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[German studio SilentFuture resurrecting Earthrise]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/10/german-studio-silentfuture-resurrecting-earthrise/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/10/german-studio-silentfuture-resurrecting-earthrise/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/10/german-studio-silentfuture-resurrecting-earthrise/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Screenshot -- Earthrise
Fans of Masthead Studios' late sandbox MMO, Earthrise, have cause to rejoice today. The Wuppertal, Germany-based studio SilentFuture announced in a press release today that it will be taking over development and operation of the title, which was shut down in February earlier this year.

According to the press release, the studio is currently working on a complete overhaul of the game, from backstory to gameplay to technology. SilentFuture plans to have the game up and running again sometime in the fourth quarter of this year. Earthrise will return as a free-to-play title in which players "no longer find themselves in a post-apocalyptic world" but rather are "part of the apocalypse itself." Sounds promising! Hopefully we can look forward to more details in the coming weeks, but at least we know one thing for sure: Earthrise is back!

[Source: SilentFuture press release]

MassivelyGerman studio SilentFuture resurrecting Earthrise originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 10 May 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>earthrisef2pfantasyfree-to-playmastheadmasthead-studiosoverhaulrebootrelaunchrevampsci-fantasysci-fisilentfutureThu, 10 May 2012 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[RIFT details upcoming Expert Mode dungeon changes]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/27/rift-details-upcoming-expert-mode-dungeon-changes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/27/rift-details-upcoming-expert-mode-dungeon-changes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/27/rift-details-upcoming-expert-mode-dungeon-changes/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Screenshot -- RIFT
RIFT's patch 1.7: Carnival of the Ascended is bringing with it some pretty neat things, such as in-game marriage, PvP improvements, and the eponymous Carnival of the Ascended. But long-time, high-level players are probably most curious about the changes coming to Expert Mode dungeons. Tier 1 and tier 2 Expert Mode dungeons are merging into a single Expert tier.

What this means is that all players with tier 1 gear will keep that gear (which will be improved by item changes being introduced in the patch), but it will never drop again. The upgraded versions of tier 1 gear will drop in its stead. Previous tier 1 dungeons have had their difficulty increased to be more on par with tier 2 dungeons, and Trion Worlds has also "turned the dials up a bit higher on some encounters to keep things interesting with your flashy new gear."

For the full details on all of the changes coming to the Expert Mode system and the endgame gear system, just click on through the link below to the RIFT official site.

MassivelyRIFT details upcoming Expert Mode dungeon changes originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1.7Carnival-of-the-Ascendedexpert-modeexpert-mode-dungeonsgeargear-overhaulitemizationlootoverhaulpatchpatch-1.7patchesplanes-of-telarariftrift-planes-of-telaratier-1tier-2triontrion-worldsFri, 27 Jan 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ultima Online producer's letter promises revitalization of classic content]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/07/ultima-online-producers-letter-promises-revitalization-of-class/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/07/ultima-online-producers-letter-promises-revitalization-of-class/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/07/ultima-online-producers-letter-promises-revitalization-of-class/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Bree's (old) house in Ultima Online :D
Did you wonder who was captaining Ultima Online since Calvin "Uriah" Crowner left his role as producer earlier this fall? Apparently, it's been none other than Jeff Skalski, who recently penned a producer's letter to introduce himself to the UO-faithful. In it, he explains that his goals for the grand-daddy of MMOs include heavily increasing the team's interaction with the community, implementing weekly Q&A sessions, squashing bugs, and "breathing life back into areas that have long been forgotten," i.e., revamping older content.

In fact, some of that older content -- Shame, one of the original and iconic anti-virtue dungeons in classic Britannia -- is due for its revamp sooner rather than later. Publish 73, now on the test server, retools Shame with a truly massive itemization overhaul and difficulty scaling as players descend the dungeon's depths.

