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[Runes of Magic weekend event psyches players up for Chapter V]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/24/runes-of-magic-weekend-event-psyches-players-up-for-chapter-v/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/24/runes-of-magic-weekend-event-psyches-players-up-for-chapter-v/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/24/runes-of-magic-weekend-event-psyches-players-up-for-chapter-v/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Runes of Magic
Runes of Magic is counting down the days until its next major update, Chapter V: Fires of Shadowforge, and Frogster is throwing five exciting events to pep up its playerbase during the wait. The Big Five, as the company is calling it, is currently at the halfway mark as its third event that will take place over the holiday weekend.

From May 25th through May 29th, Runes of Magic players can visit the Helping Hands in one of several locations in the game to get an incredible buff. This two-hour buff will boost experience, talent point, and rare loot gain for all who accept it. Players can receive the buff once a day for the duration of the event.

The highlight of Chapter V is most definitely the addition of a pair of new classes: the Champion and the Warlock. Also coming with Chapter V are the playable Shadowforge Dwarves, a new starter zone, and additional high-level instances. The update will release on June 12th.

MassivelyRunes of Magic weekend event psyches players up for Chapter V originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 24 May 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>big-fivebig-five-eventbuffchampionchapter-5chapter-veventf2pfantasyfires-of-shadowforgefree-to-playfrogsterfrogster-americafrogster-interactivein-game-eventplayer-buffromrunes-of-magicrunewakerrunewaker-entertainmentShadowforge-Dwarvestaboreathe-big-fivewarlockThu, 24 May 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Archlord hosts first combined server guild tournament]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/17/archlord-hosts-first-combined-server-guild-tournament/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/17/archlord-hosts-first-combined-server-guild-tournament/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/17/archlord-hosts-first-combined-server-guild-tournament/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Archlord
Plenty of guilds talk the big talk and DPS the raid meters, but when the chips are down and the final call is uttered, which one guild will stand on top of the mountain of geek corpses and be proclaimed "Champion?" In most MMOs, that would be rhetorical nonsense, but not in Archlord, where guilds will compete in the first World Guild Championship to earn a $10,000 prize and the recognition of their peers.

The game's first combined server guild tournament kicks off on June 11th and features pitched PvP battles between guilds to climb the bracket and claim the big prize. All participants will be given a preset character with standard gear in order to minimize any in-game advantages.

In order to preregister for the tournament, guilds will have to complete a special in-game quest. Registration for the World Guild Championship runs from now through May 30th, with the official brackets announced a few days later on June 4th.

Archlord will be hosting special in-game events and handing out fun prizes for everyone during this time.

MassivelyArchlord hosts first combined server guild tournament originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 17 May 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>archlordbracketchampionshipcontesteventf2pfree-to-playguild-pvpin-game-eventpvppvp-tournamenttournamentwebzenworld-guild-championshipworld-vs-worldThu, 17 May 2012 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[DUST 514 handing out first beta keys tomorrow [Updated]]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/17/dust-514-handing-out-first-beta-keys-tomorrow/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/17/dust-514-handing-out-first-beta-keys-tomorrow/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/17/dust-514-handing-out-first-beta-keys-tomorrow/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

DUST 514
Did you drop your name into CCP Games' hat as a potential tester for DUST 514? Then tomorrow might be a lovely day for you, as the studio is emailing out the first round of closed beta keys for registered participants after a short delay from its original key-handing-out schedule.

It is unknown how many keys will be sent out and to whom. Last month, CCP told Fanfest attendees that they would be among the first to test the anticipated MMOFPS. The DUST 514 website states that the studio is sending out Fanfest keys first and keys to standard registered players "soon after."

To celebrate the release of the closed beta keys, CCP is holding a "special event" over the weekend. The details of this event are forthcoming.

[Update: CCP has confirmed that beta registration has begun today and that EVE players and Fanfest attendees will get first pick.]

MassivelyDUST 514 handing out first beta keys tomorrow [Updated] originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 17 May 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betabeta-keybeta-keysccpccp-gamesclosed-betaconsoledustdust-514eveeve-onlineeventfanfestfanfest-2012fpsin-game-eventmmofpsplaystationplaystation-3ps3shooterweekend-eventThu, 17 May 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MapleStory celebrates its seventh anniversary with experience bonuses and cake monsters]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/11/maplestory-celebrates-its-seventh-anniversary-with-experience-bo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/11/maplestory-celebrates-its-seventh-anniversary-with-experience-bo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/11/maplestory-celebrates-its-seventh-anniversary-with-experience-bo/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

MapleStory 7th Anniversary
Do you feel lucky, MapleStory players? You should, because Nexon is celebrating the game's lucky seventh anniversary, and the studio is passing the good fortune on to the players with a series of in-game events and double experience weekends.

For the duration of the month, players will be treated not only to double experience and drops every weekend, but they'll also be able to take part in events such as the Maple Rising Star Contest, which requires players to complete tasks to show support for their favorite NPC contestant. And of course, no anniversary would be complete without a visit from the deliciously vicious Cake Boss monster, which combines a challenging battle and a tasty treat into one mutant monstrosity. To put the icing on the proverbial cake, Nexon has released a short anniversary trailer that recaps the major MapleStory events of the past year, so put on your party hats and join the festivities after the cut.

[Source: Nexon America press release]

Continue reading MapleStory celebrates its seventh anniversary with experience bonuses and cake monsters

MassivelyMapleStory celebrates its seventh anniversary with experience bonuses and cake monsters originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 11 May 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>7th-anniversaryanniversarydouble-experience-weekenddouble-xpdouble-xp-weekenddouble-xp-weekendseventsf2pfantasyfree-to-playin-game-eventin-game-eventsmaplestorynexonnexon-americanexon-koreaseventh-anniversarytrailertrailersvideovideosFri, 11 May 2012 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wings Over Atreia: Once more into the rift, my friends]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/07/wings-over-atreia-once-more-into-the-rift-my-friends/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/07/wings-over-atreia-once-more-into-the-rift-my-friends/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/07/wings-over-atreia-once-more-into-the-rift-my-friends/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Wings Over Atreia
A rifting we will go
A rifting we will go
Hi-ho, the derry-o
A rifting we will go!

The Asmo makes a slice!
The Asmo makes a slice...

Ahh, the frivolity of travel songs; they entertain and amuse as well as pass the time while you're en route to your destination, even in Aion. And where am I headed while chanting this little ditty? Why, deep into the dangers of enemy territory, of course! Care to join me?

If you haven't traveled through a rift in Aion, you are missing out on one of the core features of the game, not to mention depriving yourself of some fun. Admittedly, rifting has a bad rap and can be quite a polarizing topic in discussion, but don't be fooled -- it's not just for PvPers. Not everyone who rifts is looking to completely gank others; even carebears can experience and enjoy the thrill of sneaking somewhere fraught with dangers! So what's stopping you from slipping through that colorful swirl?

Let me borrow the immortal words of wisdom from a shoe: Just do it! But before you go, let Wings Over Atreia offer a few handy tips to help you make the most of the experience.

