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Rise and Shiny recap: Urban Rivals

Beau Hindman — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Video, Previews, Opinion, Free-to-play, Browser, Hands-on, Trading card games, Rise and Shiny, Livestream

I would like to start off by saying that Urban Rivals, a multiplayer collectible card game, is not an MMO. While I always try to play MMOs for this column, occasionally my "grab a random MMO, one that was recommended by a reader a while ago, and write about it" method needs some tweaking. I don't always get a chance to vet a game mainly because I want to go through the very first stages of play while streaming live on Mondays, so sometimes less-than-Massive games squeeze through. File this under Not So Massively.

Other than that, I found some neat design in the game. I didn't find anything that would just blow us away as gamers, but it has some cool ideas and artwork all the same. There's also the mobile version of the game to consider -- a universal app for the iPhone or iPad that allows for gaming anywhere.

Continue reading Rise and Shiny recap: Urban Rivals

Rise and Shiny recap: Urban Rivals originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 29 Jan 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wizard101 celebrates another anniversary of taking over the world

Beau Hindman — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Free-to-play, Casual, Kids, Wizard101, Family

Ah, Wizard101. My, how you have grown. So much has happened over the last three years that we thought it would be a good idea to take a look at some of the milestones that happened during that time. Instead of going all the way back to the beginning, we'll be covering the major happenings over the last year. If we wrote up all of the patches and major updates to the game from the beginning, we would be here all night.

Feel free to retell some of your favorite memories in the comments section, and join us in wishing a happy birthday to KingsIsle and its baby, Wizard101! Click past the cut!

Continue reading Wizard101 celebrates another anniversary of taking over the world

Wizard101 celebrates another anniversary of taking over the world originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 02 Sep 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bright Shadow Online announced

Jef Reahard — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, MMO industry, New titles, News items

MMO collectible card games aren't quite as prevalent as their traditional RPG brethren, but titles like CardMon Hero, Urban Rivals, and even BattleForge have been making their online presence felt in recent years. Today Gamania Digital Entertainment Europe is adding another title to that mix with the announcement of its Bright Shadow Online MMOCCG.

Bright Shadow's beta begins this Friday, July 8th on Gamania's beanfun! platform. Interested players can grab a beta key by playing the Bright Shadow Memory Game at the title's website. The minigame involves matching six pairs of monster cards, at which point you'll unlock your key. Careful, though, you've only got four lives to spend.

Bright Shadow Online features 20 classes, 60 randomly generated dungeons, over 600 collectible monster cards, and extensive character customization according to Gamania's official website.

Bright Shadow Online announced originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 05 Jul 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Choose My Adventure: Fizzles aren't fair edition

Beau Hindman — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, PvE, Opinion, Free-to-play, Hands-on, Casual, Humor, Kids, Wizard101, Choose My Adventure, Family

The votes have all been tallied, and my fellow Wizard101 players have spoken! When I asked which secondary school I should go for, you all told me, "Life!" Some thought this was a silly idea -- a Death wizard with a life secondary school? -- but I like it. After all, what better way to rub my enemy's face in it than by stealing his life, adding it to mine, and healing myself every time he hits me? I think I'll learn an evil laugh just for moments like that. It was also decided that I ought to keep my current zombie pet at my side. This was great news, since I've already grown pretty attached to the little rotten guy.

What does all of this mean? Well, I will save the explanations for secondary schools and pets for next week's installment. In the meanwhile, I need to tell you all about the busy week I just had in game. It was pretty epic, filled with steam golems, awesome new weapons, and discovering the secrets of deck building. (Well, some of the secrets.) If you want, you can give me all sorts of advice in the comments section.

Follow me past the cut to read up on my adventures!

Continue reading Choose My Adventure: Fizzles aren't fair edition

Choose My Adventure: Fizzles aren't fair edition originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 26 Jan 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Choose My Adventure: Wings rule, horses drool edition

Beau Hindman — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Polls, Screenshots, Culture, Opinion, Free-to-play, Hands-on, Trading card games, Casual, Wizard101, Choose My Adventure, Family

For those who might not know, it was decided last week that my Wizard101 character was to be a boy from the school of Death. On top of that, he was ordered to get around town by using a pair of beautiful white wings. I heard a few comments in different places about how the wings would not look cool with a Death student or about how a horse mount or broom was better. I held fast and nabbed a pair of the white, fluttering back pieces. I had to obey orders!

