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 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[World of Warcraft patch 5.3 goes live today]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/world-of-warcraft-patch-5-3-goes-live/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/world-of-warcraft-patch-5-3-goes-live/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/world-of-warcraft-patch-5-3-goes-live/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

World of Warcraft patch 53 is up and running
Another World of Warcraft patch day has come upon us. Patch 5.3, Escalation, is hitting the game today, bringing with it a whole host of changes from loot specialization to increased pet battle accuracy. The patch introduces a new Battleground, Deepwind Gorge, as well as a new Arena called The Tiger's Peak. Four new scenarios are being added, plus six new Heroic difficulties. The Escalation quest campaign adds new tasks for Alliance and Horde members as they prepare to remove Garrosh Hellscream from Orgrimmar.

You can read the exhaustive patch notes on the official site, and you can catch up on all the nitty gritty details on patch 5.3 on our sister site, WoW Insider.

MassivelyWorld of Warcraft patch 5.3 goes live today originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 21 May 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>5.3activisionblizzardblizzard-entertainmentescalationfantasypatchpatch-5.3patcheswarcraftworld-of-warcraftwowTue, 21 May 2013 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DUST 514's Uprising update is now live]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/06/dust-514s-uprising-update-is-now-live/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/06/dust-514s-uprising-update-is-now-live/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/06/dust-514s-uprising-update-is-now-live/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Screenshot -- DUST 514
The official launch of DUST 514 is planned to go live later this month on -- what else -- May 14th. But judging by the latest CCP dev blog, players can expect a whole bevy of new features before the game launches thanks to an update by the name of Uprising which, as it happens, went live today. For starters, the skill system is getting totally revamped in order to "make it more intuitive and deep." CCP is also introducing three new dropsuits to the game, along with a new assault dropship. As if that weren't enough, the studio has "done major rebalancing on weapons, dropsuits, modules, and vehicles." In light of all of these changes, players will be receiving full skill respecs and market refunds. Uprising will also include the addition of the new starmap, new UI and graphics features, and adjustments to the faction warfare system.

But that's not all. When the game officially goes live on the 14th, CCP will introduce DUST's planetary conquest system, which means that DUST players will be able to take part in the great territorial control battles that will tie the game into EVE Online. The launch will also bring a few new weapons and a new game mode (Domination) and new maps over which players can vie for supremacy. If that's not enough to look forward to, then we're not sure what to tell you. For the full details on Uprising and DUST 514's official launch, go on and check out the full dev blog on the game's official site.

MassivelyDUST 514's Uprising update is now live originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 06 May 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-gamesconsoledustdust-514eveeve-onlinefpsmmofpspatchpatchesplaystationplaystation-3ps3sandboxsci-fishooteruprisingMon, 06 May 2013 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SOE 'harasses' players with a massive PlanetSide 2 patch]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/02/soe-harasses-players-with-a-massive-planetside-2-patch/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/02/soe-harasses-players-with-a-massive-planetside-2-patch/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/02/soe-harasses-players-with-a-massive-planetside-2-patch/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

PlanetSide 2 Harasser screenshot
If SOE was going for the Award for Largest Patch Notes in Recent Memory, it just might have achieved it with its recent update to PlanetSide 2. Just for the sake of journalismistic investigationism, we did a rough count and discovered over 3600 words in the official post. And it's not just a patch about a few bugs and bits of tweaking; there's a new vehicle in town called the Harasser. According to its description, the Harasser is a "speedy armored assault buggy that plays a dual role as both a transport and strike vehicle." It also carries three units: the passenger (who can be a MAX unit), a driver, and a gunner. We imagine it running up, guns blazin', dropping a heavy and tearing away to pick up another. Brilliant!

Among the changes is a tweak to certifications for the Lightning, the best small tank in the world of PlanetSide 2. But we might be a tad biased. Check out the game for free on the official site.

MassivelySOE 'harasses' players with a massive PlanetSide 2 patch originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 02 May 2013 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beau-hindmanf2pfpsfree-to-playftpmargaret-krohnmmo-shootermmofpspatchesplanetsideplanetside-2ps2sandboxsci-fishooterSOEsonySony-Online-Entertainmentthe-harasserThu, 02 May 2013 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Patch 5.3 is bringing new scenarios and Heroic modes to World of Warcraft]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/02/patch-5-3-is-bringing-new-scenarios-and-heroic-modes-to-world-of/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/02/patch-5-3-is-bringing-new-scenarios-and-heroic-modes-to-world-of/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/02/patch-5-3-is-bringing-new-scenarios-and-heroic-modes-to-world-of/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

WoW
World of Warcraft players, rejoice! Blizzard has released a sneak peek at patch 5.3 and some of the goodies it contains. The incoming patch will include four new scenarios, all with Heroic mode, and add Heroic mode to two scenarios that have already been released.

The first of the new scenarios, a story-driven fight to protect the Dwarven capital, will bring players in to teach some warring clans about the magic of friendship and cooperation. Over in the Vale of Eternal Blossoms, players will come to the aid of some Goblin engineers who have delved too greedily and too deep. Players will also get to fight alongside the Bilgewater Cartel's elite Gob Squad as it tracks down a mysterious threat in Ragefire. Lastly, players will take to the high seas to prove the naval superiority of their faction.

These four new scenarios will come with a Heroic difficult mode; two existing scenarios (Crypt of Forgotten Kings and A Brewing Storm) will also benefit from some Heroicness. You'll need an item level of 480 and some friends to queue for these modes.

Gallery: World of Warcraft patch 5.3 preview

MassivelyPatch 5.3 is bringing new scenarios and Heroic modes to World of Warcraft originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 02 May 2013 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionblizzardblizzard-entertainmentfantasygallerypatchpatch-5-3patch-5.3patcheswarcraftworld-of-warcraftwowThu, 02 May 2013 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[SMITE unchains the might of Fenrir]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/01/smite-unchains-the-might-of-fenrir/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/01/smite-unchains-the-might-of-fenrir/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/01/smite-unchains-the-might-of-fenrir/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Who's a good boy? Who? Is it you? Who wants a treat?
After many years, we finally have the answer to a rhetorical question: SMITE let the dogs out. Well, one dog -- Fenrir. But he's enough dog to count for all the others. If you hadn't guess, Fenrir is the newest deity added to the game, coming into the game with a full suite of melee abilities suitable for a wolf feared by the Norse pantheon.

Fenrir's core mechanic is a stacking set of runes, with each of his abilities gaining a major buff when at a full stack of five. Normally, Fenrir can leap to do damage to an area, leap to do damage to a single target, or buff himself with increased damage and lifestealing. With a full stack of runes, his area leap stuns, his single-target leap becomes an AoE, and his buff becomes more efficient. He can also grow to a massive size, increase movement speed, and carry an enemy god around like a chew toy. Take a look at all of Fenrir's trick in the reveal video past the break, and read up on the full list of changes in the official patch notes.

Continue reading SMITE unchains the might of Fenrir

MassivelySMITE unchains the might of Fenrir originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 01 May 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abilitiesbackstorycharactersf2pfree-to-playhi-rezhi-rez-studiosloremobamultiplayer-online-battle-arenanew-godsnew-heropatchpatchesrevealSmitevideovideosWed, 01 May 2013 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Flameseeker Chronicles: It's time for some retribution in Guild Wars 2]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/30/flameseeker-chronicles-its-time-for-some-retribution-in-guild/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/30/flameseeker-chronicles-its-time-for-some-retribution-in-guild/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/30/flameseeker-chronicles-its-time-for-some-retribution-in-guild/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

Flameseeker Chronicles It's time for some retribution
Another patch day is upon us. Among other things, Guild Wars 2's Flame and Frost: Retribution is bringing in a new living story dungeon and some much-needed structured PvP improvements. Over the weekend, members of the press were invited to preview some of the incoming content. I'd like to talk about it with you, so be warned that there are spoilers for the living story dungeon ahead.