MassivelyUltima Online producer's letter promises revitalization of classic content originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 07 Nov 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anti-virtue-dungeoncalvin-crownerclassic-mmodungeondungeonseaElectronic-Artsitemizationjeff-skalskioverhaulpatchproducers-letterpublish-73shameultimaultima-onlineuouriahMon, 07 Nov 2011 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Legend of Edda going dark until 2012 due to revamp]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/01/legend-of-edda-going-dark-until-2012-due-to-revamp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/01/legend-of-edda-going-dark-until-2012-due-to-revamp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/01/legend-of-edda-going-dark-until-2012-due-to-revamp/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Legend of Edda, the free-to-play title from GamesCampus, is temporarily closing its doors to the gaming public on August 26th until early next year. This isn't because of a dying population or financial difficulty, but rather to overhaul and relaunch the game with a much-improved version.

According to a letter left on the website, EU's EYASoft developed a superior version of the game that went into open beta in Europe. Apparently this version was both so good and so incompatible with the North American version that GamesCampus decided to halt progress on the current edition of Legend of Edda in favor for the new and improved one. "Unfortunately," the letter says, "because of the extreme differences between the US version and the new version, it is impossible to update the US servers to the new game."

To compensate Legend of Edda fans, GamesCampus is creating compensation packages to refund in-game currency and encourage players to try out on of the studio's other titles. We covered Legend of Edda earlier this year in our Rise and Shiny column.

MassivelyLegend of Edda going dark until 2012 due to revamp originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 01 Aug 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eddaeueuropeeyasoftgames-campusgamescampuslegend-of-eddananorth-americaoverhaulrelaunchrevamprise-and-shinyusMon, 01 Aug 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Darkfall activity report hints at game-changing expansion]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/22/darkfall-activity-report-hints-at-game-changing-expansion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/22/darkfall-activity-report-hints-at-game-changing-expansion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/22/darkfall-activity-report-hints-at-game-changing-expansion/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

It's been pretty quiet in Darkfall land since the first of the year, and whether that's because the devs have been hunting wabbits or hard at work on the game's next patch is a question that is addressed in the latest Aventurine activity report. There's a new patch in the works, tentatively scheduled for sometime next week, and it's bringing "significant changes" to the offline leveling system that was introduced late last year. How significant? For starters, additional skills will be available for meditation and the overall gains will see a substantial increase according to Aventurine's Tasos Flambouras.

Aside from the patch, the dev team continues to forge ahead with Darkfall's next expansion, and it is shaping up to be (quite literally) a world-changer. Flambouras outlines the team's high-level approach which "involves a complete overhaul and dramatic streamlining of the world and complete redistribution of all its features," as well as a "completely level playing field for all players." Details on these sweeping statements are vague at this point, but Darkfall will clearly be undergoing some huge changes when the expansion debuts in the second quarter of 2011.

Finally, the activity report touches on long-standing issues like the grind, character progression, endgame content, and the alignment system. If that's not enough for you, there's also a hint about a drop rate increase on books, scrolls, and stat potions, leading us to conclude that big things are afoot in the world of Agon. Stay tuned.

MassivelyDarkfall activity report hints at game-changing expansion originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 22 Jan 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activity-reportaventurineaventurine-sadarkfalldarkfall-expansiondarkfall-onlineexpansionfantasymeditationoffline-levelingoverhaulpatchpvpsandboxskillstasostasos-flambourasSat, 22 Jan 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Free Realms releases massive December patch]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/15/free-realms-releases-massive-december-patch/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/15/free-realms-releases-massive-december-patch/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/15/free-realms-releases-massive-december-patch/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Like many free-to-play games, Free Realms has seen pretty notable gains with the occasional rough patch -- not exactly a surprise when you consider how the year has in no small part been a renaissance for the business model. But love it or hate it, the game is still going strong, and is ending the year with its best foot forward. A massive December update has just hit the game, with a number of changes and additions to the entire experience. There's been an extensive combat overhaul, and -- hey, where are you going?

