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<generator>Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/</generator><item><title><![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Would you like appropriate movie tie-in content in your MMOs?]]></title><link>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/the-daily-grind-would-you-like-appropriate-movie-tie-in-content/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/the-daily-grind-would-you-like-appropriate-movie-tie-in-content/</guid><comments>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/the-daily-grind-would-you-like-appropriate-movie-tie-in-content/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/super-hero/" rel="tag">Super-hero</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/culture/" rel="tag">Culture</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/mmo-industry/" rel="tag">MMO Industry</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/opinion/" rel="tag">Opinion</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/free-to-play/" rel="tag">Free-to-Play</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/dc-universe-online/" rel="tag">DC Universe Online</a></p><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/the-daily-grind-would-you-like-appropriate-movie-tie-in-content/"><img alt="Superman arrested" data-src-height="284" data-src-width="225" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/558571large.jpg" style="float: left; padding-right: 10px;" /></a>I don't know if <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/soe">SOE</a> has any plans to capitalize on the wave of Superman hype sweeping the nerdosphere on account of Zack Snyder's upcoming Man of Steel film. The firm's <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/dc-universe-online"><em>DC Universe Online</em></a> title features the big blue boy scout rather prominently, of course, and the timing seems right if there aren't a bunch of legal stumbling blocks.<br />
<br />
SOE has done movie tie-ins with an MMO before, way back in 2005 when its <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/rage-of-the-wookiees"><em>Rage of the Wookiees </em></a>expansion added a bunch of Episode III-themed content to <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/star-wars-galaxies"><em>Star Wars Galaxies</em></a>. Last summer, though, the firm didn't really acknowledge Christopher Nolan's final Batman film in <em>DCUO</em>, so it may not be in the cards for Supes either.<br />
<br />
Regardless of what actually happens, would you like to see appropriate movie tie-in content in certain MMOs? Or do you prefer to keep the properties separate?<br />
<br />
<img align="left" alt="" border="0" hspace="0" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.massively.com/media/2010/09/coffee.jpg" style="padding-right: 10px;" vspace="0" /><em>Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's <a href="http://www.massively.com/category/the-daily-grind/">Daily Grind</a>!</em><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/the-daily-grind-would-you-like-appropriate-movie-tie-in-content/">The Daily Grind: Would you like appropriate movie tie-in content in your MMOs?</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Thu, 23 May 2013 08:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/the-daily-grind-would-you-like-appropriate-movie-tie-in-content/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20580243/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/the-daily-grind-would-you-like-appropriate-movie-tie-in-content/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>console</category><category>consoles</category><category>daily-grind</category><category>dc-universe</category><category>dc-universe-online</category><category>dcuo</category><category>f2p</category><category>free-to-play</category><category>man-of-steel</category><category>opinion</category><category>playstation-3</category><category>playstation3</category><category>ps3</category><category>soe</category><category>sony-online-entertainment</category><category>superhero</category><category>superheroes</category><category>superman</category><category>tdg</category><category>the-daily-grind</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Jef Reahard]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 23 May 2013 08:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Free for All: An interview with ThresholdRPG's Michael Hartman]]></title><link>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/free-for-all-an-interview-with-thresholdrpgs-michael-hartman/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/free-for-all-an-interview-with-thresholdrpgs-michael-hartman/</guid><comments>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/free-for-all-an-interview-with-thresholdrpgs-michael-hartman/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/fantasy/" rel="tag">Fantasy</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/video/" rel="tag">Video</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/business-models/" rel="tag">Business Models</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/game-mechanics/" rel="tag">Game Mechanics</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/interviews/" rel="tag">Interviews</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/browser/" rel="tag">Browser</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/free-for-all/" rel="tag">Free for All</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/livestream/" rel="tag">Livestream</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/misc/" rel="tag">Miscellaneous</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/sandbox/" rel="tag">Sandbox</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/crowdfunding/" rel="tag">Crowdfunding</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/free-for-all-an-interview-with-thresholdrpgs-michael-hartman/"><img alt="ThresholdRPG screenshot" data-src-height="332" data-src-width="530" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/fullscreen-capture-5222013-101110-am.bmp.jpg" style="margin: 4px; border-width: 0px; border-style: solid;" /></a></div>
The last time I explored <a href="http://www.thresholdrpg.com"><em>ThresholdRPG</em></a>, I had a blast. It was one of a batch of MUDs that I used to re-introduce myself to the ancient gaming genre, and I <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/27/rise-and-shiny-threshold-rpg/">enjoyed its simplicity and friendly community</a>. MUDs can seem to be very similar to each other, so in order to enjoy them, you must be able to pick out the finer details that separate them. In <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/Threshold-RPG"><em>ThresholdRPG</em></a>, I particularly enjoyed fishing, roleplay, customization, and a free-to-play model that was years ahead of its time when first released 17 years ago.<br />
<br />
The game can be a bit <em>odd</em>, like any MUD. During <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/MUD-May/">MUD May</a> I've discovered just how confusing many of these titles can be, but I have also grown to enjoy solving the "mystery" of each game's particular set of code-words that unlock actions. <em>ThresholdRPG</em> is like other MUDs and introduces players to basic commands, but once out in the world a player is on her own. The good news is that an out-of-character help chat is always available and sits right on top of the standard roleplay-enforced chat. That juxtaposition of both channels actually helps immerse me in the game, allowing me to see literally where and when I can use out-of-character speech.<br />
<br />
I asked <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/michael-hartman/">Michael Hartman</a>, president and CEO of <a href="http://www.frogdice.com">Frogdice</a>, to talk about MUD development and branching out into other styles of gaming.<p><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/free-for-all-an-interview-with-thresholdrpgs-michael-hartman/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Free for All: An interview with ThresholdRPG's Michael Hartman</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/free-for-all-an-interview-with-thresholdrpgs-michael-hartman/">Free for All: An interview with ThresholdRPG's Michael Hartman</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Wed, 22 May 2013 20:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/free-for-all-an-interview-with-thresholdrpgs-michael-hartman/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20577854/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/free-for-all-an-interview-with-thresholdrpgs-michael-hartman/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>achaea</category><category>beau-hindman</category><category>f2p</category><category>featured</category><category>ffa</category><category>free-for-all</category><category>free-to-play</category><category>freemium</category><category>interview</category><category>michael-hartman</category><category>mud</category><category>MUD-May</category><category>MUDs</category><category>opinion</category><category>thresholdrpg</category><category>velvet-rope</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Beau Hindman]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 22 May 2013 20:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[New video details the website changes for RuneScape 3]]></title><link>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/new-video-details-the-website-changes-for-runescape-3/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/new-video-details-the-website-changes-for-runescape-3/</guid><comments>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/new-video-details-the-website-changes-for-runescape-3/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/betas/" rel="tag">Betas</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/fantasy/" rel="tag">Fantasy</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/previews/" rel="tag">Previews</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/news-items/" rel="tag">News Items</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/runescape/" rel="tag">RuneScape</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/free-to-play/" rel="tag">Free-to-Play</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/browser/" rel="tag">Browser</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/new-video-details-the-website-changes-for-runescape-3/"><img alt="I believe this man is named Scores.  Hi, Scores." data-src-height="298" data-src-width="530" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/runescape-newsite-epl-522.jpg" /></a></div>
What's in a website? Quite a lot when your game is based in a browser client, as it happens. With <em><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/RuneScape/">RuneScape 3</a></em> around the corner, the team at <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/Jagex/">Jagex</a> is hard at work putting together a new and improved website, and a new video from the development team shows off just what players can expect. Which is quite a lot.<br />
<br />
For example, one of the centerpieces of the revised design is a series of six buttons front-and-center on the page. The trick is that three of the buttons can be customized by you, allowing you to immediately jump to the most useful parts of the page for your particular playstyle. The team is also revamping the high score pages to incorporate weekly high scores, meaning that newer players can still have a shot at the top. There will even be rewards for people who do well in a given interval. For more details, check out the full video past the break.<p><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/new-video-details-the-website-changes-for-runescape-3/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>New video details the website changes for RuneScape 3</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/new-video-details-the-website-changes-for-runescape-3/">New video details the website changes for RuneScape 3</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Wed, 22 May 2013 18:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/new-video-details-the-website-changes-for-runescape-3/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20580043/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/new-video-details-the-website-changes-for-runescape-3/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>browser</category><category>browser-based</category><category>classic-mmo</category><category>f2p</category><category>fantasy</category><category>free-to-play</category><category>jagex</category><category>jagex-games-studio</category><category>rs</category><category>runescape</category><category>runescape-3</category><category>sandbox</category><category>video</category><category>videos</category><category>website</category><category>website-improvements</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Eliot Lefebvre]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 22 May 2013 18:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Captain's Log Supplemental: An Exclusive Q&amp;A with STO's Daniel Stahl]]></title><link>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/captains-log-supplemental-an-exclusive-qanda-with-stos-daniel-s/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/captains-log-supplemental-an-exclusive-qanda-with-stos-daniel-s/</guid><comments>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/captains-log-supplemental-an-exclusive-qanda-with-stos-daniel-s/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/sci-fi/" rel="tag">Sci-Fi</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/galleries/" rel="tag">Galleries</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/screenshots/" rel="tag">Screenshots</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/expansions/" rel="tag">Expansions</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/interviews/" rel="tag">Interviews</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/patches/" rel="tag">Patches</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/opinion/" rel="tag">Opinion</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/star-trek-online/" rel="tag">Star Trek Online</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/free-to-play/" rel="tag">Free-to-Play</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/captains-log/" rel="tag">Captain's Log</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/neverwinter/" rel="tag">Neverwinter</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/captains-log-supplemental-an-exclusive-qanda-with-stos-daniel-s"><img alt="STO LoR Logo Header" data-src-height="350" data-src-width="580" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/lor-logo-header.jpg" style="width: 530px; height: 320px;" /></a></div>
After months of waiting, we can finally say that <em><a href="http://startrekonline.com">Star Trek Online's</a></em> <em><a href="http://sto.perfectworld.com/legacyofromulus">Legacy of Romulus</a></em> expansion is upon us! After yesterday's launch, it's now possible to play as a member of the new Romulan Republic faction. It's now possible to begin a Klingon faction character from level 1! There's a new adventure zone and a completely overhauled user interface.<br />
<br />
We recently had the opportunity to ask <em><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/Star-Trek-Online/">Star Trek Online's</a></em> Executive Producer, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/Daniel-Stahl/">Daniel Stahl</a>, some questions regarding the update. We were also given a lot of screenshots of the new material, and all are included in the new gallery below. There was a lot to cover, so let's get to it!<div class="postgallery"><p><strong>Gallery: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/photos/star-trek-online-legacy-of-romulus/">Star Trek Online Legacy of Romulus</a></strong></p><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/photos/star-trek-online-legacy-of-romulus/#5902094"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/lor-01-g_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/photos/star-trek-online-legacy-of-romulus/#5902095"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/lor-02-g_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/photos/star-trek-online-legacy-of-romulus/#5902096"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/lor-03-g_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/photos/star-trek-online-legacy-of-romulus/#5902098"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/lor-04-g_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/photos/star-trek-online-legacy-of-romulus/#5902099"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/lor-05-g_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><p><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/captains-log-supplemental-an-exclusive-qanda-with-stos-daniel-s/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Captain's Log Supplemental: An Exclusive Q&amp;A with STO's Daniel Stahl</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/captains-log-supplemental-an-exclusive-qanda-with-stos-daniel-s/">Captain's Log Supplemental: An Exclusive Q&amp;A with STO's Daniel Stahl</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Wed, 22 May 2013 15:30:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/captains-log-supplemental-an-exclusive-qanda-with-stos-daniel-s/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20580081/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/captains-log-supplemental-an-exclusive-qanda-with-stos-daniel-s/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>captains-log</category><category>cryptic</category><category>cryptic-studios</category><category>dan-stahl</category><category>daniel-stahl</category><category>f2p</category><category>featured</category><category>free-to-play</category><category>interview</category><category>interviews</category><category>kdf</category><category>klingon</category><category>klingons</category><category>neverwinter</category><category>opinion</category><category>perfect-world</category><category>perfect-world-entertainment</category><category>pwe</category><category>Q  A</category><category>romulan</category><category>romulans</category><category>sci-fi</category><category>star-trek</category><category>star-trek-mmo</category><category>star-trek-online</category><category>sto</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Terilynn Shull]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 22 May 2013 15:30:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Uncharted Waters Online discounts Steam packages before a big patch docks]]></title><link>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/uncharted-waters-online-discounts-steam-packages-before-a-big-pa/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/uncharted-waters-online-discounts-steam-packages-before-a-big-pa/</guid><comments>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/uncharted-waters-online-discounts-steam-packages-before-a-big-pa/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/historical/" rel="tag">Historical</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/news-items/" rel="tag">News Items</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/free-to-play/" rel="tag">Free-to-Play</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/promotions/" rel="tag">Promotions</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/uncharted-waters-online-discounts-steam-packages-before-a-big-pa/"><img alt="Logically speaking even a really cruddy ship would still be ship-shape." data-src-height="334" data-src-width="530" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/uwo-discount-epl-522.jpg" /></a></div>
Is your ship in <em><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/Uncharted-Waters-Online/">Uncharted Waters Online</a></em> something less than ship-shape? Perhaps you could put the wind back in your sails with one of the special item packs available for the game on Steam. In anticipation of the game's next major patch arriving on the 28th, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/Netmarble/">Netmarble</a> has <a href="http://store.steampowered.com/app/224320/">lowered the prices on all three packs by 70%</a>, allowing characters to leave port with big boosts for fewer of your hard-earned real money.<br />
