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[Betawatch: May 19 - 25, 2012]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/25/betawatch-may-19-25-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/25/betawatch-may-19-25-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/25/betawatch-may-19-25-2012/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The test is coming, it's plane to see.
This week in Betawatch, the biggest news is that the game everyone expected to be in beta isn't around. Guild Wars 2 is not running a beta weekend this weekend, meaning that anyone hoping to spend their long weekend in Tyria is going to have to go with the classic version. We also say farewell to Star Supremacy in wake of its launch.

However, for those who love testing unreleased games, it's not all bad news. World of Warplanes has announced its closed beta kicking off at the end of the month, and MechWarrior Online is heading into its closed beta this week. While you won't have a chance to get your paws on The Secret World just yet, we do have a nice new shiny set of impressions from the beta to help tide you over.

Jump on past the break to see the full list of what's still in testing!

Continue reading Betawatch: May 19 - 25, 2012

MassivelyBetawatch: May 19 - 25, 2012 originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 25 May 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alphaalphasbetabeta-testbeta-testingbetasbetawatchclosed-betafeaturedgame-testinglaunchlaunchesmassively-metaopen-betarounduptestingFri, 25 May 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Betawatch: May 12 - 18, 2012]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/18/betawatch-may-12-18-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/18/betawatch-may-12-18-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/18/betawatch-may-12-18-2012/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Betawatch - D3
This week on Betawatch, we say farewell to Diablo III, which (at least nominally) moved on from beta to official launch on Tuesday. Bizarrely enchanting new MOBA SmashMuck Champions takes its place, joining our list with a closed beta planned within the month. We've also added MechWarrior Online to the alpha list, as reader mblakeman2001 rightly pointed out the game is in a friends-and-family beta!

CCP has begun sending out DUST 514 beta keys and opened registration, and we've also learned that Blade & Soul will leave beta and launch in July... but only in Korea. Sadface.

Finally, The Secret World's second beta weekend kicked off earlier today, but if you're not in it, you can content yourself with our hands-on with the game's combat and mission system.

Enjoy the entirety of our Betawatch roundup post-cut!

Continue reading Betawatch: May 12 - 18, 2012

MassivelyBetawatch: May 12 - 18, 2012 originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 18 May 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alphaalphasbetabeta-testbeta-testingbetasbetawatchclosed-betafeaturedgame-testinglaunchlaunchesmassively-metaopen-betarounduptestingFri, 18 May 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Betawatch: May 5 - 11, 2012]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/11/betawatch-may-5-11-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/11/betawatch-may-5-11-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/11/betawatch-may-5-11-2012/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

PSO2
The Spirit Tales open beta launched this week, bumping that game up a tier on our beta list. In fact, the game proved so popular that an additional beta server was added to accommodate the avalanche of fans of all things cute.

City of Steam has announced an alpha test for July, while Storybricks is accepting alpha signups for its alpha demo right now. Compounding the season's MMO drama is Phantasy Star Online 2, which is aiming to open up its beta early this summer.

The Secret World, with its 1,000,000 beta signups, is is kicking off its first beta weekend starting today. Meanwhile, Glitch's epic beta housing patch is finally upon us, World of Warcraft has unveiled cross-server grouping in the Mists of Pandaria beta, and Guild Wars 2 announced a surprise stress test for pre-purchasers this coming Monday.

Finally, if you're bored this weekend, why not check out Diablo III-rival Path of Exile? Tipsters Don and James report it's holding a public stress test starting right as this post is published at 8 p.m. EDT tonight.

The full Betawatch roundup lies in wait behind the break.

Continue reading Betawatch: May 5 - 11, 2012

MassivelyBetawatch: May 5 - 11, 2012 originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 11 May 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alphaalphasbetabeta-testbeta-testingbetasbetawatchclosed-betafeaturedgame-testinglaunchlaunchesmassively-metaopen-betarounduptestingFri, 11 May 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[World of Warcraft unveils cross-realm zones]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/10/world-of-warcraft-unveils-cross-realm-zones/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/10/world-of-warcraft-unveils-cross-realm-zones/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/10/world-of-warcraft-unveils-cross-realm-zones/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Screenshot -- World of Warcraft
One common issue with MMOs is that certain zones become sparsely populated as the playerbase outlevels them or skips them in favor of newer, more exciting zones, which can lead to frustration for players who want or need to complete group content in those zones. Blizzard is aiming to nip that problem in the bud with a new feature coming to the World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria beta: cross-realm zones.

The feature does exactly what it says on the tin: When a zone is underpopulated, the players in that zone will be given the option to form a group with players from a select pool of realms (presumably the server's battlegroup) with whom they can run about and quest as usual. In addition to treating underpopulation, the new feature will allow overpopulated zones -- such as new race starting zones -- to be split into multiple instances to prevent overcrowding. It will also allow players to group with their RealID friends just as they would for a cross-realm dungeon, so players who want to level up with friends on other realms should be quite pleased with the addition. Between this new feature and Guild Wars 2's guesting, the days of being separated from your cross-server friends might just be numbered. The full details on the new feature can be found at the official World of Warcraft site, so if you're wondering how this newfangled technology is going to work, just head on over and check out the handy FAQ.

MassivelyWorld of Warcraft unveils cross-realm zones originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 10 May 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionbetabetasblizzardblizzard-entertainmentcross-realmcross-realm-zonecross-realm-zonesfantasymists-of-pandariamopwarcraftworld-of-warcraftwowThu, 10 May 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Secret World announces first beta weekend]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/the-secret-world-announces-first-beta-weekend/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/the-secret-world-announces-first-beta-weekend/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/the-secret-world-announces-first-beta-weekend/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Screenshot -- The Secret World
Beta weekends are all the rage these days, and now Funcom is getting in on the action. The studio has announced that its upcoming fantasy-horror MMO, The Secret World, will be the subject of a series of weekend beta tests, the first of which is beginning this weekend.

From Friday until Sunday, players who were lucky enough to get their hands on beta keys via preorders or giveaways will be able to jump into the boots of a Templar initiate. After undergoing the proper procedures for joining the less-than-secretive secret organization, players will be whisked away to Solomon Island, New England, where they will be tasked with finding the source of the ancient evil threatening Kingsmouth. The full details of the beta weekend, including a handy-dandy FAQ, can be found over at The Secret World's official site.

