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Final Fantasy XIV launches patch 1.22

Eliot Lefebvre — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Patches, News items, Consoles, Final Fantasy XIV

Feel as if the last major Final Fantasy XIV patch just had too much to absorb at once? Well, you're going to be a bit stuck today if that's the case because patch 1.22 has just gone live and brought with it another host of improvements, updates, and changes. The good news is that this patch doesn't contain the same number of system changes as the previous patch, but that's because of the sheer amount of new content included.

The patch adds another four ranks to the Grand Companies, another set of quests, the new Garuda battle, the first of the hamlet defense points, and more besides. Players will also be able to obtain new items from crafting, gathering, and victory in the Garuda fight, and they'll be able to see the first hints of what will happen to the world as the era draws to a close. Servers are expected to be back online later tonight, and players will no doubt have plenty to explore once they can log in again.

[Thanks to Alex for the tip!]

Final Fantasy XIV launches patch 1.22 originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 25 Apr 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DC Universe Online giving players a little more R&D

Eliot Lefebvre — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 17:30:00 EST

Filed under: Super-hero, Game mechanics, Patches, Previews, News items, Free-to-play, DC Universe Online

There's nothing like a little crafting to spice up a game. In the wake of what appears by all accounts to be a successful free-to-play transition, DC Universe Online is giving players a new way to enjoy a little crafting in the form of the Research & Development system. A preview of the system has just arrived, showing off how to get started as well as what can be uncovered by patient research.

Once a character hits level 10, he or she can begin to gather Exobits, which can in turn be forged together into Exobytes at R&D stations. Using plans either found in the world or bought from specialized vendors players can then combine Exobytes into equipment mods or consumables, both of which can help boost players beyond their current levels of power. The system is set to debut along with the other features of Game Update 8, so there's only a little more time until players can get their hands on the materials and see what develops.

DC Universe Online giving players a little more R&D originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 04 Jan 2012 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Square-Enix announces end of Final Fantasy XIV's free play and roadmap for next year

Eliot Lefebvre — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Business models, Events, in-game, Game mechanics, News items, Consoles, Final Fantasy XIV

The latest patch for Final Fantasy XIV brought some major changes with it, but there are more coming. In a new series of announcements, Square-Enix announced that the unbilled period of the game will be coming to a close between late November and early December in recognition of the large-scale work done by Naoki Yoshida and the game's team. But the announcement was more far-reaching than that -- no, the entire game is going to undergo a major process of changes well through next year, including a graphical engine and UI overhaul as well as major changes to the game's maps.

Several design documents have been posted along with this update, making it clear that the changes will be observed and influenced by players taking part in content during this time period. And these changes will be massive -- the new UI will not only look much cleaner but also be able to support player add-ons. With a promised redesign of maps, changes to the landscape, the upcoming PlayStation 3 version, and major updates to the battle system and armoury system, it's going to be very busy over the next few months as Final Fantasy XIV moves toward version 2.0.

Square-Enix announces end of Final Fantasy XIV's free play and roadmap for next year originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 14 Oct 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Patch notes for Final Fantasy XIV's 1.19a update unveiled

Eliot Lefebvre — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 18:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Patches, News items, Consoles, Final Fantasy XIV

Patch 1.19 is still fresh in the minds of every Final Fantasy XIV player; it was a big change for the game that ushered in a lot of welcome additions and improvements. But not quite everything was ready for prime time when the patch went live, leading to the promise of a patch 1.19a with a few more features. With the patch having just gone live, patch notes for 1.19a have understandably been released, and the latest notes should continue to make players happy with several further updates beyond the obvious elements held over from 1.19.

Aside from the addition of the third beastman stronghold and the implementation of levequest history evaluations, the patch will bring the long-desired feature by which the game remembers your bar layouts when you switch classes rather than forcing you to re-arrange bars each time. There have also been several bugfixes and price reductions on several vendor-sold items across the cities. While this latest bridging patch won't be the game-changer of its predecessor, it should still be welcome when the servers come back online from the patch process.

Patch notes for Final Fantasy XIV's 1.19a update unveiled originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 13 Oct 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rusty Hearts rolls out an Awakening

Eliot Lefebvre — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 21:30:00 EST

Filed under: Trailers, Video, Expansions, Patches, News items, Free-to-play

Rusty Hearts might still technically be in the testing phase, but the game is already rolling out its first major content update in Awakening. And it's a big one, raising the level cap to 30, rolling out 40 new storyline quests to invest players in the game's lore, and unveiling four new dungeons. That's without even getting into the new weapons added for characters, new bosses, new non-story quests, additional items... you get the general idea.

