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[Reports of EverQuest Mac dying have been greatly exaggerated]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/14/reports-of-everquest-mac-dying-have-been-greatly-exaggerated/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/14/reports-of-everquest-mac-dying-have-been-greatly-exaggerated/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/14/reports-of-everquest-mac-dying-have-been-greatly-exaggerated/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

It gets knocked down, but it gets up again.
Nothing gold can stay, it seems. EverQuest on the Macintosh, affectionately dubbed EQMac, was announced as facing a shutdown in wake of the game's impending free-to-play transition. John Smedley confirmed this, players mourned, and our own stalwart Game Archaeologist lamented its passing. And so, as the game approaches its final month, Smedley has... apparently rescinded the entire thing via a late-night Twitter post that has taken the entire EQMac community by surprise.

Yes, there is apparently both a Santa Claus and a Tooth Fairy, because John Smedley has stated that not only are the EQMac fans "a wonderful group of players," the game will be left running. Better yet, it will continue to run as-is and with no subscription fees. If you're part of the fanbase, no, you don't need to pinch yourself, this is actually a thing that is happening. Further details are to be announced soon, but just the facts alone should make fans very happy.

MassivelyReports of EverQuest Mac dying have been greatly exaggerated originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 14 Feb 2012 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applebreakingeqeqmaceverquesteverquest-macjohn-smedleymacintoshnewsnews-itemsoperating-systemosshutdownssoesony-online-entertainmentTue, 14 Feb 2012 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Divorce Online highlights cases caused by "gaming addiction"]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/31/divorce-online-highlights-cases-caused-by-gaming-addiction/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/31/divorce-online-highlights-cases-caused-by-gaming-addiction/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/31/divorce-online-highlights-cases-caused-by-gaming-addiction/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Divorce Online, a do-it-yourself website that facilitates the filing of separation proceedings sans lawyers, says that a significant percentage of its "unreasonable behavior" petitions stem from cases of gaming addiction.

The website highlights the fact that out of the 200 women who filed petitions between January and April of 2011, 15 percent featured complaints relating to spousal neglect in favor of titles like World of Warcraft and the Call of Duty series.

Despite the fact that gaming addiction is not currently considered an actual addiction by the medical community, Game Politics notes Divorce Online's use of author Ryan Van Cleave in its press release. "A lot of the problem spouses encounter with video game addiction is that the non-gamer doesn't appreciate that it's an addiction. This means it's not a choice to spend so much time in a virtual environment versus time with the spouse and family. It's a compulsion," he says.

MassivelyDivorce Online highlights cases caused by "gaming addiction" originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 31 May 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>addictionculturedivorcedivorce-onlinefamilygame-addictionmmo-industrynews-itemsrelationshipsryan-van-cleaveworld-of-warcraftwowTue, 31 May 2011 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Games Campus announces new upcoming game, Scarlet Legacy]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/28/games-campus-announces-new-upcoming-game-scarlet-legacy/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/28/games-campus-announces-new-upcoming-game-scarlet-legacy/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/28/games-campus-announces-new-upcoming-game-scarlet-legacy/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Action-based gameplay in an MMO once sounded like a bad joke, but these days more and more games are adopting a more active set of mechanics. Scarlet Legacy, the upcoming game just announced by Games Campus, is billing itself not just as an action-based MMO but the action-based MMO, supposedly featuring a control system to make controlling the flow of actions fluid and engaging.

While that might not be everyone's cup of tea, players who are lukewarm or neutral to the idea of active gameplay can probably still get behind the idea of large-scale PvP contests or an overarching game storyline. And the game certainly sports the latter, with characters embarking on quests in hopes of ultimately saving the eponymous Princess Scarlet. Scarlet Legacy is currently set for release this summer, but if it sounds like your cup of tea, check out the gallery below or the teaser trailer just past the break.

Gallery: Scarlet Legacy

Continue reading Games Campus announces new upcoming game, Scarlet Legacy

MassivelyGames Campus announces new upcoming game, Scarlet Legacy originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 28 Apr 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>actionaction-gameplayaction-mmogame-announcementgames-campusnewsnews-itemspreviewscarlet-legacyscreenshotscreenshotsteaser-trailertrailervideoThu, 28 Apr 2011 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Square-Enix restoring Final Fantasy XI and XIV game services on March 25th]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/22/square-enix-restoring-final-fantasy-xi-and-xiv-game-services-on/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/22/square-enix-restoring-final-fantasy-xi-and-xiv-game-services-on/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/22/square-enix-restoring-final-fantasy-xi-and-xiv-game-services-on/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

It looks like the lights are coming back on in both Vana'diel and Eorzea in a few days, as Square-Enix has published a press release on its website updating fans and customers on its power conservation initiative.

Final Fantasy XI and XIV game servers were shut down on March 13th in an effort to curtail non-essential power usage in the aftermath of the Tohoku earthquake. According to Square, services for both MMORPGs, as well as its PlayOnline portal, will be back online this Friday, March 25th.

The FFXIV website also details Square's efforts to reduce its energy footprint, which includes reductions in both lighting and air conditioning usage in addition to the server shutdowns. The company also states that services may be interrupted again if recovery efforts warrant it, and that monthly fees for the April billing cycle will be waived.

MassivelySquare-Enix restoring Final Fantasy XI and XIV game services on March 25th originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 22 Mar 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>earthquakefantasyffxiffxivfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xifinal-fantasy-xivgame-servicesmmo-industrynews-itemspower-conservationservicestohoku-earthquakeTue, 22 Mar 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Final Fantasy XI launches the February update]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/14/final-fantasy-xi-launches-the-february-update/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/14/final-fantasy-xi-launches-the-february-update/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/14/final-fantasy-xi-launches-the-february-update/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

It's a lucky day for Final Fantasy XI players all around, as the awaited February version update has gone live. While Square-Enix has been calling it a mini-update due to the lack of a major content push accompanying the patch, it's still packed with some pretty substantial improvements. Experience and skill gains have both been buffed significantly -- experience gains have been substantially improved outside of Abyssea, and skill gains will happen in larger amounts against weaker targets.

Several other improvements to quality of life have also been brought live, including the option to reclaim lost items from the completion of Treasures of Aht Urhgan. Porter moogles are also expanding their lists of retained items, giving players a chance to free up more of their precious inventory spots. Final Fantasy XI might not have added a great deal of new content with this update, but the full list of changes makes it clear that a lot of older content has been vastly improved.