MassivelyThe Secret World announces first beta weekend originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 08 May 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betabeta-weekendbeta-weekendsbetascbtclosed-beta-weekendfactionfantasyfuncomhorrorkingsmouthmythologysci-fantasysecret-worldskill-basedsolomon-islandtemplarthe-secret-worldtswTue, 08 May 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Betawatch: April 28 - May 4, 2012]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/04/betawatch-april-28-may-4-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/04/betawatch-april-28-may-4-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/04/betawatch-april-28-may-4-2012/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Betawatch (Glitch)
Beta launches numbered few this week, but Betawatchers were amply supplied with beta news. Glitch launched its new imagination system, we logged hands-on time with Firefall, Diablo III unveiled the Wizard and the game's TV spot, Storybricks kickstarted a Kickstarter promotion, The Repopulation promised a sandbox-worthy gear system, and the Guild Wars 2 gem store crept online.

We also say farewell to TERA this week as it's now out of beta and available in the West!

The full Betawatch roundup is tucked behind the break, ready and waiting to take over your weekend.

Continue reading Betawatch: April 28 - May 4, 2012

MassivelyBetawatch: April 28 - May 4, 2012 originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 04 May 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alphaalphasbetabeta-testbeta-testingbetasbetawatchclosed-betafeaturedgame-testinglaunchlaunchesmassively-metaopen-betarounduptestingFri, 04 May 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Betawatch: April 21 - 27, 2012]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/27/betawatch-april-21-27-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/27/betawatch-april-21-27-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/27/betawatch-april-21-27-2012/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Betawatch - Tamer Saga
Tamer Saga and Grimlands join Betawatch's closed beta list this week, while Pirate101 (arrrr!) and Dragon Crusade have been added to our alpha list. And if you were hoping to jump into Spirit Tales' open beta on Wednesday, you're out of luck: Koramgame has postponed that test until May 10th with a lengthy explanation.

Want in on the Neverwinter beta? Prepurchasing Torchlight 2 through Perfect World Entertainment's portal will guarantee your spot.

You're no doubt keeping a steady eye on both TERA, which has opened up its head start program in advance of launch next week, and Guild Wars 2, whose first beta event for prepurchasers began earlier today. EVE Fanfest attendees can now redeem their voucher codes for DUST 514 as well.

Finally, reader Chet tipped us off to the rumor fact that Salem beta test invites are going out!

Enjoy the full Betawatch roundup after the break.

Continue reading Betawatch: April 21 - 27, 2012

MassivelyBetawatch: April 21 - 27, 2012 originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 27 Apr 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alphaalphasbetabeta-testbeta-testingbetasbetawatchclosed-betafeaturedgame-testinglaunchlaunchesmassively-metaopen-betaroundupsalemtamer-sagatestingFri, 27 Apr 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Spirit Tales open beta delayed until May 10th]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/23/spirit-tales-open-beta-delayed-until-may-10th/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/23/spirit-tales-open-beta-delayed-until-may-10th/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/23/spirit-tales-open-beta-delayed-until-may-10th/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Screenshot -- Spirit Tales
At the beginning of the month, KoramGame announced that its upcoming saccharine-sweet free-to-play title, Spirit Tales, would be entering open beta this Wednesday, April 25th. Alas, that is no longer the case. Fans of the mind-numbingly adorable title will have to wait another couple of weeks to get their hands-on time, as KoramGame announced today that the open beta has been delayed until May 10th.

So what's the deal with the delay? According to General Manager Yann Wang, "problems have occurred that have made it difficult to incorporate certain features that are vital to the release of the game." As a result, the game "will not be ready on the date [...] originally promised." He goes on to add, however, that "the Spirit Tales team... [is] optimistic that this short-but-necessary delay will ensure that [it produces] a much more complete and polished game." Here's to hoping that's the case, but we'll just have to wait until May 10th to find out for sure.

[Source: KoramGame press release]

MassivelySpirit Tales open beta delayed until May 10th originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 23 Apr 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animebetabetasdelaydelayedf2pfree-to-playkoramgamekoramgame-ltdobtopen-betaopen-beta-testpostponedspirit-talesMon, 23 Apr 2012 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Betawatch: April 14 - 20, 2012]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/20/betawatch-april-14-20-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/20/betawatch-april-14-20-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/20/betawatch-april-14-20-2012/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Betawatch - Otherland
Three new games join Betawatch this week! The Tad Williams-inspired Otherland is now accepting alpha sign-ups; Aeria Games announced Waren Story with a beta sign-up and a trailer; and Gamania opened up the testing rolls for its newest MMO, Soul Captor.

Meanwhile, heavy-hitters TERA and Guild Wars 2 are focusing on their impending beta weekends. TERA's first open beta weekend starts today, while Guild Wars 2 plans its first beta event for pre-purchasers next weekend.

Finally, Blizzard will be closing down the Diablo III beta come Tuesday in preparation for launch next month. That means that today through Monday is your last chance to get it on the open beta!

Read on for the full Betawatch roundup!

Continue reading Betawatch: April 14 - 20, 2012

MassivelyBetawatch: April 14 - 20, 2012 originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 20 Apr 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alphaalphasbetabeta-testbeta-testingbetasbetawatchclosed-betafeaturedgame-testinglaunchlaunchesmassively-metaopen-betarounduptestingFri, 20 Apr 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Soul Captor Online announced]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/18/soul-captor-online-announced/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/18/soul-captor-online-announced/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/18/soul-captor-online-announced/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Soul Captor Online
There's a new cel-shaded sheriff coming to town, and the only question is whether the place will be big enough for a contender this cute and cuddly. Gamania is trumpeting the upcoming arrival of Soul Captor Online, a free-to-play title that revolves around the acquisition and manipulation of monster souls.

In Soul Captor Online, players will be accompianied by an Anima, a customized spirit creature that will help them in their journeys. When the player and Anima defeat a monster, the monster's soul can be sucked out to be used for buffs, enchantments, and even mounts.

The revealed classes so far in Soul Captor are a diverse bunch: Warrior, Priest, Shaman, and of course, the Onmyoji (mage). There is a pair of unannounced classes hiding in the shadows as well.

Currently, Soul Captor is accepting sign-ups for beta. Check out the tongue-in-cheek trailer after the jump and let us know what you think!

Continue reading Soul Captor Online announced

MassivelySoul Captor Online announced originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 18 Apr 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animabetabetascel-shadedcel-shadingdigimonf2pfree-to-playgamanianew-titlepokemonsoul-captorsoul-captor-onlinesoul-collectingWed, 18 Apr 2012 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Diablo III punches things up with a new Monk video and the end of beta]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/17/diablo-iii-punches-things-up-with-a-new-monk-video-and-the-end-o/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/17/diablo-iii-punches-things-up-with-a-new-monk-video-and-the-end-o/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/17/diablo-iii-punches-things-up-with-a-new-monk-video-and-the-end-o/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

No wolves howling at the moon? What madness.
Diablo III is still putting together more previews as the game ramps up for its launch on May 15th. The latest reveal is for the Monk, a melee class that takes a very different approach from the already revealed Barbarian. Rather than attacking with massive weapons and overpowering rage, the Monk uses careful combo attacks, swift movements, and inner energy. Unleashing a Monk's spiritual power after a long chain of melee attacks can produce all sorts of effects, from area damage to dashing out of combat quickly.