Something that I found particularly interesting about all of this is that the Molten Weapons Facilities dungeon is going to be available for less than two weeks. The dungeon is due to exit on May 12th. I had expected it to be time-limited, of course, but I think I was expecting a little more time than that. Anyway, let's dive right into it.

Continue reading Flameseeker Chronicles: It's time for some retribution in Guild Wars 2

MassivelyFlameseeker Chronicles: It's time for some retribution in Guild Wars 2 originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 30 Apr 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetbuy-to-playcustom-arenasdungeonfantasyfeaturedflame-and-frostflame-and-frost-retributionflameseeker-chroniclesguild-warsguild-wars-2gwgw1gw2hands-onliving-storyncsoftopinionpatchpatchespreviewpreviewsretributionspectator-modespvptrailertrailersvideovideosTue, 30 Apr 2013 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Celebrating Guild Wars' 8th anniversary]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/28/celebrating-guild-wars-8th-anniversary/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/28/celebrating-guild-wars-8th-anniversary/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/28/celebrating-guild-wars-8th-anniversary/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Guild Wars
Today is Guild Wars' eighth anniversary. Depending on which tradition you follow, I should be getting the game either bronze, salt, linens, or lace as a gift. Since I don't happen to have any of those handy, I'd like to reflect upon the rich life that Guild Wars has led so far. The game didn't start out with all of the neato features that it has now, so I'd like to look a bit at its evolution over time. I can't hit every update ever, but I thought we'd take a stroll down memory lane and look at some of the key moments in the game's life.

Continue reading Celebrating Guild Wars' 8th anniversary

MassivelyCelebrating Guild Wars' 8th anniversary originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 28 Apr 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetanniversaryarenanetbuy-to-playembark-beacheye-of-the-northfactionsfantasyfeaturedgame-mechanicsguild-warsguild-wars-2guild-wars-factionsguild-wars-nightfallguild-wars-propheciesgwgw1gw2hard-modehistoryncsoftnightfallopinionpatchpatchespropheciessorrows-furnaceupdateupdateszaishenzaishen-challengeSun, 28 Apr 2013 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Defiance dev blog covers common issues and cheater voyeurism]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/27/defiance-dev-blog-covers-common-issues-and-cheater-voyeurism/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/27/defiance-dev-blog-covers-common-issues-and-cheater-voyeurism/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/27/defiance-dev-blog-covers-common-issues-and-cheater-voyeurism/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Defiance screenshot
Defiance executive producer Nathan Richardsson is getting serious today in a very serious blog post uploaded very seriously to the official site, a post that discusses fixes already made and promises even more fixes for some of the problems that have plagued the game since launch. MMO launches typically go about as smooth as a rhino's hindquarters, but it's always good to hear official word that the team is aware and working on the problems.

According to the post, the "big team" is working overtime addressing issues like PC server woes, general game server crashes, Xbox problems, and PlayStation 3 client patches. In happier news, the team promises that hackers and cheaters are being taken very, you know, seriously. The blog even admits that some cheaters are allowed to linger in the game for a while so the team can "enjoy" watching the scum.

The team is also looking into the Case of the Disappearing Items, although it is admittedly a tough nut to crack. Future blog posts, Richardsson says, will cover player feedback on many of the issues since launch.

MassivelyDefiance dev blog covers common issues and cheater voyeurism originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 27 Apr 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arkark-hunterarkfallblogsbugsdefiancedefiance-launchdeveloper-blogmmo-shootermmofpsofficial-blogpatchesplaystation-3ps3pvpsci-fishootersyfythird-person-shootertpstransmedia-synergytriontrion-worldstvxboxXbox-360Sat, 27 Apr 2013 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SWTOR is finally getting a barber shop feature]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/27/swtor-insider-video-shows-off-new-customization-race-vehicles/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/27/swtor-insider-video-shows-off-new-customization-race-vehicles/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/27/swtor-insider-video-shows-off-new-customization-race-vehicles/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Star War the Old Republic screenshot
If you find yourself asking, "Hmm, when will I see more customization options for my character, new vehicles, and possibly a convenient one-stop-shop to adjust my character's look?" while playing Star Wars: The Old Republic, then your answer lies in the latest Insider video. In it, BioWare producer Cory Butler details some of the new features inbound for the space MMORPG.

What does the Cartel Market have on offer this month? There's a new Eradicator's Warsuit, a killer-looking outfit that was inspired by the original Deceived trailer. The trooper's armor set will be introduced later in the month, and then look out for the Vice Commandant's Contraband pack, which includes all new pets, vehicles, and gear. After April, the game will introduce the appearance designer kiosk, an all-in-one barber shop that allows players to change their appearance and even race! And oh yeah, players can also re-color armor sets. It's time for a new summer look, Jedi! (The Sith can't stand the sun.)

Click onward to check out the video for yourself.

Continue reading SWTOR is finally getting a barber shop feature

MassivelySWTOR is finally getting a barber shop feature originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 27 Apr 2013 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>barber-shopbarbershopbiowareBioware-Austincartelcory-butlercustomizationeaelectronic-artsf2pfree-to-playlucasartspatchessci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictortrailertrailersvideovideosSat, 27 Apr 2013 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[A Mild-Mannered Reporter: DC Universe Online's crisis of origins]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/24/a-mild-mannered-reporter-dc-universe-onlines-crisis-of-origins/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/24/a-mild-mannered-reporter-dc-universe-onlines-crisis-of-origins/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/24/a-mild-mannered-reporter-dc-universe-onlines-crisis-of-origins/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Haven't had time to remake these headers yet.
DC comics has always had a history of patch jobs. It's inevitable, really, since DC is both older than Marvel and replete with characters inherited from other publishers or characters originally designed to work in a vacuum. The fact that we've had multiple multiverse-spanning events that completely rewrite the fabric of the universe within the comics makes it clear that this is not a franchise afraid to retroactively remake an entire character only to change said character back in another remake four months later.

It sometimes makes DC rather painful to read even without the mess that the New 52 became, but that's a different article on a different site. Right now we're talking about DC Universe Online getting in on the whole parallel reality game.

Why the preamble? Because this was always pretty much inevitable given the franchise. That having been said, there's some interesting stuff within the upcoming Origin Crisis DLC that bears discussion, so let's talk about the upcoming DLC and how it ties into the game as a whole both thematically and mechanically.

Continue reading A Mild-Mannered Reporter: DC Universe Online's crisis of origins

MassivelyA Mild-Mannered Reporter: DC Universe Online's crisis of origins originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 24 Apr 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a-mild-mannered-reporteradd-onsconsoleconsolesdc-universedc-universe-onlinedcuodcuo-origin-crisisdlcendgameendgame-contentf2pfeaturedfree-to-playlegendary-pvemild-mannered-reporteropinionorigin-crisispatchesplaystation-3playstation3ps3soesony-online-entertainmentsuperherosuperhero-genresuperheroesWed, 24 Apr 2013 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Not So Massively: New Star Citizen column, Path of Exile Season Two, and MOBA news]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/22/not-so-massively-new-star-citizen-column-path-of-exile-season/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/22/not-so-massively-new-star-citizen-column-path-of-exile-season/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/22/not-so-massively-new-star-citizen-column-path-of-exile-season/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Not So Massively title image
If you've been following the development of upcoming crowdfunded sci-fi sandbox Star Citizen with interest, Massively has a brand-new column you might enjoy. The Diablo III test realm hinted at upcoming boosts to life regeneration and the damage output of a few spells, but Blizzard also suggested that a nerf to the Wizard Archon Form might be on the way. Path of Exile started its second season of race events, with over 200 events to take part in and massive prizes to be won.

