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Allods Online's patch 3.0.2 bringing mentor system, new Astral space

Matt Daniel — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Trailers, Video, Patches, News items, Free-to-play, Allods Online

Allods Online's astral space is about to get just a little bit bigger thanks to the game's recently announced patch 3.0.2. The title's publisher, gPotato, announced today that the game's May content update will be bringing "a host of fixes and tweaks alongside some significant new features, including a new mentoring system and a new sector of astral space dedicated to free-for-all treasure hunting."

The game's mentoring system allows experienced, high-level players to impart their wisdom and knowledge upon new characters of the same faction and archetype. The system is managed entirely through the game's mentor interface, which also helps to match prospective apprentices with a mentor. Mentors can receive a number of rewards, including gold and marks of diligence, depending on the amount of time the mentor spends with his apprentice. The update is also unveiling a new area of astral space wherein players will compete in a free-for-all battle for randomly spawning treasure, but be warned: The more players are in the zone, the higher the chance that a demon will show up to try to wreck your day. Players will have a limited amount of time to contend with opposing players and marauding demons and to gather the most loot possible before time's up.

To get a sneak peek at these shiny new features, just head on past the cut and have a look at the update's official trailer.

[Source: gPotato press release]

Continue reading Allods Online's patch 3.0.2 bringing mentor system, new Astral space

Allods Online's patch 3.0.2 bringing mentor system, new Astral space originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 30 Apr 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Why I Play: EverQuest II

MJ Guthrie — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, EverQuest II, Game mechanics, Opinion, Free-to-play, Humor, Sandbox, Why I Play

Because.

Remember back when this answer was lobbed at you as the definitive answer (often by moms tired of incessant "why"s or as a precursor to "I said so!")? But since I am not your mom -- and more importantly, the boss isn't about to pay me for a one word article -- let me elaborate, though, I warn you, you may regret it; once I get going I may not be able to stop! Seriously, they had to restrain me from taking over Why I Play. Obviously I broke free mwuahahahaha!

Simply put, I love EverQuest II. I log into it daily. Sometimes I don't leave for more hours than I am willing to admit. I can hum the guild hall music from memory. I have a list of things I want to do so long I can't possibly get it all done. All this after taking a multi-year break. Yes folks, I left the game for a long time -- a move I am still kicking myself for. But certain features pulled me back, and let me just say, I am so glad I came back.

So why do I play EQII? Where to begin...

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Why I Play: EverQuest II originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 11 Apr 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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RIFT celebrates its first year by looking back... and looking beyond

Justin Olivetti — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Trailers, Video, Events, in-game, RIFT

It's been a tremendous first year for the RIFT team, and as the devs embark on year two for the game, they have taken a moment to look at the progress the title has made and where they intend to take it from here. "We built a really good foundation," Technical Design Director Peter Ju said, "and now we're just going to keep expanding it, expanding it, expanding it."

Apart from the expected proud testimonies from RIFT's developers, a new anniversary video shines some light on the development process. Ever wonder how Trion Worlds can pump out updates in such rapid succession? One of the reasons is that the tech is structured so that every dev can run -- and experiment upon -- a server on his or her own computer.

The team is excited about a brand-new 20-man raid that includes a dragon made entirely of treasure, not to mention a zone that's composed entirely of a city. A brief shot of a marker board suggests that the team is mulling over trapping and fishing professions as well as a possible mentoring system.

You can get pumped up for RIFT with this video after the jump!

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RIFT celebrates its first year by looking back... and looking beyond originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 05 Mar 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gates of Andaron update to feature mentoring, three faction PvP

Jef Reahard — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Galleries, Screenshots, Game mechanics, MMO industry, Patches, News items, Free-to-play

What's been going on with Gates of Andaron lately? Quite a lot, actually. A new press release from Gameforge has the details, and they include a third warring faction, a new mentoring system, and browser-based gameplay.

