Massively http://massively.joystiq.com Massively http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Massively http://massively.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Wasteland Diaries: Launch 2.0]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/14/wasteland-diaries-launch-2-0/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/14/wasteland-diaries-launch-2-0/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/14/wasteland-diaries-launch-2-0/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

The Los Alamos auction house
Fallen Earth is officially free-to-play with patch 2.0. There are very few restrictions on the free accounts, so if you haven't at least tried it out, you really have no excuse. If it's been a while since you've played, you might want to pop in and check it out. A lot has changed, and there's no need to sub up to take a look. The world is pretty well populated now. Even Los Alamos was crowded again, like it used to be over a year ago. The starter towns were packed with new players all running around with their axes and air rifles. The population is certainly healthy at the moment; hopefully it will last.

It's been over two years since Fallen Earth went live, and it's also probably been over two years since the wasteland has had so many people in it. LifeNet gear is back in style again. Players are trotting around on "Old Nags," and the Help channel is a fusillade of questions that many of the more helpful and knowledgeable players try to keep up with. I spent a few hours traveling around and watching the crowds. Seeing the swarms of players and the dead mobs littering the desert sand in Sector 1 reminded me of launch day back in September of '09. But the difference is this: There are more players everywhere, which means many of the old players have returned as well. I've noticed some big changes already, and I'll share those with you right after the cut.

Continue reading Wasteland Diaries: Launch 2.0

MassivelyWasteland Diaries: Launch 2.0 originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 14 Oct 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>boneclawChopperCommandereconomyf2pfallen-earthfallen-earth-llcfeaturedfree-to-playgamersfirstpatch-2.0server-populationwardrobe-slotsFri, 14 Oct 2011 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Fallen Earth launching free-to-play conversion with a last chance at veteran rewards]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/10/fallen-earth-launching-free-to-play-conversion-with-a-last-chanc/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/10/fallen-earth-launching-free-to-play-conversion-with-a-last-chanc/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/10/fallen-earth-launching-free-to-play-conversion-with-a-last-chanc/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Da Choppa
As of October 12th, Fallen Earth will be the latest title to join the hybrid free-to-play business model. This also means that Wednesday marks the end of the road for players who want to be subscribed before that transition in order to be eligible for special veteran rewards. Returning and existing players will find waiting for them upon login a Spiked Chopper, a vehicle that will allow them to get from place to place while still looking as stylish as possible. Existing subscribers will be eligible for the veteran rewards package, which include monthly gifts, wardrobe spots, and a discount on the top subscription tier.

But even if you're not subscribed when the change takes place, you can still benefit from the new world events being brought to the game with this update. Taking place randomly in any part of the wasteland, these spontaneous special quests will allow players to dynamically jump in and take part in the struggle to preserve the wasteland and society from the forces that threaten it. Special rewards are also available for players who take part, giving all the more reason for both free and paid players to jump back into the sandbox environment of the wasteland.

[Source: GamersFirst press release]

MassivelyFallen Earth launching free-to-play conversion with a last chance at veteran rewards originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 10 Oct 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>business-modelbusiness-modelsf2pfallen-earthfallen-earth-llcfefree-to-playgamersfirstmajor-updatespatchesreturning-playersrewardsupdatesveteran-playersveteran-rewardsMon, 10 Oct 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wasteland Diaries: Factions and you]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/30/wasteland-diaries-factions-and-you/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/30/wasteland-diaries-factions-and-you/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/30/wasteland-diaries-factions-and-you/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Sunset in Blockade
There was a time in Fallen Earth when the factions were more diverse. When I say diverse, I don't mean in ideology. I am talking about the game mechanics. These days, they are a bit more homogenized. Before everything was de-factionalized, your build would have a great bearing on which faction you chose. Sometimes, if you were a min-maxing PvPer like I am, you would wind up in a faction you didn't necessarily like. That was the main reason I didn't like the faction diversity. The ideology of the factions didn't appeal to me, but the factions' perks complemented my playstyle. I'll get into that a bit later in the post.

Another problem with the wide diversity between factions was the issue of balancing. It's hard enough to balance the three weapon classes, but once you have six different factions with six different sets of abilities, mutations, and capstones, it gets worse. I still see people asking in game about which faction is the pistols faction or which faction has access to Nano-manipulation. The short answer is all factions do. There is a misconception that your faction is still dependent on your build. It isn't. There are still a few artifacts of the old system lying around, but by and large, most of them are just minor annoyances. In this post I'll look at what is really important in choosing a faction in the new Fallen Earth.

Continue reading Wasteland Diaries: Factions and you

MassivelyWasteland Diaries: Factions and you originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 30 Sep 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abilitiescapstonesfactionsfallen-earthfallen-earth-llcfeaturedgamersfirstmeleemutation-flipmutationspistolrandom-aprifleskillsweapon-classeswheel-flipFri, 30 Sep 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wasteland Diaries: PvE like a boss]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/23/wasteland-diaries-pve-like-a-boss/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/23/wasteland-diaries-pve-like-a-boss/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/23/wasteland-diaries-pve-like-a-boss/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

I have slain a rat
Fallen Earth PvE can be anywhere from laughably easy to downright frustrating. I guess that's a good thing since you get a gamut of difficulty levels, but much of the leveling span leans toward the easy end of the scale. I tend to get bored with PvE combat fairly quickly in MMOs (not just Fallen Earth). Other people love to struggle against the environment. Some even refuse to do anything remotely akin to PvP. I'll only throw the term "carebear" at those who think all PvPers are maladjusted psychopaths. I'm not talking about them; I'm talking about regular hardcore PvEers: players who would rather play against the NPCs than against other players.

Many of my posts center around PvP. If I didn't PvP (and since I'm not a big roleplayer), I doubt I would still be playing Fallen Earth. That's just what I spend most of my time doing in the wastelands. So I tend to write a lot about it. But all PvPers have to PvE. PvE has its own set of challenges for the player. Granted, these challenges are quite static, and once you find a way to overcome them, you are done. But they are challenges nonetheless, and knowledge is power as much in PvE as it is in PvP. In this post I will give you some tips and tricks that might help you get through that next tough mission. Much of this stuff is common sense, but it may not occur to you until it's too late. So click past the cut and let's get started.

Continue reading Wasteland Diaries: PvE like a boss

MassivelyWasteland Diaries: PvE like a boss originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 23 Sep 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abilitiesammunitioncombatconsumablesdeath-penaltydpsfallen-earthfallen-earth-llcfeaturedgamersfirstgroup-contenthealingmeleeMissionsmobsnpcspistolpveregeneration-ratesrifleskillsFri, 23 Sep 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Two years after the fall of the world: Fallen Earth's second anniversary]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/22/two-years-after-the-fall-of-the-world-fallen-earths-second-ann/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/22/two-years-after-the-fall-of-the-world-fallen-earths-second-ann/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/22/two-years-after-the-fall-of-the-world-fallen-earths-second-ann/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Fallen Earth second anniversary
It's no secret that Fallen Earth is somewhat of a staff favorite here at Massively. While its combat system may not hold the same polish of other titles, it more than makes up for it in sheer exploration, incredibly deep crafting, an engagingly different game world, and the dark humor that seeps into every aspect of the game. In fact, Massively is what convinced me to give Fallen Earth a shot when it came out two years ago.

