Massively

Rosh Online major content update adds more funtionality and gameplay

MJ Guthrie — Wed, 23 May 2012 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Game mechanics, MMO industry, Patches, News items, Free-to-play

Ignited Games has released a major content update to its free-to-play fantasy MMO Rosh Online that not only adds more gameplay features but introduces a number of new systems and changes to enhance the player experience.

Along with a mysterious new island and dungeons to explore, new armor and weapons, improved boss monsters, three craftable bear mounts, and an increased level cap (up to 75), this update offers more functionality with modifications to the UI, an inventory sort function, a craft tooltip, and an auto-walk system to get players to NPCs and quest mobs.

If that doesn't sound like enough, a new dismantle system for creating unique crafting items and the ability to view players' equipped items are also being introduced. More details are available in the patch notes.

[Source: Ignited Games press release]

Rosh Online major content update adds more funtionality and gameplay originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 23 May 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LotRO Update 7 to add new skirmish, revamp old content

Justin Olivetti — Fri, 04 May 2012 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Lord of the Rings Online, Patches, Previews, Free-to-play

Even a good anniversary celebration can't delay Turbine from delivering the content through snow, rain, and volcanic ash from Mount Doom. The team has posted an outline of Lord of the Rings Online's next content patch, Update 7, with word that it will go to the test server soon.

Update 7: Shades of the Past promises to add a new endgame skirmish called Storm on Methedras. The skirmish will be free for VIP players and tasks groups of one to 12 players with taking on Saruman's ally, Gwyllion, in the Misty Mountains.

The update will also contain two huge renovations to existing content. Turbine will be divvying up the massive Fornost dungeon into four scalable instances accessible from levels 30 on up. More importantly, the team is renovating great parts of Moria with better graphics and a smoother quest flow.

LotRO Update 7 to add new skirmish, revamp old content originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 04 May 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Skyshrine's the limit: EverQuest II delivering new update April 17th

Justin Olivetti — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 16:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, EverQuest II, Patches, Previews, Free-to-play

It wouldn't be EverQuest II without a dragon or two, and come April 17th, players will be able to bask in as much flamebreath as they can handle. It's on this date that SOE will release the much-anticipated Game Update 63, and with it, the dragon city of Skyshrine and the new area of the Withered Lands.

Skyshrine is a dragon citadel where good and evil dragons dwell, and as of the update's release, it will be coming under siege by mysterious forces. Only the most daring players will be brave enough to explore the nooks and crannies of this city -- and plunder it for its tempting treasure. If Skyshrine isn't enough for excitement, the Withered Lands offer plenty of challenges (over 100 quests) for those who can navigate the formerly glorious region that's been twisted by dark corruption.

Game Update 63 will also include many additional features for players. For those who have the Destiny of Velious expansion, the level cap will be raised to 92, the Skyshrine and Withered Lands areas opened for adventuring, prestige class talents added, and an awesome Drake mount dangled as a major reward. Age of Discovery expansion holders can also get their hands on a new dungeon maker theme and adventurers, tradeskill apprentices, and an elite mercenary for hire.

[Source: SOE press release]

The Skyshrine's the limit: EverQuest II delivering new update April 17th originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 13 Mar 2012 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aika prepares for battle on March 8th with Epic II: Hestia

Justin Olivetti — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Galleries, Screenshots, Expansions, Patches, Free-to-play, Aika

Aika players may have seen strife and war, but they may be unprepared for the sheer magnitude of devastation heading their way. On March 8th, the game will receive its latest major update, Epic II: Hestia, and the world will never be the same again.

Epic II: Hestia is a top-heavy expansion for the game, bringing plenty to see and do for level-capped players. It will be be adding not only several new regions to the game but 24-person level-80 raids and a half-dozen additional gear sets as well.

To assist players in preparing for the epic (II) conflict, gPotato is giving all players level 60 and below a 50% XP boost so that they can get into the endgame by the time March 8th rolls around. You can check out a few screenshots from the upcoming expansion below!

[Source: gPotato press release]

Gallery: Aika Epic II

Aika prepares for battle on March 8th with Epic II: Hestia originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 15 Feb 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Star Wars: The Old Republic highlights upcoming Kaon Under Siege flashpoint

Matt Daniel — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Video, Patches, Previews, News items, PvE, Star Wars: The Old Republic, Dungeons

Despite only having launched about a month ago, Star Wars: The Old Republic is already gearing up for its next content update. As BioWare ramps up to release the update, it wants its fans to be getting excited for it as well. In that vein, the studio has released a new video highlighting Kaon Under Siege, one of the new flashpoints in the upcoming patch,

The story behind this flashpoint continues the game's current storyline, this time giving players a glimpse at the Tion Hegemony sector of the galaxy. Prior to the flashpoint, the Rakghoul plague has spread across multiple world in the system, killing the lucky and transforming those less fortunate into Rakghouls themselves. A few lucky survivors on the planet of Kaon have managed to hold out against the Rakghoul menace, and of course both the Empire and the Republic wish to rescue these survivors, eradicate the Rakghoul plague, and ultimately negotiate an alliance with the Tion Hegemony. For the full video preview of Kaon Under Siege, just click on past the cut.

