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Perfect Ten: Mobile apps to enhance your MMO lifestyle

Justin Olivetti — Sat, 29 Nov 2014 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: World of Warcraft, EverQuest, EverQuest II, Fallen Earth, Opinion, RuneScape, Mobile, Wizard101, RIFT, Final Fantasy XIV, DUST 514, Guides, EverQuest Next, Perfect Ten, Miscellaneous, Landmark

We're living in the age of smart phones, when there are more cell phones than there are people on this planet. I can't go anywhere without seeing people constantly whipping out their little rectangular companions for the constant stream of information, social connection, and Candy Crush interludes.

While MMOs aren't making great headway on these devices, in part due to the limited input scheme, several wise studios have made good use of the mobile market to give players a way to keep in touch with their games even while AFK. Today we're going to count down, count up, and count sideways 10 official mobile apps that will enhance your MMO lifestyle.

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Perfect Ten: Mobile apps to enhance your MMO lifestyle originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 29 Nov 2014 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Elite: Dangerous prepares for beta 2, official app release

Justin Olivetti — Fri, 08 Aug 2014 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Sci-Fi, Events (Real-World), Mobile, Elite: Dangerous

With Elite: Dangerous' first beta test now a thing of the past, it's time for the team to reflect and prepare for the next round of hot plasma space action.

In today's newsletter, the team reports that it saw players from 122 countries in beta 1, with 4.2 million light years travelled collectively. The devs are working hard on beta 2, saying, "The key areas of focus for development now is extending the online mission system to deliver a compelling experience, the accessibility of the game for those that haven't been intimately involved in its evolution like our alpha and premium beta backers, and of course vast quantities of new content, polish, and optimizations."

In other news, the official app for Elite: Dangerous will be available soon on the iTunes Store with an Android release to follow. Also, players excited for the game can get together at FantastiCon in the UK on August 16th, where Elite will be shown on the Oculus Rift and the team will be there to hobnob with fans.

Elite: Dangerous prepares for beta 2, official app release originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 08 Aug 2014 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dawn of the Immortals drops a launch trailer

Eliot Lefebvre — Fri, 01 Aug 2014 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Trailers, Video, Launches, News Items, Free-to-Play, Mobile

If you've been looking forward to Dawn of the Immortals, we've got half of good news for you. The game has launched on the iTunes store for potential players using iPhones or iPads. If you're using an Android device, though, you're going to have to wait just a little bit longer. Halfway to good news, then. But it's still reason enough for the game to put out a launch trailer.

Dawn of the Immortals sells itself as a fully 3D MMO on your phone or tablet, with an emphasis on action combat and a customizable pet system. If that sounds like something you'd like to carry along with you, jump past the break and check the game out on iTunes.

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Dawn of the Immortals drops a launch trailer originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 01 Aug 2014 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Diablo III: Reaper of Souls soundtrack available on iTunes

Eliot Lefebvre — Wed, 23 Apr 2014 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Expansions, News Items, Diablo III, Music

Sure, Diablo III: Reaper of Souls has the perfect soundtrack when you're playing Diablo III. But what can you do when you're not playing the game but you're just out reaping souls on your own time? You can't hum the songs; you'll just look like an idiot. Well, don't despair, because you can now purchase the expansion's soundtrack on iTunes and forever have access to the perfect reaping music in your day-to-day life.

The full soundtrack can be purchased for $9.99 and contains 22 tracks with a total running time of just over an hour. Clips are available on the official page in case you just want a couple of tunes and aren't quite sure what they're called; at 22 tracks, though, it's almost more economical to just buy the whole thing.

Diablo III: Reaper of Souls soundtrack available on iTunes originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 23 Apr 2014 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ultima Forever arrives on iOS

Justin Olivetti — Thu, 08 Aug 2013 15:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Launches, Ultima Online, Free-to-Play, Mobile

Avatar! Get out of bed, put on some clean underwear, and leave a note for your mom -- there's adventuring that needs doing! Mythic's Ultima Forever: Quest for the Avatar is out for the iOS and can be played on the iPad 2, iPod 5, and iPhone 4S or higher.

