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[EVE Evolved: Could EVE Online go free-to-play?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/29/eve-evolved-could-eve-online-go-free-to-play/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/29/eve-evolved-could-eve-online-go-free-to-play/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/29/eve-evolved-could-eve-online-go-free-to-play/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

EVE Online title image
When EVE Online was released in 2003, the subscription model was the dominant business model for MMOs. Subscriptions have dominated Western MMOs throughout most of EVE's reign, but in the past two years we've seen the market push toward alternative models. Although the Incarna expansion controversially introduced a cash shop for cosmetic items, EVE Online has remained a subscription MMO in the face of tremendous market pressure to change. Although CCP plans to use microtransactions heavily in World of Darkness, and DUST 514 will not have a subscription fee, no plans to significantly modify EVE's current business model have been announced.

There's no sense in trying to deny it: The market is changing, with microtransaction-supported free-to-play games producing far more money than subscription titles. Hybrid models that give players the choice between microtransactions or a regular subscription have turned the industry on its head. When Turbine first implemented a hybrid model in Dungeons and Dragons Online, not only did profit shoot up from the free players but subscriptions rose. When the studio gave Lord of the Rings Online the same treatment, profits tripled almost overnight. The money is firmly in microtransactions, and it would be disingenuous to assume CCP won't chase that kind of financial reward. But could EVE even support a free-to-play business model, and what alternatives are there?

In this week's EVE Evolved, I ask whether it would be possible for EVE Online to adopt a free-to-play business model, and I suggest a simple alternative model that could really work.
[UPDATE: World of Darkness has not been confirmed as free-to-play, and though DUST 514 will not have a subscription fee, it will have a cover charge for initial purchase]

Continue reading EVE Evolved: Could EVE Online go free-to-play?

MassivelyEVE Evolved: Could EVE Online go free-to-play? originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 29 Jan 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-gamesddodungeons-and-dragons-onlineeveeve-evolvedeve-onlineeverquest-2everquest-iif2pfeaturedfreefree-to-playincarnalord-of-the-rings-onlinelotroopinionsandboxsci-fiturbineSun, 29 Jan 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Free Realms shows off a new player condo]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/25/free-realms-shows-off-a-new-player-condo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/25/free-realms-shows-off-a-new-player-condo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/25/free-realms-shows-off-a-new-player-condo/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Changing your exterior decoration to eye-searing orange is probably not recommended.
Housing is one of those MMO features that's beloved by some, disliked by others, and sadly not nearly as common as it once was. Free Realms has had housing for quite some time, of course, but the development team apparently hasn't felt that player introductions to same have really been up to snuff. So that's why players new and old will be gifted with a new Wilds Condo in the near future, a slice of housing that should give a much better idea of how fun the system can be.

Hosted by development artist Misty Michelle, the preview video just past the cut gives players an idea of what's expanded with the new condo. Players will get a lawn, more options to decorate, and more vertical space in the front yard to build a truly impressive dwelling. If that sounds like your sort of thing, take a look at the full trailer to see some of what you can do with your improved starter home right from the start in Free Realms.

Continue reading Free Realms shows off a new player condo

MassivelyFree Realms shows off a new player condo originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 25 Jan 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>condodecorationf2pfrfreefree-realmsfree-to-playhousinghousing-decorationhousing-mechanicsmisty-michelleplayer-housingpreviewssoesony-online-entertainmentupcoming-additionsvideovideoswilds-condoWed, 25 Jan 2012 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Not So Massively: Free Steam games and promotional gifts]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/26/not-so-massively-free-steam-games-and-promotional-gifts/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/26/not-so-massively-free-steam-games-and-promotional-gifts/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/26/not-so-massively-free-steam-games-and-promotional-gifts/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Not So Massively title image
It's Christmas time, and what better way is there to celebrate than to smash some internet people to bits in your favourite MOBA? League of Legends leads the charge with a gift of 450 RP delivered to every nice player who hasn't been banned in the past two months, and it shows off upcoming champion Victor the Machine Herald. Heroes of Newerth gives all players two free Christmas alt avatars and has a limited-time offer to buy a pack containing every previously released hero for just $10.

Rise of Immortals takes part in Steam's Great Gift Pile promotion that gives you the chance to win discount coupons or free Steam games, and it releases an immortal spotlight on Kavashiir. CrimeCraft: Gang Wars also offers players a Steam prize for playing its festive Snow Brawl game mode. Firefall clarifies the beta process and reminds fans that the game will be "done when it's done," and Torchlight developer Runic Games announces a new armour design contest. Finally, of all the intellectual properties to be made into an online game, did you ever think Doctor Who would make the list? BBC Worldwide has released an open preview of Doctor Who: Worlds in Time, a team-based puzzle game by the makers of Puzzle Pirates and Spiral Knights.

Skip past the cut for details of this week's biggest news from the world of MOBAs and other big online games that aren't quite MMOs.

Continue reading Not So Massively: Free Steam games and promotional gifts

MassivelyNot So Massively: Free Steam games and promotional gifts originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 26 Dec 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>assistsbbcbbc-worldwidebrowsercompetitioncompetitive-gamingcontestcrimecrimecraftcrimecraft-gangwarsdotadr-whodr-who-worlds-in-timedungeon-crawlere-sporte-sportsesportesportsf2pfantasyfeaturedfreefree-to-playheroes-of-newerthhonleague-of-legendslolmobanewsnot-so-massivelynsmpetroglyphpetroglyph-gamespvpred-5-studiosriotriot-gamesrise-of-immortalsroiround-uprounduprunic-gamess2s2-gamessteamthree-ringsthree-rings-designtorchlighttorchlight-iivideoviktorMon, 26 Dec 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Win free Steam games with Spiral Knights and Rusty Hearts]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/26/win-free-steam-games-with-spiral-knights-and-rusty-hearts/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/26/win-free-steam-games-with-spiral-knights-and-rusty-hearts/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/26/win-free-steam-games-with-spiral-knights-and-rusty-hearts/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Win free steam games image
If you've been checking out this year's Christmas Steam sales, you'll undoubtedly have seen the Great Gift Pile giveaway. By completing various game achievements and objectives, Steam users unlock prizes that can be anything from a lump of coal to discount vouchers or even a full copy of any game on Steam. There are reports of people winning massive prizes like Skyrim or the Valve complete pack, and even if you just get a lump of coal, it's still a valuable prize; seven lumps can be exchanged for a new random prize, and those left over at the end of the holiday event will count as tickets in a lottery to win a copy of every single game on Steam.

While many of the achievements require the purchase of cheap indie titles, there are several ways to get your hands on a gift from the great pile absolutely free. Checking your Steam inventory page and trading any item with another user will get you two free gifts, and joining the 2011 Holiday Group will net you a third. Two more prizes can be collected by completing the Son of a Nutcracker! achievement in Spiral Knights and the All I Want for Christmas is Sewers achievement in Rusty Hearts, both of which are free-to-play MMOs available through Steam.

Skip past the cut for details on how to beat the Steam gift achievements for Spiral Knights and Rusty Hearts, including full walkthrough videos.