Continue reading Star Wars: The Old Republic highlights upcoming Kaon Under Siege flashpoint

Star Wars: The Old Republic highlights upcoming Kaon Under Siege flashpoint originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 13 Jan 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Runes of Magic now featuring new raid content, Tergothen Bay zone

Jef Reahard — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Game mechanics, MMO industry, Patches, News items, Free-to-play, Runes of Magic, Dungeons

Thanksgiving presents aren't really a tradition as of yet, but Frogster nonetheless gave its Runes of Magic faithful a gift in the form of the game's 4.0.5 content patch. The update is called Souls of the Past, and it brings a bit of new endgame stuff to the free-to-play fantasy MMO.

First up is a new raid dungeon called the Tomb of the Seven Heroes, and it will challenge groups of 12 players with seven formidable boss battles. Frogster has also raised the level cap to 70 and is also offering up a entirely new content zone called Tergothen Bay. Here the players will find themselves taking part in the ongoing struggles between the region's ruling families, and the new content "paves the way to Chapter 5, which we are all very much looking forward to," says Runes of Magic producer Mandy Blumenthal.

Runes of Magic now featuring new raid content, Tergothen Bay zone originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 25 Nov 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Vanguard content update to feature new dungeon, golden path, and more

Jef Reahard — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Game mechanics, MMO industry, Patches, News items, Vanguard, Dungeons

Holy smokes, it's a Vanguard content update! No, really. Sony Online Entertainment has just delighted fans of its long-neglected fantasy themepark with a post on the official boards that outlines some nifty changes coming in the near future.

In addition to a new thirteen-boss dungeon called the City of Brass, the devs are also cranking out overland raid bosses, removing the game's corpse recovery mechanics, and easing the leveling experience. There's also a blurb about increased drop rates and a "golden path" via the game's riftways that will guide players to the ideal adventuring areas for their level.

There's no date on all the goodies as of yet, but the post says that SOE is "getting close" to migrating the patch to Vanguard's test server. Head to the official forums to see for yourself.

Vanguard content update to feature new dungeon, golden path, and more originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 18 Nov 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DC Universe Online's Lightning Strikes DLC pack announced

Matt Daniel — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Super-hero, Patches, Previews, News items, Free-to-play, Consoles, DC Universe Online

DC Universe Online has had a lot to say about its recent free-to-play transition, with the game boasting a one million player increase since the change took place. But that's in the past already; what's en route in the near future? Well, today Sony Online Entertainment is announcing the latest round of DLC for the freshly F2P superhero game.

The new DLC is entitled Lightning Strikes, and it focuses on everyone's favorite speedster, Flash. The update will bring a variety of new content for veteran and fledgling players alike. So what can players look forward to when Lightning Strikes? We sat down with some of the game's developers to find out, so follow on past the cut and have a gander.

Continue reading DC Universe Online's Lightning Strikes DLC pack announced

DC Universe Online's Lightning Strikes DLC pack announced originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 17 Nov 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Perfect World introduces The Trials content update

Matt Daniel — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 21:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Trailers, Video, Perfect World International, Patches, News items, PvE, Free-to-play, Dungeons

Ready yourselves, Perfect World International players, because great trials are coming your way. The latest update to Perfect World Entertainment's trademark title brings players a new zone, known as Elysium Village, which will provide new quests and content for players level 100 or higher.

But the main attractions of the new update are the new Faction Trials, which are "a set of nine teamwork-based missions that will challenge even the most powerful faction." Up to 100 players can take part in each trial, and the ultimate goal of said trials is to prevent the ominously named Grand Demon Lord from breaking through to the Perfect World. These aren't the only new features being introduced with the update, so head on over to the game's official site to see the full details, and don't forget to check past the cut for a new trailer.

Continue reading Perfect World introduces The Trials content update

Perfect World introduces The Trials content update originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 01 Nov 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Dark Age of Camelot patch introduces New User Experience, RvR changes

Matt Daniel — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Dark Age of Camelot, Patches, PvP, News items, PvE

It's a big day for Dark Age of Camelot players, as patch 1.110 is going live today. The update includes the revamped New User Journey, which redesigns the tutorial and many mainland areas in each of the three realms in order to "make character progression more efficient and enjoyable than ever before." And of course, DAoC is all about the RvR, so many updates have been made to the game's Battlegrounds in an attempt to make them a "one-stop source for character progression and RvR action through level 49."

A number of UI updates have been made as well, which should hopefully make the game more user-friendly and customizable. Balance passes have been made on all classes, with some classes being given free respecs to account for the changes. All-in-all, it seems to be a rather comprehensive update to the game, so if you're a denizen of DAoC, head on over and check out the changes.