Third-person MOBA SMITE added the 34th god to its roster this week with acrobatic assassin Ne Zha entering the fray, and Guardians of Middle-Earth released new DLC character Kili the Dwarf. Rise of Immortals added support for game replays and introduced and interesting new White Knight feature that lets players take over from characters who have disconnected or quit in the middle of a game.

Heroes of Newerth announced a huge upcoming balance patch that may finally get rid of the paid-for early hero access and promises to rebalance much of the game's expansive roster of characters. Dota 2's streamlined abuse report update backfired when players discovered they could use the report feature itself to abuse other players. And Firefall may finally be edging toward release with the announcement of a date for the start of open beta.

Continue reading Not So Massively: New Star Citizen column, Path of Exile Season Two, and MOBA news

MassivelyNot So Massively: New Star Citizen column, Path of Exile Season Two, and MOBA news originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 22 Apr 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abuseaction-mmoaction-rpgArmillary-Sashbalance-patchbattle-for-graxiabattlenetblizzardblizzard-entertainmentcloud-imperiumcompetitive-gamingconsoled3diablodiablo-2diablo-3diablo-iidiablo-iiidotadota-2dwarfe-sporte-sportseaearly-accessesportesportsf2pfantasyfeaturedfire-batsfree-to-playgothic-fantasygraxiagrinding-geargrinding-gear-gamesguardians-of-middle-earthheroes-of-newerthhonhon-tourkilileague-of-legendslollord-of-the-ringslotrmeldingmiddle-earthmobamonolithmonolith-studiosmultiplayerne-zhanewsnot-so-massivelynsmonline-multiplayeropen-betapatchpatchespath-of-exilepetroglyphpetroglyph-gamesplaystation-networkpoeps3psnpvpray-of-frostred-5-studiosreplayriotriot-gamesrise-of-immortalsroiround-uprounduprpgs2s2-gamessandboxsci-fistar-citizenterrauniverse-ringvalvevideowarner-broswhite-knightwhite-knight-queuewitch-doctorwizardwrath-of-the-lich-kingxboxxbox-360xbox-livexbox360Mon, 22 Apr 2013 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Nexus Telegraph: Dissecting WildStar's surprise patch notes]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/22/the-nexus-telegraph-dissecting-wildstars-surprise-patch-notes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/22/the-nexus-telegraph-dissecting-wildstars-surprise-patch-notes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/22/the-nexus-telegraph-dissecting-wildstars-surprise-patch-notes/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Broadcasting high-fidelity surprises straight into your brain.
After I penned my last installment of The Nexus Telegraph, two things happened in very quick succession. The first is that a set of beta patch notes for WildStar were leaked to the internet by some unscrupulous individual, which prompted me and many other players to immediately shout that we wouldn't have leaked the notes if we had been selected. And there's an entire article to be written about why such an action isn't cool, how it harms the game, and why the persion responsible is a particularly toxic form of "fan."

But then the second thing happened. The powers that be over at Carbine Studios, being infinitely cool themselves, decided to save people the trouble of deciding whether or not to look at the leaks. They posted the notes themselves, which means that I can now read the notes and actually write a column about them.

Of course, as with any patch notes, we've been given an incomplete picture and can make only a few haphazard guesses about how the game will look. We also know that this is not even close to the final state of the game. But there's still interesting stuff here worth analyzing and speculating about.

Continue reading The Nexus Telegraph: Dissecting WildStar's surprise patch notes

MassivelyThe Nexus Telegraph: Dissecting WildStar's surprise patch notes originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 22 Apr 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betabeta-patchbeta-patch-notesbetascarbinecarbine-studioscolumnfeaturedncsoftnexusnexus-telegraphopinionpatch-notespatchessandparksci-fantasysci-fithe-nexus-telegraphwildstarMon, 22 Apr 2013 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What's the fastest you've hit the level cap after a raise?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/16/the-daily-grind-whats-the-fastest-youve-hit-the-level-cap-aft/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/16/the-daily-grind-whats-the-fastest-youve-hit-the-level-cap-aft/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/16/the-daily-grind-whats-the-fastest-youve-hit-the-level-cap-aft/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Unfortunately, I did not get to slap these guns on my ship. More's the pity.
I hadn't really been trying to hit the level cap in Star Wars: The Old Republic after the expansion launched. I wanted to, certainly, but I figured it would happen when it happened. Turns out that it happened very shortly after the expansion launched, thanks to a combination of early access and a whole lot of play for first impressions. As it stands, I'm pretty sure it's the fastest turnaround I've had for hitting the cap after it's been raised.

Everyone's racing to the cap when a game first launches, but when the cap is raised it's a different ball game. You know how to play the game, you've got resources on your character, and you are often in pretty good equipment to start off. So what's the fastest you've ever hit the level cap after it's been raised? A week? Four days? A few hours after the patch has gone live?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: What's the fastest you've hit the level cap after a raise? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 16 Apr 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>capsdaily-grindexpansionslevel-caplevel-cap-raiselevel-uplevelingopinionpatchestdgthe-daily-grindupdatesTue, 16 Apr 2013 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Order & Chaos Online shakes things up with a major patch]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/10/order-and-chaos-online-shakes-things-up-with-a-major-patch/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/10/order-and-chaos-online-shakes-things-up-with-a-major-patch/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/10/order-and-chaos-online-shakes-things-up-with-a-major-patch/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Go ahead and make a joke about whether or not this would qualify as some sort of crusade related to immolation.
Order & Chaos Online is definitely trending a bit closer to the chaos side today. Gameloft's mobile MMO is getting a major patch to shake up a number of the game's systems, starting with the level cap rising to 70. That alone will shake up player expectations, but the addition of two new areas for players to explore is going to give fans plenty of new options on their way to that expanded level cap.

Not a fan? Well, then, none of that is going to matter to you. But you can get into the game easier than before, with the patch allowing new users to sign in via Facebook accounts. There are also more mounts, pets, and a beauty salon for changing your character's appearance. So there's plenty to enjoy, but if you're playing it on your phone, you should probably pull your car off to one side of the road before downloading. Otherwise you'll be causing entirely the wrong sort of chaos out of the game.

Gallery: Order & Chaos Online gallery



[Source: Gameloft press release]

MassivelyOrder & Chaos Online shakes things up with a major patch originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 10 Apr 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidapp-storeappsgameloftiphonemobilemobile-titlesorder-and-chaosorder-and-chaos-onlinepatchpatchesportable-gamesportable-mmosportable-titlestabletWed, 10 Apr 2013 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Look forward to MechWarrior Online updates through April]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/03/look-forward-to-mechwarrior-online-updates-through-april/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/03/look-forward-to-mechwarrior-online-updates-through-april/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/03/look-forward-to-mechwarrior-online-updates-through-april/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Still no option to outfit your machine with spinners, sadly.
If you thought that April would bring an overhaul of MechWarrior Online that turned the game into a robust farming simulator... well, no. Why would you even think that? But it will bring a whole lot of other updates to the game as outlined in a new letter from the game's creative director, starting with improved team functionality and UI improvements. That goes along nicely with the addition of air strike and artillery consumables, allowing players (especially scouts) to bring down a little extra firepower in a match.

The development team is also introducing a new class of special 'Mech, the Champions, which are custom configurations that sport a permanent 5% experience boost. That's in addition to improvements to the game's overall performance and more community events for MechWarrior Online players the world over. So that's a no on farming, but a yes on several improvements that should make your days of stomping around in an enormous walking tank more enjoyable.

