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RuneScape's mad, mad, mad, Mad May approaches

Justin Olivetti — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Events, in-game, RuneScape, Free-to-play, Browser

With the virtual flowers in bloom and the birds and bees merging together to form a hybrid class (beerds), you should expect life and vitality springing forth out of your MMOs this spring. RuneScape is embracing the season by hosting an entire month of prizes called Mad May.

Taking place during the titular month, Mad May will dowse subscribers with bonuses and freebies. First up is an extra daily spin on the new Squeal of Fortune game, which offers players a chance to win a variety of prizes every day. Following that is a hefty 5,000 Loyalty Point boost for members. These points may be redeemed for a whole bunch of new items, including emotes and auras. Finally, Jagex will cap off the month by rewarding all subscribers with 250,000 XP on June 1st.

In addition to the Mad May bonuses, RuneScape will see the return of Wild Weekends during the month. Details about what the Wild Weekends will entail are forthcoming, as is a special behind-the-scenes look into the game's upcoming projects.

RuneScape's mad, mad, mad, Mad May approaches originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 23 Apr 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Warhammer Online is cross-promoting with Wrath of Heroes

Eliot Lefebvre — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Game mechanics, Warhammer Online, News items, Free-to-play, Promotions, MOBA

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

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

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

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WAKFU puts out a call for (paying) pioneers

Justin Olivetti — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Business models, Launches, Free-to-play, Sandbox

With WAKFU's launch rapidly approaching later this month, the information is pouring forth fast and furious from this free-to-play title. One of the biggest questions that players have at this stage is just how a game is going to make its money, and in the case of WAKFU, Ankama is certainly hoping that the experience is fun enough to warrant a regular subscription.

If you're already on board with the WAKFU philosophy and wish to subscribe for a premium membership, then Ankama has a few great pre-launch offers for you. By signing up for three, six, or 12-month plans, you can net yourself plenty of in-game items as well as the esteemed title of "WAKFU Pioneer."

Ankama has also published a helpful chart illustrating the differences between the F2P and subscription plans -- such as whether or not you can become an eco-terrorist (we kid you not). Other differences include the ability to own a home vs. set up an in-game shop, how many professions you can master (six vs. 16), and whether or not you can run for office.

[Thanks to Derek for the tip!]

WAKFU puts out a call for (paying) pioneers originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SWTOR: Ten things you need to know about companions

Justin Olivetti — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Classes, Launches, Previews, Star Wars: The Old Republic, Guides

For those of you who have never played a BioWare RPG before (or any single-player RPG, really), the concept of "companions" may initially strike you as strange. After all, in MMOs we're so used to jaunting off into the wilderness solo without some semi-intelligent NPC tagging along for the ride, so for a game to inform us that we not only will have them but will have to use them all the time may feel odd. If so, we're guessing you've never been into pet classes, either.

Companions are one of the long-standing features of BioWare RPGs; they're both useful fighters who help keep you alive and persistent beings whom you get to know, develop relationships with, and affect in significant ways. In the past, BioWare companions have often been cited as the most memorable parts of the studio's games, from Baldur's Gate II's Minsc to Mass Effect 2's Mordin (to name two of my all-time favorites).

Yet in MMOs, companion NPCs aren't that common, and if you're feeling a little bewildered at the thought of having one at your side at all times in Star Wars: The Old Republic, then we're here to lay out for you 10 reasons why companions are as useful as all get out -- and why you're going to love them like crazy before too long.

Continue reading SWTOR: Ten things you need to know about companions

SWTOR: Ten things you need to know about companions originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 12 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gods and Heroes entices players with extended trial, lower cost and a new class

Justin Olivetti — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Business models, Classes

Gods & Heroes wants you to play it. Like, really, really bad. So much so, in fact, that the Roman-themed MMO is launching a multi-pronged campaign on potential players in an attempt to rope them into the game.