Continue reading Win free Steam games with Spiral Knights and Rusty Hearts

MassivelyWin free Steam games with Spiral Knights and Rusty Hearts originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 26 Dec 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>achievementachievementsaction-mmoall-i-want-for-christmas-is-sewersanimef2pfantasyfreefree-to-playgiftsgreat-gift-pileguidenewsperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentprizespvppwerise-of-immortalsroiround-uprounduprusty-heartsson-of-a-nutcrackerspiral-knightssteamthe-great-gft-pilethree-ringsvalvevideowinMon, 26 Dec 2011 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Astronaut: Moon, Mars and Beyond handing out trips to the (virtual) moon!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/04/astronaut-moon-mars-and-beyond-handing-out-trips-to-the-virtu/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/04/astronaut-moon-mars-and-beyond-handing-out-trips-to-the-virtu/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/04/astronaut-moon-mars-and-beyond-handing-out-trips-to-the-virtu/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Astronaut
As Project Whitecard wraps up its Kickstarter fundraiser to raise funds for Astronaut: Moon, Mars and Beyond, it wants to give a little extra incentive for any would-be donors. Anyone -- past, present and future -- who gives to the NASA project will be entered into a drawing for one of 50 free copies of Project Moonwalk.

Project Moonwalk is a video game simulation of the 1969 Apollo 11 mission, designed to be not only fun but also educational. The game hits the high points of space race history, from Sputnik's launch to the lunar landing and subsequent return to Earth. Made with the Unreal Engine, Project Moonwalk will be released this fall.

Currently, Astronaut: Moon, Mars and Beyond has raised over $41,000 through Kickstarter, well exceeding its $25,000 goal. If you're interested in helping in the second great space race, then you have six days to get your pledge in to the cause before the fundraiser ends!

MassivelyAstronaut: Moon, Mars and Beyond handing out trips to the (virtual) moon! originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 04 Oct 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>astronautastronaut-moon-mars-and-beyonddonorsfreefundraiserfundraisinggiveawaykickstarternasaproject-moonwalkproject-whitecardpromotionspace-racesputnikTue, 04 Oct 2011 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Cryptic uploads Star Trek Online's free-to-play plans]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/06/cryptic-uploads-star-trek-onlines-free-to-play-plans/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/06/cryptic-uploads-star-trek-onlines-free-to-play-plans/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/06/cryptic-uploads-star-trek-onlines-free-to-play-plans/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Star Trek Online
Curious about how a free-to-play Star Trek Online will look? We are too, which is why we're glad that Cryptic's followed up the unofficial announcement of STO's F2P conversion with specific and numerous details.

On the site's new Free-to-Play page, Star Trek Online reveals what silver (free) and gold (subscribers and lifetimers) members will be able to access in the game. Free players will be able to enjoy a majority of the game's content, including character creation, all of the missions, the basic ships, the full range of levels, and special task forces. While free players won't be able to create their own missions through the Foundry system, they will be able to test out ones made by subscribers. The biggest restrictions a free account player will face are a limited mail system, reduced inventory space, and only two character slots.

Subscribers and lifetime members will enjoy certain perks under the new system, including a monthly stipend of store points, priority login, respec tokens, Foundry access, and other basic MMO staples.

It's interesting to note that when the game changes to the new system later this year, Klingon content for subscribers and free players will unlockable at level 25 instead of the current low level access. This is so that Cryptic can spend more time working on this weaker aspect of the game. The new system will also replace several types of currencies with a single new one, Dilithium, which will be used to purchase ships and gear.

There are plenty more details on the site, including an FAQ and Features Matrix. Stay tuned later this week for an in-depth analysis of this information and a Q&A session with Cryptic in our STO column, Captain's Log!

MassivelyCryptic uploads Star Trek Online's free-to-play plans originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 06 Sep 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crypticf2pfeatures-matrixfoundryfreefree-playersfree-to-playgoldklingonklingon-contentperfect-world-entertainmentperfect-world-internationalpwisilverstar-trek-onlinestosubscribersTue, 06 Sep 2011 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Pocket Legends goes under the big top with Nuri's Hallows]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/02/pocket-legends-goes-under-the-big-top-with-nuris-hallows/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/02/pocket-legends-goes-under-the-big-top-with-nuris-hallows/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/02/pocket-legends-goes-under-the-big-top-with-nuris-hallows/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Pocket Legends
Pocket Legends, the pint-sized popular MMO with charm and quirkiness to spare, is enlisting players for a stint at the circus. While some of us may indeed qualify to join the sideshow freaks, Spacetime Studios is hoping that adventurers will instead help lift the curse of an unfortunate traveling circus.

With the recently released Nuri's Hallows campaign pack, players can now push up to level 60 as they investigate the cursed circus and its fascinating inhabitants. Amidst fighting the Strongman or navigating the twisted passageways of the House of Pain, there's tons of new loot to be found. Best of all, Spacetime is offering this campaign for free.

Pocket Legends is available on iOS devices, and you can watch the trailer for Nuri's Hallows after the jump. Remember, kids, all the best things in life come after the jump!

Continue reading Pocket Legends goes under the big top with Nuri's Hallows

MassivelyPocket Legends goes under the big top with Nuri's Hallows originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 02 Sep 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>big-topcampaigncircuscontent-patchcontent-updateexpansionf2pfreefree-to-playhouse-of-painnuris-hallowspatchpocket-legendsspacetimespacetime-studiosstrongmantrailerupdatevideoFri, 02 Sep 2011 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Road to Mordor: What to do with Destiny Points?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/05/the-road-to-mordor-what-to-do-with-destiny-points/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/05/the-road-to-mordor-what-to-do-with-destiny-points/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/05/the-road-to-mordor-what-to-do-with-destiny-points/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

To say that Lord of the Rings Online has many types of currencies is like saying that Firefly has a couple fans out there. My characters' homes are like those houses you see on Hoarders, except that instead of collecting used newspapers and bobbleheads, I've stuffed every nook and cranny with tokens, barter chips, gold, and the odd Orc head.

Yet there's one type of currency that always seems to fly under the radar in my gaming experience: Destiny Points. I'm forever forgetting they're there and I almost never use them. To be honest, I'm not quite sure why they're in the game in the first place.

Destiny Points are a shared currency between your characters that seem to be vitally important to PvMPers (monster play) and vastly less pertinent to your average PvE adventurer. Still, as they exist and offer you an opportunity to get an edge -- however slight -- in the game, I figured it was about time to dive into the subject and see if they're worthwhile or just more junk for the closet.

Continue reading The Road to Mordor: What to do with Destiny Points?

MassivelyThe Road to Mordor: What to do with Destiny Points? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 05 Aug 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>destiny-perksdestiny-pointsettenmoorsfeaturedfreefree-playerslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromonster-playmoorsperkspremiumpvmppvprise-of-isengardroad-to-mordorsession-playthe-road-to-mordortroll-playturbineturbine-entertainmentvipFri, 05 Aug 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Retired RIFT players, come back for free July 13-19]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/13/retired-rift-players-come-back-for-free-july-13-19/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/13/retired-rift-players-come-back-for-free-july-13-19/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/13/retired-rift-players-come-back-for-free-july-13-19/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

A lot has happened in the world of Telara since RIFT's launch, and now Trion Worlds is inviting retired players to come back to see what's new. Beginning today, July 13th, and ending on until Tuesday, July 19th, players can come back to RIFT without paying a single red cent.

