLASH: AFS pushes against Bane at Valverde Plateau

Michael Zenke — Thu, 08 May 2008 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Guides, Tabula Rasa

Dateline: the planet Foreas. Those psychotic raiders from beyond the stars, the Bane, are giving our boys in the field what-for. In response, high command of the AFS has authorized a big push against those conniving crusties at the Valverde Plateau. Now known as the "Battle for Trinity Bridge", the boys of the AFS are pushing back against those no-goodnicks in a big way.

If you're going into battle, TenTonHammer has what you need, soldier. Their guide to the Plateau and the surrounding regions will let you take the fight to the front lines, and beyond! From Fort Defiance to Maligo Base, all the boys in the field are swearing by it; make sure to read up and then hit them where it hurts! For the video news about these offensives, with high-quality footage from the AFS Network, check below the cut. Good hunting, soldier!

Continue reading NEWS FLASH: AFS pushes against Bane at Valverde Plateau

NEWS FLASH: AFS pushes against Bane at Valverde Plateau originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 08 May 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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TV shows that could be MMOs: Battlestar Galactica

Akela Talamasca — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: World of Warcraft, At a glance, Sci-fi, Classes, Expansions, Game mechanics, PvP, Opinion, Hellgate: London, Tabula Rasa, Races

Watching the final season of the new Battlestar Galactica the other night, and getting only a taste of the amazing, chaotic, shaky-cam ship-to-ship action left us wanting more. But even better than a full episode devoted to space combat would be an MMO based in that world. How would that work, you ask? We're glad you did! Keep in mind that this article assumes basic knowledge of the show universe and its characters. If you haven't seen it, get thee to a torrent, or a rental store immediately!

First, consider some of the great two-sided rivalries in MMOs: Horde vs. Alliance; AFS vs. the Bane; Humanity vs. Hell -- Mankind vs. the Cylons fits right in. In fact, since the show itself manages to portray both sides as sympathetic, there isn't too much storyline massaging to be done; the universe of Galactica is nicely morally ambiguous. All that really matters is survival.

Continue reading TV shows that could be MMOs: Battlestar Galactica

TV shows that could be MMOs: Battlestar Galactica originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 16 Apr 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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TTH guide to the Torden Mires

Eli Shayotovich — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 16:30:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Guides, Tips and tricks, Tabula Rasa

Tabula Rasa's The Mires is a zone that's messy, more than a bit laggy, and infested with Bane. It's also the staging point for most of the activity on the Torden continent. This virtual version of Hades is for characters in their upper 20's (levels 27-30). Covered with enormous mountains, raging rivers of lava, and precarious cliffs, this zone is also filled with dozens of missions, three different instances and two control points to battle over. With all that, wouldn't it be handy to have a guide?

TTH's guide to the Torden Mires breaks down several of the bases and control points, gives some very helpful tips and tricks, points out what to avoid, and even provides a handy location chart for the 11 Logos abilities scattered across the continent. If you've become as obsessed with Richard Garriott's Tabula Rasa as I have over the holidays, be sure to check out all of TTH's invaluable guides.

TTH guide to the Torden Mires originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 07 Jan 2008 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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TTH AFS Field Report - Slow Week Edition

Eli Shayotovich — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 19:30:00 EST

Filed under: At a glance, Sci-fi, News items, Opinion, Tabula Rasa

Post holiday blues got ya down? Apparently it's been a slow week for everyone as folks the universe over (including the AFS and Bane) come down off drunken eggnog stupors and fruitcake sugar rushes. Still, TenTonHammer's Tony "RadarX" Jones covers this weeks slim pickings in the Tabula Rasa universe like the Hollywood paparazzi swarm the Spears Clan.

Even though we here at Massively try to keep you up to date with all the hot, breaking news you can handle... we miss some things. Take for instance this little nugget: did you know that the "crapton" (Tony's words) of reviews for Tabula Rasa (personal plug: I wrote the first world exclusive review on the day it released) seem to repeatedly compare it to World of Warcraft. Uh, excuse me? I've played WoW. I've played TR. The two are nothing alike. TR is better looking, has better game play (because it has really BIG guns!)... just kidding! TR is my pint 'o beer while WoW is not. That's why so many MMOs can exist. Not everyone has to like every game. But I digress...

Check out Tony's full field report for all the details.

TTH AFS Field Report - Slow Week Edition originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 04 Jan 2008 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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TTH guide to the Bane weapons facility

Eli Shayotovich — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 16:30:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Guides, Tips and tricks, Tabula Rasa

So you find yourself at the 30-ish level in Tabula Rasa, and you feel like hitting the scum sucking Bane right where it hurts. Try bringing down the Casso Weapons Facility then, the Bane's primary manufacturing facility for Energy Weapons. Located on the planet Arieki in the southwestern region known as the Mires, this high priority military target is especially valuable to the Bane. Going Rambo on this place will benefit the AFS for some time.

But doing so ain't easy, and having the assistance of TTH's eloquent Tabula Rasa guides (in this case their Energy Weapons Center Guide) will increase the odds for success. Some of the more interesting nuggets o' knowledge in this guide include the time needed to run the instance (less than an hour, half that
if you're running with a group full of barbarians). During the mission ("It's All In the Timing") given to you by Sgt. Wolfe you'll have to time your movement through a maze of Death Star-like plasma reactors, otherwise you'll roast like a marshmallow left over an open flame too long. Once you get the timing down though, you can draw the mindless Bane in and watch them get incinerated. Good stuff!

For the whole briefing be sure to check out the guide, and help put a dent in the Bane's fight against humanity!

TTH guide to the Bane weapons facility originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 04 Jan 2008 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tabula Rasa: A time to remember, part one

Elizabeth Harper — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Events, in-game, Lore, Tabula Rasa

Tabula Rasa lore buffs may be aware that we're quickly approaching the date of the Bane's invasion of the Earth on December 21st. To commemorate the event, NCsoft has released some fiction chronicling how the human populace of Tabula Rasa remember the world they left behind while fighting against the Bane on alien shores. Today we're publishing part one, below -- and check back tomorrow morning for part two.

Continue reading Tabula Rasa: A time to remember, part one

Tabula Rasa: A time to remember, part one originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 18 Dec 2007 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Building the Bane

Louis McLaughlin — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Tabula Rasa, Races

Over at GameZone, there's a lengthy article about the origins of the main villains of the whole Tabula Rasa saga: The Bane. It's also got some beautiful shots from Destination Games of a Thrax soldier and the Neph, and goes into a bit of detail of the Bane hierarchy -- standard story fluff, you'd think, but intriguing.

The Thrax are quite well personalized as a race, actually -- in that they're immediately recognizeable as repulsive, and that you want to shoot them. It also makes a break from tradition in that they're the first foe you'll encounter in TR, and that they're not stupid; instead of the usual fighting of rats / bats / giant spiders / kobolds to introduce you to a standard MMO, dropping assorted body parts that you'll immediately sell for two shillings. Not that I'm a cynic, and not that other MMOs don't have their own memorable opponents -- be they Charr, Nazgûl, or other players.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to kill some Trolls.

Building the Bane originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 18 Nov 2007 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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