Massively

E3 2013: DCUO plans to remain completely free on PS4

MJ Guthrie — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Super-hero, MMO Industry, Free-to-Play, Events (Massively's Coverage), DC Universe Online

The PlayStation 4 made headlines at this year's E3 thanks to its console wars one-upmanship as well as its newly announced launch library. But one previously announced had a live demo at the L.A.-based convention extravaganza; DC Universe Online offered players a chance to experience some next-gen superhero shenanigans for themselves, so we totally jumped in on the action!

After engrossing ourselves in the world of capes, masks, and super powers, we nabbed Executive Producer Lawrence Liberty to talk with us about DCUO's conversion to the PS4. He shared details about performance, uses for the touchpad on the new controller, a new companion app, and the plan for DCUO to be available at the console's launch. Liberty also noted that the team is working with Sony to keep the game free on the PS4 so players won't have to purchase a PlayStation Plus membership.

Continue reading E3 2013: DCUO plans to remain completely free on PS4

E3 2013: DCUO plans to remain completely free on PS4 originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 13 Jun 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PAX East 2013: Hands-on with WildStar's Spellslinger and Warrior

Eliot Lefebvre — Sat, 23 Mar 2013 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Classes, Events (Real-World), Game Mechanics, New Titles, Previews, News Items, PvE, Opinion, Races, Hands-On (Massively's), Events (Massively's Coverage), WildStar

When you start following a game, you always worry that it won't live up to your expectations.

It's inevitable, really. I didn't fall in love with WildStar after years of playing; I fell in love based upon a trailer and a design philosophy that appealed to me. The game itself could be far removed from my first impressions, or it could be a cocktail of half-finished systems and unsatisfying gameplay. Without some personal experience in Nexus, all I could to do was wait for the game and hope that it matched my hopes.

Of course, WildStar hit the ground running at PAX East 2013. I wrote on Friday about my experiences with the new housing video and some of the game's zones, but that's no substitute for playing the game. So it was with a slight sense of apprehension that I found myself standing behind the demo station controls and jumping in for the first time at PAX. Would I be satisfied, or would this turn out to be a love affair that didn't survive contact with the game itself?

Continue reading PAX East 2013: Hands-on with WildStar's Spellslinger and Warrior

PAX East 2013: Hands-on with WildStar's Spellslinger and Warrior originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 23 Mar 2013 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Click-click-click: Massively's double-dose of Path of Exile impressions

Brianna Royce — Sat, 19 Jan 2013 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Events (Real-World), Opinion, Hands-On (Massively's), Events (Massively's Coverage), Miscellaneous

New Zealand-based Grinding Gear Games has a challenge ahead of it: to convince a jaded gaming audience that its online action RPG Path of Exile can be more than just another Diablo III clone. Our Not So Massively crew has been following the game with great interest, zeroing in on its generously sprawling skill tree and item-customization systems in particular. And this Wednesday will see the launch of open beta, leaving only one question left to answer: click-click-click?

Well, maybe a few other questions too, like how does it play and is it worth my time? To get some first-hand experience with the latest edition of the game, Massively sent two freelancers -- Gavin Townsley and Jeffery Wright -- to two different Path of Exile developer events last week, one in San Francisco and the other in Los Angeles. Which city won in the quest for the coolest demo? You'll just have to read both to find out.

Click-click-click: Massively's double-dose of Path of Exile impressions originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 19 Jan 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Piles of dead demons: A hands-on with Path of Exile

Gavin Townsley — Sat, 19 Jan 2013 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Galleries, Screenshots, Business Models, Classes, Events (Real-World), Game Mechanics, Previews, Opinion, Free-to-Play, Hands-On, Hands-On (Massively's), Events (Massively's Coverage), Miscellaneous

Path of Exile makes me smile. It isn't because of the gritty, dark setting or how a swing of my mace scatters disembodied monster pieces in every direction. It isn't the interesting design of the passive skill tree or the inclusion of PvP. What makes me smile is knowing that the kid inside me has finally found a worthy successor to the action RPG Diablo II. Oh, and it's free-to-play.

Grinding Gear Games begins the PoE open beta on January 23rd, 2013. This week I massacred hordes of various dark abominations with Lead Programmer Jonathan Rogers and Producer Chris Wilson in the brand-new Act III content.

And after my demo was finished, I almost felt bad for Diablo III.

Gallery: Path of Exile

Continue reading Piles of dead demons: A hands-on with Path of Exile

Piles of dead demons: A hands-on with Path of Exile originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 19 Jan 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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'Gearing' up for Path of Exile's launch with a demo and interview

Jeffery Wright — Sat, 19 Jan 2013 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Business Models, Classes, Economy, Events (Real-World), Game Mechanics, Interviews, Opinion, Hands-On, Interviews (Massively's), Hands-On (Massively's), Events (Massively's Coverage), Miscellaneous

Grinding Gear Games is finally gearing up (pun intended) for the launch of Path of Exile, an MMO dungeon-crawler that hopes to satisfy fanatics and casual gamers alike. The new title has been in closed beta for just the last few months of its six-year development cycle, and on January 23rd, it will hit open beta -- surely a relief for players eyeing the closed beta wistfully. Unfortunately for those who have been grinding away (yep, pun intended again) at hordes of monsters during the beta, there will be a character wipe, one that sets all characters, levels, items, experience, passive skills, active skills, and everything else back to zero.