It's the perfect time for former players to jump back into the game to take part in the ongoing world event and to see everything that patch 1.3 has to offer. For more information on this limited-time offer (call within the next fifteen minutes!), head on over to the official RIFT site.

MassivelyRetired RIFT players, come back for free July 13-19 originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 13 Jul 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>freefree-weekretired-playersreturn-to-rift-freereturn-to-telara-freeriftrift-planes-of-telaratriontrion-worldsWed, 13 Jul 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DUST 514 may go true F2P in the future]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/11/dust-514-may-go-true-f2p-in-the-future/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/11/dust-514-may-go-true-f2p-in-the-future/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/11/dust-514-may-go-true-f2p-in-the-future/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

While we've known that DUST 514 won't be as free as originally thought, there's still hope for a true free-to-play version to come. CCP's Hilmar Veigar Pétursson told GamesIndustry.biz that while PlayStation 3 owners will have to contend with a "cover charge" -- estimated to be between $10 and $20 -- before accessing the game for the first time, the company may drop it entirely in time.

This fee is meant to help with the initial start-up costs for DUST 514, and will be refunded to players in the form of in-game currency that can be spent on unspecified in-game microtransactions. Pétursson isn't ruling out the possibility that the game might go completely free-to-play in the future, however:
"You're really getting the game for free but you have to pre-buy credits in the beginning. We might go fully free-to-play down the line, but in the beginning we have a cover charge just to manage the initial launch of it. We have always been a big believer in growing up a social network behind the game in a slow and predictable way. Because we have seen that if you don't do that you can end up with a very unstructured experience, where there's no cohesion to the community. By growing it at the beginning we help to make a healthy environment initially."
We first reported on this cover charge during last month's E3. Pétursson says that CCP will see how the cover charge plays out during the game's testing period. The company is just now recovering from a hotbed of controversy involving EVE Online's approach to in-game item sales.

MassivelyDUST 514 may go true F2P in the future originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 11 Jul 2011 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-gamescover-chargecurrencydust-514e3e3-2011eveeve-onlinef2pfreefree-to-playgamesindustry.bizHilmar-Veigar-Péturssonin-game-currencyin-game-storeinterviewitem-storemicrotransactionsmonoclegateplaystation-3ps3social-networkMon, 11 Jul 2011 08:30:00 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[RIFT offering free character transfers with patch 1.3 [Updated]]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/23/rift-offering-free-character-transfers-with-patch-1-3/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/23/rift-offering-free-character-transfers-with-patch-1-3/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/23/rift-offering-free-character-transfers-with-patch-1-3/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

It's always tough when you roll a character on a server but find out that your good friends are on another. The question of "Do I reroll or stay put?" is an agonizing one, fortunately one that RIFT players will not have to struggle with too much longer.

Trion Worlds has announced that with the advent of patch 1.3, RIFT will allow players to move to select servers once per week -- for free. These free character transfers include a wholesale move of all of the character's items, achievements and titles. Also, Trion has stated that initially there will be no limit to the number of times your character can hop to a different server.

Scott Hartsman thinks this will strengthen the game's community: "MMOs are all about playing with your friends no matter which server they're on, and that's why we're offering this as a free service to our subscribers. RIFT is both a game and a service, and adding free server transfers is just one more way we can make this the best possible MMO experience available."

Patch 1.3 will also allow guild leaders to transfer over their guilds' details, including levels and experience. The patch is scheduled for "early summer."

[Update: Trion has posted a Free Character Transfer FAQ on the forums with specifics as to this service. Check it out!]

MassivelyRIFT offering free character transfers with patch 1.3 [Updated] originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 23 May 2011 12:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>character-transfercharacter-transfersfreefree-character-transferguild-transferguild-transferspatchpatch-1.3riftrift-planes-of-telarascott-hartsmantriontrion-worldsupdateMon, 23 May 2011 12:21:00 EST<![CDATA[Alter-Ego: Ways to get your DC Comics fill -- free!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/07/alter-ego-ways-to-get-your-dc-comics-fill-free/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/07/alter-ego-ways-to-get-your-dc-comics-fill-free/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/07/alter-ego-ways-to-get-your-dc-comics-fill-free/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

As we already know, Sony's PSN servers have been offline for well over two weeks at this point, and Sony Online Entertainment's PC networks followed suit earlier this week due to the same hack. We also know that all DC Universe Online players will be receiving a month's free subscription time plus one additional day for every day the network is down in addition to a funky-looking Batman-inspired mask. The topic of the overall network breach is so big that it's crossed from gaming news to mainstream media -- the U.S. government has called Sony on the carpet about the loss of personal data, and Australia is planning to add new privacy laws due to the breach.

As a long-time SOE gamer, I understand the frustration, trust me. I am concerned about my personal data being out there, have signed up for credit monitoring, and filed fraud alerts with the three major bureaus just to be safe. Still, rather than devoting yet another post here on Massively to the security breach, I thought it would be better to instead borrow a page from Karen's great Guild Counsel posting from earlier this week so I can offer up some different DC Comics-related things to do while the game is offline. At least one of the suggestions is both free and time-sensitive, so be sure to join me after the break as soon as you can!

Continue reading Alter-Ego: Ways to get your DC Comics fill -- free!

MassivelyAlter-Ego: Ways to get your DC Comics fill -- free! originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 07 May 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alter-egoamazon-video-on-demandanimated-seriescartoonscomicsdc-comicsdc-universe-onlinedcuofcbdfeaturedfreefree-comic-book-dayfree-comic-bookshululoremoviesnetflixonline-comic-bookssoesony-online-entertainmentstreamingstreaming-videoSat, 07 May 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[RIFT offers another free trial weekend for friends of players]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/06/rift-offers-another-free-trial-weekend-for-friends-of-players/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/06/rift-offers-another-free-trial-weekend-for-friends-of-players/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/06/rift-offers-another-free-trial-weekend-for-friends-of-players/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

So you didn't get a chance to take part in the last free trial weekend in RIFT. Maybe you didn't have time to play over the weekend, maybe your friends ran out of keys, maybe they're just useless at giving you those keys, or maybe you're avoiding the game anyway and want no part of a free event. If you belong to any group other than the last, however, you're in luck -- another free weekend is coming, starting this Friday and running through Monday, April 11th.

As with the last event, players who sign up will be granted access to a limited version of the game during this second iteration of Allies of the Ascended. Existing players will be receiving special ally codes via email to distribute to friends, neighbors, and anyone else who hasn't yet tried RIFT but might enjoy it. So if all of your friends won't stop talking about the game, be sure to grab a key and enjoy some soul-filled action for the weekend.