This reveal coincides with the announcement that the Diablo III beta will be coming to a close on Tuesday, May 1st. Character information will be wiped at that time, and players will be able to post on the official forums only in the event that they have pre-purchased the game or they have an active account for another Blizzard game. If the Monk reveal makes you anxious to play one and you're in the beta, you'd better get on that quickly or be prepared to wait for launch.

MassivelyDiablo III punches things up with a new Monk video and the end of beta originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 17 Apr 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>action-rpgbattlenetbetabeta-testingbetasblizzardblizzard-entertainmentcash-shopclassclass-revealsclassesd3diablodiablo-2diablo-3diablo-iidiablo-iiiend-of-betafantasygothic-fantasymonkmultiplayeronline-multiplayerpreviewsroguelikerpgTue, 17 Apr 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Betawatch: April 7 - 13, 2012]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/13/betawatch-april-7-13-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/13/betawatch-april-7-13-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/13/betawatch-april-7-13-2012/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Betawatch - Glitch
Betawatch bids farewell to Tribes: Ascend this week; it's officially launched and shiny, and even better, it's F2P, so go get your pew on! If you're that one guy who just doesn't dig jetpacks, maybe try a free beta key for UFO Online, currently still in closed beta.

Meanwhile, fantasy MMO heavyweights Guild Wars 2 and TERA have been ramping up their beta hype with sneak-peeks, open beta plans, and pre-purchase kickoffs. If you're more into vampires, you'll be pleased to learn that Dark Legends has also rolled out to Android phones and Chrome. And finally, we've gotten another update from the Glitch folks about that game's impending housing revamp.

Enjoy the full Betawatch roundup!

Continue reading Betawatch: April 7 - 13, 2012

MassivelyBetawatch: April 7 - 13, 2012 originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 13 Apr 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alphaalphasbetabeta-testbeta-testingbetasbetawatchclosed-betafeaturedgame-testingglitchlaunchlaunchesmassively-metaopen-betarounduptestingFri, 13 Apr 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[En Masse Entertainment wraps up TERA closed beta weekends]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/13/en-masse-entertainment-wraps-up-tera-closed-beta-weekends/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/13/en-masse-entertainment-wraps-up-tera-closed-beta-weekends/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/13/en-masse-entertainment-wraps-up-tera-closed-beta-weekends/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Screenshot -- TERA
The fifth and final TERA closed beta weekend went out with a bang last weekend, heralding the beginning of the final steps toward the game's May launch. But before En Masse Entertainment opens the floodgates of open beta testing, it has decided to release some interesting details and statistics regarding the closed beta test weekends.

For instance, over the course of the closed beta weekends, players formed 90,000 parties and over 3,600 guilds in order to hunt down and destroy over 7.6 billion monsters. In the process, they earned a total of over 14.5 billion gold, collected 20 million items, and bit the dust almost 2 million times. Castanics reigned surpreme as the most commonly chosen race (with Humans and High Elves not far behind), while the most popular class was the Warrior, followed closely by Sorcerer and Slayer. Of course, players can expect to blow these numbers out of the water when open beta begins on April 19th.

[Source: En Masse Entertainment press release]

MassivelyEn Masse Entertainment wraps up TERA closed beta weekends originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 13 Apr 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betabetasblueholebluehole-studioscbtclosed-beta-weekendclosed-beta-weekendsen-masseen-masse-entertainmentfantasylies-damn-lies-and-statisticsobtopen-betastatisticsterawrap-upFri, 13 Apr 2012 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[PAX East 2012: Guns of Icarus announces closed beta, details adventure mode]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/07/pax-east-2012-guns-of-icarus-announces-closed-beta-details-adv/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/07/pax-east-2012-guns-of-icarus-announces-closed-beta-details-adv/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/07/pax-east-2012-guns-of-icarus-announces-closed-beta-details-adv/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Screenshot -- Guns of Icarus Online
STEAMPUNK! AHH! OK, now that that's out of my system, let's talk Guns of Icarus Online. This morning, I had the pleasure of meeting with some of the folks from Muse Games at PAX East to talk about the studio's upcoming steampunk-airship-battling title. The title is still in alpha testing, though it will be springing into the early stages of closed beta at some point in the next couple of weeks. At launch, the title will be focused on competitive, match-made PvP matches a la first-person-shooters.

But this is Massively, so let's talk MMOs. Strictly speaking, I'd have to say Guns of Icarus Online isn't one -- at least not yet. After the initial match-based "skirmish" mode of the game is released, the studio will continue to support it by slowly adding in "adventure" mode features. Adventure mode is more akin to a traditional MMO in that it provide a more open world for players to navigate and explore, tradeskill and economy systems, missions, towns, and settlements, all within a persistent world. While it remains to be seen whether the game will ultimately become a "true" MMO, this stylish foray into the steampunk/dieselpunk genres is definitely one to watch.

Massively's on the ground in Boston during the weekend of April 6-8, bringing you all the best news from PAX East 2012. Whether you're dying to know more about TERA or PlanetSide 2 or any MMO in between, we aim to have it covered!

MassivelyPAX East 2012: Guns of Icarus announces closed beta, details adventure mode originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 07 Apr 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airshipairshipsbetabetasclosed-betaconconventiondieselpunkdirigiblesexpoguns-of-icarusguns-of-icarus-onlinehnnnghmuse-gamespaxpax-2012pax-eastpax-east-2012penny-arcade-exposteampunkzeppelinsSat, 07 Apr 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Betawatch: March 31 - April 6, 2012]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/06/betawatch-march-31-april-6-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/06/betawatch-march-31-april-6-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/06/betawatch-march-31-april-6-2012/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Betawatch (Star Conflict)
This week on Betawatch, we say farewell to Seven Souls Online and Blacklight Retribution, both of which have now launched officially. In their place, we've added two new games to keep an eye on: Star Conflict, a PvP-oriented space-combat MMO, joins our open beta list, while Grecca, a 2-D sandbox MMO, earns its city-building self a spot on our (open) alpha list.