MassivelyFinal Fantasy XI launches the February update originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 14 Feb 2011 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>experiencefebruary-version-updatefinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-xigeneral-improvementsinventorylevelingnewsnews-itemspatchesquality-of-lifesquaresquare-enixstorageupdatesversion-updateMon, 14 Feb 2011 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Patch 1.15a live for Final Fantasy XIV]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/02/patch-1-15a-live-for-final-fantasy-xiv/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/02/patch-1-15a-live-for-final-fantasy-xiv/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/02/patch-1-15a-live-for-final-fantasy-xiv/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

The latest pass of revisions to Final Fantasy XIV has just gone live, bringing another set of improvements requested by players. It's also the first installment of Naoki Yoshida's promise to bring patches out on a faster schedule, with the announcements having just hit the official site recently. As promised, the update brings with it further improvements to inventory space, the market wards, and the battle system, the last of which was highlighted just yesterday.

Inventory space has been helped notably by the increase of stack sizes for a variety of common materials, previously capped at stacks of 12 and now stacking to 99. Search results for the market wards have also been improved and streamlined, thus making it easier for players to sell their larger stacks of several items. The full list of patch changes are available for perusal, and while it's not everything promised for the near future in Final Fantasy XIV, it's a good first step.

MassivelyPatch 1.15a live for Final Fantasy XIV originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 02 Feb 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battle-systemffff14ffxivffxiv-patch-1.15afinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-xivfinal-fantay-14game-mechanicsmarket-wardsnaoki-yoshidanews-itemspatchessquaresquare-enixupdatesWed, 02 Feb 2011 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Final Fantasy XIV confirmed for Gamescom 2010]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/11/final-fantasy-xiv-confirmed-for-gamescom-2010/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/11/final-fantasy-xiv-confirmed-for-gamescom-2010/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/11/final-fantasy-xiv-confirmed-for-gamescom-2010/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

So, despite your best efforts, you still are not currently able to play Final Fantasy XIV. Not that your computer can't handle the system requirements -- no, it's simply an issue of the release date being painfully distant and your need for the game not subsiding. You've applied for the beta, but no luck. You entered the fansite contests for beta keys, and still nothing. You tried building a time machine, but you ran into problems when you went shopping for a DeLorean. What else can you possibly do?

Well, you could try running off to Europe. Specifically, Cologne, where Gamescom 2010 will be held. Square-Enix has confirmed that they will be presenting several games at the convention in a playable state, one of which will be Final Fantasy XIV. Most likely it will be from the newest testing build, although there's no word on whether or not the game will be playable by the public or just for press. Keep your eyes peeled to see if any new information comes out of the convention, taking place between the 18th and the 22nd of this month.

MassivelyFinal Fantasy XIV confirmed for Gamescom 2010 originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 11 Aug 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betabetasconventionsdemoffff14ffxivfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivgamescomgamescom-2010news-itemsplayable-demosquaresquare-enixtime-machinestrade-showWed, 11 Aug 2010 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[This week on The MMO Report]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/27/this-week-on-the-mmo-report/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/27/this-week-on-the-mmo-report/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/27/this-week-on-the-mmo-report/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

It's understandable, in the aftermath of recent series finales, if you're a bit reluctant to turn on your television right now. That's why you can take heart in the fact that The MMO Report is here, with Casey Schreiner coming straight to your monitor with his usual blend of recent news and snarky puns. And of course, there's been plenty happening in the world of MMOs recently, starting with World of Warcraft's new portable Auction House for the gold monger on the go. Plus, there are the previews of the female worgen to look at!

Moving on to the forsaken wilderness known as "games that aren't made by Blizzard," this episode also features a nod to the recent revelation of Hoth in Star Wars: The Old Republic and the new pricey mounts available for EverQuest II. There's also talk of the upcoming Champions Online adventure pack, and, of course, another trip inside of Casey's mailbag. (We refuse to go in there ourselves; we hear there are spiders.) Take a look at the full video past the cut, and tune in every Thursday for a new installment from G4TV and Massively.

Continue reading This week on The MMO Report

MassivelyThis week on The MMO Report originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 27 May 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>casey-schreinerchampions-onlinecoeq2eqIIeverquest-2everquest-iimmo-reportnews-itemsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-mmo-reportvideovideosworld-of-warcraftwowThu, 27 May 2010 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Near Death Studios closes down]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/01/near-death-studios-closes-down/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/01/near-death-studios-closes-down/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/01/near-death-studios-closes-down/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


If 2009 hadn't claimed quite enough lives for your tastes quite yet -- in terms of companies, jobs, and games -- you might have a bit of a morbid approach to things. We're just over the border into the new year, but it looks like there was one last item on the chopping block. Near Death Studios, the team behind Meridian 59, is no longer simply "near" death, but over the line into pining for the fjords. Brian 'Psychochild' Green broke the news on his blog yesterday, announcing that while the game wouldn't be going anywhere, it would no longer be a commercial venture run by the now-defunct company.

So what went wrong? As Green puts it, while Near Death Studios was able to raise the money and the operational talent to get the game running and keep it in maintenance mode, the game never really grew -- the one shot it might have had at attracting new players was unfortunately timed right around the launch of World of Warcraft. He's not bitter about the experience, however, and he's glad that he had the chance to keep Meridian 59 running for such a long time and help shape something people really enjoyed. It's a sad announcement for a venerable game, though, and we can only hope that this is the last of the fallout we see from the closing-filled year.

MassivelyNear Death Studios closes down originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 01 Jan 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brian-greenbrian-psychochild-greenclosingcompany-closingm59meridianmeridian-59near-death-studiosnews-itemspsychochildFri, 01 Jan 2010 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fallen Earth offers a new exclusive item via Direct2Drive]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/18/fallen-earth-offers-a-new-exclusive-item-via-direct2drive/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/18/fallen-earth-offers-a-new-exclusive-item-via-direct2drive/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/18/fallen-earth-offers-a-new-exclusive-item-via-direct2drive/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Have you still not purchased Fallen Earth? Really? I mean, come on, you've been given special items everywhere you go to buy the game, you can get a discount if you're in the military, and they've just added new social features and gambling. Heck, we even had a piece about why you ought to be playing it, remember? Did all that not convince you? Well, admittedly, all of those other items were fluff and silliness, mildly useful but not exactly overwhelming. But with the latest offer, in partnership with Direct2Drive, they've brought what every apocalyptic survivor wants: brutal efficiency.

No t-shirts for you, after all. Fashion is nice, but it's not as nice as a tool that gives a +6 boost to Scavenging skills, without taking up one of your valuable armor slots. Nor is it as nice as having a pair of Experience Boosts on-hand for any and all late-night grinding sessions you'd care to take part in. And if you'd like some backup out in the harsh wastelands, well, that's what the included Buddy Pass covers, letting you invite a friend to join you in Fallen Earth for a free 15-day trial. If all of this hasn't yet enticed you into the game through one of the more popular digital distributors out there, well, we don't know what it will take. Maybe even more hats.