MassivelyRIFT offers another free trial weekend for friends of players originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 06 Apr 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>allies-of-the-ascendedeventsfreefree-trial-weekendfree-weekendgame-trialsin-game-eventsnewsrecruit-a-friendriftrift-planes-of-telaratriontrion-worldsWed, 06 Apr 2011 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Champions Online gains profits and players as a free-to-play [Updated]]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/17/champions-online-gains-profits-and-players-as-a-free-to-play/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/17/champions-online-gains-profits-and-players-as-a-free-to-play/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/17/champions-online-gains-profits-and-players-as-a-free-to-play/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Since Champions Online's relaunch as a free-to-play title a little less than a month ago, any player who has logged into the game has undoubtedly noticed the sheer number of folks running around Millennium City and environs. There are spandex-clad super-people everywhere you look, and groups are significantly easier to get. These are all good things for MMO players! Today we're also treated to the first official word on the success of the relaunch from Cryptic Studios and Atari, which both declare that the move to free-to-play has been -- as we suspected -- a huge success. To celebrate, they're offering all players, both subscribed and free-to-play, a thank-you gift for helping to make the game's reboot so great!

The present offered is a free experience-boosting item that can be picked up from the Champions Online C-Store for at least the next little while. While the companies have not released any specific subscriber or traffic numbers, they have noted that unique logins, concurrent users, and revenue totals have increased by "over 1,000 percent" since Champions Online went free-to-play. As John Needham, CEO of Cryptic Studios, stated in the release: "We're extremely proud of what the Champions team has accomplished with the Free for All launch. It's a pleasure to thank our fans and welcome new ones with this gift." As for how long the gift will be around and whether it is one per account or one per character is currently anyone's guess as the item does not appear to be in the C-Store as of this writing. The gift appears to be a one-hour, 20% experience boost that you can acquire once per account. They also appear to be tradable!

[Update: We've updated this post as the gift is now available in the C-Store, and we've also added the most recent trailer behind the cut. Enjoy! And guys... remember to keep the comments clean and on track with our CoC!]

Continue reading Champions Online gains profits and players as a free-to-play [Updated]

MassivelyChampions Online gains profits and players as a free-to-play [Updated] originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1000-percent-increaseataric-storechampions-onlinecoconcurrent-usersconversioncrypticcryptic-studiosexperience-boostexperience-boosterf2pfreefree-for-allfree-to-playfreebieJohn-needhamnumbersrebootrelaunchrestartrewardTrailerVideoThu, 17 Feb 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Second round of CardMon Hero beta starts tonight]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/05/second-round-of-cardmon-hero-beta-starts-tonight/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/05/second-round-of-cardmon-hero-beta-starts-tonight/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/05/second-round-of-cardmon-hero-beta-starts-tonight/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Searching for something different amidst the recent hullabaloo involving imminent MMORPG releases? Try CardMon Hero on for size, as the free-to-play card-summoning MMO might be just what the doctor ordered. Today marks the start of round two of closed beta testing, and you can sign up on the game's official website and get in on the action starting tonight at 7:00 p.m. EST.

CardMon Hero allows players to create and summon various mercenaries via a deck of cards. The mercs will work in concert with a player's skill cards to further adventures and clobber challenging foes through 70 instances and hundreds of quests. You'll find lots more information at the CardMon website, and you'll also want to check out our earlier coverage for a gameplay video and assorted screenshots.

MassivelySecond round of CardMon Hero beta starts tonight originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 05 Jan 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betacardmoncardmon-heroclosed-betaf2pfreefree-to-playmercenariesredbanaredbana-usat3funtestingWed, 05 Jan 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: Joining the Massively Mob]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/28/eve-evolved-joining-the-massively-mob/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/28/eve-evolved-joining-the-massively-mob/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/28/eve-evolved-joining-the-massively-mob/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

At the end of last week's article on preparing for EVE Online's Incursion expansion, I mentioned that part of our expansion preparation here at Massively would involve opening a Massively corporation in the game. This is something I've always wanted to do but haven't had the time to properly launch. I've been running the Pillowsoft corporation in EVE for the past six years or so, during which time the corp has been involved in almost every major game expansion. In two and a half years of the EVE Evolved column, I've had countless readers ask to join my corporation and have had to turn them all down.

With Incursion rapidly approaching and Pillowsoft's latest wormhole expedition coming to an end, we now have the perfect opportunity to start a proper Massively corporation. In addition to providing financial help and some solid guidance to newer EVE players, the corp will be running frequent contests and event nights for any readers who want to participate. If you don't want to leave your current corporation but still want to hang out with other Massively readers and take part in our contests and events, don't worry. We also have an option just for you!

In this week's EVE Evolved, I introduce the EVE Online Massively Mob and explain how you can get involved.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: Joining the Massively Mob

MassivelyEVE Evolved: Joining the Massively Mob originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 28 Nov 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agentagentsccpccp-eveccp-gamescorpcorporationeveeve-ccpeve-mmorpgeve-onlinefeaturedfreemassivelymassively-mobmassively-mob-corpmissionmission-runningmissionsmobsecurityshipsSun, 28 Nov 2010 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Play Champions Online for a week without paying a dime]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/31/play-champions-online-for-a-week-without-paying-a-dime/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/31/play-champions-online-for-a-week-without-paying-a-dime/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/31/play-champions-online-for-a-week-without-paying-a-dime/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

How much of a game can you experience in a week? Do you think you could hit the level cap? Could you make a full army of alts? Could you make friends and have a reason to keep playing? As part of its anniversary celebration, Champions Online is inviting players to see what they can do with a week of unfettered access to the game. From September 1st to the 7th, anyone can register and play the game completely free, whether or not the player has purchased the game in the past.

All that players have to do to take part is sign up on the official page, which means registering an account if you haven't done so previously. Then, for the whole of that week, you'll be able to access everything in the game as if you were a normal subscriber. To sweeten the deal for existing players, there will also be a promotion running in the C-Store, with nearly everything at a 20% discount. It's hard to say no to a free week of a game, so if your interest is piqued, sign up for a free week's worth of Champions Online now.

MassivelyPlay Champions Online for a week without paying a dime originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 31 Aug 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anniversaryanniversary-celebrationc-storechampions-anniversarychampions-onlinecocrypticcryptic-champions-onlinecryptic-cocryptic-studiosfreefree-playfree-weekendin-game-eventunfettered-accessTue, 31 Aug 2010 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Free for All: Why I play free-to-play]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/18/free-for-all-why-i-play-free-to-play/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/18/free-for-all-why-i-play-free-to-play/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/18/free-for-all-why-i-play-free-to-play/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

I hid in waiting under a soggy sheet of cardboard for the past three days with stale Cheetos as my only nourishment. I had but a single target, who finally exited his house with bleached skin, a red fuzzy head and blurry eyes. As he stood at his front door trying to shoo away the sun like a vampire, I made my move. At last, I thought, Beau's spirit hood will be mine.

By the time I was well into a Keanu Reeves-style flying scissor-kick, I realized an important tactical error. It wasn't the horror-filled eyes of a man who had spent too much time indoors staring at a computer screen that I was looking into, but the fierce come-get-some eyes of a teenager with spiky, dyed hair who was practicing his karate moves.