There's a lot to explore in this update, and so it wouldn't be complete without a trailer showing off all of the action-based, cel-shaded goodness. Jump on past the break to take a look at the full trailer, and you can log into the game right now to start enjoying all of the update -- or perhaps just messing around with your hairstyle without the cash shop for a while. (Yes, that's one of the update features.)

[Source: Perfect World Entertainment press release]

Continue reading Rusty Hearts rolls out an Awakening

Rusty Hearts rolls out an Awakening originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 12 Oct 2011 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fallen Earth launching free-to-play conversion with a last chance at veteran rewards

Eliot Lefebvre — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Fallen Earth, Business models, Launches, Patches, Free-to-play, Post-Apocalyptic

As of October 12th, Fallen Earth will be the latest title to join the hybrid free-to-play business model. This also means that Wednesday marks the end of the road for players who want to be subscribed before that transition in order to be eligible for special veteran rewards. Returning and existing players will find waiting for them upon login a Spiked Chopper, a vehicle that will allow them to get from place to place while still looking as stylish as possible. Existing subscribers will be eligible for the veteran rewards package, which include monthly gifts, wardrobe spots, and a discount on the top subscription tier.

But even if you're not subscribed when the change takes place, you can still benefit from the new world events being brought to the game with this update. Taking place randomly in any part of the wasteland, these spontaneous special quests will allow players to dynamically jump in and take part in the struggle to preserve the wasteland and society from the forces that threaten it. Special rewards are also available for players who take part, giving all the more reason for both free and paid players to jump back into the sandbox environment of the wasteland.

[Source: GamersFirst press release]

Fallen Earth launching free-to-play conversion with a last chance at veteran rewards originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 10 Oct 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Mog Log: Patch 1.19

Eliot Lefebvre — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Game mechanics, Lore, Patches, Opinion, Consoles, Final Fantasy XIV, The Mog Log

So there was a Final Fantasy XIV patch on Tuesday. Maybe you heard about it. It was only all over the parts of the internet that care about Final Fantasy XIV, and even some that don't. This was not a patch in the traditional sense; it was a huge reworking and revamping of several parts of the game.

It's a big patch, that's what I'm getting at. And I've spent the past several days diving into it with all the time I've had because this is the sort of thing that really changes a lot of core assumptions about the game.

So it's been a time of empirical testing, a time of leveling, a time of dropping a lot of gil on new pieces of equipment and getting ready to tell my readers whether this patch was everything promised or fell flat. And truth be told, there's too much to address even in one column. But I can at least get started.

Continue reading The Mog Log: Patch 1.19

The Mog Log: Patch 1.19 originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 08 Oct 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Mog Log: A year that wasn't

Eliot Lefebvre — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Events, real-world, Launches, Opinion, Consoles, Final Fantasy XIV, The Mog Log

So it's been a year since the release of Final Fantasy XIV. Well, all right, that's a a bit debatable, what with the differing launch times for the collector's edition and the general retail edition, but for the purposes of this article and my own memory, I'm going to go ahead and focus on that one-year anniversary right now. I remember driving down to pick the game up a year ago on Thursday. That's close enough.

And there's a lot that's changed since the game was released. It's a well-known fact that I liked the game even in its initial state, but it had some pretty major issues and some points of lacking implementation. And it doesn't feel like we're a year out from launch as a result of all the things that the game has changed since launch, with each patch bringing not just new content but major overhauls to the existing game. So was there even a point to launching the game right then, considering both the reception and the fact that we're still without a subscription charge?

Continue reading The Mog Log: A year that wasn't

The Mog Log: A year that wasn't originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 24 Sep 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Final Fantasy XIV previewing beastman strongholds and UI improvements

Eliot Lefebvre — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 18:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Patches, Previews, News items, Consoles, Final Fantasy XIV

Fans of Final Fantasy XIV are eagerly anticipating the arrival of patch 1.19, which promises to bring no shortage of improvements to the game's mechanics and content. The previews of the patch are still ongoing, and the latest round covers both the changes coming to the game's UI and the upcoming strongholds for the beast tribes. Strongholds are described as challenging content for groups of adventurers, requiring a party to fight through guards to reach a central notorious monster, with the first preview covering the amalj'aa compound known as Zahar'ak.