I recently attended a live demo and got to chat about the game with reps from Grinding Gear in Los Angeles. Read on for my take!

Continue reading 'Gearing' up for Path of Exile's launch with a demo and interview

'Gearing' up for Path of Exile's launch with a demo and interview originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 19 Jan 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pathfinder Online unveils 'Environment Experience'

Matt Daniel — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, News Items, Sandbox

Pathfinder Online's Kickstarter campaign continues ever onward, but it will soon be drawing to a close. The Goblinworks title has received pledges totaling $671,765 of its whopping $1,000,000 goal. If you're on the fence trying to decide whether or not to pledge to the campaign, Goblinworks' latest treat might be enough to knock you off of it (one way or another).

Fans can now access a nifty tool that will allow them to traipse about the environment from the game's tech demo. It runs right in your browser courtesy of Unity, so it's definitely worth at least a quick look. There is, as you may have guessed, no actual gameplay in this little demo-land; it's just you, the movement keys, and a small chunk of the Pathfinder Online world. If you wanna poke around for yourself, you can find the demo at the source link below.

Pathfinder Online unveils 'Environment Experience' originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 09 Jan 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Neverwinter demo to be showcased in Paris this week

MJ Guthrie — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Events (Real-World), New Titles, News Items, Free-to-Play, Neverwinter

Interested in getting a taste of the adventures that await in Neverwinter? All it takes is a trip to France! Attendees of Paris Games Week 2012 will be able to try out the upcoming MMORPG based on the Dungeons & Dragons franchise from October 31st through November 4th.

Players who make it to the demo will get to check out a new adventure zone. "It's not only the first time that we will showcase Neverwinter to the French public on such a big scale," states Nathan Hasle, Community Manager for Neverwinter, "but also the first time ever in France we're showing off the brand-new adventure zone Blackdagger Ruins. We're very happy with this opportunity to have French players try out the game's action-based combat in Blackdagger Ruins' exciting new quests!"

[Source: Perfect World Europe press release]

Neverwinter demo to be showcased in Paris this week originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 29 Oct 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Not So Massively: Torchlight II free demo, Diablo III's Ubers revealed

Brendan Drain — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 21:00:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Game Mechanics, New Titles, Patches, PvP, News Items, PvE, Free-to-Play, Not So Massively, MOBA, League of Legends, Diablo III, Firefall

It's been a long time coming, but Torchlight II is finally here, and you can play a demo version of it completely free. Diablo III fansite Diablofans has been digging around in the test realm patch files to find out how the game's new Uber bosses works and what awesome rewards can be found by fighting them. Path of Exile celebrates its fourth successful public stress test weekend and looks at an interesting character build that lets players kills monsters by setting themselves on fire.

League of Legends released details of its next champion this week, the stealthy insectoid Kha'Zix, who can evolve his abilities in the middle of a game. Dota 2 officially released classic champion Meepo The Geomancer this week, and upcoming MOBA Prime World announced an odd new "PvEvP" game mode. Upcoming FPS Firefall came under fire from some beta testers this week for the unpolished state of its current beta client, and Blacklight: Retribution released the winning video of its bolt-action rifle montage contest.

Continue reading Not So Massively: Torchlight II free demo, Diablo III's Ubers revealed

Not So Massively: Torchlight II free demo, Diablo III's Ubers revealed originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 24 Sep 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SWTOR demoing Ancient Hypergates warzone at Gamescom

Justin Olivetti — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 16:30:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-Fi, Events (Real-World), PvP, Free-to-Play, Events (Massively's Coverage), Star Wars: The Old Republic

If you happen to be heading to Cologne for Gamescom this month and are a fan of Star Wars PvP, you might want to swing by ol' booth B-082 to get your mitts on the Ancient Hypergates warzone. BioWare stated that this upcoming Star Wars: The Old Republic warzone will be playable at the convention.

The studio said that attendees will be able to experience the warzone with either their actual character or a new one rolled on the spot. There's even the possibility that a developer might step in to duke it out alongside players as well.

EA BioWare will be announcing additional details about SWTOR's future at the convention and has announced both prizes and a meet-and-greet for its fans.

Gamescom takes place from August 16th through 19th.

SWTOR demoing Ancient Hypergates warzone at Gamescom originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 08 Aug 2012 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Origins of Malu to have playable demo at PAX Prime

MJ Guthrie — Sun, 29 Jul 2012 22:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Events (In-Game), MMO Industry, New Titles, Previews, News Items, Sandbox

If things have seemed quiet on the Origins of Malu front, it might be because Burning Dog Media has been working on a special treat for attendees of this year's PAX. Folks lucky enough to be milling about the convention this year have the opportunity for some hands-on experience with the up-and-coming sandbox!

Teaming with Alienware, the studio is bringing a mini-game version of Origins of Malu to give players a peek into the world. Two eight-man teams will fight over the Chochobi (a true scaredy-chicken) for 20 minutes in a head-to-head battle. Players will be able to choose from the Toljon, Qulinta, or Jolah races and will have the chance to get used to the variety of spells, skills and talents they will be playing with before diving into the fray.

This mini-game is only a glimpse of what's to come when the game releases (think 300-man battlegrounds), but is a great opportunity to sneak a peek first-hand. To participate, find Burning Dog at the Alienware arena. And we'll keep you posted on any further details as they come in.

