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[Guild Wars is giving players another shot at hats]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/09/guild-wars-is-giving-players-another-shot-at-hats/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/09/guild-wars-is-giving-players-another-shot-at-hats/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/09/guild-wars-is-giving-players-another-shot-at-hats/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

FREE HATS HOW I GET HAT
If you're up in New England, you may be one of the millions of people who got to experience an extra-spooky Halloween this year in light of the complete lack of power to your home. And among the many other problems you faced, you weren't able to take part in the finale of the holiday event for Guild Wars and couldn't obtain your free hat. While the developers behind the game won't replace all of your spoiled food, they are giving players a second shot at getting a hat.

If you're wondering how you get hats, the post announcing the extension helpfully explains that they're obtained in exchange for Halloween items traded to a special hat vendor NPC being spawned in Lion's Arch and Kamadan. Said hat vendor will be in town most likely some time next week and will remain in place for about a week, giving everyone a chance at a special holiday hat -- albeit a little belated.

MassivelyGuild Wars is giving players another shot at hats originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 09 Nov 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetarenanet-guild-warscommunitycultureeventsguild-warsguildwarsgwhalloweenhalloween-2011halloween-hathatsholiday-hathow-do-get-hatin-game-eventsncsoftWed, 09 Nov 2011 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Trion's Hal Hanlin and Mike Daugherty give details on RIFT's update 1.6]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/04/trions-hal-hanlin-and-mike-daugherty-give-details-on-rifts-upd/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/04/trions-hal-hanlin-and-mike-daugherty-give-details-on-rifts-upd/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/04/trions-hal-hanlin-and-mike-daugherty-give-details-on-rifts-upd/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Rift Ember Isle
RIFT has gained a reputation for its fast and furious pace of updates, and doesn't appear to be ready to shed that image any time soon. Players are currently participating in the Ashes of History world event, and learning some clues about a mysterious new island, which is due soon with Update 1.6. In addition to the launch of a new overland zone, Ember Isle, there will be new group content, new zone invasion mechanics, and a new feature called "Instant Adventures." Design Director Hal Hanlin and Content Lead Mike Daugherty took some time to talk to Massively about Update 1.6. Read on for highlights from the interview.

Continue reading Trion's Hal Hanlin and Mike Daugherty give details on RIFT's update 1.6

MassivelyTrion's Hal Hanlin and Mike Daugherty give details on RIFT's update 1.6 originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 04 Nov 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ashes-of-alaremberstormfeaturesgolden globesGoldenGlobeshalloweeninstant-adventuresKaren OKarenOMike ShanahanMikeShanahanriftrtrsyFri, 04 Nov 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[RuneScape sings, gobbles, and slays its way through November]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/02/runescape-sings-gobbles-and-slays-its-way-through-november/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/02/runescape-sings-gobbles-and-slays-its-way-through-november/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/02/runescape-sings-gobbles-and-slays-its-way-through-november/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

RuneScape
RuneFest, Halloween, and Bot Nuking Day may be over, but the RuneScape team is far from taking time off for good behavior. If anything, the devs' eyes are as big as their stomachs as they detailed plans for the game leading up to Thanksgiving.

Speaking of the holiday, a turkey invasion led by the fearsome Captain Turkerton is imminent and only the players will be able to negotiate a truce before the gobblepocalypse arrives. As incentive for participating in the event, RuneScape is planning to award Thanksgiving crests and turkey pets for the diplomatically savvy.

Jagex has a lot more on its plate for November, including revamping elements of the interface, overhauling the website design, and introducing the Slayer-centric Polypore Dungeon. Additionally, the November quest, "One Piercing Note," is a first for the game: a fully voice-acted experience that will incorporate singing and dancing into the story!

Following Bot Nuking Day and the resulting dip in population, Jagex has consolidated several servers into new multi-country European worlds. The team is also hard at work addressing some current issues with players having problems logging in and experiencing lag. A fix is scheduled for later today.

MassivelyRuneScape sings, gobbles, and slays its way through November originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 02 Nov 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bot-nuking-daycaptain-turkertoneuropeeuropean-serversfully-voicedhalloweenholidayin-game-eventjagexnovembernovember-previewnovember-updatePolypore-Dungeonrsrunefestrunefest-2011runescapeslayerthanksgivingthanksgiving-2011turkeyturkey-invasionuivoicevoice-overwebsiteWed, 02 Nov 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Game Archaeologist and the Classic MMOs in October]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/01/the-game-archaeologist-and-the-classic-mmos-in-october/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/01/the-game-archaeologist-and-the-classic-mmos-in-october/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/01/the-game-archaeologist-and-the-classic-mmos-in-october/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

SWG
Today we're going to start a new feature of this column in which we devote a week to catching up with previous Game Archaeologist spotlights and see what's going on in these classic MMOs. I figured that it was a shame to give these titles a big burst of publicity and then dump them like yesterday's news. After all, if these games' communities are still alive and kicking, and if the developers are churning out new content, then it's worth a monthly mention, don't you think?

I won't just be regurgitating news here; I'll also peek at the various official forums to see what the community is talking about and highlight discussions and debates that are of interest. Not every classic MMO will be featured every month in this space, as I'll try to rotate around to make sure they all get their fair share of mentions.

October was an interesting month for classic MMOs in that several of them produced extremely newsworthy stories that got front-page mention on Massively. On a special note, I won't be covering Asheron's Call today as we're prepping a special anniversary tribute for later this month!

Continue reading The Game Archaeologist and the Classic MMOs in October

MassivelyThe Game Archaeologist and the Classic MMOs in October originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 01 Nov 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>daocdark-age-of-cameloteqeq2eqiieverquesteverquest-iifeaturedhalloweenmoviepumpkin-moon-risingscott-jenningssoestar-wars-galaxiessunsetswgtgathe-game-archaeologistveil-of-alarisTue, 01 Nov 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Flameseeker Chronicles: Zola's a little cranky, and so am I]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/31/flameseeker-chronicles-zolas-a-little-cranky-and-so-am-i/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/31/flameseeker-chronicles-zolas-a-little-cranky-and-so-am-i/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/31/flameseeker-chronicles-zolas-a-little-cranky-and-so-am-i/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Halloween is here! OK, technically Halloween has been in Tyria for a week and a half, but Mad King Thorn is here today! By now, everyone's hit Lion's Arch and Kamadan to pick up festival masks, we've mobbed the King in the hopes of getting chosen for Rock Paper Scissors, and we've laughed at his delightfully horrible jokes. (And before you even ask, yes, the pumpkin-on-head joke still cracks me up.)

I've thoroughly enjoyed almost all of Halloween 2011 in Guild Wars. Yep, I said almost. There's a single aspect of this festival that stands out very strongly and unpleasantly to me. Follow along after the jump, and let's talk it over.

