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[Global Agenda's newest dev blog talks Sandstorm]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/28/global-agendas-newest-dev-blog-talks-sandstorm/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/28/global-agendas-newest-dev-blog-talks-sandstorm/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/28/global-agendas-newest-dev-blog-talks-sandstorm/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

The development team at Hi-Rez Studios has released a new dev blog focusing on the upcoming changes to their Global Agenda MMOFPS. Codenamed Sandstorm, the updates will begin reaching the live servers in early June. Phase I of the patch, now in public testing, features a host of additions and improvements including new epic weapons, a new loot and token system, new PvP maps, new PvE missions, and new social features.

"So if you're looking at the patch notes for 1.3, you're probably saying to yourself 'holy crap they changed every aspect of the game,'" says Executive Producer Todd Harris. "We wanted to preserve all the good balanced combat, but also add a layer of device variety and new variety that our MMO players are looking for."

Check out the dev blog over at the official site or embedded after the cut.

Continue reading Global Agenda's newest dev blog talks Sandstorm

MassivelyGlobal Agenda's newest dev blog talks Sandstorm originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 28 May 2010 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dev-blogepic-weaponsglobal-agendahi-rezhi-rez-studiosjetpackpatchsandstormtodd-harrisFri, 28 May 2010 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[GamerDNA offers Frostmourne replica contest]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/03/gamerdna-offers-frostmourne-replica-contest/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/03/gamerdna-offers-frostmourne-replica-contest/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/03/gamerdna-offers-frostmourne-replica-contest/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


GamerDNA, the GuildCafe offshoot, has opened up a new contest to World of Warcraft players. Send in a screenshot of your character -- armored, naked, alive, dead, it doesn't matter -- and you stand a chance to win a replica of Frostmourne, Arthas' evil runeblade from Epic Weapons.

The sword itself is a $379 value, but of nearly equal worth to many players is the $20 game card that five players could win by entering a picture they've created themselves, either traditionally or digitally. These hand-done portraits are also eligible for the Frostmourne prize. To enter, simply register for GamerDNA through GuildCafe and send in your favorite character's picture. The deadline is June 30th, so get snapping!

[Thanks, Sam!]

MassivelyGamerDNA offers Frostmourne replica contest originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 03 Jun 2008 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arthascontestepic-weaponsfrostmournegame-cardgamerdnaguildcafereplicaworld-of-warcraftTue, 03 Jun 2008 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Devs behaving badly]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/23/the-daily-grind-eq2flames-admin-uncovers-more-dev-goodness/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/23/the-daily-grind-eq2flames-admin-uncovers-more-dev-goodness/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/23/the-daily-grind-eq2flames-admin-uncovers-more-dev-goodness/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Last week, EQ2Flames admin "LFG" told us about the SOE Community Influencer program and how he came to be released from it. It was a story of broken promises, SOE developer involvement in player guilds, a disenfranchised player community and heated emotions...

Feeling he had nothing to lose, "LFG" mined the developer's private messages, and found some more juicy tidbits. The developer, Aeralik, had taken a bug report that told of an exploit that trivialized the killing of one of end-game raid dungeon Veeshan's Peak gateway dragons, and passed that to his player guild leader. He added that he would "look away" while his guild exploited the encounter so that they could finish their epic weapon quests.

How much influence should game developers have in the guilds in which they play? When does a developer cross the line in feeding a guild strategies? If an encounter is too tough to complete, is it acceptable to exploit if a dev gives permission? Discuss!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Devs behaving badly originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 23 Mar 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>developerepic-weapon-questsepic-weaponseq2eq2flameseverquest-2everquest-iifeaturedsoetdgthe-daily-grindveeshans-peakSun, 23 Mar 2008 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New EQII video shows off epic weapons close up]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/08/new-eqii-video-shows-off-epic-weapons-close-up/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/08/new-eqii-video-shows-off-epic-weapons-close-up/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/08/new-eqii-video-shows-off-epic-weapons-close-up/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


A new video at EQ2Players gives us a little taste of what's to come now that GU42 is out, and 24 epic weapons (one for each class) are available in EverQuest II. In the minute-and-a-half clip we are introduced to a few of these weapons in the flesh, find out their names, and get to bask in their shiny effects and see the moving parts.

The first close-up is of the Templar epic weapon, called " The Impact of the Sacrosanct". This one looks like a gyrating mallet, with a twirly yellow effect surrounding each end. Next in the video is the Warlock epic, "Death's Grip", which is a short blade that has a glowing and moving disc built into its middle. This is followed by the "Sedition", the Shadowknight's new toy, and it is predictably a big badass sword that gives off a strong red glow. Finally we're treated to the Inquisitor epic, "Penitent's Absolution", which we featured before Game Update 42 was out in the epic weapon concept art gallery., but seeing it moving is on a whole other level.