Origins of Malu to have playable demo at PAX Prime originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 29 Jul 2012 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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TERA adds free seven-day trials

Justin Olivetti — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 16:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, TERA, Promotions

En Masse Vice President of Publishing Chris Lee wants to extend you -- yes, you -- a personal offer to play TERA. Don't you feel special? You totally should. "We want to open up to new players curious about the game with a free one-week TERA trial, as we're confident if you play, you will stay," Lee said in a press release (again, just to you).

Starting today, TERA now has two types of free ways for potential players to experience the game. As we've already reported, the first is the instant-streaming demo with pre-set characters. This second one is a proper trial: Players will get seven days to create their own characters and enjoy the world as much as they want during that time. There is a limit of eight characters on a single server for the trial, and without a subscription, players will be limited to a level 23 cap.

En Masse is confident that trial players will convert to a subscription if given that one-week hit of the sweet life. The studio says that players are currently averaging four-and-a-half hours of game time per day.

[Source: En Masse press release]

TERA adds free seven-day trials originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 13 Jun 2012 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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E3 2012: Perfect World's RaiderZ isn't Monster Hunter Online

Andrew Ross — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 15:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Events (Real-World), Previews, Opinion, Free-to-Play, Hands-On, Hands-On (Massively's), Events (Massively's Coverage)

Action combat seems to be the name of the game for MMOs at this year's E3. While tab-targeting is nice for eating pizza and raiding, sometimes you want something more visceral, so we have some top contenders for you today. RaiderZ is Perfect World Entertainment's newest action-based MMO, and while some people have an issue with its name, I've heard others note, in both positive and negative lights, its similarity to another game series very dear to my heart. I say that the comparison is a bit unfair to Perfect World, since what the studio has created isn't just different -- in some ways, it's better, especially if you're a fan of MMOs, which, if you're reading Massively, you probably are.

Since I know some console folks (even me!) have been thinking it for a while, let's just say it out loud and get it over with: RaiderZ is a Monster Hunter clone! Got it out of your system? Good. Now go wash your mouth out with soap.

Continue reading E3 2012: Perfect World's RaiderZ isn't Monster Hunter Online

E3 2012: Perfect World's RaiderZ isn't Monster Hunter Online originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 07 Jun 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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E3 2012: Gamigo shows off Grimlands and Otherlands

Andrew Ross — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 12:15:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Events (Real-World), Interviews, New Titles, Opinion, Free-to-Play, Interviews (Massively's), Events (Massively's Coverage)

Yesterday, we spoke to Gamigo about its upcoming titles Grimlands and Otherland. Grimlands was, admittedly, not quite on my radar until Gamigo's Anthony Guzzardo said the magic word: sandbox. I'd heard a few things about Grimlands already, such as skill based over levels, lots of customization, intelligent AI, vehicular combat, and yes, something about owning clan territory. Oh, and it's supposed to be free-to-play.

Sadly, E3 was having internet issues at the time of my interview, so while I couldn't play the game, Anthony was able to answer some questions for me.

Continue reading E3 2012: Gamigo shows off Grimlands and Otherlands

E3 2012: Gamigo shows off Grimlands and Otherlands originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 06 Jun 2012 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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TERA offers instant streaming demo courtesy of Gaikai

Justin Olivetti — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, MMO Industry, TERA, Miscellaneous

If you've been curious about TERA but are unsure of putting your money down or waiting for a lengthy download, then En Masse has a treat for you today. The studio has partnered with cloud gaming service Gaikai to offer an instant streaming version of TERA's demo.

Players can get right into the game with no download by visiting the new TERA demo page. Massively tested this out and confirmed that the game does indeed launch within seconds and allows you to test drive one of three pre-made characters in this action combat world. There is no cost associated with using this feature.

VP of Publishing Chris Lee thinks this is a perfect way to spread the word of TERA: "Gaikai's powerful cloud streaming service gives players a chance to enter the action combat world of TERA almost instantly. Within seconds of accessing TERA through Gaikai, players will be immersed in the skill-based combat of a true action MMO where they will experience the depth of a traditional MMO alongside the visceral satisfaction of an action game."

Gaikai offers tailored cloud-based gaming services for studios. We recently spoke with Gaikai's CO Dave Perry about his company's ambitions and goals within the MMO industry.

[Source: En Masse press release]

TERA offers instant streaming demo courtesy of Gaikai originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 04 Jun 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pathfinder Online puts together a Kickstarter project [Updated]

Eliot Lefebvre — Tue, 08 May 2012 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Events (Real-World), MMO Industry, News Items, Sandbox

Kickstarter has been getting a lot of attention from the gaming industry of late after a number of high-profile successes. It's even gained the attention of the team behind Pathfinder Online, the upcoming sandbox MMORPG based on the eponymous tabletop system. So instead of trying to secure venture capitalist funding for the project, the development team is reaching out directly to the fans via a new Kickstarter project to assemble a tech demo for the game.

It's important to note that the project is only for funding a demo of the game, enough to show bigger investors that the interest in the game does exist. However, the development team has still assembled a number of bonuses for prospective players, including special forum membership, specialized tabletop game products, and promotional posters. If you're interested in seeing the game continue in development, it's well worth dropping by the Kickstarter page and dropping in some money when it goes live soon.

[Update: The Kickstarter page is now live!]