Continue reading Flameseeker Chronicles: Zola's a little cranky, and so am I

MassivelyFlameseeker Chronicles: Zola's a little cranky, and so am I originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 31 Oct 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetdont-fear-the-reapersfeaturedflameseeker-chroniclesguild-warsgwhalloweenhalloween-2011mad-king-thornncsoftopinionquestssolo-questsMon, 31 Oct 2011 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Leaderboard: MMO trick vs. MMO treat]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/31/leaderboard-mmo-trick-vs-mmo-treat/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/31/leaderboard-mmo-trick-vs-mmo-treat/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/31/leaderboard-mmo-trick-vs-mmo-treat/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Leaderboard
Ah, Halloween. It's the time of the year that every single MMO in existence reveals its deep-rooted bigotry against pumpkins and our already decorated virtual funhouses are given yet another layer of pretend nonsense. Not that I'm complaining, mind you -- I adore Halloween in MMOs. It's my favorite holiday, virtual or real, and I'm always anxious to see what the crazed minds of maddened developers have come up with in their spare time between logging TPS reports.

Today's Leaderboard is simple: Do you want a cool new trick in your MMO or a tasty treat? A "trick" being new quests, special content, or a fun spookhouse to explore, and a "treat" being nifty Halloween rewards that you can consume, wear, or otherwise show off to the 2,540 other folks who got the same exact thing.

It's trick-or-treat today on Massively, so which side do you support, and how far are you willing to go? If they pull a knife, you pull out a bag of candy corn -- that's the Halloweentown way!

Continue reading Leaderboard: MMO trick vs. MMO treat

MassivelyLeaderboard: MMO trick vs. MMO treat originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 31 Oct 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>halloweenhalloween-2011halloweentownleaderboardopinionpollpollstps-reporttreattricktrick-or-treatMon, 31 Oct 2011 15:30:00 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[New RIFT video is dressing up for Halloween]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/28/new-rift-video-is-dressing-up-for-halloween/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/28/new-rift-video-is-dressing-up-for-halloween/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/28/new-rift-video-is-dressing-up-for-halloween/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

But no clowns.
It's always a bit of a scary time in RIFT's setting of Telara. After all, it's rough to think that at any moment the sky could tear open right next to your favorite restaurant and turn it into a shrieking pit of death. So you can imagine that things get even jumpier around this time of year, what with everyone seeing death around every corner and undead in every shadow. What's a resident of Telara to do?

Well, fortunately, there are Ascended running around to keep the world safe on a day-to-day basis. But as the video just past the break shows, when you're facing something a bit more frightening than the average day, you need to call on a more formidable set of allies. Check on past the cut to see RIFT's holiday spectacular in all its glory, a reminder that even in these times of darkness, there are knights around every corner.

[Source: Trion Worlds press release]

Continue reading New RIFT video is dressing up for Halloween

MassivelyNew RIFT video is dressing up for Halloween originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 28 Oct 2011 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>halloweenhalloween-2011holidayholiday-eventhumorriftrift-planes-of-telaratriontrion-worldsvideovideosFri, 28 Oct 2011 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Star Supremacy hands out treats to beta testers]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/27/star-supremacy-hands-out-treats-to-beta-testers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/27/star-supremacy-hands-out-treats-to-beta-testers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/27/star-supremacy-hands-out-treats-to-beta-testers/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Star Supremacy
As Star Supremacy continues its star trek through beta and toward release, Barbily Games has a few treats (but not tricks) in store for testers. After gathering feedback and bug reports from players in the beta, the dev team has whipped up a few hefty updates that should improve the game end-to-end. These updates include an improved UI, a chat system, alliances, item trading, and a tutorial.

And even though the team is mired in beta craziness, there's always time for a little Halloween fun. The Star Supremacy devs have issued a challenge to players to find hidden GM bases. Those that do will be rewarded with special in-game items, such as pumpkin helmets and longevity tokens.

Finally, Barbily is giving away gaming headsets to a few lucky fans that have "liked" the game's Facebook page. The drawing will happen when the page reaches 30,000 likes.

Star Supremacy will be heading into open beta on November 15th.

[Source: Barbily Games press release]

MassivelyStar Supremacy hands out treats to beta testers originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 27 Oct 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>barbilybarbily-gamesbetaclosed-betacontestf2pfacebookfree-to-playgiveawayhalloweenhalloween-2011in-game-eventopen-betapatchprizeprizesrewardsstar-supremacytrick-or-treatupdateThu, 27 Oct 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Will you be participating in MMO Halloween festivities?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/25/the-daily-grind-will-you-be-participating-in-mmo-halloween-fest/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/25/the-daily-grind-will-you-be-participating-in-mmo-halloween-fest/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/25/the-daily-grind-will-you-be-participating-in-mmo-halloween-fest/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Guild Wars Halloween
Halloween is here! OK, it's not quite here yet, but the parties have started in a host of MMOs out there. Our Halloween round-up from yesterday includes over 20 celebrations, which brings up the question: Will you be attending any of them?

Festivals might include special event quests, seasonal NPCs, spooky costumes for your characters, and of course Halloween-themed goodies dropping from monsters throughout the land. It's a once-a-year celebration that pulls focus pretty hard in the weeks leading up to Halloween. Is that focus a good thing to you? Do you indulge in the festivities, costumes, and piles of virtual candy, or do you wait anxiously for things to return to your regularly scheduled gaming?

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: Will you be participating in MMO Halloween festivities? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 25 Oct 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>commentshalloweenhalloween-2011in-game-eventsopiniontdgthe-daily-grindTue, 25 Oct 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[A haunted Halloween MMO tour [Update]]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/24/a-haunted-halloween-mmo-tour/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/24/a-haunted-halloween-mmo-tour/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/24/a-haunted-halloween-mmo-tour/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Halloween events
While many real world holidays receive digital treatments in MMOs, it always seems like Halloween is the most popular. Perhaps it's because MMOs are already into the spirit of the season, with characters dressing up, "trick or treating" mobs for their candy, and tackling spooky, scary areas where doom is sure to lurk. Or perhaps developers just really like pumpkins and haunted houses. Who doesn't?

With most MMOs sporting Halloween content, it's a safe bet that there's something for you in your favorite game. So hop on the hayride and get ready for a tour through the most terrifying, cute, and boo-tastic Halloween events in town!

[Update: Added more festivals... for justice!]

Continue reading A haunted Halloween MMO tour [Update]

MassivelyA haunted Halloween MMO tour [Update] originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 24 Oct 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>event-roundupfeaturedhalloweenhalloween-2011halloween-eventshalloween-roundupholiday-rounduprounduptrick-or-treatMon, 24 Oct 2011 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[City of Heroes' Cord 'Thinktank' Carney details Dr. Kane's Mansion]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/20/city-of-heroes-cord-thinktank-carney-details-dr-kanes-mansi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/20/city-of-heroes-cord-thinktank-carney-details-dr-kanes-mansi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/20/city-of-heroes-cord-thinktank-carney-details-dr-kanes-mansi/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Screenshot -- City of Heroes
Halloween is almost here, and of course that means that many MMOs are gearing up for seasonal events. One of those MMOs is Paragon Studios' City of Heroes. A new addition to the festivities this year is Dr. Kane's Mansion, and World Designer Cord "Thinktank" Carney has taken time out of his busy schedule to talk a bit about the creation of City of Heroes' Halloween event and Dr. Kane's Mansion.