Had I thought beyond simply looking cool as I made my attack, I would have realized I spent every ounce of energy I had to pull off the insane leap-kick that actually looked more like what you'd expect: a tired, wet, dirty, malnourished geek hop-skipping and shouting gibberish through a yard with a piece of cardboard stuck to his back. The three-day diet of stale Cheetos did not give me enough fuel to defend myself from the brutal pummeling that the pint-sized Bruce Lee gave me.

It turns out Beau lived in the house next door. He had seen my wild display and subsequent beating, so he came out to help me. He invited me into his house to let me clean myself up, extolled the dangers of trying to live out movie fantasies, and offered to let me write his column for a week. It wasn't a spirit hood, but it was a very nice gesture. The dog-shaped cookies were a nice gift too, although I don't know why he snickered every time I ate one.

No. The above tale really didn't happen, but Beau is letting me write his column today so I can tell you why I love to play free-to-play MMOs.

Continue reading Free for All: Why I play free-to-play

MassivelyFree for All: Why I play free-to-play originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 18 Aug 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>archlordcash-shopchoicecreating-storyf2pfeaturedfiesta-onlineflorensiafreefree-for-allfree-to-playjeremy-strattonmicro-transactionsoptionsromrunes-of-magicshaiyazu-onlineWed, 18 Aug 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Free For All: Ten misconceptions, two opinions -- part two]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/04/free-for-all-ten-misconceptions-two-opinions-part-two/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/04/free-for-all-ten-misconceptions-two-opinions-part-two/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/04/free-for-all-ten-misconceptions-two-opinions-part-two/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Recently I had an idea to send my MMORPG.com counterpart, Richard Aihoshi, an email requesting his input into my column. He has been very helpful and informative, and I am glad to say that he has taught me a few things. We ran through some ideas and decided to discuss 10 common (and undying) misconceptions about free-to-play games. He posted the first half of the discussion in his weekly column which can be read here. He has also written for Beckett Massive Online Gamer magazine and is the former editor of RPG Vault.

After the jump you will find the rest of the discussion points. I would like to highlight that, while the following points are commonly brought up to both Richard and me, more and more players seem to be accepting free-to-play as what it is: an option, and nothing more. These points are not an attack on subscription-based games or their developers, but are simply an attempt to butt two heads together in the hopes of clearing out the fog a bit. After all, we both receive many comments and emails regarding these misconceptions, so this list was shockingly easy to make.

Continue reading Free For All: Ten misconceptions, two opinions -- part two

MassivelyFree For All: Ten misconceptions, two opinions -- part two originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 04 Aug 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beau-hindmanbeckett-massive-online-gamerbeckett-massive-online-gamer-magazinecash-shopcash-shopsf2pfeaturedfreefree-for-allfree-to-playftpmabinogimicrotransactionopinionrichard-aihoshiWorld-of-Warcraftwurm-onlineWed, 04 Aug 2010 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rossignol's free ebook offers a deeper look at EVE]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/08/rossignols-free-ebook-offers-a-deeper-look-at-eve/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/08/rossignols-free-ebook-offers-a-deeper-look-at-eve/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/08/rossignols-free-ebook-offers-a-deeper-look-at-eve/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

When it comes to games journalists covering the wilds of EVE Online, as well as other MMOs, Jim Rossignol's name certainly stands out to many gamers. From writing intelligently on games across many different sites, to his home on Rock, Paper, Shotgun, his work spawns interesting discussions. That's why we were thrilled to hear that his book, This Gaming Life: Travels in Three Cities, is now available for everyone to enjoy online through the University of Michigan's DigitalCultureBooks online portal -- free!

Originally published in 2008, This Gaming Life: Travels in Three Cities, offers a reasoned look at the culture of games and their impact on daily life. However, as we're all about the MMOs here, we must mention the meaty section about EVE Online in the book. It's chock full of his own lengthy personal relationship with the game, insights on his trouble picking the game up initially, as well as time spent visiting CCP. New Eden's pilots who may be unfamiliar with Rossignol will likely appreciate the inside look (albeit dated) into CCP from a fellow pilot's point of view.

If you're in the mood for a solid gaming read, you can head over to the DigitalCultureBooks site and check it out for yourself. Alternately, if you'd prefer a Kindle or (gasp) hardbound edition to have on the go, copies are still available for purchase through the usual online channels.

MassivelyRossignol's free ebook offers a deeper look at EVE originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 08 Jul 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-gamese-bookebookeveeve-onlinefreejim-rossignolThu, 08 Jul 2010 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[All EVE players to receive free Primae planetary industry ship]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/25/all-eve-players-to-receive-free-primae-planetary-industry-ship/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/25/all-eve-players-to-receive-free-primae-planetary-industry-ship/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/25/all-eve-players-to-receive-free-primae-planetary-industry-ship/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Following the unscheduled extended downtime caused by the recent EVE Online server move, CCP Games has promised to reimburse players for the lost play time with a small pool of additional skill-points that they can distribute any way they like. CCP went on to hint that they'd been working on a different gift for all players, a cryptic remark that had players both excited and bewildered. In a new devblog, CCP Zinfandel outlined exactly what this gift will be and how players can claim it.

To be released on the 29th of June, the Primae joins the ranks of the Apotheosis and Zephyr as another one-time gift ship delivered to all EVE players. Supplied free of charge by NPC industrial corporation Outer Ring Excavations, the Primae is a ship designed to help in planetary industry. This lightweight hauler features a low signature radius and significant hit-point buffer, making it a more defensible ship with which to haul materials between planets. To ensure it doesn't displace its paper-thin industrial cousins in the general hauling scene, the majority of the ship's cargo space is reserved for planetary equipment and processed materials. Two special bays able to hold only those materials ensure that the ship remains a tool for the planetary industrialists among us. For more details on the Primae and how to claim it after June 29th, read the latest EVE devblog.

MassivelyAll EVE players to receive free Primae planetary industry ship originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 25 Jun 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apotheosisccpccp-eveccp-gamesccp-zinfandeleveeve-ccpeve-mmorpgeve-onlinefreegifthaulerhaulingindustrialindustryplanetplanetary-interactionplanetsPrimaezephyrFri, 25 Jun 2010 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Anti-Aliased: LotRO will only go down in flames if you let it]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/10/anti-aliased-lotro-will-only-go-down-in-flames-if-you-let-it/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/10/anti-aliased-lotro-will-only-go-down-in-flames-if-you-let-it/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/10/anti-aliased-lotro-will-only-go-down-in-flames-if-you-let-it/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Damn my column being on Thursdays. It makes me a week late to the "Lord of the Rings Online going free-to-play" discussion, and that makes me sad. Still, a short passage of time isn't going to stop me from sinking my teeth into this subject, so be prepared for an onslaught of opinion!

So, I read a lot of opinions last week. I read the opinions here, I read the opinions on the blogosphere, and I listened to the chat room, Facebook, and Twitter. I was all over the place. While there was a lot of criticism and praise being flung around for Lord of the Rings Online making this absolutely crazy move, it's the criticism that I want to tackle in today's column.

