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PlanetSide 2 community night reveals vehicle customization, Vanguard tanks, and in-game footage

Justin Olivetti — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Galleries, Video, Previews, Free-to-play, PlanetSide 2

What would you do if you had developers for a highly anticipated MMO on video chat with your fansite's community? The correct answer is "Pump them for all the information you can, then see if you can't get a first glimpse of said game in action."

PlanetSide Universe scored 1000 points this past weekend with that answer, as the site's community night video podcast covering PlanetSide 2 turned into an informational bonanza for the game's fans. The hosts talked to SOE's Matt Higby and Tramell Isaac about PS2's maps and vehicle customization while also getting a tour around the team's offices and a couple segments of in-game footage showing off PlanetSide 2's engine.

The fansite also netted a pair of new pictures showing off the impressive Vanguard tanks, which you can check out in the gallery below. The full community night podcast is after the jump, but you might want to put on a bib beforehand to catch all the drool!

Gallery: PlanetSide 2

Continue reading PlanetSide 2 community night reveals vehicle customization, Vanguard tanks, and in-game footage

PlanetSide 2 community night reveals vehicle customization, Vanguard tanks, and in-game footage originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 21 Nov 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Grimlands to debut at Gamescom

Justin Olivetti — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Events, real-world, Free-to-play, Massively Event Coverage, Post-Apocalyptic

If bright 'n shiny sci-fi titles or valiant fantasy MMOs are too pristine for you liking, then you're most likely the sort that's looking for the next big post-apocalyptic game to grab with gusto. Grimlands looks to be a promising entry into the genre, with third-person shooter mayhem and dynamic content, and players will be able to get their first glimpse of the title at Gamescom next month in Germany.

Grimlands has a number of intriguing concepts, including a learn-as-you-go skill system and player-controlled cities. Like many of gamigo's titles, Grimlands will be free-to-play, which should lower the barrier of entry for this scrappy little go-getter.

Gamescom will take place from August 17th through the 21st. Along with Grimlands, gamigo will be showcasing Jagged Alliance Online and UFO Online. You can read up on gamigo's hot new lineup in our first look article.

Gallery: Grimlands gallery

Grimlands to debut at Gamescom originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 11 Jul 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First look at Phantasy Star Online 2

Justin Olivetti — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Galleries, New titles, Previews

It's one thing to tease us with a short video and a title card announcing the sequel of the incredibly beloved Phantasy Star Online 2. It's another thing entirely to make us wait a half year to get any more details! But we'll shove aside our complaints in a heartbeat in favor of diving into a pool of luscious screenshots.

At a recent promotional event, Sega unveiled a sneak peek at Phantasy Star Online 2, including 15 screenshots that 4Gamer.net snagged for our enjoyment. The pictures show off the world details, character outfits, the UI, and even some shots of combat. Astute Sega fans may even recognize a reference to another hit Sega franchise lurking about.

Reportedly, the action-RPG is in alpha testing with a hopeful release date later this year on the PC. Take a look for yourself in the gallery below!

Gallery: Phantasy Star Online 2

First look at Phantasy Star Online 2 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 25 Apr 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hands on with the Aion beta: Exploring Sanctum and Verteron

Lesley Smith — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Aion, Events, in-game, Massively Hands-on

After leveling your stunning avatar to level 9, ascending to Daevahood and getting your wings, it's time to go out into the world -- well Verteron at least. But first, let's talk a little about the glorious city of Sanctum and what your new Daevic powers really mean. Join us after the jump as we take a closer look at Aion's hub city of Sanctum, the zone of Verteron and the basics of flying.

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Hands on with the Aion beta: Exploring Sanctum and Verteron originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 15 Jun 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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E3 2009: Impressions of Heroes of Telara

Krystalle Voecks — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Game mechanics, New titles, News items, Opinion, RIFT

To be honest, when the Heroes of Telara trailer first released, much of what we heard was "been there done that" from readers and friends. "Fantasy has been done to death" was another. That's why we were glad to see the game actually in play behind closed doors this last week at the Trion World Network space at E3. While we only saw a pre-alpha copy of the game (and would point out that it's what they used for the trailer) it's certainly raised our interest over the initial impression we had.