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The Booster pack is down to just $1.49 and provides faster experience gain, faster ship movement, and the ability to revive fallen sailors away from a port. The Premium pack is only $2.99, offers even <em>faster</em> experience gain, and also sets up you with 200 million ducats (in-game currency) and possibly even a rare ship. Last but not least, the Sea Adventure pack is down to $11.99 and offers the best possible experience boost, 300 million ducats, and several exclusive items. So if you're looking to set sail, a little money now will <a href="http://store.steampowered.com/app/224320/">help you find your fortune</a>.<p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/uncharted-waters-online-discounts-steam-packages-before-a-big-pa/">Uncharted Waters Online discounts Steam packages before a big patch docks</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Wed, 22 May 2013 15:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/uncharted-waters-online-discounts-steam-packages-before-a-big-pa/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20580082/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/uncharted-waters-online-discounts-steam-packages-before-a-big-pa/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>booster-packs</category><category>deals</category><category>discount</category><category>discounts</category><category>f2p</category><category>free-to-play</category><category>item-packs</category><category>microtransactions</category><category>netmarble</category><category>packs</category><category>promotions</category><category>steam</category><category>uncharted-waters-online</category><category>uwo</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Eliot Lefebvre]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 22 May 2013 15:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[A Mild-Mannered Reporter: Another look at Plan Z]]></title><link>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/a-mild-mannered-reporter-another-look-at-plan-z/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/a-mild-mannered-reporter-another-look-at-plan-z/</guid><comments>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/a-mild-mannered-reporter-another-look-at-plan-z/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/super-hero/" rel="tag">Super-hero</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/culture/" rel="tag">Culture</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/new-titles/" rel="tag">New Titles</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/opinion/" rel="tag">Opinion</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/a-mild-mannered-reporter/" rel="tag">A Mild-Mannered Reporter</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/a-mild-mannered-reporter-another-look-at-plan-z/"><img alt="Please, guys, put out some art so I can stop using this header every time I talk about you." data-src-height="298" data-src-width="530" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/mmr-postcoh-1369093390.jpg" /></a></div>
When life hands you lemons, you build a new life. Out of lemons. The metaphor is a bit tortured, but the ultimate point is still the same: When <em><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/City-of-Heroes/">City of Heroes</a></em> fans found out the game was shutting down, some decided to band together and make a new game to incorporate all of the best of <em>CoH</em> while not being, you know, shut down completely. It's something that I've discussed a few times now because it's a really neat idea that also has some really big potential pitfalls.<br />
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<a href="http://www.missingworldsmedia.com/"><em>The Phoenix Project</em></a> and <em><a href="http://www.heroes-and-villains.com/phpb/home.php">Heroes &amp; Villains</a></em> are the two big games working at getting themselves together, and they've had about half a year to do so. Both have been moving forward, networking, and putting together everything needed to make the games actually exist. And there's good news and bad news about both, some in tandem and some separately. So despite the possibility of missing an important context clue or two, we carry on with our look at what's going well and what is... less so.<p><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/a-mild-mannered-reporter-another-look-at-plan-z/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>A Mild-Mannered Reporter: Another look at Plan Z</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/a-mild-mannered-reporter-another-look-at-plan-z/">A Mild-Mannered Reporter: Another look at Plan Z</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Wed, 22 May 2013 14:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/a-mild-mannered-reporter-another-look-at-plan-z/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20576777/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/a-mild-mannered-reporter-another-look-at-plan-z/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>a-mild-mannered-reporter</category><category>city-of-heroes</category><category>city-of-villains</category><category>coh</category><category>cov</category><category>cox</category><category>f2p</category><category>featured</category><category>free-to-play</category><category>freedom</category><category>heroes-and-villains</category><category>mild-mannered-reporter</category><category>missing-worlds-media</category><category>ncsoft</category><category>opinion</category><category>paragon</category><category>paragon-studios</category><category>plan-z</category><category>plan-z-virtual-studios</category><category>superhero</category><category>superhero-genre</category><category>superheroes</category><category>the-phoenix-project</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Eliot Lefebvre]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 22 May 2013 14:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Vindictus EU shows off next episode of Season 2 with video, screenshots]]></title><link>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/vindictus-eu-shows-off-next-episode-of-season-2-with-video-scre/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/vindictus-eu-shows-off-next-episode-of-season-2-with-video-scre/</guid><comments>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/vindictus-eu-shows-off-next-episode-of-season-2-with-video-scre/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/fantasy/" rel="tag">Fantasy</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/galleries/" rel="tag">Galleries</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/trailers/" rel="tag">Trailers</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/video/" rel="tag">Video</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/patches/" rel="tag">Patches</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/news-items/" rel="tag">News Items</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/free-to-play/" rel="tag">Free-to-Play</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/vindictus/" rel="tag">Vindictus</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/dungeons/" rel="tag">Dungeons</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/vindictus-eu-shows-off-next-episode-of-season-2-with-video-scre/"><img alt="Vindictus EU shows off more Season 2 with video and screenshots" data-src-height="320" data-src-width="530" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/vind-header.jpg" /></a></div>
<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/vindictus/"><em>Vindictus</em></a> fans in Europe don't have long to wait for the second episode of Season 2 as <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/Nexon-Europe/">Nexon EU </a>has announced that <em>The Secret of Twilight Desert</em> will launch on May 29th. As one of the largest updates ever to the game, this episode will expand the storyline and add new enemies in new areas as well as a dynamic day/night cycle.<br />
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Both new terrors and rare beauty come with the nightfall; the Grim Reaper and Guardian Soldiers will threaten adventurers after the sun sets, but the moonlight also reveals the Luminary Plant, a beautiful and powerful plant able to bestow rare gifts upon those capable of harvesting it. And for those seeking treasure buried under the sands, a new underground dungeon (with a traveling entrance) built by the eccentric wild Coffer Chasers offers adventurers a choice of treasure rooms. Choose wisely, though, as all other treasure rooms are locked once one is picked!<br />
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Get a glimpse of the coming adventures in the video after the break and the 11 new images in the gallery below.<br />
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[Source: Nexon EU press release]<div class="postgallery"><p><strong>Gallery: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/photos/vindictus-prologue/">Vindictus Gallery</a></strong></p><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/photos/vindictus-prologue/#5901578"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/vseu2ndepisode03_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/photos/vindictus-prologue/#5901573"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/vseu2ndepisode06_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/photos/vindictus-prologue/#5901580"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/vseu2ndepisode07_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/photos/vindictus-prologue/#5901575"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/vseu2ndepisode09_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/photos/vindictus-prologue/#5901574"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/vseu2ndepisode08_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><p><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/vindictus-eu-shows-off-next-episode-of-season-2-with-video-scre/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Vindictus EU shows off next episode of Season 2 with video, screenshots</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/vindictus-eu-shows-off-next-episode-of-season-2-with-video-scre/">Vindictus EU shows off next episode of Season 2 with video, screenshots</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Wed, 22 May 2013 13:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/vindictus-eu-shows-off-next-episode-of-season-2-with-video-scre/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20579805/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/vindictus-eu-shows-off-next-episode-of-season-2-with-video-scre/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>action-mmo</category><category>f2p</category><category>fantasy</category><category>free-to-play</category><category>gallery</category><category>new-dungeon</category><category>nexon</category><category>nexon-america</category><category>nexon-entertainment</category><category>screenshots</category><category>season-2</category><category>season-2-episode-2</category><category>The-Secret-of-Twilight-Desert</category><category>trailer</category><category>update</category><category>video</category><category>vindictus</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[MJ Guthrie]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 22 May 2013 13:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Age of Conan announces 5th anniversary event, new membership perks]]></title><link>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/age-of-conan-announces-5th-anniversary-event-new-membership-per/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/age-of-conan-announces-5th-anniversary-event-new-membership-per/</guid><comments>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/age-of-conan-announces-5th-anniversary-event-new-membership-per/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/fantasy/" rel="tag">Fantasy</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/age-of-conan/" rel="tag">Age of Conan</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/events-in-game/" rel="tag">Events (In-Game)</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/news-items/" rel="tag">News Items</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/free-to-play/" rel="tag">Free-to-Play</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/anniversary/" rel="tag">Anniversaries</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/age-of-conan-announces-5th-anniversary-event-new-membership-per/"><img alt="Age of Conan announces 5th anniversary event new membership perks" data-src-height="320" data-src-width="530" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/aoc-ann.jpg" /></a></div>
Just because it's a tough and gritty world in <em><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/age-of-conan">Age of Conan</a></em> doesn't mean folks don't know how to celebrate. In fact, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/funcom">Funcom</a> has announced fitting festivities for the fifth anniversary of this fierce fantasy world. Each day for five days starting Thursday, May 23rd, a new epic boss will begin roaming the lands of Hyboria, and each day that a boss remains unconquered it will increase its level of brutality. On the flip side, the chance for epic rewards for defeating one also increases by the day. All players, regardless, of level can join in the fight to take these monsters down, and everyone will have a chance at the rewards.<br />
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As anniversary gifts, all players will receive a one-week pass to Khitai as well as other items that can be claimed from the item shop. Members will receive a double item store discount throughout the five-day event as well as a special gift.<br />
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Starting tomorrow, membership will include account-wide double xp items, 200 bonus points per month, and a bonus AA point for every level (granted retroactively). Interested in becoming a member? Funcom is also offering a special deal through May 30th granting 50% more time with multi-month subscriptions.<p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/age-of-conan-announces-5th-anniversary-event-new-membership-per/">Age of Conan announces 5th anniversary event, new membership perks</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Wed, 22 May 2013 12:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/age-of-conan-announces-5th-anniversary-event-new-membership-per/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20579688/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/age-of-conan-announces-5th-anniversary-event-new-membership-per/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>age-of-conan</category><category>age-of-conan-unchained</category><category>anniversary-event</category><category>anniversary-events</category><category>anniversary-gifts</category><category>anniversay</category><category>aoc</category><category>aoc-unchained</category><category>conan</category><category>f2p</category><category>fantasy</category><category>free-to-play</category><category>funcom</category><category>hyboria</category><category>membership-deals</category><category>unchained</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[MJ Guthrie]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 22 May 2013 12:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[A tale of Forgotten Realms: DDO's Update 18 and the Shadowfell Conspiracy]]></title><link>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/a-tale-of-forgotten-realms-ddos-update-18-and-the-shadowfell-c/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/a-tale-of-forgotten-realms-ddos-update-18-and-the-shadowfell-c/</guid><comments>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/a-tale-of-forgotten-realms-ddos-update-18-and-the-shadowfell-c/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/fantasy/" rel="tag">Fantasy</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/dungeons-and-dragons-online/" rel="tag">Dungeons and Dragons Online</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/classes/" rel="tag">Classes</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/expansions/" rel="tag">Expansions</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/patches/" rel="tag">Patches</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/previews/" rel="tag">Previews</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/free-to-play/" rel="tag">Free-to-Play</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/races/" rel="tag">Races</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/a-tale-of-forgotten-realms-ddos-update-18-and-the-shadowfell-c/"><img alt="A tale of Forgotten Realms DDO's Update 18 and the Shadowfell Conspiracy" data-src-height="298" data-src-width="530" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/d1.jpg" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.ddo.com"><em>Dungeons and Dragons Online's</em></a> second expansion will not be like the first. In fact, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/Shadowfell-Conspiracy/"><em>Shadowfell Conspiracy</em></a> might even be seen as a pseudo-sequel to <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/dungeons-and-dragons-online/"><em>DDO</em></a>, a game-within-a-game that's offering players a fresh start in a favorite land. When the expansion hits on August 19th, players will be able to ignore all of <em>DDO's</em> Eberron content to start a new character at level 15 in the Forgotten Realms. Between the Forgotten Realms content that <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/turbine/">Turbine's</a> added to the game in the past year and the new missions coming with <em>Shadowfell Conspiracy</em>, players could conceivably level solely in this setting.<br />
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It's obvious that Turbine's a little Forgotten-Realms-mad right now, although that's not a bad thing. The setting is a favorite among D&amp;D fans, and while Eberron has its supporters, the studio obviously sees the Forgotten Realms as the future of this long-running MMO. While the expansion is still a couple of months away, today's <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/update-18">Update 18: Disciples of Shadow</a> update will serve as a prologue so that players can get started on their journey through this fresh land.<br />
<br />
We sat down with <em>DDO's </em>team to talk <a href="http://www.ddo.com/en/update-18-release-notes">about Update 18</a>, the new races coming with <em>Shadowfell Conspiracy</em>, and the pre-purchase program that promises to give you head start. Read on, or else the wrath of the owl bear will be upon thee!<p><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/a-tale-of-forgotten-realms-ddos-update-18-and-the-shadowfell-c/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>A tale of Forgotten Realms: DDO's Update 18 and the Shadowfell Conspiracy</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/a-tale-of-forgotten-realms-ddos-update-18-and-the-shadowfell-c/">A tale of Forgotten Realms: DDO's Update 18 and the Shadowfell Conspiracy</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Wed, 22 May 2013 11:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/a-tale-of-forgotten-realms-ddos-update-18-and-the-shadowfell-c/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20574281/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/a-tale-of-forgotten-realms-ddos-update-18-and-the-shadowfell-c/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>bladeforged</category><category>class</category><category>classes</category><category>collectors-edition</category><category>ddo</category><category>disciples-of-shadow</category><category>dnd</category><category>dungeons-and-dragons</category><category>dungeons-and-dragons-online</category><category>expansion</category><category>f2p</category><category>fantasy</category><category>featured</category><category>forgotten-realms</category><category>free-to-play</category><category>paladin</category><category>pre-order</category><category>pre-purchase</category><category>race</category><category>races</category><category>release-date</category><category>shadar-kai</category><category>shadow-of-a-doubt</category><category>shadowfell-conspiracy</category><category>turbine</category><category>turbine-entertainment</category><category>update-18</category><category>warforged</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Justin Olivetti]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 22 May 2013 11:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Jukebox Heroes: Character select music]]></title><link>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/jukebox-heroes-character-select-music/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/jukebox-heroes-character-select-music/</guid><comments>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/jukebox-heroes-character-select-music/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/city-of-heroes/" rel="tag">City of Heroes</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/everquest-ii/" rel="tag">EverQuest II</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/final-fantasy-xi/" rel="tag">Final Fantasy XI</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/the-chronicles-of-spellborn/" rel="tag">The Chronicles of Spellborn</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/vanguard/" rel="tag">Vanguard</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/misc/" rel="tag">Miscellaneous</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/wildstar/" rel="tag">WildStar</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/jukebox-heroes/" rel="tag">Jukebox Heroes</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/music/" rel="tag">Music</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/jukebox-heroes-character-select-music/"><img alt="Jukebox Heroes Character select music" data-src-height="313" data-src-width="530" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/characterselect.jpg" /></a></div>
Character select and creation music has always fascinated me. OK, maybe not fascinated; it's interested me. I've always viewed such themes as the overture of the game, the interlude between the title theme and the game proper to come.<br />
<br />
These themes don't tend to be rip-roaring in their presentation because that's not their purpose. They have to be pleasant enough without being annoying when looped endlessly. After all, sometimes players spend a <em>loooong </em>time making their characters or sitting there at the select screen, and the last thing you want is for their ears to become fatigued by the experience.<br />
<br />