One of the key challenges, Carney says, was balancing the event so that it's accessible to new players brought in by the game's free-to-play transition as well as ensuring that it isn't a cake-walk for veterans. Also of note is the task of making the event feel dynamic and alive by providing a variety of NPCs you can speak to, a multitude of triggered events, and so forth. For the full article on the making of Dr. Kane's Mansion, head on over to the official City of Heroes site.

MassivelyCity of Heroes' Cord 'Thinktank' Carney details Dr. Kane's Mansion originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 20 Oct 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>city-of-heroescity-of-villainscohcord-carneycovcoxdr-kanes-mansionf2pfree-to-playfreedomhalloweenhalloween-2011halloween-eventncsoftparagonparagon-studiosseasonal-eventthinktankThu, 20 Oct 2011 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Hear me roar: Become the voice of a monster in R.O.H.A.N.]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/19/hear-me-roar-become-the-voice-of-a-monster-in-r-o-h-a-n/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/19/hear-me-roar-become-the-voice-of-a-monster-in-r-o-h-a-n/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/19/hear-me-roar-become-the-voice-of-a-monster-in-r-o-h-a-n/#commentsFiled under: , ,

ROHAN
Ever listen to video game sounds and go, "I could do that 20% better!"? Well, now's the time to prove it. YNK Interactive has launched a Roar & Win contest in which players are encouraged to record their most terrifying monster voice and submit it for possible use in R.O.H.A.N.: Blood Feud.

The best sound clips will be implemented into the game as the voice of the Boreal Hell Demon, a two-headed monstrosity in the Elemental Dungeon. Players are asked to record three phrases, including the lovely "I can just taste your filthy blood," in an effort to not just become part of the game, but to win prizes like a Logitech Wireless Gaming Headset, in-game currency, and in-game items.

YNK's Derrick Lee thinks this contest meshes well with the season: "Just in time for Halloween, the Roar & Win event will surely release the monsters within our players. Our year's focus is the community, and this event is a great way for our players to be a part of the game they love."

The contest ends at midnight on October 26th, and the winner's voice will be added to the game on November 1st.

MassivelyHear me roar: Become the voice of a monster in R.O.H.A.N. originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 19 Oct 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>contestderrick-leeelemental-dungeonhalloweenlogitechmonster-voiceroarroar-and-winrohanrohan-blood-feudsound-clipvoiceoverynkynk-interactiveWed, 19 Oct 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[League of Legends unearths harrowing Halloween skins]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/18/league-of-legends-unearths-harrowing-halloween-skins/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/18/league-of-legends-unearths-harrowing-halloween-skins/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/18/league-of-legends-unearths-harrowing-halloween-skins/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

League of Legends
It's not too late to sign up for Riot Games' Institute of Horror, brought to you by League of Legends and your deepest, darkest nightmares! During the Harrowing event, fright-proof players can enjoy Halloween goodies and decorations sprinkled around their favorite maps.

Skin collectors (ew) will be delighted to hear that there are four frightfully fascinating variations to nab, as Annie, Blitzcrank, Nidalee and Nocturne now boast a spooky makeover. These will be available as soon as the patch goes live. Unfortunately, these skins will be gone once the Harrowing is over, so get them pronto or forever hold your peace.

You can view League of Legends' severed-tongue-in-cheek Harrowing trailer after the jump.

Continue reading League of Legends unearths harrowing Halloween skins

MassivelyLeague of Legends unearths harrowing Halloween skins originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 18 Oct 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anniecreepyhalloweenhalloween-2011harrowingharrowing-eventin-game-eventkookyleague-of-legendslolmysteriousookyriotriot-gamesscaryskinsspookythe-harrowingvideoTue, 18 Oct 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Not So Massively: Livestreaming edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/17/not-so-massively-livestreaming-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/17/not-so-massively-livestreaming-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/17/not-so-massively-livestreaming-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Not So Massively title image
Welcome to Not So Massively, our weekly roundup of the top news from popular multiplayer online battle arenas (MOBAs) and other multiplayer online games that aren't quite MMOs. Published every Monday, the column covers games such as League of Legends, Heroes of Newerth, Rise of Immortals, Bloodline Champions and more.

With over 200 viewers tuning in to watch last week's Path of Exile beta livestream, this week we'll be continuing the new tradition with our third Not So Massively livestream. Tune in to the Massively livestream channel on Friday, October 21st at 6 p.m. EDT to catch me and a few of the Massively staff playing incredibly popular MOBA League of Legends. Riot recently released a new champion spotlight on Teemo, one of the older champions and definitely the cutest.

This week, Bloodline Champions revealed details of upcoming bloodline Metal Warden along with an interesting photo contest to win one of several Metal Warden pre-order packs. Firefall developer Mark Kern showed off the Forge level editor this week and discussed the team's daunting goals for content scale. Rise of Immortals released a Halloween themed update along with new immortal Talia, and Blizzard announced a massive Diablo III beta key sweepstakes.

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

Continue reading Not So Massively: Livestreaming edition

MassivelyNot So Massively: Livestreaming edition originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 17 Oct 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betabeta-keybeta-keysbetasblizzardBlizzard-Entertainmentdiablodiablo-3diablo-3-betadiablo-IIIdiablo-iii-betaDominionfeaturedfirefallgrinding-gear-gamesHalloweenheroes-of-newerthleague-of-legendslivestreamLiveStreamingnot-so-massivelypath-of-exilepetroglyphred-5-studiosriot-gamesrise-of-immortalsS2-GamesvideovideosMon, 17 Oct 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[City of Heroes adding a haunted house to the Halloween event]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/13/city-of-heroes-adding-a-haunted-house-to-the-halloween-event/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/13/city-of-heroes-adding-a-haunted-house-to-the-halloween-event/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/13/city-of-heroes-adding-a-haunted-house-to-the-halloween-event/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Here's the plan - we say trick or treat, then we blast everyone with lightning and take all the candy.
In a game all about creating colorful costumes, you might expect that Halloween would be a major holiday. And for years that's been the case in City of Heroes, with a special costume slot only available via taking part in the event. But this year it's time to bring back something that's long been missing from the holiday event by instilling a sense of terror. There's a new part to the event now, Dr. Kane's House of Horror, and it's going live on the servers on October 20th.

Accessed via the Team-up Teleporter, the house will be a cooperative venture for four players between 15-50, with heroes and villains alike seeking to prevent Dr. Kane from unleashing the unquiet dead upon the world. That's in addition to the usual festivities for the event, which include costume slots and zombie invasions across the game world. With City of Heroes Freedom in full effect, everyone can enjoy the celebration this year, even if you might not make it out of the new haunted house in one piece.