Pathfinder Online puts together a Kickstarter project [Updated] originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 08 May 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Storybricks alpha video shows how you can choose your own adventure

Justin Olivetti — Tue, 08 May 2012 09:30:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Video, Game Mechanics

Ever since the Storybricks toolset was announced, a common question people have had is, "That sounds great, but how easy will it be to actually make my own MMO world? Will I need to be a master programmer or something?" The answer is, apparently, quite easy. The Storybricks devs took a few minutes to put together an alpha gameplay video showing how simple it is to set up complex social interactions between characters.

As players piece together the "bricks" that dictate a character's mood, actions, and responses to the player, every encounter in the game turns into a "choose your own adventure" that has a variety of outcomes.

One of the situations that was shown is that of a player encountering an irritated wizard. In the first attempt to interact with him, the player pesters the wizard, which prompts the wizard to unleash a zombie. If the player apologizes, the wizard is astonished, unsummons the zombie, and asks to be the player's friend. But in a second attempt, the player chooses to zap the zombie instead and then punch the guard that comes to investigate. This outcome leads to banishment from the city.

Storybricks is currently seeking funding via Kickstarter. It's certainly a promising system fraught with possibilities, so give it a look-see after the jump!

Continue reading Storybricks alpha video shows how you can choose your own adventure

Storybricks alpha video shows how you can choose your own adventure originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 08 May 2012 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Project Triniate attempts to put an MMO on a Nintendo 3DS

Justin Olivetti — Tue, 08 May 2012 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Video, New Titles, Browser, Mobile

There have been plenty of attempts at creating MMOs on mobile platforms, but so far those have been largely confined to smartphones, tablets, and iPod Touches. Enter Project Triniate, an MMO aiming to release on Nintendo's 3DS handheld platform by developer Robdeprop of 3DSPlaza.com.

Since the 3DS can't handle Java or Flash, the idea is that the player uses the system's browser to navigate to the official website and use the website to run the game instead. The title looks like a top-down 2-D game that relies on the stylus for any in-game conversations.

While interesting, it's certainly a long shot; even the developer says that it might not be released. Still, if you have a 3DS you can currently give the game a try -- for a buck, that is. Check out a demo video of Project Triniate after the jump.

Continue reading Project Triniate attempts to put an MMO on a Nintendo 3DS

Project Triniate attempts to put an MMO on a Nintendo 3DS originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 08 May 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PAX East 2012: Hands-on with Perfect World's RaiderZ

Jef Reahard — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Classes, Events (Real-World), Game Mechanics, MMO Industry, New Titles, News Items, Free-to-Play, Hands-On, Hands-On (Massively's), Events (Massively's Coverage)

TERA isn't the only upcoming MMO to feature big-ass monsters and action combat. Perfect World Entertainment showed us a demo of RaiderZ at last weekend's PAX East, and producer Mark Hill was pretty enthusiastic about the game's level of polish. He also made a point of highlighting the amount of free gameplay the company will be making available to fans later this year.

"We really want to blow people away with how much free content they're getting out of a really top-notch game," he said. Join us after the cut to see what RaiderZ has to offer.

Continue reading PAX East 2012: Hands-on with Perfect World's RaiderZ

PAX East 2012: Hands-on with Perfect World's RaiderZ originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 09 Apr 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PAX East 2012: The Secret World demo

Elisabeth Cardy — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 22:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Horror, Events (Real-World), Opinion, Hands-On, The Secret World, Hands-On (Massively's), First Impressions, Events (Massively's Coverage)

Funcom's The Secret World has had a big weekend at PAX East with its first public chance for hands-on interaction! It's a game that's been stirring up quite a bit of interest; the classless, level-less progression system, secret societies, and sword-and-automatic-rifle genre-bending are just a few of its selling points. My ears tend to perk up when the game gets mentioned, so of course I was all but falling over myself to hop into the playable demo this weekend. Walking away from that experience, though, I'm unconvinced.

Continue reading PAX East 2012: The Secret World demo

PAX East 2012: The Secret World demo originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 07 Apr 2012 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hi-Rez Studios offering exclusive Tribes and SMITE demos at PAX East

Justin Olivetti — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Previews, Free-to-Play, MMOFPS, Events (Massively's Coverage), MOBA

With the excitement and craziness of PAX East just a couple of days away, studios are clamoring for your attention with promises of candy and sweet, sweet previews. Hi-Rez Studios is no different; the company hopes that attendees will check out its booth for exclusive demos of its upcoming Tribes: Ascend and SMITE.

Players who visit booth 962 can check out a new preview release build of Tribes: Ascend before the game launches formally later this month. The demo contains a new game mode, Capture & Hold, which is a fast-paced experience that requires the mastery of vehicles and teamwork. Players will also get to see the return of a classic 1998 Tribes map revamped for modern times: Raindance.

Hi-Rez's other PAX East offering is its MOBA SMITE, which is in closed alpha testing. Here, attendees can choose from one of 15 deities and head out on to 5v5 battleground maps for serious smackdown. New to the public are six of these playable deities and the first look at the Fire Giant mob.

[Source: Hi-Rez press release]

Hi-Rez Studios offering exclusive Tribes and SMITE demos at PAX East originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 04 Apr 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Perfect World demoing Neverwinter and RaiderZ at PAX East

Justin Olivetti — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Events (Real-World), Free-to-Play, Events (Massively's Coverage), Giveaways

If you're heading out to PAX East next week and your dance card is getting full, you may want to save a foxtrot or two for Perfect World Entertainment's booth. The company has announced that it will be showcasing two of its upcoming titles to those lucky few who make it out to Boston.