New Dark Age of Camelot patch introduces New User Experience, RvR changes originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 26 Oct 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Priston Tale introduces the Ice Mine

Matt Daniel — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Patches, News items, Free-to-play

Priston Tale, the long-running free-to-play MMORPG from SUBA Games, has announced its latest content update in a press release today. The update focuses on a cold, desolate land known as the Ice Mine, which only the most valiant of warriors could dare to brave.

Of course, with great danger comes great reward, and the Ice Mine is no exception. Players who venture into the new territory will find all-new level 108 gear with which to increase their power. And they're going to need all the help they can get if they hope to face off against the Ice Mine's big baddy, Tulla. If you want to join the battle, head on over to Priston Tale's official site to sign up.

[Source: SUBA Games press release]

Priston Tale introduces the Ice Mine originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 24 Oct 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Eden Eternal update introduces Templar, player housing

Matt Daniel — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 15:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Classes, Patches, News items, Free-to-play, Dungeons

Aeria Games has been teasing Eden Eternal's latest update since late last month, and now it's finally live. Eden Eternal players get a smattering of new goodies with the new patch, from the Templar class to player housing. In addition, the level cap has been raised to level 60, and new maps and dungeons have been introduced to keep players entertained on the way to the top. To get in on the free-to-play action, head on over to Eden Eternal's official site.

[Source: Aeria Games press release]

Eden Eternal update introduces Templar, player housing originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 12 Oct 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fans unearth new Forsaken World patch details

Jef Reahard — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Game mechanics, MMO industry, Patches, News items, Free-to-play, Dungeons

If you're a Forsaken World fan, you might be interested to know that Perfect World Entertainment has announced plans for the game's next content update. According to MMO Crunch, it's unclear whether the Storms of War patch is a full-blown expansion or a smaller-scale update. Either way, there's new stuff coming.

Some enterprising Forsaken World forum-dwellers have pieced together what they believe to be a feature list for the new content drop, but since Perfect World's Asian-market releases are normally months ahead of the American and European clients, none of the info has been confirmed.

Highlights of the feature list include memory fruit XP buffs, town teleport abilities, tweaks to dungeon difficulty and arena PvP systems, and a lot more.

Fans unearth new Forsaken World patch details originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 05 Oct 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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RIFT's Ashes of History update goes live

Justin Olivetti — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Patches, RIFT

RIFT players, clear your calendars -- you've got a new content patch to explore! Today, RIFT's update 1.5, Ashes of History, is live across all servers.

Trion Worlds' latest update for RIFT includes a number of features geared toward players of all types: soloers (the Chronicles dungeon system), level 50s (planar attunement), danger junkies (master mode dungeons), and PvPers (a brand-new warfront). A fresh and exciting world event is also on the way following the patch's release, although Trion has yet to specify a date for the event's start.

You can catch up on all of Massively's coverage of Ashes of History by watching the launch trailer, reading up on the features list, and learning about the veteran rewards for loyal players. Trion also posted the full patch notes on the site for your perusal.

RIFT's Ashes of History update goes live originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 28 Sep 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Massively exclusive: Rusty Hearts prepares for the Awakening

Justin Olivetti — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Patches, Free-to-play

Open betas are always a heady time for players and MMO studios alike, and Rusty Hearts is proving to be no exception to this. The fast-pace action title has been in open beta for a little under a month at this point, but Perfect World Entertainment is already putting the final touches on its first major content update, Awakening.

Perfect World promises that Awakening contains not only some ideas the developers thought would be good to get in the game but also several features that came as a result of player feedback. With a higher level cap, additional quests and dungeons, and weapons galore, Rusty Hearts players are going to have their plates full when the update hits on October 11th.

For an exclusive sneak peek at all of the details of this exciting update, hit the jump and find out what's in store for a very rusty future!

Continue reading Massively exclusive: Rusty Hearts prepares for the Awakening

Massively exclusive: Rusty Hearts prepares for the Awakening originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 27 Sep 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Eden Eternal update bringing new class, player housing, and more

Matt Daniel — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Classes, Patches, News items, Free-to-play

Aeria Games announced in a press release today that Eden Eternal will be on the receiving end of a rather large content update sometime in early October. What gives this update such heft? Well, for starters there's the new Templar class, plus a level cap raise, and oh yeah, player housing.

If five new levels, a new class, and houses aren't enough for you, get this: You can throw parties! In your house! House parties! Anyway, also included in the update are a variety of high-level areas, alpaca coins (which can be found in high-level zones and redeemed for various prizes), and a new pirate invasion event! Shiver me timbers and all that, matey. To get in on the swashbuckling, house-partying fun, just head on over to Eden Eternal's official site and sign up.

[Source: Aeria Games press release]

Eden Eternal update bringing new class, player housing, and more originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 26 Sep 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Black Prophecy escalates the species war with Episode 2

Justin Olivetti — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Patches, PvP, Free-to-play, Black Prophecy

"The time of peace has ended," gamigo writes in the introduction to the second major content update for Black Prophecy. We weren't under the impression that this was a tranquil game up to this point, but we suppose it's going to get a lot less peaceful with the introduction of warzones.

