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Funcom unveils armory-like Chronicle for The Secret World

MJ Guthrie — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Horror, Real-Life, Game Mechanics, MMO Industry, New Titles, News Items, The Secret World

Imagine that -- keeping an upcoming feature of The Secret World a secret! Yet Funcom pulled it off, announcing today via a letter from creative director and senior producer Ragnar Tornquist the aptly named new player record that will actually chronicle a player's journey through TSW.

Starting now, players active within the last four days can log into Chronicle and check out their stats on their profile page and compare themselves with players across the world using the PvP and PvE leaderboards. But that's only the beginning. Tornquist goes on to say,

"We have a lot of great features planned, and we will be integrating the service more with the game and also, hopefully, with mobile devices and social networks in the future. We are going to add more stats, more features, more leaderboards, and more user control. We might also look at giving rewards tied to your status and standing on Chronicle."

The beta is public so the team can gather as much community feedback as possible, so jump in, check it out, and give your feedback to help shape Chronicle's future.

[Source: Funcom press release]

Funcom unveils armory-like Chronicle for The Secret World originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 09 Jul 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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RIFT: Storm Legion expansion coming this fall

Justin Olivetti — Thu, 31 May 2012 15:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Trailers, Video, Classes, Expansions, RIFT, Dungeons

The RIFT army cannot be stopped, and neither can Trion Worlds' incredibly hard-working team. Trion officially announced today that RIFT's first expansion, Storm Legion, will be hitting the stores this fall. Executive Producer Scott Hartsman said that the expansion will "triple in size" the amount of content and territory that players currently have. "RIFT: Storm Legion is about more, more, more," he said.

Storm Legion will open up two new continents for play: Dusken (a horror-themed continent) and Brevane (which hosts the cradle of Telaran civilization). Another major city will join the map, the dual-faction town of Tempest Bay.

Each continent will feature its own storyline, with the promise by the devs that the term "story" will feature far more heavily than mere busy work. The main story of the expansion is driven by Crucia, the Queen of Storms, who's bringing her huge entourage to Telara through the Infinity Gate.

Players have much to anticipate when the expansion releases. In addition to the new continents, the expansion will increase the level cap to 60, add capes to our wardrobes, experiment with a player housing system called "dimensions," introduce seven new dungeons and three new raids, add a crafting tier, and see another Chronicle join the roster. Players will also get to play with four new souls, one for each calling (Warrior, Rogue, Mage, and Cleric). Finally, for the brave at heart, the expansion will bring the immense colossus to terrorize the realms, and these open-world colossus battles are supposed to be like nothing we've ever seen before.

Get excited for RIFT: Storm Legion by watching the trailer after the jump!

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RIFT: Storm Legion expansion coming this fall originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 31 May 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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RIFT's 1.7 patch filled with content, coming soon

Jef Reahard — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Game Mechanics, MMO Industry, Patches, News Items, RIFT, Dungeons

What's next for RIFT? Well, the 1.7 patch, for starters. The update is called Carnival of the Ascended, and if it sounds a bit festive, it is. Telaran weddings are in the offing, as Trion is introducing a marriage mechanic to its fantasy MMO. There's also the new River of Souls Chronicle, which the official forums bill as an "undead adventure for two."

A new master mode dungeon is coming too, as is an expert dungeon overhaul with more options and better loot for endgame avatars. Finally, there's a free weekend coming your way on January 19th, and you can return to Telara (or check it out for the first time) for no charge through January 22nd.

RIFT's 1.7 patch filled with content, coming soon originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 16 Jan 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NCsoft releases Lineage II Goddess of Destruction trailers

Jef Reahard — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 21:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Trailers, Video, Lineage 2, Expansions, Game Mechanics, MMO Industry, News Items

Lineage II's Goddess of Destruction update has been a long time in the making, but it looks like release is drawing near if the updates to the long-running fantasy title's website are any indication. NCsoft has posted two new videos centering on the expansion, both of which function as primers for players chomping at the bit to get their hands on the game's largest ever update.

The first clip is a Lineage II history lesson of sorts, and it takes viewers on a quick journey through all of the title's chronicle updates before launching into a highlight reel of the upcoming content patch. The second video has a bit of narrative feel to it, but it's also got plenty of action, and frankly it does a great job of whetting our appetite for the Goddess expansion that's scheduled to go live this fall. Check out both clips after the cut or on the official Lineage II website.