Mythic had recently held Ultima Forever back to fiddle with its economy and fix bugs, but it seems as though everything is solid enough for the studio to finally pull the trigger and launch it worldwide.

Ultima Forever is free-to-play with optional in-app purchases. Mythic is working on Android and PC versions as well. It's a whopping 881 MB to install, so make sure you have the room before you check out this latest chapter in the Ultima series!

Ultima Forever arrives on iOS originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 08 Aug 2013 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ultima Forever's trailer welcomes players back to Britannia

Justin Olivetti — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 21:00:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Trailers, Video, Free-to-Play, Mobile

Mythic's Ultima Forever: Quest for the Avatar is coming this spring to iOS devices, so we suppose it's the appropriate time to get worked up about this latest evolution of the Ultima series. The studio's released a quick trailer that showcases some of the game's locales and combat as well as promising (but not showing) that "decisions have consequences."

The cooperative online RPG will be released for free with optional microtransactions. While it's not quite an MMO, Ultima Forever clearly has aspirations of making headway in the mobile market.

Give the trailer a look and let us know if you think you'll be hopping on board the latest Mythic fantasy train!

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Ultima Forever's trailer welcomes players back to Britannia originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 25 Feb 2013 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Guild Wars 2 makes its first soundtrack single available on iTunes

Eliot Lefebvre — Fri, 17 Aug 2012 19:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Previews, News Items, Guild Wars 2

Are you fond of MMO music? If you're not, then you probably won't care that Guild Wars 2 has put its first single from the soundtrack on iTunes. If you're a regular reader of our Jukebox Heroes column, however, that announcement is probably figurative music to your ears. (The actual music to your ears being, you know, the actual music in question.)

Fans of Jeremy Soule's work on Guild Wars 2 can now head to iTunes to purchase Fear Not This Night, an anthem of the Sylvari people as sung by the mystical Pale Tree. If you're quick on the draw, the song is available until Monday for just 99 cents. After Monday, it's priced at $1.29. Either way, if you want a taste of the soundtrack before springing for the whole collection (which clocks in at four discs in total), you can head on over and get the first song.

Guild Wars 2 makes its first soundtrack single available on iTunes originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 17 Aug 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Conquer Online now available on iPad

Jef Reahard — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Trailers, Video, Game Mechanics, MMO Industry, News Items, Free-to-Play, Mobile, Casual

NetDragon Websoft claims that Conquer Online was the world's first free-to-play MMO. Given that it debuted way back in 2003 when MMOs (nevermind F2P) were decidedly uncool, we're a little fuzzy on whether it was in fact the first of its type.

What we do know is that Conquer Online is now available in the iTunes Store, and NetDragon says that the game is "the first ever completely free MMORPG arriving on the iPad; [there's] no charge to download and no monthly subscription fee."

The game is set in ancient China and features six martial arts-based classes, player housing, and plenty of questing and monster-killing. There's even a player marriage mechanic if you tire of more traditional MMO gameplay. We've got a launch trailer for you behind the break, and you'll find more info at the iTunes Store and the game's official website.

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Conquer Online now available on iPad originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 06 Dec 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple releases Star Legends: The Blackstar Chronicles to the app store

Justin Olivetti — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-Fi, Launches, Free-to-Play, Mobile

It's been a long time winding its way through the Apple approving process, but Star Legends: The Blackstar Chronicles is now available for iOS devices. The game, which is free with optional microtransaction purchases, is a universal app, so it will play on the iPod Touch, iPhone and iPad.

Apple users have had to wait significantly longer to get their hands on Star Legends than Android players, as the Android version was released much earlier this month. Spacetime Studios promises gamers that a "majority" of the content of the game is completely free-to-play, and characters can reach the level cap without having to pay a dime.

If you're interested in our impressions of this sci-fi blastathon, check out our Rise and Shiny Recap of Star Legends!