At the time, I was just a regular gamer looking for something a little different than the elves-'n'-fantasy fare that 99% of MMOs were dishing my way. Fallen Earth's semi-familiar setting -- modern guns, post office boxes, motorcycles, sunglasses, giant mutated ants -- was at once familiar and foreign. It took me two solid tries to get into the game, but once I did, I was hooked.

I've always felt bad that Fallen Earth never got more popular than it already is, although I can understand why. The post-apocalypse setting is enough to weird players out, and the paradigm shift from getting your gear via looting to building your own gear via crafting takes some getting used to. Plus, the troubles that Icarus Studios ran into early on didn't help matters any.

Fortunately, the future looks bright for Fallen Earth, and as it celebrates its second anniversary, we should look back at this past year to see just how far this cult MMO has come. Clones, assemble!

Continue reading Two years after the fall of the world: Fallen Earth's second anniversary

MassivelyTwo years after the fall of the world: Fallen Earth's second anniversary originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 22 Sep 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2nd-anniversaryability-pointsalpha-countyanniversaryapboneclawchotacombat-overhaulf2pfallen-earthfallen-earth-llcfeaturedfree-to-playgamersfirstglobaltechicarusicarus-studiosMarie-Croallplayer-housingprogress-townssecond-anniversarysectorsector-foursector-oneterminal-woodsThu, 22 Sep 2011 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Wasteland Diaries: Scavenger's guide]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/16/wasteland-diaries-scavengers-guide/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/16/wasteland-diaries-scavengers-guide/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/16/wasteland-diaries-scavengers-guide/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Killing White Crow
The economy in Fallen Earth is due to get a major overhaul in the next month. The devs have been pretty tight-lipped about what exactly is going to change. They may do something as bold as doing away with NPC vendors altogether (unlikely) or maybe just tweaking the rarity of materials (confirmed). Since we aren't exactly sure what is going to change, we can't really prepare ourselves properly, can we? We can guess which materials are going to become rarer with the revamp by looking at the recipes, but they will be undergoing changes as well. So trying to figure out what to hoard for the new economy is purely a guessing game.

I don't want to get into theorycrafting on what may or may not change economy-wise. I'll leave it up to your best guess as to what materials you think you'll need to stock up on. My purpose in this post will be to help you get said materials. I can't think of a single material in the entire gameworld of Fallen Earth that is out of my grasp. I'm pretty sure I can find anything. I have compiled a list of useful materials and the best places that I know of to find them. There are some things that I will not divulge, but I'm going to be very generous considering most of the loot tables will be drastically altered very soon. Click past the cut and have a look at the list.

Continue reading Wasteland Diaries: Scavenger's guide

MassivelyWasteland Diaries: Scavenger's guide originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 16 Sep 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>craftingcrateseconomyfallen-earthfallen-earth-llcfeaturedgamersfirsticarus-studiosmaterialsmatsmerchantsmobsnodesscavengingscavenging-nodesFri, 16 Sep 2011 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Wasteland Diaries: F2P -- What to expect]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/09/wasteland-diaries-f2p-what-to-expect/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/09/wasteland-diaries-f2p-what-to-expect/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/09/wasteland-diaries-f2p-what-to-expect/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Emerging from the cloner
Fallen Earth is going free-to-play on October 12th. That's the plan, anyway. Four different subscriber levels will be available. The free accounts will actually have quite a bit of freedom with in the game (in fact, I'm shocked at how few restrictions they will have). The highest tier is a bit pricey for what you get, but we don't want a pay-to-win system, right? There's a fine line between giving paying customers something worthwhile and upsetting the balance of the entire universe. I'll discuss each subscription level later on in the post.

There are still a few concerns that many in the Fallen Earth community (including me) have about the F2P transition, and not all of them are technical concerns. I'm really not sure what to expect exactly as far as numbers of players, but I'm sure we'll see a huge influx of players both new and returning. How many exactly? I don't have a clue. I'll cover the sub levels first and then discuss my fears about what's to come afterward. So click past the cut and let's get started.

Continue reading Wasteland Diaries: F2P -- What to expect

MassivelyWasteland Diaries: F2P -- What to expect originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 09 Sep 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Commandercommander-auraf2pfallen-earthfallen-earth-llcfeaturedfree-to-playgamersfirsticarus-studiosp2ppay-to-playreward-pointsscavengersubscription-modelsurvivalistwastelanderFri, 09 Sep 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wasteland Diaries: The old vs. the new]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/02/wasteland-diaries-the-old-vs-the-new/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/02/wasteland-diaries-the-old-vs-the-new/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/02/wasteland-diaries-the-old-vs-the-new/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Bunker bar
When it was first introduced, the new combat system seemed pretty awkward and cumbersome. As with all new game systems, you just have to get used to it. Luckily, due to the extreme familiarity I have with Fallen Earth, I adapted fairly quickly. But I didn't like it much at first. It was too healer-centric in PvP, and it was nearly impossible to die in PvE with such a large health pool and awesome self-heals. Instead of grinning and bearing it, I complained and hoped for a fix. It got fixed, and though it's not perfect, it's pretty close.

In this post, I will take a look at the new system and how it differs from the old one, now that I've had some time to think it over. I'm still not sure whether I like it better than the old system yet, but it's growing on me. There's a lot of stuff that I miss from the old system and a lot of stuff I'll never miss. Knockdown and stuns are two of those things. A lot of players were worried that the new combat system would take ages to tweak, but it seems like it's pretty close to the mark already. A few minor adjustments might be needed, but it's already close to a finished product from what I see. After the cut, I'll tell you why I think that.

Continue reading Wasteland Diaries: The old vs. the new

MassivelyWasteland Diaries: The old vs. the new originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 02 Sep 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abilitiescombat-systemconsumablesfallen-earthfallen-earth-llcfeaturedfurballgamersfirsthealinghealsicarus-studiosknockdownsmutationsnew-combat-systemnew-systemsold-combat-systempatchpatch-1.9skillsstunsFri, 02 Sep 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wasteland Diaries: Why do I PvP?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/26/wasteland-diaries-why-do-i-pvp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/26/wasteland-diaries-why-do-i-pvp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/26/wasteland-diaries-why-do-i-pvp/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

A break from the grind.
Lately I've been asking myself, "Why do I PvP in Fallen Earth?" The game isn't designed around PvP combat; it's more of a sideshow. The factional conflict was what made me decide to try it out in the first place. But after getting to max level, I realized that there wasn't a true faction conflict. There were just sporadic skirmishes arranged by the same core of players. So what is it that motivates me to do it? What is it that motivates other PvPers to do it? I can think of a few possibilities, but even if I look at my best reasons as objectively as possible, they aren't even remotely good reasons. Yet I keep doing it.

In this post I will take a look at what drives one to PvP in Fallen Earth. What are the benefits? What are the risk vs. reward factors? Are there objectives or goals? When I look at the cold, hard facts, I'm still not quite sure what motivates me (or the others who still hang around). After the cut, I'll go over all the potential reasons to PvP in FE (that I can imagine) and possibly narrow it down.