MassivelyFallen Earth offers a new exclusive item via Direct2Drive originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 18 Dec 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bonus-itemsdigital-distributiondirect2driveexperience-boostsfallen-earthfallen-earth-llcfegiveawaysnews-itemspost-apocalypticscavengingspecial-offersFri, 18 Dec 2009 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ryzom launches 1.7 patch]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/17/ryzom-launches-1-7-patch/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/17/ryzom-launches-1-7-patch/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/17/ryzom-launches-1-7-patch/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Ryzom might be a five-year-old game, but despite the few hiccups it went through, it remains an attractive and diverse game with a number of features still not widely found in the genre. Having celebrated its anniversary earlier this year, the game continues to roll along at a steady clip, exemplified by the newly-released patch 1.7. The patch's title, The Kitin's Lair, alludes to one of its central elements: a new zone, the first part of the aforementioned lair. Kitins are one of the game's central adversaries, and so the patch's warning to avoid entering the lair alone is no doubt well-advised.

That's hardly the only feature in the latest patch, however -- the game has also added an overhauled mail system, in-game forums for roleplaying and guilds, and the ability to enter viewable character biographies built in to the game's engine. The game has also adjusted the level display system, now using numbers to indicate the target's level only when it is close to that of the player. The addition of official Windows 7 support makes Ryzom more accessible, so the game's players would do well to take note of what the patch brings, and those of you who've never heard of the game may want to give it a fresh look.

MassivelyRyzom launches 1.7 patch originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 17 Dec 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>kitins-lairnews-itemsroleplayingrp-profileryzomryzom-patch-1.7saga-of-ryzomsystem-updateswin7windows-7Thu, 17 Dec 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Final Fantasy XIV beta applications now open]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/16/final-fantasy-xiv-beta-applications-now-open/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/16/final-fantasy-xiv-beta-applications-now-open/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/16/final-fantasy-xiv-beta-applications-now-open/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


There's something to shout about if you're looking forward to Final Fantasy XIV -- the game is now accepting applicants for its beta testing. We've heard that the game is slated for release some time next year, but this is one of the obvious indicators that it's closer than we might have thought. So if you're as excited about the prospect of getting to play the game as some of us, you probably clicked that link before you read any further.

Anyone still reading, of course, should be apprised of some minor conditionals first. The test is only open to those 18 years of age or older capable of submitting reports in fluent Japanese, English, French, or German. (Luckily it's not in all four at once.) You'll also need to be connected to the Internet and capable of downloading large amounts of data, but that's de riguer for MMOs, so it merits less of a mention. There will be multiple rounds of testing, with each one adding further testers, and the official page states that testers will be evaluated based on their application rather than order in which they applied. That doesn't mean that Final Fantasy XIV fans shouldn't hurry on over -- but you've probably already done that back in the first paragraph.

MassivelyFinal Fantasy XIV beta applications now open originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 16 Dec 2009 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betabeta-applicationbeta-testbreakingbreaking-newsffxivfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-xivnew-titlesnews-itemsshoutingsquaresquare-enixWed, 16 Dec 2009 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Second Life's Nascera now nascent]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/16/second-life-s-nascera-now-nascent/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/16/second-life-s-nascera-now-nascent/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/16/second-life-s-nascera-now-nascent/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Nascera, which we know sounds uncomfortably like nasal and viscera jammed together in some rather bizarre agglomeration, is the name for the new continent which is hosting Linden Lab's experimental house and land incentives for premium Second Life users. The beta buildout is done and you can go see the results for yourself.

Mind you, if you already have rented or owned land in Second Life, the Nascera offering really isn't for you. You, like us, really aren't the target demographic. Nor is anyone we showed it to, which is probably why they all made those nasty faces when we did.

Continue reading Second Life's Nascera now nascent

MassivelySecond Life's Nascera now nascent originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 16 Dec 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betasbusiness-modelseconomylinden-labnasceranews-itemsplayer-housingsecond-lifesl-landsl-premium-accountsvirtual-worldsWed, 16 Dec 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Alganon expands to Impulse distribution]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/10/alganon-expands-to-impulse-distribution/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/10/alganon-expands-to-impulse-distribution/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/10/alganon-expands-to-impulse-distribution/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Alganon isn't necessarily the darling of the MMO world at the moment, with a large number of people drawing conclusions about it before even setting foot in the game. So, really, more or less par for the course. But it has launched, it's developing its content, and it's clearly making moves to get itself noticed as something new and good. And if recent moves are any indications, one of the best ways to get yourself noticed is expanding on to the much-beloved digital distribution sources. The game has just been made available on the Impulse service, run by Stardock.

Those of you with acute memories may recall that it wasn't so long ago that Alganon had an exclusive setup with Direct2Drive. However, expansion is always a good thing, especially for a smaller studio looking to improve their visibility. There's no word on any exclusive giveaways a la the plethora of Fallen Earth bonuses for different services, but that's all right -- it's good enough to know that if you have a want for the game, there are more ways to go about getting it.

MassivelyAlganon expands to Impulse distribution originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 10 Dec 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alganonannouncementsdigital-distributiondirect2drivedistributiondownloadsimpulsenews-itemsquest-onlinestardockThu, 10 Dec 2009 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Warhammer Online drops 1.3.3 patch to live servers]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/09/warhammer-online-drops-1-3-3-patch-to-live-servers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/09/warhammer-online-drops-1-3-3-patch-to-live-servers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/09/warhammer-online-drops-1-3-3-patch-to-live-servers/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Rumors of the death of Warhammer Online have been greatly exaggerated. The game is continuing to put out updates on a steady basis -- at an accelerated rate, even, despite the recent bout of layoffs. Patch 1.3.3 has just hit the live servers today, bringing with it new graphical enhancements and two much-touted features -- the Underdog system and the WAR Report. The former helps even the odds when one faction is outnumbered, while the latter helps pull players straight into the grinding maw of the game's PvP activities by allowing instant teleportation to "hot spots" nearby.

If that's not quite enough for the discerning Warhammer Online player, there's also a holiday slated between December 16th and January 4th. Keg End celebrates drinking, talking about how great you are, and explosives -- which sounds like the perfect antidote to yet another Christmas special on TV. Take a look at the patch notes for the full details, as well as the usual array of bugfixes and balance tweaks. We haven't heard as much about the patches after this one, but whatever the next year holds for the game, there's a clear commitment to making it the best it can be.

MassivelyWarhammer Online drops 1.3.3 patch to live servers originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 09 Dec 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>game-mechanicsgraphicshot-spotsimprovementskeg-endnews-itemspatchespvpunderdog-systemwarwar-patch-1.3.3war-reportwarhammer-onlineWed, 09 Dec 2009 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Serve in the military and get a discount on Fallen Earth]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/09/serve-in-the-military-and-get-a-discount-on-fallen-earth/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/09/serve-in-the-military-and-get-a-discount-on-fallen-earth/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/09/serve-in-the-military-and-get-a-discount-on-fallen-earth/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


It's a hard time to be serving in the military, even if you're not stationed overseas at the moment. After all, the armed forces don't always get the luxury of having Christmas off. So it's nice to know that the gamers among the armed forces get a little bit extra if they're inspired to pick up Fallen Earth. The company has just announced that the military will receive a 20% discount on the price of the game, plus a free t-shirt with their purchase. And not one of the in-game items the game has been fond of giving out lately -- a real one.

