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[Fallen Earth team dwindles further, but the game still lives]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/22/fallen-earth-team-dwindles-further-but-game-still-alive/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/22/fallen-earth-team-dwindles-further-but-game-still-alive/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/22/fallen-earth-team-dwindles-further-but-game-still-alive/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Fallen Earth chopper
Earlier tonight we got word of a rumor regarding Fallen Earth's development team dwindling down to three remaining content designers: a scripter, an artist and a game designer. Concerned over what has turned out to be a horrible week of layoffs, we shot an email to GamersFirst, which quickly responded:
"We had a large contractor crew on FE and we are focusing on creating our own employee pool to manage the game. We did decide to not renew some of our contractors. As you probably know that we are going to focus on our own home grown IPs like APB Reloaded, Fallen Earth, Hailan Rising and Taikodom. We have already stopped servicing Knight Online and we will be stopping service of War Rock from June 1. As a result we will using our own pool of experienced staff to manage the complete operations of Fallen Earth. Key game design folks like Marie still continue to be at the helm in North Carolina. Fallen Earth has also been licensed in South America and we will close to licensing it in Russia, Turkey and Asia. We are absolutely committed to making it grow across the globe."
While it appears that the game itself is not in trouble, we'll be sure to keep our eye on the situation for further developments.

MassivelyFallen Earth team dwindles further, but the game still lives originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 22 May 2012 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f2pfallen-earthfefree-to-playg1gamersfirstlayoffspost-apocpost-apocalypticsandboxsci-fiwastelandsTue, 22 May 2012 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[One Shots: Lone wolf]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/20/one-shots-lone-wolf/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/20/one-shots-lone-wolf/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/20/one-shots-lone-wolf/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

One Shots
Long-time Massively follower but first-time One Shots contributor Ilix sent along today's highlighted screenshot of Fallen Earth, which we think is quite timely, given the PvP revamp soon headed to everyone's favorite post-apocalyptic sandbox. He writes in,
Fallen Earth is my top hard-RP MMO. Ilix, after three decades of isolation, attempted to fit in with a player-run town. But he was too rough-edged, too guarded, and still isolated in his mind, and he could not find joy among others. After several days trying to force himself back into what remains of humanity in the blasted terrain of the apocalypse, he admitted to himself that he could never return because he was too quick to anger, and he wandered off back into the desert. Irradiated scorpions haunt the land he wandered into, so he finds rest on the blade of a ruined helicopter's rotor, just out of reach of stingers. This shot defines the dual beauty and harshness of the life he resigns himself to.
Ilix's gorgeous sunset is tucked behind the break along with two other One Shots shots!

Continue reading One Shots: Lone wolf

MassivelyOne Shots: Lone wolf originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 20 May 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>action-rpgbattlenetblizzardblizzard-entertainmentblueholebluehole-studiosbring-back-one-shotscash-shopd3diablodiablo-2diablo-3diablo-iidiablo-iiien-masseen-masse-entertainmentf2pfallen-earthfantasyfefree-to-playg1galleriesgallerygamersfirstgothic-fantasymultiplayerone-shotsonline-multiplayerpics-or-it-didnt-happenpost-apocpost-apocalypticreader-screenshotsreader-submissionsroguelikerpgsandboxsci-fiscreenshotscreenshotsterauser-submissionswastelandsSun, 20 May 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Exclusive Interview: Going global with Fallen Earth's PvP]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/17/exclusive-interview-going-global-with-fallen-earths-pvp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/17/exclusive-interview-going-global-with-fallen-earths-pvp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/17/exclusive-interview-going-global-with-fallen-earths-pvp/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Fallen Earth
Two of the biggest cornerstones of Fallen Earth have always been crafting and PvP, and its these cornerstones that GamersFirst is enriching come patch 2.4. The patch, called Global Territory Control, is taking these elements and firing them up in ways that any PvPer or crafter should find exciting.

We hopped on the phone with Associate Producer Asa Reed, Director of Operations Joe Willmon, and Senior Game Designer Marie Croall to talk about why 2.4 will be the patch that will change the wasteland forever -- and why you should anticipate it, whether you're a crafter or a player-killer.

Gallery: Fallen Earth Black Box Gear

Continue reading Exclusive Interview: Going global with Fallen Earth's PvP

MassivelyExclusive Interview: Going global with Fallen Earth's PvP originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 17 May 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2.4asa-reedcraftingf2pfaction-controlfallen-earthfefree-to-playg1gamersfirstglobal-territory-controlharvesterharvestersharvestinginterviewinterviewsJoe-Willmonkeepkeepsmarie-croallpatch-2.4post-apocpost-apocalypticpreviewpvpresourcessandboxsci-fiwastelandsThu, 17 May 2012 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Spend a day as a Fallen Earth Premium Member on us!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/17/spend-a-day-as-a-fallen-earth-premium-member-on-us/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/17/spend-a-day-as-a-fallen-earth-premium-member-on-us/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/17/spend-a-day-as-a-fallen-earth-premium-member-on-us/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Fallen Earth - Pitchblende
Fallen Earth is a post-apocalyptic MMO that always seems to be on that short list of games that everyone means to try out one day. And when people try it, positive praise usually follows.

To help celebrate the upcoming 2.4 patch, we're giving you a chance to play the game as a top-tier premium member for one day, complete with massive XP, crafting, and PvP currency buffs, the Commander's Aura stackable buff that allows you to spread the benefits among your party members, a 20% marketplace discount, and more. In addition, we're giving you the Light Slugthrower, an advanced version of the starter rifle, which features higher damage output than its little brother.

There's no giveaway page and no key codes on this one; if you want to grab this nifty one-day package for yourself, simply enter the promo code "MASSIVEEARTH" either in-game or by clicking the Redeem Code button on the Fallen Earth website. To access the Marketplace in-game, click on the "$" button on the bottom of your minimap. The code expires on June 1st.