Continue reading Wasteland Diaries: Why do I PvP?

MassivelyWasteland Diaries: Why do I PvP? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 26 Aug 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blood sportsBloodSportscombat-systemconflict-townsdeath tollDeathTolldynamic-contentfaction reputationfaction-control-pointsFactionReputationfactionsfallen-earthfallen-earth-llcfcpsfeaturedgamersfirstGrindicarus-studiosmerchantspvppvp-zonesterritory-controlFri, 26 Aug 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wasteland Diaries: Mutations 2.0]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/19/wasteland-diaries-mutations-2-0/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/19/wasteland-diaries-mutations-2-0/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/19/wasteland-diaries-mutations-2-0/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Sunset over Citadel
We have a new skills and abilities system in Fallen Earth. I wrote a short guide about the new skills a couple of weeks ago, so this week I'd like to cover the new mutations. If you haven't played Fallen Earth in the past few months, you will log into a very empty hot-key bar and have a very messed-up build. You will have a lot more AP than you did, though. But that AP is useless if you don't know how to spend it. There are no more capstones to plan builds around; you'll have to build a clone that will suit your particular play-style. My skills post and this post will give you a pretty good idea of what each line does and what abilities or mutations they offer.

All clones still have alpha mutations, but they are only low-level mutations and are intended to introduce new players to the mutation system. These mutations are based soley on Charisma now rather than Willpower. Every mutation line also has a primary stat attached to it, which determines 75% of the maximum attainable skill level. The other 25% is determined by Willpower. Total gamma (gamma is the mutation stamina pool that you deplete when you use mutations) is now determined by Charisma and Intelligence. Willpower is not nearly as important to mutation-heavy characters as it used to be. Those are the fundamental changes to mutations, and after the cut I'll describe what each line has in its arsenal.

Continue reading Wasteland Diaries: Mutations 2.0

MassivelyWasteland Diaries: Mutations 2.0 originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 19 Aug 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alpha-mutationsapempathyenhancementfallen-earthfallen-earth-llcfeaturedgamersfirstguideicarus-studiosIlluminationmutationsnano-manipulationpatho-transmissionPrimalsonic-manipulationsuppressiontelekenesisthermal-controlFri, 19 Aug 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fallen Earth store goes all the way with a 100% rebate event]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/17/fallen-earth-store-goes-all-the-way-with-a-100-rebate-event/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/17/fallen-earth-store-goes-all-the-way-with-a-100-rebate-event/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/17/fallen-earth-store-goes-all-the-way-with-a-100-rebate-event/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

You could buy a gun! You know, to shoot back.
You know what's better than spending a bunch of money on buying in-game items for your character in the soon-to-be free-to-play Fallen Earth? Spending a bunch of money on buying in-game items for your character and then getting all of that money back. Sounds too good to be true? It's not. From August 18th to August 23rd, GamersFirst is holding a 100% rebate promotion for the game, where every purchase will come with a nice big rebate of every credit used in the purchase.

Now, before you ask, it's not quite free -- the rebate comes after the end of the promotion, meaning that if you spend $20 during the promotion, you will be credited with $20 after the promotion ends. Still, it's a chance to pick up all sorts of fun accessories, several of which are deeply discounted during the promotion. Fallen Earth players would be well advised to browse the market and decide if there's anything worth buying -- after all, it all comes back to you in the end.

MassivelyFallen Earth store goes all the way with a 100% rebate event originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 17 Aug 2011 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f2pfallen-earthfallen-earth-llcfefree-to-playgamersfirsticarus-studiosmicrotransactionspromotionsrebatesstore-creditsstore-rebatesWed, 17 Aug 2011 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Wasteland Diaries: It's fixed]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/12/wasteland-diaries-its-fixed/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/12/wasteland-diaries-its-fixed/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/12/wasteland-diaries-its-fixed/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Victors at Blockade
During the past couple of weeks, I haven't been playing Fallen Earth too much. I have been waiting for some changes to come along. I found the new combat system to be a bit too slow-paced and dull. It was very centered around healing. He who healed the best generally won the fights. I prefer a system in which he who deals the most damage is more likely to win. There are, of course, other tactical considerations involved in both types of combat, but the overall feel was just plain wrong in the healer-centric combat system.

I'm happy to report that some changes have been made to the system. There are still a few things I don't like about the 1.9 patch, but 1.9.2 fixed almost all of these issues. I won't say it was a perfect patch, but it was very close. There are still some minor issues I'd like to see addressed, but these are probably conscious design choices that are working as intended. In this post, I'd like to cover what has changed, why it's so great, and what we will see in the coming months. The urge to log into Fallen Earth is coming back to me, and it is all due to this new patch. After the cut, I'll explain why.

Continue reading Wasteland Diaries: It's fixed

MassivelyWasteland Diaries: It's fixed originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 12 Aug 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alpha-countyblockadecitadelcombat-systemecoomy-overhaulfallen-earthfallen-earth-llcfast-travelfeaturedgamersfirsthealingicarusicarus-studiospowerprecisionpvepvpsector-4staminaterritory-controlFri, 12 Aug 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fallen Earth 1.9.2 debuts tomorrow, expands fast travel options]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/09/fallen-earth-1-9-2-debuts-tomorrow-expands-fast-travel-options/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/09/fallen-earth-1-9-2-debuts-tomorrow-expands-fast-travel-options/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/09/fallen-earth-1-9-2-debuts-tomorrow-expands-fast-travel-options/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

There's a lot going on in the wasteland these days, and the Fallen Earth dev blog updated with a bird's eye view of all the shenanigans over the weekend. First and foremost, the 1.9.2 patch is on the way (it's currently scheduled for tomorrow, in fact), and the blog entry has the patch notes ready for your perusal.

Along with the requisite combat, skills, and recipe updates, the big news is the expansion of the game's fast travel mechanics. Players are now able to zip between certain LifeNet pod locations, with additional destinations becoming available as LifeNet's supplies are restocked. The fast travel system necessitates mission turn-ins at each pod location that a player wishes to use, and the mechanic also features level, chip, and knowledge requirements.

That's not all there is to 1.9.2, of course, and the update notes are pretty extensive. Head to the Fallen Earth dev blog to read new info on progress towns, mission updates, and a laundry list of other tweaks.

MassivelyFallen Earth 1.9.2 debuts tomorrow, expands fast travel options originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 09 Aug 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1.9.21.9.2-patchf2pfallen-earthfallen-earth-llcfast-travelfree-to-playgamersfirsticarusicarus-studiosinstant-travellifenetlifenet-podpatchespost-apocalypticsci-fiskill-basedtravelupdateswastelandTue, 09 Aug 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wasteland Diaries: I got skills]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/05/wasteland-diaries-i-got-skills/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/05/wasteland-diaries-i-got-skills/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/05/wasteland-diaries-i-got-skills/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Sector 4, a new skill and abilities system and a new... well, a new everything has come to Fallen Earth. Even the forums will be migrating over to GamersFirst's little piece of cyberspace. While the transition hasn't gone completely smoothly, it could have been a lot worse. I don't know why they decided to do all this stuff at once, but it went well, considering how major an undertaking it probably was. The skills and abilities (also known as the "combat system") didn't fare too well with the wastelanders, and the devs have promised some fixes. With everything going on right now, I don't think we'll see them any time soon, though I may be wrong.