Gallery: Star Legends

Apple releases Star Legends: The Blackstar Chronicles to the app store originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 26 Aug 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The top indie and free-to-play stories of 2010

Beau Hindman — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Screenshots, Culture, Economy, MMO Industry, Opinion, Free-to-Play, Browser, Casual, Kids, Family

I have to admit to feeling slightly amazed when I read that someone thought of 2010 as a bad year for MMORPG fans. Then, when I think about it, I realize that he was talking about the year in "AAA" subscription gaming -- something almost alien to me. I just don't get turned on by huge-budget subscription games like I did seven or eight years ago. Well, it might be better to say that I am always suspicious of big-budget gaming. Gaming is a lot like movies, and look at how bad most blockbusters are. They are often silly, over-the-top, special-effects-laden bores. If those movies were the only ones I watched, I might be a little depressed about Hollywood as well.

If you pay attention only to what the major publishers are pushing out, you are simply going to have a narrow view of MMO gaming. You will miss too much. The year 2010 offered more than any year before it, and 2011 will top that. Thanks to mobile technologies and the always-dropping price of computers, you will find that smaller or unknown games have much more of a chance of grabbing a gamer's eye than ever before.

So, what were some of the high and low points in free-to-play and indie gaming this year? Click past the cut and let's take a look!

Continue reading The top indie and free-to-play stories of 2010

The top indie and free-to-play stories of 2010 originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 28 Dec 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Daily Grind: What's in your ears while you play?

Eliot Lefebvre — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, Opinion, The Daily Grind

When it's time to sit down and play an MMO, very few of us do so in total silence. Even neglecting the occasional burst of profanity at the game, there's usually a wide selection of game audio to be heard, ranging from environmental noises like rustling leaves to simple and evocative music that stays with you even if you leave the game behind. But for all the care put into it, the in-game music can eventually get boring to many players.

Maybe you still have the game soundtrack turned on, and you occasionally just stop and listen to one of your favorite melodies. Perhaps you've moved on to listening to a favorite playlist on iTunes or Pandora while you play, or you might turn off the sound altogether to focus on the business of voice chat. There's even a chance you've decided to be charmingly meta and listen to another game's soundtrack altogether. What are you listening to while you play your favorite game?

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!

The Daily Grind: What's in your ears while you play? originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 20 Nov 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mabinogi to host in-game fundraiser for Starlight Foundation

Beau Hindman — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 22:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Events (In-Game), News Items, Free-to-Play, Casual, Mabinogi, Kids, Family

Nexon America's Mabinogi is known for its bright clothing and extreme customization. It will now be known as charitable as well, thanks to the recent sale of the Starlight Scepter, a silvery wand that puts out a wonderful rainbow effect. During the charity event (scheduled to run for an entire year) 50 percent of the wand's cost -- roughly $4 US -- will be donated directly to the Starlight Children's Foundation, a charity that helps seriously ill children and their families. This would be the perfect opportunity to look good and feel good at the same time.

Not only that, but if you purchase one of the newly submitted Mabinogi soundtrack songs from iTunes, 100 percent of the proceeds go to the charity. That means that for every 99-cent song, Starlight Children's Foundation will receive 35 cents! The Foundation has been helping children with serious illnesses for more than 25 years. So, the next time someone asks you where you got that killer looking wand, you can tell him how you helped the foundation!

Mabinogi to host in-game fundraiser for Starlight Foundation originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 19 Nov 2010 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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City of Heroes Going Rogue soundtrack available on iTunes and Amazon

Eliot Lefebvre — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Super-hero, City of Heroes, City of Villains, Expansions, News Items

There's just a little more than a month left until City of Heroes players get to take the new expansion for a spin, and Going Rogue's promotions have been stepped up accordingly. Oddly, while the art direction, storytelling, and mechanical aspects of the expansion have all gotten significant attention, we've heard very little about the music that will be expected to set the mood. But if you really want to know, there's no need to speculate -- the soundtrack is already available for purchase.

Available both on iTunes and Amazon (albeit slightly cheaper on Amazon), the soundtrack contains 13 pieces composed by Jason Graves, previously of Dead Space and Command & Conquer 4 fame. The previews available suggest a highly orchestral and high-energy collection of pieces, with each piece giving a distinct and different feel from the familiar melodies of the Rogue Isles and Paragon City. Going Rogue players may well want to pick up the soundtrack, as it's only a few bucks and should conjure some engaging images for future City of Heroes adventures.