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NCsoft releases Lineage II Goddess of Destruction trailers originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 01 Sep 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hyperspace Beacon: Beyond the scope

Larry Everett — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-Fi, New Titles, Opinion, Star Wars: The Old Republic, Hyperspace Beacon

You only have to go as far as the official forums to see the concern over what Star Wars: The Old Republic is offering. I have a major question: Do the concerns have merit? I had an unofficial discussion with my editor, Bree Royce, about the whole idea of complaining to a large gaming company like BioWare. Although I maintain that there is far too much complaining about features that the game will never have, Bree argued that the potential players of the game should continue to complain at every opportunity. What other way can they motivate a top-tier gaming company to deliver the game they want? After some thought, I agreed, but what happens to player desires that exceed the game's scope?

I would like to think that developers would re-evaluate the scope of the project if enough people complained, but in truth, that level of reconstruction is expensive. For a game that is already as expensive as SWTOR, I just don't see it happening. The few things that have been changed, like the size of the lightsaber hilts and the Wizard title, are really small things. However, things like taking space combat out of the tunnel are a bit more time-consuming, not to mention costly, and so they are less likely to be changed. But as Bree suggested to me, what other avenue do players have?

What I'd like to talk about this week are a few of the top desires of the community, desires that push the scope of SWTOR. I will give the reasons I believe they are pushing the scope of the game, but I would really like to have your involvement. Why do you think these things were implemented the way they were, or why will they not be implemented? Step beyond the break to see my thoughts.

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Hyperspace Beacon: Beyond the scope originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 09 Nov 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Lineage II project in the works

Jef Reahard — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 21:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Trailers, Video, Lineage 2, Expansions, News Items

Korean imports are all the rage these days, what with TERA inching closer to open beta and release, Aion maintaining a small but faithful North American playerbase, and ArcheAge beginning to turn heads in the West. Not to be outdone by all the young whippersnappers is Lineage II, NCsoft's stalwart PvP-focused title that's been lopping off heads and parading around in skimpy armor since 2004.

The official Lineage II website brings word of a new, untitled expansion in the works, complete with a lengthy lore entry -- focused on the goddess Shilen -- and a brief bit of video footage. We don't have many details on the expansion content, but we'll keep our eyes peeled, as Lineage II has always provided significant bang for the buck with its meaty (and free) chronicle updates.

In the meantime, check out the video after the break.

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New Lineage II project in the works originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 04 Nov 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lineage II readies Freya update

Jef Reahard — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 21:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Video, Lineage 2, Patches, News Items

NCsoft's Aion and City of Heroes may get more press here in the States, but the workhorse of the Korean MMORPG maker's worldwide stable continues to be Lineage II. The long-running fantasy title is gearing up for yet another substantial update, with the much-anticipated Freya patch scheduled to hit the public test server on July 29th.

Lineage II's updates have always been rather meaty (and free of charge, provided you have an active subscription) and Freya is no different. Included in the patch is everything from new weapons, armor, and abilities to entirely new overland and dungeon areas. Small touches aren't left out either, with new social emotes -- including partner dances -- scheduled for inclusion, as well as reduced teleportation fees and an increase in available quest journal space.

The patch notes have yet to be released, but you can get a sneak peek at the projected additions on the Freya wiki page. Additionally, mark your calendar for the Freya reveal festivities and don't forget to read the official press release. Finally, check out some of the new armors after the cut.

[Thanks Justin!]

Continue reading Lineage II readies Freya update

Lineage II readies Freya update originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 23 Jul 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EVE Evolved: Storytelling in EVE Online

Brendan Drain — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-Fi, EVE Online, Culture, Events (In-Game), Forums, Guilds, Lore, MMO Industry, Politics, Roleplaying, EVE Evolved

Storytelling is a major part of most MMOs, with each game having its own unique back-story and fiction. Fantasy settings like Everquest's world of Norrath have even been made into novels and some original fantasy literature like Lord of the Rings has conversely made its way into the MMO scene. Quests and expansions in an MMO usually lead the character through an interactive story where the player assumes the role of a hero. Although space-borne MMO EVE Online doesn't share that pattern and the the game's storyline doesn't develop during play, storytelling may actually be more important to EVE than it is to its fantasy counterparts. In the same way that EVE lends itself spectacularly to making videos, the EVE community has created some awesome fiction and there are some incredible real stories of in-game events. Combined with the wealth of prime fiction and the regular release of official chronicles, it's clear that storytelling is a big deal in EVE.