MassivelyCity of Heroes adding a haunted house to the Halloween event originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 13 Oct 2011 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>city-of-heroescity-of-heroes-freedomcity-of-villainscohcoh-halloween-eventcovcoxf2pfree-to-playhalloweenhalloween-2011halloween-eventhaunted-housein-game-eventncsoftparagonparagon-studiosupdatesThu, 13 Oct 2011 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Flameseeker Chronicles: Community, contests, and minion apocalypse]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/10/flameseeker-chronicles-community-contests-and-minion-apocalyp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/10/flameseeker-chronicles-community-contests-and-minion-apocalyp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/10/flameseeker-chronicles-community-contests-and-minion-apocalyp/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Ahhh, taking a breather
This week's Flameseeker Chronicles is a bit of a departure. Rather than compiling a guide or a wrap-up of the latest news or content, we're going to sit back, relax, and have a little bit of fun. The timing couldn't be better: We're in a post-convention lull for Guild Wars 2, Winds of Change part two has arrived and been played through, and Halloween events aren't here quite yet.

It's a chance to take a bit of a breather, so this week I'm focusing on some community events and a little extra. Jump past the cut and let's get started!

Continue reading Flameseeker Chronicles: Community, contests, and minion apocalypse

MassivelyFlameseeker Chronicles: Community, contests, and minion apocalypse originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 10 Oct 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetbugscommunitycommunity-eventsfeaturedflameseeker-chroniclesguild-warsguild-wars-onlinegwhalloweenminion-apocalypsemvopncsoftpink-day-in-laMon, 10 Oct 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ultima Online celebrates 14 years]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/30/ultima-online-celebrates-14-years/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/30/ultima-online-celebrates-14-years/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/30/ultima-online-celebrates-14-years/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Ultima Online ankh
Happy birthday, Ultima Online! In an era when some games last not even a year and others seek to continually reinvent themselves, the grand-daddy of the genre has made it to 14 years.

To usher in the anniversary, Mythic Entertainment released publish 72.0 to the live servers last week. The patch introduces another round of the Clean Up Britannia event, which allows players to trash their junk items (thus cleaning up the servers of wasted data) in return for lucrative rewards. The devs also tweaked the Honesty virtue mechanic and added new anniversary gifts that are claimable through Halloween.

Finally, the UO team has promised a high-resolution art update, one of many graphical overhauls in the game's long history.

Here's to 14 more, old girl.

[Update: After the break, we've embedded an anniversary video by Sosaria Reels over on the official forums at UO Stratics. Enjoy the stroll down memory lane!]

Continue reading Ultima Online celebrates 14 years

MassivelyUltima Online celebrates 14 years originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 30 Sep 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anniversarybirthdayclean-up-britanniaeaElectronic-ArtshalloweenhonestymythicMythic-EntertainmentnewssandboxultimaUltima-OnlineuovirtuesFri, 30 Sep 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Guild Wars rolling out the annual Halloween contest]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/22/guild-wars-rolling-out-the-annual-halloween-contest/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/22/guild-wars-rolling-out-the-annual-halloween-contest/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/22/guild-wars-rolling-out-the-annual-halloween-contest/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

I CAN HAZ PRE-SEARIN SNUGGLEZ?
We're still a month away from the holiday that invariably fills every game with ghosts and ghouls, but that's no reason not to get started on your Halloween plans. Especially if your plans involve the annual Guild Wars contest, a chance for players to show off their creativity by designing some game-themed art. And this year, one of the prizes includes the small sensation that's sweeping the nation, the Charr plush doll pictured above.

Running until October 13th, the contest calls for players to submit a photo of their work in .JPG format for ease of viewing. This year's prizes are split between the general art category and costumes, with both sides receiving the same lineup of offerings. Win the Grand Prize, First Prize, or Second Prize, and you'll be able to call one of the adorable fiery harbingers of destruction your own. Make sure to take a look at the official rules, and then you should probably buckle down and start working on that Dervish outfit.

MassivelyGuild Wars rolling out the annual Halloween contest originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 22 Sep 2011 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarena-netarenanetart-contestcharr-plushiecontestscostume-contestguild-warsgwhalloweenhalloween-2011holiday-contestpromotionsreal-world-eventThu, 22 Sep 2011 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[City of Heroes pledges to pump out more frequent updates]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/01/city-of-heroes-pledges-to-pump-out-more-frequent-updates/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/01/city-of-heroes-pledges-to-pump-out-more-frequent-updates/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/01/city-of-heroes-pledges-to-pump-out-more-frequent-updates/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

City of Heroes
As the Paragon Studios team puts a wrap on August, the latest City of Heroes producer's letter reiterates the studio's key philosophy: Content is king.

Along those lines, the letter discusses several exciting developments in store for the game's future, including the upcoming Haunted Mansion for the Halloween season, new Incarnate Trials, and more content for the Winter Event. The team is also focusing on delivering "more regular updates" than has been seen previously, so expect to see CoH upping the frequency of in-game goodies from here on out.

As part of the "content is king" philosophy, Paragon will be releasing a monthly Signature Story that will be free for VIP (subscribing) players. These will not only tell intriguing stories, but will reward superheroes with increased rewards. The team is also going to put new items into the in-game Paragon Market store on a weekly basis, including costume pieces and power sets.

City of Heroes is preparing to launch Freedom, its free-to-play version of the game, at an unspecified point in the future. Subscribers will be able to get a head start when Freedom arrives, and they will enjoy spending the 400 points that their VIP status entitles them to each month.

MassivelyCity of Heroes pledges to pump out more frequent updates originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 01 Sep 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>augustcity-of-heroescity-of-heroes-freedomcity-of-heroes-going-roguecity-of-villainscohcovf2pfree-to-playfreedomhalloweenhaunted-mansionin-game-storeincarnate-trialsparagonparagon-marketparagon-studiosproducers-lettersignature-storiessubscribersupdateupdatesvipThu, 01 Sep 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Jagex announces RuneFest 2011]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/10/jagex-announces-runefest-2011/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/10/jagex-announces-runefest-2011/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/10/jagex-announces-runefest-2011/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

If you'll be in the UK on the weekend of October 29th -- and you're a fan of RuneScape -- you might want to drop by Old Billingsgate in central London for the annual RuneFest fan celebration.

Jagex is pulling out all the stops for the browser title's 10th anniversary bash, and attendees can look forward to event favorites like the Insider Sessions as well as the Golden Gnome Video Awards.

A Halloween after-party is also on the docket, as are plenty of opportunities to score swag and hob-knob with senior developers. Tickets aren't yet on sale, but you can keep up with RuneFest happenings and announcements via the official website and the dedicated forums.

