Massively http://massively.joystiq.com Massively http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Massively http://massively.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Massively Exclusive: A look at C9's new 'extreme' dungeon]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/23/massively-exclusive-a-look-at-c9s-new-extreme-dungeon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/23/massively-exclusive-a-look-at-c9s-new-extreme-dungeon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/23/massively-exclusive-a-look-at-c9s-new-extreme-dungeon/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Massively Exclusive A look at C9's new 'extreme' dungeon
Continent of the Ninth Seal is preparing to unleash a raid to end all raids tomorrow. Webzen is marketing Bardiel Seal as an "extreme dungeon" that will send innocent players to their doom as they fight three new raid bosses: Molleck, Creios, and the Rebecca twins.

Despite the raid designation, Bardiel Seal only requires four level-62 players to tackle. If the bosses are downed, the game will reward the victors with some of the best armor to hit C9 yet. The fourth and final boss of the dungeon will be patched in next month.

To celebrate the release of Bardiel Seal, Webzen is handing out a reward package for returning players. Get a first look at the dungeon in the gallery and trailer below!

Gallery: C9: Bardiel Seal

Continue reading Massively Exclusive: A look at C9's new 'extreme' dungeon

MassivelyMassively Exclusive: A look at C9's new 'extreme' dungeon originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 23 Apr 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>action-combataction-mmoc9c9-extreme-dungeonc9-raidc9-raid-modec9-trailercontinent-of-the-ninth-sealdungeonsextreme-dungeonextreme-dungeon-teaserf2pfree-to-playgallerypveteasertrailervideowebzenTue, 23 Apr 2013 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Continent of the Ninth Seal adding raid mode, new dungeon]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/11/continent-of-the-ninth-seal-adding-raid-mode-new-dungeon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/11/continent-of-the-ninth-seal-adding-raid-mode-new-dungeon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/11/continent-of-the-ninth-seal-adding-raid-mode-new-dungeon/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Continent of the Ninth Seal - Extreme raid
Webzen has announced that it's adding a four-player "raid mode" and a new dungeon to its Continent of the Ninth Seal action fantasy MMO. The company's press release highlights something called an Extreme Dungeon which houses three "dangerously difficult" bosses and appropriate rewards for defeating them.

Continent of the Ninth Seal features four classes (Fighters, Shamans, Hunters, and Witchblades) each of which give way to more advanced subclasses with plenty of combat combos to explore. C9 boasts traditional MMO PvE as well as 16-player PvP matches.

Check out the Extreme Dungeon teaser after the break, and look for the new content on the live servers on April 24th.

[Source: Webzen press release]

Continue reading Continent of the Ninth Seal adding raid mode, new dungeon

MassivelyContinent of the Ninth Seal adding raid mode, new dungeon originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 11 Apr 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>action-combataction-mmoc9c9-extreme-dungeonc9-raidc9-raid-modec9-trailercontinent-of-the-ninth-sealdungeonsextreme-dungeonextreme-dungeon-teaserf2pfree-to-playpveteasertrailervideowebzenThu, 11 Apr 2013 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[GDC 2013: The MMO impact of the Webzen and Gala-Net merge]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/03/gdc-2013-the-mmo-impact-of-the-webzen-and-gala-net-merge/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/03/gdc-2013-the-mmo-impact-of-the-webzen-and-gala-net-merge/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/03/gdc-2013-the-mmo-impact-of-the-webzen-and-gala-net-merge/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

GDC 2013 Interview sheds light on Webzen and Gala merge
Acquisition. Though it sounds pretty benign on its own, when used in reference to one developer taking over another, the word can inspire fear in the hearts of gamers. Questions quickly arise about the future of titles that fall on the acquired side of the equation. How will the games and players be affected by the change? Will there even still be a game?

I sat down with Claas Wolter (European PR Manager) and Deanna Peter (Marketing/PR Associate) to discuss just this topic regarding the recent purchase of Gala-Net (the parent company of gPotato) by Webzen and how that acquisition will affect Allods Online, Age of Wulin, Terras Militaris, and the company's other MMORPGs.

Continue reading GDC 2013: The MMO impact of the Webzen and Gala-Net merge

MassivelyGDC 2013: The MMO impact of the Webzen and Gala-Net merge originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 03 Apr 2013 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acquisitionage-of-wulinallodsallods-onlinearctic-combatasiaastrum-nivalchinachinesechinese-mmoclaas-wolterconconferencecontinent-of-the-ninth-sealconventiondeanna-petereventevent-coverageeventsf2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playfreemiumgala-netgame-developers-conferencegame-developers-conference-2013gdcgdc-2013gpotatogvginterviewinterviewskidnappingmail-ru-gamesmail.ru-gamesmailru-gamesmartial-artsmassively-event-coveragemergermicrotransactionmicrotransactionsming-dynastymu-onlinepremiumpvpsandboxsevencoresnail-gamessnail-games-usaTerras-Militariswebzen.comwushuwuxiaWed, 03 Apr 2013 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Webzen buys 100% of Gala-Net, gPotato]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/01/webzen-buys-100-of-gala-net-gpotato/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/01/webzen-buys-100-of-gala-net-gpotato/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/01/webzen-buys-100-of-gala-net-gpotato/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Allods Online bear fight
Webzen has announced that it is acquiring MMO publisher gPotato as well as its parent company Gala-Net. According to Reuters, the transaction date is February 15th, after which Webzen will hold 100 percent of Gala-Net's shares.