Have fun!

MassivelySpend a day as a Fallen Earth Premium Member on us! originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 17 May 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>contestcontestsf2pfallen-earthfefree-to-playg1gamersfirstgiveawaygiveawayspatch-2.4post-apocpost-apocalypticpromo-codesandboxsci-fiwastelandsThu, 17 May 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fallen Earth 2.4 patch to feature territory control, automated harvesting, and more]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/17/fallen-earth-2-4-patch-to-feature-territory-control-automated-h/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/17/fallen-earth-2-4-patch-to-feature-territory-control-automated-h/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/17/fallen-earth-2-4-patch-to-feature-territory-control-automated-h/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

Fallen Earth - Park City
GamersFirst has formally announced its next update for Fallen Earth. The Global Territory Control patch, or 2.4 if you're counting at home, will bring quite a bit of new functionality to denizens of the game's Grand Canyon wasteland.

As you might expect given the update name, territory control plays a big role. The devs are adding new outposts and settlements throughout the game world that can be conquered by each of Fallen Earth's six player factions. Capturing a settlement grants sole property rights to the controlling faction, which in turn provides valuable mineral extraction capabilities.

The 2.4 patch also features a new 50-plus PvP zone called the The Foothills, new player-crafted prospecting and harvesting technology, and various quality of life tweaks like bulk purchasing, merchant buyback, and faster mounting. Check in with Massively later this week for more exclusive info on the new patch as well as an interview with the devs.

[Source: GamersFirst press release]

MassivelyFallen Earth 2.4 patch to feature territory control, automated harvesting, and more originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 17 May 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f2pfallen-earthfallen-earth-2.4fallen-earth-gtcfallen-earth-harvestingfallen-earth-prospectingfefree-to-playg1gamersfirstglobal-territory-controlpatchespost-apocpost-apocalypticpvpsandboxsci-fithe-foothillswastelandsThu, 17 May 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fallen Earth trimming up the game experience for new players]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/10/fallen-earth-trimming-up-the-game-experience-for-new-players/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/10/fallen-earth-trimming-up-the-game-experience-for-new-players/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/10/fallen-earth-trimming-up-the-game-experience-for-new-players/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Bit of a fixer-upper.
Fallen Earth isn't a cumbersome game, but it can be hard to approach at first. The game has a lot of complicated systems playing off one another, and as a result, trying to jump in can leave a new player confused about what to do next. Luckily, the development team is well aware of the problem, and a recent development blog outlines the steps being taken in the next patch to help streamline and improve the experience for new players.

The change that will have the biggest impact on everyone in the game will be the consolidation of several gear slots, meaning that players will no longer have to scrounge for corresponding pieces when starting out. The addition of sector chat and a beacon leading toward the nearest garage will help players find others and receive aid as needed. And the team is looking ahead to future improvements as well, all in the hopes that your first moments in Fallen Earth are fun enough to convince you to stay.

MassivelyFallen Earth trimming up the game experience for new players originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 10 May 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f2pfallen-earthfefree-to-playg1gamersfirstnew-playersplayer-aidplayer-assistanceplayer-experiencepost-apocpost-apocalypticsandboxsci-fiwastelandsThu, 10 May 2012 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Fallen Earth's May State of the Game letter showcases new Foothills PvP zone]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/fallen-earths-may-state-of-the-game-letter-showcases-new-foothi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/fallen-earths-may-state-of-the-game-letter-showcases-new-foothi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/fallen-earths-may-state-of-the-game-letter-showcases-new-foothi/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Screenshot -- Fallen Earth
Roamers of Fallen Earth's post-apocalyptic Grand Canyon province have long been awaiting the final release of the game's Global Territory Control update. Thankfully, the wait is almost over. But meanwhile, today's GamersFirst dev blog post aims to shed some light on some of the latest additions to the system.

The spotlight of the post is set on the new PvP conflict area known as The Foothills. The zone is an abandoned settlement situated between Los Alamos and Citadel that "never quite made it." As a result, the various factions of Fallen Earth have taken to fighting for control of the area in order to further solidify their foothold in the region. The Global Territory Control patch is set to go live next Wednesday, so keep an eye on the official dev blog for more details as the update gets closer to launch.

MassivelyFallen Earth's May State of the Game letter showcases new Foothills PvP zone originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 08 May 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f2pfallen-earthfefree-to-playg1gamersfirstglobal-territory-controlgtcpatchpatchesplayer-vs-playerpost-apocpost-apocalypticpvpsandboxsci-fithe-foothillsupdateupdateswastelandsTue, 08 May 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fallen Earth dev blog details Haven revamp]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/13/fallen-earth-dev-blog-details-haven-revamp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/13/fallen-earth-dev-blog-details-haven-revamp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/13/fallen-earth-dev-blog-details-haven-revamp/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Fallen Earth - new Haven Lightbearer building
It's been a month or so since we've heard from the folks working on Fallen Earth. Today, that news drought ends courtesy of a dev blog by one Ninjanomics.

The update is all about the changes in store for the town of Haven. Given the fact that the town is one of the more prominent features of the Northfields area, and given that it "had a confusing layout, was cruelly prohibitive to framerate, and didn't well reflect the serenity of the Lightbearers as a faction," the devs thought it was time for an extreme makeover.

Ninjanomics (also known as GamersFirst's art ninja) walks us through the rebuild process and details both the stylistic and the layout changes to the town. The original design had "no logical flow to speak of," which led G1 artists to divide Haven into two sections: the town proper and a grove area. As a result, the new Haven experience is markedly smoother for weary wasteland wanderers and fans of Fallen Earth's free-to-play sandpark ambiance.