MassivelyJagex announces RuneFest 2011 originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 10 Jun 2011 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>browserbrowser-basedconsconventionseventsf2pfan-eventsfantasyfree-to-playgolden-gnomegolden-gnome-video-awardshalloweenhalloween-partyinsider-sessionslondonreal-world-eventsrunefestrunescapeswagFri, 10 Jun 2011 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Costume design and hints of what's to come: Massively's interview with the Guild Wars team]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/11/costume-design-and-hints-of-whats-to-come-massivelys-intervie/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/11/costume-design-and-hints-of-whats-to-come-massivelys-intervie/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/11/costume-design-and-hints-of-whats-to-come-massivelys-intervie/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Halloween may be over, but it lingers on in Guild Wars. The new costumes and the new Halloween masks can still be seen all over Tyria as players show off their latest dye mixes and combine the masks with various armor sets and costumes.

The event resonates in another way too. We got so many hints and details on new and old characters in Tyria: we were introduced to the Lunatic Court, we met Mad King Thorn's ex-wife, and even Palawa Joko made an appearance. All of this seemed to hint at more to come, and fans were left wondering: is this the last we've seen of all this?

We at Massively were anxious to know too, so we went straight to the source. Live Team Lead John Stumme, along with artists Susan Jessup and Kristen Perry, spent some time answering our questions about the thoughts and ideas behind the creation of the new costumes and masks. In between their answers, they managed to drop all sorts of exciting tidbits about what's coming in Guild Wars.

Read on past the break to see for yourself!

Continue reading Costume design and hints of what's to come: Massively's interview with the Guild Wars team

MassivelyCostume design and hints of what's to come: Massively's interview with the Guild Wars team originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 11 Nov 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetcantha-winds-of-changecostumesfeaturedguild-warsguild-wars-beyondgwhalloweenhalloween-2010interviewinterviewsjohn-stummekristen-perrylunatic-courtlunatic-court-finerymad-king-thornMike-Zadorojnyraiment-of-the-lichsusan-jessupThu, 11 Nov 2010 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[[UPDATE #2] DDO: Endless night or endless bannings?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/10/ddo-endless-night-or-endless-bannings/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/10/ddo-endless-night-or-endless-bannings/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/10/ddo-endless-night-or-endless-bannings/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

What began as a fun Halloween event in Dungeons and Dragons Online has turned into a sour experience for several players. Last night, three-day bans were handed out by Turbine GMs who determined that DDO players were reportedly taking advantage of an exploit during the Mabar, The Endless Night Festival. However, many hit by the bans were unaware of the exploit, and were disgruntled when they were hit with the ban right as customer support left for the evening.

According to the notices sent out, Turbine feels justified for these actions: "Recently we conducted an investigation into an exploit that was being utilized in Dungeons and Dragons Online: Eberron Unlimited, involving our recent Mabar, The Endless Night Festival. As a result of that investigation, your account has been identified in utilizing this exploit. Please be advised that use of an exploit is strictly prohibited by our Code of Conduct."

One thread concerning the bannings was deleted, although another persists. Players express disbelief over what they see as punishment for rules they didn't know existed. One player, Madmonkey2, summed up the collective disbelief: "If the player has no idea what is going on, how can they be guilty of abusing an exploit? I personally did not gain one single benefit from that event, yet I am accused to doing something (unknown) repeatedly to benefit somehow?"

As you may recall, the Endless Night Festival was plagued with issues in the preview, although the event appeared to proceed more smoothly on the live servers.

[Update: The forum thread we mentioned has since been deleted]

[Update: It looks like those bannings happened by mistake. According to Turbine, less than 1% of the player base was affected, but those players can expect the error to be rectified and to receive compensation as soon as possible. Turbine's Tolero has posted a statement on the DDO forums.]

Massively[UPDATE #2] DDO: Endless night or endless bannings? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 10 Nov 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>banbanningsddodont-get-the-monkey-maddungeons-and-dragons-onlineendless-nightendless-night-festivalexploitgmhalloweenhalloween-2010in-game-eventmabarturbineTurbine-EntertainmentWed, 10 Nov 2010 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Flameseeker Chronicles: I can't hear you, I have a pumpkin on my head!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/01/flameseeker-chronicles-i-cant-hear-you-i-have-a-pumpkin-on-my/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/01/flameseeker-chronicles-i-cant-hear-you-i-have-a-pumpkin-on-my/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/01/flameseeker-chronicles-i-cant-hear-you-i-have-a-pumpkin-on-my/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Yes, that is my favorite Mad King Thorn joke. I laugh like crazy at it every year.

The Halloween festivities are almost over, and as I write this I've got both accounts parked in Kamadan waiting for my Spectercles. You know what, while I'm on the subject of that festival hat, I'll go ahead and address the question of "How do I get a hat?"

Unfortunately, if you are reading this and you do not have the Furrocious Ears or the Spectercles, you are too late. Some festivals keep collectors around for a period of time after the event ends so latecomers can still get the hats, but for Halloween you must attend one of the Mad King's appearances on October 31st to get them.

This year's hats will look very familiar to Aion fans. Not being one of those, I prefer to enjoy my Spectercles from a different perspective and spend a lot of time saying "Awwww!" when looking at my characters in the Furrocious Ears.

So what else has been happening in Tyria? Follow along after the jump to see!

Continue reading Flameseeker Chronicles: I can't hear you, I have a pumpkin on my head!

MassivelyFlameseeker Chronicles: I can't hear you, I have a pumpkin on my head! originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 01 Nov 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetfeaturedflameseeker-chroniclesguild-warsGuild-Wars-2gwgw2halloweenhalloween-2010mad-king-thornncsoftwhen-its-readyMon, 01 Nov 2010 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Week in Review: Happy Halloween!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/31/week-in-review-happy-halloween/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/31/week-in-review-happy-halloween/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/31/week-in-review-happy-halloween/#commentsFiled under: ,

At the end of every week, we round up the best and most popular news stories, exclusive features, and insightful columns published on the site and then present them all in one convenient place. Miss a big story last week? Curious about what's going on next door at our sister site WoW Insider? Don't worry -- we've got you covered.

I'm pretty sure that the MMO world waited until the precise moment I went on vacation to unleash all the month's best announcements. Champions Online is going free-to-play? Hi-Rez is making a new Tribes MMO (and we just so happened to score an interview covering it)? Vindictus and LEGO Universe launched to the applause of gamers everywhere? Don't you people understand that it's Halloween and this is supposed to be my Halloween-themed Week in Review? Think of the children!

Join me past the break for a look at this week's other top stories (and of course a roundup of our Halloween roundups for those of you who are more into trick-or-treating in-game than out).

Continue reading Week in Review: Happy Halloween!