Episode 2: Species War takes PvP to a much more intense place, as players will be encouraged to duke it out for the control of strategic locations in space. By pulling up the warzone tab, ship captains can identify where the contested borders are and zip right over to them. Up to 200 players can engage in a single warzone, pursuing multiple objectives with the ultimate goal of capturing the command center. By participating, players will not only earn honor points, but XP and loot as well. Black Prophecy is adding rare blueprints that can be purchased with these honor points.

The update addresses the game balance in several ways, such as equalizing the benefit of shields and hulls. Players will receive a free skill reset because of the changes.

To celebrate Episode 2's release, gamigo is throwing two consecutive bonus PvP XP weeks, from September 21st through October 6th.

Gallery: Black Prophecy Episode 2: Species War

Black Prophecy escalates the species war with Episode 2 originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 21 Sep 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GodsWar Online takes the battle to a whole new level

Justin Olivetti — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Patches, Previews, Free-to-play

GodsWar Online is on the verge of another major content update, and it's never our wish at Massively that players be caught unaware, just in case you want to plan ahead and move laundry night to a different day or something.

The Grecian title will be throwing a gob -- which is made up of 10 goblets -- of additional features and content our way, including a level cap increase and a new storyline for players to enjoy. As the conflict between the three factions rises to an even higher level, elite warriors will be glad to get their hands on Class Suit III gear, not to mention to be able to upgrade said gear with collected medals.

GodsWar will be tweaking Wonderland somewhat, particularly in regard to tougher BOSS fights (although there will be new weaknesses that players can exploit). The update will also allow you to swap out your character's gender for a modest fee, just in case you choose poorly in the beginning or are discontented with your current anatomical features.

[Source: IGG press release]

GodsWar Online takes the battle to a whole new level originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 16 Sep 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A plague of frogs: Eden Eternal releases the Anuran race

Justin Olivetti — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Economy, Patches, Free-to-play, Races

Frogs may not seem like the best choice for rough-and-tough warriors, but they're great candidates when you think about it. They fight both on land and in water, they can use their freakishly long tongues to disarm the enemy, and they've got a bellyful of flies. That'd put anyone in a foul, fightin' mood.

So we applaud Eden Eternal, which today released an update that includes the latest race to the game, the froggy Anurans. The content patch for this fresh-faced MMO also includes racial crafting, with the Humans specializing in Gemcrafting, the Anuran in Alchemy, and the Zumi in Engineering. Crafters will be able to sell their wares at new player shops in Aven once the players hit level 20.

We posted a trailer to this patch two days ago, so if you haven't already, hop right on over and gobble it up!

A plague of frogs: Eden Eternal releases the Anuran race originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 14 Sep 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pocket Legends goes under the big top with Nuri's Hallows

Justin Olivetti — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Trailers, Video, Expansions, Patches, Free-to-play, Mobile

Pocket Legends, the pint-sized popular MMO with charm and quirkiness to spare, is enlisting players for a stint at the circus. While some of us may indeed qualify to join the sideshow freaks, Spacetime Studios is hoping that adventurers will instead help lift the curse of an unfortunate traveling circus.

With the recently released Nuri's Hallows campaign pack, players can now push up to level 60 as they investigate the cursed circus and its fascinating inhabitants. Amidst fighting the Strongman or navigating the twisted passageways of the House of Pain, there's tons of new loot to be found. Best of all, Spacetime is offering this campaign for free.

Pocket Legends is available on iOS devices, and you can watch the trailer for Nuri's Hallows after the jump. Remember, kids, all the best things in life come after the jump!

Continue reading Pocket Legends goes under the big top with Nuri's Hallows

Pocket Legends goes under the big top with Nuri's Hallows originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 02 Sep 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Scarlet Legacy prepping mammoth beta update for September 1st

Justin Olivetti — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Patches, Free-to-play

The open beta MMO that's not afraid to bribe players to come give it a try is gearing up for one of its biggest updates yet. Scarlet Legacy is counting down the hours until it uploads an elephant's worth of content onto the servers for testers to enjoy (and, hopefully, thoroughly vet).

This September 1st content update includes, but is not limited to, an increase in level cap to 45, dozens of new skills, 12 additional stances, three more maps, 68 quests, 46 crafting recipes, 154 weapons and pieces of armor, eight pets, high-level events, and a partridge in a pear tree. Well, maybe not the partridge.

It's hard to say which part of the content update is most enticing, although our money is on the three new maps with intriguing names like Hidden Evil Island and Ancient Grave. There's also a virgin dungeon that's ready to be plundered for its goodies: Soul Trapping Matrix. For story lovers, the tale of Princess Scarlet will be extended up through level 45 to match the level cap increase.

GamesCampus vows to release similarly large updates "at least once a month" from here on out.

Scarlet Legacy prepping mammoth beta update for September 1st originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 29 Aug 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Massively Exclusive: Ether Saga Odyssey Future's End preview

Matt Daniel — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Galleries, Screenshots, Patches, Previews, News items, Free-to-play, Ether Saga Online

As we close in on the launch of Ether Saga Odyssey's upcoming content update, Future's End, Perfect World Entertainment has sent us some lovely new screenshots as well as a bit of new information on what players can expect. First off, there's the titular Future's End, which is a new zone for players level 106 or higher. Future's End is inhabited by a variety of high-level monsters that provide lots of experience and plenty of valuable item drops.