The hunt is on for these, as well as the other 20 epic weapons for all the other classes, and it surely won't be too long until we bring you stories and pictures of them in the wild.

MassivelyNew EQII video shows off epic weapons close up originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 08 Feb 2008 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>deaths-gripepic-questepic-questsepic-weaponseq2eqiieverquest-2game-update-42gu42inquisitorpenitents-absolutionseditionshadowknightsoesony-online-entertainmenttemplarthe-impact-of-the-sacrosanctwarlockFri, 08 Feb 2008 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[EQ2 GU42 goes live today with extra video goodness]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/06/eq2-gu42-goes-live-today-with-extra-video-goodness/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/06/eq2-gu42-goes-live-today-with-extra-video-goodness/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/06/eq2-gu42-goes-live-today-with-extra-video-goodness/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The Game Update that didn't happen yesterday landed this morning much to the surprise of many EverQuest II players. Community Manager Gnobrin made the announcement last night in the official EQ2 forums. This is the starter's pistol shot that marks the beginning of the race to see which player of each of the game's 24 classes is the first to discover their class epic weapon.

But wait, there's more. It also marks the beginning of EQ2's Valentine's event, Erollisi Day. To herald two major events in one free game update, the EQ2 team has put together an excellent teaser video highlighting the major features of the patch. In the video, not only do they show off the incredible particle effects of many of the as-yet-undiscovered epic weapons, but they also give a very disturbing picture of what goes on behind closed doors during Erollisi Day between a female Troll Ogre and her suitor. It has to be seen to be believed. (FYI, you must use Internet Explorer to watch it. Firefox cries and hides in the corner.)

Keep an eye on the EQ2 official forums and here at Massively as we cover the unfolding of the epic weapons quests and track the first of each class to discover theirs.

MassivelyEQ2 GU42 goes live today with extra video goodness originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 06 Feb 2008 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingepic-weaponseq2erollisi-daygame-update-42seasonal-eventsoesony-onlinevalentines-eventWed, 06 Feb 2008 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Get your epic weapon concept art wallpapers here!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/05/get-your-epic-weapon-concept-art-wallpapers-here/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/05/get-your-epic-weapon-concept-art-wallpapers-here/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/05/get-your-epic-weapon-concept-art-wallpapers-here/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Excitement is reaching epic proportions (sorry) for EverQuest II's next patch, Game Update 42, which will bring epic weapon quests for each class. SOE's EQ2Players site is now offering a batch of wallpapers that feature concept art for the not-quite-here-yet weapons, and also the tradeskill cloak teaser that we've seen previously at EQ2 Traders Corner.

In total, there are 12 epic weapon wallpapers available, and a quick refresher on the number of classes in EQII shows that there must plenty more weapons we haven't seen yet. You could argue that class archetypes might be sharing weapons, but we've already seen that the Monk and Bruiser each have their own shiny new toys to look forward to. Something to note is that bringing up some (not all) of the wallpapers gives you a weapon name included in the file name. The one featured on this post is called Penitent's Absolution, fairly holy sounding, and you can go through the rest of them to find out more names and have a guess at classes.

MassivelyGet your epic weapon concept art wallpapers here! originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 05 Feb 2008 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>epic-questsepic-weaponseq2eqiieverquest-2game-update-42gu42soesony-online-entertainmentTue, 05 Feb 2008 00:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Epic weapons and pvp armor in EverQuest II previews]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/03/epic-weapons-pvp-armor-the-focus-of-eq2-gu42-previews/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/03/epic-weapons-pvp-armor-the-focus-of-eq2-gu42-previews/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/03/epic-weapons-pvp-armor-the-focus-of-eq2-gu42-previews/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

The next big update to EverQuest 2 is drawing ever closer, and the preview articles are getting more and more detailed. You might recall the great look at the Swashbuckler epic weapon we had here on the site this past week. It was revealed that the epics would be in this update in a producer's letter from Bruce Fergson late in January. We've also discussed some great crafting changes coming in GU42 - specifically the mannequins planned for player housing. Crafters also get some great looking cloaks, and geez, you really can never look at those Monk and Bruiser epic weapons enough, can you?

All of that is great, so what's left to talk about? Well, only brand-new PvP armor. Allakhazam got the scoop that PvP players will have a brand new set of writs to complete. They'll also have the opportunity to snag a beautiful set of jade green armor. For even more images of presents in GU42, SOE has laid out an image-laiden preview post that shows off the mannequins, the return of the gods, a few new pet UI elements, and four new epic weapons!