Meanwhile, Spirit Tales announced an open beta date of April 25th, TERA kicked off its final closed beta weekend with a look at what open beta will entail, and Ensemble Online reached out for Kickstarter funding for its beta.

Enjoy the full Betawatch roundup beyond the break.

Continue reading Betawatch: March 31 - April 6, 2012

MassivelyBetawatch: March 31 - April 6, 2012 originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 06 Apr 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alphaalphasbetabeta-testbeta-testingbetasbetawatchclosed-betaensemble-onlinefeaturedgame-testinggreccalaunchlaunchesmassively-metaopen-betarounduptestingFri, 06 Apr 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Betawatch: March 24 - 30, 2012]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/30/betawatch-march-24-30-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/30/betawatch-march-24-30-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/30/betawatch-march-24-30-2012/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Betawatch (UFO Online pic)
This week in Betawatch, UFO Online entered its next round of closed beta, World of Warcraft's Mists of Pandaria beta opened up to more annual pass subscribers, and Auto Club Revolution kicked off a testing phase of its own, thereby joining our official open beta list.

Tired of standard MMOs? MMOFPS Firefall has announced its next stage of beta, and fans of Roguelikes can pile on the Path of Exile public stress test all weekend (thanks to reader Carson for that tip).

Don't forget our coverage of the latest and greatest Guild Wars 2 beta media event!

The full Betawatch roundup is tucked behind the cut.

Continue reading Betawatch: March 24 - 30, 2012

MassivelyBetawatch: March 24 - 30, 2012 originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 30 Mar 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alphaalphasbetabeta-testbeta-testingbetasbetawatchclosed-betafeaturedgame-testinglaunchlaunchesmassively-metaopen-betarounduptestingFri, 30 Mar 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hunker down and blow up: Meet PlanetSide 2's Engineer]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/28/hunker-down-and-blow-up-meet-planetside-2s-engineer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/28/hunker-down-and-blow-up-meet-planetside-2s-engineer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/28/hunker-down-and-blow-up-meet-planetside-2s-engineer/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

PlanetSide 2
If PlanetSide 2's recent Infiltrator class reveal didn't grab you by the throat and say, "Play me with very last, dying gasp in your rapidly-turning-blue body," then SOE would like to try again with the Engineer. PS2's Engineer got a promotion from his old duties as a wrench monkey, opting instead for blowing enemies up with high-yield explosives and creating tough-as-nails fortifications to protect his teammates.

Engineers are granted an Advanced Construction Engine that turns them into a walking, smart-talking factory. With this tool, Engineers can deploy anti-personnel and anti-vehicle turrets, anti-tank mines, and protective shield generators. In addition, the class will fill a vital role when it comes to repairing vehicle and suit damage

In direct combat, the Engineer will rely on a trustworthy assortment of assault weapons, such as shotguns and SMGs. SOE predicts that the Engineer will be most valuable in holding a position and starting a siege against an enemy stronghold.

MassivelyHunker down and blow up: Meet PlanetSide 2's Engineer originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 28 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betabetasclassclass-revealclassesengineerfortificationsfpsinfiltratorminesmmo-shootermmofpsplanetsideplanetside-2ps2sci-fishootersoesonysony-online-entertainmentturretsWed, 28 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: How do you roleplay betas?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/28/the-daily-grind-how-do-you-roleplay-betas/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/28/the-daily-grind-how-do-you-roleplay-betas/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/28/the-daily-grind-how-do-you-roleplay-betas/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Diablo III
This may be a little to esoteric of a way to start your Wednesday morning, but you can't spell "Massively" in several foreign languages without "eso" and "teric." Anyway, this past week I posed a tongue-in-cheek question to RP-leaning friends on Twitter about how they roleplay betas. How did they take into account the fact that this world was to end? Was their character aware of the theory of multiple universes? Or did they simply put off roleplaying until the actual launch?

What surprised me were the thoughtful and interesting responses I received. I had just assumed nobody actually bothered with RP in betas, but that's not the truth; on the contrary, many of my friends used the time to experiment with characters, to begin to fashion stories, or even to play their character as an ancestor of their soon-to-come main.

So what about you? How do you -- or would you -- roleplay betas with their unstable, transitory worlds?

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

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: How do you roleplay betas? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 28 Mar 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betabetasclosed-betadaily-grindopen-betaopinionroleplayroleplay-in-betasroleplayingrptdgthe-daily-grindWed, 28 Mar 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Betawatch: March 17 - 23, 2012]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/23/betawatch-march-17-23-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/23/betawatch-march-17-23-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/23/betawatch-march-17-23-2012/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Betawatch - WoW pic
This week has been huge for Betawatchers: The beta for World of Warcraft's Mists of Pandaria expansion kicked off, Wrath of Heroes' beta servers are now open, and Salem has begun accepting beta signups. We also learned that the End of Nations closed beta will start this spring.

Are you hoping to populate The Repopulation? Alpha signups went live just a few hours ago! Or maybe you're still waiting on Glitch's re-release? TinySpeck released a progress report earlier this evening (housing fans should go peek).

Finally, ArenaNet confirmed that a batch of Guild Wars 2 beta invites went out this week. Massively will be in attendance over the weekend, so tell us what you want to know and we'll do our best to focus on it!

The full Betawatch roundup is after the cut!

Continue reading Betawatch: March 17 - 23, 2012

MassivelyBetawatch: March 17 - 23, 2012 originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 23 Mar 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alphaalphasbetabeta-testbeta-testingbetasbetawatchclosed-betafeaturedgame-testinglaunchlaunchesmassively-metaopen-betarounduptestingthe-repopulationFri, 23 Mar 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WoW's Mists of Pandaria beta download surfaces on Battle.net [Updated]]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/22/wows-mists-of-pandaria-beta-download-surfaces-on-battle-net/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/22/wows-mists-of-pandaria-beta-download-surfaces-on-battle-net/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/22/wows-mists-of-pandaria-beta-download-surfaces-on-battle-net/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

World of Warcraft - Mists of Pandaria install screen
Kung-fu panda fever is gripping the World of Warcraft community, and the latest tremor comes courtesy of the Mists of Pandaria beta page that showed up on Battle.net last night. Our sister site WoW Insider reported that some players jumped at the chance to begin downloading the expansion's beta client, but the early birds were subsequently stopped by an error page stating that the download server was, well, down.

WoW Insider continued updating its news post as the night wore on, and interestingly enough, Mac users were indeed able to download the patch (no such luck for PC folks, though). Blizzard also published a beta character copy page on Battle.net, where players got a good look at all the test servers ready and waiting for a slew of avatar imports.