So here are six MMO character select and character creation themes that I've enjoyed over the years. And if you saw the title graphic up there and immediately started hearing <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oD0d-XC_Cho">this song</a> in your head, then you and I probably grew up in the same era.<p><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/jukebox-heroes-character-select-music/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Jukebox Heroes: Character select music</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/jukebox-heroes-character-select-music/">Jukebox Heroes: Character select music</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Tue, 21 May 2013 18:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/jukebox-heroes-character-select-music/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20566526/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/jukebox-heroes-character-select-music/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>carbine</category><category>carbine-studios</category><category>city-of-heroes</category><category>city-of-villains</category><category>coh</category><category>composer</category><category>composers</category><category>cov</category><category>cox</category><category>eq-2</category><category>eq-ii</category><category>eq2</category><category>eqii</category><category>everquest-2</category><category>everquest-ii</category><category>f2p</category><category>fantasy</category><category>featured</category><category>ff</category><category>ff11</category><category>ffxi</category><category>final-fantasy</category><category>final-fantasy-11</category><category>final-fantasy-xi</category><category>free-to-play</category><category>freedom</category><category>game-music</category><category>jasper-kyd</category><category>jesper-kyd</category><category>jukebox</category><category>jukebox-heroes</category><category>justin-olivetti</category><category>mmo-jukebox</category><category>mmo-music</category><category>music</category><category>ncsoft</category><category>opinion</category><category>paragon</category><category>paragon-studios</category><category>sandbox</category><category>sandpark</category><category>sci-fantasy</category><category>sci-fi</category><category>soe</category><category>sony</category><category>sony-online-entertainment</category><category>soundtrack</category><category>soundtracks</category><category>square</category><category>square-enix</category><category>superhero</category><category>superheroes</category><category>telon</category><category>the-chronicles-of-spellborn</category><category>vanguard</category><category>vanguard-saga-of-heroes</category><category>vg</category><category>wildstar</category><category>ws</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Justin Olivetti]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 21 May 2013 18:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[MechWarrior Online introduces new map in which players can die painfully]]></title><link>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/mechwarrior-online-introduces-new-map-in-which-players-can-die-p/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/mechwarrior-online-introduces-new-map-in-which-players-can-die-p/</guid><comments>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/mechwarrior-online-introduces-new-map-in-which-players-can-die-p/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/sci-fi/" rel="tag">Sci-Fi</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/video/" rel="tag">Video</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/patches/" rel="tag">Patches</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/news-items/" rel="tag">News Items</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/war/" rel="tag">War</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/free-to-play/" rel="tag">Free-to-Play</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/mechwarrior-online/" rel="tag">MechWarrior Online</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/mechwarrior-online-introduces-new-map-in-which-players-can-die-p/"><img alt="MechWarrior Online introduces new map with allnew ways to die" data-src-height="263" data-src-width="530" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/screenshot0014.jpg" /></a></div>

<div><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/mechwarrior-online"><em>MechWarrior Online</em>'s </a>newest map, the Canyon Network, is riddled with slot canyons, steep drops, and high plateaus. As part of <em>MWO</em>'s latest update, the Canyon Network is meant to provide a playground for snipers and strategic thinkers.<br />
<br />
The <a href="http://mwomercs.com/game/battlemechs/medium/blackjack">Blackjack</a> has been named as the new Mech of the Month, with the <a href="http://mwomercs.com/game/battlemechs/champion/jenner">Jenner</a> donning the mantle of Champion Mech. As part of the content update, new cobra camo patterns and faction cockpit medallions have been added to the store.<br />
<br />
Skip below the cut to check out videos of the new Canyon Network and the Blackjack in action.<br />
<br />
[Source: <em>MWO </em>press release]<br />
 </div><p><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/mechwarrior-online-introduces-new-map-in-which-players-can-die-p/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>MechWarrior Online introduces new map in which players can die painfully</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/mechwarrior-online-introduces-new-map-in-which-players-can-die-p/">MechWarrior Online introduces new map in which players can die painfully</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Tue, 21 May 2013 17:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/mechwarrior-online-introduces-new-map-in-which-players-can-die-p/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20578368/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/mechwarrior-online-introduces-new-map-in-which-players-can-die-p/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>blackjack</category><category>canyon-network</category><category>f2p</category><category>free-to-play</category><category>jenner</category><category>mech</category><category>mechs</category><category>mechwarrior</category><category>mechwarrior-mmo</category><category>mechwarrior-online</category><category>mwo</category><category>piranha</category><category>piranha-games</category><category>sci-fi</category><category>video</category><category>videos</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Elisabeth Cardy]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 21 May 2013 17:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: Does SWTOR's F2P work?]]></title><link>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/hyperspace-beacon-does-swtors-f2p-work/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/hyperspace-beacon-does-swtors-f2p-work/</guid><comments>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/hyperspace-beacon-does-swtors-f2p-work/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/sci-fi/" rel="tag">Sci-Fi</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/business-models/" rel="tag">Business Models</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/economy/" rel="tag">Economy</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/opinion/" rel="tag">Opinion</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/free-to-play/" rel="tag">Free-to-Play</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/ask-massively/" rel="tag">Ask Massively</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/star-wars-the-old-republic/" rel="tag">Star Wars: The Old Republic</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/hyperspace-beacon/" rel="tag">Hyperspace Beacon</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/hyperspace-beacon-does-swtors-f2p-work/"><img alt="Hyperspace Beacon Does SWTOR's F2P work" data-src-height="350" data-src-width="530" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/hb-header-f2p-work.jpg" style="margin:4px" /></a></div>
Those of us who have played through the middle planets of <a href="http://swtor.com"><em>Star Wars: The Old Republic</em></a> know that chapter two is rather blas&eacute;. And as far as the free-to-play experiment is concerned, I really don't have anything new to report this week, or at least, not enough to fill a whole column. I will certainly have an update for you next week.<br />
<br />
This week, I'd like to talk about <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/star-wars-the-old-republic/"><em>SWTOR</em></a>'s free-to-play model in general. Although the design team has received a lot of heat from fans and haters alike, the system does have merit along with legitimate flaws. I do like <em>SWTOR</em>, but I'm not ignorant enough to believe that everything the game designers have done is perfect. I am also not one to hate because the game wronged me a year and a half ago. No matter the game, I understand, given my three years reporting in the industry and many other years playing video games, that there will always be people who hate a game no matter what developers do to appease them. At the same time, there will always be those who love a game no matter what stupid thing the developers do and will see no wrong no matter what you say to try to convince them. I try to put myself somewhere in the middle.<p><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/hyperspace-beacon-does-swtors-f2p-work/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Hyperspace Beacon: Does SWTOR's F2P work?</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/hyperspace-beacon-does-swtors-f2p-work/">Hyperspace Beacon: Does SWTOR's F2P work?</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Tue, 21 May 2013 13:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/hyperspace-beacon-does-swtors-f2p-work/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20576339/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/hyperspace-beacon-does-swtors-f2p-work/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>bioware</category><category>business-models</category><category>dallas</category><category>damion-schubert</category><category>ea</category><category>electronic-arts</category><category>f2p</category><category>featured</category><category>free-to-play</category><category>hyperspace-beacon</category><category>lucasarts</category><category>opinion</category><category>sci-fi</category><category>star-wars</category><category>star-wars-the-old-republic</category><category>subscribers</category><category>subscription</category><category>swtor</category><category>the-old-republic</category><category>tor</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Larry Everett]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 21 May 2013 13:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Patch 8.6 brings more balance to World of Tanks, ups SPGs to tier X]]></title><link>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/patch-8-6-brings-more-balance-to-world-of-tanks-ups-spgs-to-tie/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/patch-8-6-brings-more-balance-to-world-of-tanks-ups-spgs-to-tie/</guid><comments>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/patch-8-6-brings-more-balance-to-world-of-tanks-ups-spgs-to-tie/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/historical/" rel="tag">Historical</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/patches/" rel="tag">Patches</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/pvp/" rel="tag">PvP</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/news-items/" rel="tag">News Items</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/free-to-play/" rel="tag">Free-to-Play</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/world-of-tanks/" rel="tag">World of Tanks</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/patch-8-6-brings-more-balance-to-world-of-tanks-ups-spgs-to-tie/"><img alt="Patch 86 brings more balance to World of Tanks, ups SPGs to tier 10" data-src-height="320" data-src-width="530" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/taks-1369148870.jpg" /></a></div>
It's time for another update for the WWII-era <em><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/world-of-tanks">World of Tanks</a></em>. Today, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/Wargaming/">Wargaming</a> announced details for 8.6, an update that Producer <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/Mike-Zhivets/">Mike Zhivets</a> said is "a major step in game balance enhancement and is really going to make SPGs players happy." He continued, "Artillery gameplay is going to feel a lot more balanced with a normal ten tier structure, making advancing through that class of armor more comfortable for players."<br />
<br />
Update 8.6 will push the SPG armor line to tier X by promoting current tier 8's up to the top and then adding new SPGs to the middle tiers. The American, Soviet, French, and German tech lines will all receive new artillery units and the British line gets a new premium tank, the A33 Excelsior. A new Korean-based map will also be introduced.<br />
<br />
[Source: Wargaming.net press release]<p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/patch-8-6-brings-more-balance-to-world-of-tanks-ups-spgs-to-tie/">Patch 8.6 brings more balance to World of Tanks, ups SPGs to tier X</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Tue, 21 May 2013 12:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/patch-8-6-brings-more-balance-to-world-of-tanks-ups-spgs-to-tie/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20577896/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/patch-8-6-brings-more-balance-to-world-of-tanks-ups-spgs-to-tie/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>A33-Excelsior</category><category>f2p</category><category>free-to-play</category><category>historical</category><category>new-artilllery</category><category>new-tanks</category><category>pvp</category><category>tank</category><category>tanks</category><category>update</category><category>update-8.6</category><category>war</category><category>wargaming.net</category><category>world-of-tanks</category><category>wot</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[MJ Guthrie]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 21 May 2013 12:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Star Trek Online Legacy of Romulus launch-day roundup]]></title><link>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/star-trek-online-legacy-of-romulus-launch-day-roundup/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/star-trek-online-legacy-of-romulus-launch-day-roundup/</guid><comments>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/star-trek-online-legacy-of-romulus-launch-day-roundup/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/sci-fi/" rel="tag">Sci-Fi</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/expansions/" rel="tag">Expansions</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/launches/" rel="tag">Launches</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/news-items/" rel="tag">News Items</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/star-trek-online/" rel="tag">Star Trek Online</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/free-to-play/" rel="tag">Free-to-Play</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/races/" rel="tag">Races</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/star-trek-online-legacy-of-romulus-launch-day-roundup/"><img alt="Star Trek Online Legacy of Romulus launchday roundup" data-src-height="312" data-src-width="530" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/legacy-of-romulus-logo.jpg" style="margin: 4px;" /></a></div>
With today's launch of <em><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/star-trek-online">Star Trek Online's</a></em> first expansion, <em><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/legacy-of-romulus/">Legacy of Romulus</a></em>, players can boldly go where no one has gone before. (Not to mention it gives us a reason to use that iconic phrase!) From new species and ships to more Klingon content, this next chapter in the <em>STO</em> saga expands the universe for players to explore. Want to captain a new ship as a Romulan or a Reman? Can do. How about adventure in a new zone? Yup. Or maybe just revel in the bounty of new rewards? Go for it.<br />
<br />
If, however, you're stuck in spacedock and unable to head out yet, you can check out the changes awaiting you in the guides, videos, news briefs, and galleries below.<p><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/star-trek-online-legacy-of-romulus-launch-day-roundup/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Star Trek Online Legacy of Romulus launch-day roundup</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/star-trek-online-legacy-of-romulus-launch-day-roundup/">Star Trek Online Legacy of Romulus launch-day roundup</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Tue, 21 May 2013 11:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/star-trek-online-legacy-of-romulus-launch-day-roundup/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20577769/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/star-trek-online-legacy-of-romulus-launch-day-roundup/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>cryptic</category><category>cryptic-studios</category><category>expansion</category><category>f2p</category><category>free-to-play</category><category>Klingons</category><category>launch</category><category>launch-day-round-up</category><category>launch-day-roundup</category><category>legacy-of-romulus</category><category>perfect-world</category><category>perfect-world-entertainment</category><category>pwe</category><category>Remans</category><category>remus</category><category>Romulans</category><category>romulus</category><category>sci-fi</category><category>star-trek</category><category>star-trek-mmo</category><category>star-trek-online</category><category>sto</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[MJ Guthrie]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 21 May 2013 11:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Neverwinter team offers token of peace for beta mess]]></title><link>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/neverwinter-team-offers-token-of-peace-for-beta-mess/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/neverwinter-team-offers-token-of-peace-for-beta-mess/</guid><comments>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/neverwinter-team-offers-token-of-peace-for-beta-mess/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/betas/" rel="tag">Betas</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/fantasy/" rel="tag">Fantasy</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/mmo-industry/" rel="tag">MMO Industry</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/free-to-play/" rel="tag">Free-to-Play</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/neverwinter/" rel="tag">Neverwinter</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/neverwinter-team-offers-token-of-peace-for-beta-mess/"><img alt="Neverwinter team offers token of gratitude for beta mess" data-src-height="277" data-src-width="530" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/9d6afed4981fc314be7badf622bd2a281369118442.jpg" style="margin:4px" /></a></div>
So <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/Perfect-World-Entertainment/">Perfect World Entertainment</a> and <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/Cryptic-Studios/">Cryptic Studios</a> figure that <em><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/Neverwinter/">Neverwinter</a></em> players may not exactly be happy about the list of <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/08/neverwinter-counters-foundry-exploit-by-nerfing-xp-rate/">game-breaking bugs</a> and <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/neverwinter-returns-with-seven-hour-rollback-after-exploit/">exploits</a> found in the game's open beta over the last few weeks. To help alleviate that player frustration, the developers are offering up an olive branch of sorts in the form of the <a href="http://nw.perfectworld.com/news/?p=894471">Caturday Survivor's Pack</a> full of in-game goodies.<br />
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For all characters created before 8 a.m. EDT (5 a.m. PDT) on Sunday, May 19th, this pack is waiting in their in-game mailbox. In it, each character will find a Stone of Health, a Dwarven Facemask, five teleport scrolls to the Protector's Enclave, two Adventurer's XP boosters, and a Cape of Catastrophe. Hey, at least they have a sense of humor about it.<p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/neverwinter-team-offers-token-of-peace-for-beta-mess/">Neverwinter team offers token of peace for beta mess</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Tue, 21 May 2013 10:30:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/neverwinter-team-offers-token-of-peace-for-beta-mess/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20577891/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/neverwinter-team-offers-token-of-peace-for-beta-mess/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>action-mmo</category><category>Caturday</category><category>cryptic</category><category>cryptic-studios</category><category>dnd</category><category>f2p</category><category>fantasy</category><category>free-to-play</category><category>neverwinter</category><category>perfect-world</category><category>perfect-world-entertainment</category><category>pwe</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Shawn Schuster]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 21 May 2013 10:30:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Do you think MMO gamemaking is fundamentally broken?]]></title><link>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/the-daily-grind-do-you-think-mmo-gamemaking-is-fundamentally-br/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/the-daily-grind-do-you-think-mmo-gamemaking-is-fundamentally-br/</guid><comments>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/the-daily-grind-do-you-think-mmo-gamemaking-is-fundamentally-br/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/business-models/" rel="tag">Business Models</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/mmo-industry/" rel="tag">MMO Industry</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/opinion/" rel="tag">Opinion</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/free-to-play/" rel="tag">Free-to-Play</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/the-daily-grind/" rel="tag">The Daily Grind</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/the-daily-grind-do-you-think-mmo-gamemaking-is-fundamentally-br/"><img alt="Scott Hartsman" data-src-height="292" data-src-width="530" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/scotthartsman.jpg" /></a></div>