The first prong of the campaign is an extended free trial. Starting today, players can check out the full game for a week by simply signing up on the site. "By extending the trial period from three to seven days, new players will have a chance to really dig into the heart of the game and we know they'll like what they find," Heatwave's Anthony Castoro said.

The cost of Gods & Heroes is coming down as well, hitting a more reasonable $29.99 for both boxed and digital versions of the game. Castoro hopes that this will help interested parties get past any financial barriers and will widen the playerbase: "The community has spoken and our analytics confirm that players really enjoy Gods & Heroes once they've experienced it."

Finally, Heatwave is adding a chunk of new content to the game, including the ranged Scout class and a free archer minion for loyal subscribers. The undead minion Batillus will be granted to players who subscribed prior to August 1st.

Gods and Heroes entices players with extended trial, lower cost and a new class originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 01 Sep 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DDO and LotRO prep bonus weekends for all

Justin Olivetti — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 15:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Dungeons and Dragons Online, Lord of the Rings Online, Events, in-game, Free-to-play

We're not even at the dog days of summer -- more like the puppy days -- and Turbine is already throwing players a bone with special bonus weekends in both Dungeons & Dragons Online and Lord of the Rings Online. And thus we hit our canine pun limit for the day.

DDO is bumping the experience factor up by a respectable 25% across the board and throwing in a +1 loot bonus (meaning better loot in chests) for good measure. It's a great time to come back to the game, too, as players can enjoy the recently released Update 10.

Meanwhile, LotRO is encouraging you to farm mobs like crazy, as monster kill XP is going up by 50% (which can stack with the 25% XP trinket from the Rise of Isengard pre-order). Currently, the game is hosting its annual Summer Festival.

The four-day bonus weekend for both games runs from today through Sunday, June 26th.

DDO and LotRO prep bonus weekends for all originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 23 Jun 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Blood Lord has come to Vindictus, and he brings... football

Eliot Lefebvre — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 22:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Galleries, Trailers, Video, Events, in-game, Patches, News items, Free-to-play, Vindictus

Perhaps you've been enjoying Vindictus but thinking the whole time that something is missing from the game. Something that would really make all of the fantasy action click together for you. Something like, say, footballs. If so, well, we don't know what to tell you except that your dream has come true. Coinciding with the arrival of the Blood Lord is the addition of footballs throughout missions, as well as special football-themed costumes for players to unlock by using the pigskins as a weapon of war.

Essentially, defeating bosses with creative use of the football will net players coupons that can be redeemed for football jerseys, which combine with football helmets (available in the cash store) to unlock special bonuses for players. It's certainly apropos of the current playoff season, albeit in a setting where it doesn't make a whole lot of sense. Still, if you're looking to meld ferocious fantasy violence with the thrill of kicking the winning field goal, the video past the cut makes it clear that Vindictus has you covered. (Oh, and there's a vampire lord.)

Gallery: Vindictus Blood Lord preview

Continue reading The Blood Lord has come to Vindictus, and he brings... football

The Blood Lord has come to Vindictus, and he brings... football originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 20 Jan 2011 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bonus item event in Final Fantasy XIV's beta

Eliot Lefebvre — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 18:30:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Events, in-game, News items, Consoles, Final Fantasy XIV

Final Fantasy XIV's open beta is only going to last until the 19th, which is just a stone's throw away. This would be worse news if not for the fact that the collector's edition of the game will be launching three days after that, meaning that the game's fans will have other things to do shortly thereafter. (The game's detractors don't really need the game to run one way or the other.) But if you'd like to take part in one last hurrah before launch, Square-Enix is hosting a special event on the newly-added Karnak and Narshe servers.

All characters created on the special servers before 1:00 p.m. PDT on the 16th will have both the Onion Helm and Asuran Armguards added to their inventory. The former is the bonus for pre-ordering the collector's edition of the game, while the latter is the reward for also owning a copy of Final Fantasy XIII. It's not quite the potpourri of good news revealed from the pre-launch event yesterday, but it promises to still be a nice chance for Final Fantasy XIV beta testers to go out with a bang.