MMO Culture notes that Webzen has already said hello to gPotato customers by publishing Continent of the Ninth Seal on the company's portal. A translated Gala PDF document indicates that the company's second quarter sales for the fiscal year ending in March 2013 were down over 43 percent from the same quarter of the previous year.

gPotato is known primarily for publishing Allods Online, Aika, and Sevencore in the west.

[Thanks to everyone who tipped us.]

MassivelyWebzen buys 100% of Gala-Net, gPotato originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 01 Feb 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>c9continent-of-the-ninth-sealf2pfantasyfree-to-playgalagala-netgpotatommo-industrywebzenwebzen-buys-gpotatoFri, 01 Feb 2013 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Steam Holiday Sale begins; MMO deals make gamers fear for their wallets]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/20/steam-holiday-sale-begins-mmo-deals-make-gamers-fear-for-their/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/20/steam-holiday-sale-begins-mmo-deals-make-gamers-fear-for-their/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/20/steam-holiday-sale-begins-mmo-deals-make-gamers-fear-for-their/#commentsFiled under: , ,

SPEND ALL THE MONEY!
All right gamers, it's time to make a choice: Either lock up your wallet and throw away the key or bust it out and prepare to blow some money because the Steam Holiday Sale is now on, and there are quite a few tasty MMO deals to be had. Steam's free-to-play category is particularly ripe for the picking: DC Universe Online's The Last Laugh DLC is currently 50% off (for $4.99 US), and Lord of the Rings Online's Steely Dawn Starter Pack is 50% (for $9.99 US).

On top of that, starter packs for virtually every F2P MMO under the sun are on sale as well. Tribes Ascend's raider and starter packs are 70% off, bringing them down to $4.49 and $5.99 US, respectively. If you're more the shooty type, Blacklight Retribution starter packs are 50% off for $9.99. If you're craving a more action-flavored fix, Rusty Hearts and Continent of the Ninth Seal starter packs are available for $4.99 US and $20.99 US, respectively. To browse all of the delicious sales (which include even more games such as Star Trek Online, Fallen Earth, and then some), just head on over to Steam's store page, or alternatively just boot up Steam and say a little prayer for your bank account.

MassivelySteam Holiday Sale begins; MMO deals make gamers fear for their wallets originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 20 Dec 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blacklight-retributioncontinent-of-the-ninth-sealdealsfallen-earthlord-of-the-rings-onlinemmo-dealsprepare-your-walletrusty-heartssalesalesstar-trek-onlinestarter-packssteam-holiday-salesteam-saletribes-ascendThu, 20 Dec 2012 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Continent of the Ninth Seal now playable in Europe]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/17/continent-of-the-ninth-seal-now-playable-in-europe/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/17/continent-of-the-ninth-seal-now-playable-in-europe/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/17/continent-of-the-ninth-seal-now-playable-in-europe/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Continent of the Ninth Seal - landscape screenshot
Continent of the Ninth Seal has officially launched in Europe. The action MMO was developed by a Korean company called Cloud 9 Studio, with some assistance from noted free-to-play firm Webzen. In Europe, C9 falls under gPotato's publishing banner, and it's now available for play via Gala Networks' servers.

C9 features FPS controls, an extensive combo system, and both PvE and PvP gameplay. Massively's had hands-on time with the game on a couple of different occasions, so have a look if you want a preview of what you'll be facing in the world of Tampera.

[Source: gPotato press release]

MassivelyContinent of the Ninth Seal now playable in Europe originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 17 Dec 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>action-mmoc9cloud-9cloud-9-studioscontinent-of-the-ninth-sealf2pfantasyfree-to-playgala-networks-europegpotatowebzenMon, 17 Dec 2012 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[One Shots: A fool's game]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/11/04/one-shots-a-fools-game/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/11/04/one-shots-a-fools-game/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/11/04/one-shots-a-fools-game/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

One Shots A fool's game
That's one big chicken, Scott. A big chicken indeed. Why do you need a chicken that big? Should we alert the authorities about animal abuse? Is this a Scandinavian Thanksgiving ritual? Are you attempting to prove the Rooster Road Theorem?

Perhaps I should let Scott explain: "I was recently informed you guys brought back One Shots. Well, here I am bringing you three one of my escapades in Guild Wars 2. Here, Nerrath's found dinner! You guys may or may not remember the several screenshots from Champions Online's Legion of Laughter that made it into the previous iteration of One Shots. Well, we're still going strong on the Crystal Desert server as the Order of the Fool!"

Feast your eyes on Scott's chicken and more after the break.