Buried in the brouhaha that is the latest round of <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/trion">Trion</a> layoffs was the opinion of former <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/rift"><em>RIFT</em></a> producer <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/scott-hartsman">Scott Hartsman</a>. The MMO industry veteran offered his sympathies on Twitter and also offered to help affected former employees with job intros and the like.<br />
<br />
Hartsman also hinted at his views on current industry trends, saying that "this model of gamemaking is so <a href="https://twitter.com/hartsman/status/335500877739749376">fundamentally broken</a>." Given the limitations of Twitter and fact that Hartsman didn't elaborate, it's hard to know exactly what he meant, though we can extrapolate based on his prior positions on F2P and the context surrounding the Trion situation.<br />
<br />
What about you, Massively readers? Do you agree with Hartsman? Is this model of MMO gamemaking fundamentally broken?<br />
<br />
 <img align="left" alt="" border="0" hspace="0" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.massively.com/media/2010/09/coffee.jpg" style="padding-right: 10px;" vspace="0" /><em>Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's <a href="http://www.massively.com/category/the-daily-grind/">Daily Grind</a>!</em><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/the-daily-grind-do-you-think-mmo-gamemaking-is-fundamentally-br/">The Daily Grind: Do you think MMO gamemaking is fundamentally broken?</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Tue, 21 May 2013 08:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/the-daily-grind-do-you-think-mmo-gamemaking-is-fundamentally-br/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20575171/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/the-daily-grind-do-you-think-mmo-gamemaking-is-fundamentally-br/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>business-models</category><category>daily-grind</category><category>f2p</category><category>free-to-play</category><category>opinion</category><category>scott-hartsman</category><category>tdg</category><category>the-daily-grind</category><category>unsustainable</category><category>whales</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Jef Reahard]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 21 May 2013 08:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Not So Massively: Cash MOBA tournaments, Diablo III's birthday, and Star Citizen's new website]]></title><link>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/not-so-massively-cash-moba-tournaments-diablo-iiis-birthday/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/not-so-massively-cash-moba-tournaments-diablo-iiis-birthday/</guid><comments>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/not-so-massively-cash-moba-tournaments-diablo-iiis-birthday/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/betas/" rel="tag">Betas</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/fantasy/" rel="tag">Fantasy</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/sci-fi/" rel="tag">Sci-Fi</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/video/" rel="tag">Video</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/business-models/" rel="tag">Business Models</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/culture/" rel="tag">Culture</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/events-in-game/" rel="tag">Events (In-Game)</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/game-mechanics/" rel="tag">Game Mechanics</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/patches/" rel="tag">Patches</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/pvp/" rel="tag">PvP</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/news-items/" rel="tag">News Items</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/pve/" rel="tag">PvE</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/free-to-play/" rel="tag">Free-to-Play</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/casual/" rel="tag">Casual</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/dev-diaries/" rel="tag">Dev Diaries</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/not-so-massively/" rel="tag">Not So Massively</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/sandbox/" rel="tag">Sandbox</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/moba/" rel="tag">MOBA</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/league-of-legends/" rel="tag">League of Legends</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/diablo-iii/" rel="tag">Diablo III</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/anniversary/" rel="tag">Anniversaries</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/crowdfunding/" rel="tag">Crowdfunding</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/star-citizen/" rel="tag">Star Citizen</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/path-of-exile/" rel="tag">Path of Exile</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/not-so-massively-cash-moba-tournaments-diablo-iiis-birthday/"><img alt="Not So Massively Cash MOBA tournaments, Diablo III's birthday, and Star Citizen's new website" data-src-height="228" data-src-width="530" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/cashprizetournament-1368975890.jpg" style="margin:4px" /></a></div>
<a href="\"><em>Dota 2</em></a> celebrated the incredible sales of its world championship interactive compendium with free gifts for all players; the compendium has now sold over 266,000 units, raising the prize fund in The International to over $2,000,000 US. Third-person MOBA <a href="\"><em>SMITE</em></a> has recently entered the competitive tournament scene with two new weekly $1,000 tournaments. <a href="http://riseofimmortals.com"><em>Rise of Immortals</em></a> also announced its first competitive tournament since the Battle For Graxia update and revealed details of its hilariously-named ranged centaur character Murderhoof.<br />
<br />
 <a href="\"><em>League of Legends</em></a> revealed the new custom item set feature coming in Patch 3.7 and published a new champion spotlight video on classic ranged carry Ashe. <a href="\"><em>Guardians of Middle-Earth</em></a> also released its latest paid DLC character, The Mouth of Sauron, based on a character who was originally cut from the cinematic release of The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.<br />
<br />
 <a href="\"><em>Diablo III</em></a> celebrated the first anniversary of its release on May 15th with anniversary livestreams and a magic-find bonus for all players. The latest patch also raised the increments in which money can be sold on the Real Money Auction House to ten million in response to massive oversupply. <a href="\"><em>Path of Exile</em></a> revealed details of its upcoming Patch 0.1.1.0 that will add new party loot options and other features, and <a href="\"><em>Star Citizen</em></a> showed off its new website with a special e-commerce section in which players can buy ships for cash.<p><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/not-so-massively-cash-moba-tournaments-diablo-iiis-birthday/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Not So Massively: Cash MOBA tournaments, Diablo III's birthday, and Star Citizen's new website</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/not-so-massively-cash-moba-tournaments-diablo-iiis-birthday/">Not So Massively: Cash MOBA tournaments, Diablo III's birthday, and Star Citizen's new website</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Mon, 20 May 2013 21:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/not-so-massively-cash-moba-tournaments-diablo-iiis-birthday/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20574976/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/not-so-massively-cash-moba-tournaments-diablo-iiis-birthday/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>action-mmo</category><category>action-rpg</category><category>anniversary</category><category>anniversary-event</category><category>ashe</category><category>battle-for-graxia</category><category>battlenet</category><category>birthday</category><category>blizzard</category><category>blizzard-entertainment</category><category>Compendium</category><category>competitive-gaming</category><category>console</category><category>custom-item-set</category><category>Custom-Item-Sets</category><category>d3</category><category>dawngate</category><category>diablo</category><category>diablo-2</category><category>diablo-3</category><category>diablo-ii</category><category>diablo-iii</category><category>dota</category><category>dota-2</category><category>e-sport</category><category>e-sports</category><category>esport</category><category>esports</category><category>f2p</category><category>fantasy</category><category>featured</category><category>free-to-play</category><category>gaslight</category><category>god</category><category>gods</category><category>gothic-fantasy</category><category>graxia</category><category>grinding-gear</category><category>grinding-gear-games</category><category>guardians-of-middle-earth</category><category>infinite-crisis</category><category>Interactive-Compendium</category><category>isis</category><category>joker</category><category>league-of-legends</category><category>lol</category><category>lord-of-the-rings</category><category>lotr</category><category>middle-earth</category><category>moba</category><category>monolith</category><category>monolith-studios</category><category>mouth-of-sauron</category><category>multiplayer</category><category>murderhoof</category><category>news</category><category>not-so-massively</category><category>nsm</category><category>one-year</category><category>one-year-anniversary</category><category>online-multiplayer</category><category>opinion</category><category>path-of-exile</category><category>petroglyph</category><category>petroglyph-games</category><category>playstation-network</category><category>poe</category><category>ps3</category><category>psn</category><category>pvp</category><category>riot</category><category>riot-games</category><category>rise-of-immortals</category><category>roi</category><category>round-up</category><category>roundup</category><category>rpg</category><category>skara</category><category>smite</category><category>the-joker</category><category>the-mouth-of-sauron</category><category>third-person</category><category>valve</category><category>video</category><category>videos</category><category>warner-bros</category><category>xbox</category><category>xbox-360</category><category>xbox-live</category><category>xbox360</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Brendan Drain]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 20 May 2013 21:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[It's a ship in a box in Star Trek Online]]></title><link>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/its-a-ship-in-a-box-in-star-trek-online/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/its-a-ship-in-a-box-in-star-trek-online/</guid><comments>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/its-a-ship-in-a-box-in-star-trek-online/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/sci-fi/" rel="tag">Sci-Fi</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/expansions/" rel="tag">Expansions</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/previews/" rel="tag">Previews</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/news-items/" rel="tag">News Items</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/star-trek-online/" rel="tag">Star Trek Online</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/free-to-play/" rel="tag">Free-to-Play</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/its-a-ship-in-a-box-in-star-trek-online/"><img alt="Astute observers will note the similarity to the Scimitar." data-src-height="298" data-src-width="530" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/sto-lockbox-epl-520.jpg" /></a></div>
Just because you're playing a Romulan in <em><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/Star-Trek-Online/">Star Trek Online</a></em>'s first expansion doesn't mean every other Romulan is your friend. Empress Sela's Tal Shiar are a huge threat not just to the nascent Romulan Republic but to all sentient life throughout the galaxy, epitomized with their insectoid ships that fuse Romulan, Borg, and Elachi technology together. Needless to say, these ships are never good to see on the horizon. <a href="http://sto.perfectworld.com/blog/?p=893651">Unless you happen to open one in a lockbox, anyhow</a>.<br />
<br />
Yes, the newest lockbox in the game will give players a chance to earn the strange ships of the Tal Shiar, giving all captains a chance to fly some of the strangest ships yet seen in the game. The ships perform similarly to Romulan crafts with their built-in cloaks, but they exchange some of the active Romulan cloaking power for tactical weapons like Shrapnel Torpedoes. For more details on what awaits in the upcoming lockboxes, take a look at <a href="http://sto.perfectworld.com/blog/?p=893651">the full rundown of potential prizes</a>.<p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/its-a-ship-in-a-box-in-star-trek-online/">It's a ship in a box in Star Trek Online</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Mon, 20 May 2013 17:30:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/its-a-ship-in-a-box-in-star-trek-online/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20576794/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/its-a-ship-in-a-box-in-star-trek-online/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>cryptic</category><category>cryptic-studios</category><category>expansion</category><category>f2p</category><category>free-to-play</category><category>legacy-of-romulus</category><category>lockbox</category><category>new-lockbox</category><category>new-ships</category><category>perfect-world</category><category>perfect-world-entertainment</category><category>pwe</category><category>remus</category><category>romulus</category><category>sci-fi</category><category>ships</category><category>star-trek</category><category>star-trek-mmo</category><category>star-trek-online</category><category>sto</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Eliot Lefebvre]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 20 May 2013 17:30:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Captain's Log: What to expect in Star Trek Online's Legacy of Romulus expansion]]></title><link>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/captains-log-stos-legacy-of-romulus-expansion-launches-tomorr/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/captains-log-stos-legacy-of-romulus-expansion-launches-tomorr/</guid><comments>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/captains-log-stos-legacy-of-romulus-expansion-launches-tomorr/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/sci-fi/" rel="tag">Sci-Fi</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/expansions/" rel="tag">Expansions</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/launches/" rel="tag">Launches</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/patches/" rel="tag">Patches</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/previews/" rel="tag">Previews</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/opinion/" rel="tag">Opinion</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/star-trek-online/" rel="tag">Star Trek Online</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/free-to-play/" rel="tag">Free-to-Play</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/captains-log/" rel="tag">Captain's Log</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/captains-log-stos-legacy-of-romulus-expansion-launches-tomorr"><img alt="STO Haakona warbird header" data-src-height="350" data-src-width="530" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/haakona-3-header.jpg" /></a></div>
It's a little strange to think that it's already been three months since the developers at <em><a href="http://startrekonline.com">Star Trek Online</a></em> first teased us with the <em><a href="http://sto.perfectworld.com/legacyofromulus">Legacy of Romulus</a></em> expansion with the March Beneath the Raptor's Wings kicker at the end of the anniversary video. Even then there were many of us who sincerely doubted the teaser meant we would finally be able to play a Romulan character, let alone that the Klingon faction would be filled-out.<br />
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Yet here we are, on the eve of the release of <em><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/Star-Trek-Online/">Star Trek Online's</a></em> first expansion and a flood of new material. Beware, I will be writing spoilers about the new content, but if you're not worried about that, feel free to join me as I touch on most of what we're going to see!<p><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/captains-log-stos-legacy-of-romulus-expansion-launches-tomorr/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Captain's Log: What to expect in Star Trek Online's Legacy of Romulus expansion</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/captains-log-stos-legacy-of-romulus-expansion-launches-tomorr/">Captain's Log: What to expect in Star Trek Online's Legacy of Romulus expansion</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Mon, 20 May 2013 13:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/captains-log-stos-legacy-of-romulus-expansion-launches-tomorr/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20575017/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/captains-log-stos-legacy-of-romulus-expansion-launches-tomorr/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>bird of prey</category><category>BirdOfPrey</category><category>captains-log</category><category>cryptic</category><category>cryptic-studios</category><category>expansion</category><category>f2p</category><category>featured</category><category>federation</category><category>free-to-play</category><category>klingon</category><category>klingon defense force</category><category>klingons</category><category>legacy of romulus</category><category>opinion</category><category>paradise city</category><category>perfect-world</category><category>perfect-world-entertainment</category><category>planet of galactic peace</category><category>preview</category><category>previews</category><category>pwe</category><category>romulan</category><category>Romulans</category><category>sci-fi</category><category>ships</category><category>star-trek</category><category>star-trek-mmo</category><category>star-trek-online</category><category>sto</category><category>warbird</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Terilynn Shull]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 20 May 2013 13:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Aion helps player pop the question]]></title><link>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/aion-helps-player-pop-the-question/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/aion-helps-player-pop-the-question/</guid><comments>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/aion-helps-player-pop-the-question/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/fantasy/" rel="tag">Fantasy</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/aion/" rel="tag">Aion</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/mmo-industry/" rel="tag">MMO Industry</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/news-items/" rel="tag">News Items</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/free-to-play/" rel="tag">Free-to-Play</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/aion-helps-player-pop-the-question/"><img alt="Aion helps player pop the question" data-src-height="320" data-src-width="530" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/proposal.jpg" style="margin: 4px;" /></a></div>
Who says devs only want to beat us with a nerf bat? When a long-time <em><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/aion">Aion</a></em> player decided he wanted to ask the most important question of his life using the game he and his beloved shared countless hours in over the years, devs jumped to his aid.<br />
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To help make the experience memorable, <em>Aion's</em> devs provided a backdrop of cakes and musicians in Sanctum Square on the Israphel server where both resided. Then as the hopeful groom-to-be dropped to his knee in game, the heartfelt words he recited to her in real life also flashed across the game screen for all to see. When she gave her answer, the sky exploded in fireworks and everyone saw the message, "She said YES!!!"<br />