Yes, okay, get the obvious Star Wars Galaxies joke out of your system, we can hardly blame you. But the changes here seem to be for the best, at least from the outside, with clearer labeling of stats and a more engaging experience all around. Even if you aren't enamoured of the combat changes, you can kick back in the new player housing, take part in the newly-added Fishing minigame, launch yourself into the sky or enjoy some of the many other additions in the game. Take a look at the full list for more details, and expect to clock a few extra hours in on Free Realms if you're a fan of the game.

[ Thanks to Brian for the tip! ]

Gallery: Free Realms December Patch

MassivelyFree Realms releases massive December patch originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 15 Dec 2009 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apartmentscombat-improvementcombat-overhaulcombat-upgradedecember-2009-patchesfree-realmsfree-realms-december-updatehouseoverhaulpatchesplayer-housingTue, 15 Dec 2009 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[World of Warcraft's graphics engine to be upgraded incrementally]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/28/world-of-warcrafts-graphics-engine-to-be-upgraded-incrementally/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/28/world-of-warcrafts-graphics-engine-to-be-upgraded-incrementally/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/28/world-of-warcrafts-graphics-engine-to-be-upgraded-incrementally/#commentsFiled under: , ,


In the wake of a series of comments by Blizzard reps hinting at an eventual overhaul of World of Warcraft's graphics engine, Worldofwar.net contacted Lead Producer J. Allen Brack for clarification. Brack responded by describing specific changes to the engine that will be in the Wrath of the Lich King expansion, and then by making a pretty major revelation about the nature of the overhaul.

According to Brack, Blizzard will be making the changes bit-by-bit rather than all at once. "We're taking an iterative, organic approach to graphics upgrades," he said, "going feature by feature as opposed to thinking in terms of an overall new graphics engine."

As for the WotLK changes: those will include a new shadow engine, some new shaders for "even better looking terrain, as well as cool ice effects," and an increased view distance to make those expansive Northrend wastelands look, well ... expansive. He also noted that new water effects will be coming in "a future content update or expansion."

[Via WoW Insider]
One of Azeroth's millions of citizens? Check out our ongoing coverage of the World of Warcraft, and be sure to touch base with our sister site WoW Insider for all your Lich King needs!

MassivelyWorld of Warcraft's graphics engine to be upgraded incrementally originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 28 Aug 2008 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blizzardbrackengineexpansionexpansionsgraphicsicej-allen-brackoverhaulshadersshadowsview-distancewaterworld-of-warcraftwowwrath-of-the-lich-kingThu, 28 Aug 2008 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[WoW graphics engine to be overhauled someday]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/wow-graphics-engine-to-be-overhauled-someday/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/wow-graphics-engine-to-be-overhauled-someday/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/wow-graphics-engine-to-be-overhauled-someday/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

World of Warcraft producer J. Allen Brack and designers Jeff Kaplan and Tom Chilton were interviewed by Eurogamer today. Most of the interview dealt with Wrath of the Lich King content like the Death Knight, 10-person raids, and world PvP objectives. The most interesting bits of the interview were on the last page, though; the Blizzard reps talked about WoW's future.

According to Kaplan, a major graphics engine overhaul is "probably" part of that future. While he himself is not convinced it's necessary (he cited players' lukewarm reception of similar moves by the developers of Ultima Online and EverQuest), he said: "That's actually something we talk about every expansion ... and I'm positive we'll talk about it next expansion."

In the meantime, WotLK will allow "people with high-end machines some additional graphical effects." WoW Insider joked that future graphics engine updates might be dedicated entirely to producing even larger, more detailed shoulder pad armor. We wouldn't be surprised!

[Via WoW Insider]

MassivelyWoW graphics engine to be overhauled someday originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 16 May 2008 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blizzardeffectsengineeurogamerexpansionfuturegraphicsinterviewj-allen-brackjeff-kaplanoverhaultom-chiltonupdateupgradeworld-of-warcraftwotlkwowwrath-of-the-lich-kingFri, 16 May 2008 17:30:00 EST