Also included in the update are two new types of equipment, known as Dragon Lord and Genesis equipment. What truly makes this new equipment worth fighting for is the new Glyph system, which is used exclusively to enchant Dragon Lord and Genesis equipment, raising the gear to new levels of power. If players inscribe their gear with the right combination of glyphs, they can enable Mantras, which grant attribute bonuses. The update also brings new world bosses, new adventures, and new Signets and skills for Mogui classes. And lastly, for those of you who want to play even when you're out in the treacherous real world, PWE is introducing the Mobile Forge, which allows players to access the Ancestral Forge on the go. For some lovely screenshots to whet your appetites for the upcoming update, click on through the gallery below.

Gallery: Ether Saga Online

Massively Exclusive: Ether Saga Odyssey Future's End preview originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 16 Aug 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Eden Eternal update features Territory Wars, new content

Jef Reahard — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Classes, Game mechanics, MMO industry, Patches, News items, Free-to-play

'Tis the season for free-to-play content updates, and Eden Eternal is next on our list. The fantasy title from Aeria Games just added a new class, a level cap increase, and a new PvP territorial war system to its feature list as of this morning.

The new class takes the form of the Warlock, a practitioner of the dark arts who specializes in spawning parasites on his targets and manipulating said targets with an array of spells. The content update also brings the Delphi Forest and Blackflame Peak adventuring regions to Eden Eternal players, and the game's southwestern continent now features the Sunset Desert and Skyreach Jungle areas for high-level characters.

New quests and dungeons are also in the offing, as is a loyalty shop that rewards players with Aeria Points for completing standard gameplay tasks. Finally, the Territory Wars system takes a bow, and guilds can go for the jugular in free-for-all brawls that Aeria's press release says will "push the limits of teamwork." More info is available in the patch notes located on the official Eden Eternal website.

Eden Eternal update features Territory Wars, new content originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 10 Aug 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Go behind the scenes with RuneScape's August updates and upgrades

Matt Daniel — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: Previews, News items, RuneScape, Free-to-play, Browser, Family

RuneScape players have a treat in store for them, as Jagex has released the August Behind the Scenes letter today. What do players have to look forward to in the coming month? Quite a bit, actually. Not content to rest on its laurels after the ambitious clan citadels update, Jagex is maintaining full speed with a variety of upgrades and updates to the world of RuneScape.

For starters, the Grand Exchange will be seeing an upgrade that will split it into four wings in order to disperse the crowds around the central exchange booth, thereby making the service easier to use. The game's audio will be seeing an overhaul as well, with all elemental, normal, and Ancient Magick spells receiving new sound effects. Agility users will also notice some spankin'-new sounds as they scamper around. Temple Trekking is getting completely reworked, with the Temple Trekking partners' AI getting a large improvement. The largest update this month comes in the form of Branches of Darkmeyer, which will pit players against legions of deadly vampires in pursuit of shiny new vampire-slaying equipment. For all of this and more that we just couldn't fit, check out the August Behind the Scenes letter over at the RuneScape website.

Go behind the scenes with RuneScape's August updates and upgrades originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 01 Aug 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Asda 2's first content update goes live

Matt Daniel — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Patches, News items, Free-to-play

GamesCampus.com announced today that its free-to-play MMORPG Asda 2 has received its first content update. The Flammio Update (where do they get these names?) brings "three new maps, the introduction of the coveted pet system, a new player versus player tier to challenge and new items and equipment for both PVE and PVP competitors."

Also, for high level players, the update is adding the Infernos continent, which brings with it three new maps for players to explore, a wealth of new quests, and myriad new items. And those hundreds of new quests are going to come in handy, considering that the level cap has been raised from level 50 to level 55. Players can also get their hands on an adorable new pet which grows as it levels. Lastly, a new PvP Faction War tier has been added to coincide with the raised level cap, and players can now use their honor point at the Honor Shop in order to spruce themselves up with spiffy new equipment with which to better faceroll their enemies.

Asda 2's first content update goes live originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 28 Jul 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jade Dynasty's Imperial Citadel update goes live

Matt Daniel — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Trailers, Video, Patches, News items, Free-to-play, Jade Dynasty

Perfect World Entertainment has announced that Jade Dynasty's Imperial Citadel content update went live today, and the patch brought a healthy chunk of new features with it. For starters, the update introduces a new dungeon known as the Shura Gauntlet. The Gauntlet is a dungeon made up of an "even more twisted version of Shura," a previous game zone. The only way out of the warped dungeon is to go in further. Hooray, paradoxes! For each wave of the gauntlet that players complete, they'll be rewarded with increasingly powerful items.