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Congratulations to the happy couple, Jambo and Trishann! We're sure that's a proposal that will not be forgotten. And kudos to <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/ncsoft/">NCsoft</a> for having the heart to be a part of one of the greatest moments in its players' lives. You can see more images of the event below. <div class="postgallery"><p><strong>Gallery: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/photos/aion-wedding-proposal/">Aion wedding proposal</a></strong></p><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/photos/aion-wedding-proposal/#5893941"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/aion0018hp_thumbnail.png" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/photos/aion-wedding-proposal/#5893948"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/prop-3_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/photos/aion-wedding-proposal/#5893934"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/aion0005hp_thumbnail.png" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/photos/aion-wedding-proposal/#5893942"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/text_thumbnail.png" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/photos/aion-wedding-proposal/#5893939"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/aion0015hp_thumbnail.png" alt="" title="" /></a></div><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/aion-helps-player-pop-the-question/">Aion helps player pop the question</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Mon, 20 May 2013 12:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/aion-helps-player-pop-the-question/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20576066/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/aion-helps-player-pop-the-question/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>aion</category><category>ascension</category><category>f2p</category><category>fantasy</category><category>free-to-play</category><category>ncsoft</category><category>proposal</category><category>truly-free</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[MJ Guthrie]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 20 May 2013 12:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Obsidian and Allods team up to create Skyforge]]></title><link>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/obsidian-and-allods-team-up-to-create-skyforge/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/obsidian-and-allods-team-up-to-create-skyforge/</guid><comments>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/obsidian-and-allods-team-up-to-create-skyforge/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/mmo-industry/" rel="tag">MMO Industry</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/new-titles/" rel="tag">New Titles</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/news-items/" rel="tag">News Items</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/obsidian-and-allods-team-up-to-create-skyforge/"><img alt="Obsidian and Allods team up to create Skyforge" data-src-height="291" data-src-width="530" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/skyforge.jpg" /></a></div>

<div>If you've ever been curious about what would happen if you mixed the <em><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/allods-online/">Allods Online</a></em> team with <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/Obsidian-Entertainment/">Obsidian Entertainment</a>, wonder no more! The two forces announced their partnership at the Russian Game Developers Convention where they unveiled their upcoming MMORPG, <em>Skyforge</em>. The game is planned to release for the PC in 2014.</div>
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More details are available from the devs themselves in the video after the break, <em>if</em> you speak Russian. For those who don't, you can catch a few snippits of game video between the interviews and a stretch coming just before the seven minute mark.<p><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/obsidian-and-allods-team-up-to-create-skyforge/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Obsidian and Allods team up to create Skyforge</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/obsidian-and-allods-team-up-to-create-skyforge/">Obsidian and Allods team up to create Skyforge</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Mon, 20 May 2013 10:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/obsidian-and-allods-team-up-to-create-skyforge/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20575914/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/obsidian-and-allods-team-up-to-create-skyforge/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>allods</category><category>allods-online</category><category>astrum-nival</category><category>f2p</category><category>fantasy</category><category>free-to-play</category><category>gala-net</category><category>gpotato</category><category>mail-ru-games</category><category>mail.ru-games</category><category>mailru-games</category><category>Obsidian</category><category>Obsidian-Entertainment</category><category>Skyforge</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[MJ Guthrie]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 20 May 2013 10:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Stream Team: Monocle Day edition,  May 20 - 26, 2013]]></title><link>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/the-stream-team-monocle-day-edition-may-20-26-2013/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/the-stream-team-monocle-day-edition-may-20-26-2013/</guid><comments>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/the-stream-team-monocle-day-edition-may-20-26-2013/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/polls/" rel="tag">Polls</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/massively-meta/" rel="tag">Massively Meta</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/livestream/" rel="tag">Livestream</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/the-stream-team/" rel="tag">The Stream Team</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/the-stream-team-monocle-day-edition-may-20-26-2013/"><img alt="The Stream Team Monocle day edition,  May 20  26, 2013" data-src-height="320" data-src-width="530" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/monocle-header.jpg" style="margin: 4px;" /></a></div>
Two weeks ago, y'all had the chance to select a new holiday to help add some cheer to the otherwise bland weeks in the middle of May. The choices teased and tantalized you, but you're a discriminating crowd. In a race fraught with nail-biting suspense, only one ultimately prevailed. And so it is with further ado we bring to you: Monocle Day!<br />
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This Tuesday, May 21st, has been selected to be the auspicious day of this most storied celebration. Why? Because 5/21 splits into 5 + 2 + 1, which of course = 8, and we all know that 8 is just two monocles stacked on top of each other! And as always, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/livestream">Massively TV</a> is here to help you ring in the new holiday, with special shows throughout the entire week. Check out the full schedule of celebratory events hosted by <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/the-stream-team/">The Stream Team</a> after the break. Then let us know if you'll be wearing your own monocle in honor of the festivities.<p><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/the-stream-team-monocle-day-edition-may-20-26-2013/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>The Stream Team: Monocle Day edition,  May 20 - 26, 2013</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/the-stream-team-monocle-day-edition-may-20-26-2013/">The Stream Team: Monocle Day edition,  May 20 - 26, 2013</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Mon, 20 May 2013 09:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/the-stream-team-monocle-day-edition-may-20-26-2013/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20569311/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/the-stream-team-monocle-day-edition-may-20-26-2013/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>Achaea</category><category>action-mmo</category><category>activision</category><category>agon</category><category>anet</category><category>Anno-Online</category><category>arenanet</category><category>aventurine</category><category>bioware</category><category>blizzard</category><category>blizzard-entertainment</category><category>browser</category><category>browser-based</category><category>buy-to-play</category><category>ccp</category><category>ccp-games</category><category>city-of-steam</category><category>console</category><category>consoles</category><category>cryptic</category><category>cryptic-studios</category><category>darkfall</category><category>darkfall-unholy-wars</category><category>dc-universe</category><category>dc-universe-online</category><category>dcuo</category><category>df</category><category>dnd</category><category>DotA-2</category><category>dragon</category><category>Dragonrealms</category><category>dragons</category><category>dragons-prophet</category><category>ea</category><category>electronic-arts</category><category>elsword</category><category>eq-2</category><category>eq-ii</category><category>eq2</category><category>eqii</category><category>eve</category><category>eve-online</category><category>everquest-2</category><category>everquest-ii</category><category>f2p</category><category>faction</category><category>fantasy</category><category>featured</category><category>fr</category><category>free-realms</category><category>free-to-play</category><category>funcom</category><category>goblin</category><category>guild-wars</category><category>gw</category><category>hi-rez</category><category>hi-rez-studios</category><category>historical</category><category>horror</category><category>housing</category><category>infernum</category><category>infernum-productions</category><category>internet-spaceships</category><category>kid-friendly</category><category>kids</category><category>kids-mmo</category><category>livestream</category><category>livestreaming</category><category>livestreams</category><category>lucasarts</category><category>massively-meta</category><category>massively-tv</category><category>mechanist</category><category>mechanist-games</category><category>meta</category><category>moba</category><category>multiplayer-online-battle-arena</category><category>mv-guide</category><category>mv-tv</category><category>mvguide</category><category>mvtv</category><category>mythology</category><category>ncsoft</category><category>neverwinter</category><category>open-pvp</category><category>perfect-world</category><category>perfect-world-entertainment</category><category>plane</category><category>planes</category><category>playstation-3</category><category>playstation3</category><category>poll</category><category>ps3</category><category>pvp</category><category>pwe</category><category>runewaker</category><category>runewaker-entertainment</category><category>sandbox</category><category>sci-fantasy</category><category>sci-fi</category><category>secret-world</category><category>skill-based</category><category>Smite</category><category>soe</category><category>sony</category><category>sony-online-entertainment</category><category>spreadsheets-online</category><category>star-wars</category><category>star-wars-the-old-republic</category><category>steampunk</category><category>stream</category><category>stream-schedule</category><category>stream-team</category><category>streamers</category><category>streaming</category><category>streamteam</category><category>subscriptionless</category><category>superhero</category><category>superheroes</category><category>swtor</category><category>the-old-republic</category><category>the-secret-world</category><category>the-stream-team</category><category>threshold-rpg</category><category>tor</category><category>tsw</category><category>twitch</category><category>twitch-tv</category><category>unholy-wars</category><category>war</category><category>warcraft</category><category>wargaming.net</category><category>warplane</category><category>warplanes</category><category>world-of-warcraft</category><category>world-of-warplanes</category><category>wow</category><category>wowp</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[MJ Guthrie]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 20 May 2013 09:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Neverwinter returns with seven-hour rollback after exploit]]></title><link>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/neverwinter-returns-with-seven-hour-rollback-after-exploit/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/neverwinter-returns-with-seven-hour-rollback-after-exploit/</guid><comments>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/neverwinter-returns-with-seven-hour-rollback-after-exploit/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/betas/" rel="tag">Betas</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/fantasy/" rel="tag">Fantasy</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/mmo-industry/" rel="tag">MMO Industry</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/neverwinter/" rel="tag">Neverwinter</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/buy-to-play/" rel="tag">Buy-to-Play</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/neverwinter-returns-with-seven-hour-rollback-after-exploit/"><img alt="Neverwinter returns with sevenhour rollback after exploit" data-src-height="262" data-src-width="530" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/nwdungeon-1369047654.jpg" style="margin:4px" /></a></div>
Over the weekend, a <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/19/exploits-plague-neverwinter-economy-cryptic-responds">massive exploit</a> plagued <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/Perfect-World-Entertainment/">Perfect World Entertainment</a>'s <em><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/Neverwinter/">Neverwinter</a></em> beta as players discovered a way to make billions off of the auction house and Astral Diamond Exchange.<br />
<br />
After initially closing the economy to explore the company's options, PWE decided to do a <a href="http://nw-forum.perfectworld.com/showthread.php?266901-5-19-13-Server-Status-Update-and-Important-Announcements">seven-hour rollback of the servers</a> that affects the progress made between 8:20 a.m. EDT (5:20 a.m. PDT) and 3:20 p.m. EDT (12:20 p.m. PDT) yesterday for all players.<br />
<br />
"Rest assured, the issue has been corrected and we have taken appropriate action against all players who took advantage of the bug, including but not limited to enforcing permanent bans," the announcement reads.<br />
<br />
[Thanks to everyone who sent this one in!]<p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/neverwinter-returns-with-seven-hour-rollback-after-exploit/">Neverwinter returns with seven-hour rollback after exploit</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Mon, 20 May 2013 07:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/neverwinter-returns-with-seven-hour-rollback-after-exploit/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20575697/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/neverwinter-returns-with-seven-hour-rollback-after-exploit/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>action-mmo</category><category>cryptic</category><category>cryptic-studios</category><category>dnd</category><category>exploits</category><category>f2p</category><category>fantasy</category><category>free-to-play</category><category>neverwinter</category><category>perfect-world</category><category>perfect-world-entertainment</category><category>pwe</category><category>rollback</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Shawn Schuster]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 20 May 2013 07:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Exploits plague Neverwinter economy, PWE responds [Updated]]]></title><link>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/19/exploits-plague-neverwinter-economy-cryptic-responds/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/19/exploits-plague-neverwinter-economy-cryptic-responds/</guid><comments>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/19/exploits-plague-neverwinter-economy-cryptic-responds/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/fantasy/" rel="tag">Fantasy</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/bugs/" rel="tag">Bugs</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/economy/" rel="tag">Economy</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/news-items/" rel="tag">News Items</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/free-to-play/" rel="tag">Free-to-Play</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/neverwinter/" rel="tag">Neverwinter</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Neverwinter" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/279582e72bacc5e59c676942cd5ce16f1367601340-1367615016.jpg" /></div>
Multiple Massively sources and <a href="http://nw-forum.perfectworld.com/forumdisplay.php?688-General-Discussion">forum users</a> are reporting that a serious auction hall exploit involving negative bids has turned the fledgling economy of <em><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/Neverwinter/">Neverwinter</a></em> on its head. <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/Perfect-World/">Perfect World</a>/<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/Cryptic/">Cryptic</a> appear to be <a href="http://nw-forum.perfectworld.com/showthread.php?262692-For-those-concerned-The-latest-on-the-current-AH-exploit">locking down forum threads on the topic</a> and have posted <a href="http://nw-forum.perfectworld.com/showthread.php?260462-Exploit-Follow-up">the following in response</a> to the exploits:

<blockquote class="bq-standard">We currently are in the process of taking action against a subset of accounts that were confirmed to have utilized exploits that affected the game balance or economy. These accounts may be banned, temporarily or permanently, depending on the severity of exploit utilization. Anyone who is affected by this will receive notification via email. [...] Thank you for your patience and support while we continue to do everything in our power to ensure that Neverwinter remains a fair and balanced game experience.</blockquote>
The post also encourages anyone banned unfairly to contact customer support for resolution. A <a href="http://nw-forum.perfectworld.com/showthread.php?260462-Exploit-Follow-up&amp;p=3367771&amp;viewfull=1#post3367771">followup post</a> by a Cryptic moderator from last night tells players that "there are no plans for another wipe at this time." And a message on the <em>Neverwinter's</em> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/NeverwinterDE?fref=ts">German-language Facebook page</a> suggests that the Neverwinter Gateway has been taken offline while the issue is investigated. We'll keep you posted as the story develops. [Thanks to Dan, J, Ehra, David, Dixa, Mike, xpac, Jan, and Zaph for the tips!]<br />
<br />
[Update: Cryptic has posted a <a href="http://nw-forum.perfectworld.com/showthread.php?262972-Astral-Diamond-Exchange-and-Auction-House-Offline">new response to the latest exploit</a>: "The Astral Diamond Exchange and the Auction House have been temporarily taken offline to resolve a high priority bug. At this time we are still investigating the details regarding the issue and will post more information as the situation progresses. As the issue involves in-game currency, we understand that there may be questions regarding the follow up actions needed to ensure that the economy remains fair and balanced. At this time we are still in the process of collecting the data, but plan to share details regarding follow up actions once the investigation concludes. Thank you for your patience and understanding while we continually smooth out issues during open beta."]<p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/19/exploits-plague-neverwinter-economy-cryptic-responds/">Exploits plague Neverwinter economy, PWE responds [Updated]</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Sun, 19 May 2013 13:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/19/exploits-plague-neverwinter-economy-cryptic-responds/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20575210/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/19/exploits-plague-neverwinter-economy-cryptic-responds/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>action-mmo</category><category>bug</category><category>bugs</category><category>cryptic</category><category>cryptic-studios</category><category>dnd</category><category>economy</category><category>exploit</category><category>exploits</category><category>f2p</category><category>fantasy</category><category>free-to-play</category><category>neverwinter</category><category>perfect-world</category><category>perfect-world-entertainment</category><category>pwe</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Brianna Royce]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sun, 19 May 2013 13:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Rise and Shiny: DragonRealms]]></title><link>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/19/rise-and-shiny-dragonrealms/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/19/rise-and-shiny-dragonrealms/</guid><comments>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/19/rise-and-shiny-dragonrealms/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/fantasy/" rel="tag">Fantasy</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/video/" rel="tag">Video</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/culture/" rel="tag">Culture</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/game-mechanics/" rel="tag">Game Mechanics</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/interviews/" rel="tag">Interviews</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/previews/" rel="tag">Previews</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/opinion/" rel="tag">Opinion</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/virtual-worlds/" rel="tag">Virtual Worlds</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/community-qanda/" rel="tag">Community Q&amp;A</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/rise-and-shiny/" rel="tag">Rise and Shiny</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/livestream/" rel="tag">Livestream</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/misc/" rel="tag">Miscellaneous</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/subscription/" rel="tag">Subscription</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/19/rise-and-shiny-dragonrealms/"><img alt="DragonRealms website artwork" data-src-height="314" data-src-width="530" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/fullscreen-capture-5182013-75015-am.bmp.jpg" style="margin: 4px; border-width: 0px; border-style: solid;" /></a></div>