MassivelyWeek in Review: Happy Halloween! originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 31 Oct 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredhalloweenhalloween-2010massively-metametarounduptop-storiesweek-in-reviewweekly-recapweekly-roundupwow-insiderSun, 31 Oct 2010 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[One Shots: I am the shadow on the moon at night]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/31/one-shots-i-am-the-shadow-on-the-moon-at-night/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/31/one-shots-i-am-the-shadow-on-the-moon-at-night/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/31/one-shots-i-am-the-shadow-on-the-moon-at-night/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

You can't miss the presence of Halloween here at the Massively virtual offices. We trade screenshots of MMOs year-round, but at Halloween there's a sudden deluge of different events, costumes, and other things to share. As several of us here play Guild Wars (surprise), many images of the game have been traded. Today, we wanted to share a great Halloween one we got from regular reader Canineteeth (or Canineteeth Felorn in-game), who captured this recently while gaming. Canine writes in: "Halloween is back in Guild Wars, bringing along with it Halloween quests with horrible puns and minigames. This shot was taken in the Tomb of Primeval Kings, showing how even the moon dresses up for the festivities."

With the holidays coming, that means time off! Time off means gaming! Gaming means screenshots! You see where I'm going with this. Send your screenshots in to us here at oneshots@massively.com along with your name, the name of the game, and a brief description. We'll post them out here and give you the credit.

Gallery: One Shots: Gallery II

MassivelyOne Shots: I am the shadow on the moon at night originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 31 Oct 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arenanetcanineteethguild-warsgwhalloweenhalloween-2010ncsoftone-shotsscreenshotscreenshotsSun, 31 Oct 2010 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Things that go bump in the night]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/31/the-daily-grind-things-that-go-bump-in-the-night/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/31/the-daily-grind-things-that-go-bump-in-the-night/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/31/the-daily-grind-things-that-go-bump-in-the-night/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Imagine this: You're wandering along, minding your own business, when you hear a Rogue's attack -- then your character is dead. Or perhaps you've been getting your zen on while mining, only to realize all too late that your can of ore was flipped and someone now has kill rights on you. Perhaps your heart started pounding after seeing the big nasty boss you've been working up to finally unleash his fury on your group. Plenty of opportunities exist for us to be scared in our favorite games.

For Halloween, we want to ask this: What's your most memorable MMO scary moment? Was it your guild pulling off a long-standing prank on you? Perhaps it was someone staging a coup on your corp? Or maybe it was something completely innocuous like someone startling you over vent? Leave your tale of MMO terror in the comments below!
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: Things that go bump in the night originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 31 Oct 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>can-flippingfrighteninggankinggankshalloweenscarysuicide-ganktdgthe-daily-grindSun, 31 Oct 2010 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[One Shots: Smashing pumpkins]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/30/one-shots-smashing-pumpkins/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/30/one-shots-smashing-pumpkins/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/30/one-shots-smashing-pumpkins/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The other night many Global Agenda players got the chance to celebrate Halloween with the developers from Hi-Rez Studios and our very own Sera and Beau! Since we're bidding goodbye to Sera today, and as we're in the middle of the season for all things spooky, it's a perfect time to showcase this great image that was sent in to us by Destroid. He writes in to tell us about the fun: "There's nothing to be scared of in the Oasis Checkpoint of Doom when you have pumpkin-headed Hi-Rez developers around to keep you safe from the scary androids. That's HiRezColman on the left, who was spawning bosses and elites during our raid to help us survive the night."

We would love your screenshots for One Shots! Just email them in to us here at oneshots@massively.com along with your name, the name of the game, and a description of what we're seeing. Please make sure your images are at least 1024 pixels wide and try to hide/turn off as much of the UI as possible. Yours could be the next one we feature here on Massively.

Gallery: One Shots: Gallery II

MassivelyOne Shots: Smashing pumpkins originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 30 Oct 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>destroidglobal-agendahalloweenhalloween-2010hi-rezhi-rez-studiosone-shotsscreenshotscreenshotsSat, 30 Oct 2010 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Mog Log: Relaxing with community answers]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/30/the-mog-log-relaxing-with-community-answers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/30/the-mog-log-relaxing-with-community-answers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/30/the-mog-log-relaxing-with-community-answers/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Sometimes, all it takes to see an answer is a subtle change of attitude. For the past month or so, I have been trying to spend every ounce of spare time available on Final Fantasy XIV, but I'm starting to relax a little bit because I realized just how silly it is. I would rather enjoy the journey and get there when I get there; level 50 will come as it does, and hopefully by that point my fellow AETHER members will be able to craft spectacles. Until then, let's just relax a bit and indulge a few questions with answers, yes?

Gente asks: Why is Final Fantasy XI the only game getting a holiday event?

There's no Halloween event for Final Fantasy XIV this year, no. There will likely be one next year, however, as the development team has stated there are events in the works for as early as the end of the year. Considering past experience with Square-Enix and this most ghoulish of holidays, we can expect it will feature an inordinately useful item and a surfeit of ghosts within the city walls.

Continue reading The Mog Log: Relaxing with community answers

MassivelyThe Mog Log: Relaxing with community answers originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 30 Oct 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abilitiesbalancebalancedclassesevent-implementationeventsfeaturedffff11ff14ffxiffxivfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xifinal-fantasy-xivhalloweenhalloween-2010holiday-eventsin-game-eventsjobslaunchlaunch-issuesmetacriticopinionsnarksquaresquare-enixstaggered-launchthe-sky-is-not-actually-fallingtuningworldwide-launchSat, 30 Oct 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[How to celebrate Halloween with your local Global Agenda devs]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/29/how-to-celebrate-halloween-with-your-local-global-agenda-devs/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/29/how-to-celebrate-halloween-with-your-local-global-agenda-devs/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/29/how-to-celebrate-halloween-with-your-local-global-agenda-devs/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Halloween is a special time of year -- a time of blood, gore, and amazing effects. It is, to many geeks, what Christmas is to your Grandmother. Instead of thick sweaters embroidered with stockings stuffed with kittens, however, we prefer belt clips loaded down with ammo. What better place to celebrate than in a favorite MMOFPS: Global Agenda.

It warmed our hearts to coordinate with the developers from Hi-Rez Studios last night, and it thrilled us to hand out Halloween swag in exchange for trivia answers. Granted, some allowances had to be made (skipping questions when they were obviously not going to be answered), but overall the event ran smoothly.

In fact, here are some good rules to follow when hosting your next Hi-Rez Global Agenda Trivia Contest (what? It could happen.).

And raid -- let's not forget the Raid of DOOM!

Continue reading How to celebrate Halloween with your local Global Agenda devs

MassivelyHow to celebrate Halloween with your local Global Agenda devs originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 29 Oct 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>after-partybeau-hindmancontestseventevent-roundupeventsfeaturedfpsgiveawayglobal-agendahalloweenhalloween2010hi-rez-studiosmmofpssci-fiswagtriviaFri, 29 Oct 2010 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Get ready for Halloween in Aika with our Pran costume giveaway!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/29/get-ready-for-halloween-in-aika-with-our-pran-costume-giveaway/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/29/get-ready-for-halloween-in-aika-with-our-pran-costume-giveaway/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/29/get-ready-for-halloween-in-aika-with-our-pran-costume-giveaway/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Halloween is almost upon us, bringing tricks, treats, and costumes in most MMOs.