There's also the Imperial Citadel, which has been reworked for Ascended Vitalized players, and gives them the opportunity to test their mettle through a series of "Imperial Tests." These tests will reward success with Chroma Beads, and they can be completed multiple times per day for players who want to roll around in a never-ending pool of beads. On top of this new content, the update also brings with it a couple of new daily quests and an improved item store. Head on past the cut for a shiny new trailer to commemorate the update.

Continue reading Jade Dynasty's Imperial Citadel update goes live

Jade Dynasty's Imperial Citadel update goes live originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 21 Jul 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mythos set to break the speed barrier with its new update

Justin Olivetti — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Game mechanics, Patches, Previews, Mythos, Free-to-play

Life in Hack-n-Slashville too slow for you these days? Well buckle up and keep your arms and legs inside of Mythos at all times -- the game is set to get a tad faster.

An upcoming content update for Mythos is set to include a new feature that encourages players to cut their way through dungeons at a record pace. Using the Dungeon Master feature, adventurers who beat dungeons and accomplish other challenges under a set time limit will be showered with gifts and glory.

If you choose to play in this mode, a timer will start the second you enter a dungeon and will go until you vanquish every foe in the place. If you make a new record or beat an old one -- you'll be competing against other players in this -- you'll get a nice package of rewards including in-game currency and rare items.

The update is set to increase the level cap and add more PvP content as well.

Mythos set to break the speed barrier with its new update originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 15 Jul 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Eden Eternal update bringing raids, dungeons, and adorable mouse-people

Matt Daniel — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Expansions, News items, Free-to-play, Races

Today, Aeria Games announced the first content update to its free-to-play MMO Eden Eternal. We've already taken a look at one of the new additions coming with the update, the adorably ingenious Zumi race, but now we have more information on what else will be coming to the charming little MMO.

The update will add eight-player raids to the mix alongside Heroic Dungeons. The first of many planned Heroic Dungeons will be Angor Quarry, which players will recognize as the first dungeon they encounter on their journey, and it will provide Eden Eternal players with "new challenges, new items and new crafting recipes." And for those of you with a competitive streak, the game will be introducing ranking-based rewards, which will track the top players and guilds on each server and reward the top percentage with rare and unique rewards. To jump into the game yourself, head on over to the official Eden Eternal website.

Eden Eternal update bringing raids, dungeons, and adorable mouse-people originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 13 Jul 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Black Prophecy releases first content update, launches tomorrow in NA

Justin Olivetti — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Trailers, Video, Launches, Patches, Free-to-play, Black Prophecy

It's a big week for Black Prophecy, as Reakktor Media's starchild both lights the fires of a North American launch and kicks the tires of its first content update.

While Black Prophecy has been released in Europe for some time now, tomorrow will see the official start of the North American servers. So if you've been itching for free interstellar combat in the region, then you've got less than 24 hours to go!

Along with the NA launch is the release of Episode 1: Inferno in Tulima. This sizable update is adding a new mission hub, a new sector set, additional stories, ship specials, an email system, and the ability to reset player skills.

You can read the full patch notes for Episode 1 over on the Black Prophecy forums, and then hit the jump to check out the exciting trailer!

Continue reading Black Prophecy releases first content update, launches tomorrow in NA

Black Prophecy releases first content update, launches tomorrow in NA originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 12 Jul 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Perfect Ten: Reasons to go back to older MMOs

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

Filed under: Guild Wars, Lord of the Rings Online, Star Wars Galaxies, Humor, Perfect Ten, Miscellaneous

When one MMO dies, it forces us to look at the rest of the bunch through the sunglasses of mortality. Games we didn't think twice about last week suddenly gain new relevance as we try to imagine a post-apocalyptic world where they cease to exist. I've always thought that our hobby is built on a shared illusion, one by which we all just pretend that these games will go on indefinitely, but that's not really the case.

As I try to pull us out of the tailspin depression of the previous paragraph, let me say that the finite nature of MMO lifespans shouldn't deter us from getting involved in them; on the contrary, it should make what they do and what they are that much more precious to us -- precious like a little show dog that we pet obsessively or an all-powerful ring forged in the fires of Mount Doom and given to completely clueless gardeners for safekeeping.

In fact, I think this is the perfect time -- summertime -- to give older MMOs a try, and I'm willing to argue that while wearing my best white suspenders and southern drawl. If it please the gentlemen and ladies of the court, here are 10 reasons why we should go back to the MMOs of yore.

Continue reading The Perfect Ten: Reasons to go back to older MMOs

The Perfect Ten: Reasons to go back to older MMOs originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 30 Jun 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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E3 2011: EverQuest II's Dave Georgeson in 3-D

Justin Olivetti — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, EverQuest II, Expansions, Game mechanics, Interviews, Free-to-play, Massively Event Coverage

If you're going to fly, why not fly with a little style -- and in 3-D? At E3, we were able to grab some facetime with Dave "Smokejumper" Georgeson, EverQuest II's executive producer, as he showed us the next dimension of MMO gameplay while we checked out some of the new aerial races in the game.