MassivelyLook forward to MechWarrior Online updates through April originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 03 Apr 2013 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>consumablesf2pfree-to-playgame-mechanicsgroup-mechanicsmechmechsmechwarriormechwarrior-mmomechwarrior-onlinemwopatchespiranhapiranha-gamesquality-of-lifesci-fiuiupcoming-improvementsupcoming-patchesuser-interfaceWed, 03 Apr 2013 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Online shining up its starbases for Odyssey]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/02/eve-online-shining-up-its-starbases-for-odyssey/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/02/eve-online-shining-up-its-starbases-for-odyssey/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/02/eve-online-shining-up-its-starbases-for-odyssey/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

No words yet on making your starbase party central, but we can hope that it's coming.
In theory, player-owned starbases are a major component of EVE Online's gameplay. In practice, the acronym for these structures is seen as being unintentionally appropriate. But if you're an owner of a POS and hoping for some love from the development team, you can take heart that Odyssey is aiming to incorporate several new features to make these bases more desirable and worthwhile. Even if not all of these features are certain inclusions just yet, they're still enticing additions.

Among the major changes coming to starbases are the inclusion of private hangars, repackaging modules within starbase arrays, and the removal of sovereignty requirements from capital ship maintenance arrays. The UI will also be tweaked and improved, and players will be able to swap Strategic Cruiser subsystems from a starbase while accessing any of the starbase's arrays from within the facility's shield. For full details on the hard work being done to improve these structures, check out the full development blog.

MassivelyEVE Online shining up its starbases for Odyssey originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 02 Apr 2013 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-gamesdevelopment-blogeveeve-onlineexpansioninternet-spaceshipslarge-patchesnewsodysseypatchesplayer-owned-starbasespospreviewsandboxsci-fispreadsheets-onlineTue, 02 Apr 2013 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Modding tools released for Torchlight II]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/01/modding-tools-released-for-torchlight-ii/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/01/modding-tools-released-for-torchlight-ii/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/01/modding-tools-released-for-torchlight-ii/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Customizable for maximum ZERKIN.
If you're a Torchlight II fan, you've got GUTS now. As does the rest of the community. The game's latest patch doesn't just add new armor sets, pets, and tilesets, it also adds the game's primary modding tool known as GUTS. And this isn't just a halfhearted implementation, as the modding functionality extends through the game to the very core.

Playing the game through Steam? It's integrated through Steam Workshop. Want to play a multiplayer game with your favorite mod? There's full multiplayer support and the ability to see which mods are enabled in a given game. Want to start modding but have no idea where to start? There's a whole wiki filled with documentation on how to get started.

Don't own the game but love the idea of modding a multiplayer game? That's cool, too. The game is on sale until April 8th for $9.99 to celebrate the release of the modding tools. So if this sort of thing tickles your fancy, you've got almost no reason not to check it out.

MassivelyModding tools released for Torchlight II originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 01 Apr 2013 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>diablo-clonegutsmoddingmodding-toolsmodificationsmodspatchpatchesrunic-gamestl2tliitorchlighttorchlight-2torchlight-iiuser-modificationszerkinMon, 01 Apr 2013 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[PAX East 2013: ArenaNet on Guild Wars 2's near and far future]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/24/pax-east-2013-arenanet-on-guild-wars-2s-near-and-far-future/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/24/pax-east-2013-arenanet-on-guild-wars-2s-near-and-far-future/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/24/pax-east-2013-arenanet-on-guild-wars-2s-near-and-far-future/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

To those more accustomed to California, this is how the entire weekend felt.
This year's PAX East is the first one to take place in a post-launch world for Guild Wars 2. Last year, one of the big rewards for panelgoers was scoring a beta key; this year, anyone can grab a copy right now without a problem (just a fee). Consequently, the game hasn't had quite as much presence this year. But the team at ArenaNet decided to do something different this time around by sending out two of the designers to sit down and just answer questions from media representatives.

Before the palaver began in earnest, we were given a brief recap of the game's current state and the overall design focus. At the moment, we know that the game's developers are not looking to release a major expansion, focusing instead on more immediate content releases on a short schedule to make the game as good as it can be. While they don't like to use the term sandbox, they want the game to be a living world where people have a reason to be out in the world instead of stuck in small, instanced areas.

Continue reading PAX East 2013: ArenaNet on Guild Wars 2's near and far future

MassivelyPAX East 2013: ArenaNet on Guild Wars 2's near and far future originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 24 Mar 2013 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetbalancebuy-to-playconconventiondesign-balanceeventevent-coverageeventsexpofantasyfeaturedgame-balanceguild-wars-2gw2massively-event-coveragencsoftnewspatchespaxpax-2013pax-eastpax-east-2013penny-arcade-expopreviewsupcoming-contentupcoming-patchesSun, 24 Mar 2013 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Take over DUST 514's planets one piece at a time]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/14/take-over-dust-514s-planets-one-piece-at-a-time/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/14/take-over-dust-514s-planets-one-piece-at-a-time/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/14/take-over-dust-514s-planets-one-piece-at-a-time/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

If you're tired of EVE's figurative backstabbing, go planetside and get literal.
DUST 514 doesn't just interact with EVE Online by being set in the same universe. Taking control of territory and planetary surfaces has always been part of the design goals behind the shooter, reminiscent of the interstellar control offered by the older game, and the latest development blog examines how players will go about taking over a planet. It all starts by taking control of a district on a temperate planet, with each habitable world in the game universe harboring anywhere between five and 24 individual districts.

Controlling a district gives you access to military clones, the backbone of your economy and defense force. You can also use the clones to expand into new territory or sell excess stock. Of course, your facilities are vulnerable during clone production, offering rival corporations a chance to swoop in and take control... possibly with the aid of a tactical orbital strike courtesy of allies in starships. It's a multifaceted system that promises to give players plenty of reasons to conduct negotiations solely via sharp bits of metal.

MassivelyTake over DUST 514's planets one piece at a time originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 14 Mar 2013 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-gamesconquestconsolecontrol-spheresdevelopmentdustdust-514eveeve-onlinefpsmmofpsnewspatchesplanetary-conquestplanetary-controlplaystationplaystation-3previewsps3regional-controlsandboxsci-fishooterupcoming-patchesThu, 14 Mar 2013 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Allods Online dev blog details the Dominion Wars]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/08/allods-online-dev-blog-details-the-dominion-wars/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/08/allods-online-dev-blog-details-the-dominion-wars/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/08/allods-online-dev-blog-details-the-dominion-wars/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Screenshot -- Allods Online
For some time now, gPotato has been detailing the features of Allods Online's upcoming content update, Lords of Destiny. Today, the final Lords of Destiny devblog discusses one last major feature: the Dominion Wars. The Dominion Wars are described as "battles that will allow guilds to become true leaders of the Astral and gain precious resources, and from them players can gain glyphs that will enhance their equipment even further.

In order to join in the battle, players must be level 55 and have the necessary keys for access to the Dominion Wars. Each skirmish in the Dominion Wars consists of two rounds, each lasting 10 minutes. In the first round, one team will play on defense and the other on offense with the roles being reversed in the second round. Attacking players will be tasked with capturing enemy checkpoints, and each checkpoint captured will increase the time of the round by two minutes (though the second round can be no longer than the first). At the end of both rounds, whichever team captured the most checkpoints is declared the victor. For the full details on this complex new system, check out the entire post at the Allods official site.

MassivelyAllods Online dev blog details the Dominion Wars originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 08 Mar 2013 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>allodsallods-onlineastrum-nivaldev-blogdev-blogsdev-diariesdev-diaryf2pfantasyfree-to-playgala-netgpotatolords-of-destinymail-ru-gamesmail.ru-gamesmailru-gamespatchpatchesthe-dominion-warsupdateupdatesFri, 08 Mar 2013 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Guild Wars 2 brings more tricks to the WvW experience, living story [Updated]]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/28/guild-wars-2-brings-more-tricks-to-the-wvw-experience/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/28/guild-wars-2-brings-more-tricks-to-the-wvw-experience/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/28/guild-wars-2-brings-more-tricks-to-the-wvw-experience/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

It's still you against the world if it's not your specific world.
In Guild Wars 2 PvP, it's you against the world. Well, you and the rest of your world against the other world. Fans of the WvW system will be happy to learn that there are more tweaks coming to the system in the game's upcoming March patch, starting with the addition of ranks and abilities for players battling it out. The patch will also remove the culling system that prevented the game from displaying all of the players on the field at a given moment.