MassivelyFallen Earth dev blog details Haven revamp originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 13 Apr 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dev-blogdev-diaryf2pfallen-earthfallen-earth-dev-blogfallen-earth-havenfallen-earth-haven-revampfefree-to-playg1gamersfirsthavenhaven-revampninjanomicspost-apocpost-apocalypticsandboxsci-fiwastelandsFri, 13 Apr 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fallen Earth's March state of the game gets territorial]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/09/fallen-earths-march-state-of-the-game-gets-territorial/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/09/fallen-earths-march-state-of-the-game-gets-territorial/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/09/fallen-earths-march-state-of-the-game-gets-territorial/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Screenshot -- Fallen Earth
Another month is upon us, and Fallen Earth is bringing some changes to its Global Territory Control system. While players wait with bated breath for the new features to hit the PTS at the end of the month, GamersFirst has put out a new blog post outlining what players can expect from the next round of updates. We've covered the basics of Global Territory Control previously, so if you want to get up to speed, go on and have a read. Don't worry; we'll wait.

Caught up? Good. So what's new this month? The buffs granted by controlling territories have been changed. Now, each town and keep is worth a given number of points. The faction that has the most points will receive a buff that "improves crafting and harvesting speed as well as Random AP, Death Toll, Faction, and Experience gains." Meanwhile, the faction system is getting a revamp that "will see the elimination of shoulder factions." Completing tasks for your faction of choice "will only affect the specific faction you completed it for and its opposite on the faction wheel." This really only scratches the surface of the myriad changes coming to Fallen Earth, so to get the full details just head on over to the game's official site.

MassivelyFallen Earth's March state of the game gets territorial originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 09 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f2pfactionfactionsfallen-earthfefree-to-playg1gamersfirstglobal-territory-controlgtcmarch-state-of-the-gameplayer-vs-playerpost-apocpost-apocalypticpvpsandboxsci-fistate-of-the-gameterritory-controlwastelandsFri, 09 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fallen Earth entices Marketplace shoppers with first-time purchase package]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/23/fallen-earth-entices-marketplace-shoppers-with-first-time-purcha/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/23/fallen-earth-entices-marketplace-shoppers-with-first-time-purcha/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/23/fallen-earth-entices-marketplace-shoppers-with-first-time-purcha/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Fallen Earth
Studies have shown that if players make the big step to buying something -- anything -- in an online game's cash shop, then they're much more likely to do it again. Ergo, studios are coming up with all sorts of methods to sweeten that first deal, such as GamersFirst's new Fallen Earth "first time purchaser package."

The package is a bundle of 13 items, unlocks, and abilities that will be sent to the character of your choice once you make your first purchase in the Fallen Earth Marketplace. It's a very tempting deal, especially for free players, as it increases character slots to four, adds access to global chat, removes the chip limit, unlocks the core wardrobe slot, and tosses in a couple of mobile garage/stable managers for those too lazy to walk back to civilization after an accident.

It's not clear whether this package applies to players who have made a purchase in the Marketplace before today.

MassivelyFallen Earth entices Marketplace shoppers with first-time purchase package originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 23 Feb 2012 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cash-shopdealf2pfallen-earthfallen-earth-marketplacefefirst-time-purchasers-packagefree-to-playgamersfirstitem-shoppromotionThu, 23 Feb 2012 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Steam distributes Fallen Earth, gives out crabs]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/23/steam-distributes-fallen-earth-gives-out-crabs/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/23/steam-distributes-fallen-earth-gives-out-crabs/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/23/steam-distributes-fallen-earth-gives-out-crabs/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Fallen Earth
Fallen Earth has a new ally in its war on boredom: Steam. The digital games distributor added the title to its MMO free-to-play library yesterday, offering its users an additional way to get into the wasteland.

To encourage Steam users to sign up, GamersFirst is dishing out a few in-game goodies for those who do so. Players can nab an in-game Steam t-shirt and Gordon's Ward, two items that boost crafting and social skills. Additionally, if you previously played Fallen Earth through Steam, you'll be treated with three days of premium subscription status and a non-combat pet, Trashy the Hermit Crab.

GamersFirst SVP of Marketing Rahul Sandil thinks this is a match made in heaven: "Fallen Earth's return to the Steam Network is a huge milestone for us here at GamersFirst. Reintroducing the game on Steam side-by-side with APB Reloaded further cements our commitment to offering the hard-core gaming experience to players without an entry cost."

Fallen Earth is a staff favorite here at Massively, and if you're curious about the title, check out our recent Why I Play column on the game.

MassivelySteam distributes Fallen Earth, gives out crabs originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 23 Feb 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apbapb-reloadeddealf2pfallen-earthfefree-to-playgamersfirstpromotionRahul-Sandilsteamtrashy-the-hermit-crabwhy-i-playThu, 23 Feb 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fallen Earth's Global Territory Control creates a singular faction to rule them all]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/10/fallen-earths-global-territory-control-creates-a-singular-facti/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/10/fallen-earths-global-territory-control-creates-a-singular-facti/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/10/fallen-earths-global-territory-control-creates-a-singular-facti/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Fallen Earth
The GamersFirst crew is back with a closer look at one of the exciting PvP features that's being created for Fallen Earth: Global Territory Control. The idea behind GTC is that the devs wanted a comprehensive system that would track faction dominance in PvP across the entire game world.

Global Territory Control takes in data from Conflict Towns, Faction Control Points, and open PvP areas, crunches the stats, and spits out a single point rating that shows how well (or forehead-slappingly bad) each of the game's six factions is doing. The new system will go into place for the entire game except for Sector 1, and you'll have to be level-appropriate for the zone to contribute to your faction's GTC score.

If a faction earns enough points, then an insanely nice buff is handed out as a reward -- but only one faction can have it at any time. The buff increases the speed of crafting and harvesting and also improves the gain of random AP, Death Toll, faction points, and XP.

This system is still being prepped for a future update.