The UI changes include the long-requested feature to make aetheryte, retainer bells, and similar environmental objects directly targetable. But that's the least of the improvements that include a UI lock feature, several adjustments to text colors to help indicate item quality and rank, and an auto-compare feature for equipment bought from vendors or retainers. While there's still no word on exactly when FFXIV players can look forward to the update going live, all signs point to "soon" for the latest major update.

Final Fantasy XIV previewing beastman strongholds and UI improvements originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 12 Sep 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mythos Europe adds PvP features and new levels

Eliot Lefebvre — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 18:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Game mechanics, Patches, PvP, News items, Mythos, Free-to-play

"Lamentation" is a word that isn't associated with PvP as often as it ought to be, with the lyric "QQ" generally taking its place. But the latest update for Mythos is bringing back lamentation in style with the new Lamento PvP system in place. Players at level 50 or up can fight in 1v1 or 2v2 matches against other players, with the winner obtaining Lamento points that can be used to purchase new level 51 armor and weapons.

What's that? You're stuck at level 50? Well, not any longer -- level 51 has been added, allowing players access to new pieces of equipment and another notch of power. The full list of patch changes is quite extensive, including new rewards for clearing dungeons quickly, improvements to movement speed, and new stats that can be generated when items drop. Amidst all of the new doses of power, it's for the best that PvP is coming out in force. After all, why settle for crushing computer-controlled enemies when you could be hearing the lamentations of your opponents?

Mythos Europe adds PvP features and new levels originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 28 Jul 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The winds, they are a-changin' in Guild Wars

Eliot Lefebvre — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 21:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Guild Wars, Events, in-game, Patches, News items, Free-to-play

It's time for another major event in Guild Wars, one that's been heavily anticipated by the players -- the next installment in Guild Wars Beyond, centering around the lands of Cantha. There are changes afoot for the land, as evidenced by the title of the new multi-part event, Winds of Change. And if you want to start taking part in the history that will shape Guild Wars 2, now is a fine time to see what those winds are bringing.

Players can start their newest adventure by speaking with Initiate Zei Ri at Kaineng Center, setting them down the road following the events of Guild Wars Factions. (Needless to say, you have to have finished Factions to take part in the new missions.) As was the case for the previous installment, the update brings with it new costumes for players to purchase so that the battle for Cantha's future can be done in style. Guild Wars players should get to work seeing all that the update has to offer, because the change starts now... and who knows how much will be different when all is said and done.

The winds, they are a-changin' in Guild Wars originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 07 Jul 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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RIFT launches patch 1.3, but don't bank on it

Eliot Lefebvre — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 18:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Patches, News items, RIFT

After a great deal of anticipation and previewing, the latest patch for RIFT is finally on the live servers. Patch 1.3 brings with it a variety of improvements, including character transfers, a new raid, new world events, and of course the usual round of balance and general improvements. But there's a feature conspicuously missing from the whole affair, forecasted by the fact that the official patch notes simply say that more details on guild banks will be available when they are released.

Yes, it looks like the patch was getting just a little too big for its britches -- guild banks were found to have a couple of lingering issues and thus have been held back from the release. There's no specific timetable on when the feature will be implemented, as the announcement states mostly that the team didn't want to hold back the entire update for one feature. RIFT players might be a little miffed at the loss, but there is a full patch to explore anyhow, for however much that helps ameliorate the temporary loss.

[Thanks to Paul for the tip!]

RIFT launches patch 1.3, but don't bank on it originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 22 Jun 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LEGO Universe opens the Nexus Tower

Eliot Lefebvre — Mon, 23 May 2011 20:30:00 EST

Filed under: Video, Patches, News items, LEGO Universe, Kids, Miscellaneous

It's always nice to finish a big construction project of LEGO bricks, even if you're just making something out of spare bricks on your desktop instead of working. It's the same for LEGO Universe, but in a somewhat more substantive fashion -- the Nexus Tower, a massive structure composed of a huge number of bricks, has finally been completed in-game. Thanks to players donating bricks and working toward the tower's completion, everyone can start enjoying the features of this large-scale hub as well as several content updates due to accompany it.