Players will earn ranks in WvW by earning World XP, which is awarded for doing pretty much whatever your character would normally do in WvW. Each new rank provides points to spend on abilities, all of which will start off as passive improvements like the ability to carry more supplies or do more siege damage. In the future, the developers want to add more active options so that WvW players feel as if they have an alternate advancement system past level 80, giving just a little more motivation to hit the WvW maps all over again.

[Thanks to Pete for the tip!]

[Update: Just as this post hit the front page, ArenaNet published a dev blog by Angel McCoy that focuses on the living story. Not only does McCoy explain how the paradoxes of the living story will work themselves out, but she teases that ArenaNet has "increased the amount of content (it will) be delivering, starting at the end of March." Good deal!]

MassivelyGuild Wars 2 brings more tricks to the WvW experience, living story [Updated] originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 28 Feb 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advancementalternate-advancementanetarenanetbuy-to-playfantasygame-mechanicsguild-wars-2gw2mechanicsncsoftpatchpatchespvppvp-advancementupcoming-patcheswvwThu, 28 Feb 2013 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Flameseeker Chronicles: The Gathering Storm preview]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/26/flameseeker-chronicles-the-gathering-storm-preview/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/26/flameseeker-chronicles-the-gathering-storm-preview/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/26/flameseeker-chronicles-the-gathering-storm-preview/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Flameseeker Chronicles The Gathering Storm preview
I know that nothing (nothing in the whole world, in the history of ever) sucks like waiting for the patch on patch day. There's the promise of wonderful things in the future, but they're just so tantalizingly out of reach.

So what better way to pass the time waiting for Guild Wars 2's February patch than by talking about it? I got a bit of a sneak preview at the incoming content over the weekend, so let's take a look at the nitty-gritty of what awaits us in the The Gathering Storm.

Continue reading Flameseeker Chronicles: The Gathering Storm preview

MassivelyFlameseeker Chronicles: The Gathering Storm preview originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 26 Feb 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetbuy-to-playfantasyfeaturedflame-and-frostflameseeker-chroniclesguildguild-bountyguild-challengeguild-missionsguild-puzzleguild-rushguild-trekguild-warsguild-wars-2gwgw1gw2hands-onncsoftopinionpatchpatchespreviewpreviewspvespirit-watchspvpthe-gathering-stormTue, 26 Feb 2013 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Do you set aside evenings for special game events?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/26/the-daily-grind-do-you-set-aside-evenings-for-special-game-even/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/26/the-daily-grind-do-you-set-aside-evenings-for-special-game-even/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/26/the-daily-grind-do-you-set-aside-evenings-for-special-game-even/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Look at me being all subtle and stuff.
Sometimes something special happens in a game. A new expansion launches. A major patch drops. A beta starts. Whatever the case, whether it's in Final Fantasy XIV or Ultima Online, it seems to be the sort of thing that calls for a little celebration. You take some time off from your usual activities. You get takeout. You try to make sure that whatever's starting tonight, you're there on the front row to enjoy it.

Or maybe you don't. Maybe you just make a point of popping in whenever and you don't worry about deviating from your normal routines for something as silly as an in-game moment. Let us know either way! Do you set aside evenings for special game events? Or do you think the very idea is ridiculous? If you've set aside evenings in the past, either alone or with friends, what did you do to celebrate?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Do you set aside evenings for special game events? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 26 Feb 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>culturedaily-grindeveningshumorin-game-eventslaunchlaunchesmajor-patchesmajor-updatesopinionpatchpatchesreal-lifetdgthe-daily-grindTue, 26 Feb 2013 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Tomorrow's EverQuest II update brings three new raids, guild achievements]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/25/tomorrows-everquest-ii-update-brings-three-new-raids-guild-ach/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/25/tomorrows-everquest-ii-update-brings-three-new-raids-guild-ach/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/25/tomorrows-everquest-ii-update-brings-three-new-raids-guild-ach/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Screenshot -- EverQuest II's guild achievements
The folks behind EverQuest II took to Twitter today to reveal more details about tomorrow's big update. Raiders had better polish their gear because the update will be bringing three new raids to the table. Two X2 raids will take place in Wurmbone's End and are referred to collectively as Nox Incessit, and one is tuned to be on the easier end of the scale whereas the other is intended to be a real challenge. An X4 raid will take place on the Dreadcutter and the devs stress that it is a hard mode raid in which "the final boss is designed to be the most difficult encounter in [the] game!"

Guilds will also have a lot to work toward, as the update is adding over 150 guild achievements that cover content from all of EQ2's expansions. The devs state that every guild will start with a "clean slate," meaning that achievements will not be rewarded retroactively. This first set of achievements is raid-based, and for a guild to earn one of these achievements, at least two-thirds of the raid group must belong to the same guild, so it's time to rally your friends and go for glory, honor, and of course, precious intangible internet points. Remember Norrathians, the update hits tomorrow, so head on over to the game's official site for all the details you need to be prepared.

MassivelyTomorrow's EverQuest II update brings three new raids, guild achievements originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 25 Feb 2013 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>achievementseq-2eq-iieq2eqiieverquest-2everquest-iif2pfantasyfree-to-playguild-achievementspatchpatchesraidraidssoesonysony-online-entertainmentupdateupdatesMon, 25 Feb 2013 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Dark Age of Camelot launches an update and answers player questions]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/21/dark-age-of-camelot-launches-an-update-and-answers-player-questi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/21/dark-age-of-camelot-launches-an-update-and-answers-player-questi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/21/dark-age-of-camelot-launches-an-update-and-answers-player-questi/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

No one takes Faertwyd's bunny slippers. No one.
If you've been playing Dark Age of Camelot for a while, odds are good that you've acquired a lot of things. You've got a set of Epic Armor, you've got tons of items clogging your bank, and you've got a pair of fuzzy bunny slippers that you don't remember buying but you now refuse to remove. The game's latest patch does not improve your slipper situation, but it does improve Epic Armor, add new Epic Weapons and Accessories, allow for remote bank access, and increase the stack limits on many items. So everything else gets better.

Does that satisfy you? No? You want to know more about the future of the game? Well, then, you can feast your eyes on a new set of community answers from the development team addressing the future update plans for the game as well as which areas will not be seeing much improvement (throwing weapons, for instance, are pretty much up the creek). So there's plenty for DAoC fans to enjoy. However, no one enjoys those bunny slippers. Seriously. Wear armor like everyone else.

[Thanks to Etaew for the tip!]

MassivelyDark Age of Camelot launches an update and answers player questions originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 21 Feb 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bankbanksbiowarecamelotclassic-mmocommunity-q-acommunity-q-and-adaocdark-age-of-cameloteaelectronic-artsepicepic-accessoriesepic-armorepic-itemsepic-weaponsfantasyinventoryitem-overhaulsitemsmythicmythic-entertainmentmythologypatchpatchespvpq-and-arvrstack-sizesstacksThu, 21 Feb 2013 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DDO celebrates a birthday, shares Update 17 notes, and introduces new Augments]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/20/ddo-celebrates-a-birthday-shares-update-17-notes-and-introduce/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/20/ddo-celebrates-a-birthday-shares-update-17-notes-and-introduce/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/20/ddo-celebrates-a-birthday-shares-update-17-notes-and-introduce/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

DDO celebrates a birthday, shares Update 17 notes, and revokes ghasts' ghoul status
Happy seventh birthday to Dungeons and Dragons Online! Like every good game, DDO is celebrating its anniversary-birthday-thing by giving out presents. Update 17 is live, a gift in its own right, and characters that were created before the patch will find that they've got a giftbox in their inventory.