One thing is for sure: The new combat system is here to stay. Many of us would like to see them scrap it, go back to the old system and just patch up its imperfections (it was so close). But, I have been told emphatically that it's here to stay. So, instead of dwelling on the what-ifs, I'd like to take a look at all of the new skills and mutations, since they are definitely permanent -- although they may be changing a little bit in the coming days while this brand-new system is tested and balanced.

Mostly what we have now is what we are going be using. Some of them are the same, but by and large, this new system is an entirely different animal. You may recognize some of the names, but most of the abilities (actually, I think all of them) function differently. After the cut, we will take a look at every skill and their associated abilities in the game.

Continue reading Wasteland Diaries: I got skills

MassivelyWasteland Diaries: I got skills originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 05 Aug 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abilitiesf2pf2p-modelfallen-earthfallen-earth-llcfeaturedgamersfirsticarus-studiosnew-combat-systemnew-skillssector-4skillsstatisticstransitionFri, 05 Aug 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wasteland Diaries: The story of the fall]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/29/wasteland-diaries-the-story-of-the-fall/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/29/wasteland-diaries-the-story-of-the-fall/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/29/wasteland-diaries-the-story-of-the-fall/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

I've determined that I'll make this week's post a bit of a history lesson. How did Fallen Earth fall? I'll tell you, because if there is one thing I can't possibly fault about the Fallen Earth dev team, it's their writing. Though it's a little far-fetched (in my opinion), the background lore is pretty good. The game dialogue is second to none, but it's the lore we are going to take a closer look at.

Much of the story unfolds and is fleshed out throughout the game while talking to various NPCs. But knowing the back-story will help you understand a little better about what is going on in the Grand Canyon Province, especially how the factions inter-relate. So click past the cut and let's get started.

Continue reading Wasteland Diaries: The story of the fall

MassivelyWasteland Diaries: The story of the fall originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 29 Jul 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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I remember way back when the Fallen Earth team released Deadfall there were many people didn't partake because they were waiting for Sector 4. And Deadfall was a pretty major update. It was practically a sector unto itself, with the level cap raised by four. As far as content goes, it wasn't far behind Alpha County in terms of scale.

Yet for some reason, many players were holding off on re-subbing until the elusive Sector 4 raised its mythical head. Hopefully those players are willing to wait another week or two. Sector 4 is finally here, but I don't feel it's quite ready yet. It's not S4 itself, it's a slew of other things which I'll cover that later.

The important thing is if you decide to head into Alpha, be prepared. You might be a little rusty after all of this time away from the wasteland and in need a refresher course in the finer points of not taking a Kaibab dirtnap. If that's the case, don't sweat it, we all are still working out kinks due to the new combat system. But even if you are stumbling back into the game in the most ungainly of fashions, an ounce of prevention is still much better than a pound of cure. There are a few things you can do to help yourself thrive in the new sector. After the cut, I'll give you some advice that may or may not help you along your way. I'm hoping on the former.

Continue reading Wasteland Diaries: Triumphant return

MassivelyWasteland Diaries: Triumphant return originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 22 Jul 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alpha-countycombat-systemconsumablesdeadfallfallen-earthfallen-earth-llcfeaturedfirst-aidgamersfirsticarus-studiosintelligenceInterceptorinterceptor-security-modellevel-caplevel-cap-increasenew-combat-systemsector-4Fri, 22 Jul 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wasteland Diaries: Exploring the Citadel]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/15/wasteland-diaries-exploring-the-citadel/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/15/wasteland-diaries-exploring-the-citadel/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/15/wasteland-diaries-exploring-the-citadel/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Normally, I prefer to PvP in Fallen Earth. It gives me the biggest sense of accomplishment and it's a handy way to gain tons of faction rep. But, while I'm leveling up my PvP clones and getting used to the new combat system, I've been doing mostly PvE. I went to Alpha County and ran some missions, but I'll go into more detail on that later in this post. I also got a chance to check out the progress towns. I have to admit, they are fun, and rewarding too!

I actually had more fun messing around in the progress towns back in Deadfall than I did roaming around in Sector 4. Sure, I didn't do every mission in Alpha -- I probably didn't even do half of them. After a while, I decided to put my time to use in the progress towns. After the cut, I'll tell you why I left Sector 4 and came back to Deadfall.

Continue reading Wasteland Diaries: Exploring the Citadel

MassivelyWasteland Diaries: Exploring the Citadel originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 15 Jul 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alpha-countyblockadecitadelcombat-systemdeadfalldefense-tokensfallen-earthfallen-earth-llcgamersfirstjuniperpre-fall-techprogressprogress-townssector-4strongholdvolatile-chemicalsFri, 15 Jul 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fallen Earth launches Alpha County expansion [Updated]]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/06/fallen-earth-launches-alpha-county-expansion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/06/fallen-earth-launches-alpha-county-expansion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/06/fallen-earth-launches-alpha-county-expansion/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Welcome to Alpha County, wasteland wanderers! That's right, the big day is here, as GamersFirst has finally launched (see below) the newest expansion to Fallen Earth. What does this new addition bring to Fallen Earth players? Well... (deep breath!) the largest addition is the eponymous Alpha County zone, which provides endgame-level players with a wealth of new content. The expansion brings the level cap to 55 and introduces a brand-new conflict town called Blockade. Also included are new areas known as Progress Towns. These towns are PvP-centric areas that players can fight over, command, defend, and hopefully, hold.

The expansion also brings a wealth of combat balance changes and new skill lines. The new system "allows for wider varieties of player builds and roles in combat." In addition, skills will no longer increase alongside the character's base statistics, thereby requiring more specialized skill investment in order to receive the most powerful abilities. New players aren't getting left in the dust either, as they will now begin the game with 30 Advancement Points from the get-go, allowing them to take steps toward customizing and defining their characters much earlier in the game. For more information, and to jump into the post-apocalyptic wasteland of Fallen Earth for yourself, head on over to the game's official site.

[Update: And it's just been announced that the Alpha County update is delayed until tomorrow. So there's that.]

MassivelyFallen Earth launches Alpha County expansion [Updated] originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 06 Jul 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alpha-countyblockadecombat-balanceexpansionexpansionsfallen-earthfallen-earth-llcfegamersfirsticarusicarus-studiosprogression-townsWed, 06 Jul 2011 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Wasteland Diaries: Playstyles]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/01/wasteland-diaries-playstyles/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/01/wasteland-diaries-playstyles/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/01/wasteland-diaries-playstyles/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Most MMOs have three playstyles. Well, that's incorrect; they actually have any number of play-styles with varying degrees of three types of play. PvE (player vs. environment) is the style of play in which the antagonists are a part of the gameworld itself. PvP (player vs. player) pits the players against each other. And RP (roleplaying) has the players vying for... whatever they decide they need to vie for. Most players engage Fallen Earth (or any MMO, for that matter) with a mix of the three.