Once I made my character and put the wings on, though, I looked completely metal. For those younger players who might not understand what that means, Google "Dio" and watch a few videos. Avoid Slayer -- your parents would not like that. (Note: If you come across a band called Queensryche, that's not metal.) Anyway, my white wings only accentuated my dark intentions. It was a fantastic choice.

But what else did I do over this last week besides wait for the vote to end? Well, click past the cut and I'll let you know.

Gallery: CMA: Wizard 101 first edition

Continue reading Choose My Adventure: Wings rule, horses drool edition

Choose My Adventure: Wings rule, horses drool edition originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 19 Jan 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rise and Shiny recap: Nanovor: Evolution

Beau Hindman — Sun, 26 Sep 2010 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Video, Events, in-game, Previews, PvP, Opinion, Free-to-play, Browser, Hands-on, Trading card games, Casual, Kids, Family, Rise and Shiny, Livestream

Nanovor: Evolution, by Smith and Tinker, has the ability to allow a player to experience in-depth combat and collecting or pick-em-up battles on the fly. It has also been created with the purpose of running in a browser window or (soon) on an iPhone or iPad. What you end up with is a perfect game for someone who spent a good deal of his week feeling ill, like I did. Playing the game was almost relaxing, rather than nail-biting or stressful.

Were there intense moments? Yes, like the time I played someone several levels above me. Generally, however, the game provides an environment for fun on the go. The few criticisms I have heard about the game -- that it's grindy, "pay-to-win" or made only for children -- are completely valid but a little out of place. Nanovor: Evolution, like Vindictus or LOCO, isn't trying to be an open-world, non-instanced groupathon. What Smith and Tinker does is provide an easy opportunity for fun and action, while skirting the edge of the definition for "MMORPG."

Continue reading Rise and Shiny recap: Nanovor: Evolution

Rise and Shiny recap: Nanovor: Evolution originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 26 Sep 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It's clobberin' time: Whomp other Super Hero Squad players at PAX

Justin Olivetti — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Super-hero, Events, real-world, PvP, Trading card games, Family, Super Hero Squad Online

We've got two quick questions for you: Are you a Marvel fan, and are you going to PAX this weekend? If you leaped up from your chair screaming, "YES! YES! A THOUSAND TIMES YES!" then cut back on your caffeine intake and get thee to Gazillion's booth (#3433) in the exhibition hall for a special treat. Not only will the company be showing off Super Hero Squad Online, but it'll be hosting a special PvP tournament for awesome prizes.

At the tournament, players will get their hands on the collectible card battle system, where they can build their own customized decks and strike out at lesser heroes who stand in their way. In SHSO, these cards can be earned through quests and mini-games, or purchased via microtransactions. Gazillion has three Alienware prize packages for the winners of the tournament, including keyboards, headsets and a monitor.

This unique PvP system could be an effort to recall the joy of collecting toys and cards. Visitors to Gazillion's booth will also be able to play other aspects of the Marvel MMO, sign up for the beta, and shake hands with the developers.

It's clobberin' time: Whomp other Super Hero Squad players at PAX originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 31 Aug 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Massively catches up with SOE Tucson director Dan Kopycienski

James Egan — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Business models, MMO industry, Trading card games

Sony Online Entertainment surprised us recently with the announcement that they'd acquired Octopi -- creators of the collectible strategy game PoxNora -- and that the studio would now be known as SOE Tucson. We had some questions about what this acquisition might mean for SOE moving into the future, as well as what changes are on the horizon for PoxNora.

Massively caught up with the former president of Octopi, Dan Kopycienski, who is now Director of Development at SOE Tucson. Although SOE Tucson is still very much a studio in transition, he was kind enough to speak with us about where PoxNora is today, and what it may become with the newfound backing of Sony Online Entertainment.