At Perfect World's booth (#736), both Neverwinter and RaiderZ will offer demos so that players can see for themselves whether these are games worth anticipating. As if the early glimpse weren't enough, participants can discover special loot while they play that will transform into real-world prizes. Perfect World will also hold raffles for the chance to win gaming equipment.

Senior Vice President and General Manager of Game Publishing Yoon Im sees these two games as the most exciting of Perfect World's future lineup: "We are proud to showcase RaiderZ and Neverwinter at PAX East. Our strong partnerships with developers worldwide have allowed us to expand our diverse portfolio of impressive free-to-play games and strengthen our position as a leader in the business of online games. Both RaiderZ and Neverwinter are looking spectacular and we can't wait to show them off."

Massively will be on location at PAX East with an in-depth look at these games!

[Source: Perfect World Entertainment press release]

Perfect World demoing Neverwinter and RaiderZ at PAX East originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 30 Mar 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Leaderboard: Betas are a boon vs. betas are a bust

Justin Olivetti — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 17:30:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Culture, Opinion, Leaderboard

For many, betas are the apex of the pre-launch experience. After months and even years of hearing about a title, discussing it rabidly, and scouring the internet for information on it, fans are finally given the chance to try it out for themselves. For many, this is wonderful, a drink of water to a parched gaming soul. For many, but not for all.

You see, betas can be a doubled-edged sword, capable of hurting as much as helping. They can be a boon to those who truly want to help a game's development by testing for bugs, they can help players decide if this is a product worth purchasing, and they can assist in getting one's "game legs" before the main event begins. However, betas have been known to foster an environment of entitlement ("Why isn't this game 100% polished? I judge it fail!") while robbing the newness of an MMO that has yet to release.

So, overall, do you deem that betas are a boon to the community or a bust? Are they useful tools for both developers and players, or are they nothing but glorified demos that harm more than help? Put your vote where your opinion is after the jump!

Continue reading Leaderboard: Betas are a boon vs. betas are a bust

Leaderboard: Betas are a boon vs. betas are a bust originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 19 Mar 2012 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GDC 2012: The Repopulation demonstrates world-building elements

MJ Guthrie — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-Fi, Game Mechanics, Interviews, Previews, News Items, Opinion, Roleplaying, Interviews (Massively's), Events (Massively's Coverage), Sandbox, Crafting

GDC literally has a little of everything, from indie developers to major studios, from free-to-play games to shooters to arena battles to retro to family... there really is something for everyone. As a massive fan of sandboxes myself, I was pleased to get to spend so much time with Above and Beyond Technologies' lead dev and co-owner Josh Halls and artist Kevin Grove as they demonstrated some of the features in their upcoming title, The Repopulation. (And I would have even spent longer if I could have!)

While I had a monopoly on the team's attention, I had the chance to see some of the customization available to characters, both in appearance and gear, as well as get the lowdown on the world building element. We actually walked through the building of a nation, a feature that will make many a sandbox fan giddy! Although Josh was quick to point out that only a few items were available at this point in development, there was certainly enough to get a feel for the system. And I am looking forward to it!

Continue reading GDC 2012: The Repopulation demonstrates world-building elements

GDC 2012: The Repopulation demonstrates world-building elements originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 10 Mar 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GDC 2012: A look at Otherland and Grimlands with Gamigo

Karen Bryan — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 18:30:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Screenshots, Game Mechanics, Interviews, MMO Industry, Previews, Free-to-Play, Hands-On, Interviews (Massively's), Events (Massively's Coverage), Post-Apocalyptic, Otherland

Do you prefer a post-apocalyptic world or Tad Williams' vision of the internet of the future? Luckily, you can have them both by the end of the year because Gamigo is working busy at work preparing to launch two new titles. Massively had a chance to talk with Anthony Guzzardo, Gamigo's North American Publicity Manager, as well as PR Manager Dennis Hartmann as they showed off Otherland, based on the works of Tad Williams, and Grimlands, a post-apocalyptic vision in the desert.

Continue reading GDC 2012: A look at Otherland and Grimlands with Gamigo

GDC 2012: A look at Otherland and Grimlands with Gamigo originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 07 Mar 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hands-on impressions of The Secret World

François Blondin — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Historical, Horror, Sci-Fi, Events (Real-World), New Titles, Previews, PvP, PvE, Opinion, Hands-On, The Secret World, Hands-On (Massively's), Events (Massively's Coverage), Dungeons, Crafting

Last month, Funcom held a special hands-on event for The Secret World at its Montreal, Canada offices, where we sent freelancer François Blondin to cover all the exciting details. François also got to play the game for several hours, giving us a fresh perspective on what TSW has to offer MMO gamers.

In Funcom's upcoming The Secret World, the game's three factions -- Templars, Illuminati and Dragons -- face off, compete, and collaborate (all at the same time!) amidst the nightmarish creatures being revealed throughout the world. But choose your allegiance carefully: Your faction determines your path and special bonuses for the whole game, and faction-switching won't be an option. Join me for a hands-on look at the game's current incarnation!

