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 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Runes of Magic update 'Return of the Ice Dwarf Kingdom' coming in June]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/30/runes-of-magic-update-return-of-the-ice-dwarf-kingdom-coming-i/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/30/runes-of-magic-update-return-of-the-ice-dwarf-kingdom-coming-i/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/30/runes-of-magic-update-return-of-the-ice-dwarf-kingdom-coming-i/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Frogster Interactive seems to be off to a good start with their free-to-play MMO Runes of Magic, having exceeded 1 million registered users in under two months since launch. Frogster dropped some info today about the summer content they plan to release: Patch 1.7, "Return of the Ice Dwarf Kingdom" is scheduled to deploy on June 3rd. A key feature of the patch will be new expansion potential of guild castles. Guilds will be able to collect resources and build structures in their castle yard, unlocking more and improved buildings over time. Frogster Interactive states, "All buildings grant the guild special bonuses, from enhanced riding speed through the potential to mine resources up to powerful defensive works, which are in turn tactical elements in the planned guild vs. guild wars."

They've also revisited the "Ruins of the Ice Dwarf Kingdom", a dungeon intended for players between level 35-40, adding a new area more suitable for level 50 players. In addition, Patch 1.7 will introduce Elite skills for players at level 40 and 45 and the update will also bring permanent pets to Runes of Magic. This is Frogster's pre-E3 announcement, but we expect to learn more next week when we meet them at the E3 Expo.

Gallery: Runes of Magic guild castles

Gallery: First Impressions: Runes of Magic

Logging inCharacter creationHello pretty ladyI find your lack of pants... disturbingTips and art

MassivelyRunes of Magic update 'Return of the Ice Dwarf Kingdom' coming in June originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 30 May 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3-2009e3-expofantasyfree-to-playfrogsterfrogster-interactivepatchesrunes-of-magicSat, 30 May 2009 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Gaikai and OnLive both a no-show at E3 Expo 2009]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/27/gaikai-and-onlive-both-a-no-show-at-e3-expo-2009/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/27/gaikai-and-onlive-both-a-no-show-at-e3-expo-2009/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/27/gaikai-and-onlive-both-a-no-show-at-e3-expo-2009/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


We heard about two competing gaming services at GDC 2009 that could revolutionize the video game industry, if the technology announced can live up to its claims: OnLive and Gaikai. Both services aim to stream game content to users while the graphics crunching is handled on company servers, thereby eliminating the escalating hardware barriers to playing the latest and greatest titles -- a home user's low-end machine would be able to run high-end games. Gaikai head David Perry (of Acclaim) has said that the company's "Streaming Worlds" technology is suited to handle MMOs, and has specifically stated that World of Warcraft and EVE Online can already be streamed to browsers.

When we heard about these companies at GDC we were hoping to hear more a bit later in the year, but it seems that neither OnLive nor Gaikai will be at the E3 Expo 2009. Gaikai cites patent filings as the reason they've had to pull out from E3 while OnLive states that their service doesn't fit in with the 'retail-orientation' of E3. We'll keep an eye on both companies as time goes on, though at this point only Gaikai has announced that they plan to stream MMOs.

MassivelyGaikai and OnLive both a no-show at E3 Expo 2009 originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 27 May 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acclaimbrowserdavid-perrye3e3-2009e3-expoeveeve-onlinegaikaigdc-2009onlivestreamingstreaming-worldsworld-of-warcraftwowWed, 27 May 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Trion World Network receives 'Red Herring 100 North America' award]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/20/trion-world-network-receives-red-herring-100-north-america-awa/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/20/trion-world-network-receives-red-herring-100-north-america-awa/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/20/trion-world-network-receives-red-herring-100-north-america-awa/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


We just got word that Trion World Network is a Red Herring 100 North America winner for 2009. The Red Herring 100 North America awards are given annually to the companies identified as being the most promising tech startups that will "lead the next wave of disruption and innovation."

Massively has mentioned Trion World Network a few times in the past in connection with their announced projects in the MMO space. Namely, we've pointed out their (original IP) Sci-Fi Channel MMO that's in the works, and "Heroes of Telara", a fantasy title that we should have more info about after the E3 Expo in June.

Congratulations to Trion World Network, and we're glad to see an MMO developer make the Red Herring 100 North America list of winners.

MassivelyTrion World Network receives 'Red Herring 100 North America' award originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 20 May 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3e3-expofantasyheroes-of-telarammo-industryred-herringred-herring-100red-herring-north-america-100sci-fitriontrion-world-networkWed, 20 May 2009 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Trion to reveal first MMO at E3: Heroes of Telara]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/06/trion-to-reveal-first-mmo-at-e3-heroes-of-telara/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/06/trion-to-reveal-first-mmo-at-e3-heroes-of-telara/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/06/trion-to-reveal-first-mmo-at-e3-heroes-of-telara/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


One of the newer industry players in the MMO world is Trion World Network, which first came to our attention nearly a year ago with word of an MMO being made in partnership with the Sci-Fi Channel (soon to be rebranded as "Syfy"). Since then we've learned that there are multiple titles and publishing deals in the works at Trion.

Trion has now announced that the first title they'll unveil is "Heroes of Telara", which they'll be showing off at this year's E3 Expo in June. Details on the title are extremely scarce, but the Trion PR line is one of the first game descriptions we've seen thus far for their previously codenamed "Channel 1" MMO: "Heroes of Telara is a fantasy Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game (MMORPG) where everyday gamers are forged into legendary heroes. In Heroes of Telara players are challenged to conquer the unknown in an epic, ever-changing world. Heroes of Telara will feature an unprecedented level of rich and dynamic gameplay, driven by recurring events, unexpected challenges and limitless new content."

We'll be on the lookout for more info about Heroes of Telara as well as the other Trion MMOs as details emerge.

MassivelyTrion to reveal first MMO at E3: Heroes of Telara originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 06 May 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingchannel-1e3e3-2009e3-expofantasyheroes-of-telaranew-titlessci-fi-channelsyfytriontrion-world-networkWed, 06 May 2009 13:00:00 EST