As a part of <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/MUD-May/">MUD May</a>, I just had to play at least one MUD for <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/rise-and-shiny/">Rise and Shiny</a>. I have a handful of favorite MUDs, like <a href="https://www.play.net/gs4/"><em>GemStone IV</em></a>, <a href="http://www.bat.org/"><em>BatMUD</em></a>, and <a href="http://www.achaea.com/"><em>Achaea</em></a>, but I have never really given <a href="https://www.play.net/dr/"><em>DragonRealms</em></a> a chance. Until now. I've poked into it here and there, but every time I found myself on the <a href="http://www.play.net/corporate/">Simutronics</a> website, I always logged into <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/gemstone-iv/"><em>GemStone IV</em></a>. I heard that <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/DragonRealms"><em>DragonRealms</em></a> was a lot different, more hardcore, and filled with PvP, and after spending an initial week with the game and the killer community, I can say that it <em>is</em> different, but mainly in a few outstanding ways. Of course I might find much more that sets the game apart if I played it for several years like some of the people I met in game, but for now I'll settle with telling you what I've learned so far.<br />
<br />
The usual embedded video in this article serves two purposes. First, it's an interview piece I did with <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/eric-latham/">Eric Latham</a>, Producer at <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/simutronics/">Simutronics</a>. Next, it's a glance at <em>DragonRealms</em>, from character creation to a bit of gameplay. It's not as in-depth as my other videos, but it keeps in the greater theme of MUD May.<p><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/19/rise-and-shiny-dragonrealms/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Rise and Shiny: DragonRealms</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/19/rise-and-shiny-dragonrealms/">Rise and Shiny: DragonRealms</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Sun, 19 May 2013 12:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/19/rise-and-shiny-dragonrealms/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20574708/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/19/rise-and-shiny-dragonrealms/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>anno-online</category><category>beau-hindman</category><category>Dragonrealms</category><category>eric-latham</category><category>f2p</category><category>featured</category><category>free-to-play</category><category>gemstone-iv</category><category>hands-on</category><category>livestream</category><category>massively-tv</category><category>mud</category><category>MUD-May</category><category>MUDs</category><category>multi-user-domain</category><category>multi-user-dungeon</category><category>rise-and-shiny</category><category>simutronics</category><category>stream</category><category>the-settlers-online</category><category>twitch</category><category>twitch-tv</category><category>video</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Beau Hindman]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sun, 19 May 2013 12:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Tattered Notebook:  A guide to EQII's Moonlight Enchantments (with new stuff!)]]></title><link>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/18/tattered-notebook-a-guide-to-eqiis-moonlight-enchantments-an/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/18/tattered-notebook-a-guide-to-eqiis-moonlight-enchantments-an/</guid><comments>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/18/tattered-notebook-a-guide-to-eqiis-moonlight-enchantments-an/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/fantasy/" rel="tag">Fantasy</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/everquest-ii/" rel="tag">EverQuest II</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/events-in-game/" rel="tag">Events (In-Game)</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/opinion/" rel="tag">Opinion</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/free-to-play/" rel="tag">Free-to-Play</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/the-tattered-notebook/" rel="tag">The Tattered Notebook</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/guides/" rel="tag">Guides</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/housing/" rel="tag">Housing</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/18/tattered-notebook-a-guide-to-eqiis-moonlight-enchantments-an/"><img alt="Tattered Notebook  A guide to EQII's Moonlight Enchantments and new stuff!" data-src-height="320" data-src-width="530" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/grotto-header.jpg" style="margin: 4px;" /></a></div>
Lately, there have been a number of topics all vying for my attention here in <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/the-tattered-notebook">Tattered Notebook</a>. In a couple of instances, some of them got a little rough and started pushing the others around to try for a better place in line. Yet all the while, <a href="https://www.everquest2.com/"><em>EverQuest II's</em></a> Moonlight Enchantments has been patiently waiting. So as a reward (we do like to reward good behavior here!), that quiet little topic is getting the spotlight in a special bonus edition. And the timing couldn't be more perfect!<br />
<br />
You see, initially this guide was just going to focus on speed to help you get through that short two-day event that comes but once a month on the 20th and 21st in <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/everquest-ii/"><em>EQII</em></a>. Now, however, we get to delve into the changes and new things coming to the Enchanted Grottoes, from even more housing items (yes, that's on top of the new additions in March) to two new repeatable quests to earn the tokens to buy the items. And with this month's festival right around the corner, having a game plan ready to get the most out of those two days will benefit new and old players alike.<p><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/18/tattered-notebook-a-guide-to-eqiis-moonlight-enchantments-an/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Tattered Notebook:  A guide to EQII's Moonlight Enchantments (with new stuff!)</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/18/tattered-notebook-a-guide-to-eqiis-moonlight-enchantments-an/">Tattered Notebook:  A guide to EQII's Moonlight Enchantments (with new stuff!)</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Sat, 18 May 2013 20:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/18/tattered-notebook-a-guide-to-eqiis-moonlight-enchantments-an/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20561316/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/18/tattered-notebook-a-guide-to-eqiis-moonlight-enchantments-an/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>decorating</category><category>eq</category><category>eq-2</category><category>eq-ii</category><category>eq2</category><category>eqii</category><category>everquest</category><category>everquest-2</category><category>everquest-ii</category><category>f2p</category><category>fantasy</category><category>featured</category><category>free-to-play</category><category>grotto</category><category>grottoes</category><category>housing</category><category>housing-items</category><category>in-game-event</category><category>Moonlight-Enchantment</category><category>moonlight-enchantments</category><category>new-items</category><category>new-quests</category><category>opinion</category><category>soe</category><category>sony</category><category>sony-online-entertainment</category><category>tattered-notebook</category><category>the-tattered-notebook</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[MJ Guthrie]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sat, 18 May 2013 20:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Wings Over Atreia:  Shugo Kingdom returns to Aion]]></title><link>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/18/wings-over-atreia-shugo-kingdom-returns-to-aion/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/18/wings-over-atreia-shugo-kingdom-returns-to-aion/</guid><comments>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/18/wings-over-atreia-shugo-kingdom-returns-to-aion/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/fantasy/" rel="tag">Fantasy</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/aion/" rel="tag">Aion</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/events-in-game/" rel="tag">Events (In-Game)</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/pve/" rel="tag">PvE</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/opinion/" rel="tag">Opinion</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/free-to-play/" rel="tag">Free-to-Play</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/wings-over-atreia/" rel="tag">Wings Over Atreia</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/guides/" rel="tag">Guides</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/18/wings-over-atreia-shugo-kingdom-returns-to-aion/"><img alt="Wings Over Atreia  Shugo Kingdom returns to Aion" data-src-height="320" data-src-width="530" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/shugo-header-2.jpg" style="margin: 4px;" /></a></div>
Who says we can't get what we want? I wanted the Shugo Kingdom Adventure event to return to <em><a href="http://na.aiononline.com/en/">Aion</a></em>, and I'm getting my wish. Booyah! No, really, it's true: Starting after maintenance on May 22nd, Daevas who've flown over level 50 will again be able to journey for a limited time to the long lost vaults of the Shugo Kingdom in search of great and glorious treasure. And by treasure, I mean a trove of chests filled with AP items, Stormwing armor pieces and weapons, or even rare sets of wings. Of course what you get depends on how many keys you have and a little luck, so there's no harm in starting your sacrifices to <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/aion/"><em>Aion's</em></a> RNG gods now.<br />
<br />
Did you miss out on the event last time but are looking forward to it this go around? Or maybe you need a refresher because the trauma of not getting <em>that one item</em> caused you to block all knowledge of the zone from your mind? Either way, this edition of <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/wings-over-atreia/">Wings Over Atreia</a> will give you a heads up on what to expect. And as an added bonus, Associate Producer <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/Sean-Orlikowski/">Sean Orlikowski</a> shared his tips and tricks for making the most of your Shugo Kingdom Adventures.<p><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/18/wings-over-atreia-shugo-kingdom-returns-to-aion/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Wings Over Atreia:  Shugo Kingdom returns to Aion</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/18/wings-over-atreia-shugo-kingdom-returns-to-aion/">Wings Over Atreia:  Shugo Kingdom returns to Aion</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Sat, 18 May 2013 14:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/18/wings-over-atreia-shugo-kingdom-returns-to-aion/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20573771/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/18/wings-over-atreia-shugo-kingdom-returns-to-aion/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>aion</category><category>ascension</category><category>be-a-Shugo</category><category>dungeons</category><category>event</category><category>f2p</category><category>fantasy</category><category>featured</category><category>free-to-play</category><category>guide</category><category>Imperial-Tomb</category><category>in-game-event</category><category>instance</category><category>ncsoft</category><category>opinion</category><category>Sean-Orlikowski</category><category>Shigos</category><category>Shugo-Kingdom-Adventure</category><category>Stormwing-loot</category><category>truly-free</category><category>wings-over-atreia</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[MJ Guthrie]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sat, 18 May 2013 14:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Road to Mordor: Six reasons LotRO's Lore-masters rock]]></title><link>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/18/the-road-to-mordor-six-reasons-lotros-lore-masters-rock/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/18/the-road-to-mordor-six-reasons-lotros-lore-masters-rock/</guid><comments>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/18/the-road-to-mordor-six-reasons-lotros-lore-masters-rock/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/fantasy/" rel="tag">Fantasy</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/lord-of-the-rings-online/" rel="tag">Lord of the Rings Online</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/classes/" rel="tag">Classes</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/opinion/" rel="tag">Opinion</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/free-to-play/" rel="tag">Free-to-Play</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/the-road-to-mordor/" rel="tag">The Road to Mordor</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/18/the-road-to-mordor-six-reasons-lotros-lore-masters-rock"><img alt="The Road to Mordor Six reasons why Loremasters rock" data-src-height="348" data-src-width="530" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/04/lm1.jpg" /></a></div>
In my <a href="http://www.lotro.com"><em>Lord of the Rings Online</em></a> career, I've played two classes far more than any others: the Captain and the Lore-master. Both scratch that "pet class" itch that I have in MMOs, both are quite group-friendly, and both seem to be somewhat unorthodox picks (at least compared to the plague of Hunters and Champions infecting the game).<br />
<br />
I'll leave a discussion about Captains for another time, but today I felt like talking about the strangeness that is the Lore-master. It's such a unique class in feel and execution, and it's captivated me such that I'm actually leveling up my second Lore-master because I was dissatisfied with the way I handled my first one.<br />
<br />
Maybe you've never tried one. Maybe you picked one up and just couldn't get a feel for what it was supposed to do. I'll admit that the LM is an acquired taste, partially because its skillset is all over the map and it doesn't settle into an expected template. However, it may just be the coolest class in the game. Here are six reasons why.<p><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/18/the-road-to-mordor-six-reasons-lotros-lore-masters-rock/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>The Road to Mordor: Six reasons LotRO's Lore-masters rock</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/18/the-road-to-mordor-six-reasons-lotros-lore-masters-rock/">The Road to Mordor: Six reasons LotRO's Lore-masters rock</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Sat, 18 May 2013 12:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/18/the-road-to-mordor-six-reasons-lotros-lore-masters-rock/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20547728/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/18/the-road-to-mordor-six-reasons-lotros-lore-masters-rock/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>class</category><category>class-review</category><category>classes</category><category>f2p</category><category>fantasy</category><category>featured</category><category>free-to-play</category><category>lm</category><category>lord-of-the-rings</category><category>lord-of-the-rings-online</category><category>lore-master</category><category>lore-masters</category><category>lotro</category><category>opinion</category><category>pet</category><category>pet-class</category><category>road-to-mordor</category><category>the-road-to-mordor</category><category>turbine</category><category>turbine-entertainment</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Justin Olivetti]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sat, 18 May 2013 12:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Are you still excited to try RIFT's free-to-play option?]]></title><link>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/18/the-daily-grind-are-you-still-excited-to-try-rifts-free-to-pla/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/18/the-daily-grind-are-you-still-excited-to-try-rifts-free-to-pla/</guid><comments>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/18/the-daily-grind-are-you-still-excited-to-try-rifts-free-to-pla/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/fantasy/" rel="tag">Fantasy</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/culture/" rel="tag">Culture</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/mmo-industry/" rel="tag">MMO Industry</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/news-items/" rel="tag">News Items</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/opinion/" rel="tag">Opinion</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/free-to-play/" rel="tag">Free-to-Play</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/the-daily-grind/" rel="tag">The Daily Grind</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/rift/" rel="tag">RIFT</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/18/the-daily-grind-are-you-still-excited-to-try-rifts-free-to-pla/"><img alt="I don't have any idea what hand I should place this on.  It looks kind of gross." data-src-height="331" data-src-width="530" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/rift-freetoplay-epl-517.jpg" /></a></div>
If you'd missed it, <em><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/RIFT/">RIFT</a></em> recently announced that the game will go free-to-play on June 12th. Obviously, the hope is to bring in a variety of new players, but the circumstances surrounding the announcement can result in a bit of whiplash when deciding whether or not to count yourself among those getting into the game.<br />
<br />
On the one hand, <em>RIFT</em> is making <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/14/rift-goes-free-to-play-promises-no-tricks-no-traps/">humble promises</a> about the item shop... but on the other hand, the development team also promised the game would never go free-to-play. <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/Trion-Worlds/">Trion Worlds</a> did just get <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/trion-reportedly-undergoing-massive-layoffs/">hit by layoffs</a>, but it's been said those layoffs don't affect <em>RIFT</em>'s staff. It's long had consistent updates, but those updates have dropped off sharply this year.<br />
<br />
Is trying the game out a good idea? A bad one? Today, we ask our readers to decide. Carefully weighing all the evidence, are you still excited to try <em>RIFT</em>'s free-to-play option? Or do you think you'll be giving it a pass?<br />
<br />
 <img align="left" alt="" border="0" hspace="0" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.massively.com/media/2010/09/coffee.jpg" style="padding-right: 10px;" vspace="0" /><em>Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's <a href="http://www.massively.com/category/the-daily-grind/">Daily Grind</a>!</em><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/18/the-daily-grind-are-you-still-excited-to-try-rifts-free-to-pla/">The Daily Grind: Are you still excited to try RIFT's free-to-play option?</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Sat, 18 May 2013 08:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/18/the-daily-grind-are-you-still-excited-to-try-rifts-free-to-pla/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20574562/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/18/the-daily-grind-are-you-still-excited-to-try-rifts-free-to-pla/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>conquest</category><category>daily-grind</category><category>f2p</category><category>fantasy</category><category>free-to-play</category><category>opinion</category><category>pvp</category><category>rift</category><category>rift-lite</category><category>rift-planes-of-telara</category><category>rvr</category><category>tdg</category><category>the-daily-grind</category><category>three-faction-pvp</category><category>three-way-pvp</category><category>trion</category><category>trion-worlds</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Eliot Lefebvre]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sat, 18 May 2013 08:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Star Trek Online fulfills its promise to Klingon players]]></title><link>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/star-trek-online-fulfills-its-promise-to-klingon-players/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/star-trek-online-fulfills-its-promise-to-klingon-players/</guid><comments>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/star-trek-online-fulfills-its-promise-to-klingon-players/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/sci-fi/" rel="tag">Sci-Fi</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/expansions/" rel="tag">Expansions</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/previews/" rel="tag">Previews</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/star-trek-online/" rel="tag">Star Trek Online</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/free-to-play/" rel="tag">Free-to-Play</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/star-trek-online-fulfills-its-promise-to-klingon-players/"><img alt="Star Trek Online fulfills its promise to Klingon players" data-src-height="300" data-src-width="530" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/klingon.jpg" /></a></div>