MassivelyFallen Earth's Global Territory Control creates a singular faction to rule them all originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>conflict-townsdeath-tolldev-diaryf2pfactionfaction-controlfaction-control-pointsfallen-earthfefree-to-playgamersfirstglobal-territory-controlgtcpreviewpvpFri, 10 Feb 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What vanity pet would you like to see in your favorite MMO?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/25/the-daily-grind-what-vanity-pet-would-you-like-to-see-in-your-f/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/25/the-daily-grind-what-vanity-pet-would-you-like-to-see-in-your-f/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/25/the-daily-grind-what-vanity-pet-would-you-like-to-see-in-your-f/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Fallen Earth
Last week Turbine announced all sorts of huge updates for Dungeons and Dragons Online in 2012. Among exciting talk of expansions, Druids, and level cap increases, one little item may have slipped under some folks' radar. Vanity pets are coming to DDO in 2012 -- specifically, "fun and cute DnD critters," according to Executive Producer Fernando Paiz.

Justin and I chatted a bit about that on this week's Massively Speaking, and Justin put forth the awesome idea of a tiny Beholder pet. I loved the idea and it set me to thinking. Vanity pets in MMOs are such a frivolous little thing, yet they're such fun to so many people, and it seems like everyone has a wish list of "wouldn't it be cool if..." vanity pets.

So what's yours? Would you love a little Beholder in DDO? Would you love to see Fallen Earth offer a prairie chicken pet to go with your mount? Tell us what vanity pet you'd love to see trailing along behind your character!

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 Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: What vanity pet would you like to see in your favorite MMO? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 25 Jan 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ddodungeons-and-dragons-onlinefallen-earthfeg1gamersfirstopinionopinionspetstdgthe-daily-grindturbinevanity-itemsvanity-petsWed, 25 Jan 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Free for All: A second look at Fallen Earth's free model]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/18/free-for-all-a-second-look-at-fallen-earths-free-model/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/18/free-for-all-a-second-look-at-fallen-earths-free-model/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/18/free-for-all-a-second-look-at-fallen-earths-free-model/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Fallen Earth screenshot
I used to be head-over-heels in love with Fallen Earth. I was on an immersion kick and had even designed a set of rules that dictated how my character would "live" in the world. Fallen Earth provided me with a lot of great tools to become immersed, and it was the type of game that really stuck out from the pack. Of course, it also sported uglier character models than Lord of the Rings Online and was more brown than a bakery at the earlier levels, but it was neat.

I gave up on the title after a while and became too busy with other games to return. Then, the free-to-play version of the title came out. I still ignored it because of scheduling, but recently I have been returning to it. I am finding a lot of bugs and an overall lack of polish that I had forgotten about, but it's still a really cool game.

So how does the free version stack up to the subscription model? How free is it? Let's take a look.

Continue reading Free for All: A second look at Fallen Earth's free model

MassivelyFree for All: A second look at Fallen Earth's free model originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 18 Jan 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beau-hindmancash-shopddodungeon-and-dragonseq2eqiiEverQuest-2everquest-iif2pfallen-earthfefeaturedfree-for-allfree-to-playftpg1gamersfirstlord-of-the-rings-onlineMicrotransactionspost-apocalypticsandboxwizard101Wed, 18 Jan 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fallen Earth lays the foundation for 2012 in its January state of the game address]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/06/fallen-earth-lays-the-foundation-for-2012-in-its-january-state-o/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/06/fallen-earth-lays-the-foundation-for-2012-in-its-january-state-o/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/06/fallen-earth-lays-the-foundation-for-2012-in-its-january-state-o/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Fallen Earth
Senior Game Designer Marie Croall sounded the klaxons and ran up the flag for the wastelanders of Fallen Earth in the latest state of the game address. For her and the team, it's time to shake off the ravages of holidays and get to work on laying the foundation for the game in 2012.

Croall says that this month players should expect to get the ability to use bombs in Territory Control, which should change things up somewhat. The Territory Control PvP feature will be significantly expanded in the months afterward as well.

Also on tap for the near future are additional mid-level quests, the augmentation system for customizing gear, improving the flow of starter areas, and better rare drops across the board. The art team is excited to move on to giving Haven a facelift much like the work the team did on the recent Embry Crossroads revamp.

Perhaps the most intriguing is that Croall hints at a major top-secret project in the works: "This month we're also breaking ground on one of the biggest systems we've ever done. It's still too early to really get into details on but we'll make sure this one was worth waiting for."

MassivelyFallen Earth lays the foundation for 2012 in its January state of the game address originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 06 Jan 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012augmentation-systembombbombsf2pfallen-earthfefree-to-playgamersfirstmarie-croallmayanpvpstate-of-the-gameterritory-controltop-secret-projectFri, 06 Jan 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fallen Earth's December State of the Game talks F2P transition, new features]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/01/fallen-earths-december-state-of-the-game-talks-f2p-transition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/01/fallen-earths-december-state-of-the-game-talks-f2p-transition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/01/fallen-earths-december-state-of-the-game-talks-f2p-transition/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Screenshot -- Fallen Earth
It's finally December, which means that I can go into a store and not fly into a rage when I discover that it's already playing Christmas music. It also means that it's time for Fallen Earth's December State of the Game letter. This is the first State of the Game since the title's change to F2P last month, so can you bet your hide there's a lot to cover. Marie Croall begins by talking about some of the "less sexy but ultimately critical things" that the team has been working on since the transition. Lots of bug-fixing has taken place as the Fallen Earth team works to iron out some of the kinks that arose during the F2P transition.

Meanwhile, the town of Embry got a bit of a makeover. The art team went into the city and "replaced high-poly, high-batch buildings with newer ones that will improve performance and the overall aesthetic appeal of the town." The team is also working hard at developing new content and features, such as world events, farms, and the upcoming augmentation system. Croall closes out the post with some dates: Territory control, the revamped map, new world events, and New Embry will be added to the game in mid-December, while everything else will have to wait until next year. For the full details, head on to the game's official blog.