Fallen Earth is a great setting for the RPers. Its vastness and its interesting-looking locales make for a variety of backdrops. The interesting locales usually make for some great locations for open world PvP. And there are hundreds and hundreds of PvE missions here, there, and everywhere. All three types of players can get a lot out of Fallen Earth if they approach the game properly. The purpose of this post is to help you along with getting what you can out of the game with your preferred playstyle. So without any further ado, click past the cut and read on.

Continue reading Wasteland Diaries: Playstyles

MassivelyWasteland Diaries: Playstyles originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 01 Jul 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Even after the apocalypse, price-slashing still appears to be a running tradition. GamersFirst announced today that everything in the Fallen Earth cash shop must go! Or something like that, anyway. Many Fallen Earth cash shop items have had their prices lowered drastically, with the sale lasting until the launch of Alpha County on July 6th.

The selection of items on sale is extensive, with extra character slots -- usually $30 -- dropping to a comparatively dirt-cheap $11. Faction resets drop from $15 to $9, and many other items, such as a fashionable pair of brass goggles and a terrifyingly fowl (ha ha) prairie chicken mount, have had their prices lowered by 50% or more. So if you're a Fallen Earth player looking to part with your hard-earned cash, head on over to the official site for the full sale listings.

MassivelyFallen Earth announces cash shop sale originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 29 Jun 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alpha-countybad-punscash-shop-salefallen-earthfallen-earth-llcfegamersfirsticarusicarus-studiosmicrotransactionsmmm-brass-gogglespost-apocalypsepost-apocalypticprairie-chickensaleWed, 29 Jun 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wasteland Diaries: Coming soon]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/24/wasteland-diaries-coming-soon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/24/wasteland-diaries-coming-soon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/24/wasteland-diaries-coming-soon/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Due to the new partnership between Fallen Earth and GamersFirst, there are some huge changes coming in the very near future and massive changes headed our way before the end of the year. Sector 4 is going to be released soon along with a major re-write of the skills and abilities system. There are still a great many questions that remain unanswered, but the developers on both sides have dropped some subtle and not-so-subtle hints here and there.

There are still many players asking questions in global chat and on the forums that have been answered already. A few of the answers given have left me scratching my head, but I'm still optimistic at this point. But there's still a lot of confusion within the community about what is coming and when. I've dug up many of the responses to the toughest questions by Marie Croall of Fallen Earth and Joe Willmon of GamersFirst, who are holding their cards close to their chests but have nevertheless given up some good info. After the cut, I'll try to clarify what's going on in the short and long term, but it may result in some speculation on both our parts.

Continue reading Wasteland Diaries: Coming soon

MassivelyWasteland Diaries: Coming soon originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 24 Jun 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alpha-countydynamic-contentf2pfactionsfallen-earthfallen-earth-llcfeaturedfree-to-playgamersfirsthousingicarusicarus-studiosjoe-willmonmarie-croallpatchplayer-housingrespecrevampsector-4subscriptionsubscription-modelwasteland-diariesFri, 24 Jun 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wasteland Diaries: Weapon balance]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/17/wasteland-diaries-weapon-balance/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/17/wasteland-diaries-weapon-balance/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/17/wasteland-diaries-weapon-balance/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Rock, scissors, paper. It's not quite that simple when referring to the three weapon classes in Fallen Earth. You have the two ranged disciplines: rifles and pistols. And then you have melee weapons. They all have distinct advantages in combat, and they are all viable in PvP and PvE when played properly. There is a lot of debate about weapon balance on the forums and in the game (gotta love global chat) about weapon balance.

I come from the school of thought that believes the weapons are currently as balanced as they have ever been. Many people will disagree with me on that point. But the vast majority of people who agree that the combat is well-balanced in Fallen Earth's current system are my contemporaries who have been PvPing since alpha, beta or launch. Many newer, less experienced players feel that certain weapon classes are overpowered or useless. I say that is not the case. Continue past the cut and I'll explain why I feel that way.

Continue reading Wasteland Diaries: Weapon balance

MassivelyWasteland Diaries: Weapon balance originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 17 Jun 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abilitiesclassesdual-wieldingfallen-earthfallen-earth-llcfefeaturedgamersfirsticarusicarus-studiosknockdownmeleepistolpvepvpriflerocket-launchershotgunsniper-riflesubmachingunweapon-balanceweapon-classesweaponsFri, 17 Jun 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[GamersFirst announces acquisition of Fallen Earth with new F2P business model]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/15/gamersfirst-announces-acquisition-of-fallen-earth-with-new-f2p-b/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/15/gamersfirst-announces-acquisition-of-fallen-earth-with-new-f2p-b/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/15/gamersfirst-announces-acquisition-of-fallen-earth-with-new-f2p-b/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

After last month's announcement by GamersFirst that the company is taking over the hardware side of Fallen Earth, most of us made the obvious connection that the post-apocalyptic MMO would be heading into free-to-play territory. Even while hinting at it in a recent E3 interview, GamersFirst never really came out and said anything definitively.

Well, it has now. Today, GamersFirst has given us the exclusive news that it will be taking over the operations of Fallen Earth immediately. Of course, following all other games in the GamersFirst library, Fallen Earth will also adopt a F2P business model.

But what does this mean for the development of Fallen Earth? Will GamersFirst take over production and content design? Just how free will the game be? Follow along after the jump for answers to those questions and more.

Continue reading GamersFirst announces acquisition of Fallen Earth with new F2P business model

MassivelyGamersFirst announces acquisition of Fallen Earth with new F2P business model originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 15 Jun 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acquisitionBjorn-Book-LarssonBreakingNewsexercisef2pfallen-earthfallen-earth-llcfefree-to-playgamersfirsticarusicarus-studiosjoe-rushjoseph-willmonmarie-croallrahul-sandilreloaded-productionsWed, 15 Jun 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wasteland Diaries: Choose your clan]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/10/wasteland-diaries-choose-your-clan/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/10/wasteland-diaries-choose-your-clan/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/10/wasteland-diaries-choose-your-clan/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

If you are playing Fallen Earth and you are not in a clan, you are doing it wrong. The importance of clan membership cannot be overstated. There are simply too many benefits to not find one that suits you. There is safety in numbers if you are a PvPer. It's nice to team up on that nasty boss with your PvE buddies. And roleplaying by yourself isn't roleplaying at all; it's just being weird. We need to interact with other people to get the most out of an MMO game. Hence: clans.

Finding a clan to join is easy. Finding the best clan for you is a bit more complicated. In order to make it a little bit easier for you to choose the clan that's best for you, I have compiled a list of Fallen Earth clans for you to check out. I've supplied their requirements, playstyle focus, and website when available -- some clans are more secretive than others (or maybe less formal). So click past the cut and start your search for your new BFFs.