In motion, Heroes of Telara actually made some of us of think of an updated, shinier version of Guild Wars in terms of very pretty and highly-detailed stylized (yet somewhat realistic) graphics. As was explained to us by Chris Mancil, the Director of Community Management for Trion, one of the largest things that they feel will set Heroes of Telara apart from many others is that they are working to keep the game server-based. Their plan is to attempt to keep most of the "action" server side as is possible so that they can add new events into the game without having to send along enormous patches to players all the time. All assets will still reside client side, but they'll be able to manipulate game-play by telling the client to modify where things spawn, how things interact, and the like. From little things like different vendors having sales to large zone-wide events, it will allow them to change anything and everything on the fly and make Heroes of Telara feel more like it's taking place in a living, breathing, dynamic world that players will want to "live in, explore, and play."

Gallery: Heroes of Telara core gallery

Gallery: Heroes of Telara concept art

Continue reading E3 2009: Impressions of Heroes of Telara

E3 2009: Impressions of Heroes of Telara originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 08 Jun 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First video of Heroes of Telara released

Krystalle Voecks — Fri, 29 May 2009 09:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Video, MMO industry, New titles, News items, RIFT

If you weren't watching the opening show for E3 on Spike Network last night (or like many others, just don't happen to be in a place that even gets Spike TV) then you'd have missed the world premiere first-look at Trion World Network's upcoming MMO, Heroes of Telara. While we can imagine that this is likely alpha footage, it gives us a first look at what they've been working on behind the scenes. As a handful of us here at Massively are heading to E3 this weekend, we'll be sure to bring you all the news on this upcoming MMO straight from the front lines.

For now, be sure to check out the video, embedded for your comfort, just behind the break!

Continue reading First video of Heroes of Telara released

First video of Heroes of Telara released originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 29 May 2009 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The WoW starts now!

Eloise Pasteur — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: World of Warcraft, Opinion, First Impressions

I'm not quite sure when someone first suggested I might like to try World of Warcraft. I know someone who went into World of Warcraft about 3 years ago now and tried, half-heartedly, to suck me over with her, but it didn't happen. Then, for my birthday earlier this month someone gave me a free month in World of Warcraft. I haven't decided whether to thank them or shoot them. But, what is it like coming to World of Warcraft when it's been around for so long?

Well, the answer is, as you might expect, in some ways good in some ways bad.

World of Warcraft has, if you search on google for it, millions of hits. Sorting the good from the bad is hard work. Of course there is our feed, and our sister blog, WOW Insider to include, but do you want a useful, and well researched guide (they are out there) or an advert for "buy this book, it will tell you all you need to know" disguised as that same guide? (They are out there too.) I've finally settled, as with the blogs, on Allakazam, WOWWiki and TenTonHammer for most of my needs for information. They don't always agree, they have different uses, but they are all useful to me.

Continue reading The WoW starts now!

The WoW starts now! originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 19 Jan 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A first look at RuneScape

Eloise Pasteur — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 12:01:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Opinion, RuneScape, Free-to-play, Browser, Hands-on, Massively Hands-on, First Impressions

I so nearly titled this the top 6 reasons why I don't like RuneScape.

Liking, or not liking, a game is, of course, deeply personal. You may well find the reasons for disliking RuneScape that I list here as reasons to make you play the game, more power to you if you do. A quick straw poll around the Massively team has revealed that others have more positive views of RuneScape. But on with my list:

I find the interface cluttered, badly designed and hard to use;
I dislike the way you chat to the NPCs;
I find the other players largely rude, often unreasonably aggressive and distasteful;
Losing almost all your equipment each time you die is frustrating;
Handling skills and experience in them is horrible on so many levels;
Why, oh why, do they handle the free-to-play structure so badly?

More details on these under the fold.

Continue reading A first look at RuneScape

A first look at RuneScape originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 27 Nov 2007 12:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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