MassivelyFallen Earth's December State of the Game talks F2P transition, new features originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 01 Dec 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>augmentationbugbug-fixesbugsf2pfallen-earthfefree-to-playgamersfirstsotgstate-of-the-gameterritory-controlThu, 01 Dec 2011 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Fallen Earth slinging a major update to factions]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/18/fallen-earth-slinging-a-major-update-to-factions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/18/fallen-earth-slinging-a-major-update-to-factions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/18/fallen-earth-slinging-a-major-update-to-factions/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

You can pick your friends, but you can't pick whether or not your friends have functional craniums.
If you've been making your way through the factions of the Fallen Earth wasteland for a while, you're probably familiar with their mechanical interplay by now. The game really rewards you, of course, for playing the field rather than picking one faction as your specific allies. But that's all going to change. As outlined in the latest developer blog, starting with the next major patch, players will be expected to choose one faction as their "core" faction to participate in Territory Control and Conflict Towns.

This might seem like a bit of a downgrade, but it comes with the advantage that the developers are also doing away with shoulder factions, meaning that each factional pairing works as an unlinked two-way street. Fighting for one faction only loses standing for the opposing faction, not for other allied factions. Choosing a "main" faction is also not a requirement for several other faction features in the game, just the direct war between the various groups. Still, it's going to be a major update for the game's systems, forcing players to really decide who they want as an ally in the long run.

MassivelyFallen Earth slinging a major update to factions originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 18 Nov 2011 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f2pfactionfaction-mechanicsfactionsfallen-earthfefree-to-playgame-mechanicsgamersfirstpvppvp-factionspvp-systemsreputationupdatesFri, 18 Nov 2011 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fallen Earth partners with MAINGEAR for Play2Win contest]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/16/fallen-earth-partners-with-maingear-for-play2win-contest/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/16/fallen-earth-partners-with-maingear-for-play2win-contest/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/16/fallen-earth-partners-with-maingear-for-play2win-contest/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Screenshot -- Fallen Earth
Are you in the market for a spankin'-new gaming rig? Of course you are. Well, GamersFirst wants to help you out. The company has partnered with MAINGEAR to run a contest that will reward one lucky winner with a shiny new MAINGEAR F131 gaming PC. But there's a catch, of course. In order to win the custom Fallen Earth computer, players must venture into the wastelands of Fallen Earth to collect MAINGEAR computer parts from unique resource nodes scattered about the world. Whoever has the most parts when the contest ends on December 14th will be declared the winner. Head over to MAINGEAR's website for the full contest rules, and then sign up to play at the Fallen Earth official site and get to scavengin'.

[Source: GamersFirst press release]

MassivelyFallen Earth partners with MAINGEAR for Play2Win contest originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 16 Nov 2011 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>contestf2pfallen-earthfefree-to-playgamersfirsticarusicarus-studiosmaingearplay2winWed, 16 Nov 2011 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[MV Guide: November 7-13, 2011]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/07/mv-guide-november-7-13-2011/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/07/mv-guide-november-7-13-2011/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/07/mv-guide-november-7-13-2011/#commentsFiled under: , ,

MV Guide
MV Guide is a weekly rundown of the MMO gaming events planned on Massively's Livestream channel.

Every week, the Massively staff logs in to play various MMOs live and in person, and we'd love for you to drop by the channel and visit. We have a combination of regular weekly games and new surprises, so you'll find a variety of titles to take a look at. During livestream events, you can participate in the live chat, ask questions to learn about the game, and simply spend some time with Massively staff and readers. (Of course, livestream events are subject to the whims of outside forces like server-side gremlins once in a while.)

Follow along after the jump to see what's on this week's schedule!

Continue reading MV Guide: November 7-13, 2011

MassivelyMV Guide: November 7-13, 2011 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 07 Nov 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crypticcryptic-studiosdc-universe-onlinedcuoea-mythicfallen-earthfefeaturedgamersfirstlittle-space-heroesmv-guidemv-tv-mythicperfect-worldpwesoeSony-Online-Entertainmentstar-trek-onlinestoultima-onlinewar-of-dragonsMon, 07 Nov 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fallen Earth developer blog talks territory control and world events]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/31/fallen-earth-developer-blog-talks-territory-control-and-world-ev/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/31/fallen-earth-developer-blog-talks-territory-control-and-world-ev/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/31/fallen-earth-developer-blog-talks-territory-control-and-world-ev/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Honey, the door blew shut. And locked itself.
The conversion to free-to-play has gone live, but there are more changes in store for Fallen Earth. A new developer blog entry has just been unveiled, discussing two of the bigger features in store for the game -- world events and territory control. The former will be dynamic content that appears at random, with multiple events able to feed upon one another and create some changing landscapes for players to explore.

Territory control, by contrast, will start off in a single region north of Blaine. The region will have a total of 13 different control points for factions to hold, with six of them out in the open and seven in more fortified locations. There will be notable rewards for players holding these objectives, including resource nodes, increased experience gain, and improved death toll. It should certainly lead to some interesting battles in the wasteland as players fight over the region's spoils.

MassivelyFallen Earth developer blog talks territory control and world events originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 31 Oct 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blogsdev-blogsdeveloper-blogdynamic-contentdynamic-eventsfactionsfallen-earthfegamersfirstpatchespreviewspvpterritory-controlworld-eventsMon, 31 Oct 2011 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fallen Earth's Halloween sale refunds all G1 Credits spent]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/29/fallen-earths-halloween-sale-refunds-all-g1-credits-spent/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/29/fallen-earths-halloween-sale-refunds-all-g1-credits-spent/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/29/fallen-earths-halloween-sale-refunds-all-g1-credits-spent/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Screenshot -- Fallen Earth
Who amongst Fallen Earth's wasteland wanderers doesn't love saving money? No one, that's who. In light of that fact (and in celebration of Halloween), GamersFirst is providing a 100% rebate on every G1 Credit spent in the Fallen Earth cash shop from now until November 3rd. That mount you've always wanted? Snag it! Not satisfied with your character name? Change it! Those deliciously steampunk brass goggles you've always wanted? Rock 'em!