"We wanted to do a little more with the flying creatures than to go from Point A to Point B," Georgeson said, referencing EQII's aerial races. "So we put in these flying race courses, which is a good test ground for showing off 3-D."

It's one of those things that has to be seen to be believed. The 3-D effect while flying is, in a word, awesome. The user interface is up close, your character is somewhere in the middle, and the environment is in the background. The effect is very noticeable when you turn, which happens a lot while flying.

Hit the jump to hear more of Georgeson's thoughts on 3-D in EverQuest II as well as a get tantalizing sneak peek at the game's future!

Continue reading E3 2011: EverQuest II's Dave Georgeson in 3-D

E3 2011: EverQuest II's Dave Georgeson in 3-D originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 08 Jun 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Earthrise goes on sale, looks ahead to expansion [Updated]

Justin Olivetti — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Expansions, Earthrise, Promotions

Big things are afoot in Earthrise, which is now going worldwide as publisher Iceberg Interactive has launched the English language version in all territories. To tempt players into giving it a try, Iceberg's digital launch will be offered at a hefty 40% discount, bringing the title to $29.99.

Even bigger than that is the news of Earthrise's first free expansion: Territorial Warfare. This content update promises to double the size of the current game world and will let players take over territory, build bases, and fight against opposing forces. These bases can even provide players with resources to further expand their power.

The price drop and expansion will apply to European boxed copies as well. The boxed versions also include a map and poster.

Masthead Studios has been pursuing aggressive updates and fixes to the game as of late, and with the expansion there should be plenty of additional content for players to enjoy.

[Updated: Changed the price to reflect US sales price.]

Earthrise goes on sale, looks ahead to expansion [Updated] originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 01 Jun 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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RIFT's patch 1.2 moved to May 10th

Justin Olivetti — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Patches, RIFT

Don't break out the updater just yet, RIFT fans -- we've learned that you are going to have to wait a little bit longer to get your hands on the game's second big update. Patch 1.2, which was tentatively scheduled for a May 4th release, has been moved back to the 10th.

Trion Worlds let us know that the patch is still being "polished, tweaked and perfected," and as such the team needs additional time to get it ready.

When we talked with Scott Hartsman a week ago about the update, he made sure to mention that all of the details about RIFT's content patch, including the date, weren't set in stone. Patch 1.2 will contain additional endgame content, the wardrobe system, and a new Looking for Group tool.

RIFT's patch 1.2 moved to May 10th originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 28 Apr 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Introducing Dungeons & Dragons Online Update 9: 'Harbinger of Madness'

Larry Everett — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Dungeons and Dragons Online, Patches, News items, Free-to-play

Strange things things are happening the Saltire District of Dungeons and Dragons Online. Why have several citizens completely disappeared? What is this madness? It is time to don your DDO detective hat and begin your investigation at Stormreach Harbor. Update 9: Harbinger of Madness introduces players level 15 and above to the world of the grotesque, where fleshcrafting and galleries display body tissue as art.

In addition to the new quest content available through the adventure pack, Update 9 introduces new crafting features, which are currently in beta if you are interested in testing them out. These features allow a player to customize the effects of his weapons or armor. Deconstruct a weapon to make it craftable or just keep the best component for new weapons or armor pieces.

A release date has not been set, but check out the official DDO website for more information on the upcoming new content, new crafting features, new beast armor kits, new inventory packs, new combat balances, and new attack animations -- it seems everything is new in DDO!

Introducing Dungeons & Dragons Online Update 9: 'Harbinger of Madness' originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 12 Apr 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DC Universe Online Update 2 is on its way!

Larry Everett — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Super-hero, Patches, News items, DC Universe Online

We know you've been anxiously awaiting new content from DC Universe Online -- so have we. A couple of weeks ago, Creative Director Chris Cao talked with us about the "chance" content of the latest update. The Penguin and Two-Face are the villains of choice this time around, and we'll even see a special appearance from Mister Mxyzptlk. Naturally, we're are all excited about the new update -- now when is it coming out?

We finally have the answer. On the official forums, Community Manager Tony "RadarX" Jones told DCUO fans that the update will be coming next week! He also took some time to explain that multiple exploits have been fixed, many mission bugs have been squashed, and the social UI has been overhauled.

For more information about the update, don your cape and cowl, then head over to Krystalle's interview with Chris Cao. If SOE keeps to its normal update schedule, we will see the new content on Tuesday (if not Thursday). To the Batcave!

DC Universe Online Update 2 is on its way! originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 02 Apr 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Reshaping a zone: LotRO dev diary covers Evendim revamp

Justin Olivetti — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Lord of the Rings Online, Patches, Previews, Free-to-play, Dev Diaries

Ask any Lord of the Rings Online player about Evendim and you'll get back one of two responses: "Evendim? More like EVERswim!" and "Nice place but too spread out for my tastes." LotRO's lakefront-themed zone was identified as one of the sticking spots in the leveling track, which is why the dev team went back to overhaul Evendim and bring it up to code.