Gallery: The Secret World

Continue reading Hands-on impressions of The Secret World

Hands-on impressions of The Secret World originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 21 Nov 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Secret World unveils Tokyo Flashback at New York Comic Con

Matt Daniel — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Horror, Video, Game Mechanics, Previews, News Items, PvE, The Secret World

As The Secret World draws ever closer to its April 2012 launch date, more and more information on the game continues to trickle forth. Today's treat comes to you from New York Comic Con, where Funcom has revealed the first eight-ish minutes of gameplay that new players will experience when they jump into the game.

This introductory instance is known as Tokyo Flashback, and not only does it serve to introduce players to the mechanics of combat within The Secret World, but it also sets up the game's conspiracy-laden storyline by introducing players to four key characters of The Secret World's universe. Most players will be familiar with these characters from the title'sprevious trailers, including the one from Gamescom 2011.

The demo of Tokyo Flashback follows a shotgun-toting heroine as she tags along with the NPCs against a horde of infected humans known as the Filth. The demo also imparts some new knowledge of gameplay mechanics. For instance, mobility is very important, and few -- if any -- abilities will root the character in place, allowing players to move freely at all times. It's also revealed that combat (or shotgun combat, at any rate) uses a combo-point-esque mechanic wherein certain attacks build resources on a target, and other "finisher" attacks expend those resources.

For the full trailer, head on past the cut, and check out the write-up of the Comic Con panel over at The Hydra Initiative. And don't forget, players interested in beta-testing The Secret World can sign up for The Secret War on the game's official site.

Continue reading The Secret World unveils Tokyo Flashback at New York Comic Con

The Secret World unveils Tokyo Flashback at New York Comic Con originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 16 Oct 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The panel is true: The Secret World preps a NYCC appearance

Justin Olivetti — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Horror, Sci-Fi, Events (Real-World), Previews, The Secret World, Events (Massively's Coverage)

MMO fans traveling out to the Big Apple for the New York Comic Con next weekend have another potential "must see" on their event list: an exclusive panel of The Secret World with the devs.

The panel will take place on Friday, October 14th at 4:00 p.m. EDT in room 1A24. It's here that Funcom devs Ragnar Tørnquist and Dag Scheve will not only present an all-new live demo of the upcoming conspiracy MMO but field questions from the audience in as candid a manner as possible.

Of course, considering the game in question, we note that this could be a trap by the Old Gods to swallow the souls of all those attending and turn them into husks to do the Old Gods' bidding, but that's just the chance you'll have to take.

The panel is true: The Secret World preps a NYCC appearance originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 07 Oct 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Salem livestream set for September 27th

Jef Reahard — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Events (Real-World), Game Mechanics, MMO Industry, New Titles, News Items, Free-to-Play, Browser, Livestream, Sandbox, Crafting

Paradox Interactive is highlighting a new opportunity for fans of the upcoming Salem MMORPG to get a first-hand look at how game development is progressing. A live demo will be streamed over Paradox's Twitch.tv channel on Tuesday, September 27th, offering curious onlookers the first real glimpse of the game that bills itself as "the crafting MMO" while also featuring PvP and permadeath.

Salem is a free-to-play browser-based MMORPG that takes place in a fantastical New England, and though the game has its share of "light-hearted gothic" elements and "a charming and cute art style," it also has quite a dark side in terms of hardcore mechanics and dangerous creatures based on colonial folklore.

Salem livestream set for September 27th originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 22 Sep 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gamescom 2011: Guild Wars 2 shows off 40 minutes of gameplay

Justin Olivetti — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 10:15:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Video, Guild Wars 2, Events (Massively's Coverage)

Hey Guild Wars 2 fans, bummed that you're not at Gamescom right now getting your paws, claws, or ferns on the game? We have the next best thing: nearly 40 minutes of video footage for you to digest.

On the Gamescom floor, ArenaNet's Chris Lye took time to walk Wartower.de through the full Guild Wars 2 demo for the event. During the tour, he shows us character customization, the Asura, and the Charr starting experience, capping it off with a giant dragon boss encounter.

So what's Lye looking forward to playing the most when the game goes live? "I've already found it: the Asura Thief. I love the size, I love the animations on the Asura, and I love how great they are as Thieves."

Grab some popcorn and settle in for the full video after the jump!

Continue reading Gamescom 2011: Guild Wars 2 shows off 40 minutes of gameplay

Gamescom 2011: Guild Wars 2 shows off 40 minutes of gameplay originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 18 Aug 2011 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EA livestreaming The Old Republic at 10:00 a.m. EDT [Updated]

Justin Olivetti — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 09:45:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-Fi, Video, Events (Massively's Coverage), Star Wars: The Old Republic, Livestream

It's the start of Gamescom, and this morning Electronic Arts will be making its big presentation to the crowd and to the world at large through its livestream of the event. As part of the presentation, BioWare will be putting on a multiplayer demonstration of Star Wars: The Old Republic for the press and viewing public.

[Update: You can watch the EA press conference livestream at GameTrailers or after the jump!]

Continue reading EA livestreaming The Old Republic at 10:00 a.m. EDT [Updated]

EA livestreaming The Old Republic at 10:00 a.m. EDT [Updated] originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 16 Aug 2011 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Firefall hands-on coming to Gamescom and PAX

Justin Olivetti — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Sci-Fi, Trailers, Video, Free-to-Play, MMOFPS, Events (Massively's Coverage)

Those heading to Gamescom and PAX Prime later this month have a treat on waiting for them: a hot new demo of Firefall, the free-to-play persistent world shooter. Red 5 Studios is gracing both conventions with a hands-on experience to let players see if it lives up to the growing hype.