Not only will you receive a complete rebate on all G1 Credits spent (that means everything is free, for the economically disinclined), but many everyday items have had their prices slashed as well. For the full details on what's on sale, head on over to the Fallen Earth official site.

MassivelyFallen Earth's Halloween sale refunds all G1 Credits spent originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 29 Oct 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brass-goggles-are-awesomef2pfallen-earthfefree-to-playgamersfirsthalloweenhalloween-saleicarusicarus-studiossaleSat, 29 Oct 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fallen Earth launches F2P, postpones world events]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/12/fallen-earth-launches-f2p-postpones-world-events/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/12/fallen-earth-launches-f2p-postpones-world-events/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/12/fallen-earth-launches-f2p-postpones-world-events/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Fallen Earth
Fallen Earth has barreled over the falls today into the wild rapids of free-to-play, opening up the game for anyone who wants to experience what the post-apocalypse tastes like (slightly leathery). Current subscribers will find that their accounts have been upgraded to Commander-level status, and all previous subscribers and purchasers of the game will have a brand-new Spiked Chopper waiting for them by the end of the week.

As part of the F2P launch, patch 2.0 has hit the servers, and with it came several changes and hotfixes. Loot drop rates from mobs have been increased and crafting has been tweaked as GamersFirst continues its efforts to rebalance the economy. In a new dev blog, GamersFirst discusses what's going on with the economy and why these changes are taking place. The primary reason that the devs are monkeying with this system is to get players interacting more and to introduce an element of challenge for crafters.

Unfortunately, the world events that were scheduled to go live today have been postponed until next week, following the discovery of several bugs and performance problems.

MassivelyFallen Earth launches F2P, postpones world events originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 12 Oct 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>craftingeconomyeventsf2pf2p-launchfallen-earthfefree-to-playgamersfirstin-game-eventspatchpatch-2.0relaunchspiked-chopperupdateworld-eventsWed, 12 Oct 2011 13:00:00 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: Player-run economy]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/07/wasteland-diaries-player-run-economy/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/07/wasteland-diaries-player-run-economy/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/07/wasteland-diaries-player-run-economy/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Fallen Earth screenshot
The economy in Fallen Earth has been stagnant for a while. The auction house has been just a place for trader clones (with maxed social skill) to post wares with a small markup from the NPC vendors prices. In some cases, these traders would post mats that could only be bought in PvP conflict towns or found in secret or dangerous scavenging spots. It was hard to be competitive in a market like that. Every resource had an unlimited supply thanks to the vendors. There were a few items that actually worked on the supply and demand principle, like vibrant and volatile chemicals and pre-fall tech. These items had prices that were dictated completely by the players. Through competition, the prices got pretty reasonable (and I even bought a few pre-fall techs to allieviate the Citadel grind).

All that has changed now, and the Fallen Earth team has made some massive changes to the way the economy works. In this post, I'll take a look at what has changed. I'll try to give my best guess about what will happen to the economy in the coming weeks. A great many players are already freaking out about this concept on the forums and in global chat. While I admit it's too early to tell what will become of us in the near future, there's no need to panic. People were rage-quitting the game mere hours after the changes were made. If you ask me, it's a bit premature to make a decision like that. Nobody really knows what will happen, but click past the cut to see my best guesses.

Continue reading Wasteland Diaries: Player-run economy

MassivelyWasteland Diaries: Player-run economy originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 07 Oct 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auction-houseconflict-townscraftingeconomyeconomy-changesf2pfallen-earthfefeaturedfree-to-playgamersfirstgrindinglootMarie-Croallmaterialsmatsplayer-run-economyscavengingvendorsFri, 07 Oct 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Preparing for the apocalypse (again): GamersFirst on Fallen Earth's F2P shift]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/06/preparing-for-the-apocalypse-again-gamersfirst-on-fallen-eart/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/06/preparing-for-the-apocalypse-again-gamersfirst-on-fallen-eart/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/06/preparing-for-the-apocalypse-again-gamersfirst-on-fallen-eart/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Fallen Earth
Today was my last day in Fallen Earth. My subscription ran out, so I was cut off from everything: glorious crafting, expansive exploration, black humor, and gas mask fashionware. Fortunately, my adventures will resume on October 12th, when Fallen Earth officially makes its transition to a hybrid free-to-play/subscription model.

Like many current players and potential clones, we are understandably curious about the implications and (pardon the pun) fallout from such a fundamental shift in the business model. Will F2P be the savior of this niche game? What's being done to prepare for the change? To answer these questions and more, we talked to Joseph Willmon, an associate game director for GamersFirst.

Massively: How are you preparing your servers for the added influx of free-to-play tourists?

Joseph Willmon: We're still wrapping up some of the final stages of settling the Fallen Earth servers into their new homes at GamersFirst, so soon they'll be as optimized as we want them to be. We're lucky in that Fallen Earth was designed from the ground up to support lots of people playing -- we'd have to blow all estimates out of the water really quickly in order for population to be an issue, which wouldn't be such a bad problem to have!

Continue reading Preparing for the apocalypse (again): GamersFirst on Fallen Earth's F2P shift

MassivelyPreparing for the apocalypse (again): GamersFirst on Fallen Earth's F2P shift originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 06 Oct 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>all-points-bulletinapbcross-promotionf2pfallen-earthfefeaturedfree-to-playgamersfirstgmhazmatinterviewjoe-willmonjoseph-willmonlive-eventspvpsandboxscavengersubscriptiontransitionveteranveteran-rewardswardrobeworld-eventsThu, 06 Oct 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fallen Earth kickstarts its second anniversary live event a week late]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/04/fallen-earth-kickstarts-its-second-anniversary-live-event-a-week/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/04/fallen-earth-kickstarts-its-second-anniversary-live-event-a-week/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/04/fallen-earth-kickstarts-its-second-anniversary-live-event-a-week/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Fallen Earth
"At Fallen Earth? Our events are fashionable. We have fashionable events," the latest Fallen Earth blog begins. "How fashionable, you might ask? So fashionable that they arrive fashionably late."