Klingon Defense Force players who have been crying out for years for a significant update to their unfinished faction will have their prayers answered when <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/star-trek-online"><em>Star Trek Online's</em></a> <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/legacy-of-romulus"><em>Legacy of Romulus</em></a> expansion releases next week. <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/cryptic">Cryptic</a> <a href="http://sto.perfectworld.com/blog/?p=892951">posted a blog</a> telling these gamers that they have not been forgotten but will be vindicated with a complete experience from level 1 to 50.<br />
<br />
"It was always promised that if <em>Star Trek Online</em> was ever going to add a third faction, we would make sure that Klingons would get expanded content first (or at the same time). With <em>Legacy of Romulus</em> adding Romulans as a playable faction, it was a matter of honor that the Klingons get their own content from level 1 to 50," Cryptic wrote.<br />
<br />
The devs give slight spoilers to the new, reworked, and revised content that Klingons will be experiencing, such as how players will get their first starship and what iconic locations they'll be visiting (hint: a certain prison planet from Star Trek VI will come into play). The studio is also adding a pair of new KDF ships to the store when the expansion hits.<p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/star-trek-online-fulfills-its-promise-to-klingon-players/">Star Trek Online fulfills its promise to Klingon players</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Fri, 17 May 2013 18:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/star-trek-online-fulfills-its-promise-to-klingon-players/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20574284/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/star-trek-online-fulfills-its-promise-to-klingon-players/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>cryptic</category><category>cryptic-studios</category><category>dev-diary</category><category>dev-post</category><category>expansion</category><category>f2p</category><category>free-to-play</category><category>kdf</category><category>klingon</category><category>klingon-defense-force</category><category>klingons</category><category>legacy-of-romulus</category><category>perfect-world</category><category>perfect-world-entertainment</category><category>pwe</category><category>remus</category><category>romulus</category><category>sci-fi</category><category>star-trek</category><category>star-trek-mmo</category><category>star-trek-online</category><category>sto</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Justin Olivetti]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 17 May 2013 18:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[SWTOR's Gree event returns May 21]]></title><link>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/swtors-gree-event-returns-may-21/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/swtors-gree-event-returns-may-21/</guid><comments>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/swtors-gree-event-returns-may-21/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/sci-fi/" rel="tag">Sci-Fi</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/events-in-game/" rel="tag">Events (In-Game)</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/game-mechanics/" rel="tag">Game Mechanics</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/mmo-industry/" rel="tag">MMO Industry</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/news-items/" rel="tag">News Items</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/free-to-play/" rel="tag">Free-to-Play</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/star-wars-the-old-republic/" rel="tag">Star Wars: The Old Republic</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/swtors-gree-event-returns-may-21/"><img alt="You can have this Gree mount after a lot of grinding" data-src-height="298" data-src-width="530" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/greerewards01854x480.jpg" /></a></div>
The Gree starship Grey Secant is returning to <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/star-wars-the-old-republic"><em>Star Wars: The Old Republic's</em></a> planet Ilum. <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/bioware">BioWare's</a> website has updated with <a href="http://www.swtor.com/info/news/news-article/20130517">all the details</a> on the event's return engagement, which starts May 21st and runs through the 28th.<br />
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Players can earn reputation, rare armor, vehicles, and pets, and BioWare says that "this is a great time for players at level 45-plus to jump into the event before the event returns at level 55 in the future." More info is available via the <a href="http://www.swtor.com/blog/game-update-1.7-developer-blog-relics-gree-event">Relics of the Gree</a> event blog.<p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/swtors-gree-event-returns-may-21/">SWTOR's Gree event returns May 21</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Fri, 17 May 2013 16:30:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/swtors-gree-event-returns-may-21/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20574279/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/swtors-gree-event-returns-may-21/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>bioware</category><category>ea</category><category>electronic-arts</category><category>f2p</category><category>free-to-play</category><category>gree</category><category>gree-event</category><category>lucasarts</category><category>relics-of-the-gree</category><category>sci-fi</category><category>star-wars</category><category>star-wars-the-old-republic</category><category>swtor</category><category>swtor-event</category><category>the-old-republic</category><category>tor</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Jef Reahard]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 17 May 2013 16:30:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[RIFT gives a sneak peek at F2P item shop]]></title><link>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/rift-gives-a-sneak-peek-at-f2p-item-shop/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/rift-gives-a-sneak-peek-at-f2p-item-shop/</guid><comments>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/rift-gives-a-sneak-peek-at-f2p-item-shop/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/fantasy/" rel="tag">Fantasy</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/previews/" rel="tag">Previews</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/free-to-play/" rel="tag">Free-to-Play</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/rift/" rel="tag">RIFT</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/rift-gives-a-sneak-peek-at-f2p-item-shop/"><img alt="RIFT gives a sneak peek at F2P item shop" data-src-height="302" data-src-width="530" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/riftstore.jpg" /></a></div>
What will <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/rift"><em>RIFT's</em></a> <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/14/rift-goes-free-to-play-promises-no-tricks-no-traps/">free-to-play version</a> look like? While we won't get to see it in action until the game makes the transition on June 12th, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/Trion-Worlds/">Trion Worlds</a> <a href="http://forums.riftgame.com/rift-general-discussions/general-discussion/358993-wip-first-look-rift-store.html">has posted a screenshot</a> of the new item store and some of its offerings for players to peruse.<br />
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The store screenshot includes a preview pane of a character wearing a fancy outfit and a top hat, as well as a list of several items. These include 30-day patron pass, faction changing scroll, character rename scroll, rename guild scroll, transfiguration bauble, rune unsocketing apparatus, and planar essence removal device. Later on in the thread, the studio <a href="http://forums.riftgame.com/rift-general-discussions/general-discussion/358993-wip-first-look-rift-store-5.html#post4247518">posted a picture of a different cosmetic outfit</a> being worn by a female character.<br />
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To "ensure a successful transition," <a href="http://forums.riftgame.com/official-rift-news/news-announcements/358844-free-play-subscriber-survey-going-out.html">Trion has sent out surveys</a> to all current subscribers about the free-to-play switch.<p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/rift-gives-a-sneak-peek-at-f2p-item-shop/">RIFT gives a sneak peek at F2P item shop</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Fri, 17 May 2013 15:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/rift-gives-a-sneak-peek-at-f2p-item-shop/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20574160/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/rift-gives-a-sneak-peek-at-f2p-item-shop/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>cash-shop</category><category>conquest</category><category>f2p</category><category>fantasy</category><category>free-to-play</category><category>item-store</category><category>pvp</category><category>rift</category><category>rift-lite</category><category>rift-planes-of-telara</category><category>rvr</category><category>three-faction-pvp</category><category>three-way-pvp</category><category>top-hat</category><category>trion</category><category>trion-worlds</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Justin Olivetti]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 17 May 2013 15:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Conquer Online 10th anniversary trailer takes the cake]]></title><link>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/conquer-online-10th-anniversary-trailer-takes-the-cake/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/conquer-online-10th-anniversary-trailer-takes-the-cake/</guid><comments>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/conquer-online-10th-anniversary-trailer-takes-the-cake/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/fantasy/" rel="tag">Fantasy</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/trailers/" rel="tag">Trailers</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/video/" rel="tag">Video</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/contests/" rel="tag">Contests</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/events-in-game/" rel="tag">Events (In-Game)</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/pvp/" rel="tag">PvP</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/news-items/" rel="tag">News Items</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/free-to-play/" rel="tag">Free-to-Play</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/anniversary/" rel="tag">Anniversaries</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/conquer-online-10th-anniversary-trailer-takes-the-cake/"><img alt="Conquer Online 10th anniversary trailer takes the cake" data-src-height="287" data-src-width="530" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/10th-co.jpg" /></a></div>
Hitting the big 1-0 is certainly a cause for celebration. So how does <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/conquer-online/"><em>Conquer Online</em></a> top its <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/18/conquer-online-9th-anniversary-celebrations-include-a-free-trip/">free trip to China</a> offered last year? With a trailer that offers a unique look at the last 10 years and turns attention towards the future. That, and a number of festivities lasting through mid-June that span events, bonuses, and gifts galore. Oh, did we mention another trip to China? This time the trip goes to the supreme champion of the first World Fighting League, a contest open to all new and veteran players spanning all 10 versions of <em>CO</em>.<br />
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Launched in 2003, the oriental fantasy game boasting plenty of kung-fu elements has continually added new content over the years, including <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/26/conquer-online-expansion-includes-new-pirate-class/">pirates</a> and more <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/25/conquer-online-adding-new-hardcore-pvp-features/">PvP-based activities</a>. This year will see even more expansions, from a new character (the mysterious Kung Fu Master) to a new massive cross-server PvP battle, the Kingdom War. To accommodate new players, <em>Conquer Online</em> has opened two new servers and is giving away special Starter's Packs to aid the newcomers. Veterans have not been forgotten; they'll receive a gift when logging into their original servers.<br />
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Want a glimpse at what the future holds for <em>Conquer Online</em>? You'll have to get through the first half of the video to see the preview. Check it out after the cut.<br />
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[Source: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/tq-digital/">TQ Digital</a> press release]<p><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/conquer-online-10th-anniversary-trailer-takes-the-cake/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Conquer Online 10th anniversary trailer takes the cake</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/conquer-online-10th-anniversary-trailer-takes-the-cake/">Conquer Online 10th anniversary trailer takes the cake</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Fri, 17 May 2013 13:30:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/conquer-online-10th-anniversary-trailer-takes-the-cake/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20573947/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/conquer-online-10th-anniversary-trailer-takes-the-cake/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>10th-Anniversary</category><category>anniversary-gifts</category><category>CO</category><category>conquer-online</category><category>events</category><category>f2p</category><category>free-to-play</category><category>free-trip</category><category>free-trip-to-China</category><category>freemium</category><category>martial-arts</category><category>martial-arts-mmo</category><category>microtransaction</category><category>microtransactions</category><category>NetDragon</category><category>premium</category><category>PvP</category><category>tq-digital</category><category>World-Fighting-League</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[MJ Guthrie]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 17 May 2013 13:30:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Marvel Heroes rolls out first episode of Chronicles of Doom motion comic series]]></title><link>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/marvel-heroes-rolls-out-first-episode-of-chronicles-of-doom-mo/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/marvel-heroes-rolls-out-first-episode-of-chronicles-of-doom-mo/</guid><comments>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/marvel-heroes-rolls-out-first-episode-of-chronicles-of-doom-mo/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/super-hero/" rel="tag">Super-hero</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/video/" rel="tag">Video</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/new-titles/" rel="tag">New Titles</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/news-items/" rel="tag">News Items</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/free-to-play/" rel="tag">Free-to-Play</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/marvel-heroes/" rel="tag">Marvel Heroes</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/marvel-heroes-rolls-out-first-episode-of-chronicles-of-doom-mo/"><img alt="Marvel Heroes rolls out first episode of 'Chronicles of Doom' motion comic series" data-src-height="290" data-src-width="530" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/drdoom.jpg" style="margin: 4px;" /></a></div>
When <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/marvel-heroes"><em>Marvel Heroes</em></a> launches on June 4th, it will begin a super story that finds Doctor Doom wielding a fair share of power. But what about the story behind that story? To reveal just how Doctor Doom rose to power, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/gazillion-entertainment">Gazillion</a> is releasing a short series of motion comics entitled "Chronicles of Doom." Penned by <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/Brian-Michael-Bendis/">Brian Michael Bendis</a>, well-known for his work creating the Ultimate Marvel Universe, the adventure begins with the villain infiltrating the sanctuary of the Fantastic Four. Watch the first installment of the four-part series after the break.<br />
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[Source: Gazillion Entertainment press release]<p><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/marvel-heroes-rolls-out-first-episode-of-chronicles-of-doom-mo/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Marvel Heroes rolls out first episode of Chronicles of Doom motion comic series</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/marvel-heroes-rolls-out-first-episode-of-chronicles-of-doom-mo/">Marvel Heroes rolls out first episode of Chronicles of Doom motion comic series</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Fri, 17 May 2013 12:30:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/marvel-heroes-rolls-out-first-episode-of-chronicles-of-doom-mo/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20573853/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/marvel-heroes-rolls-out-first-episode-of-chronicles-of-doom-mo/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>action</category><category>action-mmo</category><category>Brian-Michael-Bendis</category><category>Chronicles-of-Doom</category><category>Doctor-Doom</category><category>f2p</category><category>Fantastic-Four</category><category>free-to-play</category><category>gazillion</category><category>gazillion-entertainment</category><category>marvel</category><category>marvel-heroes</category><category>marvel-universe</category><category>marvel-universe-online</category><category>motion-comic</category><category>motion-comics</category><category>muo</category><category>secret-identity</category><category>superhero</category><category>superheroes</category><category>video</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[MJ Guthrie]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 17 May 2013 12:30:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Maplestory celebrates eight years with events]]></title><link>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/maplestory-celebrates-eight-years-with-events/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/maplestory-celebrates-eight-years-with-events/</guid><comments>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/maplestory-celebrates-eight-years-with-events/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/fantasy/" rel="tag">Fantasy</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/maplestory/" rel="tag">MapleStory</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/events-in-game/" rel="tag">Events (In-Game)</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/news-items/" rel="tag">News Items</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/free-to-play/" rel="tag">Free-to-Play</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/anniversary/" rel="tag">Anniversaries</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/maplestory-celebrates-eight-years-with-events/"><img alt="Maplestory celebrates eight years with events" data-src-height="279" data-src-width="530" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/mapes8.jpg" /></a></div>
Do you remember what you were doing eight years ago? <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/nexon-america/">Nexon</a> does. It was introducing the 2-D fantasy MMORPG game <em><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/maplestory/">MapleStory</a></em> to North America. Since then, the game has grown with plenty of content from new characters (like Kanna and <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/06/massively-exclusive-maplestory-adds-samurai-hayato/">Hayato</a>) to extensive character customization options.<br />
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To celebrate this eighth anniversary, <em>Maplestory</em> is holding a number of events for players to enjoy, including daily eighth anniversary coin giveaways to all players level 10 and above, and special XP bonus events and hot-days throughout the month. Special celebration boxes containing in-game items will also drop off defeated mobs.<br />