Continue reading Wings Over Atreia: Once more into the rift, my friends

MassivelyWings Over Atreia: Once more into the rift, my friends originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 07 May 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aionAPbroken-allianceeventf2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playhaving-funhintshumorin-game-eventin-game-eventsncsoftopinionPvPriftingrifting-eventtipstips-and-trickswings-over-atreiaMon, 07 May 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Free Realms throws itself a nice big birthday bash]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/28/free-realms-throws-itself-a-nice-big-birthday-bash/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/28/free-realms-throws-itself-a-nice-big-birthday-bash/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/28/free-realms-throws-itself-a-nice-big-birthday-bash/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

This is useful for times when you're tempted to say that you'll eat your hat.
MMO birthdays are the best celebrations. Instead of getting your favorite game a lot of presents to celebrate its age, most games give the players presents. So it is in Free Realms, which celebrates its third year of operation today with a number of events and rewards for players. The most basic rewards don't require any real effort on the part of players; just logging in today nets you a Birthday Cake hat, and you can enjoy triple Station Cash for the rest of the day.

There's more to the party, however: The game's offering a number of daily quests to help Queen Valerian produce the best birthday party ever. There's also the dread monster Cakenstein, a beast assembled from... well, you can probably guess from the name. The extended events will be running until May 24th, but the Station Cash promotion and the hat are only for today. So if you're a fan of Free Realms, log in and start enjoying the festivities today!

MassivelyFree Realms throws itself a nice big birthday bash originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 28 Apr 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anniversaryanniversary-eventbrowserbrowser-basedconsoleconsolesf2pfrfree-realmsfree-to-playin-game-eventkid-friendlykidskids-mmoplaystation-3playstation3promotionsps3soesonysony-online-entertainmentSat, 28 Apr 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Star Trek Online announces junior officer appreciation weekend]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/27/star-trek-online-announces-junior-officer-appreciation-weekend/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/27/star-trek-online-announces-junior-officer-appreciation-weekend/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/27/star-trek-online-announces-junior-officer-appreciation-weekend/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Screenshot -- Star Trek Online
We all know how the story goes: Starfleet captain goes out on an away mission, kills some of the locals, and comes back home to a hero's welcome. Bah! What about the little guys? What about the poor redshirts who were callously thrown to the lions so that their captains could sit and watch from the comfort of space, huh? Well thankfully, Cryptic Studios is not blind to the contributions of Star Trek Online's junior officers, and the studio has announced a junior officer appreciation weekend in their honor.

From today, April 27th, until Monday, April 30th, STO players will be able to give back to their valued junior officers in the form of up to 50% bonus commendation experience for all duty officer assignments. In addition, captains can receive a free purple-quality duty officer "with a unique active roster power," and any duty officer packs opened during the course of the event will each contain a free additional green-quality or better duty officer, so if you're looking to pad out your junior officer roster after the redshirt massacre that happened last mission, now's the perfect time to do so. Just head on over to the STO official site for the full details.

MassivelyStar Trek Online announces junior officer appreciation weekend originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 27 Apr 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crypticcryptic-studioseventeventsexperience-bonusf2pfree-to-playin-game-eventin-game-eventsjuinor-officer-appreciation-weekendperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentpwesci-fistar-trekstar-trek-mmostar-trek-onlinestoxp-bonusFri, 27 Apr 2012 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Road to Mordor: Happy fifth anniversary, LotRO!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/21/the-road-to-mordor-happy-fifth-anniversary-lotro/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/21/the-road-to-mordor-happy-fifth-anniversary-lotro/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/21/the-road-to-mordor-happy-fifth-anniversary-lotro/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Image
Great Ghost Bear, has it really been five years? Why... it must have been, although it truly seems like yesterday that a magazine article caught my eye about an upcoming game based on Lord of the Rings. Just yesterday it was, when I called my brother-in-law to tell him that he could drop his World of Warcraft subscription because something better was on the horizon. It wasn't but a day ago that we Founders jumped into the head-start and power-leveled all the way to 15.

Let me tell you, those Tuckborough Library raids were brutal back then!

So it has indeed been five years since Lord of the Rings Online released, a half-decade of Middle-earth stomping, Brandywine swimming, and Weathertop free-climbing. I can't even believe that this is the third such anniversary that I've covered for Massively; boy, how the time flies.

Perhaps to make up for last year's lackluster and flawed anniversary celebration, Turbine's pulled out all the stops to make LotRO's birthday an event to remember. We've got a lot to cover and plenty of fireworks left to shoot off, so let's get to it!

Continue reading The Road to Mordor: Happy fifth anniversary, LotRO!

MassivelyThe Road to Mordor: Happy fifth anniversary, LotRO! originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 21 Apr 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>5th-anniversaryanniversaryanniversary-festivalf2pfantasyfeaturedfestivalfifth-anniversaryfree-to-playgrindaversaryin-game-eventlord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotroopinionroad-to-mordorthe-road-to-mordorturbineturbine-entertainmentSat, 21 Apr 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: Outbreak]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/17/hyperspace-beacon-outbreak/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/17/hyperspace-beacon-outbreak/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/17/hyperspace-beacon-outbreak/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Hyperspace Beacon: Outbreak
A year ago at PAX East, I spoke to Community Manager Stephen Reid about events in Star Wars: The Old Republic. He asked and answered a popular question at the time: "Will [SWTOR] have events where we randomly spawn NPCs for players to fight? No, but we will have events." He couldn't elaborate, but it did leave me wondering what that could possibly mean, especially when later at PAX East, Lead Writer Daniel Erickson said that SWTOR would not break the fourth wall by holding holiday-type events.

Earlier this year, Update 1.1: Rise of the Rakghouls brought us a new flashpoint called Kaon Under Siege. A ship crash landed in the heart of the Tion Hegemony, taking the Rakghoul virus off the planet Taris and spreading it to a new world. Both the Republic and the Empire sought to find the source of this outbreak. Like all flashpoints, Koan Under Siege is instanced and separate from the rest of the open world.

Relatedly, and quite surprisingly, BioWare started its first world event without announcing it on the official website or even letting anyone know that it was happening. On Sunday morning, everyone who was stopping by Carrick or Vaiken station could overhear an announcement that the planet Tatooine had been quarantined due to an outbreak of the Rakghoul virus.

So started my investigation...

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Outbreak

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: Outbreak originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 17 Apr 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowaredaniel-ericksoneaelectronic-artseventeventsfeaturedhyperspace-beaconin-game-eventlucasartsmini-gamesopinionoutbreakrakghoulRise-of-the-Rakghoulssci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicStephen-Reidswtortatooinethe-old-republictorworld-eventTue, 17 Apr 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[A Rakghoul plague has broken out across the galaxy of SWTOR]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/15/a-rakghoul-plague-infects-everyone-in-swtor/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/15/a-rakghoul-plague-infects-everyone-in-swtor/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/15/a-rakghoul-plague-infects-everyone-in-swtor/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

SWTOR: News Cast
Citizens of Star Wars: The Old Republic are advised to steer clear of the the planet Tatooine to avoid infection from a Rakghoul virus outbreak.

A ship carrying infected passengers crashed in the northeast quadrant of the Dune Sea; quarantine teams have been dispatched to the local interplanetary space port to prevent the spread of the disease. Please, avoid all infected citizens at all costs! It is possible for you to carry the the virus yourself. If you are infected and attempt to flee the planet Tatooine, you will be fired upon for the safety of all Republic citizens.

At this time, the disease is contained to one planetary system; however, our advice is to avoid travel in major space stations and other areas with travelers who may be coming from the Tatooine system.

