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Bounty Hounds Online coming in both boxed and digital versions

Justin Olivetti — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Sci-fi, Free-to-play, Promotions

Bounty Hounds Online, an upcoming sci-fi action MMO, is going to give you a choice how you want it packaged: paper or plastic. Er, we mean "boxed or digital." The retail box will be released under the name Bounty Hounds Online Pro and will arrive in European shops this October. For the price of 10 Euros, players will get a leg up on this free-to-play title with exclusive content and in-game currency. Multiple language versions are planned for the box release as well.

The game puts players in the role of mercenaries tasked with cleaning up an intergalactic war on a planet known as Clear Sky. You'll get to choose between five classes and four military companies before heading into the battle, not to mention the awesome-sounding CTU transformable combat pets.

Recently out of closed beta, Bounty Hounds Online is slated for open beta on August 2nd. You can sign up by visiting the official website.

Bounty Hounds Online coming in both boxed and digital versions originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 29 Jun 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mythos announces European launch information

Eliot Lefebvre — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 16:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Launches, News items, Mythos, Free-to-play

The hard part of anticipating a game early in the development process is the question of when you'll finally get a chance to see it released. Mythos has thankfully killed that part of the anticipation with the official announcement that the game will be going live as of April 28th, 2011. But if you can't wait that long to start in on a hack-and-slash bonanza and haven't been fortunate enough to get into the beta testing, how about a nice shiny box copy?

Before you get your credit card information out, it should be noted that as this is still the European release; the box copy itself is being sold through Amazon.co.uk and will thus be rather limited for American players. For the European contingent, however, buying the box will allow access to the game on the 26th, two days before general release. Mythos players still have time to enjoy the closed beta for now, and as previously noted, open beta will begin on the 12th, if you're still up in the air.

Mythos announces European launch information originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 17 Mar 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Daily Grind: Want a box with that?

Jef Reahard — Sun, 24 Oct 2010 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: MMO industry, Opinion, The Daily Grind

With the proliferation of digital-download gaming going on these days, it's getting progressively harder for those of us that care about box copies, collectors editions, cheesy cloth maps, and cheaply produced pewter figurines to get our fix. It's obvious why developers and publishers love digital delivery, as it saves them a lot of distribution money, but does it really benefit the consumer aside from scratching our instant gratification itch?

As I look over at the MMO box museum cluttering the shelves of my game room, I take no small amount of comfort in the fact that I got something tangible for my fifty bucks, even though in most cases the games themselves were incapable of sustaining my interest past the free month. In fact, I've only purchased a digital download twice: Fallen Earth (and I later obtained a box just because) and Darkfall (still hunting for a box).

Subscription-based MMOs are inherently more about renting than owning but -- for now at least -- you can still get a physical copy of your favorite virtual world and, if you're lucky, an outdated manual and a map. Today we ask you, dear readers, do you want a box, or are you OK with leaving your games on a remote server?

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!

The Daily Grind: Want a box with that? originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 24 Oct 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Unboxing the Global Agenda Collector's Edition

Shawn Schuster — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, New titles, Hands-on, Spy, Global Agenda, Massively Hands-on

Today's the day that Global Agenda has officially launched, and if you're still waiting for more information about this game before making that box purchase, we can help. Not only did we show you a round-up this morning of our complete coverage on the game, but now we want to show you what's in the physical retail box, also referred to as the Collector's Edition. That's assuming people remember how to go buy physical boxes in stores, right?

Follow along through the unboxing gallery below for a piece-by-piece tour of the Global Agenda Collector's Edition box contents.

Gallery: Global Agenda Collector's Edition unboxing

Unboxing the Global Agenda Collector's Edition originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 01 Feb 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Daily Grind: Do you need the box?

Rubi Bayer — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, Opinion, The Daily Grind

One could easily argue that game boxes are quickly becoming a thing of the past. These days you have what feels like an endless variety of options to receive your favorite game right away, without leaving your seat, let alone your house. Steam and Direct2Drive are huge, and pretty much every company out there has the option to purchase and download their latest game or expansion directly from their site. The rapid increase in free trials and limited free-to-play options make it an even more attractive option.

