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[Win a trip to Turbine by making a LotRO fifth anniversary fan video]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/11/win-a-trip-to-turbine-by-making-a-lotro-fifth-anniversary-fan-vi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/11/win-a-trip-to-turbine-by-making-a-lotro-fifth-anniversary-fan-vi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/11/win-a-trip-to-turbine-by-making-a-lotro-fifth-anniversary-fan-vi/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

LotRO
With the fifth anniversary of Lord of the Rings Online a little over a week away, Turbine has sprung a most excellent contest to reward the hardiest Hobbits and most fanatical Fellowshippers in the community. By creating and submitting a fan video, one lucky player will win a trip to visit Turbine's studio in Boston, Massachusetts.

Entering the Who is the Biggest LotRO Fan Contest is pretty simple. To do so, you'll need to head over to the contest site, download a package of assets, and then create your own fan video celebrating the game's big milestone. Each player can submit one entry, due by May 4th, which is then judged on creativity, composition, and appropriateness to theme.

While there will be 500 TP daily winners in the contest, the big grand prize is a trip for two to Boston, a three-day stay in a hotel, a tour of Turbine's offices, a lifetime membership to LotRO, and 1,000 TP.

MassivelyWin a trip to Turbine by making a LotRO fifth anniversary fan video originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 11 Apr 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bostoncontestf2pfan-contestfan-made-videofan-videofantasyfree-to-playlifetime-membershiplord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotrotpturbineturbine-entertainmentturbine-pointsvideoWho-is-the-Biggest-LotRO-Fan-ContestwinnerwinningsWed, 11 Apr 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[LotRO dares you to photograph the White Hand of Saruman]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/20/lotro-dares-you-to-photograph-the-white-hand-of-saruman/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/20/lotro-dares-you-to-photograph-the-white-hand-of-saruman/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/20/lotro-dares-you-to-photograph-the-white-hand-of-saruman/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

White Hand of Saruman
Rise of Isengard launches next week for Lord of the Rings Online, and Turbine is trumpeting the expansion the best way it knows how: by encouraging players to dip their hands in white paint and slap everything in the world around them. OK, maybe not that extreme, but close enough!

With the studio's White Hand of Saruman contest, LotRO players are tasked with photographing people, objects or environments plastered with the iconic sigil of Isengard's key bad guy. Turbine's not encouraging players to flirt with the wrong side of the law, as it adds the disclaimer "Permanently defacing property or committing illegal acts is not permitted" to the contest rules.

Players can download the white hand template from the contest website, set up an interesting picture, and then submit it for a chance at one of several prizes. These prizes include a custom-built Alienware PC, lifetime memberships to LotRO, and in-game Turbine Points. The contest will end on November 15th, after which the winners will be declared.

MassivelyLotRO dares you to photograph the White Hand of Saruman originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 20 Sep 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alienwarecontestf2pfree-to-playisengardlifetime-membershiplord-of-the-rings-onlinelotrorise-of-isengardsarumantpturbineturbine-entertainmentturbine-pointsvipwhite-handwhite-hand-of-sarumanTue, 20 Sep 2011 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Behind the Mask: I want to be with this game forever and ever]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/27/behind-the-mask-i-want-to-be-with-this-game-forever-and-ever/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/27/behind-the-mask-i-want-to-be-with-this-game-forever-and-ever/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/27/behind-the-mask-i-want-to-be-with-this-game-forever-and-ever/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

One of the saddest days for me was Tuesday -- the day Champions Online launched its Free for All expansion and went free-to-play. I was mostly sad because I didn't get to log in; people have been telling me about 15+ instances of Millennium City and having a blast teaming up with all the new faces. I even got to talk to Poz on the Massively Speaking podcast about how in the first few hours of F2P, the feedback was overwhelmingly positive and the launch went off with only a minor hiccup when the servers had some minor maintenance a few hours in.

While I waited for Cryptic's CS department to look at my account issues, I got to thinking about how much it would suck to lose access to my free-form characters, to which until now I've had unlimited access for as long as the game continues to live. My lifetime account for CO sure is cool.

There are a lot of criticisms about CO's F2P model and even more about lifetime accounts. Way back when they were first being offered, there were a lot of arguments that CO wouldn't last the 13 months or so it would take to pay it off. Now people are claiming that Cryptic is trying to steal more money by offering lifetime subs again. Why is a lifetime account worth it? Hit the jump and let's find out.

Continue reading Behind the Mask: I want to be with this game forever and ever

MassivelyBehind the Mask: I want to be with this game forever and ever originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 27 Jan 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>behind-the-maskc-storec-store-salechampions-onlinecocrypticcryptic-champions-onlinecryptic-cocryptic-studiosf2pfeaturedlifetime-membershiplifetime-subscriptionsuper-heroThu, 27 Jan 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony Online Entertainment brings Domo to Free Realms]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/13/sony-online-entertainment-brings-domo-to-free-realms/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/13/sony-online-entertainment-brings-domo-to-free-realms/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/13/sony-online-entertainment-brings-domo-to-free-realms/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Sony Online Entertainment is bringing a familiar face to Free Realms: Domo. SOE has worked out a deal with Virtual Greats and Big Tent Entertainment to bring Domo pets into the game, and they're sure to be as excruciatingly cute as the marshmallow pets from earlier this summer.

SOE didn't stop with pets, however. Just like in the real world, the Domo figure will adorn all sorts of merchandise: hats, backpacks, slippers, and even housing blocks.

Domo isn't the only thing that will interest Free Realms fans. The discounted lifetime membership promotion has been extended for a few more days, so if you were on the fence you have until August 16th at noon PDT to get in on it.

Check out the Free Realms site for all the details.