The offer is open to members in any one of the US armed branches -- the Coast Guard, Marines, Army, Air Force, or Navy are all eligible. All that's required is a .mil e-mail address to verify that the person ordering is in the military. The one catch is that it's only applied to orders through the official Fallen Earth store, so Steam and similar venues aren't available. But it's an excellent way of compensating the men and women serving their country, so if you are eligible and haven't grabbed the game yet, head on over to pick yourself up a copy.

MassivelyServe in the military and get a discount on Fallen Earth originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 09 Dec 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>air-forcearmycoast-guarddiscountfallen-earthfallen-earth-llcfemarinesmilitarynavynews-itemsspecial-offerst-shirtWed, 09 Dec 2009 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Dungeons and Dragons Online developer tour: The Dreaming Dark]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/05/dungeons-and-dragons-online-developer-tour-the-dreaming-dark/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/05/dungeons-and-dragons-online-developer-tour-the-dreaming-dark/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/05/dungeons-and-dragons-online-developer-tour-the-dreaming-dark/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Back in October, the kind folks at Turbine invited us along on a tour of Dungeons and Dragons Online's Update One, where we enjoyed an introduction to the newest Adventure Pack: "The Path of Inspiration." This month, we got the same treatment for the Update Two, which is scheduled to arrive later this month. If you enjoyed the Inspired storyline, you'll love this one.

The Path of Inspiration introduced us to the Plane of Dreams, and this time we'll revisit the area in the culmination to the storyline that we began in Update One. This new Adventure Pack -- The Dreaming Dark -- is named for the creatures controlling the Inspired cult. We defeated the citizens of Dar Qat in Update One and now it's time to take on their masters. Follow along after the jump to explore The Dreaming Dark with us in this exclusive early dev tour.

Continue reading Dungeons and Dragons Online developer tour: The Dreaming Dark

MassivelyDungeons and Dragons Online developer tour: The Dreaming Dark originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 05 Dec 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventure-packcharles-milesddoddo-unlimiteddeveloper-tourdungeons-and-dragons-onlineeric-boyerf2pfeaturedfernando-paizfree-to-playnews-itemsscreenshotssteve-muraythe-dreaming-darkturbineSat, 05 Dec 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Linden Lab to test new house/land incentive for premium Second Life accounts]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/04/linden-lab-to-test-new-house-land-incentive-for-premium-second-l/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/04/linden-lab-to-test-new-house-land-incentive-for-premium-second-l/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/04/linden-lab-to-test-new-house-land-incentive-for-premium-second-l/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

While the growth of Second Life new-user registrations remains steady, as do active users, the number of premium accounts in Linden Lab's virtual world had entered into an accelerating decline, last time we had any data available to us. This is hardly surprising, as tweaks to the land-centric Second Life economy over time had largely eliminated the need for many users to have a premium-account.

The Lab is announcing the creation of a new continent (name and location not known at present), which will contain a number of unfurnished homes on 512sqm parcels of restricted-use land that do not share a border with the parcels of other users.

Continue reading Linden Lab to test new house/land incentive for premium Second Life accounts

MassivelyLinden Lab to test new house/land incentive for premium Second Life accounts originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 04 Dec 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betasbusiness-modelseconomylinden-labnews-itemsplayer-housingsecond-lifesl-landsl-premium-accountsvirtual-worldsFri, 04 Dec 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Runes of Magic spreads holiday cheer all around]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/04/runes-of-magic-spreads-holiday-cheer-all-around/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/04/runes-of-magic-spreads-holiday-cheer-all-around/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/04/runes-of-magic-spreads-holiday-cheer-all-around/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


It's that time of the year again, something you could tell by stepping into any mall in the US where seasonal music is now being piped in all day long. There's a connection to be drawn between malls and Runes of Magic, perhaps, since both want you to be ready and willing to buy -- but that doesn't mean Frogster's game isn't willing to give you something as a bit of a present. A lot of games have holiday-themed updates, and Runes of Magic is no exception, but they're pulling out a bit more than usual for this year's celebration.

The update for the game scheduled for mid-December promises to be fairly standard -- holiday-themed decorations in the cities, along with the chance to earn gifts and festive decorations by completing daily quests. But the advent calender is another story. Every day in December up to the 25th, a new piece of art is being put up for fans of the game to enjoy. The first three are already open, and the art work is certainly an attractive treat for the game's many fans. It might even entice you to stop in to the game itself and take a closer look at what they have to offer -- and it's better than going to the mall, since you won't have to listen to the Salvation Army band.

MassivelyRunes of Magic spreads holiday cheer all around originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 04 Dec 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>christmas-2009f2pfree-to-playfrogsterholidayin-game-eventsnews-itemsplayer-housingreal-world-eventsromrunes-of-magicFri, 04 Dec 2009 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fallen Earth arrives on Impulse, offers more exclusive attire]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/02/fallen-earth-arrives-on-impulse-offers-more-exclusive-attire/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/02/fallen-earth-arrives-on-impulse-offers-more-exclusive-attire/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/02/fallen-earth-arrives-on-impulse-offers-more-exclusive-attire/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


If you play Fallen Earth and are resolutely dedicated to having as many unique pieces of clothing as possible for your character, you probably already have a couple extra copies from your need for faction-centric t-shirts and a really awesome hat. Add another one on to your list as the game moves on to the Impulse digital distribution store, offering two exclusive items for purchase: the Fancy White Boots and the Snazzy White Hat. It's unlikely that you'd purchase the game again just for a pair of boots and a hat, of course, but for new players these both promise to be quite the enticement.

The boots are the more durable of the two, offering 31 primary armor, 20 secondary, and 10 tertiary, as well as a 3% bonus on all saving throws. The hat, on the flip side, offers about half of the armor and a bonus to the Scavenging, Nature, and Geology skills, excellent boosts for any new character. The game's array of extra items are all offering roughly the same overall bonus, but they give reason to pay attention as it spreads to different distribution methods, not to mention keeping the game fresh in people's mind. So if you haven't given Fallen Earth a try yet, perhaps the promise of some fancy white dancing shoes with matching hat will get you moving.