Players who explore the tower will find over 50 new missions to undertake as well as several faction leaders to work alongside as they learn more about the history of the game's multiversal setting. There are also new items, new pets, new daily missions, and a promise of more content to come down the pipeline following this. LEGO Universe players can check out all of the new stuff in-game now, but if you can't log in right at the moment, take a look at the trailer just after the break.

Continue reading LEGO Universe opens the Nexus Tower

LEGO Universe opens the Nexus Tower originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 23 May 2011 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ether Saga Odyssey officially launches

Eliot Lefebvre — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 22:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Launches, Patches, News items, Free-to-play, Ether Saga Online

Some updates are too big to just write the whole thing off as a patch. Ether Saga Odyssey has just launched today... and if the name looks more than passingly familiar, it's because up until very recently the game was Ether Saga Online. Perfect World Entertainment has re-branded the game with a new title to commemorate the groundswell of content added with this update, including new races, new starting areas, and a brand-new graphics engine for the game.

But the launch festivities don't stop with the new title -- there are plenty of other events and rewards to kick off the rebranding. For starters, experience gained will be doubled for the weekend, which should help new players bring characters up to level 30 faster than ever. That's a good thing, as new characters who hit 30 will receive special rewards, as will players who stay logged in for an extended period of time. The promotions end on May 4th, so if you're itching to give the new Ether Saga Odyssey a try, now is the time.

Ether Saga Odyssey officially launches originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 28 Apr 2011 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Newest EVE Online patch pushed live with controversial anomaly changes

Eliot Lefebvre — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 22:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, EVE Online, Game mechanics, Patches, News items

The latest update to EVE Online has gone live, with Incursion 1.4 hitting the server today. Like any patch, this one has issues to be ironed out, ones that have already prompted an announced maintenance tomorrow to deploy a fix. But bugs are understandable with the wealth of updates in the new patch, which makes far-reaching changes to several parts of the game including a plethora of quality-of-life improvements. Parts can now be stripped from unpiloted ships, extra outpost information has been added, and you can see the portraits of other pilots in more places as well as zoom in for a hi-resolution look whenever you want.

But the patch isn't all cosmetics and convenience; some functional changes have been rolled out as well. Chief among these are changes to the workings of anomalies, which were announced some time ago and caused something of a stir within the community. Whether or not players will be slightly more happy with the changes in actual play remains to be seen; for the time being, EVE Online players will need to start logging in and experimenting with the patch to determine how good (or bad) the net effect has been.

Newest EVE Online patch pushed live with controversial anomaly changes originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 06 Apr 2011 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A new kingdom awaits in Vindictus patch 1.23

Eliot Lefebvre — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Game mechanics, Patches, News items, Free-to-play, Vindictus

There's more to Vindictus than just hacking and slashing everything into a bloody red mist, and with the game's latest update, that statement is more true than ever. Patch 1.23 has just arrived, bringing with it a variety of new content for the free-to-play action title, starting with the brand-new kingdom of Rocheste. Players at level 22 or higher will be able to travel to the new area filled with new vendors and quest NPCs as well as enjoy the start of the brand-new Expertise system for crafting items.

But maybe you're not too concerned about all of that fluff and want to cut things to ribbons. The update is catering to you as well with the level cap bump to 70 and the addition of two new transformations for your character. Along with an increased AP cap, new armors, and a new dueling system, there's plenty of opportunity for Vindictus veterans to enjoy the game's signature gameplay. Take a look at the full patch notes and get ready to enjoy all of the new additions, along with several upcoming events for the game.

A new kingdom awaits in Vindictus patch 1.23 originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 24 Mar 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lord of the Rings Online releases Update 2

Eliot Lefebvre — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Galleries, Lord of the Rings Online, Patches, Endgame, News items, Free-to-play

If you've been waiting for the next installment of the epic story behind Lord of the Rings Online, today is your day. Update 2 is now live, containing among other things the beginning of Book 3 for the current story. Along with the revisions to make the preceding Volume II much easier to solo, players who love delving into the game's story and lore will have plenty to be happy about in this update. But there are improvements for the endgame as well.

Aside from the previously mentioned removal of radiance, the update features two three-player instances, two six-player instances, a new 12-person raid, and three new scaling skirmishes from the depths of Mirkwood. Add to that the revisions made for monster players, class revisions for Hunters, Burglars, and Minstrels, and a variety of improvements to quality of life, and the most recent Lord of the Rings Online update should bring plenty for everyone.