Aika is no exception -- the game's charming little Pran sidekicks are just as anxious to enjoy the festivities as any player, so gPotato has made arrangements for them to do just that. We have 1,000 Pran Halloween costume packages to share with you guys. Each package contains a rare Spooky Mask, a set of Skeleton Wings and Headband, all of which will last for 20 days -- plenty of time for your Pran to celebrate the spooky season. To top it off, the package also includes an Enriched Rubicine Extract.

You have until November 27th to get your code, so head to our giveaway page to get your Pran outfitted for Halloween!


MassivelyGet ready for Halloween in Aika with our Pran costume giveaway! originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 29 Oct 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aikagala-netgiveawaygiveawaysgpotatohalloweenhalloween-2010halloween-costumepranFri, 29 Oct 2010 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What are your MMO Halloween plans?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/29/the-daily-grind-what-are-your-mmo-halloween-plans/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/29/the-daily-grind-what-are-your-mmo-halloween-plans/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/29/the-daily-grind-what-are-your-mmo-halloween-plans/#commentsFiled under: , ,

When you think about it, MMOs and Halloween go together like Sonny and Cher. Wait, let's come up with a more contemporary reference -- like Laurel and Hardy. Crud, that's even less contemporary. Do kids still do the iPods these days? MMOs and Halloween go together like Apple and DRM. The point is, they go together. Let us progress to the next paragraph and pretend like this one never happened.

Halloween is all about engaging in fantasy, flirting with the dark side, dressing up in fantastical outfits, and getting sweet, sweet candy from complete strangers. This makes it a close cousin of your typical MMO experience, which is perhaps why MMOs tend to go bananas around October 31st with in-game holidays, decorations and costumes for your costumes.

Assuming that your preferred MMO is throwing a Halloween holiday, will you be a willing and eager participant this Sunday? Is your guild planning a spooky bash and costume gala? Or are you planning a self-guided tour through the more terrifying locales with a group of friends-slash-victims? What are your MMO Halloween plans?
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 are your MMO Halloween plans? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 29 Oct 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applecherdrmhalloweenhalloween-eventhardyin-game-holidayipodlaureloctober-31stopinionsonnytdgthe-daily-grindFri, 29 Oct 2010 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[This is Halloween 2010]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/28/this-is-halloween-2010/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/28/this-is-halloween-2010/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/28/this-is-halloween-2010/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Halloween is a special time for MMOs -- more so than one might think. In the grand scheme of holidays, it's not a particularly important one, but it's a chance for developers and fans alike to indulge in some seasonal bliss amidst a backdrop of monsters and pumpkins. And considering that there aren't many MMO players who dislike dressing up and getting loot from anything, it's a perfect holiday for fans of our peculiar little hobby.

This year has been no exception to the rule. Not only have we seen a plethora of new and returning events, a couple of games that aren't even technically released yet have gotten in on the action. So click on past the break for the rundown of all the holiday events that we've covered or been notified about. You still have a little time to take part if you've been avoiding them, but hurry... these events will likely not rise from their grave again until next year.

Continue reading This is Halloween 2010

MassivelyThis is Halloween 2010 originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 28 Oct 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>event-rounduphalloweenhalloween-2010massively-metaroundupThu, 28 Oct 2010 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Captain's Log: Guide to surviving (without) Halloween]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/28/captains-log-guide-to-surviving-without-halloween/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/28/captains-log-guide-to-surviving-without-halloween/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/28/captains-log-guide-to-surviving-without-halloween/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Oh boy! My favorite time of year is here again! A time when ghouls and goblins rule the night, I can watch The Monster Squad three times a week without feeling silly and no one has a problem with my wearing leopard-print tights to a party. (I rocked a homemade Kraven the Hunter costume this past weekend. Deal with it.)

Yes sir, I love me some Halloween. And like most awesomely major holidays, my MMOs usually help me celebrate in style. My paladin, for instance, finally snagged himself a set of Horseman's Reins this year. Sadly, Star Trek Online offers no such holiday merriment. So what's a forlorn fan of costume parties and pumpkin patches to do in STO? Fresh from the brain trust behind your beloved Captain's Log, consider these alternatives to tide you over until you go trick-or-treating.

Continue reading Captain's Log: Guide to surviving (without) Halloween

MassivelyCaptain's Log: Guide to surviving (without) Halloween originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 28 Oct 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crypticcryptic-star-trekcryptic-studiosfeaturedgilsloserelfhalloweenhalloween2010hallows-endhallows-end-2010st-onlineStar-TrekStar-Trek-MMOstar-trek-onlinestosto-character-creationsto-dabosto-dabo-minigamesto-deep-space-ninesto-devidianssto-ds9sto-foundrysto-futuresto-future-featuressto-halloweensto-klingonsto-roleplayingsto-the-foundrysto-ugcsto-user-contentsto-user-generated-contentsto-weekliessto-weeklysto-weekly-episodessto-weekly-series-2sto-weekly-series-twotrek-onlineThu, 28 Oct 2010 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Perfect Ten: Halloween MMOs]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/28/the-perfect-ten-halloween-mmos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/28/the-perfect-ten-halloween-mmos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/28/the-perfect-ten-halloween-mmos/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

We're only a few days away from Halloween, and already the Massively office staff is dressing up in anticipation. Shawn's post-apocalyptic gear is at odds with Rubi's tastefully modest Guild Wars Elementalist outfit. Greg's Squig is in the corner battling it out with Larry's Chewbacca. Bree is dudded up as a giant red corrective marker; Jef's free-to-play outfit requires microtransactions to view in full; and Kyrstalle is photographing it all with her Poloroid One-Shot camera. I think Eliot showed up in full plate armor and riding a mechanical bull, but that just may be his normal work attire.

So as everyone else is goofing off in the spirit of the holidays, it remains to me, your lovable intern, to hack out a top 10 list in honor of All Hallow's Eve. It's the least I can do since they're paying me in candy.

While every MMO incorporates horror at some point (even, yes, Hello Kitty Online's Cat-Tastrophie zone), and it's nearly impossible to escape a clutch of giant spiders in any game you visit, I've picked out 10 MMOs that best deliver a slice of October 31st. Some are old, some new, some canceled and some yet to come, but these are 10 of the spookiest MMOs in the world.

Continue reading The Perfect Ten: Halloween MMOs

MassivelyThe Perfect Ten: Halloween MMOs originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 28 Oct 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanccpchewbaccaddodungeons-and-dragons-onlineeaster-eggselementalistfallen-earthfeaturedflagship-studiosflagshippedfluffy-chickensfree-for-allguild-warshalloweenhalloween-2010halloween2010hellgate-londonhello-kitty-onlinehumorhyborialovecraftmansquitomicrotransactionsone-shotsonyx-chamberspersonal-record-best-for-number-of-tagspost-apocalypticrequiem-bloodymarerequiem-memento-morisquigstephen-kingsyfythe-perfect-10the-perfect-tenthe-secret-worldtop-10top-10-listundead-labsvampire-the-masqueradewarWarhammer-Onlineworld-of-darknesswurm-onlinezombiezombie-mmoThu, 28 Oct 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Free for All: Thirteen spooky free-to-play Halloween events]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/27/free-for-all-13-spooky-free-to-play-halloween-events/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/27/free-for-all-13-spooky-free-to-play-halloween-events/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/27/free-for-all-13-spooky-free-to-play-halloween-events/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Ah, Halloween. The dark Xmas. Around our house, Halloween is king. Despite the fact that we have no kids to dress up and parade around the neighborhood, we will still hand out tons of candy to all the trick-or-treaters. Until that spooky night, however, we love to spend the time exploring different Halloween events in our favorite MMORPGs.