We will keep you informed of further developments as they unfold. May the Force be with you, and watch the official Imperial holonet broadcast after the break.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

Continue reading A Rakghoul plague has broken out across the galaxy of SWTOR

MassivelyA Rakghoul plague has broken out across the galaxy of SWTOR originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 15 Apr 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BioWareEAElectronic-Artsin-game-eventLucasArtsplaguepverakghoulStar-WarsStar-Wars-The-Old-RepublicSWTORtatooineThe-Old-RepublicTORvideoSun, 15 Apr 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Luck awaits Free Realms and Clone Wars Adventures on Friday the 13th]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/12/luck-awaits-free-realms-and-cwa-on-friday-the-13th/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/12/luck-awaits-free-realms-and-cwa-on-friday-the-13th/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/12/luck-awaits-free-realms-and-cwa-on-friday-the-13th/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Free Realms: Jason Maskface
Traditionally, Friday the 13th bears the bad-luck brand. However, tomorrow, you have nothing to fret about if you play Free Realms or Star Wars: Clone Wars Adventures because Sony Online Entertainment prepares to entertain its players with superstitious tomfoolery.

If you pounce around the land of Free Realms near Champ Chatty and Camp Robbie Lake, be prepared to run into Jason Maskface. This creepy fellow wants to recruit you into scaring people by turning you into a banshee, skeleton, or other graveyard element. Additionally, each participant will receive the ability to turn into a "Scaredy" black cat.

The Force is with players of CWA because all transforming holoprojectors go on sale tomorrow at 50% off. If you happen to wander around the main hall, veranda, or hanger of the Jedi Temple, don't be surprised if you or the people around you randomly turn into skeletal Clone Troopers, breaking into a dance -- it's the only way to frighten away the bad luck of Friday the 13th.

[Source: SOE press release]

MassivelyLuck awaits Free Realms and Clone Wars Adventures on Friday the 13th originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 12 Apr 2012 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Clone-Wars-AdventuresCWAeventsFree-Realmsfriday-the-13thholoprojectorin-game-eventjason-maskfaceSOESony-Online-EntertainmentStar-Warsstar-wars-clone-wars-adventurestransformThu, 12 Apr 2012 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Wings Over Atreia: Fools and tools]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/02/wings-over-atreia-fools-and-tools/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/02/wings-over-atreia-fools-and-tools/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/02/wings-over-atreia-fools-and-tools/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Wings Over Atreia
In the immortal words of some child glued to a pleather seat in the back of an old station wagon in the dusty desert heat (and echoed by impatient Daevas everywhere): Are we there yet? Are we, huh, huh? Isn't it April 11th yet?!?

Whoa, deja vu there for a moment. But with the launch of Aion's next big expansion just around the corner, very few phrases can capture the feeling in their air quite like that old standby. Many players are anticipating the move to free-to-play along with the introduction of new content (even if information on the upcoming changes has been less than prolific).

To pass the time until the 11th, some Daevas are participating in the latest Aion event, the aptly named Fool's Day. More still are on the lookout for and latching on to every bit of information that comes out about the incoming patch. As for me, I'm a multi-tasker, so I am simultaneously checking out the event and utilizing my hooks to snag every bit of info I come across all while sharing said results with you!

Continue reading Wings Over Atreia: Fools and tools

MassivelyWings Over Atreia: Fools and tools originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 02 Apr 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aionaion-ascensionBlackCloud-MarketplaceC-U-B-Ecash-shopcash-shop-itemsCUBECustomizable-User-Bundling-Experienceeventsf2pfantasyfeaturedFools-Dayfree-to-playin-game-eventnamed-mobsncsoftopiniontemporary-weaponwings-over-atreiaworld-bossesMon, 02 Apr 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively Exclusive: Star Trek Online announces EU relaunch, double XP weekend]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/29/massively-exclusive-star-trek-online-announces-eu-relaunch-dou/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/29/massively-exclusive-star-trek-online-announces-eu-relaunch-dou/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/29/massively-exclusive-star-trek-online-announces-eu-relaunch-dou/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

STO
Star Trek may feature universal translators, but the crew at Cryptic has to make do with old fashioned techniques until the future catches up with us. As such, the studio has announced that it is relaunching Star Trek Online in Europe to support its French- and German-speaking players.

Starting right now, the game, website, forums, and game support will be available in all three languages. To further cater to European players, Cryptic has vowed to add more EU-friendly event timeslots.

Executive Producer Dan Stahl hopes this will spread STO across the world: "The launch of Star Trek Online in Europe is the culmination of our efforts over the past several years to bring gamers the Star Trek universe on a truly massive scale."

All players can benefit from this European relaunch, as Q's coming back to celebrate with a double-XP bonus weekend. Anyone who logs in from today through Monday, April 2nd, at 1:00 p.m. EDT, will not only benefit from the a skill point and bridge officer point boost but can claim a free IDIC Tribble of his or her very own. The Tribble provides a unique buff to your character based on his, her, or its class -- and if you manage to get all three buffs on you at once, you'll be granted an additional boost to damage, resistance, and health regen.

[Source: Cryptic press release]

MassivelyMassively Exclusive: Star Trek Online announces EU relaunch, double XP weekend originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 29 Mar 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crypticcryptic-studiosdouble-xpdouble-xp-weekendeueuropeeuropeaneuropean-relaunchf2pfree-to-playfrenchgermanidicidic-tribblein-game-eventlanguageslocalizationlocalizeperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentpweqrelaunchsci-fistar-trekstar-trek-mmostar-trek-onlinestotribbleThu, 29 Mar 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Webzen pops the cork on its third anniversary celebration]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/27/webzen-pops-the-cork-on-its-third-anniversary-celebration/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/27/webzen-pops-the-cork-on-its-third-anniversary-celebration/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/27/webzen-pops-the-cork-on-its-third-anniversary-celebration/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Webzen
Good things come in threes, they say, and nobody knows this better than Webzen. In 2009, Webzen came on the scene as a free-to-play publisher and set up an online portal to serve as a nexus for all of its games. Since then, the company has released three MMOs through its service and recently crossed the three-year mark. With all those threes, it's time to celebrate!

To celebrate its third anniversary, Webzen is throwing events in Archlord, MU Online, and Soul of the Ultimate Nation. By participating in these in-game events, players can win an assortment of prizes ranging from an Xbox 360 to in-game currency and items. The third anniversary events will start tomorrow and run through April 18th.

Webzen's Head of Global Publishing, Jihun Lee, reflected on the company's achievements: "With the start of MU Online, Webzen.com has received much support from our users. As a result, in three years we have been able to become one of the leading global game portals. With the service experience of free-to-play online games, we are making all efforts to meet the users' needs and provide better services."

[Source: Webzen press release]

MassivelyWebzen pops the cork on its third anniversary celebration originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 27 Mar 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3rd-anniversaryanniversaryArchlordeventsf2pfree-to-playin-game-eventJihun-LeeMU-OnlinepromotionSoul-of-the-Ultimate-Nationthird-anniversaryweb-portalwebzenwebzen.comxboxTue, 27 Mar 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Atlantica Online clocks its millionth player]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/23/atlantica-online-clocks-its-millionth-player/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/23/atlantica-online-clocks-its-millionth-player/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/23/atlantica-online-clocks-its-millionth-player/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Atlantica Online
After a big push for players to rope in their friends, Nexon is finally able to announce that Atlantica Online has reached the one million player mark -- and there's no looking back from here.