But wait, there's more! Update 17 is a substantial patch. A whole slew of updates have been made to different bits of the game. On the DDO Store (and free to VIPs) is a new Monster Manual edition that features new deeds and objectives and two new Creature Companions. In what is arguably the most significant update, Restless Bats -- which don't exist and never have existed ever -- have been removed from the manual.

Augments, a new way to customize your equipment, have been added to the game. Items with augment slots can be, well, Augmented. Slotted Augments give their host item an additional effect for as long as they're slotted. People will be able to find named items with augment slots, pick augmentable items up from the DDO Store, or trust their luck to find one of the 5% of randomly generated items to have an augment slot. This system replaces the old Epic and Guild Augments. You can read up about Augments here.

MassivelyDDO celebrates a birthday, shares Update 17 notes, and introduces new Augments originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 20 Feb 2013 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anniversarybirthdayddodnddungeons-and-dragonsdungeons-and-dragons-onlinef2pfantasyfree-to-playpatchpatch-notespatchesturbineturbine-entertainmentupdateupdate-17update-notesupdatesWed, 20 Feb 2013 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[LOTRO's Update 10 revamps loot systems and gear set bonuses]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/20/lotros-update-10-revamps-loot-systems-and-gear-set-bonuses/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/20/lotros-update-10-revamps-loot-systems-and-gear-set-bonuses/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/20/lotros-update-10-revamps-loot-systems-and-gear-set-bonuses/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

LOTRO revamps loot systems and gear set bonuses
Lord of the Rings Online is getting some pretty major itemization updates with Update 10. Specifically, the patch will be affecting the loot in scaling instances and the way set bonuses work.

Bosses in three- and six-player spaces will have a chance to drop equipment, and raids will have equipment hooked up to each boss chest. Challenge modes will now come with a complimentary challenge chest. Moreover, the types of gear you'll find have been massaged a bit: Instance clusters will focus on a handful of gear types, so a DPS character will likely be running different instances than a tank in order to grab the appropriate gear.

Players will be able to mix and match their set bonuses more after the update. Sets will have either stat bonuses or skill modifying effects, in contrast to the recent trend to have sets that do both. Additionally, skill-modifying effects will on the two- and four-set bonuses, giving players more customization options. As a final treat, each class will have access to two new Erebor sets for all three of their trait lines.

MassivelyLOTRO's Update 10 revamps loot systems and gear set bonuses originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 20 Feb 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dev-diaryf2pfantasyfree-to-playgearitemizationlootlord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotropatchpatchesturbineturbine-entertainmentupdate-10Wed, 20 Feb 2013 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MechWarrior opens up a big map and a medium 'Mech]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/19/mechwarrior-opens-up-a-big-map-and-a-medium-mech/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/19/mechwarrior-opens-up-a-big-map-and-a-medium-mech/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/19/mechwarrior-opens-up-a-big-map-and-a-medium-mech/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

The Berkshires, 2/9/13
In the destructive world of MechWarrior Online, every 'Mech has its niche. Some machines thrive on maps with tight corridors and small boundaries, allowing them to get up close and personal. Others live on the ability to reach out and touch their targets at extreme ranges, preferably with missiles. It's the latter type that will enjoy the game's newest map, Alpine Peaks, which is the largest map yet added to the game. As the zone is filled with snowy vistas and sniping points, close-range machines will fare poorly here, but anything with good ranged capacity will find a lot to love.

Not coincidentally, the most recent update also adds a new 'Mech for pilots, the Trebuchet. Available in five variants, this 50-ton machine features twin LRM-15s in all but one variant, allowing players to pack quite a punch at range. It's the perfect sort of 'Mech for tromping around in a snowy environment and spreading damage over a large range, so we can imagine it'll see some use on the new map.

[Source: Piranha Games press release]

MassivelyMechWarrior opens up a big map and a medium 'Mech originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 19 Feb 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>additionsf2pfree-to-playlarge-maplong-range-mechmapmechmechsmechwarriormechwarrior-mmomechwarrior-onlinemedium-mechmwonew-mapnew-mechnewspatchpatchespiranhapiranha-gamessci-fiTue, 19 Feb 2013 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Not So Massively: Diablo III launches patch 1.0.7, Path of Exile gets new content]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/18/not-so-massively-diablo-iii-launches-patch-1-0-7-path-of-exile/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/18/not-so-massively-diablo-iii-launches-patch-1-0-7-path-of-exile/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/18/not-so-massively-diablo-iii-launches-patch-1-0-7-path-of-exile/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Not So Massively title image
Path of Exile released several patches this week, adding new map types and fixing a number of bugs. Developers also revealed that the schedule for upcoming open beta content additions will begin with the next patch. Diablo III released patch 1.0.7 this week, adding a new dueling mechanic to the game and a brand-new endgame farming task based around collecting Demonic Essence to craft powerful account-bound gear. The patch also included some much-needed buffs for popular Wizard and Monk abilities.

SMITE revealed its new ranged crowd-control god Neith this week; she manipulates invisible magical weaves to empower her attacks. And Dota 2 released classic hero Tusk, who can roll himself and his team into a giant snowball of death. League of Legends announced a series of buffs for Nasus, Akali, and Riven in a new Patch Preview video, in addition to changes to items with the cooldown reduction stat.

Heroes of Newerth's patch 3.0.2 fixed an exploit with the Insanitarius item, while competitive team Trademark eSports secured its fourth win in the Diamond division of the HoN Tour league. Finally, Star Citizen continued to break gaming crowdfunding records this week as its total funds raised passed the $8,000,000 US mark.

Continue reading Not So Massively: Diablo III launches patch 1.0.7, Path of Exile gets new content

MassivelyNot So Massively: Diablo III launches patch 1.0.7, Path of Exile gets new content originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 18 Feb 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>action-mmoaction-rpgakaliarchon-gearbattlenetblizzardblizzard-entertainmentbuffscloud-imperiumcompetitive-gamingcooldown-reductioncrowdfundingd3demonic-essencediablodiablo-2diablo-3diablo-iidiablo-iiidotadota-2e-sporte-sportsendgameesportesportsf2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playgothic-fantasygrinding-geargrinding-gear-gamesheroheroesheroes-of-newerthhi-rez-studioshonhontourinfernoleague-of-legendslolmapmapsMarquiseMarquise-gemsmobamonkmonk-buildsmultiplayernasusNeithnewsnot-so-massivelynsmonline-multiplayerpatchpatch-previewpatchespath-of-exilepoepvpriotriot-gamesrivenround-uprounduprpgs2s2-gamessandboxsci-fistar-citizentusktuskarrvalvevideowizardwizard-buildMon, 18 Feb 2013 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: Retribution 1.1 and armour tanking]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/17/eve-evolved-retribution-1-1-and-armour-tanking/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/17/eve-evolved-retribution-1-1-and-armour-tanking/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/17/eve-evolved-retribution-1-1-and-armour-tanking/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

EVE Evolved title image
While MMO characters typically fall into specialised tank, healer, and damage-dealing roles, most ships in EVE Online are a combination of all three. Fitting a ship for PvP is a careful balancing act between survivability and damage, as it doesn't matter how much damage you can deal if you don't stay alive long enough to apply it. Active tanking setups that focus on repairing damage have unfortunately seen very limited use in PvP, being effective only in solo fights and very small-scale gang warfare. In most fights, a passive buffer tank that just maximises effective hitpoints will last longer than any active setup.