Thus far Blizz hasn't commented on an official start date, but the company has said that it's sending out MoP beta invites in waves.

[Update: MoP beta is now live!]

Pandas, pagodas, and pet battles are en route in World of Warcraft's upcoming Mists of Pandaria expansion! Stay tuned to Massively and WoW Insider as we bring you FAQs, previews, analysis, and impressions in the lead-up to launch.

MassivelyWoW's Mists of Pandaria beta download surfaces on Battle.net [Updated] originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 22 Mar 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionbattle.netbetabetasblizzardblizzard-entertainmentfantasymists-of-pandariamists-of-pandaria-betamopwarcraftworld-of-warcraftwowThu, 22 Mar 2012 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Leaderboard: Betas are a boon vs. betas are a bust]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/19/leaderboard-betas-are-a-boon-vs-betas-are-a-bust/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/19/leaderboard-betas-are-a-boon-vs-betas-are-a-bust/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/19/leaderboard-betas-are-a-boon-vs-betas-are-a-bust/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Leaderboard
For many, betas are the apex of the pre-launch experience. After months and even years of hearing about a title, discussing it rabidly, and scouring the internet for information on it, fans are finally given the chance to try it out for themselves. For many, this is wonderful, a drink of water to a parched gaming soul. For many, but not for all.

You see, betas can be a doubled-edged sword, capable of hurting as much as helping. They can be a boon to those who truly want to help a game's development by testing for bugs, they can help players decide if this is a product worth purchasing, and they can assist in getting one's "game legs" before the main event begins. However, betas have been known to foster an environment of entitlement ("Why isn't this game 100% polished? I judge it fail!") while robbing the newness of an MMO that has yet to release.

So, overall, do you deem that betas are a boon to the community or a bust? Are they useful tools for both developers and players, or are they nothing but glorified demos that harm more than help? Put your vote where your opinion is after the jump!

Continue reading Leaderboard: Betas are a boon vs. betas are a bust

MassivelyLeaderboard: Betas are a boon vs. betas are a bust originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 19 Mar 2012 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battle-royalbetabetasbug-testingdemodemosleaderboardone-on-oneone-vs-oneopinionpollpollspublic-demostestingversusvotevotesvotingvsMon, 19 Mar 2012 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Betawatch: March 10 - 16, 2012]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/16/betawatch-march-10-16-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/16/betawatch-march-10-16-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/16/betawatch-march-10-16-2012/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Betawatch - Spirit Tales
Happy Friday, Betawatchers! This week, Spirit Tales entered closed beta, Seven Souls Online and Command & Conquer Tiberium Alliances joined our open beta list, and we caught more than a glimpse of The Secret World's current beta build at GDC.

Yesterday, we gave away 10,000 closed beta test keys for TERA. Apparently, you guys really wanted in because they're all gone. But if you didn't snag one, maybe you'll want to check out RaiderZ or one of the other Betawatch games in the list after the break!

Continue reading Betawatch: March 10 - 16, 2012

MassivelyBetawatch: March 10 - 16, 2012 originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 16 Mar 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alphaalphasbetabeta-testbeta-testingbetasbetawatchclosed-betafeaturedgame-testinglaunchlaunchesmassively-metaopen-betarounduptestingFri, 16 Mar 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Betawatch: March 3 - 9, 2012]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/09/betawatch-march-3-9-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/09/betawatch-march-3-9-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/09/betawatch-march-3-9-2012/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Betawatch - Tribes Ascend pic
GDC has brought with it several tweaks to the Betawatch list! We've learned that DUST 514 will be entering a more open beta come April and Tribes: Ascend will officially launch on April 12th.

Meanwhile, the TERA team has kicked off a series of contests to accompany its third closed beta weekend. Line of Defense and Remanum have begun accepting beta signups; Dragon Born aims for a closed beta later this month; and City of Steam is offering a sneak-peek for long-time followers.

Finally, we say farewell to Rise of Dragonian Era, which launched today, and Crystal Saga, which launches on March 12th.

Enjoy the full Betawatch roundup!

Continue reading Betawatch: March 3 - 9, 2012

MassivelyBetawatch: March 3 - 9, 2012 originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 09 Mar 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alphaalphasbetabeta-testbeta-testingbetasbetawatchclosed-betacrystal-sagafeaturedgame-testinglaunchlaunchesmassively-metaopen-betarise-of-dragonian-eraroderounduptestingFri, 09 Mar 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: How many MMO betas are installed on your machine?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/06/the-daily-grind-how-many-mmo-betas-are-installed-on-your-machin/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/06/the-daily-grind-how-many-mmo-betas-are-installed-on-your-machin/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/06/the-daily-grind-how-many-mmo-betas-are-installed-on-your-machin/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

TERA - beta trailer screencap
Oh man, betas! There are so many nowadays that I have trouble keeping track. Not only that, but my attitude towards actual betas and "marketing" betas has softened somewhat. It used to be that I wouldn't touch a pre-release MMO with a ten foot pole. They were buggy, laggy, and frankly they spoiled my launch-day joy by wiping any progress I'd made during the testing phase.

Now, though, many firms allow your beta characters to live on post-launch, and most late beta phases are more about stressing the servers and getting the game in the public eye than they are about system testing and bug reporting (which, let's face it, isn't much fun even when you're being paid).

Right now I've got TERA, Tribes: Ascend, and a couple of other hush-hush MMO beta icons on my desktop. What about you, Massively folk? Are you a beta fiend, and if so, how many do you currently have installed?

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

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: How many MMO betas are installed on your machine? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 06 Mar 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betabeta-testingbetasblueholebluehole-studiosdaily-grinden-masseen-masse-entertainmentfantasyfeaturedhi-rezhi-rez-studiosopinionsci-fishootertdgterathe-daily-grindtribestribes-ascendTue, 06 Mar 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The gates hiss open for a peek at City of Steam]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/04/the-gates-hiss-open-for-a-peek-at-city-of-steam/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/04/the-gates-hiss-open-for-a-peek-at-city-of-steam/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/04/the-gates-hiss-open-for-a-peek-at-city-of-steam/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

This screenshot looks more like it comes from the City of Green Women With Cool Armor and Guns. Which is a pretty neat city too.
The steampunk genre is loved by a lot of gamers, but it has yet to see a surfeit of titles. The good news for fans is that City of Steam is on the horizon, and it's promising a free-to-play browser-based experience for anyone who wants to take part in exploring ancient mechanical ruins. Of course, the question then becomes whether or not the game is worth the investment of time... something that can be solved by taking part in the game's currently running sneak peek event.