Gallery: Lord of the Rings Online Core Gallery

Lord of the Rings Online releases Update 2 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 21 Mar 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Final Fantasy XIV's update dated and expanded

Eliot Lefebvre — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Game mechanics, Patches, News items, Consoles, Final Fantasy XIV

The first of two major updates for Final Fantasy XIV in the month of December will be going live tomorrow, according to the official word from Square-Enix. That's good news for the game's players, who have been looking forward to the previewed notorious monsters ever since the first of several teasers was made public. But that's not the only thing that players can expect, with the promise of another update later in the month bringing even further improvements to the game's mechanics and the market system.

Among the more significant features that have not been previewed in detail are the addition of more guildleves and recipes for crafting, as well as another free retainer slot that will serve to boost inventory and marketing capacities significantly. The update is also scheduled to contain more UI improvements, including an increase on the maximum allowed input in the chat box (which is currently rather myopic). Further details on the second December update are promised for a later date, but this update alone should be a fine tiding for Final Fantasy XIV players the world over.

Final Fantasy XIV's update dated and expanded originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 14 Dec 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Conquer Online is ready for kung-fu fighting

Eliot Lefebvre — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 21:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Classes, Patches, Previews, News items, Free-to-play

It's been a very long time since we looked into Conquer Online, but the game is approaching its next major update, dubbed "Returning Light." This update features the addition of a new playable class, the Monk, which makes up the sixth entry into the game's mix of classes. While these ascetic disciples of elemental harmony have long remained isolated from the rest of the world, the events of the upcoming patch will force Monks into combat once again, much to the benefit of players.

Monks are capable of bestowing a number of beneficial effects upon party members, healing and supporting others through their elemental skills. But the class is also capable of moving into the fray via powerful martial arts, allowing players to split their time between the class functions or pick one as a specialty. The official preview for the Monk is already available, so Conquer Online players should look forward to the currently scheduled release of December 16th for the patch.

Conquer Online is ready for kung-fu fighting originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 13 Dec 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Issue 19 goes live in City of Heroes

Eliot Lefebvre — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Super-hero, City of Heroes, City of Villains, Patches, News items, Miscellaneous

While World of Warcraft goes through its own world-shattering events, City of Heroes is getting hit hard as well. Issue 19 has just gone live, allowing players to experience the first step of the Praetorian invasion. Luckily, the patch also brings with it the Alpha Slot, empowering players with the first tier of the Incarnate system and allowing characters to stand against the invasion at a heretofore unseen level of power. There's also a surfeit of assorted quality-of-life improvements, not the least of which is the movement of Fitness to a baseline set of powers.

Issue 19's features have been getting talked up for some time, so players will likely find many familiar entries among the official patch notes. Most noteworthy is the free respec token that's being given out to all characters, with a second free token being awarded on December 8th for characters who have used the first free token. It's the perfect time for City of Heroes players to log in, get playing, and start fighting back against the Praetorian invaders with all the might they can muster -- and with the new systems, that's quite a lot of might indeed.

Issue 19 goes live in City of Heroes originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 30 Nov 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A Mild-Mannered Reporter: The changing of the environment

Eliot Lefebvre — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Super-hero, City of Heroes, City of Villains, Events, in-game, Lore, Opinion, A Mild-Mannered Reporter

If I had to make a list of video game characters I hate... well, it would take up a thousand words and then some. (Fuuka Yamagishi would be on there.) But if I just had to make a list of MMO lore characters that I hate... actually, again, it would take up a thousand words and then some. (Tyrande Whisperwind would be on there.) Still, near the top of the list would be one of my least favorite characters from the lore of any game, and appropriately enough it's City of Heroes -- because I really, really hate Statesman.

Honestly, before I even knew about his background, Statesman rubbed me the wrong way. But it was only made worse by the fact that he derived his powers from Jack Emmert's ego, thereby giving him nearly limitless everything as long as Emmert was in charge. The comics made him out to be a jerk; the game made him out to be The Best Hero In The World Ever. And through it all there was a subtle reminder that he was the real hero. Your character was great and all, but you weren't really the hero. It was Statesman.