Continue reading Wasteland Diaries: Choose your clan

MassivelyWasteland Diaries: Choose your clan originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 10 Jun 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>10th-mountain-division1st-canyon-armybosbrowncoatsclanscovert-operationscsfdriftersequalizersetsuexilefactionfall-of-the-legendsfallen-earthfallen-earth-llcfeaturedferalFrench-Connectionhope-springsinvictakaosLegends of the FallLegendsOfTheFallomni-clansoutlanderspvepvpred-alertroleplayRolePlayingsaintsTaotectribal-bloodvalhalla-sectorwolves-of-warFri, 10 Jun 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wasteland Diaries: F2P?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/03/wasteland-diaries-f2p/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/03/wasteland-diaries-f2p/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/03/wasteland-diaries-f2p/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

There are some big changes coming to Fallen Earth in the very near future. Sector 4's Alpha County is looming on the horizon. There is a new skills-and-abilities system coming. We don't know when we're going to get it, but we are going to get it. But the biggest news is the game's new partnership with GamersFirst. GamersFirst is the company responsible for the rejuvenation of APB: Reloaded and its conversion to the free-to-play format (F2P). I've heard mixed reviews on what's going on with APB, but without any first-hand experience, I'll withhold judgment.

Nobody has come out and said that Fallen Earth is going to convert to the F2P business model, but it's a pretty safe assumption at this point. Every GamersFirst title is F2P, so why would FE be any different? I haven't tried APB, so I'm in no position to judge the performance of GamersFirst on what has been done with that title. F2P can be a two-edged sword, and the FE community is strongly divided on this subject (at least on the forums). I am a member of the optimistic side, and after the cut, I'll tell you why I think this move could be a very good thing for Fallen Earth.

Continue reading Wasteland Diaries: F2P?

MassivelyWasteland Diaries: F2P? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 03 Jun 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alpha-countyapbapb-reloadedbusiness-modelscommunityf2pfallen-earthfallen-earth-llcfeaturedfreefree-to-playgamersfirsticarus-studiosmarie-croallpartnershipsector-4Fri, 03 Jun 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fallen Earth gets cozy with GamersFirst [Updated]]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/31/fallen-earth-gets-cozy-with-gamersfirst/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/31/fallen-earth-gets-cozy-with-gamersfirst/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/31/fallen-earth-gets-cozy-with-gamersfirst/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

In a recent USTREAM announcement, the developers at Icarus studios explained that the post-apocalyptic MMO Fallen Earth is on the move. GamersFirst, which is well-known for having purchased and resurrected third-person shooter MMO All Points Bulletin, is taking the sandbox MMO under its wing. The full video has not been posted as of yet, but we are prodding GamersFirst and Icarus for more information. Will this mean that Fallen Earth is moving to a free-to-play model? Or is GamersFirst just helping the indie studio gain industry exposure?

The Fallen Earth website is currently down and is due back online at 11 p.m. EDT. Hopefully, when the site comes back online everything will be revealed. Massively will stay on top of this story, and we will relay it all back to you as soon as more comes to light, so stay tuned!

[Update: As of 8 p.m. EDT, the Fallen Earth team is once again broadcasting live over USTREAM and answering questions about the game and the transition. We've also got the video from earlier in the day. Check out the embeds after the cut!]

Continue reading Fallen Earth gets cozy with GamersFirst [Updated]

MassivelyFallen Earth gets cozy with GamersFirst [Updated] originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 31 May 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f2pfallen-earthfallen-earth-llcfree-to-playftpgamersfirsticarus-studiosmergerpartnershipustreamTue, 31 May 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wasteland Diaries: Apocalypse DIY]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/27/wasteland-diaries-apocalypse-diy/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/27/wasteland-diaries-apocalypse-diy/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/27/wasteland-diaries-apocalypse-diy/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

A few weeks back I did a piece on crafting, covering the basics of Fallen Earth's crafting system. In this article I want to focus on the early part of a crafter's career. If you only play one clone, I strongly suggest you make that clone a crafter. If you are an altaholic like I am, you should have a dedicated crafter, and that dedicated crafter should have his Social skill maxed out (eventually). If you don't have a crafter and you have an empty character slot, you need to create one post-haste. It's a little extra work that will pay off a lot later. In Fallen Earth, if you put in the time, you can make everything.

If your crafter and your main happen to be the same, be sure to grab every resource within reach while you run missions. If you find a good spot, mark it with a waypoint (ALT+P) for future reference. Scavenging profusely will help keep you from being perpetually broke. If you have a dedicated crafter, don't bother running missions with him; just harvest and craft. He should level slowly but surely by simply harvesting and crafting. Send all of the materials that your other clone(s) harvest if you have the vault space. That covers the basics. The road to self-sufficiency continues after the cut.

Continue reading Wasteland Diaries: Apocalypse DIY

MassivelyWasteland Diaries: Apocalypse DIY originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 27 May 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ammunitionarmorcraftballisticsconstructioncookingcraftingfallen-earthfallen-earth-llcfeaturedGasolinegeologygunpowdericarus-studiosmaterialsmatsmedicinemutagenicsnaturescavengingsciencetradeskillsweaponryFri, 27 May 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wasteland Diaries: Sector 4 lives!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/20/wasteland-diaries-sector-4-lives/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/20/wasteland-diaries-sector-4-lives/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/20/wasteland-diaries-sector-4-lives/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

To many players of Fallen Earth, the expression "when hell freezes over" has been supplanted by "when Sector 4 is released." At launch, the sector was supposedly largely completed, and it was expected to be released shortly thereafter. After a year had passed and we were still waiting to see it, many players started to believe that it didn't even exist. Well, I am here to tell you that not only does it exist, but I spent a few hours roaming around on the other side of the big wall. Aside from some nice pictures, I got a little bit of insight on what we might expect to see in Alpha County, which will be the first installment in the fourth sector.

It's been quite some time since Fallen Earth's opening day, and we have been waiting quite some time for the new sector. But the team at Fallen Earth, LLC has given us a few things to tide us over: Deadfall and Terminal Woods, which combined have as much content as a full sector. So it's not like we've been stuck in Sector 3 for over a year and a half; the devs have given us some new stuff and made some fundamental changes to the game (some good and some bad, but mostly good). The first bit of S4 we will see was released on the public test server (PTS) earlier this week, so I took the opportunity to do some exploring for you (actually my motivations were entirely selfish). After the cut, I'll tell you a little bit about what I saw (slight spoiler alert!).

Continue reading Wasteland Diaries: Sector 4 lives!

MassivelyWasteland Diaries: Sector 4 lives! originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 20 May 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abbidonalpha-countyblockadecamp-saganconflict-townsdesolationend-runexpansionfallen-earthfallen-earth-llcfeaturedfontaines-hermitageicarus-studioskelsons-havenlevel-caplevel-cap-increasemercynew-contentpost-88ptspublic-test-serverredemptionscorcher-basesector-4shackletonunspoiled-groveFri, 20 May 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fallen Earth lets players take a stroll through Alpha County]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/16/fallen-earth-lets-players-take-a-stroll-through-alpha-county/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/16/fallen-earth-lets-players-take-a-stroll-through-alpha-county/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/16/fallen-earth-lets-players-take-a-stroll-through-alpha-county/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Long-awaited and heavily anticipated, Fallen Earth's Alpha County has long been the game's promised land, an environment that's at once near and far. But the release is just around the corner, and the developers are giving players a chance to peek behind the walls just a little bit early. Starting tomorrow, May 17th, Alpha County is going live on the public test server, giving all of the game's players the chance to wander around in a strange new territory.