MassivelyFallen Earth arrives on Impulse, offers more exclusive attire originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 02 Dec 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bonus-itemsbusiness-modelsdigital-distributionexclusivesfallen-earthfallen-earth-llcfeimpulsenews-itemsWed, 02 Dec 2009 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[One-fifth of US game spending goes to MMOs and game portals]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/02/one-fifth-of-us-game-spending-goes-to-mmos-and-game-portals/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/02/one-fifth-of-us-game-spending-goes-to-mmos-and-game-portals/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/02/one-fifth-of-us-game-spending-goes-to-mmos-and-game-portals/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


It's no secret that MMOs have started to see a larger and larger share of the market, but the actual amount is always a difficult number to pin down. Gamasutra recently reported on a study by TNS and Gamesindustry.com, a pair of market research firms, which found that about 20% of all US game spending goes to either MMOs or online game portals. That's a fifth of all spending in the country, and with the amount of overall spending in the US that's a rather significant figure.

Of course, MMOs are still small fry compared to, say, the console budget, which dominates at nearly three-fifths of the overall spending. However, it's worth considering that MMO spending is frequently going to be a $15 monthly subscription rather than a $50 one-time purchase -- a significant disparity in terms of overall budget. It's also interesting to note that MMOs, once a small subset of the overall PC gaming market, are gaining ground as a market demographic unto themselves. The full report can be found here, with further information on the methodology of the study and the preferred payment methods of the respondents.

MassivelyOne-fifth of US game spending goes to MMOs and game portals originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 02 Dec 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>business-modelsgame-portalsgamesindustry.comgaming-budgetmmo-budgetmmo-industrynews-itemsreal-world-eventsspendingstudiesstudytnsWed, 02 Dec 2009 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Updated transfer list for Warhammer Online's server merge]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/30/updated-transfer-list-for-warhammer-onlines-server-merge/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/30/updated-transfer-list-for-warhammer-onlines-server-merge/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/30/updated-transfer-list-for-warhammer-onlines-server-merge/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Mark this one down under the "good news" category, but with a lot of conditionals: Warhammer Online has updated the list of acceptable server transfers for the upcoming shutdown. We reported earlier on the planned closing of Phoenix Throne and Dark Crag, bringing the game's remaining servers to four. Unfortunately, the decision hasn't been reversed, but the former limitations on what servers could be chosen as a destination for transferred characters has been expanded. In a fresh release, it was announced that characters from the closed servers would be allowed to transfer to any of the four remaining servers.

When the announcement was first made there were a number of people who protested the selections for destinations, as players had seen some of the writing on the wall and had already begun transferring over to other servers in anticipation. This move seems to be aimed at engendering some more positive community feelings after the understandably unpopular announcement, although how much help it will actually provide remains to be seen. The announcement goes on to serve as a reminder that the server merge will be taking place on December 2nd, so if your server is on the list to be merged and you wish to say goodbye, now is the time.

MassivelyUpdated transfer list for Warhammer Online's server merge originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 30 Nov 2009 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dark-cragmythicmythic-entertainmentnews-itemsphoenix-throneserver-closingserver-downtimeserver-mergewarwarhammer-onlineMon, 30 Nov 2009 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Dawn of Fantasy interview and exclusive screenshots]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/30/dawn-of-fantasy-interview-and-exclusive-screenshots/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/30/dawn-of-fantasy-interview-and-exclusive-screenshots/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/30/dawn-of-fantasy-interview-and-exclusive-screenshots/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Scheduled for a release in 2010, Dawn of Fantasy is a title we hadn't been hearing a great deal about before now, but certainly not for lack of impression. The game promises to offer both single-player modes and a large-scale MMORTS mode, allowing players to command small units up to huge armies across the world of Mythador. With three races, promises of huge-scale city warfare, and a flexible and adaptive system, it's shaping up to be an impressive offering in the currently rather anemic MMORTS field.

We recently had a chance to talk with Executive Producer Konstantin Fomenko and Assistant Producer Alex Walz of Reverie World Studios, who were kind enough to offer us several screenshots in the gallery below as well as an exclusive interview. We're also working on getting our readers entry into the upcoming closed beta of the game, so read the interview after the jump, and take a look at the official site for more information about the game. If you're a fan of the RTS genre, you've got some reasons to be excited here.

Gallery: Dawn of Fantasy Screenshot Gallery

Continue reading Dawn of Fantasy interview and exclusive screenshots

MassivelyDawn of Fantasy interview and exclusive screenshots originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 30 Nov 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dawn-of-fantasydoffeaturedgame-mechanicsinterviewsmmortsnew-titlesnews-itemspreviewsreverie-world-studiosscreenshotsMon, 30 Nov 2009 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Warhammer Online releases November newsletter]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/27/warhammer-online-releases-november-newsletter/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/27/warhammer-online-releases-november-newsletter/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/27/warhammer-online-releases-november-newsletter/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Mythic seems to be having a tough go of it lately what with layoffs, server merges, and ominous producer letters. They're continuing their hard work in Warhammer Online, however, and the most recent newsletter shows it.

The first order of business was patch 1.3.3. It's expected shortly after the Thanksgiving holiday weekend is over, and will implement some exciting changes for new and veteran players. This patch will implement the War Report, which is pretty much what it sounds like. Every 8 hours, a "snapshot" of events going on around the world will be made available, with the opportunity to teleport instantly to the closest area of interest. The other big change is the Underdog System. Underdogs will be granted what amounts to a handicap that makes it easier for underpopulated realms to take objectives and cap zones.

WAR will also be bringing a few graphical improvements with this patch, including post-processing effects and HDR Lighting, and the team is preparing for an event all seasoned players look forward to: Keg End. If you aren't already receiving the Warhammer Online newsletter, you can subscribe at their official site.

MassivelyWarhammer Online releases November newsletter originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 27 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Game-MechanicsmythicMythic-Entertainmentnews-itemsnewsletterpatchwarwar-patch-1.3.3Warhammer-OnlineFri, 27 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Order Fallen Earth via Steam and improve your attire]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/26/order-fallen-earth-via-steam-and-improve-your-attire/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/26/order-fallen-earth-via-steam-and-improve-your-attire/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/26/order-fallen-earth-via-steam-and-improve-your-attire/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Just because the world has come to an end and society is left to scramble around in the ruins doesn't mean you can't look dashing in the process. Fallen Earth has been on a bit of a kick lately of giving away clothing to purchasers of the game, starting with an astonishingly fetching hat, and now extending via the popular digital service Steam. Until December 3rd, those who purchase the game via Steam will receive a voucher good for a special t-shirt representing one of the game's factions -- CHOTA, Enforcers, Lightbearers, Techs, Travelers or Vistas.

Each shirt qualifies as a piece of level 10 armor, with other stats that are appropriate to the faction in question. (Expect the Techs shirt to offer bonuses to crafting rather than combat bonuses, for example.) The vouchers can be turned in at any time, and should the player later decide they'd prefer to represent someone else, a shirt may be turned in and exchanged for another shirt as well. It's nothing game-breaking, but yet another added incentive to pick up Fallen Earth and see what all the fuss is about. Still not quite as good-looking as the hat, of course, but you have to draw the line somewhere.