MMOs are perfect for such events -- they have the players to fill them out, the ability to host whatever kind of event they want, and a lot of optional blood and gore. Some of the events fit perfectly in their game-world, and some stick out like a stock broker on D&D night. Either way, there is always a lot of fun to be had, and sometimes very cool loot to snag! (Like that sweet ride pictured above -- got it on my first try.)

Read on for some of my favorite events -- none of them costing a dime.

Continue reading Free for All: Thirteen spooky free-to-play Halloween events

MassivelyFree for All: Thirteen spooky free-to-play Halloween events originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 27 Oct 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alganonbeau-hindmancostume-contestf2pfeaturedflyfffree-realmsfree-to-playFreejackftpglobal-agendagrand-fantasiahalloweenin-game-eventsmabinogiMapleStorypuzzle-piratesvindictuswizard-101zentiaWed, 27 Oct 2010 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[NCsoft details Lineage 2 Trick or Treat event]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/27/ncsoft-details-lineage-2-trick-or-treat-event/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/27/ncsoft-details-lineage-2-trick-or-treat-event/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/27/ncsoft-details-lineage-2-trick-or-treat-event/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Just when you thought we'd brought you all the news that's fit to print about Halloween-themed events in your favorite MMORPGs, NCsoft checks in with their Trick or Treat GM Event for Lineage 2. Kicking off today and running through October 28th, the event requires you to go hunting between 9:00 am and 6:00 pm Pacific time. If you see an elpy appear next to you, you'll have 20 seconds to /say or /shout "trick or treat."

If successful, a GM will transform you into a werewolf and teleport you to a special instance featuring a ton of loot-bearing elpies waiting to fall on your blade (or your claws). You'll be hauling in a ton of goodies, so you might want to consider clearing your inventory ahead of time. Read up on all the details at the official Lineage 2 website.

MassivelyNCsoft details Lineage 2 Trick or Treat event originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 27 Oct 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>elpyfantasyhalloweenhalloween-eventhalloween-eventsin-game-eventlineage-2lineage-iilootncsoftWed, 27 Oct 2010 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Global Agenda server coming down for 1.38 patch]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/27/global-agenda-server-coming-down-for-1-38-patch/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/27/global-agenda-server-coming-down-for-1-38-patch/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/27/global-agenda-server-coming-down-for-1-38-patch/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Ready to get your frag on with Massively's Global Agenda Halloween event? First make sure you patch up to the latest client build (version 1.38) which hits the live server today. Scheduled downtime is currently listed as 11:30 am to 5:00 pm Eastern, and the patch will be introducing a fairly large number of changes to Hi-Rez Studios' third person shooter MMO.

Chief among the tweaks are new weapon loot drops, new achievements and associated rewards, a challenge function, and an inventory overhaul that sees most items shared across your account rather than specific to certain characters. The challenge mechanic enables pre-made 4-man teams to /challenge one another, and can be used for everything from impromptu shootouts to player-run tourneys and brackets.

Hi-Rez has made the full patch notes available for your perusal, so head over to the official website and check them out.

MassivelyGlobal Agenda server coming down for 1.38 patch originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 27 Oct 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>account-based-inventorychallengeglobal-agendaglobal-agenda-hi-rezhalloweenhi-rezhi-rez-global-agendahi-rez-studiospatchpatch-1.38pvpsonoran-deserttournamentWed, 27 Oct 2010 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Reminder: Attend our Global Agenda Halloween event this Thursday at 7 PM]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/26/reminder-attend-our-global-agenda-halloween-event-this-thursday/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/26/reminder-attend-our-global-agenda-halloween-event-this-thursday/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/26/reminder-attend-our-global-agenda-halloween-event-this-thursday/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Did you forget about our Halloween event in Global Agenda? You forgot, didn't you? Tsk, tsk. Well, good thing this post is here to remind you!

This Thursday, please take out your level 30 characters and join us in Global Agenda for a frightfully fun Halloween raid mission with the developers! All you need to do to participate is log on between the hours of 7:00 p.m. EST and 9:00 p.m. EST and queue a level 30 character up for a raid. Raids are starting when you see the red flashing lights in Dome City go off! The Global Agenda developers, Hi-Rez Studios, will be queuing up for raids as well, so you might just run into a few of them while you play!

If you're still not high enough level but want to try out the raid, don't forget about the new microtransaction boosts. They could get you the experience you need!

If you're not in a raid, then join the Massively.com editors in City Chat as we tease you all with Global Agenda trivia! Winners of the Global Agenda trivia contest will win the raid instance's Halloween swag -- so if you're a lower level player, you can always try to get some flair by answering some questions about the game!

Either way, we invite you to come have a great night with us in Global Agenda, so don't miss out!

MassivelyReminder: Attend our Global Agenda Halloween event this Thursday at 7 PM originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 26 Oct 2010 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredglobal-agendaglobal-agenda-halloweenglobal-agenda-raidhalloweenhalloween-eventhi-rezhi-rez-studiosholiday-eventin-game-eventmassively-mobmassively-mob-eventraid-eventTue, 26 Oct 2010 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[TERA creeps us out with a monster movie]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/26/tera-creeps-us-out-with-a-monster-movie/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/26/tera-creeps-us-out-with-a-monster-movie/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/26/tera-creeps-us-out-with-a-monster-movie/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

En Masse Entertainment has presented beautiful render after beautiful render of its highly anticipated action MMO TERA. We've seen revealing armor sets, robust cities, thunderous monsters, and creepy villains. The vampires of Popolion were pretty freaky when we showed them off a couple of weeks ago, but when coupled with the silent-film motif, the evil chills cause your body to shudder.

Who doesn't like the classic monster movies? Bela Lugosi's Dracula is still the best. To say Happy Halloween to the fans of TERA, the developers have put together their own version of a spine-tingling monster movie. Don't miss the baby-dolls with cleavers, clowns with sinister sneers, and, of course, the vampires with top hats. Follow after the break for the full video, and prepare to be TERA-ized.

Continue reading TERA creeps us out with a monster movie

MassivelyTERA creeps us out with a monster movie originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 26 Oct 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>actionAction-RPGcreepydolls-with-cleaversen-masseen-masse-entertainmenthalloweenteraTERA-izedtera-onlinevampiresTue, 26 Oct 2010 12:00:00 EST