For players who want to dive into the story on the actual release and no sooner, fear not -- the announcement promises that the test server won't offer any spoilers as to storyline. But players will be able to explore a new environment and get a feel for the lay of the land, even if they can't get a feel for every new piece of content right out of the gate. Fallen Earth players had best prepare for the test server sneak peek, as it's only a day away.

MassivelyFallen Earth lets players take a stroll through Alpha County originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 16 May 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alpha-countyfallen-earthfallen-earth-llcfeicarusicarus-studiosnew-areasnew-environmentsnewspatchespreviewpublic-testpublic-test-servertest-serverupcoming-patchesMon, 16 May 2011 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Wasteland Diaries: Progress]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/13/wasteland-diaries-progress/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/13/wasteland-diaries-progress/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/13/wasteland-diaries-progress/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

I had some spare time this week, so I went on the Fallen Earth public test server to check out some of the new stuff. Progress towns have made their debut, and so has a slew of new skills and abilities. Actually, saying that there are new skills and abilities is kind of an understatement. There is an entirely new skills-and-abilities system in place on the PTS. It is barely recognizable compared to what we have now. Yes, it's that different. Is this a good thing, or is it bad?

With Sector 4 looming on Fallen Earth's horizon, we are looking down the barrel of the gun of change. There are a lot of new things coming our way soon, most of which are closely guarded secrets. I did have an opportunity to see some of the new stuff we'll be seeing in the next patch, but I didn't get to peer behind the giant wall that keeps our prying clone eyes out of the next sector. If any of this stuff interests you, click past the cut and I'll go into a little more detail about it.

Continue reading Wasteland Diaries: Progress

MassivelyWasteland Diaries: Progress originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 13 May 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In Fallen Earth PvP, there is a pretty wide rift between the haves and the have-nots. A novice will rarely fare well in Fallen Earth combat, but there are rare exceptions. There are some groups that fight so well that it might even seem like they are hacking or cheating in some way. Usually, this isn't the case. What they are doing, however, is using every advantage they can get out of the game mechanics. They are also working together like a well-oiled machine. This takes a bit of knowledge and a lot of practice. A well-trained and coordinated team will make short work of a rag-tag pick-up group.

In this post, I will lay out the basic knowledge that you will need to PvP. If you take these few pointers to heart, you will be more likely to understand what happens when you lose and what to do to correct it. Overcoming the learning curve in Fallen Earth PvP requires two things. The first and most important thing is patience. When you get knocked down, you have to brush yourself off and try again. The second thing you will need is a firm understanding of the game mechanics. If you understand the rules of the game, you will be more likely to figure out what you did wrong and what your opponents did right. I can't teach you how to be patient, but I can tell you a few things about the game mechanics that might help you stay alive. Even if you never plan to PvP (mobs can be vicious too), click past the cut to start your training.

Continue reading Wasteland Diaries: Don't give up

MassivelyWasteland Diaries: Don't give up originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 06 May 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Attention all wasteland wanderers! Are you interested in helping Icarus Studios keep Fallen Earth tidy and neat? Well, at least by post-apocalyptic wasteland standards, anyway. Do you think you have what it takes to ruthlessly search for and destroy bugs and exploits without feeling pity, remorse, or fear? Do you know your way around the shattered remains of the Grand Canyon like the back of your hand?

Yes? Then boy do we have an opportunity for you! The Fallen Earth Decontamination Team is looking for new recruits. All it takes is a short questionnaire, a bit of personal information, and the desire and ability to "think outside of the box and not only seek out and report on bugs and issues in Fallen Earth but also help to find reproducible steps for other bugs that have been reported."

If this sounds like your idea of a good time, then head on over to the Decontamination Team's page, fill out the application, and send it off to the head honchos over at Fallen Earth. In no time, you could be helping to make the Arizona wasteland a happier -- but probably not much healthier, what with the Shiva virus and all -- place.

MassivelyJoin the Fallen Earth Decontamination Team originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 04 May 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>decondecon-teamdecontaminationdecontamination-teamfallen-earthfallen-earth-llcicarusicarus-studiospost-apocalypticWed, 04 May 2011 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wasteland Diaries: So you want to be a crafter?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/29/wasteland-diaries-so-you-want-to-be-a-crafter/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/29/wasteland-diaries-so-you-want-to-be-a-crafter/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/29/wasteland-diaries-so-you-want-to-be-a-crafter/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Fallen Earth has a complex, robust crafting system. The vast majority of the items in the game can be crafted from things you find lying on the ground. I am not exaggerating when I say "vast majority" because it's well over 90%. You can literally level your way to the cap simply by scavenging and crafting. It used to be much easier, but it is still possible. Tradeskills are different from other skills in Fallen Earth in that you raise them through use rather than spending AP on them. The system itself can be quite daunting when you are first starting out, but once you have a basic grasp of how it works, the rest is pretty intuitive.

In this post, I'll touch on the basics of crafting. I'm no expert, but I do have a completely maxed-out social/crafter that has most of the game's recipes in his repertoire. You may know what you are doing, but I think even the most learned of crafters might learn something from this piece. The novice crafter will learn a few simple tricks (tricks that I wished I had known when I was just starting out) that will make his life a little easier out there. It's tough when you just want to make something with your hands and there are legions of bloodthirsty miscreants trying to kill you. So grab your toolkits and click past the cut for more.

Continue reading Wasteland Diaries: So you want to be a crafter?

MassivelyWasteland Diaries: So you want to be a crafter? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 29 Apr 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auction-houseconflict-townscrafterscraftingcrafting-queuecrafting-systemfallen-earthfallen-earth-llcfeaturedicarusicarus-studiosmaterialsmerchantsnodespvp-zonesrecipesresearchsalvagingscavengingscavenging-nodestradeskillsFri, 29 Apr 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wasteland Diaries: Don't fear the reaper]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/22/wasteland-diaries-dont-fear-the-reaper/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/22/wasteland-diaries-dont-fear-the-reaper/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/22/wasteland-diaries-dont-fear-the-reaper/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Dying in Fallen Earth is not much different than it is in most other games. It's usually just a temporary setback or a very minor inconvenience. But for some, it seems to be more than that. In this week's Wasteland Diaries, I would like to ponder what might go through the mind of a gamer when he takes a dirt-nap in-game. In the past few decades I've spent playing PC games, I've seen some pretty over-the-top reactions to dying. I've tried to infer what might be going through some of these extremely emotional people's minds when they buy the farm. Various death penalties evoke wildly different emotions in general, so I'll start there.

When you die in Fallen Earth, you lose all of your current non-stance buffs. Most buffs can be easily re-applied, except for your food, drinks and other consumables. It's still not a major loss, especially now that food and drink components are ultra-cheap. If there's nobody around to rez you, you must respawn at the cloner and take a 5% durability hit on your equipped gear. It's still not a big deal. And you'll get cumulative cloning sickness, which can get pretty nasty, but you have to die a lot in a short period of time to warrant tier five. And the sickness only lasts five minutes. After the cut, I'll delve deeper into the plight of the struck-down avatar and try to determine what it all means.