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As for going into the ninth year, NA Producer <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/Teddy-Kim/">Teddy Kim</a> stated, "We have a dedicated and engaged group of players, and we appreciate the loyalty and passion they have for<em> MapleStory</em>. We are committed to continuing to deliver the best content to our players to keep the adventures rolling."<br />
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[Source: Nexon America press release]<p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/maplestory-celebrates-eight-years-with-events/">Maplestory celebrates eight years with events</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Fri, 17 May 2013 10:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/maplestory-celebrates-eight-years-with-events/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20573613/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/maplestory-celebrates-eight-years-with-events/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>anniversary</category><category>anniversary-events</category><category>f2p</category><category>fantasy</category><category>free-to-play</category><category>maplestory</category><category>nexon</category><category>nexon-america</category><category>nexon-korea</category><category>Teddy-Kim</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[MJ Guthrie]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 17 May 2013 10:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[RuneScape 3 dev diary gets serious about audio]]></title><link>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/16/runescape-3-dev-diary-gets-serious-about-audio/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/16/runescape-3-dev-diary-gets-serious-about-audio/</guid><comments>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/16/runescape-3-dev-diary-gets-serious-about-audio/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/fantasy/" rel="tag">Fantasy</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/video/" rel="tag">Video</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/game-mechanics/" rel="tag">Game Mechanics</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/news-items/" rel="tag">News Items</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/runescape/" rel="tag">RuneScape</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/free-to-play/" rel="tag">Free-to-Play</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/browser/" rel="tag">Browser</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/mobile/" rel="tag">Mobile</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/dev-diaries/" rel="tag">Dev Diaries</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/16/runescape-3-dev-diary-gets-serious-about-audio/"><img alt="RuneScape 3 dev diary gets serious about audio" data-src-height="287" data-src-width="530" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/runescapeaudio3.jpg" /></a></div>

<div><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/runescape"><em>RuneScape 3</em></a> is coming soon. To get you all excited about it, the devs have released a new video talking about audio improvements in the game. The team recently recorded an orchestral score, but that's apparently just the beginning of its plans for <em>RuneScape 3's</em> audio. A lot of smaller recordings have been done to provide music for menus, incidentals, and poignant story moments. Audio isn't limited to just music, though. <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/jagex">Jagex </a>is focusing on strong, believable voice acting to draw players into the world and narrative. Ambient sound effects are also getting some loving polish.<br />
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Skip below the cut to hear (get it?) all about the upcoming improvements.<br />
<br />
[Source: Jagex press release]</div><p><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/16/runescape-3-dev-diary-gets-serious-about-audio/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>RuneScape 3 dev diary gets serious about audio</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/16/runescape-3-dev-diary-gets-serious-about-audio/">RuneScape 3 dev diary gets serious about audio</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Thu, 16 May 2013 19:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/16/runescape-3-dev-diary-gets-serious-about-audio/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20572537/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/16/runescape-3-dev-diary-gets-serious-about-audio/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>audio</category><category>browser</category><category>browser-based</category><category>classic-mmo</category><category>f2p</category><category>fantasy</category><category>free-to-play</category><category>jagex</category><category>jagex-games-studio</category><category>rs</category><category>runescape</category><category>runescape-3</category><category>runescape3</category><category>sandbox</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Elisabeth Cardy]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 16 May 2013 19:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Marvel Heroes prepares for the end at the beginning]]></title><link>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/16/marvel-heroes-prepares-for-the-end-at-the-beginning/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/16/marvel-heroes-prepares-for-the-end-at-the-beginning/</guid><comments>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/16/marvel-heroes-prepares-for-the-end-at-the-beginning/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/betas/" rel="tag">Betas</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/super-hero/" rel="tag">Super-hero</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/classes/" rel="tag">Classes</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/previews/" rel="tag">Previews</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/endgame/" rel="tag">Endgame</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/free-to-play/" rel="tag">Free-to-Play</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/marvel-heroes/" rel="tag">Marvel Heroes</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/16/marvel-heroes-prepares-for-the-end-at-the-beginning/"><img alt="Marvel Heroes prepares for the end at the beginning" data-src-height="300" data-src-width="530" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/m1.jpg" /></a></div>
With early access to <em><a href="https://marvelheroes.com">Marvel Heroes</a></em> coming on May 28th and the actual launch a few days later on June 4th, the <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/gazillion-entertainment">Gazillion</a> team is on super-high alert. CEO <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/david-brevik">David Brevik</a> talked with us about the final additions that the team is putting in place, saying that most of the features are complete at this point.<br />
<br />
Brevik most wanted to talk about <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/marvel-heroes/"><em>Marvel Heroes'</em></a> endgame. Interestingly enough, the main PvE story will take your character only about halfway to the level 60 cap. After that, Gazillion expects players to fully rely on a robust endgame to finish the journey.<br />
<br />
The endgame is made up of three primary PvE activities (in addition to PvP): daily missions, group challenges, and survival challenges. Daily missions, which can be soloed or done in a group, are unlocked in a chain. The five-man group challenges only have a single entry at this point, although there are several variations on that challenge. Then the survival challenges can take groups of 10 to 15 players and pit them against waves of increasingly difficult foes. Difficulty for these wave battles can be lowered by grabbing shards and defeating enemies, and depending on how well your team performs, the boss could be a pushover or insanely tough. Gazillion is placing a premium on randomness and variety to keep things fresh, so don't expect all similar-looking mobs to actually be the same!<br />
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Read on for all of the last-minute changes that players will encounter when they take on their superhero personae next month!<p><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/16/marvel-heroes-prepares-for-the-end-at-the-beginning/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Marvel Heroes prepares for the end at the beginning</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/16/marvel-heroes-prepares-for-the-end-at-the-beginning/">Marvel Heroes prepares for the end at the beginning</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Thu, 16 May 2013 16:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/16/marvel-heroes-prepares-for-the-end-at-the-beginning/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20572515/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/16/marvel-heroes-prepares-for-the-end-at-the-beginning/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>action</category><category>action-mmo</category><category>cable</category><category>david-brevik</category><category>endgame</category><category>f2p</category><category>featured</category><category>free-to-play</category><category>gazillion</category><category>gazillion-entertainment</category><category>iron-man</category><category>marvel</category><category>marvel-heroes</category><category>marvel-universe</category><category>marvel-universe-online</category><category>muo</category><category>secret-identity</category><category>superhero</category><category>superheroes</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Justin Olivetti]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 16 May 2013 16:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Champions Online brings back the Bloodmoon event and prepares for space gladiators]]></title><link>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/16/champions-online-brings-back-the-bloodmoon-event-and-prepares-fo/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/16/champions-online-brings-back-the-bloodmoon-event-and-prepares-fo/</guid><comments>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/16/champions-online-brings-back-the-bloodmoon-event-and-prepares-fo/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/super-hero/" rel="tag">Super-hero</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/video/" rel="tag">Video</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/events-in-game/" rel="tag">Events (In-Game)</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/news-items/" rel="tag">News Items</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/free-to-play/" rel="tag">Free-to-Play</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/champions-online/" rel="tag">Champions Online</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/16/champions-online-brings-back-the-bloodmoon-event-and-prepares-fo/"><img alt="yeah you heard me. SPACE. GLADIATORS." data-src-height="201" data-src-width="530" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/comalvanum.jpg" /></a></div>

<div>Players of <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/champions-online"><em>Champions Online</em></a>, rejoice! The Bloodmoon has risen once again, and dark and dire perils threaten Millennium City. From this Thursday at 3:01 p.m. EDT until Tuesday at 2:59 a.m. EDT, you'll be able to hop into the action and bathe in the blood of your ghoulish enemies. Do ghouls have blood? We'll assume so.<br />
<br />
Did you know that there are aliens hiding on the dark side of the moon? Of course you did! But here's the thing: There are <em>also </em>aliens hiding on the dark side of the moon in<em> Champions Online</em>. They've been kidnapping heroes from earth to fight in their lunar gladiatorial arena. Soon, the Forum Malvanum custom alert will be open to any Earthling brave enough to step up to the challenge.<br />
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Skip below the cut to catch a bit of history on what the Bloodmoon is all about.</div><p><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/16/champions-online-brings-back-the-bloodmoon-event-and-prepares-fo/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Champions Online brings back the Bloodmoon event and prepares for space gladiators</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/16/champions-online-brings-back-the-bloodmoon-event-and-prepares-fo/">Champions Online brings back the Bloodmoon event and prepares for space gladiators</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Thu, 16 May 2013 15:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/16/champions-online-brings-back-the-bloodmoon-event-and-prepares-fo/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20572495/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/16/champions-online-brings-back-the-bloodmoon-event-and-prepares-fo/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>bloodmoon</category><category>champions</category><category>champions-online</category><category>champs</category><category>co</category><category>cryptic</category><category>cryptic-studios</category><category>dark-side-of-the-moon</category><category>f2p</category><category>forum-malvanum</category><category>free-to-play</category><category>perfect-world</category><category>perfect-world-entertainment</category><category>preview</category><category>pwe</category><category>space-gladiators</category><category>superhero</category><category>superheroes</category><category>video</category><category>videos</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Elisabeth Cardy]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 16 May 2013 15:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[LoL video previews 3.7 patch, introduces Custom Item Sets]]></title><link>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/16/lol-video-previews-3-7-patch-introduces-custom-item-sets/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/16/lol-video-previews-3-7-patch-introduces-custom-item-sets/</guid><comments>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/16/lol-video-previews-3-7-patch-introduces-custom-item-sets/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/fantasy/" rel="tag">Fantasy</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/video/" rel="tag">Video</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/game-mechanics/" rel="tag">Game Mechanics</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/patches/" rel="tag">Patches</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/pvp/" rel="tag">PvP</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/free-to-play/" rel="tag">Free-to-Play</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/moba/" rel="tag">MOBA</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/league-of-legends/" rel="tag">League of Legends</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/16/lol-video-previews-3-7-patch-introduces-custom-item-sets/"><img alt="LoL video previews 37 patch, introduces custom item sets" data-src-height="320" data-src-width="530" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/gothorianna-header.jpg" /></a></div>
Instead of just rolling out a wall of text to discuss the changes and updates hitting <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/league-of-legends"><em>League of Legends</em></a> in the 3.7 patch, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/riot-games/">Riot Games</a> offers players a video preview to get a glimpse of what's to come. And among the goodies is one of the most player-requested features -- Custom Item Sets.<br />
<br />
Want to create a specific set of items, tailored to individual champions and/or maps before you get into a match and the fighting begins? Or how about just browse through the entire item shop on PVP.net just to see what's available? Both will be possible with the new Custom Item Sets feature. Initially, these custom builds will be stored on players' local machines only, but the devs plan on adding server-side storage in the future.<br />
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The video also discusses some balance changes to the champions Rumble, Twisted Fate, Caitlyn, and Nunu. Check out the specifics after the break.<p><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/16/lol-video-previews-3-7-patch-introduces-custom-item-sets/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>LoL video previews 3.7 patch, introduces Custom Item Sets</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/16/lol-video-previews-3-7-patch-introduces-custom-item-sets/">LoL video previews 3.7 patch, introduces Custom Item Sets</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Thu, 16 May 2013 12:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/16/lol-video-previews-3-7-patch-introduces-custom-item-sets/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20572212/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/16/lol-video-previews-3-7-patch-introduces-custom-item-sets/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>3.7-patch</category><category>Custom-Item-Sets</category><category>dota</category><category>e-sport</category><category>esport</category><category>f2p</category><category>fantasy</category><category>free-to-play</category><category>league</category><category>league-of-legends</category><category>lol</category><category>LoL-3.7-patch</category><category>moba</category><category>riot</category><category>riot-games</category><category>update</category><category>video</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[MJ Guthrie]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 16 May 2013 12:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Summoner's Guidebook: Teaching ourselves LoL matchups]]></title><link>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/16/the-summoners-guidebook-teaching-ourselves-lol-matchups/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/16/the-summoners-guidebook-teaching-ourselves-lol-matchups/</guid><comments>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/16/the-summoners-guidebook-teaching-ourselves-lol-matchups/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/pvp/" rel="tag">PvP</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/opinion/" rel="tag">Opinion</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/free-to-play/" rel="tag">Free-to-Play</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/guides/" rel="tag">Guides</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/moba/" rel="tag">MOBA</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/league-of-legends/" rel="tag">League of Legends</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/the-summoners-guidebook/" rel="tag">The Summoner's Guidebook</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/16/the-summoners-guidebook-teaching-ourselves-lol-matchups/"><img alt="The Summoner's Guidebook Teaching ourselves LoL matchups" data-src-height="317" data-src-width="530" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/lol-tpaskins.jpg" style="margin:4px" /></a></div>
I'm always looking for things to teach players in <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/the-Summoners-Guidebook/">the Summoner's Guidebook</a>. We have, however, covered a lot of the low hanging fruit in one way or another. In <a href="http://www.leagueoflegends.com"><em>League of Legends</em></a>, and virtually every other asymmetric competitive game, matchup knowledge comprises the huge bulk of information that is truly useful to read about. This week was originally going to be a counter-Ryze guide, but then I decided to cover a broader topic to help reach more people.<br />
<br />
I don't really like discussing specific character matchups largely because the character you're using matters almost as much as your opponent's. What does Ryze do against Kassadin in lane, for instance? The answer is not a whole lot if the Kassadin is decent. I could write a counter-Kassadin guide, but a lot of it wouldn't be usable by Ryze. Instead, this week we'll discuss how to think about the opponent's kit and develop a strategy to win on your own (or at least survive).<p><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/16/the-summoners-guidebook-teaching-ourselves-lol-matchups/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>The Summoner's Guidebook: Teaching ourselves LoL matchups</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/16/the-summoners-guidebook-teaching-ourselves-lol-matchups/">The Summoner's Guidebook: Teaching ourselves LoL matchups</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Thu, 16 May 2013 11:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/16/the-summoners-guidebook-teaching-ourselves-lol-matchups/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20570120/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/16/the-summoners-guidebook-teaching-ourselves-lol-matchups/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>appraisal</category><category>character-select</category><category>character-selection</category><category>f2p</category><category>featured</category><category>free-to-play</category><category>guide</category><category>guides</category><category>league</category><category>league-of-legends</category><category>lol</category><category>matchup</category><category>matchup-knowledge</category><category>moba</category><category>opinion</category><category>pvp</category><category>riot</category><category>riot-games</category><category>summoners-guidebook</category><category>the-summoners-guidebook</category><category>valuation</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Patrick Mackey]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 16 May 2013 11:00:00 EST</pubDate></item></channel></rss>