Continue reading Massively catches up with SOE Tucson director Dan Kopycienski

Massively catches up with SOE Tucson director Dan Kopycienski originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 05 Feb 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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World of Warcraft miniatures game launches

James Egan — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: World of Warcraft, Fantasy, MMO industry, Trading card games

One of the biggest names in the trading card industry is Upper Deck Entertainment. Given the success of their World of Warcraft Trading Card Game, they've released a follow-up game this week: The World of Warcraft Miniatures Game.

The World of Warcraft Miniatures Game went on sale worldwide as of Tuesday, November 11th. There are 70 different miniatures, including Warchief Thrall, Varimathras, and yes... even Leeroy Jenkins. There's a bonus for your actual WoW characters as well -- miniatures booster packs come with sample packs from the WoW Trading Card Game which might include Loot cards. Essentially, they're unlocks for "cosmetic in-game upgrades for their online World of Warcraft characters". Check out the Upper Deck launch announcement for their World of Warcraft Miniatures Game for the full details.

One of Azeroth's millions of citizens? Check out our ongoing coverage of the World of Warcraft, and be sure to touch base with our sister site WoW Insider for all your Lich King needs!

World of Warcraft miniatures game launches originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 14 Nov 2008 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Daily Grind: What do you think of table-top games?

Samuel Axon — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: World of Warcraft, EverQuest, EverQuest II, Culture, Warhammer Online, Opinion, The Daily Grind, Trading card games

There exists a very close relationship between MMOs and table-top games.

Yesterday saw the launch of Ethernauts, the fifth expansion to EverQuest-related collectible trading card game Legends of Norrath. LoN is digital, but gameplay-wise, it's totally a table-top game. World of Warcraft has an entirely material trading card game. Warhammer Online is of course based on the Warhammer miniatures game, and WoW is getting a miniatures game of its own. And of course, the RPG genre originated on the table-top with Dungeons & Dragons.

We're wondering: how much crossover is there between digital and table-top games? How many of our readers play them? Tell us! What do you think of table-top games?

The Daily Grind: What do you think of table-top games? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 10 Oct 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Legends of Norrath launches fifth expansion: Ethernauts

Samuel Axon — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 19:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, EverQuest, EverQuest II, News items, Trading card games

Today marks the release of the fifth expansion to the Legends of Norrath digital trading card game -- Ethernauts. More than 280 cards join the existing arsenal, including four avatar cards, two new unit races, and 20 loot cards. They all play into a story that sets the stage for EverQuest II's upcoming The Shadow Odyssey expansion. In fact, there are even some scenarios based on never-before-seen TSO content.

In an attempt to give would-be newbies an incentive to buy in, SOE has also introduced the Legendary Starter Pack at the price of $19.99. If you're a vet, though, you can pick up Ethernauts booster packs for $2.99 each. Current EverQuest or EQ2 subscribers will get a free starter deck, 'cause, y'know -- you're not hooked on Norrath enough already, right?

Oh, and there are a bunch of special events all weekend celebrating the launch.

Well met, fellow Norrathian! Make sure to check out all of our coverage of the next EverQuest II expansion, The Shadow Odyssey as well as Seeds of Destruction, the next expansion to EverQuest!

Gallery: Legends of Norrath

Legends of Norrath launches fifth expansion: Ethernauts originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 09 Oct 2008 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gifts for the City dwellers

Jonathan Northwood — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: City of Heroes, City of Villains

Whatever you celebrate this time of year, December seems to be when the majority of gifts are exchanged among friends and family. Everyone has their own idea of what is and isn't appropriate in a gift-giving manner, and it's difficult to decide what's best to give, and what we most want to receive. Well, that's where we come in.

We have the good fortune of having two of the fae here -- one from the Rogue Isles, and one from Paragon City -- to share with us their views of appropriate gifts for those of you who are playing in NCsoft's realms this holiday season. Their selections range from cost-free, in-game offerings up to something you can tuck under the tree ... or the computer desk, as the case may be.

Continue reading Gifts for the City dwellers

Gifts for the City dwellers originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 11 Dec 2007 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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