Continue reading Wasteland Diaries: Don't fear the reaper

MassivelyWasteland Diaries: Don't fear the reaper originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 22 Apr 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>buffscloner-sicknessconsumablesdeathdeath-penaltyfallen-earthfallen-earth-llcfeaturedfpsicarusicarus-studioslifenetmmorpgplayer-lootingpvprespawnshooterFri, 22 Apr 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wasteland Diaries: RP-PvP]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/15/wasteland-diaries-rp-pvp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/15/wasteland-diaries-rp-pvp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/15/wasteland-diaries-rp-pvp/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

In Fallen Earth, I spend most of my time PvPing. Well, actually, I probably spend most of my time waiting or preparing to PvP. I engage in PvE content out of necessity. In order to be effective in PvP, one needs levels and chips and gear. If this stuff could be earned through PvP alone, then that's all I would ever do. The situation has gotten better with the FCP rewards and XP for PvP, but it still isn't really enough. The other prominent playstyle in Fallen Earth, one I usually shy away from, is roleplaying. Some people will never do it, and some people are always in character. Most of us fall somewhere in between. This week I dipped my toe into the RP field.

I would normally never decide to attend a roleplaying event, but lately I've been trying to broaden my horizons. Knowing there was a possibility of some PvP action solidified my decision to head down to New Flagstaff for Rowdy's Bunker of Blues. This is an event held every Wednesday night at the bunker bar by the pond in the center of the city. There was a live DJ and free drinks (plus the aforementioned possibility of a fight), so why not? After the cut, I'll describe what happened there and how I did when I threw my hat into the RP arena.

Continue reading Wasteland Diaries: RP-PvP

MassivelyWasteland Diaries: RP-PvP originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 15 Apr 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bunker-barchotaenforcerfactional-warfarefactionsfallen-earthfallen-earth-llcfeaturedfreedom-defense-corpshaiettaicarusicarus-studioskaosnew-flagstaffoffice-parkpark-citypvprole-playroleplayroleplayersRolePlayingrprp-pvpsaintssocial-clothingFri, 15 Apr 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fallen Earth shows off Alpha County in the newest State of the Game]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/12/fallen-earth-shows-off-alpha-county-in-the-newest-state-of-the-g/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/12/fallen-earth-shows-off-alpha-county-in-the-newest-state-of-the-g/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/12/fallen-earth-shows-off-alpha-county-in-the-newest-state-of-the-g/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

If you were hoping to find out that Alpha County in Fallen Earth was a last bastion of uncorrupted civilization... well, we have some bad news for you. But in all likelihood you expected nothing of the sort, and thus the previews of the new region included in April's State of the Game letter will come as no surprise. Since the release seems to be just around the corner, this month's update is all about the surreal landscape and wasted environment players will be exploring in this newest region.

Accompanied by a surfeit of screenshots, the letter talks once more about the technical challenge involved with bringing this newest region into the game. A new style of terrain means checking extensively to make sure that critters are behaving correctly when engaged by players, and the variety of new weapons and items available means that there's a lot of testing to make sure that nothing breaks the game's structure. Fallen Earth players will want to take a look at the full preview for all the details and several pictures of the latest part of the wasteland.

MassivelyFallen Earth shows off Alpha County in the newest State of the Game originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 12 Apr 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lately, I've been doing a lot of crafting in Fallen Earth. I have a lot of materials stockpiled, and it seems they are just taking up space. So I've been putting together some vehicles (Interceptor Speedsters, to be precise). They take about four days each to make; that's in real time, mind you. There isn't much of a demand for them right now. In fact, they sell very inexpensively on the auction house. I'm not really sure what I'm going to do with them, but I guess it can't hurt to have a couple on hand.

Fallen Earth is unique in the sense that you can't purchase a mount from a vendor NPC. You can get them from the rewards merchant or buy them from the Fallen Earth store, but the usual method of acquiring one is to craft it or buy it from the auction house. Some are even quest rewards. But the majority of the mounts out there are provided by the playerbase. In this post, I'll look at the evolution of vehicular combat in Fallen Earth and what we might hope and expect to see in the future. So put the pedal to the metal and zip past the cut for more.

Continue reading Wasteland Diaries: Car wars

MassivelyWasteland Diaries: Car wars originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 08 Apr 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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This week in Fallen Earth has been, for me, a good mix of PvP and PvE action. I've gotten plenty of both. I literally wished that I had more time to play. Alas, real life was standing in the way again. I haven't played any other games all week. Unless you consider the Fallen Earth forums a game (which I sometimes do). Between protecting territory that rightfully belongs to the CHOTA and cracking the skulls of world bosses for their precious volatile chemicals, I've found myself pretty busy.

I know that everyone feels that Sector 4 is long overdue; it's probably the reason most people haven't come back to Fallen Earth. If you are on the fence about re-subbing or are waiting for Sector 4, there is still plenty to do, especially if you left before Deadfall Point and Deadfall were released. Even if you left in the past couple of months, things have changed, and new content has been added. There is plenty of PvP action if you know where to look, and new faces are joining the fray every day. After the cut, I'll give you some examples of what I've experienced this week, and it may help you decide to come back... or to keep holding out for Sector 4.

Continue reading Wasteland Diaries: Bosses and battles

MassivelyWasteland Diaries: Bosses and battles originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 01 Apr 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Some folks like to get away from it all, step out of the bustle of the big city and relax in untouched nature. Perhaps you're one of the people who like to do that in your MMORPG. Well, too bad! The forests of Fallen Earth are swarming with feral fauna and grotesque ghouls born out of the apocalypse.

Patch 1.8 introduced the survivors to Terminal Woods, an all-new area of the wasteland. Crafters are introduced to a new ecosystem, recipes, and gear. For those who prefer more combat in their MMO, Terminal Woods grants them new bosses, missions, and more action combat.

Massively's Edward Marshall wrote about his experiences in the update for the post-apocalyptic MMO in a recent Wasteland Diary, and we snagged a new video displaying some of the changes for the patch. Follow after the break for the full video featuring the music of Kataklysm.

Continue reading Fallen Earth takes us to Terminal Woods in a new video

MassivelyFallen Earth takes us to Terminal Woods in a new video originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 31 Mar 2011 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It's been a couple of weeks since I was able to visit the Fallen Earth wastelands. My absence wasn't by choice. But now that I'm connected to the internet once again, I can stop wasting my time away playing Minecraft (actually I enjoyed every minute of that!). I also played a little Mount & Blade in between huge construction projects. Still, it's good to be back in my favorite (though not quite so sandboxy) world. And what a glorious time to come back.

I came back to Fallen Earth to find a good deal of new content. Unfortunately, the level cap was not raised to ago along with that new content, but it's still new stuff, and that's what matters. To be honest, I had already seen some of it on the PTS, but not everything. One thing I enjoyed about the new stuff is that it's fairly difficult. I died more times than I'm willing to admit. There's enough content to keep a casual player busy for a while, but just like any other PvE content, it will be chewed up and spit out by the PvE crowd and leave everyone asking for more. Hopefully, it will be enough to keep us all interested until the unveiling of Sector 4. After the cut, I'll tell you a little about what I've seen in Terminal Woods.

Continue reading Wasteland Diaries: Glad to be back

MassivelyWasteland Diaries: Glad to be back originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 25 Mar 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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