The new Rise of Gor update will debut in October, and the patch introduces the Gor faction to challenge the existing Valorian and Derion forces. Starting at level 80, Gor players may enter "large PvP battles, tipping the balance of power for or against the underdogs in a given battle."

The update isn't all endgame, though, as the newbie town of Tebekut is being recreated and will include "the most impressive graphics yet." The mentoring system will also ease new players into the game (and mentors even receive a payout when their charges reach level 90). Gates of Andaron is free-to-play, and you'll want to head to the official site to learn more and grab the client.

Gallery: Gates of Andaron dev tour

Gates of Andaron update to feature mentoring, three faction PvP originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 30 Aug 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wings Over Atreia: Mentors, schmentors

MJ Guthrie — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Aion, Opinion, Wings Over Atreia

Ahhh, the unadulterated bliss of traipsing about the promised land of milk and honey -- otherwise known as Atreia post 2.5. The siren call of the Empyrean Crucible, the plink of new tokens in the cube, the sounds of laughter as Daevas play with their newest cuddly little companions... what's that, you say? It is not all fluffy kittens and rainbows and sparkle ponies? *Gasp* How can that be?!

Last week, we touched on a number of the additions and improvements brought to Aion with the latest patch, Empyrean Calling. However, after the novelty of the the new features had worn off a bit, the negative impact of some of these improvements became apparent; no matter how much is put into a system, there will always be pros and cons. Such can be said of the new mentoring system.

Even while adding more to the gameplay of some, this system is taking away from it for others. Some were heard to be cursing mentoring from day one. Additionally, I venture to raise some concerns about long-term consequences that may not be considered in the rush to take advantage of the short-term gains. Sure, there are the benefits, but nothing comes without a cost. Nothing.

So what could be so bad about mentoring in Aion? Slip past the cut and I'll fill you in.

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Wings Over Atreia: Mentors, schmentors originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 06 Jun 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wings Over Atreia: First impressions of Empyrean Calling

MJ Guthrie — Mon, 30 May 2011 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Galleries, Aion, Patches, Opinion, First Impressions, Wings Over Atreia

IT'S HERE!!11! OMZG *cue altered cheer emote*

The wait is over. Yes folks, Aion 2.5 Empyrean Calling has finally arrived on the North American servers. And just as they did when 2.0 (Assault on Balaurea) launched, Daevas have been flocking back to check out a shiny new Atreia. My friends list is lighting up with names I haven't seen in... well, longer than I can actually recall!

Only the second Aion update to warrant an actual name, this patch certainly brings some new goodies to the table. While not as extensive as its predecessor, it still offers substance enough for Daevas to really sink their teeth into. But after so much anticipation, did it live up to expectations? Does the fact that I have lost track of my week since last Wednesday say anything? From the new instances to the mentoring system, there is certainly more to do in-game, especially for those who have made it to level cap and endgame.

But don't just take my word for it! In honor of the release, NCsoft is offering another reactivation celebration: For 10 days (beginning at 11:00 a.m. EDT on Friday, June 3rd and running until the same time on Monday, June 13th) any player with an Aion account can log in and experience the changes for herself.

Can't wait until the 3rd for a taste? Barrel roll past the cut to check out my first impressions of Empyrean Calling.

Gallery: Aion: 2.5 Empyrean Calling

Continue reading Wings Over Atreia: First impressions of Empyrean Calling

Wings Over Atreia: First impressions of Empyrean Calling originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 30 May 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Massively Exclusive: Aion mentoring guide

Jef Reahard — Mon, 16 May 2011 18:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Aion, Game mechanics, MMO industry, Patches, News items

Aion's 2.5 patch is on final approach, and in fact the new content and game systems made a smooth landing on NCsoft's test server just last week. One of those new systems allows high-level players to mentor their low-level counterparts, and today Massively has teamed with NCsoft to present you with an exclusive guide to the new functionality.