Continue reading A Mild-Mannered Reporter: The changing of the environment

A Mild-Mannered Reporter: The changing of the environment originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 10 Nov 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Issues 20 and Incarnates previewed for City of Heroes

Eliot Lefebvre — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Super-hero, City of Heroes, City of Villains, Events, in-game, Game mechanics, Previews, News items

If you were one of the lucky fans at the recent City of Heroes meet-and-greet, you were treated to a wealth of information from Paragon Studios about the future of the game. If you weren't, however, you still get a fair slice of luck with today's reveal on the official site about the Incarnate system, complete with lore illustrating the start of what promises to be a far-reaching storyline in the game. We've also gotten a look at the event's presentation on future content, which should give fans plenty to look forward to.

The Incarnate system is kicking off with the Alpha Slot in Issue 19, which will be focused on wide-ranging enhancements to all of a character's powers. Unlike Enhancements, Incarnate abilities can be slotted and removed without destroying them. Each slot will have several branches that players can explore as well, allowing for a great deal of character customization. Moreover, the most powerful Incarnate abilities allow characters to improve their effective level in battle past the cap. You can head to the official site for more details on the next major system of City of Heroes -- or you can take a look at the gallery for a preview of what's coming and the slides which give us a sneak peek at a new warehouse map, new costume pieces, and the trials of Issue 20.

Gallery: City of Heroes updates preview

Issues 20 and Incarnates previewed for City of Heroes originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 09 Nov 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Demonflame now available for Champions Online

Eliot Lefebvre — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 19:30:00 EST

Filed under: Super-hero, Game mechanics, Patches, News items, Champions Online

It was promised for this month, and Champions Online players can rejoice that the promise was true. Demonflame, the second adventure pack for the game, has just moved from the test servers to live. Following in the footsteps of the previous adventure pack, Serpent Lantern, the adventure can be undertaken by any size group from level 11 onward, scaling in both difficulty and complexity according to the number and level of participants. Not to mention that it includes new rewards for players of all levels, including new costume parts of an equally violet hue.

In addition to the new adventure, the newest patch also included the pet revision, which might be even more interesting for you depending on your level and power build in the game. While there's no official list of patch notes, our resident columnist did a good job summarizing both the pet changes and the new adventure pack in the weeks leading up to their release. So if you've been holding off on logging in to Champions Online in anticipation of the new patch, now is the time.

Demonflame now available for Champions Online originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 19 Oct 2010 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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City of Heroes previews the coming Issue 19

Eliot Lefebvre — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Super-hero, City of Heroes, City of Villains, Game mechanics, Patches, Previews, News items

We've known about the bare basics of Issue 19 for a little while now, but City of Heroes players have just been treated to a new explosion of information about the game's next major content patch. And it promises to be quite a big update, with two new task forces, new events in Praetoria, and some alternate animations and auras that had not been previously announced. Several powers will now have a number of locations that can be used as a launching point, so you could fire your Radiation Blasts from your eyes, one hand, both hands, or other possibilities. More tip and morality missions are being added, as well as the option for characters who were not from Praetoria to enter the city.

It couldn't come at a better time, as Praetoria's infiltration and invasion are the center of the two new task forces. Overseen by Apex and Tin Mage, two important lore figures, the chains have characters face off against Praetors and uniquely Praetorian enemies to keep their world safe from Emperor Cole's designs. There are also new live events being added in Praetoria, such as a mass protest that heroes can take part in or help shut down. With the previously announced first Incarnate slot and the move of Fitness to inherent (with a slight clarification of unclear wording), the update promises to be an infusion of both content and systems for City of Heroes, so take a look at the official rundown for more.

City of Heroes previews the coming Issue 19 originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 05 Oct 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Battle of the Immortals launches an expansion teaser

Eliot Lefebvre — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Trailers, Game mechanics, Previews, News items, Free-to-play, Battle of the Immortals

There's something to be said for verisimilitude. Despite the fact that we've all accepted limitations in just how much a game can model at any given time, it's nice to be able to break things when you unleash whatever horrible ultimate spell your character of choice is packing. Battle of the Immortals recognizes this, and that's why one of the big features in their new teaser trailer is the addition of destructible environments to the game.

While the game's first major expansion update is ramping up for release, this trailer is for an addition not slated for arrival until spring of 2011. It's a bit of a wait, but the trailer already looks detailed and interesting, promising several graphical and environmental upgrades for the game. Take a look past the cut for the full trailer, and keep your eyes peeled for more news on the updates for Battle of the Immortals, as they seem to be coming fast and furious.

Continue reading Battle of the Immortals launches an expansion teaser

Battle of the Immortals launches an expansion teaser originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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