In a new dev diary, Joe Barry explains the purpose and execution of this revamp. Previously, Evendim attempted to cover too much territory as a level 29-50 zone, and as a result it was more of a hindrance than a help to players looking to get over the 30s hump. With next week's Echoes of the Dead update, Evendim will be transformed to a lean, mean leveling machine, tightened up to serve levels 30-40 exclusively.

The team added over 100 quests and two new quest hubs in its attempt to streamline the experience. Additionally, Turbine's experimenting with different ways to deliver quests to you, such as having a journal unfold new quests as you complete previous ones. Finally, quest rewards are designed in a way to deliver class-specific gear, which can be augmented by a bartering system put in for this patch.

You can read the full dev diary over at Lord of the Rings Online!

Reshaping a zone: LotRO dev diary covers Evendim revamp originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 16 Mar 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PAX East 2011: Hands-on with Nexon's Dragon Nest and Vindictus

Justin Olivetti — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Galleries, Screenshots, Trailers, Video, Events, real-world, Previews, Free-to-play, Hands-on, Massively Hands-on, Massively Event Coverage

Nexon spread its wings over much of PAX East's exhibit hall this year, with booths scattered about dedicated to it and its partners' various titles. At the center of the storm lay one of Nexon's hottest new properties, Dragon Nest, which was available for all manner of pokings and proddings.

I sat down to play through a couple of Dragon Nest's dungeons with Dee Lee and Moon Kim, who provided commentary on the various game features we were seeing. At its core, Dragon Nest is a fast-paced dungeon crawler, a mash-up between Dungeon Runners, Diablo and Final Fantasy. Instead of spending time roaming around the world, players will primarily be jumping into multi-stage instances over and over again.

Each dungeon, such as the Forest Sanctuary and the Valley of Mourning, can accommodate between one to four players (or up to eight for raids) as they try to battle their way to the end boss. It's colorful, heavy on clicking, and definitely arcade-like through and through.

Hit the jump to hear the rest of our Dragon Nest impressions as well as a sneak peek at Vindictus' big update coming later this month!

Continue reading PAX East 2011: Hands-on with Nexon's Dragon Nest and Vindictus

PAX East 2011: Hands-on with Nexon's Dragon Nest and Vindictus originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 11 Mar 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Are other game studios taking countermeasures against RIFT? [Updated]

Justin Olivetti — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: World of Warcraft, Launches, Patches, Warhammer Online, Opinion, Mortal Online, RIFT, Promotions

If you didn't know, today is the head start launch of RIFT and the beginning of many strained household relationships as players finally dive into Telara for real. While we've known for some time that Trion Worlds' creation was going to be a major player in the MMO field, it seems as though RIFT's release has caused other MMO studios to step up and take countermeasures.

In the past 24 hours, there have been a few significant developments that seem suspicious in regard to timing, at least. The first is that Blizzard dropped World of Warcraft's next content update, Patch 4.1, on to the public test server in the middle of the night. Mortal Online's announced that its free 14-day trial program is now active for any interested parties. ~~We've also received numerous tips that EA Mythic disabled the cancel subscription option for Warhammer Online.~~

Although we obviously can't be certain that all of these events are due to RIFT, timing, as they say, is everything. Have you seen any other MMO studios stepping up their game today as a distraction from the new shiny?

[Update: The Warhammer subscription option was a bug that should be resolved today, according to the devs.]

Are other game studios taking countermeasures against RIFT? [Updated] originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 24 Feb 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Runes of Magic 3.0.6 update will feature new desert zone

Jef Reahard — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Patches, News items, Free-to-play, Runes of Magic

Frogster's latest press release talks up the forthcoming content patch for free-to-play MMORPG Runes of Magic. The update, version 3.0.6, will introduce the new Limo Desert zone, which boasts nine sub-regions, a new instance, and seven oasis settlements that double as player supply points.

The desert is inhabited by dog-like bipedal creatures, appropriately called the Canine, who have split into two sects (the Iron Teeth and Rotteneyes clans). The Kingdom of Limon -- one of the aforementioned desert sub-regions -- features a pyramid burial chamber that houses a decorated Canine war hero as well as plenty of new tactical challenges for players. Check out more information on Runes of Magic at the game's official website.

Runes of Magic 3.0.6 update will feature new desert zone originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 05 Nov 2010 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Battle of the Immortals trailer teases new content update

Jef Reahard — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Patches, News items, Free-to-play, Battle of the Immortals

Perfect World Entertainment has just released a new trailer for their sprawling Battle of the Immortals Fall 2010 update patch. The patch, scheduled to go live on November 10th, features a plethora of new content including Mount Olympus, Shadow Manor, new class skills, new pets, equipment upgrades, and a vendor system.

Mount Olympus is geared toward endgame players and features an array of high-level bosses to fight, while Shadow Manor is a new raid dungeon for players over level 90. The 1.8 patch also boasts the requisite bug fixes as well as new maps and quests. Have a look at the trailer after the cut to see some of the new bosses and environments.

Continue reading Battle of the Immortals trailer teases new content update

Battle of the Immortals trailer teases new content update originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 03 Nov 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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