City of Heroes Going Rogue soundtrack available on iTunes and Amazon originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 13 Jul 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The music of EVE Online now available on iTunes

Krystalle Voecks — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-Fi, EVE Online, News Items

Many pilots have spent hours in New Eden, mining, exploring, missioning, ratting, PvPing - and enjoying the soundtrack all the while. For fans of electronica, EVE Online's music ranges from calm downtempo to trance-like. At other times, it soars to the fore with a more techno or EBM feel, just in time to get your blood moving. So far as sci-fi MMO soundtracks go, EVE Online's soundtrack is a favorite of several folks here at Massively - which is saying something when one considers how tedious many MMO soundtracks get after hours of playing!

For those of you who, like us, really love the music of EVE Online. CCP has some good news. They have patrnered together with RealX to release the soundtrack for New Eden to the iTunes store so everyone can get their hands on it. Individual tracks are the typical iTunes $ .99 each, with the entire 11-song first edition of the soundtrack for a non-discounted $10.89. Still, it warms our ratting hearts to see this soundtrack out there. We can't wait until the entire soundtrack is available too - maybe at a discount?

The music of EVE Online now available on iTunes originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 15 Jun 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Parallels between free-to-play MMOs and the iTunes Store

James Egan — Thu, 07 May 2009 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Business Models, MMO Industry, Opinion, Free-to-Play

Have you ever looked at your favorite subscription MMOs and thought about how much of the content available there you actually play through, use, or experience? Do you ever feel you're paying for more than you're actually using? Beau from the Spouse Aggro podcast points out an interesting parallel between how free-to-play MMOs vs. subscription titles relates to the iTunes Store vs. buying CDs.

Even though many people embrace the piecemeal approach to buying music through services like the iTunes Store, there are still plenty of consumers out there who still prefer to buy their music on CDs. After all, that's just how it's been done for years and some people really like to own a CD. They might not listen to every track frequently, but the music's always there for them in case they choose to enjoy it at some point. But how many times have you bought a CD after having heard a certain track you like, only to find out that only a few tracks on that CD are actually good? Maybe your friends like the whole album but for you, there are only a few you'll ever listen to. Did this make you look at the entrenched idea of having to buy the whole CD differently?

Continue reading Parallels between free-to-play MMOs and the iTunes Store

Parallels between free-to-play MMOs and the iTunes Store originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 07 May 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EVE Online getting audio revamp

James Egan — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-Fi, EVE Online, MMO Industry

The music in a massively multiplayer online game tends to be an unappreciated aspect of the gameplay experience. When we play games we primarily notice the visual. Although the ambient sound surrounding us helps set the tone, it's almost always less commented upon. This is a shame because there really is some excellent music that's created for these games.

EVE Online is a game that has some rather unique music that, for some, fits the galactic setting of New Eden. But still, a number of EVE players opt to turn the music off and play to their own soundtrack. EVE players who are really into the music that permeates the game will love the latest dev blog from CCP RealX. He details how he's created the game's music in the past, both in terms of hardware and software, as well as his approach to his work. RealX says, "I tried to make use of the panning as a compositional element, making swells and sweeps come up from behind and sweep past the listener." But he's looking to make EVE's music a bit more engaging as time goes on, giving more players less of a reason to disable the sound in favor of their own iTunes library, stating "what doesn't grow must wither and die."

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EVE Online getting audio revamp originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 06 Dec 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Track EVE skill training on your iPhone

James Egan — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-Fi, EVE Online, News Items

Having a pared-down, mobile version of the EVE Online client has been on the wish list of many players, as well as the to-do list of the CCP Games developers. Unfortunately, EVE mobile doesn't yet exist. The closest thing to this currently offered are mobile applications that monitor skill training and the market. However, there seem to be more and more of them lately, perhaps largely driven by the popularity of the iPhone and iPod touch.

One of the shinier apps out there for the iPhone is EVE Tracker from Saggy Software, an application that also runs on the iPod touch. As its name implies, EVE Tracker can track a pilot's stats and training status; it displays your avatar and isk balance, in addition to your attributes and skillpoints. You can review your character's skill progression (skills previously trained) and flip through related info with a skill browser. EVE Tracker can handle multiple characters and multiple accounts, which could be handy for those who took advantage of EVE's Power of Two subscription offer a little while back.