The sneak peek is available only to players who already snagged a code for access, meaning that players just coming into the game will be out of luck. It's certainly an encouraging sign that the game is moving toward its full release, which should make fans of clockwork automatons and arcane science quite happy. And if you're one of the players taking part in the sneak peek... well, all the better, right?

MassivelyThe gates hiss open for a peek at City of Steam originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 04 Mar 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betabetasbrowserbrowser-gamescity-of-steamcosf2pfree-to-playin-game-eventsmachinist-gamesnew-titlessneak-peeksteampunktestingupcoming-titlesSun, 04 Mar 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Betawatch: February 25 - March 2, 2012]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/02/betawatch-february-25-march-2-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/02/betawatch-february-25-march-2-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/02/betawatch-february-25-march-2-2012/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Betawatch - Wafku image
Betawatch makes its final farewells to Wakfu this week; the strategy-sandbox launched on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Rise of Dragonian Era aims to launch March 9th, RaiderZ plans to open its alpha test on March 14th, and Spirit Tales will begin closed beta on March 15th.

There's a bit of sad news for fans of Stellar Dawn and Dawntide; the development of both titles has been paused as their respective studios regroup.

Finally, we scored some hands-on time with pseudo-MMOs End of Nations and Blacklight: Retribution.

Enjoy the rest of this week's Betawatch roundup beyond the cut!

Continue reading Betawatch: February 25 - March 2, 2012

MassivelyBetawatch: February 25 - March 2, 2012 originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 02 Mar 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alphaalphasbetabeta-testbeta-testingbetasbetawatchclosed-betafeaturedgame-testinglaunchlaunchesmassively-metaopen-betarise-of-dragonian-eraroderoundupspirit-talestestingwakfuFri, 02 Mar 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hands-on with End of Nations]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/29/hands-on-with-end-of-nations/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/29/hands-on-with-end-of-nations/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/29/hands-on-with-end-of-nations/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

End of Nations
Real-time strategy games aren't exactly in vogue at the moment. The genre is far from dead, but modern RTS games, with the notable exception of StarCraft, don't tend to appeal to as broad an audience as do MMOs. Trion Worlds and Petroglyph's proposed answer to genre stagnation is the upcoming MMORTS End of Nations. In fact, Trion thinks that what's really lacking in the RTS genre is a persistent world, one filled with robots and post-apocalyptic fascism.

The team behind End of Nations has some serious industry cred. Publisher Trion Worlds is notable for its remarkably smooth-launching MMO, RIFT. Developer Petroglyph's pedigree is no less respectable (if a little dated), with titles like 1992's Dune II (widely credited for having inspired the Warcraft series of RTS games) and the original 1995 Command and Conquer under its belt.

My time with this game was spent during the alpha testing phase, and many things might change between now and launch. Still, the bones of the game were there, and I'm happy to share my findings with you, discerning readers. From what I saw and experienced, End of Nations just might have what it takes to become the first "triple-A" MMORTS.

Gallery: End of Nations

Continue reading Hands-on with End of Nations

MassivelyHands-on with End of Nations originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 29 Feb 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alphabetabetasCommand-and-Conquerend-of-nationseonexclusivef2pfeaturedfree-to-playhands-onimpressionsmmortsorder-of-nationspatriotpetroglyphPetroglyph-Gamespreviewpreviewsriskrtsstarcrafttriontrion-worldsvoice-chatvoipWed, 29 Feb 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Jump into Black Prophecy's past with gamigo's Nexus Conflict]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/27/jump-into-black-prophecys-past-with-gamigos-nexus-conflict/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/27/jump-into-black-prophecys-past-with-gamigos-nexus-conflict/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/27/jump-into-black-prophecys-past-with-gamigos-nexus-conflict/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Screenshot -- Nexus Conflict
The world of Black Prophecy hasn't always been like it is today. In the past, the Second Species Wars raged between the cybernetically augmented Tyi and the genetically modified Genides who fought for control of an area known as the Nexus, where universes collide. In a press release today, gamigo AG announced that its new title, Nexus Conflict, will allow players to take a trip back in time to participate in these wars not behind the controls of a fighter ship but on the command bridge of a colossal battle cruiser.

Nexus Conflict is being billed as a "tactical real-time strategy game," and players will be able to run it right in their browsers thanks to the Unity engine. The title will offer both PvE and PvP missions, meaning that there will be something for the co-operative and competitive crowds alike. And of course, players will be able to customize their ships with a variety of upgrades in order to turn them into the biggest, baddest, planet-blowing-up-est starships in the Nexus.

If this sounds like your idea of a good time, then just head on over to the Nexus Conflict official site (linked below) to sign up for the game's beta test, which is scheduled to begin in March.

[Source: gamigo AG press release]

MassivelyJump into Black Prophecy's past with gamigo's Nexus Conflict originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 27 Feb 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betabetasbrowserbrowser-basedf2pfree-to-playgamigo-agmmortsnewnew-titlenew-titlesnexus-conflictreal-time-strategyrtssci-fiscience-fictionstrategyMon, 27 Feb 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Betawatch: February 18 - 24, 2012]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/24/betawatch-february-18-24-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/24/betawatch-february-18-24-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/24/betawatch-february-18-24-2012/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Betawatch - Guns of Icarus screenie
Happy Friday, Betawatchers! Reader Mason tipped us off to the fact that sandbox Salem Online is now accepting signups for closed alpha testing. The team is hoping to launch said closed alpha in the next few weeks.

Tribes: Ascend and SteelWar Online have moved to our open beta list, while the closed beta list gets two new additions: steampunk pseudo-MMO Guns of Icarus and cutesy Divina. World of Warplanes and The Missing Ink, meanwhile, join our resurrected alpha category.

We also say farewell to Wakfu, whose global open beta period has come to a close. The game will be launching next week on February 29th.

And who could forget Guild Wars 2's two-day beta signup window earlier this week? If you missed it, our hands-on impressions and crafting guide might cheer you up.

Enjoy the full Betawatch roundup after the break!