When the servers go back up today with the new patch, Fallen Earth's second anniversary live event will be ready to go. The six factions are duking it out over New Flagstaff and looking to recruit all the clones they can in order to win the war. Players can sign up for PvP or PvE service in any of the sectors and do their part for the glory of their faction (and be awarded a nifty novelty item for their participation). The live event will occur on Wednesday, October 5th, at different times for European and North and South American players.

The patch contains a number of changes to the gathering and crafting systems in the game and also puts in place the new cosmetic appearance system. Unfortunately for the fashion-conscious, you can look at the wardrobe but not touch -- until October 12th, that is. When Fallen Earth goes free-to-play on that date, GamersFirst will flip on the switch for the wardrobe... and there will be much rejoicing.

MassivelyFallen Earth kickstarts its second anniversary live event a week late originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 04 Oct 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2nd-anniversaryanniversarycosmetic-armor-systemcosmetic-systemf2pfallen-earthfefree-to-playgamersfirstlive-eventnew-flagstaffoutfitoutfit-systempatchpatch-notessecond-anniversarysecond-anniversary-live-eventupdatewardrobewardrobe-systemTue, 04 Oct 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fallen Earth's newest patch aimed at improving a life of crafting]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/30/fallen-earths-newest-patch-aimed-at-improving-a-life-of-craftin/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/30/fallen-earths-newest-patch-aimed-at-improving-a-life-of-craftin/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/30/fallen-earths-newest-patch-aimed-at-improving-a-life-of-craftin/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Craft zombies are scary at first, but when they catch you they just steal your random junk and try to use it to assemble an assault rifle.
Crafting has always been one of the major elements of Fallen Earth, and with good cause, really: you're in a post-apocalyptic wasteland and you can't just buy all your supplies down at the S-Mart. But that doesn't mean crafting is all roses and happy thoughts; some items are far rarer than necessary and others present in useless abundance. It's ripe for some revisions, and that's exactly what the game's newest patch, set for release on October 4th, is meant to address.

Several recipes have been streamlined, with unnecessary parts removed from the equation to make a crafter's life easier. At the same time, craftable items are being removed from merchant inventories, encouraging players to seek out other players or assemble the items themselves. If you're feeling a bit leery of the changes, though, fret not -- you still have a couple of days left to stock up on materials.

MassivelyFallen Earth's newest patch aimed at improving a life of crafting originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 30 Sep 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>balancecrafterscraftingdrop-ratesdropsf2pfallen-earthfefree-to-playgamersfirstitemsmerchantspatchpatchesquality-of-lifeupdatesvendorsFri, 30 Sep 2011 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Proposed Fallen Earth F2P chart separates the scavengers from the commanders]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/30/proposed-fallen-earth-f2p-chart-separates-the-scavengers-from-th/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/30/proposed-fallen-earth-f2p-chart-separates-the-scavengers-from-th/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/30/proposed-fallen-earth-f2p-chart-separates-the-scavengers-from-th/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Fallen Earth membership chart
While we didn't get much out of GamersFirst at PAX this past week about Fallen Earth's plans for this fall and the free-to-play conversion, it looks like news will find a way nevertheless. Creep the Prophet posted a proposed (please note that word) membership matrix for Fallen Earth when the F2P switch is triggered.

Similar to other F2P charts we've seen, this boasts a variety of subscription levels, from the F2P "Scavenger" to the ultra-deluxe "Commander." The good news is that a majority of the game would, under this matrix, become simply free to all, including all zones, all levels, and skills. Free players will face a few restrictions, including crafting limitations, no access to global chat, only one character slot, and a slower rate of gaining XP and AP. The better subscription levels offer discounts to the game's store, faster progress in the game, monthly gifts, and a full range of features.

Subscribers will also receive an in-game "aura," that will allow them to share some of these bonuses with their less-fortunate F2P brothers and sisters.

No prices have been attached to this chart, and it could be subject to change between now and the F2P conversion, which should happen sometime between October and December.

MassivelyProposed Fallen Earth F2P chart separates the scavengers from the commanders originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 30 Aug 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>commandercraftingcreepcreep-the-prophetf2pfallen-earthfefree-to-playgamersfirsticarusicarus-studiosmembership-chartmembership-matrixpaxpax-prime-2011scavengersubscriber-chartsubscriptionTue, 30 Aug 2011 15:00:00 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[The Perfect Ten: Best in-game maps]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/14/the-perfect-ten-best-in-game-maps/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/14/the-perfect-ten-best-in-game-maps/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/14/the-perfect-ten-best-in-game-maps/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

I love me a good map. Seriously. When I was a boy and we'd go on vacations, I think I spent more time flipping through the detailed atlas in the car than looking out of the windows (and how sad is that?). Even today, I'm fascinated with a good map, as it allows my imagination to roam across lands quickly and imagine what they must be like.

In MMOs, maps are one of the most important tools in your user interface. They help orient you, direct you to your next quest objective, allow you to plan a journey in the safest possible manner, and tantalize you with the potentials of unexplored areas. I started to think about how much we rely on a good in-game map when I was reading the Star Wars: The Old Republic dev diary on how that team is implementing their map system.

I've found that in-game maps can be a mixed bag, depending on the game you visit. Some may look great but be functionally useless. Some may be uglier than dirt but hit the spot nevertheless. But the best are the ones that marry good aesthetics with practicality, and those are the ones I want to spotlight today. So without further ado, my favorite in-game maps from MMOs!