Continue reading One Shots: A fool's game

MassivelyOne Shots: A fool's game originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 04 Nov 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bring-back-one-shotsContinent-of-the-Ninth-Sealdc-universe-onlinedcuogalleriesgalleryguild-wars-2gw2one-shotspics-or-it-didnt-happenreader-screenshotsreader-submissionsriftscreenshotscreenshotsuser-submissionsSun, 04 Nov 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Free for All: Killing monsters in my undies in C9]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/26/free-for-all-killing-monsters-in-my-undies-in-c9/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/26/free-for-all-killing-monsters-in-my-undies-in-c9/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/26/free-for-all-killing-monsters-in-my-undies-in-c9/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

C9 screenshot
Calling your game an "unrivaled action RPG" is a pretty daring thing to do. After all, we play in a market that offers games like Vindictus, TERA, Dragon Nest, and Dungeon and Dragons Online. Action-based MMOs are nothing new, really, but they do seem to become more extreme with every new title that comes out. Where Vindictus goes for dark realism and DDO strives for classic gameplay, C9, aka Continent of the Ninth Seal, goes for over-the-top combos and incredible boss battles.

It delivers on its promises for the most part. I've played pretty much every action-based MMO on the market, and so far, the bold claims seem true: Nothing rivals C9's loud, combo-liscious approach to combat. Not all is perfect, of course, but most of the issues I had with the game resulted from art design or customer service. Those areas might be easier to fix than a boring game.

Continue reading Free for All: Killing monsters in my undies in C9

MassivelyFree for All: Killing monsters in my undies in C9 originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 26 Sep 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>actionaction-based-combatbeau-hindmanbutt-armorc9cash-shopcontinent-of-the-ninth-sealdragon-nestf2pfeaturedffafree-for-allfree-to-playfreemiumNexonnexon-americaopinionvelvet-ropevideovindictuswebzenyoutubeWed, 26 Sep 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[E3 2012: Hands-on with Webzen's C9 and the Witchblade]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/06/07/e3-2012-hands-on-with-webzens-c9-and-the-witchblade/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/06/07/e3-2012-hands-on-with-webzens-c9-and-the-witchblade/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/06/07/e3-2012-hands-on-with-webzens-c9-and-the-witchblade/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

E3 2012 Handson with Webzen's C9 and the Witchblade
So let's talk about C9. I suppose we should start with its full name, which is Continent of the Ninth Seal. It's a 3-D fantasy action RPG for PC, and it's developed by a company called Cloud 9 Studio. Webzen is handling global publishing duties, and the firm also hosted the E3 shindig I attended yesterday in order to get some hands-on time with the game.

Action combat is all the rage in MMOs nowadays, and C9 has it down pat. Tab targeting is conspicuously absent. Combat is all about reaction time, situational awareness, dodging, blocking, and chaining together ridiculously powerful combo attacks.

Is it an MMO? As ever these days, that depends on whom you talk to. For its part, Webzen calls it an MORPG (leaving off the first "m" for massively), and the game focuses primarily on PvP and small-group PvE.

Continue reading E3 2012: Hands-on with Webzen's C9 and the Witchblade

MassivelyE3 2012: Hands-on with Webzen's C9 and the Witchblade originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 07 Jun 2012 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>action-mmoaction-rpgc9c9-hands-oncloud-9-studiosconcontinent-of-the-ninth-sealcontinent-of-the-ninth-seal-hands-onconventionconvention-coveragedungeon-intrusione3e3-2012electronic-entertainment-expoexpof2pfree-to-playintrusion-systempvepvpwebzenwitchbladewitchblade-hands-onThu, 07 Jun 2012 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Webzen gearing up for C9 PvP tourney, Witchblade reveal at E3]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/06/01/webzen-gearing-up-for-c9-pvp-tourney-witchblade-reveal-at-e3/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/06/01/webzen-gearing-up-for-c9-pvp-tourney-witchblade-reveal-at-e3/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/06/01/webzen-gearing-up-for-c9-pvp-tourney-witchblade-reveal-at-e3/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Continent of the Ninth Seal snowscape
Webzen's Continent of the Ninth Seal, otherwise known as C9, hasn't made a lot of noise in the West as of yet. That may change after next week's E3, when the South Korean action MMO import will introduce a new class and strut its stuff via the championship finals of its PvP tournament. The new class is called the Witchblade, and E3 attendees will get some hands-on time with it as they battle the forces of evil in the game's Blenheim region.

Webzen is also showing off Arctic Combat, a new online FPS set on the frozen tundra of World War III. Check in with Massively next week as we'll be on the ground in Los Angeles to bring you all the latest MMO news and views.

[Source: Webzen press release]

MassivelyWebzen gearing up for C9 PvP tourney, Witchblade reveal at E3 originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 01 Jun 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arctic-combatc9classescontinent-of-the-ninth-seale3e3-2012f2pfantasyfree-to-playno-not-that-witchbladepvpshooterwebzenwitchbladeFri, 01 Jun 2012 12:00:00 EST