The Inferno expansion helped to solve this problem with its new Ancillary Shield Boosters that consume cap booster charges for a huge burst of shield hitpoints. Tuesday's Retribution 1.1 patch now aims to level the playing field for armour users with the introduction of new Ancillary Armor Repairers and a series of balance changes to armour plates, rigs, and standard repairers. The patch should hopefully give gank battlecruisers and tech 2 cruisers the speed they need to compete in PvP and may even make some interesting active armour tanking setups viable.

In this week's EVE Evolved, I look at the role of tanking in PvP today and the tanking changes coming in Tuesday's Retribution 1.1 patch.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: Retribution 1.1 and armour tanking

MassivelyEVE Evolved: Retribution 1.1 and armour tanking originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 17 Feb 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1.1active-tankingancillary-armor-repairersancillary-shield-boostersarmorarmor-platearmor-tankarmourarmour-platearmour-tankbuffer-tankccpccp-gamesdominixeffective-hitpointseveeve-evolvedeve-onlinefeaturedhitpointsinfernopassive-tankpassive-tankingpatchpatchespvpretributionsandboxsci-fishield-boostertanktankingSun, 17 Feb 2013 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[February 26th sees the inclusion of trading post previews for Guild Wars 2]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/17/february-26th-sees-the-inclusion-of-trading-post-previews-for-gu/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/17/february-26th-sees-the-inclusion-of-trading-post-previews-for-gu/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/17/february-26th-sees-the-inclusion-of-trading-post-previews-for-gu/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

These fine folks are running to go see what their gear will look like. They are very concerned with fashion.
Guild Wars 2 gives you a fair amount of control over the appearance of your character's armor and weapons, but it's still heartrending to spend a bunch of money on the trading post only to find out that you've bought a Merciless Jacket of Searing Ugliness. But fret not, fashion-minded players! Starting with the game's next major patch on February 26th, you will be able to preview armor on your characters straight from the trading post!

Are there other features in the patch? Well, technically, yeah. I mean, you can choose your daily achievements instead of having to fulfill an arbitrary set, which will work nicely with the existing Laurels rewards. And there's new team vs. team matchups in PvP, guild missions in PvE, and further elaboration of the large meta-storyline started back in January. There's even a new PvP map. But who cares about any of that? The important part is previewing items off the trading post.

[Thanks to Jesse for the tip!]

MassivelyFebruary 26th sees the inclusion of trading post previews for Guild Wars 2 originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 17 Feb 2013 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetarmor-previewbuy-to-playfantasygame-mechanicsguild-wars-2gw2major-patchmajor-updatesncsoftpatchpatchespreviewstyletrading-postupdateupdatesvisual-styleSun, 17 Feb 2013 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[February's Star Trek Online Ask Cryptic is all about May]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/16/februarys-answers-for-star-trek-online-are-all-about-may/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/16/februarys-answers-for-star-trek-online-are-all-about-may/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/16/februarys-answers-for-star-trek-online-are-all-about-may/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

No answer for why the anniversary ship is one of the uglier Enterprises. Yes, I said it.
Star Trek Online players have questions, and Cryptic Studios has answers. The latest installment of Ask Cryptic for the month of February mostly gives the same answer to several questions, however, and that answer is May. More specifically, it's something contained in the May update, which some fans are speculating will include a playable Romulan faction. Producer Dan Stahl does not come out and say as much, but he does agree that previously issued hints strongly suggest Romulans and that the design team is holding back iconic Romulan ships for a playable faction in the future.

Beyond those updates, players can look forward to seeing a revamped and streamlined character creation process in May, as well as an overhaul to the game's existing trait system for characters. New equipment that allows for a socketing system is also en route. And there may well be a new tribble to unlock, if you like having a sentient furball sticking around. For more answers covering topics such as ship appearance, ship weapons, and Earth-based pets, read through the full list of answers.

MassivelyFebruary's Star Trek Online Ask Cryptic is all about May originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 16 Feb 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ask-crypticcommunity-q-and-acrypticcryptic-studiosf2pfactionsfree-to-playfuture-patchfuture-patchesmajor-updatesmay-updatepatchpatchesperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentplayer-theoriespossible-factionspwequestions-and-answersrevampssci-fistar-trekstar-trek-mmostar-trek-onlinestoSat, 16 Feb 2013 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SWTOR's Patch 1.7 gets a snazzy video]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/11/swtors-patch-1-7-gets-a-snazzy-video/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/11/swtors-patch-1-7-gets-a-snazzy-video/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/11/swtors-patch-1-7-gets-a-snazzy-video/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

SWTOR
Star Wars: The Old Republic is getting hit with Patch 1.7 tomorrow. The patch is bringing with it the new Galactic Reputation system and a new event. The event, Relics of the Gree, will send players to unravel the mystery of the ancient Gree.

After the patch goes live, players will be able to journey to the News Terminals located in Carrick Station or Vaiken Spacedock to kick off the new adventures. It's a limited-time event, so make sure to get in before February 26th to experience the event.

Skip below the cut for a sneak peek at the Relics of the Gree.

[Thanks to groovy netizen John for the tip!]

Continue reading SWTOR's Patch 1.7 gets a snazzy video

MassivelySWTOR's Patch 1.7 gets a snazzy video originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 11 Feb 2013 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1.7biowareeaelectronic-artsf2pfree-to-playgalactic-reputationgreelucasartspatchpatch-1.7patchesrelics-of-the-greesci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictortrailertrailersvideovideosMon, 11 Feb 2013 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Star Wars: The Old Republic drops patch 1.7 on Tuesday]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/10/star-wars-the-old-republic-drops-patch-1-7-on-tuesday/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/10/star-wars-the-old-republic-drops-patch-1-7-on-tuesday/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/10/star-wars-the-old-republic-drops-patch-1-7-on-tuesday/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Who doesn't want to be best friends with a group of cthonic nightmares?
It's almost time to see what you can do about your reputation in Star Wars: The Old Republic. Patch 1.7 is bringing the new reputation system as well as the new Relics of the Gree event to the live servers on Tuesday, February 12th. The maintenance window for the patch is five and a half hours, although as with most major patches, there's always the chance that it'll run a little longer because of unforeseen issues.

If you've still got more questions about what the reputation system will add to the game, a recent development blog answers those questions. Notably, this patch has not been up for testing on the test server, possibly to keep the event a bit more of a secret. Whatever the case, players will get to put their hands on the changes in just a couple of days, so get ready to travel across the galaxy and get some props from galactic reputation.

[Thanks to Jose for the tip!]

MassivelyStar Wars: The Old Republic drops patch 1.7 on Tuesday originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 10 Feb 2013 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowareeaelectronic-artseventf2pfree-to-playin-game-eventlucasartspatchpatch-maintenancepatchesreputationreturn-of-the-greesci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorswtor-patch-1.7the-old-republictorupdateupdatesSun, 10 Feb 2013 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Face of Mankind gets a revamp in the upcoming Milestone patch]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/08/face-of-mankind-gets-a-revamp-in-the-upcoming-milestone-patch/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/08/face-of-mankind-gets-a-revamp-in-the-upcoming-milestone-patch/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/08/face-of-mankind-gets-a-revamp-in-the-upcoming-milestone-patch/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Face of Mankind gets a revamp in the upcoming Milestone patch
The free-to-play MMOFPS Face of Mankind is due for a major update soon. A new dev blog has been put out in order to explain some of the changes that will be coming about in the patch.

The mining and crafting systems are getting an overhaul: Resources will be collected, transported, and refined into useful materials in new ways. Augmenting that will be a reformed death and cloning system. Players will drop all non-bound items in their inventory on death, and the process of creating a new clone to get back into action with will be lengthier (although it can, of course, be sped up for a cost.) Players will now be able to create and manage their own factions, rather than sticking with the eight factions that were previously in the game.