Continue reading The Perfect Ten: Best in-game maps

MassivelyThe Perfect Ten: Best in-game maps originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 14 Jul 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aaaage-of-conanaionaocblizzarddoodledoodleseveeve-onlinefallen-earthfamily-circusfefeaturedguild-warsgwin-game-mapslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromapmapspyrographyreliefriftstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-forestthe-old-republictollkientopographytorturbinewarwarhammer-onlinewizard101wood-burningworld-of-warcraftwowThu, 14 Jul 2011 10:00:00 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.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alpha-countyauction-houseblockadeCraftercraftingfallen-earthfallen-earth-llcfefeaturedgamersfirsticarusicarus-studioslevel-capPlayStylepvepvproleplayRolePlayingRPsocialtraderFri, 01 Jul 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fallen Earth announces cash shop sale]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/29/fallen-earth-announces-cash-shop-sale/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/29/fallen-earth-announces-cash-shop-sale/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/29/fallen-earth-announces-cash-shop-sale/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

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[Global Chat: Follow the money edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/19/global-chat-follow-the-money-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/19/global-chat-follow-the-money-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/19/global-chat-follow-the-money-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Welcome to this week's Global Chat! We love hearing what you have to say at Massively, and we love it even more when we can share the best comments with all of our readers. Massively staffers will be contributing some of their favorite comments every week, so keep an eye out every Sunday for more Global Chat!

This week's Global Chat is all about paying for things, not paying for other things, and giving even more things multiple chances. Follow along after the jump to see some of the best of what our readers had to say!

Continue reading Global Chat: Follow the money edition

MassivelyGlobal Chat: Follow the money edition originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 19 Jun 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>commenterscommentscrypticfallen-earthfefeaturedgamersfirstglobal-chatopinionsstar-trek-onlinestoSun, 19 Jun 2011 10:00:00 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['Major' Fallen Earth announcement coming May 31st]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/27/major-fallen-earth-announcement-coming-may-31st/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/27/major-fallen-earth-announcement-coming-may-31st/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/27/major-fallen-earth-announcement-coming-may-31st/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Maintenance breaks may typically be frustrating, boring patches of non-activity for MMO gamers, but next Tuesday promises to be different for Fallen Earth. According to the official site, the team has a "major" announcement scheduled during the May 31st downtime -- one you won't want to miss.

The announcement will take place during two live podcasts with Senior Game Designer Marie Croall. During the podcasts, Croall will discuss the game's present and future to the dedicated wastelanders out there.

You can catch the podcast and announcement on Fallen Earth's Ustream channel on May 31st at 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. EDT. Alternatively, players may use Ventrilo to catch the action and even submit their own questions.

What will this announcement be? We're not sure, but it looks to be a long weekend wait until we find out!

Massively'Major' Fallen Earth announcement coming May 31st originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 27 May 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>announcementfallen-earthfefireside-chaticarusicarus-studioslive-podcastmarie-croallpodcastustreamventventrilloFri, 27 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[The Daily Grind: Has Massively ever inspired you to try out an MMO?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/05/the-daily-grind-has-massively-ever-inspired-you-to-try-out-an-m/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/05/the-daily-grind-has-massively-ever-inspired-you-to-try-out-an-m/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/05/the-daily-grind-has-massively-ever-inspired-you-to-try-out-an-m/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

One of the joys of being part of the online gaming community is hearing recommendations and testimonies of players who are trying out titles that you don't have time (or the inclination) to sample. Sometimes those testimonials can lead you into trying out a game you wouldn't have on your own.

About six months or so before I joined Massively, Shawn's repeated love notes posts about Fallen Earth finally penetrated my brain to the point that I was curious enough to give it a go myself. After sampling it, I was hooked and spent many wonderful months crafting ATVs and exploring the wilderness of the apocalypse. I know that if it weren't for this site, I probably wouldn't have done so.

So today we want to know: Has Massively ever inspired you to try out an MMO that you wouldn't have otherwise? How did it go? Did you stick with it or find yourself at odds with the testimony of the writers here?

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 Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Has Massively ever inspired you to try out an MMO? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 05 May 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apocalypseatvfallen-earthfeopinionrecommendationtdgtestimonialstestimoniestestimonythe-daily-grindword-of-mouthThu, 05 May 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[A sneak peek at Fallen Earth's Progress Towns]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/28/a-sneak-peek-at-fallen-earths-progress-towns/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/28/a-sneak-peek-at-fallen-earths-progress-towns/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/28/a-sneak-peek-at-fallen-earths-progress-towns/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Coming soon to a public test server near Fallen Earth is one of the more exciting pieces of content the game has seen: Progress Towns! Icarus Studios wanted to take the concept of a player-built town and make it something truly special.

Progress Towns are the next iteration of Fallen Earth's attempt to include player housing, which started with patch 1.2's camps. With the this new system, players will be able to build up their own towns from the ruins of old ones. Three such towns will be in place for testing: Progress in Sector 2, Stronghold in Sector 3, and Citadel in Deadfall.

Before players can move in and start performing stunning makeovers, they'll have to fight enemy mobs who've declared squatter's rights. Once the battle is won, the area becomes player-controlled and can be improved upon by using the construction skillset. Progress Towns can be built up to house many useful features, such as merchants, mailboxes, and defensive structures. Once enough construction takes place, special merchants will appear and offer unique crafting components in exchange for a new form of currency.

Don't get too comfortable, however. These towns will always be under the threat of enemy raiders looking to take back what once was theirs! This slice of player-generated content will appear on the test servers next week, but you can get a sneak peek at Progress Towns in the gallery below right now!

Gallery: Fallen Earth

MassivelyA sneak peek at Fallen Earth's Progress Towns originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 28 Apr 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>campscitadelconstructiondeadfallfallen-earthfegalleryicarusicarus-studiospatch-1.2player-campsplayer-generated-contentplayer-housingpreviewprogressprogress-townspveraiderssneak-peekstrongholdThu, 28 Apr 2011 14:00:00 EST