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Track EVE skill training on your iPhone originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 10 Sep 2008 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Age of Conan composer speaks about Hyborian soundtrack

Chris Chester — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Age of Conan, Game Mechanics, Interviews

One interesting side effect of having a developer like Funcom being based out of Norway is that we are introduced to a whole cavalcade of interesting Scandinavian names. Case in point: they recently posted an interview on their official site with Knut Haugen, the game's composer, to celebrate the release of the Age of Conan official soundtrack on the iTunes store. The soundtrack itself is suitably epic, and you get a robust 25 tracks for the respectable price of $9.99. Plus, you get to own an album by a guy named Knut! Quite a deal.

As for the interview itself, Haugen talks about how he got into composing originally and how he came to be acquainted with the Age of Conan team. He also talks about the intricacies of balancing Age of Conan's ancient, almost primeval ambiance with a desire to convey complex emotions for a situational score. It's an interview that's definitely worth reading, as it effectively relates an aspect of game development that we often hear too little about.

Age of Conan composer speaks about Hyborian soundtrack originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 07 Jun 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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CoH Podcast available via iTunes

Jonathan Northwood — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts, City of Heroes, City of Villains

Although we here at Massively have our own podcast, and even though we've showcased other podcasts in the past, we missed one important offering in our MMOG podcast roundup last year. The CoH Podcast -- ably presided over by Chooch and Viv -- is a wonderful roundup of CoX news and events. A tasteful plate of information and opinion served up in under an hour, the CoH Podcast informs and amuses, and it's available via iTunes. Currently on Episode 21, they've been providing their own spin around the streets of the City since October 2007.

Feel free to browse their listener forums, look over their screen captures, or simply subscribe to one of the better podcasts streaming across the web. When you're done listening, they welcome feedback. And if you want to speak with them directly, feel free to give them a call ... their telephone number is on the main page of the site. Don't worry, though: I have it on the best authority that the number doesn't spell bubkiss.

CoH Podcast available via iTunes originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 30 Apr 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Crazykinux, Bitter Old Noob plan new EVE podcast

Mike Schramm — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts, EVE Online, Culture, Humor

Our good friend Crazykinux reveals that along with Bitter Old Noob and fellow EVE player Aldresech, they're plotting a brand new EVE podcast. Normally, this isn't really news (podcasts are a dime a dozen, and in fact, we'll put a Massively podcast together eventually, I guarantee), but considering that Crazy and BON are such experts on the game, and that they really seem to be putting the brain to the pedal on this one (they're talking "segments" and "content"), we can already tell it'll be a good listen.

They are also looking for a name, however, so if you've got a suggestion, roll on over to BON's post and suggest your own. Without having heard it, it's hard to come up with a name, and though "Transversal Velocity" seems to be winning, I'll nudge them that "TV" is already taken. "The Drone Bay" is a good one, too, but I admire "PODcast," if only for its simplicity. Can't wait to hear it.

Crazykinux, Bitter Old Noob plan new EVE podcast originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 20 Feb 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SLusic.com: a guide to music in Second Life

Akela Talamasca — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 07:08:00 EST

Filed under: Events (In-Game), Second Life

I was wondering when something like this would happen, and here it is: SLusic.com is a website that boasts a ton of features for fans of live music in Second Life. It's professional-looking site, with easy navigation and a ton of handy links along the top to help you with searching for activities revolving around your favorite musician. Included in these links are Videos, Charts, Events, Blogs, Photos, etc.

An intriguing feature to this site is the ability to listen to music, right there on the front page, which is arranged according to who's on the Top 10 Charts. There's also a Downloads section, where you can purchase music at the by-now standard iTunes price of US$0.99 per song. This is an excellent companion to the other SL-supporting, resident-run sites out there, and I have to thank Hollywood Ron of the Flektor Development Blog for the tip.

There is more going on in Second Life than the mainstream media gives it credit for; go check this stuff out!

[Thanks, Ron!]

SLusic.com: a guide to music in Second Life originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 09 Nov 2007 07:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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