MassivelyOrder Fallen Earth via Steam and improve your attire originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 26 Nov 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bonusbonusesdigital-distributionfallen-earthfallen-earth-llcfehatnews-itemsshirtsteamThu, 26 Nov 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Final Fantasy XI plays the moogle lottery]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/25/final-fantasy-xi-plays-the-moogle-lottery/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/25/final-fantasy-xi-plays-the-moogle-lottery/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/25/final-fantasy-xi-plays-the-moogle-lottery/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


1-2-3-4-5 might not be the combination on your luggage, but it could fetch you a tidy sum of gil or some rare items in Final Fantasy XI in the near future. The third iteration of the Mog Bonanza event is incoming, and those five digits might be the key to riches. Or to irritation at having thrown money away on a ridiculous gamble. Starting on December 24th, all characters who have been in existence for at least 45 days may purchase a Mog Bonanza marble, which then is inscribed with five digits of the player's choice. On January 29th, 2010, a set of winning numbers will be chosen.

Of course, you might argue that your odds of getting exactly the right five numbers are rather low (1 in 100,000 or so), which is true. But luckily for everyone involved, it's easier to win than matching the whole number. The best prizes go to those who match all five numbers, but even if just the last digit of your chosen numbers match the picked numbers, you win a reward. Your odds of that are about 1 in 10, which isn't a bad deal. For the full rules and the details of the rewards, take a look at the official page, and start dreaming of high-powered artifacts and buckets of gil in Final Fantasy XI. (We recommend 8-1-5-1-6, if you're so inclined.)

MassivelyFinal Fantasy XI plays the moogle lottery originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 25 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>contestsffxifinal-fantasy-xiin-game-eventslotterymog-bonanzanews-itemsprizesWed, 25 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Warhammer Online merges two more servers]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/24/warhammer-online-merges-two-more-servers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/24/warhammer-online-merges-two-more-servers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/24/warhammer-online-merges-two-more-servers/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


It wasn't entirely unexpected -- after all, Jeff Skalski gave some indications this might be coming in our recent interview with him -- but it's still unbalancing. Warhammer Online community manager Andy Belford confirmed today that two of the game's servers, Dark Crag and Phoenix Throne, will be shutting down. The population of these servers will be allowed a free transfer to two other servers each -- Iron Rock or Badlands for Dark Crag, Gorfang or Volkmar for Phoenix Throne. He also mentions that there will be a 20% bonus to experience and renown in the weeks following the transfer, to at least slightly take the sting off the event.

It looks as if there will be slightly more servers in the European region, as they have a total of 13 still open... but several of those are due to the different languages, and at least one of the realms is scheduled for shutdown. As for what this means for the game itself... it's hard to call it anything but bad news, even with the promises of a boost incoming to ease the impact. We know that Warhammer Online's future looks a bit shaky after recent events, but this is more dire than any of us had expected or hoped. We'll keep up on any news as it becomes available.

[ Thanks to JP for the tip. ]

MassivelyWarhammer Online merges two more servers originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>andy-belfordcharacter-transferfree-transferjeff-skalskimythicmythic-entertainmentnews-itemsserver-mergeserver-shutdownshutdownwarwarhammer-onlineTue, 24 Nov 2009 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Mortal Online lifts the NDA]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/23/mortal-online-lifts-the-nda/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/23/mortal-online-lifts-the-nda/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/23/mortal-online-lifts-the-nda/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Getting into a closed beta is usually good news for the player, with one unmistakable caveat -- the NDA. You can't talk about anything that's going on when you play the game, either the cool features that are encouraging to anyone on the fence about the game or the horrible problems that make it a miserable slog. Mortal Online has long been fairly quiet to the outside simply because of its NDA -- but that changes now. As of today, the NDA is lifted on the game and it can be discussed freely.

Henrik Nystrom on the official forums explains that while the game is still undergoing more polish, the core features have all been implemented and tested, which means that the developers are comfortable having the game discussed and dissected elsewhere. The post also states that the release date might be pushed back a little, as well as the plans for the game to move into a fully-open free-to-play beta as they move on to the next phase of testing. It's certainly good news for people interested in Mortal Online who didn't want to purchase the game sight-unseen. So, if you've been playing the game in beta so far, what are your thoughts? You can tell us all about it now.

[Thanks Mortal Online Radio!]

MassivelyMortal Online lifts the NDA originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betabetasclosed-betahenrik-nystrommortal-onlinendanda-liftnews-itemsopen-betapreviewsstar-vaultMon, 23 Nov 2009 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Patch 1.5.1 goes live for Aion]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/21/patch-1-5-1-goes-live-for-aion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/21/patch-1-5-1-goes-live-for-aion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/21/patch-1-5-1-goes-live-for-aion/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


A new patch for an MMO is a bit like a present. At best, it can provide a number of new opportunities for fun and enjoyment. At worst, it can break several things you already liked and now have to replace. Aion has recently deployed the new patch 1.5.1 and, as could be expected, fan reaction is somewhat split on whether it's a nice present or the immortal pairing of socks and underwear. Certainly there isn't a major content influx, and the often-requested reduction of the game's grind has yet to be implemented, but there are still a number of nice updates and additions.

Leaving aside the bugfixes and optimization with only a mention that they should help the game play more smoothly all around, several instanced dungeons have been adjusted somewhat. Nearly all of these changes look beneficial to players -- reductions in difficulty and increases in reward, as well as added UI displays for important objectives. They've also added stealth-detecting NPCs to starter areas and increased several NPC health totals in an effort to curb destructive PvP tendencies. Quest experience at mid-to-high levels has been adjusted upward, rewards have been slightly improved on several quests, and level-difference experience penalties have been reduced. Last but not least, there's now more incentive to hold a fortress in the Abyss and work to defend it, as rewards are offered for defending players. Aion's fans aren't all happy about the changes, but it's best if you take a look at the changes yourself. Just remember that even if you don't like it, this present is unreturnable.

MassivelyPatch 1.5.1 goes live for Aion originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 21 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aionaion-patch-1.5.1aion-the-tower-of-eternitygame-mechanicsgrindlevelingncsoftnews-itemspatchespvpSat, 21 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Darkfall's newest expansion to release next week]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/19/darkfalls-newest-expansion-to-release-next-week/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/19/darkfalls-newest-expansion-to-release-next-week/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/19/darkfalls-newest-expansion-to-release-next-week/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Darkfall is among the most specialized niche titles available now, but like many niche titles it fills a void that just can't be simulated anywhere else. That void might be confined to a certain frequently-reviled but very vocal sort of player, but it's still there. And if the promise of bonuses for recruiting new meat for the grinder wasn't enticing enough, fans of the game have even more to be happy about now -- the game's next free expansion is slated to release late next week according to an official developer post.