Continue reading Betawatch: February 18 - 24, 2012

MassivelyBetawatch: February 18 - 24, 2012 originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 24 Feb 2012 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alphaalphasbest-testbetabeta-testingbeta-testsbetasbetawatchclosed-betadivinafeaturedguns-of-icarusmassively-metaopen-betaFri, 24 Feb 2012 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Blizzard clarifies Bashiok's statements about Diablo III and hints at release announcement]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/24/blizzard-clarifies-bashioks-statements-about-diablo-iii-and-hin/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/24/blizzard-clarifies-bashioks-statements-about-diablo-iii-and-hin/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/24/blizzard-clarifies-bashioks-statements-about-diablo-iii-and-hin/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

When I said 'you will not pass,' that was really more of a strongly worded suggestion.
The most recent tempest in a Diablo III-shaped teapot has been community manager Bashiok making a statement to fans urging them to lower their expectations for the game. Director Jay Wilson decided that this was worth a direct reply and stated in a recent open letter to the community that Bashiok's statements were "obviously sarcastic" and that the team does want fan expectations to remain high. The letter stresses that the development staff is quite happy with the game as it continues development and the current internally tested build in a better state than the beta.

Wilson goes on to claim that fans can expect a release date announcement in the near future, avoiding the dreaded Blizzard incarnation of "soon." Given his appraisal of the beta state, we suspect that the game will be heading for a retail edition before too long, at which point players will be able to decide for themselves whether or not their expectations were met.

MassivelyBlizzard clarifies Bashiok's statements about Diablo III and hints at release announcement originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 24 Feb 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activision-blizzardbashiokbetabetasblizzardblizzard-entertainmentcommunitycultured3developmentdiablo-3diablo-iiidiiiexpectationsjay-wilsonlaunchnewswhat-is-this-i-cant-evenFri, 24 Feb 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Stick it to the world in The Missing Ink's open alpha]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/24/stick-it-to-the-world-in-the-missing-inks-open-alpha/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/24/stick-it-to-the-world-in-the-missing-inks-open-alpha/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/24/stick-it-to-the-world-in-the-missing-inks-open-alpha/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Screenshot -- The Missing Ink
If you like your MMOs a little bit sandboxy, a little bit quirky, and 100% indie, then RedBedlam's upcoming title The Missing Ink might be right up your alley. The game puts players in control of a 3-D world which they can mold to their liking and also provides MMO mainstays such as combat, PvP, exploration, and more. The game is still in the alpha testing phase, so players should expect more than the occasional bug or glitch. But if you want to help an indie developer iron the kinks out of its Unity-based sandbox MMO, then just head on over to the game's official site to sign up. There's no selection process; just sign up, jump in, and shape the world.

MassivelyStick it to the world in The Missing Ink's open alpha originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 24 Feb 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alphaalpha-testalpha-testingalphasbetabeta-testbetasf2pfree-to-playindependentindependent-gamesindieindie-developersindie-devsindie-gamesmissing-inkopenopen-alphaopen-betaredbedlamthe-missing-inkFri, 24 Feb 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[World of Warplanes accepting global alpha signups]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/23/world-of-warplanes-accepting-global-alpha-signups/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/23/world-of-warplanes-accepting-global-alpha-signups/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/23/world-of-warplanes-accepting-global-alpha-signups/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

World of Warplanes - Dogfighting
We first heard tell of Wargaming.net's World of Warplanes way back in the summer of 2011. Since then, the company has pumped out quite a few screenshots, several interviews, and press releases regarding its aviation-themed follow-up to World of Tanks.

The game is still in testing as of today, and Wargaming.net is kicking off what it calls a global alpha designed to bring in new testers from North America, Europe, and Russia. Each region has its own website and alpha sign-up process, so head to your respective portal right away if you're itching to be a test pilot.

The current client offers access to 20-plus aircraft and two battle arenas; Wargaming.net says that "the amount of content will be growing steadily" as the test phases progress.

[Source: Wargaming.net press release]

MassivelyWorld of Warplanes accepting global alpha signups originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 23 Feb 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alphaaviationaviation-shooterbetabetascadillac-of-the-skyf2pfree-to-playglobal-alphahistoricalmmo-shootershooterwarwargaming.networld-of-warplanesworld-of-warplanes-alphawowpwowp-alphaThu, 23 Feb 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Age of Wushu shows off a documentary from its Chinese testing tour]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/21/age-of-wushu-shows-off-a-documentary-from-its-chinese-testing-to/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/21/age-of-wushu-shows-off-a-documentary-from-its-chinese-testing-to/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/21/age-of-wushu-shows-off-a-documentary-from-its-chinese-testing-to/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Not pictured: attacking by leaping between treetops.
If you're a potential player in America, it's Age of Wushu. If you're in Europe or China, it's Age of Wulin. Wherever you're located, it's an upcoming free-to-play game focusing on wuxia-style combat in the same style as Chinese action films. And if you can't wait to see more of the game in action, you're in luck -- Snail Games USA has released a new documentary on the game focusing on its seven-city testing tour in China last year.

The documentary mixes in developer presentations, player impressions, and some live gameplay footage from this large-scale beta event, all of which combine to paint a picture of the game as it continues development. The full documentary is 15 minutes long and embedded just after the cut, so if you can't wait to see more of the game, check it out and keep your eyes peeled for more updates as the game approaches localization and launch.

Continue reading Age of Wushu shows off a documentary from its Chinese testing tour

MassivelyAge of Wushu shows off a documentary from its Chinese testing tour originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 21 Feb 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Guild Wars 2
I like to poke fun at ArenaNet staff members for their use of the word iteration. That's not because I think it's a cop-out or self-aggrandizement or anything. It's because I like to think of it as being at the top of an internal buzzword sheet with all the blogpost writers trying to work it into their text to earn an extra nickel. It's a patently whimsical notion, and I have a special spot in my heart for the patently whimsical.

It's nice to see that concept of iteration lending real benefit to the game. Sure, it's caused forumites no little angst; when we heard that the trait system was being reworked, for example, certain people were convinced that the iterative process meant that the game would never launch. I don't understand the panic-stations mentality. Any game company exists to make money, and you don't make money by spending five years developing a game, taking a demo on the road for two years, and never releasing it. You also don't make money by releasing a crap game. ArenaNet wants to make a lot of money. That does not make the company evil. It motivates the team to make as good a game as possible because people like buying good games.

Despite those so-called fans who look for the slightest provocation to bring out the sackcloth and ashes, the strength of the iterative process is shown every time we get to see a new demo of Guild Wars 2. Beyond just seeing a higher level of polish, we can see that certain events have been reworked, and the changes are to only the players' benefit.

Continue reading Flameseeker Chronicles: The I-word

MassivelyFlameseeker Chronicles: The I-word originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 21 Feb 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetbetabetasclosed-betafantasyfeaturedflameseeker-chroniclesguild-warsguild-wars-2gw2hands-oniterationjumping-puzzlesmike-zncsoftopinionpress-betaTue, 21 Feb 2012 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively's Guild Wars 2 closed beta impressions]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/20/massivelys-guild-wars-2-closed-beta-impressions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/20/massivelys-guild-wars-2-closed-beta-impressions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/20/massivelys-guild-wars-2-closed-beta-impressions/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Guild Wars 2 World vs World keeps
This last weekend, ArenaNet invited a few dozen members of the gaming press into its highly anticipated MMO, Guild Wars 2. The game is still in its closed beta testing stage, but the reveal of this event is an opportunity for the public to finally see what this game is all about.