But on the other hand, there's something very enticing about having that box in your hands, and most game companies will make it worth your while to purchase the box by adding extra goodies, particularly if you pre-order or purchase a collector's edition.

So where do you fall? Do you like that box, those discs, and all the other goodies, or do you prefer just to download it so you can get to patching that much faster?

The Daily Grind: Do you need the box? originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 03 Jan 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EVE Online interview confirms details of retail release

James Egan — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, EVE Online, Business models, Expansions, Game mechanics, Interviews, MMO industry

One of announcements that came out of EVE Online's most recent Fanfest was news that the game will be sold on retail shelves this March, with the release of the Apocrypha expansion. A publishing deal struck between EVE's developer CCP Games and Atari means that the game may well see an influx of players in the coming months.

MMORPG.com's Managing Editor Jon Wood caught up with Ryan Dancey, Chief Marketing Officer at CCP Games, and the two discussed how EVE's shift away from being a purely digital product will affect the game. Also notable is that Dancey gives the details of what that $39.95 (€39.99) for the box will buy: Mac and PC versions; a Career Guide for new pilots; 60 days of game time that can be converted into PLEX; automatically have needed standings for factional warfare; a VIP pass which functions like the Buddy Program; and a shuttle with expanded cargo capacity. These extras were previously rumored to be included with the EVE retail purchase, but Ryan Dancey's comments in the MMORPG.com interview would seem to confirm those rumors.

Have a look at the rest of the interview focused on EVE Online's retail release for more on how the publishing deal between CCP Games and Atari is shaping up.

EVE Online interview confirms details of retail release originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 23 Feb 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Next EVE Online expansion named Apocrypha, launches March 10

James Egan — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, EVE Online, Expansions, Game mechanics, Launches, MMO industry, News items

The other day we picked up on a video interview with the CEO of CCP Games, who announced a firm March 10th release date for the next EVE Online expansion -- but until today, that expansion wasn't given a name. CCP Games announced the "Apocrypha" expansion this morning, and a bit of what it'll bring to EVE.

The Apocrypha feature page isn't up yet -- so more details are likely to emerge -- but thus far they've confirmed two new game mechanics will be coming to EVE in March. Wormhole exploration is an upcoming feature that will allow EVE's explorers to discover new technology, used to create the next iteration of ships in New Eden -- Tech III. These modular ship designs will potentially allow for thousands of different configurations of ships to suit different purposes, and are a far cry from the Tech I and Tech II ship hulls currently flown in New Eden. In addition, Apocrypha will bring Epic Mission Arcs. The release states: "These branching, far-reaching mission strings are full of meaningful stories and more intelligent and deadly adversaries."

Continue reading Next EVE Online expansion named Apocrypha, launches March 10

Next EVE Online expansion named Apocrypha, launches March 10 originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 08 Jan 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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WoW's Wrath of the Lich King box art leaked

Matt Warner — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: World of Warcraft, Betas, MMO industry, Rumors

What is with all these World of Warcraft leaks? If you knew where to look everything you wanted to know about WotlK was already exposed before Blizzard Entertainment's World Wide Invitational extravaganza. For shame, not even the WotlK box art is safe from prying eyes and camera phones. WoW Insider already exposed the box art for the Collector's Edition, and the same source has also obtained snaps of the basic box art.

Is it the real deal or a mocked-up forge? The WotlK box layout has many exact elements used on The Burning Crusade box. The placement for the Blizzard logo and ESRB rating line up exactly, and the font used to spell 'expansion set' is identical to its cardboard predecessor. In another photo that lends to its authenticity is a printer's mark. The box also notes that you need The Burning Crusade to play Wrath of the Lich King which means no free TBC bundles.

Hopefully, it won't be long until those boxes are stuffed with the goods and shipped to retail where we can pick them up because what comes on the inside of the box is what matters. Unless you're one of those weirdoes that save game boxes and treasures them for eternity. If you are feeling lucky skip the box altogether and try your hand at the WotlK beta-lottery.

WoW's Wrath of the Lich King box art leaked originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 06 Jul 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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