Conquer the Seas was originally slated to be released a bit sooner, but as developer Tasos explains, the expansion contains a larger number of bug fixes and minor updates than they had originally intended. It's a good sign that Aventurine is willing to take the extra time for development to produce something better in the end, and Darkfall players certainly should enjoy the new update. If you don't play the game... well, did we mention that any friends you have that do play can get some extra cash if you sign up? Just try not to read too much into the look of glee on their face at the time.

MassivelyDarkfall's newest expansion to release next week originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aventurineconquer-the-seadarkfallexpansionslaunchesnews-itemspvpThu, 19 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Champions Online previews Nemesis Confrontation]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/18/champions-online-previews-nemesis-confrontation/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/18/champions-online-previews-nemesis-confrontation/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/18/champions-online-previews-nemesis-confrontation/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


What's more dangerous than an interdimensional prison in which malevolent creatures of immense power plot the destruction of the entire Champions Online world? That same prison being taken over and used as a lair by your hero's Nemesis and the dangerous Shadow Destroyer. After hints and the surprise playtest event, the official site has unveiled a preview of the upcoming Nemesis Confrontation, which looks like an interesting jump forward in the content offered by the game.

Obviously, the Lair in question is the highlight of the update, which features combat against alien gladiators as well as a collection of powerful villains. There are other rewards to be earned as well, however -- ranging from a number of different hero enhancements to costume pieces in the vein of the enemies fought within the lair. If you can't wait to run the lair in order to get the costume pieces (perhaps you have a perfect character concept to start with), the preview promises that they will also be available in the C-Store. Champions Online isn't going to make players wait long for the event, either, as it's launching on the 24th. It should give players quite a bit to be thankful for -- when they're not battling extradimensional alien gladiators, at least.

MassivelyChampions Online previews Nemesis Confrontation originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>champions-onlinecocostume-piecescrypticcryptic-studiosin-game-eventsmicrotransactionsnemesisnemesis-confrontationnews-itemspatchespreviewsWed, 18 Nov 2009 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Lost Saga launches]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/18/lost-saga-launches/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/18/lost-saga-launches/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/18/lost-saga-launches/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


You've taken part in the endless debates online about pirates versus ninjas. Admit it, you have. Well, add cowboys, knights, wizards, and nurses into the mix, and you're nine-tenths of the way to Lost Saga, a new game launched by OGPlanet. Billed as a massively multiplayer online fighting game, it features a variety of different gameplay modes and "heroes" that combine for what looks like an entertaining and frantic experience. Character types run the gamut, from soldiers to assassins to (you guessed it) pirates and ninjas, each bringing a small collection of different abilities to the table.

It might sound a bit simplistic, but there are some interesting features such as the option to change heroes mid-battle -- in essence a quick class change whenever needed. The game also features some interesting battle modes beyond the prosaic Deathmatch style, such as Boss Raid, which allows one player to take the reins of an intensely powerful boss while the other players struggle to take said player down. And let's not forget that the game is also free-to-play, so you can satisfy your curiosity without commitment. Lost Saga won't revolutionize the industry, but it looks to be quite a bit of fun, so you might want to check out the official site for more information and to sign up.

MassivelyLost Saga launches originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>business-modelsf2plauncheslost-saganew-titlesnews-itemsogplanetWed, 18 Nov 2009 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Runes of Magic and Playspan team up for game cards]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/17/runes-of-magic-and-playspan-team-up-for-game-cards/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/17/runes-of-magic-and-playspan-team-up-for-game-cards/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/17/runes-of-magic-and-playspan-team-up-for-game-cards/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Runes of Magic has been enjoying a nice burst of success recently, and as a free-to-play game one of the biggest things that helps it is increased visibility and access to the game's microtransaction system. So it should come has little surprise that Frogster Interactive has teamed up with PlaySpan to start moving branded game cards into 7-Eleven stores, improving both visibility and accessibility in one fell swoop. In addition, Diamonds will be purchasable at PlaySpan's online store, already a hub for several popular free-to-play game currencies.

The game cards, which will come in $10 and $25 denominations, can be redeemed for in-game mounts, enhancements, and other improvements. Overall, this deal will give Runes of Magic a game card presence in over 46 thousand stores inside the US, a high visibility for a fairly young game that's pushing a still-developing business model. And it's certainly not going to hurt that you can pick up some game currency at the same time you grab a soda and one of those little taquito things for a snack on your way home from work.

MassivelyRunes of Magic and Playspan team up for game cards originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>7-elevenbusiness-modelsf2pfree-to-playfrogsterfrogster-interactivegame-cardsnews-itemsplayspanromrunes-of-magicTue, 17 Nov 2009 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fallen Earth puts a feather in your hat for purchasing]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/17/fallen-earth-puts-a-feather-in-your-hat-for-purchasing/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/17/fallen-earth-puts-a-feather-in-your-hat-for-purchasing/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/17/fallen-earth-puts-a-feather-in-your-hat-for-purchasing/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

It's always nice to get a little something extra for what you were planning on doing anyway. It's even nicer when the "little something extra" is something you would want on its own merits, at that. Fallen Earth has decided to give its new players exactly that variety of something extra: if you buy now through the official site, you will receive the lovely and (dare we say it) eminently pimptacular hat displayed to the right.

The hat isn't enough reason for you? Well, clearly you aren't looking closely enough at the hat itself. You also might not know that the hat provides your character with Scavenging, Nature, Geology, and Social skill points just by donning it. It's a really nice hat. Lest we get carried away by gushing about the hat, however, it should be duly noted that the hat is also a limited-time offer for purchasers of the game, and is only being distributed by purchasing the game from the official site. So if you've been on the fence, this might be the time to get off the fence and get yourself a truly excellent hat for your troubles.

MassivelyFallen Earth puts a feather in your hat for purchasing originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bonusbusiness-modelsfallen-earthfallen-earth-llcfehathatsnews-itemsorder-bonusTue, 17 Nov 2009 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EverQuest II: Sentinel's Fate opens up pre-orders]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/13/everquest-ii-sentinels-fate-opens-up-pre-orders/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/13/everquest-ii-sentinels-fate-opens-up-pre-orders/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/13/everquest-ii-sentinels-fate-opens-up-pre-orders/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


The latest expansion for EverQuest II, EverQuest II: Sentinel's Fate, is slated for release in February both digitally and in retail, but why wait until then to pick up your copy? No, far better to pre-order the expansion and be ready for the day it launches -- which, not coincidentally, is now an option. There are both Regular and Collector editions available, as is the standard for MMOs these days, and each one comes with its own little bonuses as well as the usual little extras for ordering ahead of time.