The millionth player was DevilsRuler of Sikyon, and he or she will receive a million NX (item shop currency) and a title that comes with a substantial attack and XP boost. As if a million people to have picked up Atlantica Online wasn't enough, Nexon is boasting a few other impressive stats. To date, over 2.2 million characters have been created, 1.6 million "friend pairs" created, and 18,866 homes built.

To celebrate this substantial milestone, Nexon is hosting Atlantica Day on Saturday, March 25th. Players who log in between 5:00 and 5:10 p.m. EDT will be granted a "Time's Witness" title that can be triggered for an attack power and defense buff.

[Source: Nexon press release]

MassivelyAtlantica Online clocks its millionth player originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 23 Mar 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atlanticaatlantica-dayatlantica-onlinef2pfantasyfree-to-playin-game-eventmilestonemillion-playersmillionth-playernexonnexon-americanexon-koreaone-million-playerstactical-mmoFri, 23 Mar 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Elsword Harmony Festival features time-limited bonus items]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/19/elsword-harmony-festival-features-time-limited-bonus-items/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/19/elsword-harmony-festival-features-time-limited-bonus-items/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/19/elsword-harmony-festival-features-time-limited-bonus-items/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Elsword - Harmony Festival banner
What is Elsword doing for spring break? He's going to the Harmony Festival, of course! Kill3rCombo is hosting a time-limited in-game event for its fantasy action title, and you'll want to get in on said action prior to April 4th in order to grab the bonuses and upgrades.

The festival includes free costumes as well as festival pie (the latter of which is used in dungeons to recover half your hit points and remove negative status effects). The devs have also added a few new quests to the mix, and there are new thrown weapons available for use in dungeons as well. There's more, of course, so head to the official Elsword site to get the full scoop.

[Source: Kill3rCombo press release]

MassivelyElsword Harmony Festival features time-limited bonus items originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 19 Mar 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bonus-itemselswordelsword-costumeselsword-onlinef2pfantasyfestivalfree-to-playharmony-festivalin-game-eventin-game-eventskill3rcomboMon, 19 Mar 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rise of Dragonian Era launches with special in-game events]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/13/rise-of-dragonian-era-launches-with-special-in-game-events/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/13/rise-of-dragonian-era-launches-with-special-in-game-events/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/13/rise-of-dragonian-era-launches-with-special-in-game-events/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

RODE
Tired of being stuck in your daily commute, crawling along at 15 mph? Ever fantasize about saddling up a 10-ton dragon to soar above the rat race and deliver a final blow to that driver who cut you off? While Mgame USA hasn't perfected dragon genetics (yet), the company has released Rise of Dragonian Era to give you a virtual taste of the high life.

RODE, a free-to-play fantasy MMO, is quite big on our dragon brothers and sisters. The title has two factions, six races, and four classes from which to choose. Players will begin their journey through the game with a freshly hatched dragon pet who will accompany them through thick and thin. If that's not enough Dragonheart for you, you can also get the opportunity to fly one of these majestic beasts later on and engage in aerial warfare.

To promote RODE's launch, Mgame is handing out rewards left and right through various means. Players can earn in-game items, gift cards, and big-ticket prizes like a PS Vita just by playing for 30 minutes or more, submitting winning screenshots, leveling up, and attending special events.

MassivelyRise of Dragonian Era launches with special in-game events originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 13 Mar 2012 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aerial-combatdragondragon-coindragon-coin-eventdragon-petdragonheartf2pfree-to-playin-game-eventlaunchlaunch-eventmgamemgame-usareleaserise-of-dragonian-erarodeTue, 13 Mar 2012 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Road to Mordor: Purveyor of Odd Things]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/25/the-road-to-mordor-purveyor-of-odd-things/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/25/the-road-to-mordor-purveyor-of-odd-things/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/25/the-road-to-mordor-purveyor-of-odd-things/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

LotRO
Out of all of the factions in Lord of the Rings Online, I'm most partial to the Hobbit's Mathom Society (the Ale Association is my next most favorite). I love the concept behind finding quirky little objects that nobody really wants to keep, so the community set up a museum to hold them all. Plus, the benefits from gaining reputation are terrific, from a jar full of fireflies (great in Moria!) to a pretty decent rep pony.

But it's perhaps the title gained on reaching Kindred that tickles me the most, as I can thus be called Purveyor of Odd Things. LotRO has a lot of weird titles, but this one takes the cake. It says that I'm just as likely to go jaunting off if a sparkly stone catches my eye as I am to fight that big dragon you guys are struggling with over there. It says that I am to be shunned at parties and talked about to children in a low, urgent tone.

In the spirit of collecting odd things, this week's column will be a hodge-podge of topics instead of one overarching theme. Minstrel melodies, buried treasure, and Mithril Editions lurk just around the corner. Are you prepared in mind, body, and soul to hear what I have to say about them?

Continue reading The Road to Mordor: Purveyor of Odd Things

MassivelyThe Road to Mordor: Purveyor of Odd Things originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 25 Feb 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>buried-treasureburied-treasure-eventf2pfeaturedfree-to-playin-game-eventlord-of-the-rings-onlinelotrominstrelmithril-editionrise-of-isengardturbineturbine-entertainmentSat, 25 Feb 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Are you a bad enough dude to survive Xsyon's Mutant Maze?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/22/are-you-a-bad-enough-dude-to-survive-xsyons-mutant-maze/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/22/are-you-a-bad-enough-dude-to-survive-xsyons-mutant-maze/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/22/are-you-a-bad-enough-dude-to-survive-xsyons-mutant-maze/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Also the president might have been kidnapped by a giant bear.
Do you feel lucky when you log into Xsyon? Do you feel as if you can go anywhere and do anything in complete safety? Then perhaps you'd like to test your skills this weekend when the game unleashes the Mutant Maze event starting at 3 p.m. EST (12 p.m. PST). Open to everyone who wishes to take part, the event will teleport all volunteers to the designated grounds at the start and teleport them back at the conclusion... but there's no certainty you'll emerge victorious.

So what is the Mutant Maze? It's a labyrinth filled with all sorts of nasty mutants, hence the name. Players will be able to keep the spoils of their kills, and there's a special prize for completing a round of the maze by both surviving and finding the exit successfully. There are three total rounds, enough to test the game's most seasoned veterans -- but for the glory of a prize, won't you spend a weekend ambling through a maze filled with enormous bears?

[Source: Notorious Games press release]

MassivelyAre you a bad enough dude to survive Xsyon's Mutant Maze? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>challengeseventin-game-eventlabyrinthlimited-time-eventsmazemutant-mazenotorious-gamesspecial-eventsupcoming-eventsxsyonWed, 22 Feb 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[LotRO's buried treasure resurfaces in a new dev diary]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/10/lotros-buried-treasure-resurfaces-in-a-new-dev-diary/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/10/lotros-buried-treasure-resurfaces-in-a-new-dev-diary/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/10/lotros-buried-treasure-resurfaces-in-a-new-dev-diary/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

LotRO
Deep under the soil of Middle-earth are riches galore, and only the Dwarves know where to dig. Fortunately for players, the Dwarves are totally fine with interlopers coming along to try their luck at finding a bit of buried treasure -- and they've even made an event out of it.

While we previously saw a test run of the Buried Treasure event in Lord of the Rings Online, Turbine's put forth a dev diary that indicates we should be seeing more of it fairly soon. The event challenges players to flock to a treasure field, grab some picks, and get diggin' for booty. There's a strategy behind it that utilizes trained animals and dowsing sticks to find the best goods, although treasure hunters can just start digging randomly as well.

The treasure will vary in size and quality, ranging from special mounts and cosmetic gear to more picks and barter tokens. While players can earn picks in-game through a repeatable quest, Turbine will also be selling them through the LotRO store for those who want to speed up their winnings.

The dev diary posted several pictures of the nifty rewards that can be mined and states that the event is "seasonally agnostic," coming and going at various times during the year.

MassivelyLotRO's buried treasure resurfaces in a new dev diary originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>buried-treasureburied-treasure-eventcosmeticcosmetic-outfitdev-diaryeventf2pfree-to-playin-game-eventlord-of-the-rings-onlinelotrolotro-storemountoutfitoutfitspickstreasure-hunter-picktreasure-huntingtreasure-hunting-pickturbineturbine-entertainmentFri, 10 Feb 2012 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Warhammer Online encourages murder most foul]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/08/warhammer-online-encourages-murder-most-foul/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/08/warhammer-online-encourages-murder-most-foul/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/08/warhammer-online-encourages-murder-most-foul/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Warhammer Online
In the happy, carebear world of Warhammer Online, we've reached the time of year when the clouds break to let in a ray of sunshine that warms the souls of all it touches and sprinkles hearts with... oh, forget it. It's Murder-o-Rama, aka the Night of Murder.

Mythic's annual WAR bloodfest centers around players attempting to appease a gruesome Elf god by taking out contracts on each other's lives. From February 9th through the 22nd, players will try to complete Tome of Knowledge tasks by completing "Marked for Death" quests and killing those with a dripping red skull-and-crossbones over their heads.

The rewards are worth the effort, though, with items like Lobbin' Noggins, Khaine's Caress, and a fun pike sporting your opponent's head that you can slam down next to a defeated foe. It's the yearly holiday your mother always warned you about, but you never listened then and you're probably not going to start now.

MassivelyWarhammer Online encourages murder most foul originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carebearea-mythiceventin-game-eventmurdermurder-markmythicMythic-Entertainmentnight-of-murderwarwarhammer-onlineWed, 08 Feb 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EverQuest II players prepare to pay it forward tomorrow]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/03/everquest-ii-players-prepare-to-pay-it-forward-tomorrow/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/03/everquest-ii-players-prepare-to-pay-it-forward-tomorrow/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/03/everquest-ii-players-prepare-to-pay-it-forward-tomorrow/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Pay it Forward
We here at Massively always have a soft spot in our otherwise cold and calculating hearts for players who take the initiative to help a fellow gamer out in a fun and creative way. So we couldn't let a story slip by about how a group of EverQuest II vets are planning to shower newbies with gifts and goodies in the hopes of fostering a better server community.

Jayne on EQII's Freeport server is helping to organize the return of the Pay It Forward player event, an activity that apparently got a lot of great responses the last two times around. What is Pay It Forward?
It's a day when adventurers and crafters come together to donate crafted goods, items rotting away in your bank, plat, rares, masters... you name it... to young adventurers, asking only that they perform some random good deed for a complete stranger in return.
He's asking that interested participants meet at the crafting area on the Isle of Mara tomorrow, February 4th, at 4:00 pm EST with gifts to hand out to low-level players.

MassivelyEverQuest II players prepare to pay it forward tomorrow originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eq2eqiieverquest-2everquest-iif2pfree-to-playfreeportgiveawaygoodie-bagsin-game-eventisle-of-marajaynepay-it-forwardpay-it-forward-3player-eventsoeSony-Online-Entertainmentthe-man-they-called-jayneFri, 03 Feb 2012 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[City of Heroes asks, 'Will you be my super-Valentine?']]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/02/city-of-heroes-asks-will-you-be-my-super-valentine/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/02/city-of-heroes-asks-will-you-be-my-super-valentine/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/02/city-of-heroes-asks-will-you-be-my-super-valentine/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

City of Heroes
It's hard to believe that it's already February and that spring is now within striking distance. City of Heroes feels the season coming on strong, which is why it's bringing back its Spring Fling holiday event from February 8th through the 27th.

The event this year will be a mix of the old and the new. Returning from the past are tangles with Arachnos, quests to fetch underwear for Eros, and a smackdown of Snaptooth. New for the 2012 season are a couple of additional missions for the restless hopeless romantic in all of us -- Widow in Red and Valentines -- with accompanying badges.

The former quest will have players looking into the love life of Lord Recluse (Match.com has no entry for "super-villain," much to his dismay), while the latter will send heroes all across the game world looking for valentines to deliver or redirect. The Valentines missions reward players with temporary powers such as Arrows of Romance and Arrows of Jealousy.

MassivelyCity of Heroes asks, 'Will you be my super-Valentine?' originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>city-of-heroescity-of-villainscohcoverosf2pfree-to-playgoing-roguein-game-eventlord-reclusematch.comncsoftparagonparagon-studiosspring-flingspring-fling-2012valentinevalentinesvalentines-dayThu, 02 Feb 2012 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Xsyon hosting month-long architecture contest]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/30/xsyon-hosting-month-long-architecture-contest/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/30/xsyon-hosting-month-long-architecture-contest/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/30/xsyon-hosting-month-long-architecture-contest/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Xsyon - This took insane amounts of time.
If you're a member of a tribe in Xsyon, you might want to check out Notorious Games' latest architecture contest. The event runs from February 1st to March 1st, and it's open to both small tribes (between one and five members) and larger groups (six or more members).

Since it's an architecture contest, you'll obviously need to construct (or re-construct) your tribe settlement. Notorious will be judging your creations for originality, uniqueness, design, layout, and beautification.

The dev team is remaining coy when it comes to contest incentives, but the latest Xsyon press release does say that "there will be a large prize for the winning tribe in each group."

MassivelyXsyon hosting month-long architecture contest originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>architecture-contestcontestfantasyin-game-eventnotorious-gamesplayer-citiesplayer-contentplayer-generated-contentpost-apocalypticsandboxtribe-citiesuser-generated-contentxsyonMon, 30 Jan 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Xsyon announces newest Guide-run event: The Grand Cart Race]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/26/xsyon-announces-newest-guide-run-event-the-grand-cart-race/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/26/xsyon-announces-newest-guide-run-event-the-grand-cart-race/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/26/xsyon-announces-newest-guide-run-event-the-grand-cart-race/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Screenshot -- Xsyon
Earlier this month, we reported on a player-run event being held in Notorious Games' sandbox MMO Xsyon, and bear-fighting was involved. Today, the team has put out an announcement for a new Guide-run event, though unfortunately bear-fighting is not involved. What is involved, though, is cart racing.

The event, known formally as The Grand Cart Race, will begin at 3:00 p.m. EST on this coming Sunday, January 29th. Players are encouraged to bring their own carts to race, but if you haven't built or traded for a cart yet, don't worry; the guides will be handing out loaners for the duration of the event. The team doesn't reveal what exactly the race will entail, but mentions that "there will be different stages of the course aimed at taking advantage of each of the features of the carts." For the full details, check out the event's official thread on the game's forums, then prepare to do it up NASCAR: post-apocalypse-style.

MassivelyXsyon announces newest Guide-run event: The Grand Cart Race originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 26 Jan 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cartcart-racecart-racingcartseventeventsgm-run-eventguide-run-eventin-game-eventin-game-eventsnotorious-gamessandboxsandboxesthe-grand-cart-racexsyonThu, 26 Jan 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Star Trek Online handing out Odyssey starships for its second anniversary]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/24/star-trek-online-handing-out-odyssey-starships-for-its-second-an/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/24/star-trek-online-handing-out-odyssey-starships-for-its-second-an/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/24/star-trek-online-handing-out-odyssey-starships-for-its-second-an/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

STO
It's been in the making for months now, but the wait is almost over. On February 2nd, Star Trek Online will release the latest in the line of Enterprises, the Odyssey-class (Enterprise-F) starship. Players are invited to do more than gawk at its power and majesty, as Cryptic is inviting all players level 5 or higher to take one for a test drive... and then take one home on the house.

Cryptic notes that the new Odyssey will be available for only a limited time at the start of the month, after which it will disappear from the game for an indeterminate amount of time. Players who cannot fly the top-tier starship can nevertheless earn it for use at a later date.

The Odyssey (and its corresponding Klingon Vengeance-class starship) giveaway is just the first part of STO's second anniversary events. From February 2nd through the 5th, the mischievous Q will challenge players to complete tasks in exchange for mystery prizes.

MassivelyStar Trek Online handing out Odyssey starships for its second anniversary originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 24 Jan 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2nd-anniversarycrypticcryptic-studiosdev-blogenterpriseenterprise-ff2pfree-to-playgiveawayin-game-eventodysseyodyssey-classperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentpweqsecond-anniversarystar-trek-onlinestotwo-year-anniversaryTue, 24 Jan 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Make a wish and blow out the candles: Vanguard celebrates five years]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/23/make-a-wish-and-blow-out-the-candles-vanguard-celebrates-five-y/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/23/make-a-wish-and-blow-out-the-candles-vanguard-celebrates-five-y/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/23/make-a-wish-and-blow-out-the-candles-vanguard-celebrates-five-y/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Vanguard
In the midst of the cold winds of January, it's the warmth of the Winter Solstice that keeps Vanguard players alive and happy. With Vanguard's fifth anniversary here at last, SOE is blowing on the coals of this simmering MMO in the hopes of raising the flames of community interest.

First up is the Winter Solstice in-game event, which started on January 21st. Players can participate by locating the event NPC in New Targonor. On next Sunday, the 29th, the Vanguard CMs will be throwing an anniversary bash and handing out gifts on the Telon server starting at 1:00 p.m. EST.

SOE's also throwing a Facebook contest to give away one of five in-game items. Interested parties are encouraged to head over to Vanguard's Facebook page for more information on how to enter.

Massively will also be on the scene for Vanguard's fifth celebration this weekend with two special livestreams on Massively TV, so stay tuned!

MassivelyMake a wish and blow out the candles: Vanguard celebrates five years originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>contestfacebookfifth-anniversaryin-game-eventlivestreammassively-tvsaga-of-heroessoeSony-Online-Entertainmentvanguardwinter-solsticeMon, 23 Jan 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Silkroad-R R-elaunches]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/18/silkroad-r-r-elaunches/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/18/silkroad-r-r-elaunches/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/18/silkroad-r-r-elaunches/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Silkroad-R
Don't let the fancy title fool you: Silkroad-R (the R is for "rebirth") isn't a completely new game but an updated version of Joymax's previous Silkroad. Brought into the shop for some body work and a new paint job, Silkroad-R is back and better than ever.

Silkroad-R will exist on its own servers, seperate from its Silkroad ancestor. Joymax is particularly proud of a "buffed-up" cash shop, as CEO Nam-chul Kim explains: "There's many aspects of Silkroad-R that we changed or improved based on user feedback, and we took a long time investigating the cash shop and evaluating each item."

To celebrate the relaunch, Joymax is sponsoring a string of giveaways through February 7th. Players who reach specific levels have a chance at Amazon gift cards and in-game boosts and items. Other launch events include a special XP-boosting NPC and a player-submitted wallpaper/greeting card contest.

You can check out the official trailer for Silkroad-R after the jump!

[Source: Joymax press release]

Continue reading Silkroad-R R-elaunches

MassivelySilkroad-R R-elaunches originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 18 Jan 2012 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cash-shopcontestf2pfree-to-playin-game-eventitem-shopjoymaxlaunchmicrotransactionsNam-chul-Kimrelaunchsilkroadsilkroad-rxp-boostWed, 18 Jan 2012 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Double, double your excitement (and XP) with Aion's winter festival]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/13/double-double-your-excitement-and-xp-with-aions-winter-festi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/13/double-double-your-excitement-and-xp-with-aions-winter-festi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/13/double-double-your-excitement-and-xp-with-aions-winter-festi/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Aion
You know what's annoying? When people break out Christmas songs after the holidays. I mean, who wants to hear cheerful songs about winter when we can just wallow in the atmosphere of grey slush and sub-zero days in peace? Stupid cheer, get out of here! We want to drink deeply of the well of seasonal affective disorder!

You know what's not annoying? When developers recognize how dull the first couple months of the year are, holiday-wise, and invent their own cause for celebration! Aion is breaking out all the stops with this year's Atreian Winter Festival, and that includes insatiably cheerful penguins and scantily clad avatars.

For the next three weekends (starting today), players will enjoy double XP and drops in Aion from Friday at 1:00 p.m. EST until Monday at the same time. There's also an "adorable" -- their words -- Daru fur costume that you can purchase in the game store for $10 and flaunt to all your friends at the lodge after a long day on the slopes.

MassivelyDouble, double your excitement (and XP) with Aion's winter festival originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 13 Jan 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aionatreian-winter-festivaldaru-fur-outfitdaru-fur-setdouble-dropsdouble-xpf2pfestivalfree-to-playin-game-eventncsoftoutfitpenguinswinter-festivalFri, 13 Jan 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[League of Legends pops the cork for Lunar Revel]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/11/league-of-legends-pops-the-cork-for-lunar-revel/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/11/league-of-legends-pops-the-cork-for-lunar-revel/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/11/league-of-legends-pops-the-cork-for-lunar-revel/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

League of Legends
Feeling the doldrums of winter settling into your bones? Missing the colorful lights and excessive sugar dosages of last month? The good news is that there's still a great holiday to celebrate this month -- the Chinese New Year -- and League of Legends is totally on board with any excuse to party.

Coming to the game is the brand-new Lunar Revel holiday, which is "a time to celebrate the possibilities of the future with the coming of the new moon." Not only will the game be decorated with cheery lanterns, but Riot Games is adding some new goodies to enjoy, including special consumables in the store and unique skins for Talon, Sona, Wukong, and Lee Sin.

The devs say that this marks the beginning of many cultural-themed holidays as they go on a "world tour" to highlight the many countries that play League of Legends. You can get an advance sneak peek at the new Lunar Revel costumes in the gallery below.

[Source: Riot Games press release]

Gallery: League of Legends

MassivelyLeague of Legends pops the cork for Lunar Revel originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 11 Jan 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chinese-new-yearf2pfree-to-playgalleryin-game-eventin-game-holidayleague-of-legendslee-sinlollunar-revelmobariotriot-gamesscreenshotssonatalonworld-tourWukongWed, 11 Jan 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[RuneScape rings in the new year with 39 manhunts]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/22/runescape-rings-in-the-new-year-with-39-manhunts/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/22/runescape-rings-in-the-new-year-with-39-manhunts/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/22/runescape-rings-in-the-new-year-with-39-manhunts/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

RuneScape
It's almost over. RuneScape's year-long celebration of its 10th anniversary is coming to a close, and Jagex has great, wonderful plans to end it with a bang. Naturally, this translates into "developer manhunt" because why not?

During New Year's Eve, players are encouraged to be on alert as the clock strikes midnight 39 times in each of the time zones across the world. Every time this happens, a special moderator's in-game location will be made known through Facebook, on Twitter and in RuneScape itself. Those who can hunt down and find this mod in time will be treated to a special celebration.

The first clock to strike midnight on New Year's Eve is in Tokelau on Saturday, December 31st, at 5:00 a.m. EST. RuneScape players may wish to note that not all 39 "midnights" occur on the hour (this helpful website lays out the precise order).

[Source: Jagex press release]

MassivelyRuneScape rings in the new year with 39 manhunts originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 22 Dec 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>celebrate-good-times-come-oncelebrationdev-manhuntdeveloper-manhuntf2pfacebookfree-to-playin-game-celebrationin-game-eventjagexmanhuntmidnightnew-yearsnew-years-daynew-years-everunescapetwitterThu, 22 Dec 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Star Supremacy needs space-men to help Santa find his space-sleigh!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/21/star-supremacy-needs-space-men-to-help-santa-find-his-space-slei/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/21/star-supremacy-needs-space-men-to-help-santa-find-his-space-slei/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/21/star-supremacy-needs-space-men-to-help-santa-find-his-space-slei/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Star Supremacy
Fun fact about Santa: Not only does he have to visit all of the houses across the world in the span of a single night, but apparently he's on galaxy duty as well. Jolly St. Nick will be making the rounds in Star Supremacy during the game's Xmas event, during which he'll be making appearances on the neutral planets twice a day. He's not there for pleasantries, however; Santa needs players to help him find his sleigh, and he's prepared to dish out Christmas stocking bounties as rewards.

Barbily Games is also preparing to roll out its Gemini update, which will bring back three PvP systems for players to conquer. The update will also include a helping hand to lowbies' energy regeneration, new equipment, improved construction, and the ability to retreat.

You can get a good look at the update in our new Star Supremacy gallery below!

Gallery: Star Supremacy

MassivelyStar Supremacy needs space-men to help Santa find his space-sleigh! originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 21 Dec 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>barbilybarbily-gameschristmaseventf2pfree-to-playgalleriesgallerygeminigemini-updatein-game-eventmmortsretreatsantascreenshotscreenshotsstar-supremacyxmasWed, 21 Dec 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Road to Mordor: Treasure hunting!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/17/the-road-to-mordor-treasure-hunting/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/17/the-road-to-mordor-treasure-hunting/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/17/the-road-to-mordor-treasure-hunting/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

LOTRO
It's not been an insignificant week for Lord of the Rings Online, as Turbine rolled out its big holiday patch: Update 5. With it came all manner of goodies, from an instance finder to another book in our epic quest across Middle-earth. Cooks got coffee (have you had a cup of joe yet?), and I reveled in the ability to expand my sorely taxed wardrobe beyond 100 slots.

But amidst all of the excitement and analysis of the new features slid in something surprising. The night of the update, Turbine opened up its long-promised treasure hunting mini-event for a sneak peek. I joined the throngs of curious lookie-loos who made a beeline for Ered Luin and some mysterious patches of glowing soil that promised riches galore.

Treasure hunting was originally supposed to hit the game much earlier this year, but for reasons unknown, Turbine pushed it back until a later date. Personally, I was psyched that another non-combat event was on its way, so when I saw that there was an actual sneak peek of the event, I cast aside all of the shiny new content of the update to see what this was all about. While I came away with favorable impressions, it was with a slight bitter aftertaste of something not quite palatable. What could it be? Well, you're just going to have to keep reading these here fancy words to find out!

Continue reading The Road to Mordor: Treasure hunting!

MassivelyThe Road to Mordor: Treasure hunting! originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 17 Dec 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredin-game-eventlootboxlootboxeslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromini-eventtreasuretreasure-hunttreasure-huntingtreasure-hunting-eventturbineturbine-entertainmentSat, 17 Dec 2011 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Guild Wars' Wintersday 2011 brings new costumes, holiday cheer]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/15/guild-wars-wintersday-2011-brings-new-costumes-holiday-cheer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/15/guild-wars-wintersday-2011-brings-new-costumes-holiday-cheer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/15/guild-wars-wintersday-2011-brings-new-costumes-holiday-cheer/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Screenshot -- Guild Wars Wintersday '07
It's the most wonderful time of the year in Tyria because Wintersday 2011 has begun. And there's certainly no shortage of events for Guild Wars players looking to get into the Wintersday spirit. Lion's Arch, Kamadan, Ascalon City, and the Eye of the North will all provide players with holiday quests, while more pugnacious revelers can get into the spirit of the season with 8v8 snowball tournaments.

As usual, players can take part in the annual Grenth vs. Dwayna holiday event in order to receive a spiffy Wintersday mask, and two new costumes are also available for purchase in the NCsoft store. The new costume sets, known as Augur of Kormir and Vision of Lyssa, are available for $6.99 US each. Players can also buy them as a bundle for the discounted price of $9.99 US, or they can shell out $29.99 US for the Limited Edition Pantheon Pack, which includes six deity-themed costumes. But act quickly! The limited edition pack is available only until January 16th. For the full details, head on over to Guild Wars' official Wintersday site.

[Thanks to Tanek for the correction!]

MassivelyGuild Wars' Wintersday 2011 brings new costumes, holiday cheer originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 15 Dec 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetaugur-of-kormircostumecostumesdwaynaeventeventsgrenthguild-warsgwin-game-eventin-game-eventskormirlyssancsoftvision-of-lyssawintersdaywintersday-2011Thu, 15 Dec 2011 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Super Hero Squad Online wishes you a merry X-Men Month]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/15/super-hero-squad-online-wishes-you-a-merry-x-men-month/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/15/super-hero-squad-online-wishes-you-a-merry-x-men-month/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/15/super-hero-squad-online-wishes-you-a-merry-x-men-month/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Super Hero Squad Online
If you're gearing up for Xmas, then why not invite the X-Men over for some casual MMO gaming? Gazillion has declared that December is "X-Men Month" in Super Hero Squad Online, as the title turns its attention to Professor X's extraordinary students and their action-packed outings.

Enrollment is open for the School for Gifted Youngsters, and signing up for superhero mayhem are several brand-new heroes for the game. The MMO is also unleashing four new quests -- two for Wolverine and two for Rogue -- to go with its signature card battles.

Vice President Jay Minn is (sorry) super-psyched for the theme month: "X-Men month has been a long time coming since the launch of our game. Nightcrawler, Phoenix, Angel, Iceman and Shadowcat have always topped our list of most-requested Marvel heroes. We are very excited that our fans will finally be able to show off and fight evil as the X-Men! Happy holidays everyone and Hero Up!"