MassivelySony Online Entertainment brings Domo to Free Realms originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 13 Aug 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>domof2pfree-realmsfree-to-playftplifetime-membershippetssoeSony-Online-EntertainmentFri, 13 Aug 2010 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Do you buy lifetime memberships?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/05/the-daily-grind-do-you-buy-lifetime-memberships/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/05/the-daily-grind-do-you-buy-lifetime-memberships/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/05/the-daily-grind-do-you-buy-lifetime-memberships/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

On Monday we told you Cryptic had announced a lifetime membership for Champions Online. For $199 you get access to the Star Trek Online closed beta, special costumes not available to anyone else and other juicy perks. Cool huh? Now while lifetime memberships are not new (LotRO springs to mind), it's a lot of money to try a must-play game but, in a way, it also binds you to said MMO. You're buying before you try, in effect, and promising to invest a large amount of time in a particular game based on screen shots, lore or the IP.

The problem is, it's hard to tell whether a game will be hit and miss and if it ultimately goes the way of Tabula Rasa and The Matrix Online. At the same time, the really popular MMOs like WoW never seem to offer lifetime subs, as if they know they will be so popular that subscriptions will keep the game going well into the next decade. I'm wondering, constant readers, do you buy lifetime memberships and did you do it because it would work out cheaper or because you genuinely love that MMO?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Do you buy lifetime memberships? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 05 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>champions-onlineCOlifetime-membershiplifetime-subscriptionlord-of-the-rings-onlinelotroMxOstar-trek-onlineSTOtabula-rasathe-daily-grindthe-matrix-onlineTRworld-of-warcraftwowWed, 05 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Free Realms announces free virtual items and Station Cash for all players]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/15/free-realms-announces-free-virtual-items-and-station-cash-for-al/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/15/free-realms-announces-free-virtual-items-and-station-cash-for-al/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/15/free-realms-announces-free-virtual-items-and-station-cash-for-al/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


"Well that didn't take long" was the gist of what the Massively team had to say about today's Free Realms announcement of over one million players signed up in the first eighteen days. Are these players all shelling out for Station Cash? Doubtful. And it's way too soon to judge how many of those players will stick with the game, but it's still a pretty big deal.

Sony Online Entertainment seems to think so as well, and have announced they'll be giving out virtual gifts to all one million Free Realms players. 999,999 players will receive an in-game T-shirt with a matching shirt for their pet, in addition to 200 Station Cash. The one-millionth player will get a sweeter deal -- a lifetime membership to Free Realms, an astronaut suit (the only one in the game), and 10,000 Station Cash.
Want to know more about Free Realms? SOE's new whimsical free-to-play MMO is already being called a refreshing change of pace for kids and adults alike, and we have just the coverage you need!

MassivelyFree Realms announces free virtual items and Station Cash for all players originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 15 May 2009 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>astronautcasualfree-realmsfree-to-playkidslifetime-membershipsoesony-online-entertainmentstation-cashFri, 15 May 2009 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[LotRO's anniversary pricing to end soon]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/18/lotros-anniversary-pricing-to-end-soon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/18/lotros-anniversary-pricing-to-end-soon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/18/lotros-anniversary-pricing-to-end-soon/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

If you haven't taken advantage of the anniversary pricing special from Lord of the Rings Online yet, we're worried about your sanity. Yes it's still going on, but you only have less than two weeks left until the prices go back up. This special pricing deal started way back on April 24th of this year and was extended until June 30th.

Not to make this sound too much like a commercial, but this really is the greatest deal in town for a game as involved and deep as LotRO. Even at a 3-month subscription, you're only paying $9.99 a month, but for the first time since launch, they're offering the lifetime subscription for $199. After the 30th, it will go up to $299. So consider this your friendly reminder from your pals at Massively: don't let this lifetime membership deal pass you by!

MassivelyLotRO's anniversary pricing to end soon originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 18 Jun 2008 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anniversarycodemasterslifetime-membershiplord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromembershippricingsubscriptionturbineWed, 18 Jun 2008 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Turbine announces Lord of the Rings Online anniversary events]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/24/turbine-announces-lord-of-the-rings-online-anniversary-events/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/24/turbine-announces-lord-of-the-rings-online-anniversary-events/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/24/turbine-announces-lord-of-the-rings-online-anniversary-events/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

All day we've been celebrating the release of Book 13, and the one year anniversary of Lord of the Rings Online's launch. In honor of those events, Turbine has announced a month of celebrations! If it's been a while since you trod upon the rich loam of Tolkien's world, you're going to be welcomed back with open arms. Starting on May 8th lapsed players will be able to return for a five day trial period, to get to know the game all over again. If you decide you like Middle-earth and want to jump back in, you're going to have a couple of pricing options. They've reopened the lifetime membership gates for $199. If that's too steep for you, reupping your account this month will lock you into a $9.99 pricing scheme ... just like back when the game first launched.

It's not all just fun and games out here, though. For those of you on the inside of the gameworld looking out, there's plenty to celebrate. During the Lord of the Rings Online anniversary celebration, monsters throughout the land will drop 'rare items' when they're slain. Players can exchange these rare items for special gift boxes containing anniversary loot. These will apparently be one-of-kind items intended to 'aid [you in your] adventures in Middle-earth.'

Sounds like it's a great month to jump back into the game. Good luck with the orcs!

Gallery: Lord of the Rings Online Book 13 Tour

Map of Middle-earth with ForochelMap of ForochelArvedui, the Last KingWar mammoth and riderWar mammoth and rider separated.

MassivelyTurbine announces Lord of the Rings Online anniversary events originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 24 Apr 2008 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anniversarybreakinglifetime-membershiplord-of-the-rings-onlinelotrolotro-book-13one-year-anniversaryturbineThu, 24 Apr 2008 14:45:00 EST