Specifically, there's one piece of criticism that I feel needs to have bull called on it -- the concept that the Lord of the Rings Online community will fall apart the second the free-to-play crowd is mixed in.

Continue reading Anti-Aliased: LotRO will only go down in flames if you let it

MassivelyAnti-Aliased: LotRO will only go down in flames if you let it originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 10 Jun 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businessbusiness-modelcommunityf2pfreefree-to-playkeenkeen-and-graevlord-of-the-rings-onlinelotroopinionroflpwnnoobsubscription-modelthe-lord-of-the-rings-onlineturbinewarner-brosThu, 10 Jun 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Aika teases their upcoming expansion]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/19/aika-teases-their-upcoming-expansion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/19/aika-teases-their-upcoming-expansion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/19/aika-teases-their-upcoming-expansion/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

If you're a fan of Aika, times have been kind. The unfortunate business with the cash shop has been resolved equitably, and there's a new large-scale arena in town to help strengthen the game's focus on epic PvP. All that would be enough to keep players content for some time, but rather than resting on their laurels, the development team is planning a brand-new expansion. And it promises to be large... if the screenshot above is to be believed, it may even be dinosauric.

Titled Ashes of Betrayal, the expansion promises to include a large amount of new content as well as an increase in the level cap. While there aren't many details available at this point on the specifics, the team is shooting for a mid-June release. Like Aika itself, the expansion promises to be free, so keep your eyes peeled for more news on what's coming down the pipe. Considering how quickly the expansion is coming and how recently the game was released, the future looks bright.

MassivelyAika teases their upcoming expansion originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 19 May 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adjustmentaikaaika-onlineashes-of-betrayalcontentexpansionf2pfreefree-to-playgpotatolevel-capnewsupcoming-expansionsWed, 19 May 2010 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Star Trek Online offering veteran rewards and free trials]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/30/star-trek-online-offering-veteran-rewards-and-free-trials/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/30/star-trek-online-offering-veteran-rewards-and-free-trials/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/30/star-trek-online-offering-veteran-rewards-and-free-trials/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Star Trek Online players and former players got a little surprise in their inbox this morning -- the promise of rewards if you were still playing, and the chance to get back in if you stopped. Quite apart from the recent update to the game's first large content patch, Cryptic is rolling out three new features to players: Veteran Rewards, a demo, and an upcoming free trial weekend.

The demo, not quite available yet but promised in the very near future, will work along the lines of the Champions Online demo: unlimited time, but gameplay itself limited to the first few missions and areas. For lapsed players or new players who prefer limited time and unlimited content, there's a free weekend coming up starting on May 7th. Again much like its sister game, there are no limitations on gameplay, just time: May 7th at 10 AM PST until May 10th 10 AM PST.

Of course, if you're an extant player none of these options are terribly engaging to you -- but the newly-added veteran rewards most likely are. Rolling in each 100 days, the rewards allow another free respec each interval, special costume pieces, and a small skill point buff on low-level characters. Take a look at the full page for all the rewards, which are the latest in a large dose of good news for Star Trek Online fans.

MassivelyStar Trek Online offering veteran rewards and free trials originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 30 Apr 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crypticcryptic-star-trekcryptic-studiosdemofreefree-trialfree-weekendrespecst-onlinestar-trek-mmostar-trek-onlinestotrek-onlinetrialupcoming-eventsveteran-rewardsFri, 30 Apr 2010 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Revelation out now for Champions Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/23/revelation-out-now-for-champions-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/23/revelation-out-now-for-champions-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/23/revelation-out-now-for-champions-online/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The super-big free update for Champions Online, Revelation, is officially out today. While the announcement seems to have come out of nowhere, this is about mid-March which has been the scheduled release date for Revelation.

Bringing a significant amount of completely free content to the game, Revelation adds a new zone in the form of the dark voodoo inspired Vibora Bay. It also brings new perks, five new enemy groups, six new meta-powers, a new raid in the form of Therakiel's Temple and even more costume pieces. All-in-all, it's a good day to be a Champions Online subscriber. We hope everyone enjoys all the new content, and we'll surely see you somewhere in Vibora Bay, battling werewolves and half-demon, half-angel supervillains.

MassivelyRevelation out now for Champions Online originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 23 Mar 2010 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingchampions-onlinecocontentcrypticcryptic-champions-onlinecryptic-cocryptic-studiosfreefree-contentfree-updatepatchrevelationupdateTue, 23 Mar 2010 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[GDC10: Runes of Magic releases Chapter 3 information]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/11/gdc10-runes-of-magic-releases-chapter-3-information/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/11/gdc10-runes-of-magic-releases-chapter-3-information/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/11/gdc10-runes-of-magic-releases-chapter-3-information/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


This May, Frogster will introduce the third chapter of Runes of Magic which will include a new continent, regions, dungeons to conquer, a new skill system, a level cap increase to 60 and an expansion to guild wars: siege weapons!

An ancient kingdom called Dalanis lies in chaos as adventurers attempt to help the child-king Callaway regain the former glory that once was. The citizens cry out for it and long to return to the older days when their ancient heroes walked the lands.

Adventurers will first walk into Thunderhoof Hills as they venture into the Elder Kingdoms, and will experience varied and surprising landscapes, none like they have seen before. First they will travel through a forest and then pass the waterfalls, only to choose one of three new cities to meet friends, trade and to relax in. Without leaving the zone, players will be able to investigate a graveyard populated by kings from the ancient past. Be sure to grab a reliable group of friends to explore the new dungeon that runs underneath Thunderhoof Hills, the dreadful Dungeon of Dalanis. Join me after the jump for more details as well as a look at new screens, art and a trailer for the expansion!

Continue reading GDC10: Runes of Magic releases Chapter 3 information

MassivelyGDC10: Runes of Magic releases Chapter 3 information originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>expansionfeaturedfreefree-to-playfrogsterftpgdc-2010romrunes-of-magicscreenshotstrailerThu, 11 Mar 2010 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Win a free year of Age of Conan]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/21/win-a-free-year-of-age-of-conan/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/21/win-a-free-year-of-age-of-conan/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/21/win-a-free-year-of-age-of-conan/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Word of mouth is a powerful advertising tool, and most companies realize this. Quite a few are even willing to hand over some freebies or other incentives in exchange for a good word from their current customers.

Giveaway Gamer, a site dedicated to...well, giveaways, is the latest site to jump on this bandwagon, and the carrot on the stick is a year of free Age of Conan playtime. All they ask is that you spread the word about their contest in whatever way you choose: Twitter, Facebook, interpretive dance, mention it on your blog or podcast; it's entirely up to you. Send Giveaway Gamer an email telling how you passed the word along -- links, screenshots, photos, and videos are even better -- and you're entered in the contest.

The contest runs through December 18th, and the winner will receive a year of free AoC playtime and pile of in-game goodies as well, such as the mammoth, rhino and horse mounts. All of the entry information can be found here at the Giveaway Gamer site. While this doesn't count as an entry for Massively, we wish you guys the best of luck!