Sentinel's Fate promises to be a broad expansion for everyone playing EverQuest II, offering a level cap of 90, several hundred new quests, new dungeons, and new alternate advancement systems for characters. If you're a dedicated player of the game, they probably had you at "EQII expansion," but the expansion also looks to be the perfect point for new players to jump in and start getting involved in the world of Norrath. Take a look at the full list of the expansion's features, go ahead and pre-order, and get ready for February to be booked solid.

MassivelyEverQuest II: Sentinel's Fate opens up pre-orders originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If you like creating content, the Mission Architect system in City of Heroes offers a lot of venues for your creativity, and it's certainly one of the most-touted features of the game. Now, you might be able to get more than just the joy of having other people play through your creation as a prize. There's a new contest on the official site that promises to be the first in a series, allowing a lucky designer to receive a special title and possibly even the coveted Designer's Choice award for their mission.

Sound like your sort of contest? There's a single catch -- you have to work within a given theme. In this case, the mission arc has to involve a hero doing evil for the greater good. That's a theme so ripe for exploration that we're all but certain several people came up with mission arcs just reading the line, so if you're firing on all cylinders take a look at the official rules and then get cracking. The contest ends on December 7th, plenty of time for crafting whatever story you think is best -- and considering City of Heroes: Going Rogue will be out before we know it, the submissions may wind up being more appropriate than you think. Considering that... well, who knows what winning might do for your future? Best to get to work.

MassivelyMission Architect contest launched in City of Heroes originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 12 Nov 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Thanksgiving, for those of us in the US, is still a couple of weeks away. But beta testers of Global Agenda will have something to be thankful about earlier than that, as this weekend promises to host another beta event for the game. The testing will be running between 11 AM to midnight PST, and the event spans both Saturday and Sunday, each one testing another aspect of the game's growing combat systems.

Saturday will be focused on PvE content, including a new mission type that promises to offer some interesting new dynamics to the gameplay. The "Double Agent" mission type, which is limited to regular subscribers at launch, puts one player amidst of a horde of NPC allies and pits them against a four-person squad of players, thereby mixing PvE and PvP combat into a single arena. Sunday's testing, by contrast, is a pure PvP slugfest. 10v10 matches will be run, allowing people to queue up in groups of up to four to help establish allies for coming events. The developers are also teasing at new maps being dropped into the mix during this testing.

The bad news is that only a small number of new testers will be added for the event -- this party will mostly be confined to existing beta testers. Watch your mail closely, either in hopes that they let you in or for the preparation mails Hi-Rez Studios is forewarning testers about, and keep an eye open for a chance at some early testing starting on Friday.

MassivelyGlobal Agenda hosting weekend beta event originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betabetasbusiness-modelsgameplayglobal-agendahi-rezhi-rez-studiosin-game-eventsmmofpsnews-itemspvepvevppvpWed, 11 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Champedia launches for Champions Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/11/champedia-launches-for-champions-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/11/champedia-launches-for-champions-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/11/champedia-launches-for-champions-online/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


As MMOs become more and more complex, there's an increasing need for information regarding the game at a player's fingertips. Especially since most of them are being played while on the computer, so a quick search of information is just an alt-tab away, no matter what the situation. Champions Online has stepped up to the plate with their own official offering: the Champedia, a database of every superpower, mission, super group, and character currently in the game. It's fully searchable at this point, although it's still in beta.

There have been debates in the community about adding on currently-played characters into a publicly accessible database, but Champions Online also includes the feature for guild masters to manage their organization directly from the site. A quick log-in allows the group leader to do everything from changing the message of the day to handling promotions without ever having to enter the game. It's not perfect yet, of course -- the Mission section, for instance, includes nothing but the basic mission text -- but if properly managed it could be a great asset to the community looking for information straight from the official source. Now if only it included wiki functionality...

MassivelyChampedia launches for Champions Online originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betachampediachampions-onlinecocrypticcryptic-studiosdatabaseguildsmissionsnews-itemspowersWed, 11 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Producer letter addresses the future of Warhammer Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/11/producer-letter-addresses-the-future-of-warhammer-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/11/producer-letter-addresses-the-future-of-warhammer-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/11/producer-letter-addresses-the-future-of-warhammer-online/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


It's funny how times change. Not so long ago the most disconcerting thing that players of Warhammer Online players had to deal with were the numerous changes introduced in patch 1.3.2. Now, however, the recent layoffs that have hit EA and Mythic are far more worrisome. Executive producer Jeff Hickman has taken the time to try and assuage the community fears with a recent letter to the community regarding the future of Mythic's franchises and the game's ensuing viability. Hickman doesn't address the layoffs directly, instead using the letter simply to try and reinforce the image that the game is going to continue and keep being improved upon.

The letter becomes a bit more unsettling when Hickman calls the response to the aforementioned patch 1.3.2 "great." It's quite likely nothing negative is going to happen to Warhammer Online, as it has been making an earnest effort to turn around a disappointing first year, but time hasn't yet healed the wound of "triple A and here to stay." Different companies and different games, but it's fresh in our collective memory, and only time will tell what the ultimate impact of recent events will be upon WAR.

MassivelyProducer letter addresses the future of Warhammer Online originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaelectronic-artslayoffsmmo-industrymythicmythic-entertainmentnews-itemsopiniontabula-rasatrwarwar-patch-1.3.2warhammer-onlineWed, 11 Nov 2009 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Pumpkin contest winners for Final Fantasy XI]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/08/pumpkin-contest-winners-for-final-fantasy-xi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/08/pumpkin-contest-winners-for-final-fantasy-xi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/08/pumpkin-contest-winners-for-final-fantasy-xi/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


As Halloween fades into a memory of candy, costumes, and cheaply-made outdoor decorations, the MMOsphere slowly closes its doors on the various holiday events. Final Fantasy XI's pumpkin-carving contest on Allakhazam has finally drawn to a close, with the votes in and tallied and the winners determined. And if you doubt that there's a great deal of talent and originality on display with the contest, the excellently-rendered San d'Orian knight charging into battle above wasn't the winner -- they placed fourth.

Third place went to a rendition of the title image for this year's Halloween event, while second place went to Final Fantasy XI's resident mad professor herself. First place went -- quite deservedly -- to this hauntingly well-rendered image of a tonberry in the darkness. The official announcement includes a tally of the votes, but that might not be quite as exciting to casual observers as a gallery of all the entries. Congratulations to the winners, and here's hoping that next year brings still more pumpkin-carving fun for FFXI.

MassivelyPumpkin contest winners for Final Fantasy XI originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 08 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>contestsfan-artffxifinal-fantasy-xihalloween2009news-itemspumpkin-carvingpumpkinsreal-world-eventssquaresquare-enixSun, 08 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST