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[Massively Exclusive: Age of Conan's Refuge of the Apostate solo dungeon]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/07/massively-exclusive-age-of-conans-refuge-of-the-apostate-solo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/07/massively-exclusive-age-of-conans-refuge-of-the-apostate-solo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/07/massively-exclusive-age-of-conans-refuge-of-the-apostate-solo/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Lots of new content is on the near horizon for Age of Conan, and Massively has teamed up with Funcom to bring you an exclusive look at one of the game's newly minted solo dungeons. The Refuge of the Apostate is a level 80 instance located in the lands of Khitai (Kara Korum, to be exact), and it features a storyline involving the Scarlet Circle and Last Legion factions.

Funcom's designers are keen on making an unusual dungeon experience (and one you want to repeat) as opposed to the usual mob- and boss-whacking fight-fests. To that end, the Refuge dungeon is rife with what Funcom calls "environmental challenges."

Aside from the new content and story experiences, the Refuge will likely be popular with players due to its rewards (which include factional marks of acclaim, rare trophies, and esteem tokens). Check out Funcom's full description of the new content after the cut.

Continue reading Massively Exclusive: Age of Conan's Refuge of the Apostate solo dungeon

MassivelyMassively Exclusive: Age of Conan's Refuge of the Apostate solo dungeon originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 07 Apr 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanaocapostateesteem-tokensexclusivefactionfeaturedfuncomkara-korumkhitailast-legionlevel-80level-80-contentmarks-of-acclaimnew-contentpverefuge-of-the-apostaterise-of-the-godslayerscarlet-circlesolo-dungeonsolo-instancetian-baiThu, 07 Apr 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[GamersFirst rezzes Acclaim 9Dragons characters]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/21/gamersfirst-rezzes-acclaim-9dragons-characters/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/21/gamersfirst-rezzes-acclaim-9dragons-characters/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/21/gamersfirst-rezzes-acclaim-9dragons-characters/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Where's a good cleric when you need one? Apparently they're at the GamersFirst offices, performing the herculean task of reanimating thousands of 9Dragons characters left for dead when Acclaim (the title's original publisher) pulled the plug on the martial arts MMORPG this past summer.

If you're a former 9Dragons player and you submitted a character request earlier this year, you can now claim your rebuilt level 80 avatar at the official GamersFirst website. "We are excited to finally be able to offer character restoration options for the 9Dragons community. We want players to know that we appreciate their support during our transition. We have spent a large amount of time and effort processing and improving the template characters to get players back into the game without having to redo all their hard work from before," said David Demers, 9Dragons Associate Producer.

MassivelyGamersFirst rezzes Acclaim 9Dragons characters originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 21 Dec 2010 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>9dragonsacclaimcharacter-rezf2pfree-to-playgamers-firstgamersfirstlevel-80reanimationresurrectionrezyayTue, 21 Dec 2010 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Age of Conan launches new patch, introduces Xibaluku]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/18/age-of-conan-launches-new-patch-introduces-xibaluku/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/18/age-of-conan-launches-new-patch-introduces-xibaluku/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/18/age-of-conan-launches-new-patch-introduces-xibaluku/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


By Crom indeed! A literal tidal wave of patch notes has hit the Age of Conan boards this morning, giving all of the gritty details of Conan's next major patch.

Of special note in this patch are all of the new dungeons being added to the game for high level players and mid level players alike. Xibaluku, which you may remember us mentioning before, is launching with this patch. This dungeon is targeted towards level 80 endgame raiders, but can only be accessed by performing a prerequisite quest chain that sends the player through another brand new area, The Slaughterhouse Cellar. The Cellar is a single player instance, so be warned that you can't take your friends on casual decapitation fests through the opening quest chain.

If you don't feel like going to run Xibaluku, then you can make your way over to Black Ring Citadel and challenge those evil dark sorcerers to the new third wing of their dungeon.

Players in the area of level 43 will be happy to know that the Cradle of Decay is a brand new dungeon added just for them. If you're looking for the entrance, just stop by the Fields of the Dead and you should be able to find it.

All of the above is just a small sample of what's been included in this patch. For the full, 4 post long set of patch notes, check them out on the Conan forums.
Warhammer Online Coverage Having fun in Conan's homeland? Make sure to check out all of our previous Age of Conan coverage, and stick with Massively for more news from the Hyborian Age!

MassivelyAge of Conan launches new patch, introduces Xibaluku originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 18 Feb 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanblack-ring-citadelbreakingcradle-of-decaydungeonsendgamefuncomlevel-80the-slaughterhouse-cellarupdate-4xibalukuWed, 18 Feb 2009 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[And the first World of Warcraft player to reach level 80 is...]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/14/and-the-first-world-of-warcraft-player-to-reach-level-80-is/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/14/and-the-first-world-of-warcraft-player-to-reach-level-80-is/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/14/and-the-first-world-of-warcraft-player-to-reach-level-80-is/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Nymh, Human Warlock of the EU server Drek'thar (and the real-world country of France) became the first World of Warcraft player to reach level 80 by working with an out-of-group Priest to spam area-of-effect attacks against rapidly-spawning mid-70s mobs, inspired by the technique of another World of Warcraft Warlock player named Jynxx, who eloquently explained the concept in a video (Note: probably won't make much sense if you're not a WoW addict already).

Time from 70 to 80: 27 hours.

Nymh did a lot of research and trial-and-error exploration of options in the Wrath of the Lich King beta test in order to be ready for the gauntlet after the EU launch, which of course came a little bit before the North American one. We'll note that the first-to-level-70-after-launch trophy went to another French player last year. Vive la France, no?

[Via WoW Insider]

MassivelyAnd the first World of Warcraft player to reach level 80 is... originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 14 Nov 2008 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>80blizzarddrekthareufirstfrancefrenchjynxxlevel-80nymhpriestwarlockworld-of-warcraftwotlkwowwrathwrath-of-the-lich-kingFri, 14 Nov 2008 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Xfire's WotLK "Race to 80" contest registration extended until tomorrow]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/05/xfires-wotlk-race-to-80-contest-registration-extended-until-t/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/05/xfires-wotlk-race-to-80-contest-registration-extended-until-t/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/05/xfires-wotlk-race-to-80-contest-registration-extended-until-t/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


Ready! Set! Grind!

The folks at Xfire have announced a 2-day extension to their "Race to 80" contest for the upcoming World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King. This contest will reward the first player to hit level 80 in Blizzard's newest WoW expansion, with a high-end gaming PC as the grand prize.

Haven't heard of this contest yet? Head on over to their official rules page to check out all the info you'll need and register before tomorrow for a chance at the grand prize. Not only will this be an exciting event for the contestants, but Xfire members will actually be able to watch the race, listen to the shoutcast and discuss the race in their dedicated chat rooms as it all unfolds.

MassivelyXfire's WotLK "Race to 80" contest registration extended until tomorrow originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 05 Nov 2008 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>contestlevel-80raceworld-of-warcraftwotlkwrath-of-the-lich-kingxfireWed, 05 Nov 2008 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Video, interview paint detailed picture of AoC raids]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/20/video-interview-paint-detailed-picture-of-aoc-raids/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/20/video-interview-paint-detailed-picture-of-aoc-raids/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/20/video-interview-paint-detailed-picture-of-aoc-raids/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

There's a two-pronged assault of Age of Conan raid content information at Ten Ton Hammer -- a 20 minute raid presentation video, and an interview with raid boss scripter Eirik Munthe. Both the presentation and the interview occurred at the AoC launch event in Oslo last week, and both were rich with information. It looks like the endgame content has some incremental innovations just like the lower-level stuff; that should make the hardcore crowd happy.

In the presentation, bits and pieces of one of AoC's level 80, 24-person raids were shown to an audience with live commentary by Game Director Gaute Godager. Multiple bosses were shown, such as a poison-leaking monstrosity and two demons -- one ice, one fire -- who gain power when standing near one another. Godager explained the philosophy behind raiding and epic gear, and using collision detection in battle strategies. He revealed that raid groups will be able to call it a night halfway through a raid and finish any time they want (so long as it's before the raid expiration date -- one week after its start date). There was also a brief series of clips of a massive PvP siege.

In the interview with Eirik Munthe we learned that Funcom put together strike teams consisting of designers, scripters, and writers. Each strike team focused its attentions completely on a 20-level span; for example, Munthe's team worked on content for player levels 60 - 80. Munthe described the challenges he faced when scripting encounters with some of AoC's unique features such as collision detection and CoE (cone of effect) healing in mind.

MassivelyVideo, interview paint detailed picture of AoC raids originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 20 May 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>80age-of-conanaocbosseirik-muntheend-gameendgamegaute-godagerinterviewlaunch-partylevel-80massive-siege-pvposlopvpraidraidingsiegesiegingvideoTue, 20 May 2008 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[And the first EQ2 player to reach level 80 is...]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/19/and-the-first-eq2-player-to-reach-level-80-is/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/19/and-the-first-eq2-player-to-reach-level-80-is/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/19/and-the-first-eq2-player-to-reach-level-80-is/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Stratics reports that the first player to reach level 80 on EverQuest II's live servers is the Monk Taucher of the guild Second Dawn on the Najena server. The word is that Taucher reached level 80 at 7:37 AM EST on Thursday the 15th of November; that's approximately 36 hours after Rise of Kunark -- the expansion that raised the level cap from 70 to 80 -- went live.

Taucher won a $100 reward from the community for being the first to level 80. He wrote a couple of brief posts in the contest's stickied thread at the EQ2Flames forum. He said in his post announcing his accomplishment, "I'm sure I'll have a lot to say when I wake up at some point, but right now I've been playing for pretty much 39 hours straight and I just want to go to bed."

This is not the first time a power gamer has blown everyone away with a marathon play session to reach a new level cap. Back when The Burning Crusade expansion for World of Warcraft came out, a 24-year-old Frenchman progressed from level 60 to level 70 in just 28 hours with the help of his guild mates.

MassivelyAnd the first EQ2 player to reach level 80 is... originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 19 Nov 2007 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eq2everquesteverquest-2everquest-iiexpansionlevel-80level-capmonknajenarise-of-kunarksoestraticstaucherMon, 19 Nov 2007 12:45:00 EST