MassivelyWin a free year of Age of Conan originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 21 Nov 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conancontestfreegiveawaygiveaway-gamerSat, 21 Nov 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Free costume parts galore in Champions Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/21/free-costume-parts-galore-in-champions-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/21/free-costume-parts-galore-in-champions-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/21/free-costume-parts-galore-in-champions-online/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Cryptic has revealed the free costume pieces in next week's Nemesis Confrontation update, which come in addition to two unlockable costume sets. Among the new free costume items are some exceptionally sweet capes, although we're sure many players will be filled with glee to see new weapons being added to the costume creator.

While these are only cosmetic costume options, they're important to players who wield specific guns or swords. It may seem like a minor issue to some, but having an outfit that makes sense -- and looks cool at the same time -- is surprisingly important to players who revel in a game like Champions Online.

You can also now put guitars on the back of your characters; something that immediately reeks of potential. We have to wonder if guitars are going to be added as visual replacements for sword based powers, enabling us to whack enemies with our musical axes. If someone at Cryptic could make that so, it would be somewhere within the vicinity of pure awesome.

MassivelyFree costume parts galore in Champions Online originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 21 Nov 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atarichampionschampions-onlinecostumecostume-piecescostumescrypticcryptic-studiosfreenemesis-confrontationnovemberpatchupdateSat, 21 Nov 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Bounty Bay Online's upcoming expansion to introduce PvP tournaments]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/30/bounty-bay-onlines-upcoming-expansion-to-introduce-pvp-tourname/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/30/bounty-bay-onlines-upcoming-expansion-to-introduce-pvp-tourname/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/30/bounty-bay-onlines-upcoming-expansion-to-introduce-pvp-tourname/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Beyond the Horizon, the free expansion to Bounty Bay Online, has been confirmed by Frogster as on track for its intended Q4 2009 launch. Along with this good news, they also updated their expansion teaser site with details that are sure to please PvPers. Beyond the Horizon will introduce a new weekly PvP tournament system, offering 1v1, 2v2 and 5v5 battles, with both prizes and a highly detailed ranking system.

But since Bounty Bay Online features sea and land combat, the question must be asked: which of these locations will the tournaments be held at? The answer is "both". Two new arenas will be added to the game, one for land and the other for sea combat. The player will get to choose which type of battle they want to register for, which is kind of too bad, from a comedy perspective -- imagine turning up for a sea battle without a boat.

MassivelyBounty Bay Online's upcoming expansion to introduce PvP tournaments originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bbobeyond-the-horizonbounty-bay-onlineexpansionfreefree-to-playfrogsterfrogster-interactiveland-battlepvppvp-arenassea-battleship-combattournamentsWed, 30 Sep 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ys Online soundtrack now free download]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/30/ys-online-soundtrack-now-free-download/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/30/ys-online-soundtrack-now-free-download/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/30/ys-online-soundtrack-now-free-download/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

If you're anything like some of us at Massively, the music in your games really adds something to the experience. While Ys Online may not snag the headlines here very much, it's an MMO based off of a series of Japanese RPGs that reaches back into the 1980s. The Ys IP has also been spun off into two anime series produced in the late 80's and early 90s. Ys Online is still in open beta in Europe, but they're already making the game's soundtrack available for free download. You can preview the tracks on the Ys Online Europe site and download each track individually, or just grab the whole soundtrack as a zip file.

The Ys Online soundtrack is composed by the same people behind the score of the various Ys titles in the past -- Yuzo Koshiro; Mieko Ishikawa and Hideya Nagata.

MassivelyYs Online soundtrack now free download originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audiocall-of-solumcomposerscompositionsdownloadsfantasyfreehideya-nagatamieko-ishikawamusicopen-betascoresoundtrackysys-onlineyuzo-koshiroWed, 30 Sep 2009 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Mythic invites former Ultima Online players to "Return to Britannia"]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/28/mythic-invites-former-ultima-online-players-to-return-to-britan/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/28/mythic-invites-former-ultima-online-players-to-return-to-britan/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/28/mythic-invites-former-ultima-online-players-to-return-to-britan/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Did you ever have an Ultima Online account? If you did, then Mythic's new "Return to Britannia" campaign is aimed at you. All closed accounts in good standing have been reactivated, and will remain open until the 16th of October. Content up to and including the seventh expansion (Mondain's Legacy) will be playable by old accounts, which puts this offer in line with the 14-day free trials, with the added bonus of being able to play your previous characters.

The "Return to Britannia" campaign is part of the celebrations for Ultima Online's twelve-year anniversary, but keep in mind that the game's first expansion in years also launched earlier this month. Mythic Entertainment's Jeff Hickman made a statement about the offer: "UO was the first love of many MMORPG players, and it still holds a special place in their hearts after 12 glorious years. I think returning players will be pleasantly surprised to find a thriving and vibrant community from around the world ready to welcome back their former compatriots and include them in their ongoing adventures."

If you're keen to get back into UO, the client can be downloaded here, and Mythic is encouraging folks who can't remember their old details to try EA customer support.

MassivelyMythic invites former Ultima Online players to "Return to Britannia" originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 28 Sep 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaelectronic-artsfreejeff-hickmanmythicmythic-entertainmentreturn-to-britanniaultima-onlineMon, 28 Sep 2009 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Redefining MMOs: The rise of F2P]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/21/redefining-mmos-the-rise-of-f2p/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/21/redefining-mmos-the-rise-of-f2p/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/21/redefining-mmos-the-rise-of-f2p/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


These days it seems like you can't move three feet in the MMO space without bumping into a Free-to-Play (or F2P) game. As the person who writes First Impressions from time to time, I play quite a lot of them. As such, I'm always looking at new F2P games that pop up, from tiny indie titles to mega-corporate offerings. Just about any subset you can imagine is represented out there: flash games, isometric, side-scrollers, mini-games, embeddable web-only, local client. Curious about what genres you might find? How about fantasy, steampunk, post-apocalyptic, casual, cartoon, pirate, anthropomorphic, space, and so much more. If it hasn't been made yet, wait six months - someone will probably do it, considering. Quality, too, runs the gamut. Some games are incredibly addictive, while others make you want to take a run at the dev team with a sock full of quarters.

Continue reading Redefining MMOs: The rise of F2P

MassivelyRedefining MMOs: The rise of F2P originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 21 Aug 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>changesf2pfeaturedfreefree-to-playfreemiumgenreitem-mallredefining-mmosshiftssubscriptionFri, 21 Aug 2009 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ultima Online's seventh expansion is now free]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/31/ultima-onlines-seventh-expansion-is-now-free/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/31/ultima-onlines-seventh-expansion-is-now-free/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/31/ultima-onlines-seventh-expansion-is-now-free/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


We have a couple of things to say to those that subscribe to Ultima Online and still haven't bought the Mondain's Legacy expansion. Firstly, get with the times! The expansion came out in 2005 for crying out loud. Secondly, you won't have to spend any cash to catch up, as Mythic Entertainment has put out a press release indicating that Mondain's Legacy will now be free and included as part of the base game client. Probably of slightly more relevance is the fact that the game's 14-day free trial will now also grant access to the expansion content, including the Elven race and several extra dungeons.