If everything goes well, the update should go live next Tuesday. What part of the update are you most looking forward to? After you've said your piece here, there's a thread about the update going on the official boards about the update. Read on for more images, and thoughts on who might get which weapon!

Continue reading Epic weapons and pvp armor in EverQuest II previews

MassivelyEpic weapons and pvp armor in EverQuest II previews originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 03 Feb 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>craftingepic-weaponseq2everquest-2everquest-IIsoesony-online-entertainmentSun, 03 Feb 2008 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Pictures of Monk and Bruiser epics emerge]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/28/pictures-of-monk-and-bruiser-epics-emerge/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/28/pictures-of-monk-and-bruiser-epics-emerge/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/28/pictures-of-monk-and-bruiser-epics-emerge/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Over at Ogrebear's Thoughts, we have the first look at some of the new epic weapons to be released in EverQuest II's Game Update 42. The picture apparently comes from Beckett Massive Online Gamer, and Ogrebear credits a player named Wyntre from the game's forums for the scan.

The weapon with the blue background has been confirmed as the Monk epic. On the left is how it looks normally, and on the right (when it opens up) is when the player enters combat. Fancy. The red background weapon is for Bruisers, but there is supposedly a scorpion tail that attaches to it that is not pictured here. Queue up all your Wolverine jokes now people, GU42 isn't that far off.

MassivelyPictures of Monk and Bruiser epics emerge originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 28 Jan 2008 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bruiserepic-questsepic-weaponsepicseq2eqiieverquest-2monksoesony-online-entertainmentMon, 28 Jan 2008 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EQ2 Game Update 42 to include epic quests]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/26/eq2-game-update-42-to-include-epic-quests/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/26/eq2-game-update-42-to-include-epic-quests/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/26/eq2-game-update-42-to-include-epic-quests/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

We have already had a preview of what is in store for EverQuest II's Game Update 42 with the recent patch notes for the Test server -- some new deities, house mannequins to display weapons and armor, a connection stats window etc. However, it appears that the Live server version of this update will implement, at long last, the epic weapon quests. The epic quests had originally been slated to release with the Rise of Kunark expansion, but due to the San Diego fires, development was pushed back. To make the original release after their setbacks would have meant a compromise to the quality of the quests or to the quality of the expansion, depending on how they channeled their resources, and neither of these options were preferable for the development team.

EQII producer Bruce Ferguson has talked in the past about the epic quests, and in the above producer's letter, he mentions how careful the team is being with information relating to their completion. This is of course the reason that the quests were not released on Test along with the other GU42 features, as there would likely be a detailed walkthrough somewhere on the web before they even went live. Ferguson says that the team is on schedule and they hope to release GU42 in early February.

MassivelyEQ2 Game Update 42 to include epic quests originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 26 Jan 2008 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingbruce-fergusonepic-questsepic-weaponsepicseq2eqiieverquest-2froechgame-update-42gu42rise-of-kunarkSat, 26 Jan 2008 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EverQuest II's senior producer explains the Kunark Epics delay]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/14/everquest-iis-senior-producer-explains-the-epics-delay/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/14/everquest-iis-senior-producer-explains-the-epics-delay/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/14/everquest-iis-senior-producer-explains-the-epics-delay/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Massively's Rise of Kunark Beta Tour from early last week had a bevy of details on the just-released expansion. One of the hot-button items among the EverQuest 2 community, it seems, is the absence of the promised Epic weapons from Kunark's launch, a detail we first reported here on the site. TenTonHammer has followed up on player concerns in this area, speaking with EQ2's Senior Producer Scott Hartsman on the issue.

Hartsman reveals that, unfortunately, the Kunark Epics are yet another victim of the recent San Diego fires.

"What we were faced with was a bug count in which nothing had been touched in a week. When we are in our bug fix mode, the team is capable of fixing anywhere between 13 to 17 hundred bugs in a week, so losing a week is a big thing. At the end of the day it came down to well, we obviously need to focus on the overall launch of our expansion first. Epic weapons are something that yes, we've got a number of them in the bag, but the choice we had to make was, do we launch a game with 1500 bugs and epics that are 75% awesome and 25% less than awesome, or do we launch a game that's going to be as clean as we can make it and then push the epics out on an update? "

Folks looking forward to tackling the weapons need not worry, though. Hartsman states that the Epics update will likely be coming just after the holiday season ends. This will give the team time to give the important items the polish they need ... and likely will let designers have a few moments with their families as well.

MassivelyEverQuest II's senior producer explains the Kunark Epics delay originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 14 Nov 2007 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>epic-weaponsepicseq2eq2-rokeverquest-2everquest-iirise-of-kunarkrokscott-hartsmansoesony-online-entertainmentWed, 14 Nov 2007 12:00:00 EST