There's more! There's so, so much more (including "stuff with aliens"). Keep an eye out for a Kickstarter campaign to fund new improvements and systems for the game.

Skip below the cut to catch the full details.

[Thanks to intrepid explorer Alex for the tip!]

Continue reading Face of Mankind gets a revamp in the upcoming Milestone patch

MassivelyFace of Mankind gets a revamp in the upcoming Milestone patch originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 08 Feb 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>craftingcrowdfundingdev-diaryf2pface-of-mankindfomfree-to-playkickstartermmofpsnexeonnexeon-technologiespatchpatchesthe-face-of-mankindupdateupdatesvideovideosFri, 08 Feb 2013 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Flameseeker Chronicles: Flame and Frost]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/05/flameseeker-chronicles-flame-and-frost/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/05/flameseeker-chronicles-flame-and-frost/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/05/flameseeker-chronicles-flame-and-frost/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Flameseeker Chronicles Flame and Frost
Well, my goodness! We've got a week of the Flame and Frost prelude patch behind us, and what a week it's been! The patch notes for this sucker were impressive; for a relatively minor patch, the Flame and Frost prelude brought in a lot of tweaks and updates. I'm kind of glad for that, as quality of life additions were top on my list for hopes for Guild Wars 2 in 2013. I'm very pleased with ArenaNet for shoring up the content that's already out rather than leaving it be in the rush to get out new content.

So! Let's take a look at what ArenaNet brought us in the past week.

Continue reading Flameseeker Chronicles: Flame and Frost

MassivelyFlameseeker Chronicles: Flame and Frost originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 05 Feb 2013 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetbuy-to-playdailydaily-achievementdungeondungeonsfantasyfeaturedflame-and-frostflame-and-frost-preludeflameseeker-chroniclesfractals-of-the-mistsguild-warsguild-wars-2gwgw1gw2january-patchlaurellaurelsncsoftopinionpatchpatchesupdateupdatesTue, 05 Feb 2013 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[EverQuest II starts its new year with new challenges and dungeons]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/05/everquest-ii-starts-its-new-year-with-new-challenges-and-dungeon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/05/everquest-ii-starts-its-new-year-with-new-challenges-and-dungeon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/05/everquest-ii-starts-its-new-year-with-new-challenges-and-dungeon/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

The new challenge for this drake here is swinging its wings without impaling itself.
Another expansion is out for EverQuest II, but this is no time for the game to rest upon its laurels. Producer Holly Longdale recently took to the game's forums to make it clear that the developers have big plans for the game in 2013, and they've been hard at work since December putting together a long-term plan for what will happen over the next year. That starts with a new patch on February 26th.

The update will include a new two-group dungeon in Wurmbone Crag along with a raid version of Dreadcutter. Beyond that, there's improved bag functionality as well as new daily, weekly, and monthly objectives for players to complete for special rewards. And that's not even the next big game update, which is scheduled for some time in the spring. Even though we're in the second month of the year, it's the start of a new cycle for EverQuest II's development, and hopefully players will be pleased with what it has to offer.

MassivelyEverQuest II starts its new year with new challenges and dungeons originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 05 Feb 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>coming-attractionseq-2eq-iieq2eqiieverquest-2everquest-iif2pfantasyfeaturesfree-to-playholly-longdalepatchespreviewproducers-lettersoesonysony-online-entertainmentupcoming-patchesTue, 05 Feb 2013 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Forge developer diary discusses the state of the game and what comes next]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/05/forge-developer-diary-discusses-the-state-of-the-game-and-what-c/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/05/forge-developer-diary-discusses-the-state-of-the-game-and-what-c/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/05/forge-developer-diary-discusses-the-state-of-the-game-and-what-c/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

You'd think a game with a title like Forge would be all about competitive smelting, but no.
Forge isn't your typical MMO, set up as a straightforward PvP arena without niggling little issues like outside quests to get in the way. The development team behind the game has been looking at its current state, and in the newest address to the players they state what the game is doing wrong and how to fix it.

The diary makes it clear that while the number of people playing Forge is down, they believe a lot of that has to do with the steep learning curve new players experience. To fix this, there are plans for a new starter area in which players can practice against bots to get accustomed to the combat and the game mechanics. The team also plans to improve the tutorial and the UI so that what an ability does is more transparent.

For players already at the higher end, this is still good news -- the matchmaking system will be updated, visual customization will be improved, and you'll be able to respec at any time to ensure that you aren't stuck with poor choices forever. Check out all the details in the latest development diary.

MassivelyForge developer diary discusses the state of the game and what comes next originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 05 Feb 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>changesdark-valedark-vale-forgedark-vale-gamesdeveloper-diaryforgenew-playerspatchesplayer-retentionpreviewpvppvp-gamestutorialupdatesTue, 05 Feb 2013 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MechWarrior Online shows off its pretty new baby]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/05/mechwarrior-online-shows-off-its-pretty-new-baby/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/05/mechwarrior-online-shows-off-its-pretty-new-baby/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/05/mechwarrior-online-shows-off-its-pretty-new-baby/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

It's not very pretty after all.
Would you call your multi-ton death machine a pretty baby? If you're playing MechWarrior Online you just might, especially since that's the name of the newest hero 'Mech introduced to the game. Considering the machine is loaded with an LRM 15, a PPC, two lasers, and a high top speed for a 80-ton 'Mech, we can see why you might coo affectionately that it's your pretty little darling yes it is.

But maybe your existing 'Mech is already the apple of your eye. That's all right, there's still plenty to like in February. The team at Piranha Games is working on a UI overhaul for the MechLab to allow players a clearer picture of what happens when upgrades are slotted in. There's also the third phase of matchmaking, new patterns for decorating your machine of choice, and performance improvements for all computers. But if you're still excited at the thought of a pretty new machine to pilot, you can check out a trailer for the prettiest of all babies past the cut.

[Source: Piranha Games press release]

Continue reading MechWarrior Online shows off its pretty new baby

MassivelyMechWarrior Online shows off its pretty new baby originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 05 Feb 2013 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>coming-patchesdecorationf2pfree-to-playmechmechsmechwarriormechwarrior-mmomechwarrior-onlinemwonew-mechpatchespiranhapiranha-gamespreviewssci-fitrailertrailersuiupcoming-patchesuser-interfacevideovideosTue, 05 Feb 2013 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What game do you still hope will be revitalized?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/05/the-daily-grind-what-game-do-you-still-hope-will-be-revitalized/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/05/the-daily-grind-what-game-do-you-still-hope-will-be-revitalized/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/05/the-daily-grind-what-game-do-you-still-hope-will-be-revitalized/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

And as long as I'm dreaming I'd like to see Chaos be a bit more gender-neutral.
I do not play Warhammer Online any longer, but it holds a special place in my heart. I greatly enjoyed playing the game when it was selected for Choose My Adventure back in the day, and I still hold out hope that the game will emerge from its slow stagnancy to be some sort of WAAAGH-based phoenix. The odds of that happening are low, but I'd love to see it happen just the same.

Games have a life cycle, and after a certain point, even the most beloved online title slips into a maintenance mode. But we all have titles that we'd love to see get updates once again, allowing us to relive the glory days. This isn't about games that had been shut down; this is about games that are still running but are no longer at the forefront of the gaming zeitgeist. So what game do you still hope will be revitalized, even if you don't expect it to happen? Would you like to see Ultima Online get another day in the sun, or do you just hope that Champions Online will get a big expansion and some development love?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: What game do you still hope will be revitalized? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 05 Feb 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>active-updatesdaily-grindexpansionsmaintenance-modemajor-patchesmajor-updatesnew-contentold-gamesolder-gamesopinionpatchesstatic-gamestdgthe-daily-grindupdatesTue, 05 Feb 2013 08:00:00 EST