Read on as I delve into the EVE storyline and the various forms of storytelling that players can expect to take part in. If being part of epic events and telling the story sounds like your cup of tea, perhaps EVE is for you.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: Storytelling in EVE Online

EVE Evolved: Storytelling in EVE Online originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 05 Apr 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EVE Online story chronicles a little violent oppression

Samuel Axon — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-Fi, EVE Online, Lore

Another Empyrean Age-themed EVE Online chronicle has emerged. This one relates to Tibus Heth, the head honcho of the Caldari faction. It's the fourth out of five in a series CCP has been adding to every single Monday. If you haven't read any of them, and you're an EVE player, you should check them out. The game's lore is one of its most underpraised assets.

This chronicle tells the tale of Caldari materials tech who makes a wrong move and gets dragged into some violent consequences. We won't spoil anything beyond that; check it out if you're interested. Our favorite part was a clever Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan reference. See if you can spot it!

EVE Online story chronicles a little violent oppression originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EVE Chronicle puts players at the center of factional warfare

James Egan — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-Fi, EVE Online, Lore, PvP, Roleplaying

The latest EVE Chronicle is called "The Dark End of Space." This installment connects the events seen in the full Empyrean Age trailer (namely, Jamyl Sarum's utter obliteration of a greater Minmatar fleet) with the lowsec militia conflicts and missions that have embroiled EVE Online's players in factional warfare. Indeed, "The Dark End of Space" focuses on how each of the four races -- despite having conflicting goals and ideologies -- view the capsuleers... the actual players in EVE Online: "A group of people so powerful they're practically a faction unto themselves. Immortal, fearless and wealthy beyond imagining. Born of all four empires but beholden, in truth, to no one but themselves. And utterly untapped, in this little skirmish of ours."

"The Dark End of Space" shows how each of the races face similar difficulties, and how the players of EVE are thought by each faction to be the solution to their problems. EVE dev CCP Abraxas says of the newest Chronicle: "... this one breaks rank and instead focuses on the capsuleers. It explains how we went from the end of the novel to the onset of factional warfare, and how you guys got pulled into it." This could get very interesting if factional propaganda enters into the game, with each race's militia trying to further sway the capsuleers to their cause and tip the balance of power in the Empyrean Age. But for the time being, the Empyrean Age novel, the trailer, and the Chronicles are intertwined, and it seems that EVE's players are firmly at the center of what is to come.

EVE Chronicle puts players at the center of factional warfare originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 07 Jul 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Latest EVE Chronicle a look into Gallente moral erosion

James Egan — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-Fi, EVE Online, Forums, Lore, Roleplaying

EVE Online is running a series of Chronicles focusing on the leadership of the four races in the Empyrean Age, now locked into war in a galaxy divided. The latest EVE Chronicle, "The Paths They Chose," focuses on the Gallente race and is set in a blend of futuristic crystalline cityscape and natural scenery. The story shows the measures taken by leaders of the Gallente Federation to ensure their way of life continues. Holographic technology, advanced eavesdropping countermeasures, and an artificially cultivated environment merge in several acres of selectively grown flora and woodland; serenity and privacy for Federation officials and visiting diplomats is assured in the sanctum beneath a vast transparent dome.

But the beauty of this place is juxtaposed with the inhuman actions taken within. A traitor to the Gallente people is grotesquely crucified upon a metallic 'dead man's needle,' which suspends the captive by his vertebrae while pumping him full of sedatives. The captive is abused like this by order of the President of the Gallente Federation, Souro Foiritan. Like the illusion of transparency of the eco-dome surrounding the characters, the moral high ground of the Gallente Federation is shown to be equally ephemeral, as President Foiritan reveals a new -- and dark -- direction that the Gallente will take in New Eden. Read "The Paths They Chose" to see Foiritan's descent into becoming "a leader cruel enough to do what needed to be done, and compassionate enough to understand why it needed doing." The story has struck a chord with some of EVE's players, who are discussing the sudden change and what this might do for the game's backstory.

Latest EVE Chronicle a look into Gallente moral erosion originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 06 Jul 2008 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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CCP chronicles lives of Empyrean Age's warlike leaders

Samuel Axon — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 19:30:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-Fi, EVE Online, Expansions, Lore

CCP has announced a weekly series of chronicles -- short lore stories -- related to the EVE Online's Empyrean Age expansion. The first four will tell stories about the motivations of the heads of the four factions in this new time of war. The final chronicle will focus on regular ol' capsuleers.

The first chronicle -- titled "Silent Furies" -- is available now. It's a talky story starring Sanmatar Maleatu Shakor, the head honcho of the Minmatar faction. Check it out if you're really into EVE lore. Needless to say, though, you don't need to know any of this stuff to just log in and blow people up.

In the event that you do read it, CCP has provided an official forum thread for chronicle-related discussions.

CCP chronicles lives of Empyrean Age's warlike leaders originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 24 Jun 2008 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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