Bonus item event in Final Fantasy XIV's beta originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 15 Sep 2010 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Flameseeker Chronicles: Heroes ruined Guild Wars

Rubi Bayer — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Guild Wars, Culture, Flameseeker Chronicles

Oh, settle down. I'm not stating that as a fact, I'm just repeating what others have said. It's an old argument, but one that's recently come to my attention several times over the past week, so I want to take a look at the argument today.

Heroes came to Guild Wars near the end of 2006 with the introduction of Nightfall. They were a huge upgrade from the much-maligned Alesia and her companions. Sure, you had to level them up, but you had as much control over their runes and insignias, skill bars, and weapons as you did your own.

The addition gave players the option to add three of these customized companions, making it much easier to continue adventuring even if you couldn't get a group at the moment. It sounds perfect, right? Not everyone agrees, and it's a debate that flared back up in the past months when the possibility was raised of companions in Guild Wars 2.

Hit the handy "read more" button to check out both sides of the argument.

Continue reading Flameseeker Chronicles: Heroes ruined Guild Wars

Flameseeker Chronicles: Heroes ruined Guild Wars originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 26 Jul 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A Mild-Mannered Reporter: Questions versus answers, no holds barred!

Eliot Lefebvre — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Super-hero, City of Heroes, City of Villains, Culture, Expansions, Opinion, A Mild-Mannered Reporter

We interrupt your regularly-scheduled guide to playing a spider for a number of questions and answers, and possibly several comic book sound effects! (Okay, it's not exactly "interrupting" anything when I said that it would be here this week, but humor me.) As usual, the community has taken the opportunity to ask me a number of City of Heroes questions, and I have used my magical time-looker-forward tube to find the vast majority of the answers. So with that having been said, let's get into the down and dirty, shall we?

Superfan asked:
"Massively suspects the game has only 40,000 active subscibers right now?"

No, the quick math done by one Massively writer suggested it as a possible figure, based on some generous margins and assuming everyone's subscription is on a one-month-recurring basis as opposed to the plethora of other subscription pricing plans available. The goal was to create a vague idea of how many subscribers on an active basis the game might have at the moment, since we no longer get actual subscription numbers for the game.

Continue reading A Mild-Mannered Reporter: Questions versus answers, no holds barred!

A Mild-Mannered Reporter: Questions versus answers, no holds barred! originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 02 Jun 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fantasy Earth Zero celebrates launch with special events

Eliot Lefebvre — Tue, 18 May 2010 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Events, in-game, Launches, News items, Free-to-play

It's launch day for Fantasy Earth Zero, the PvP-oriented free-to-play game from Gamepot USA and Square-Enix. The official launch alone would be enough reason for fans to be excited, but there's better yet to come, as the game is running several events to celebrate. The most obvious one is a week of boosted experience and money -- from today until the 25th of May, all players will receive a bonus 50% to both experience and Rings gained. It helps ensure that your time spent leveling now will be on the faster side, allowing players to dive into the high end of the game even faster.

Players are also being given five free enchantments to help boost their prowess in battle within the same timeframe. If all that weren't enough, Mission Maps will be updating at a higher clip during the week after launch -- the Mission Maps exist as an alternative to spending money in the cash shop, which makes a higher turnaround help speed up progress further. All players who took part in the second open beta will also receive a New Soldier Set as a present, containing potions as well as an experience-boosting ring. Take a look at our gallery below for some special launch-day screenshots, and if you're curious, take a closer look at Fantasy Earth Zero itself.

Gallery: Fantasy Earth Zero Launch Gallery

Fantasy Earth Zero celebrates launch with special events originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 18 May 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LEGO Universe pre-orders coming soon

Krystalle Voecks — Tue, 11 May 2010 16:30:00 EST

Filed under: New titles, News items, LEGO Universe, Family

With the closed beta humming along very well, the team at NetDevil have finally given us a pre-order date for the upcoming family-friendly MMO of awesome, LEGO Universe! For those who want to jump on and get your orders in, you'll be able to do so starting this Friday, May 14th. While there's currently no information on pricing available, we do know it will be on a monthly subscription model.