[Source: Gazillion press release]

MassivelySuper Hero Squad Online wishes you a merry X-Men Month originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 15 Dec 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>angelf2pfree-to-playgazillionicemanin-game-eventjay-minnmarvelnightcrawlerphoenixprofessor-xrogueshadowcatshsosuper-her-squad-onlinethe-amazing-societywolverinex-manx-menx-men-monthxmasThu, 15 Dec 2011 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[EverQuest II previews new live event: A Goddess Risen]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/14/eq2-live-event-preview/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/14/eq2-live-event-preview/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/14/eq2-live-event-preview/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Screenshot -- EverQuest II
EverQuest II only just released its latest expansion, Age of Discovery, but already it's gearing up for its latest in-game live event, A Goddess Risen. To help ring in the event, Sony Online Entertainment has decided to give players a behind-the-scenes look at what the event will entail.

Game designer Nathan "Kaitheel" McCall explains that the event will take place within the Shard of Love, but it's not the same Shard of Love that players may know from past visits. Things have changed within the Shard, but what does it have to do with A Goddess Risen? Kaitheel says we'll just have to head to the Shard of Love when the event goes live tomorrow to find out for ourselves. In the mean time, click on past the cut for the full video.

Continue reading EverQuest II previews new live event: A Goddess Risen

MassivelyEverQuest II previews new live event: A Goddess Risen originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 14 Dec 2011 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a-goddess-risenage-of-discoveryeq-iieq2eventeventseverquest-2everquest-iif2pfree-to-playin-game-eventin-game-eventslive-eventlive-eventsshard-of-lovesoesony-online-entertainmentthe-shard-of-loveWed, 14 Dec 2011 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively Exclusive: The story and presents behind RIFT's Fae Yule]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/13/massively-exclusive-the-story-and-presents-behind-rifts-fae-yu/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/13/massively-exclusive-the-story-and-presents-behind-rifts-fae-yu/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/13/massively-exclusive-the-story-and-presents-behind-rifts-fae-yu/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

RIFT
All in-game holiday festivals were not born equal, but they do seem to share a family resemblance when it comes to being merry and bright. RIFT's Fae Yule is but one of many, many Christmastime MMO holidays that we're witnessing this month, but the team at Trion Worlds is looking to make it stand out from the rest of the crowd with its depth and sense of fun.

So why do the inhabitants of Telara celebrate Fae Yule and take time out of their busy schedule of slaughter and soul-absorbing to decorate the town and scarf down bucketfuls of eggnog? What do they sing about when gathered around a crackling fire? What kind of present is appropriate for the fellow who already has the gift of immortality?

It's time to sit on Trion's lap and ask for your greatest wish in game while jolly St. Hartsman tells you all about the lore and in-game goodies behind RIFT's festivities. Ho-ho-hit that jump and let's get started!

Continue reading Massively Exclusive: The story and presents behind RIFT's Fae Yule

MassivelyMassively Exclusive: The story and presents behind RIFT's Fae Yule originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 13 Dec 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backgroundbackstorychristmaschristmas-eventexclusivefae-yuleholidayholiday-eventIlluminariain-game-eventloreriftscott-hartsmanstorytriontrion-worldsVaiyuuTue, 13 Dec 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Join the fight to reclaim Atlantica Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/10/join-the-fight-to-reclaim-atlantica-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/10/join-the-fight-to-reclaim-atlantica-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/10/join-the-fight-to-reclaim-atlantica-online/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Atlantica Online
Atlantica Online has become a much more dangerous place to visit as of late, ever since a horde of monsters led by the evil Riederan invaded the place. But you won't let a little thing such as XP-filled loot piñatas keep you from fighting back, right? We didn't think so.

Starting tomorrow and continuing through January 8th, Atlantica Online players will rise to meet the challenge of these invaders during a massive in-game event. When Riederan's Invasion is triggered, players have a scant half-hour to slaughter 10,000 monsters per town before the town's defenses fail. The event is programmed to scale so that mobs will match the players' levels.

Participate in the event and precious rewards and buffs will drop into your lap. Bet that's the best news your lap's heard all day! To help players out with the invasion, Atlantica Online has introduced a new hero, the sorceress Mwindo. Mwindo can use her primal monsoon magic and staff to bring the pain to the baddies.

[Source: Nexon press release]

MassivelyJoin the fight to reclaim Atlantica Online originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 10 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atlanticaatlantica-onlineclasseventf2pfree-to-playin-game-eventinvasionloot-pinatasmwindonexonRiederanRiederans-InvasionSat, 10 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Starlight Celebration approaches for Final Fantasy XI]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/09/the-starlight-celebration-approaches-for-final-fantasy-xi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/09/the-starlight-celebration-approaches-for-final-fantasy-xi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/09/the-starlight-celebration-approaches-for-final-fantasy-xi/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

A depiction of an Elvaan as something other than haughty and distant? It's the end of the world!
The end of the year quickly approaches, and if you're a veteran of Final Fantasy XI, you know that means it's time for the Starlight Celebration. The music changes in Jeuno, the snow falls, and players get to enjoy a bit of Christmas cheer in the game as well as out of it. And like most events, this one has a new wrinkle for its newest outing: it seems a handful of Goblins have decided to get involved in the celebration, taking some presents that weren't intended for them and leaving adventurers to recover the missing gifts.

Missed a previous year? That's all right -- you can still obtain one of the many cozy furnishings or festive costume pieces through a variety of event merchants and packages scattered throughout Vana'diel. The event will start on the live servers on December 16th and run through December 31st, plenty of time for everyone in Final Fantasy XI to get a solid dose of some holiday cheer.

MassivelyThe Starlight Celebration approaches for Final Fantasy XI originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 09 Dec 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>christmaschristmas-2011ffff11ffxifinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-xiholidayholiday-eventin-game-eventnewssquaresquare-enixstarlight-celebrationwinter-holidayFri, 09 Dec 2011 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Grudge match: RIFT faction rivalry heating up for one-year anniversary]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/06/grudge-match-rift-faction-rivalry-heating-up-for-one-year-anniv/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/06/grudge-match-rift-faction-rivalry-heating-up-for-one-year-anniv/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/06/grudge-match-rift-faction-rivalry-heating-up-for-one-year-anniv/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

RIFT
Worried that RIFT's Guardians and Defiants are less age-old enemies and more goofy odd couple roommates bumbling around to a laugh track? If faction chumminess concerns you, you'll be glad to hear that Trion Worlds is planning to escalate tensions between the two sides that will forever change the feel of the game.

Trion said that it's already deep into the planning stages of heating up the conflict between the game's two sides, which is planned for next spring. The current Fae Yule festival is meant to be a quiet moment before everything explodes; a peace that is soon to be shattered.

Design Director Hal Hanlin puts a date on the upcoming Factionopalypse: "We're planning to drive a wedge between the factions for the game's one-year anniversary." This puts the date of the event in early March 2012.

Currently, while the two factions don't necessarily get along, they both are working toward the same goal of repelling the invading planar forces. It's just that they use different approaches and philosophies as they truck along.

MassivelyGrudge match: RIFT faction rivalry heating up for one-year anniversary originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 06 Dec 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anniversarydefiantdefiantsfactionfaction-conflictfactionsfae-yulefirst-anniversaryguardianguardiansin-game-eventone-year-anniversarypvprifttriontrion-worldsTue, 06 Dec 2011 11:30:00 EST