The Gamescom crowd can expect to enjoy the full demo and some intense coop events, while PAXers will get to see additional multiplayer maps as Firefall debuts its open-world experience.

Not heading to either convention? Red 5 hopes you don't give up hope, and invites you to sign up for the Firefall beta program, which is currently in the friends and family stage but is set to expand significantly after PAX. Firefall is slated to launch this December, which is not a minute too soon to those anticipating this title.

Enough talk -- it's time for action! Hit the jump to check out the awesome new trailer showcasing Firefall's gorgeous cel-shaded look, crazy action scenarios, and glowy glider wings.

Continue reading New Firefall hands-on coming to Gamescom and PAX

New Firefall hands-on coming to Gamescom and PAX originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 08 Aug 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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E3 2011: Hands-on with SWTOR's Imperial Agent Operative

Dan O'Halloran — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 18:30:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-Fi, Events (Real-World), Previews, PvE, Opinion, Hands-On, Hands-On (Massively's), Events (Massively's Coverage), Star Wars: The Old Republic

E3 officially kicked off today in Los Angeles, and I was lucky to be one of the first in line for the latest hands-on demo of Star Wars: The Old Republic at the enormous Electronic Arts booth. There were two different types of demo stations awaiting us: level 1 Galactic Republic characters for those who were new to the game and level 26 Sith Empire characters for those of us who were more comfortable with MMOs. I was hot to play the mid-level Sith characters, but first we had to watch a 10-minute instructional video on how to play each advanced class.

Continue reading E3 2011: Hands-on with SWTOR's Imperial Agent Operative

E3 2011: Hands-on with SWTOR's Imperial Agent Operative originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 07 Jun 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Anvil of Crom: Your guide to the Refuge of the Apostate

Jef Reahard — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Age of Conan, Game Mechanics, PvE, Opinion, Hands-On, The Anvil of Crom

Wow, I've completely forgotten how to play my Demo. Due to recent adventures in Bear Shaman land, my level 80 Age of Conan characters have been collecting quite a bit of dust. I haven't really missed them yet, either, as the Shaman is a heck of a lot more enjoyable than I expected. That said, he's only 35, and therefore he's out of the running when it comes to showing me through the new Refuge of the Apostate dungeon content that Funcom released a few days back.

Join me after the cut as I get reacquainted with spamming shockstrike and running around with various succubi pets and a severe outbreak of particle effects. I might even be persuaded to offer up a proper guide for the new dungeon (and some review commentary) as well.

Continue reading The Anvil of Crom: Your guide to the Refuge of the Apostate

The Anvil of Crom: Your guide to the Refuge of the Apostate originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 17 Apr 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GDC 2011: Massively takes on TERA's Smuggler Hideout, and Brian Knox teases the political system

Jef Reahard — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Trailers, Video, Events (Real-World), Interviews, New Titles, News Items, Hands-On, TERA

Ah TERA, you're such a tease.

And we're not just talking about your skimpy outfits, oh no. Your political system, your endgame, your Westernized (whatever that means) makeover... all of these have conspired to leave us breathless with anticipation.

Fortunately, we were able to take TERA for a spin at this week's GDC 2011. Along with help from a PUG comprised of En Masse Entertainment staffers, we ventured deep inside the game's Smuggler's Hideout, battling BAMS (En Masse shorthand for big-ass monsters) and checking out the title's streamlined UI and spiffy combat mechanics. Join us after the cut for a brief recap of the demo as well as an interview with producer Brian Knox during which we (politely) demanded a definition for the much-discussed concept of Westernization.

Continue reading GDC 2011: Massively takes on TERA's Smuggler Hideout, and Brian Knox teases the political system

GDC 2011: Massively takes on TERA's Smuggler Hideout, and Brian Knox teases the political system originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 03 Mar 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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En Masse shows off PAX TERA demo video

Jef Reahard — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Video, New Titles, News Items, TERA

En Masse Entertainment has taken the wraps off a lengthy video edit of their PAX Prime 2010 TERA press demonstration. If you missed the game convention, as well as our coverage of the cultist refuge, you can sample scenes from the demo that have been cut together and made available on YouTube. The video, featuring a look at several boss fights as well as the interior and exterior of the cultist's refuge, runs right at six minutes in length and is underscored by some cheeky narration courtesy of producers Sam Kim and Stefan Ramirez.

"TERA is deep, it doesn't just have a story, it is a story. Progression isn't just about levels, items, or skills but about moving the story forward and finding out more about the world and your role in it as a player," Kim notes.

In addition to the usual footage of TERA's combat, there are also some interesting shots of the environments and what looks to be harvesting mechanics in the form of butterfly gathering.

En Masse shows off PAX TERA demo video originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 22 Sep 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Massively's hands-on with Rift: Planes of Telara's dynamic content

Brianna Royce — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Galleries, Screenshots, Trailers, Video, Classes, Events (Real-World), Game Mechanics, New Titles, Previews, Opinion, Hands-On, Hands-On (Massively's), RIFT

Just a few weeks ago, I was invited to attend Trion Worlds' Gamer's Day in San Francisco to get some hands-on time with a couple of the company's upcoming titles, including Rift: Planes of Telara. If Rift seems to have come out of nowhere, that might be due both to the acquisition of EverQuest II veteran Scott Hartsman to head the project as executive producer, and to a clever name change meant to reflect the team's shift in development focus.