Of course, for LEGO maniacs, this is a no-brainer. Not only will everyone who pre-orders get to launch into this crazy fun MMO first, but they'll also be treated to a special limited-edition LEGO Universe astronaut to display proudly with their LEGO collections (or on their desks). There will also be an in-game code to unlock the accessories to match, so your character can flaunt their super-cool spaceman style.

Players who are interested will want to point their browsers at the official LEGO online store on Friday to snap up a copy of the game when they go on sale. We'll let you know if we hear anything more on pricing.

LEGO Universe pre-orders coming soon originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 11 May 2010 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Order Fallen Earth via Steam and improve your attire

Eliot Lefebvre — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Fallen Earth, News items

Just because the world has come to an end and society is left to scramble around in the ruins doesn't mean you can't look dashing in the process. Fallen Earth has been on a bit of a kick lately of giving away clothing to purchasers of the game, starting with an astonishingly fetching hat, and now extending via the popular digital service Steam. Until December 3rd, those who purchase the game via Steam will receive a voucher good for a special t-shirt representing one of the game's factions -- CHOTA, Enforcers, Lightbearers, Techs, Travelers or Vistas.

Each shirt qualifies as a piece of level 10 armor, with other stats that are appropriate to the faction in question. (Expect the Techs shirt to offer bonuses to crafting rather than combat bonuses, for example.) The vouchers can be turned in at any time, and should the player later decide they'd prefer to represent someone else, a shirt may be turned in and exchanged for another shirt as well. It's nothing game-breaking, but yet another added incentive to pick up Fallen Earth and see what all the fuss is about. Still not quite as good-looking as the hat, of course, but you have to draw the line somewhere.

Order Fallen Earth via Steam and improve your attire originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 26 Nov 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fallen Earth puts a feather in your hat for purchasing

Eliot Lefebvre — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Fallen Earth, Business models, News items

It's always nice to get a little something extra for what you were planning on doing anyway. It's even nicer when the "little something extra" is something you would want on its own merits, at that. Fallen Earth has decided to give its new players exactly that variety of something extra: if you buy now through the official site, you will receive the lovely and (dare we say it) eminently pimptacular hat displayed to the right.

The hat isn't enough reason for you? Well, clearly you aren't looking closely enough at the hat itself. You also might not know that the hat provides your character with Scavenging, Nature, Geology, and Social skill points just by donning it. It's a really nice hat. Lest we get carried away by gushing about the hat, however, it should be duly noted that the hat is also a limited-time offer for purchasers of the game, and is only being distributed by purchasing the game from the official site. So if you've been on the fence, this might be the time to get off the fence and get yourself a truly excellent hat for your troubles.

Fallen Earth puts a feather in your hat for purchasing originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Subscribe to Age of Conan and receive The Secret World beta access

Brooke Pilley — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Horror, Age of Conan, News items, The Secret World

Funcom recently announced their plans to get older players back into Age of Conan and boost multi-month subscription rates. Players with inactive subscriptions are invited to retry the game for two weeks and receive a double experience bonus. Those who sign up for multi-month subscriptions will receive these additional bonuses:

3-month sub: Beta access to The Secret World
6-month sub: Beta access + in-game helmet that boosts experience gain by 10%
12-month sub: Beta access + helmet + a free copy of Conan expansion Rise of the Godslayer

Age of Conan has received many updates in the year and a half since its release. However, MMO players can be an unforgiving bunch, so these incentives to give the game another shot are quite necessary. And it's extra-smart given all the excitement around The Secret World. Considering how many players would be willing to pay for beta access, a subscription to a vastly improved AoC is just icing on the cake.

For those interested in catching up on AoC, check out the most recent game director's letter, new content, and revised subscription options. Have a burning question for Funcom about this or anything else? Ask it here.