Our Guild Wars columnist Elisabeth Cardy and I spent a good part of this weekend exploring as much as we could in the game in preparation for today's embargo lift. Read along for each of our impressions below, and be sure to watch our beta montage video at the end of each article.

Elisabeth's impressions | Shawn's Impressions

MassivelyMassively's Guild Wars 2 closed beta impressions originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 20 Feb 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Firing Line - DUST 514 merc banner
Welcome back to The Firing Line, shooter fans. Some interesting stuff went down this week, much of it related to DUST 514. Even if you're not partial to what some have dubbed "the controller wars," there's still plenty of online shooter news for you to peruse after the cut.

Join me on the other side for a glimpse of Hawken, Firefall, and my PlanetSide character!

Continue reading The Firing Line: Controller wars edition

MassivelyThe Firing Line: Controller wars edition originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adhesive-gamesbetabetasccpccp-gamescontroller-warsdustdust-514dust-514-keyboard-mouseeve-onlinef2pfeaturedfirefallfirefall-betafiring-linefree-to-playhawkenkhang-lemark-kernmmo-shootermmofpsonline-shooteropinionplanetsideplanetside-2red-5red-5-studiosroundupsandboxsci-fishootershooter-roundupsoeSony-Online-Entertainmentthe-firing-lineFri, 10 Feb 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Grab yourself a Seven Souls Online beta key from Massively!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/08/win-a-seven-souls-online-beta-key-from-massively/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/08/win-a-seven-souls-online-beta-key-from-massively/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/08/win-a-seven-souls-online-beta-key-from-massively/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Seven Souls Online is a new fantasy MMO from NEOWIZ that focuses on the concept of controlling the seven most destructive and powerful forces of humankind. These seven souls have essentially leaked out, and it's up to you to seal them back up. Sound like a fun Friday night? Good, because the devs want you to help test it out!

The beta will begin on February 15th (so it won't be available until then!), but we have some keys to get you ready for the event. Simply head on over to our giveaway page, click "Claim Your Key" at the bottom, and go to this link to redeem your code. You'll need to register for an account on their site and click on "Apply for Beta" to complete the process, but after that, you'll be all set for the February 15th beta.

GET YOUR KEY

MassivelyGrab yourself a Seven Souls Online beta key from Massively! originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>7-souls7-souls-onlinebetabeta-keysbeta-testbetasclosed-betagiveawayneowizseven-souls-onlineWed, 08 Feb 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Do character wipes influence your beta participation?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/11/the-daily-grind-do-character-wipes-influence-your-beta-particip/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/11/the-daily-grind-do-character-wipes-influence-your-beta-particip/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/11/the-daily-grind-do-character-wipes-influence-your-beta-particip/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Aika
A decade ago, there was never any question that characters you created during an MMO beta would be deleted. It was going to happen. You didn't really question it; no tantrums were thrown when it happened. But that's been changing in the last few years as more and more companies allow their open beta testers to keep their beta characters into launch, perhaps as incentive to get gamers playing and testing riskier, newer games. Of course, sometimes that launch never happens anyway, and the game just lingers on in beta forever, giving us the impression that keeping characters is not so much a reward for early adopters as it is a necessity for a game that will never emerge from its open beta.

Would you be more likely to play a beta if you knew you could keep your characters permanently? Or do you just roll your eyes at the idea that such a beta is a beta in the first place?

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

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Do character wipes influence your beta participation? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 11 Jan 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betabetasbrianna-royce-tdgcharacter-wipedaily-grindopen-betaopinionperpetual-betatdgthe-daily-grindWed, 11 Jan 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Diablo III's opening cinematic revealed]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/11/diablo-iiis-opening-cinematic-revealed/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/11/diablo-iiis-opening-cinematic-revealed/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/11/diablo-iiis-opening-cinematic-revealed/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Diablo III opening cinematic image
If your jaw hit the floor when you saw Diablo III's Black Soulstone cinematic, then you'll definitely want to check out Blizzard's latest offering. Revealed during the Spike TV video game awards, Diablo III's official opening cinematic slots another piece of the lore puzzle into place. Set before the Black Soulstone video that saw an overwhelmed Leah confronted by demon lord Asmodan's impending apocalypse, the opening cinematic introduces a familiar face as the girl's uncle: Deckard Cain himself.

The video sets the scene for the very beginning of the game and is the first thing players will see on launching the game, so thankfully it can't really spoil anything. If this video and the Black Soulstone cinematic are any indication of the cinematic quality we can expect throughout Diablo III, then the game has certainly held onto its roots. For news and updates

Skip past the cut to watch the full video, and stay tuned to our weekly Not So Massively column every Monday for news and updates as the game nears release.

Continue reading Diablo III's opening cinematic revealed

MassivelyDiablo III's opening cinematic revealed originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 11 Dec 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betabetasblizzardBlizzard-Entertainmentcinematicdiablodiablo-3diablo-3-betadiablo-iiidiablo-iii-betanewsopening-cinematictrailervideoSun, 11 Dec 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Should characters always be wiped from beta to launch?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/09/the-daily-grind-should-characters-always-be-wiped-from-beta-to/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/09/the-daily-grind-should-characters-always-be-wiped-from-beta-to/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/09/the-daily-grind-should-characters-always-be-wiped-from-beta-to/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Marty! We have no time!
Who doesn't love a good beta? Right? Well, actually, lots of people don't like betas for several reasons, one of the biggest ones being the fact that your character's progression will usually be wiped clean before the game goes into launch mode.

As you can imagine, this is a necessary evil. After all, betas are for testing, not for getting a head start on your leveling. But more recently, some studios have been allowing characters to stay from open beta to launch, essentially establishing that beta period as a headstart of its own -- often before the official pre-order headstart.

This might just be another sign of that evolution of betas from a testing period to a marketing strategy, but we want to know how you feel about the character wipes themselves. Do you feel that erasing your character from beta to launch will stop you from playing in the beta, or do you see it as a fair part of the process?

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: Should characters always be wiped from beta to launch? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 09 Dec 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betascharacter-wipeclosed-betaheadstartlaunchopen-betaopiniontdgthe-daily-grindFri, 09 Dec 2011 08:00:00 EST