In fact, that shift in development focus is precisely what I was at Trion's studio to test -- I got to check out the Rifts themselves in all their glory, in the context of the greater dynamic content system that the developers are so excited about. Massively's writers have been able to play and report on character creation and the starting areas of Rift several times over the last year or so, including earlier this summer at E3. But until today's embargo lift (coinciding with the reveal at Gamescom), no one had quite seen the fabled planar invasions and takeovers in action.

Now we have.

Continue reading Massively's hands-on with Rift: Planes of Telara's dynamic content

Massively's hands-on with Rift: Planes of Telara's dynamic content originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 18 Aug 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Final Fantasy XIV confirmed for Gamescom 2010

Eliot Lefebvre — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Events (Real-World), News Items, Consoles, Final Fantasy XIV

So, despite your best efforts, you still are not currently able to play Final Fantasy XIV. Not that your computer can't handle the system requirements -- no, it's simply an issue of the release date being painfully distant and your need for the game not subsiding. You've applied for the beta, but no luck. You entered the fansite contests for beta keys, and still nothing. You tried building a time machine, but you ran into problems when you went shopping for a DeLorean. What else can you possibly do?

Well, you could try running off to Europe. Specifically, Cologne, where Gamescom 2010 will be held. Square-Enix has confirmed that they will be presenting several games at the convention in a playable state, one of which will be Final Fantasy XIV. Most likely it will be from the newest testing build, although there's no word on whether or not the game will be playable by the public or just for press. Keep your eyes peeled to see if any new information comes out of the convention, taking place between the 18th and the 22nd of this month.

Final Fantasy XIV confirmed for Gamescom 2010 originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 11 Aug 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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E3 2010: Hands-on with Rift: Planes of Telara

Justin Olivetti — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 15:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Interviews, Previews, Hands-On, RIFT

We've had our eye on Rift: Planes of Telara for some time now, especially after getting a little face time with the game back in April. Fortune smiles upon us all once more as Trion Worlds made the trek to E3 to showcase this gorgeous fantasy title. Shouldering our way to the front of the line -- hey, hey, I'm reporting here! -- we took the wheel of an interactive demo while the developers were kind enough to answer a few questions about Rift.

Your very first decision in game will be to choose a faction: the Guardians or the Defiant. Both are tasked with saving a world under attack, although they each have their own approach and butt heads against the other in the process. The Guardians are blessed by the gods and are chosen to be their holy knights, while the Defiant take the anti-hero route and rely on their own technology to wage this war. The Defiant had created vast cities in the desert using their magical tech, but they were infiltrated by dragons and saw their great achievements wiped away, reducing them to desert wanderers. There are races unique to each faction, as well as races shared by both. We learned that the Defiant have access to both the Eth (human) and Bahmi (human/elemental) races.

Continue reading E3 2010: Hands-on with Rift: Planes of Telara

E3 2010: Hands-on with Rift: Planes of Telara originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 16 Jun 2010 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Massively Exclusive: Our tour of the Fallen Earth studio

Shawn Schuster — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-Fi, Video, Fallen Earth, Interviews, MMO Industry, Hands-On, Interviews (Massively's), Hands-On (Massively's), Post-Apocalyptic

Last week, I had the opportunity to visit the home of Fallen Earth: Icarus Studios in Cary, North Carolina. While the 8-hour drive through the mountains of North Carolina was certainly gorgeous, hanging out with the people who make Fallen Earth was a treat in itself. Rarely will you find a group of more down-to-earth, creative and passionate people as you'll find in an independent game studio.

So I brought my trusty camcorder to capture everything for the Massively readers. We talked about Patch 1.5, the new Assault PvP, the weather system, the companion app (as seen in a separate video), answered the questions you submitted and much more. Follow along after the jump for the complete video!

Continue reading Massively Exclusive: Our tour of the Fallen Earth studio

Massively Exclusive: Our tour of the Fallen Earth studio originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 11 Jun 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Star Trek Online offering veteran rewards and free trials

Eliot Lefebvre — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-Fi, Events (In-Game), Game Mechanics, News Items, Star Trek Online

Star Trek Online players and former players got a little surprise in their inbox this morning -- the promise of rewards if you were still playing, and the chance to get back in if you stopped. Quite apart from the recent update to the game's first large content patch, Cryptic is rolling out three new features to players: Veteran Rewards, a demo, and an upcoming free trial weekend.

The demo, not quite available yet but promised in the very near future, will work along the lines of the Champions Online demo: unlimited time, but gameplay itself limited to the first few missions and areas. For lapsed players or new players who prefer limited time and unlimited content, there's a free weekend coming up starting on May 7th. Again much like its sister game, there are no limitations on gameplay, just time: May 7th at 10 AM PST until May 10th 10 AM PST.

Of course, if you're an extant player none of these options are terribly engaging to you -- but the newly-added veteran rewards most likely are. Rolling in each 100 days, the rewards allow another free respec each interval, special costume pieces, and a small skill point buff on low-level characters. Take a look at the full page for all the rewards, which are the latest in a large dose of good news for Star Trek Online fans.

Star Trek Online offering veteran rewards and free trials originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 30 Apr 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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