Having fun in Conan's homeland? Make sure to check out all of our previous Age of Conan coverage, and stick with Massively for more news from the Hyborian Age!

Subscribe to Age of Conan and receive The Secret World beta access originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fallen Earth head start begins today

Shawn Schuster — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Fallen Earth, New titles, News items

Despite the fact that the game's official launch has been pushed back to September 22nd, Fallen Earth's pre-order head start begins today at 2pm EST. So for anyone who purchased the game from their website for the special ATV mount, or purchased it through Direct2Drive for the warhorse mount, you get to play almost two weeks before everyone else!

According to their official announcement, all special beta and pre-order items (including characters) have been reset, so you'll need to re-enter these codes once the servers go live. This is it, fellow wastelanders! The apocalypse is upon us.

Fallen Earth head start begins today originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 09 Sep 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dungeons and Dragons Online celebrates 3rd birthday

James Egan — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Dungeons and Dragons Online, Events, in-game, Game mechanics, News items

It may not feel like it to some of us, but Dungeons and Dragons Online is almost three years old already. Turbine announced that they'll be celebrating DDO's birthday in style, with bonus XP and loot for anyone who joins in: "Starting this Friday, February 27th, and running through ~~February 29th~~ March 1, DDO players will gain a 50% XP bonus and +1 tier bonus to loot quality! But the fun doesn't stop there! Once 50% XP and +1 loot are over with on Sunday March 1st, starting Monday March 2nd, enjoy 10% bonus XP for 2 weeks!"

That's a lot of exclamation points but the message is clear; it's definitely a good time to jump into Dungeons and Dragons Online if you've been curious about the game, or have been away for a while. The third anniversary celebration is a limited window of XP opportunity so don't miss out.

Dungeons and Dragons Online celebrates 3rd birthday originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 25 Feb 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Drugs aren't bad in EVE, m'kay?

James Egan — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, EVE Online, Game mechanics, Guides, Crafting

One of the interesting features of EVE Online is that it has a drug trade in which players are actively engaged. Rather than merely being an illegal commodity, drugs -- called boosters -- enhance the performance of EVE's pilots, albeit with some potential side effects.

To understand boosters though, we'll need to look into the game's setting a bit first. The thing to remember is that as a player, you're a capsuleer. You're not standing on the bridge of your ship barking orders at subordinates. Rather, you're floating inside a metallic capsule deep within your ship. Your mind is interfaced with the ship you pilot via neural implants, thus your vessel is an extension of your body and its senses; you regulate the ship's activities merely by thinking about them. Not all people in EVE's setting of New Eden have the raw potential to become a capsuleer, making your character one of the elite. However, when faced with others of your caliber in combat, every possible edge you can gain over rival capsuleers helps. That's where boosters come in... they're your edge. Boosters augment aspects of your mental processes and thus provide certain bonuses when piloting your ship.

Continue reading Drugs aren't bad in EVE, m'kay?

Drugs aren't bad in EVE, m'kay? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 02 Sep 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dungeons and Dragons celebrates second anniversary this weekend

Mike Schramm — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Dungeons and Dragons Online, Events, in-game, Roleplaying

Our favorite D&D fan Schad dropped a note to remind us that the Dungeons and Dragons Online second anniversary celebration is set to go on as scheduled on Sunday. We're not quite sure what that entails, but whatever it is, it'll show up ingame on Sul, Therendor 2nd (that's Sunday, March 2nd for non-nerds -- I kid!), and Schad tells us that there will be cake. We'll believe it when we see it.

And in case you've been away from the game, the anniversary celebration will also feature a "welcome back" week, offering old players their characters back and a 25% XP bonus until March 11. Apparently that was nerfed from last year, but more XP is always good XP, right? Plus, if you left the game before Module 6 was introduced, now you can go see all those vidoegame-inspired levels in the Shroud.

Gallery: DDO The Shroud Hands-on

Dungeons and Dragons celebrates second anniversary this weekend originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 01 Mar 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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