In a nutshell, low-level players will receive XP and unrestricted loot drops while the high-level mentor earns token rewards that go toward the purchase of high-end gear. One of the complaints consistently leveled against Aion over the first two years of its North American life has centered on the game's steep leveling curve. When coupled with the new quests introduced in previous updates, the mentoring system looks to provide a quick and easy path to the cap for young Daevas as well as an excuse for Aion geezers to wax nostalgic about how much harder it was way back when.

Join us after the cut for the skinny on Aion's mentoring mechanics.

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Massively Exclusive: Aion mentoring guide originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 16 May 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NCsoft aiming for Aion 2.5 test at the end of April

Jef Reahard — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Aion, Interviews, Patches, News items

Aion's 2.5 update has been a long time coming. We first heard tell of the patch in early January and are happy to report that NCsoft is looking to take the wraps off the new content via the game's test servers in the next few weeks.

In a new interview at the official UK Aion website, producer Sean Neil and brand manager Dominic Wai take turns answering player-generated questions relating to the new patch, which Neil says should be "on our player test servers (PTS) at the end of April or beginning of May."

What, exactly, does 2.5 bring to the world of Atreia? Quite a lot, actually, and whether you're talking about the extensive graphical overhaul or the new Empyrean Crucible and Esoterrace dungeon instances, chances are there will be something interesting in the update for every daeva. Getting to endgame should be less of a chore as well, and while Aion still possesses one of the more daunting gear grinds in the genre, NCsoft is introducing a mentoring system in 2.5 that allows "new players [to] level up quicker with the help of a friend."

NCsoft aiming for Aion 2.5 test at the end of April originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 06 Apr 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Help a troubled lowbie in Vanguard by becoming a mentor

Eliot Lefebvre — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Patches, Leveling, Vanguard

Just like the tile says, there's a way you can help low-level players in Vanguard: Saga of Heroes -- become a mentor. With the most recent patch, Vanguard has added a mentoring system to help players of differing levels adventure and interact in a meaningful fashion.

Similar to most mentoring systems, the high-level player's abilities and stats are capped at an appropriate level for the mentored player, restricting them to abilities they would have been able to use at the lower level. In all other ways, however, they'll function as a perfectly normal player, including gaining experience at the rate of a lower-level character. As a result, the tool is both an excellent way for dedicated players to introduce their friend to the game and a method for them to earn a little extra experience in the process. The mentoring system is fully usable if your friends are in the free trial area as well, which is one of the best ways to encourage a player to stick with the game over a longer period.

The patch also included the usual plethora of bugfixes and minor balance tweaks that have come to be standard fare for the MMO industry. Take a look at the full patch notes for the details.

[ via WarCry ]

Help a troubled lowbie in Vanguard by becoming a mentor originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 09 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Player vs. Everything: Frustrated by levels

Cameron Sorden — Sat, 24 May 2008 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Game mechanics, Leveling, Opinion, Player vs. Everything

I was reading through my usual round-up of blogs and news items this morning when I found an interesting post by Van Hemlock on the topic of levels in MMORPGs. More specifically, it was about how levels in games keep players from playing with each other. He discusses how ever since he started gaming in 1999, being a different level than the people he wants to play with has kept him from playing with them. Whether you're too high for the content to be challenging or too low to be effective, playing with your friends at different levels just never seems to work very well.

Van Hemlock makes an excellent point, and it's a problem in almost every single MMOG out there with two notable exceptions: EverQuest 2 and City of Heroes/Villains. Both of these games recognize the problem and attempt to circumvent it, but they do it in very different ways. In City of Heroes, you can move either up or down in level so that you can see high level content at low levels or go back and do low level content as a high level player and still advance. In EverQuest 2, it's strictly one-way. You can bring yourself down to your friend's level and adventure with them for alternate advancement experience. Is this really as big of a problem as people make it out to be, and if it is, why don't more games have systems like these?

Continue reading Player vs. Everything: Frustrated by levels

Player vs. Everything: Frustrated by levels originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 24 May 2008 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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