No doubt this all has something to do with getting ready for the release of the brand new Stygian Abyss expansion this summer. Stygian Abyss will be the 8th expansion pack for the venerable Ultima Online and promises a playable Gargoyle race and the game's biggest dungeon to date. For anyone keen to try it out ahead of time, beta sign-ups are still being taken.

[Via MMOWatch]

MassivelyUltima Online's seventh expansion is now free originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 31 Jul 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We've got good news for any former Lineage II players out there who may have been toying with the idea of heading back in to see how the game's changed since they last subscribed. Lineage II is letting former subscribers return to the game for free, for a limited time, in celebration of the title's 5th anniversary.

The NCsoft announcement states: "To help Lineage II celebrate its 5th anniversary we've reactivated all former players' accounts that are in good standing. This reactivation begins today [April 28th] and will end on May 11, 2009 at 11:59PM Pacific Time." It's a no-frills announcement really, but you can check out the details on the official Lineage II site for more info about how to get your free play time until May 11th.

MassivelyLineage II reactivating lapsed accounts for free in 5th anniversary celebration originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 29 Apr 2009 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>account-reactivationanniversaryfreelineage-2lineage-iincsoftWed, 29 Apr 2009 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[LotRO to welcome back previous players for free]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/23/lotro-to-welcome-back-previous-players-for-free/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/23/lotro-to-welcome-back-previous-players-for-free/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/23/lotro-to-welcome-back-previous-players-for-free/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Codemasters has announced today a special Welcome Back Week for Lord of the Rings Online players. From February 2nd through February 9th, they're inviting players to come back and try the again game for free. This only applies to those who have tried the game previously, and let their game time expire. Also, as far as we can tell, since this is through Codemasters, it only applies to the European servers.

During this Welcome Back Week, monsters may drop special rare items that can be exchanged for gift boxes containing helpful in-game items. There will also be a Great Musician, a Great Fishing Tournament and a Fashion Maven in game. You can read more information at the Codemasters forum.

[Update] It has been confirmed to only apply to the Codemasters/EU servers

MassivelyLotRO to welcome back previous players for free originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 23 Jan 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>codemastersfreelord-of-the-rings-onlinelotroreturningturbinewelcome-back-weekFri, 23 Jan 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Mythic and Kongregate team up for Warhammer Online contest]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/17/mythic-and-kongregate-team-up-for-warhammer-online-contest/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/17/mythic-and-kongregate-team-up-for-warhammer-online-contest/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/17/mythic-and-kongregate-team-up-for-warhammer-online-contest/#commentsFiled under: , ,


What do you get when you pair Mythic Entertainment with Kongregate, the site that provides over 11,000 free web games? Apparently, you get a Warhammer Online contest called the WAR Series Challenge, where 5 winners will receive a copy of Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning and a 6-month subscription to the game. In order to win, you need to achieve goals in three of Kongregate's games:

If you think that's easy, then don't wait to jump in and hit these goals to enter the sweepstakes, as you've only got until January 22, 2009 to rack up these achievements.

Continue reading Mythic and Kongregate team up for Warhammer Online contest

MassivelyMythic and Kongregate team up for Warhammer Online contest originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 17 Jan 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>contestcontestsfantasyfreekongregatekongregate-loot-challengemythicmythic-entertainmentsubscriptionssweepstakeswarwar-series-challengewarhammer-onlineweb-gameSat, 17 Jan 2009 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: Making the most of your EVE Online free trial]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/29/eve-evolved-making-the-most-of-your-eve-online-free-trial/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/29/eve-evolved-making-the-most-of-your-eve-online-free-trial/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/29/eve-evolved-making-the-most-of-your-eve-online-free-trial/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,


Like many MMOs, EVE Online offers a free trial to let players try the game out before they buy it. While this lets you see if you like the gameplay before committing, the sheer scope of EVE makes it practically impossible to experience everything the game has to offer within the trial period. Additionally, since the learning curve is relatively steep to begin with, it's very easy to become overwhelmed in a short trial period. These factors can make it hard to experience what EVE is really like, meaning it's hard to make an informed decision.

In this guide, I explain how you can maximise your time and fun with the EVE free trial and help make an informed decision on whether it's the game for you.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: Making the most of your EVE Online free trial

MassivelyEVE Evolved: Making the most of your EVE Online free trial originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 29 Dec 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>buddy keyBuddyKeyccpccp-gamescorpcorporationeveeve-evolvedeve-onlinefeaturedfreefree trialFreeTrialfrigateguildjoystiqfeatureskestrellearning curveLearningCurvepunisherriftershiptrialtristanMon, 29 Dec 2008 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[XP and renown bonuses for WAR transfer servers]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/06/xp-and-renown-bonuses-for-war-transfer-servers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/06/xp-and-renown-bonuses-for-war-transfer-servers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/06/xp-and-renown-bonuses-for-war-transfer-servers/#commentsFiled under: , ,


With the recent server transfers made available to Warhammer Online players, Mythic enabled players to move onto several servers free of charge. Now they're offering limited time server bonuses for players making their trek onto the offered servers. The bonus itself is a 20% rested boost to experience and renown gain. It's a nice little cherry on top for players packing their bags and it should also help encourage some people on the fence to take Mythic up on the offer.

Anyone interested in making a move (or seeing if they're even able to do so) can check out this handy list at their leisure. We're sure to see more of this kind of encouragement from Mythic in the future, at least where and when it's necessary.

MassivelyXP and renown bonuses for WAR transfer servers originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 06 Nov 2008 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bonus-experienceeaelectronic-artsfreefree-server-transfersmythicmythic-entertainmentserver-transferwarwarhammerwarhammer-onlineThu, 06 Nov 2008 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Best of Massively: Our five all-time greatest hits]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/31/the-best-of-massively-our-five-all-time-greatest-hits/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/31/the-best-of-massively-our-five-all-time-greatest-hits/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/31/the-best-of-massively-our-five-all-time-greatest-hits/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Our first birthday is this weekend and we're very excited -- so excited that we're giving away tons of stuff with reckless abandon. As you know, we've been leading up to it for the past month by listing our best work in the Best of Massively series. Well, folks, this is the last episode! We're wrapping it up by presenting what are arguably your favorites -- our five most viewed featured articles ever! Three of these are top five articles, so we're three-fifths of the way to making a top five top fives list, it would seem. The numbers don't lie, though, so enjoy, and tune in Sunday for the first giveaways!


Gallery: The Best of Massively: Our five all-time greatest hits

5 - Five MMOs better than World of Warcraft4 - The Top 5 Free MMOs3 - Massively's Top 5 Sci-Fi MMOs2 - Massively goes to WARA World of Warcraft player's guide to Warhammer Online

MassivelyThe Best of Massively: Our five all-time greatest hits originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 31 Oct 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>best-of-massivelybirthdayf2pfeaturedfreefree-mmosgreatest-hitsjoystiqfeaturespopularsci-fithe-best-of-massivelytop-5trafficwarwarhammer-onlineworld-of-warcraftwowFri, 31 Oct 2008 15:00:00 EST